← GST Advisory

GST for Individuals &
Sole Proprietors

Running a solo practice or small business? GST doesn't have to be overwhelming. Strategic registration, smart scheme selection, and simple compliance can save you ₹50K-3L annually while reducing paperwork by 70%.

Ideal for: Freelancers, consultants, small retailers, service providers earning ₹20L-5Cr annually

70%
Compliance Time Reduction
₹50K-3L
Typical Annual Savings

The Solo Business Owner's GST Challenges

You started your business to do what you love. But GST compliance feels like a part-time job you didn't sign up for.

01

Registration Confusion

The Question: Do I even need to register for GST? Threshold is ₹20L for services, ₹40L for goods. But should you register BEFORE hitting threshold?

Scenario A: Consultant at ₹18L

Most say "don't register yet." But if B2B clients need your GSTIN, voluntary registration wins contracts.

Scenario B: Retailer at ₹38L

Below threshold but growing. Crossing mid-year = 30-day scramble. Planning ahead prevents chaos.

We analyze your situation and project growth for optimal timing.

02

Scheme Selection Paralysis

The Dilemma: Regular scheme vs. Composition scheme?

Regular Scheme

  • Can claim ITC
  • Inter-state sales
  • Monthly filing
  • Complex compliance

Composition Scheme

  • Quarterly filing
  • Lower rate (1-6%)
  • No ITC claims
  • Intra-state only

We model BOTH scenarios with your actual numbers.

03

Compliance Overwhelm

The Reality: Under regular scheme: GST invoices, GSTR-1 monthly, GSTR-3B monthly, ITC reconciliation, annual return = 25+ filings per year.

Time Cost: 20-40 hours monthly on GST. At ₹2,000/hour consulting rate: ₹7.2 Lakhs annual opportunity cost.

We simplify with templates, automation, composition (where beneficial). Typical reduction: 70-85%.

04

ITC Leakage

The Problem: You're paying GST on inputs but not claiming all eligible ITC.

Example: ₹40L Freelancer's Missed ITC

Software: ₹1.2L (₹18K GST)Prof. services: ₹80K (₹12K GST)Equipment: ₹60K (₹9K GST)Coworking: ₹2.4L (₹43K GST)

Total unclaimed: ₹82,000

We audit 6-12 months expenses and often recover ₹50K-2L retroactively.

05

Penalty Fear

The Anxiety: "What if I made a mistake? Will I get fined?"

Common fears: Late filing (₹50/day), wrong classification, ITC errors, invoice format issues.

Reality: Most notices are fixable—late filing, GSTR-1/3B mismatch, ITC differences. We provide pre-filing reconciliation, timely filing systems, and notice response templates.

Our Solopreneur GST Strategy

STRATEGY 01

Registration Timing

Determine WHEN to register based on revenue, growth projection, customer type (B2B vs B2C), and ITC benefit potential.

Deliverable: Registration roadmap with 12-month cost-benefit
STRATEGY 02

Scheme Selection Modeling

Run actual numbers for regular vs composition: revenue, input costs, customer mix, inter-state needs, time value.

Deliverable: Side-by-side 12-month financial model
STRATEGY 03

Compliance Simplification

Invoice automation, expense tracking, filing calendar with auto-reminders. Tools: Zoho Books, QuickBooks integration.

Impact: 70-85% time reduction
STRATEGY 04

ITC Maximization

12-month expense audit: SaaS subscriptions, marketing tools, cloud hosting, coworking, insurance, equipment.

Typical Recovery: ₹30K-1.5L for ₹30-50L revenue
STRATEGY 05

Growth Transition Planning

Plan 3-6 months ahead for: crossing ₹1.5Cr composition limit, adding inter-state clients, entity restructuring.

Avoid: Forced mid-year scheme switches
Case Study

Freelance Consultant Saves ₹2.8L Annually

Client Profile

  • • Independent management consultant
  • • ₹42L annual revenue
  • • 8 B2B clients (mid-size companies)
  • • Heavy SaaS & professional expenses

Before

  • • Regular scheme (previous CA advice)
  • • Net GST outflow: ₹6.91L
  • • ITC claimed: only ₹65K
  • • Compliance: 28 hours/month
  • • Effective rate: 16.5%

After Our Optimization

  • • Switched to composition @ 6%
  • • Net GST outflow: ₹2.52L
  • • Recovered ₹1.2L past ITC first
  • • Compliance: 2 hours/quarter
  • • Effective rate: 6%
₹4.39L
Direct GST Savings
330 hrs
Time Saved Annually
₹12L
Additional Revenue (freed time)
57x
ROI on Advisory Fee

"I was told 'composition won't work for consultants with B2B clients.' Sami surveyed my clients and proved otherwise. The ₹4.4L GST savings is great. But 330 hours saved is LIFE-CHANGING. I got my weekends back."

— Independent Management Consultant, Bangalore

Questions & Answers

Common Questions from Solopreneurs

Expert answers on registration, schemes, compliance, and costs

Depends on three factors:

1.Customer Type: If clients are businesses claiming ITC, they may prefer (or require) you to have GST registration. Voluntary registration can win contracts.
2.Input Costs: Do you have significant GST-bearing expenses? If yes, ITC benefit might outweigh compliance burden.
3.Growth Trajectory: If you're likely to cross ₹40L in next 6 months, register now to prevent mid-year scrambling.

Sami Tax models this specifically for your situation in a single consultation.

✓ Composition IS simpler

  • • Quarterly filing (not monthly)
  • • Lower compliance burden
  • • Often lower effective GST rate

✗ The "catch"

  • • Can't claim input tax credit
  • • Can't do inter-state sales
  • • B2B clients can't claim ITC from you
  • • Revenue limit ₹1.5 Cr

For B2C with low inputs = composition wins. For B2B with high inputs = regular wins. We run actual numbers.

Yes, but only once per financial year (at start of FY).

  • Regular → Composition: Apply by March 31 for next FY
  • Composition → Regular: Forced switch if you exceed ₹1.5 Cr or need inter-state sales

You can't toggle mid-year. That's why upfront analysis is critical.

Late filing penalty: ₹50/day (₹20/day for nil returns), max ₹5,000.

30 days late = ₹1,500 penalty.

More importantly, chronic late filing:

  • • Blocks your ITC claims
  • • Triggers department notices
  • • Can lead to registration cancellation

Sami Tax sets up automated reminder systems to prevent this entirely.

You CAN file yourself. GST portal allows direct filing.

Regular Scheme

Complex, tedious, error-prone. Most benefit from help.

Composition Scheme

Simple enough for DIY if comfortable with basics.

Hybrid approach many use:

  • ✓ Strategic consultation upfront (one-time)
  • ✓ Use templates and systems
  • ✓ File yourself or use basic CA for routine
  • ✓ Come back for annual review or if notice received

Realistic ranges:

Basic Compliance Only

₹3,000-6,000/month (regular), ₹2,000-4,000/quarter (composition)

Strategic Advisory + Compliance

₹60,000-1,20,000 annually

Project-Based Optimization

₹15,000-40,000 (one-time)

Our philosophy: Advisory should create 5-10x ROI minimum. If projected savings don't justify fee, we'll tell you to DIY.

Get Your Personalized GST Strategy

60-minute solopreneur GST consultation includes:

Registration timing analysis
Regular vs composition modeling
Preliminary ITC audit
Compliance simplification roadmap
Projected annual savings

Most solopreneurs discover ₹50K-3L in annual savings opportunities in first consultation.