Learn how to calculate CGST, SGST, and IGST on any product or service. Complete guide to India's GST structure, tax rates, and the free GST calculator.
India's GST system has four rate slabs, three tax components, and one formula — and most people only understand the formula after their first wrong invoice.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) replaced 17 different indirect taxes in India on July 1, 2017. The intent was simplification, but the three-component structure — CGST, SGST, and IGST — still confuses businesses, especially around interstate vs intrastate transactions. Whether you are raising an invoice, calculating your input tax credit, or pricing a product, understanding this structure is non-negotiable.
Use the free WOWHOW GST calculator for instant calculations. This guide explains the logic behind the numbers.
The Four GST Rate Slabs
GST in India applies at four primary rates, determined by the product or service's HSN code (for goods) or SAC code (for services):
- 5%: Essential goods — edible oils, sugar, tea, coffee (not instant), processed food, household necessities
- 12%: Standard goods — butter, ghee, cheese, frozen meat, fruit juice, ayurvedic medicines, mobile phones
- 18%: Most goods and services — restaurants (air-conditioned), financial services, IT services, telecom, most manufactured goods
- 28%: Luxury and demerit goods — automobiles, tobacco, aerated beverages, luxury hotels, gambling
A zero-rate (0%) category covers exempt supplies — fresh vegetables, milk, eggs, bread, salt, educational services. These are completely outside the GST net.
CGST, SGST, and IGST: What Each Component Means
The GST rate you see on an invoice (e.g., 18%) is split into components depending on whether the transaction is intrastate or interstate.
Intrastate Supply (CGST + SGST)
When a supplier and buyer are in the same state, the GST is split equally between the Central Government (CGST) and the State Government (SGST):
- 18% GST on an intrastate transaction = 9% CGST + 9% SGST
- 12% GST = 6% CGST + 6% SGST
- 5% GST = 2.5% CGST + 2.5% SGST
Both components are charged on the same taxable value. They appear as separate line items on the invoice. The buyer pays both, and the supplier remits CGST to the Centre and SGST to the state exchequer through their GST filings.
Interstate Supply (IGST)
When the supplier and buyer are in different states, only IGST (Integrated GST) is charged — at the full applicable rate:
- 18% GST on an interstate transaction = 18% IGST (no split)
- 12% GST = 12% IGST
IGST is collected by the Centre and subsequently apportioned between the origin state, destination state, and Centre according to the IGST Act's settlement mechanism. From the supplier's and buyer's perspective, it is simply one number at the full rate.
Union Territory GST (UTGST)
Transactions within a Union Territory (Delhi, Chandigarh, Puducherry, etc.) use UTGST instead of SGST. The mechanics are identical to SGST — CGST + UTGST = full applicable rate for intrastate UT transactions.
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