Tax is a form of obligatory financial charge levied by the government on taxpayers to fund public expenditure. Taxpayers must meet their applicable tax obligations, and tax evasion is punishable by law.
Tax is broadly divided into two categories:
- Direct Tax – This is a type of tax that is levied directly on the income or profits earned by a person, such as income tax. TDS, or Tax Deducted at Source, is a mechanism used for collecting tax at source. Direct tax liability varies depending on the applicable rules and thresholds.
- Indirect Tax – This is indirectly levied on the supply or consumption of goods and services rather than directly on the income earned by a person. GST is a type of indirect tax.
Overview of GST
What is GST?
GST stands for Goods and Services Tax and came into effect on 1st July 2017. It is an indirect tax on the supply of goods and services in India and replaced several central and state indirect taxes.
GST replaced earlier indirect taxes such as:
- Service Tax: This was applicable to specified services provided by service providers.
- Value Added Tax: This was applicable to the sale of goods by suppliers at the state level. VAT continues to apply to certain items that remain outside GST, subject to the applicable law.
- Luxury Tax: This was applicable to certain luxury transactions, including specified hotel services.
- Customs: Customs duties continue to apply to imports where applicable. GST-related import taxes such as IGST are dealt with separately under the applicable customs and GST provisions.
GST is Divided Into
- IGST – Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) is generally charged when goods or services are supplied from one State to another, which means in the case of inter-state supplies.
- CGST & SGST – Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) are generally charged when goods or services are supplied within the same state, which means in the case of intra-state supplies.
For current GST procedures and return-filing information, refer to the official GST Portal. For GST rate notifications, exemptions, and policy recommendations, refer to the GST Council.
GST Rate Applicability and Exemptions
The various rates of GST include 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%, depending on the classification of goods and services and the applicable notification. Almost all goods and services are covered under the ambit of GST, although some goods and services are exempt from GST. The applicable rate and exemption should always be checked against the latest official notification.
Some of the Exempted Goods
- Fruits and vegetables
- Petrol
- Alcohol for human consumption, which remains subject to applicable state-level taxation
- Milk (certain milk products, however, may be subject to GST)
- Curd
Some of the Exempted Services
- Agriculture-related services
- Specified RBI-related services
- Specified government services
- Certain healthcare and educational services
Services by charities and qualifying ambulance services may also be exempt in specific circumstances.
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GST Certification Course Online Free
If you're comparing different providers, you can also explore these online GST courses to compare course structure, duration, and learning options.
There are various options available online that offer GST certification courses. Free courses can help learners understand GST fundamentals, while paid GST certification courses may offer additional practical training, assignments, assessments, or support.
Before choosing a GST certification course, compare the curriculum, practical coverage, certification terms, course duration, instructor expertise, and learning format.
IIM SKILLS
IIM SKILLS offers online GST training that caters to the needs of aspiring GST practitioners. Their GST certification course provides an overview of GST regulations and is delivered by GST experts. The course also covers practical GST processes, helping learners build working knowledge of GST.
Students, CAs, CSs, commerce graduates, and anyone interested in the taxation field can sign up for the course.
Learn more about the GST certification course offered by IIM SKILLS.
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Contact: +919580740740, [email protected]
Udemy.com
Udemy offers free GST learning content that is easy for beginners to understand. Although the free version of a course may not provide certification, learners can still gain knowledge about GST, its calculation, and its practical application. The paid version may offer additional features such as certification, instructor Q&A, and direct messages.
ICT Academy
ICT Academy offers free awareness sessions on GST featuring subject-matter experts, industry professionals, and corporate leaders. Its GST initiatives have also included programmes developed with government and industry stakeholders. Learners should check the current course details, format, and certification options before enrolling.
Class Central
Class Central provides information about online GST courses, including free and paid options. These courses may vary in duration, curriculum, certification, and intended audience. They can be useful for undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as working professionals.
Instamojo.com
They have teamed up with ClearTax to offer a GST course through mojoVersity. This is a basic GST course available in a short video format and can be useful for small businesses looking to understand GST and related compliance requirements. Learners should check the current course page for the latest availability and certificate details.
Veer Tutorial
You can learn about Goods and Services Tax online for free. In this course, they explain how GST works in India and also provide practical exposure to using GST on Tally software. It can be useful for small businesses as well as accountants working with Tally.
Those specifically interested in the professional role can also read our guide on the GST practitioner course, including its scope and course options.
The course curriculum comprises the following:
- What are the benefits of GST?
- How is GST administered in India?
- Steps to be taken for implementation of GST in Tally
- How to update masters in Tally for GST
- How to enter purchases for GST input
- Create a sales invoice for services with GST information
- Create an invoice for a retail store under the GST regime
- Create a GST bill for packing and freight charges
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What Can You Expect to Learn From the GST Certification Course Online?
Here’s a broad view of what one can expect from GST certification courses online:
A) How to File GST Returns?
GST returns may be required to be filed on a monthly or quarterly basis, depending upon the taxpayer and applicable filing scheme. A registered person with aggregate turnover of up to Rs. 5 crores may be eligible for the Quarterly Return Monthly Payment (QRMP) scheme. Under this scheme, eligible taxpayers file returns quarterly while making tax payments monthly, subject to the applicable rules.
The applicable filing frequency and payment requirements depend on the taxpayer and the GST scheme under which the taxpayer is registered.
1. GSTR-1: This return requires the filing of detailed information on outward supplies on a monthly or quarterly basis, depending on the applicable filing scheme. The due date depends on the taxpayer and filing frequency. The return broadly covers the following details:
B2B: In this section, we mention the details of goods and/or services supplied by a business to other businesses (business-to-business or B2B). GSTIN plays an important role here. Relevant details such as invoice number, invoice date, place of supply, tax rate, and the correct GSTIN of the recipient should be reported accurately. Errors in GSTIN or other invoice details can create reconciliation issues and may affect the recipient’s ability to claim eligible input tax credit.
B2C: Transactions are mentioned in a summarized, rate-wise format in cases where goods or services are sold to customers, depending on the applicable GSTR-1 requirements. For example, retail goods sold to walk-in customers in a shop.
Credit Notes – Credit notes issued to customers need to be reported along with the relevant invoice and transaction details, as applicable.
Advances – Where applicable, this section contains the rate-wise details of advances received from customers.
HSN-wise Summary – This provides a summary of transactions based on the applicable HSN classification and GST rates.
Invoice Number Series – This section contains details of invoice series and invoices issued and cancelled during the relevant period.
2. GSTR-3B: This is a simplified summary return used to report GST liabilities for the relevant tax period and discharge the tax payable. It also includes details relating to eligible input tax credit and other applicable figures. Taxpayers should verify the figures before filing the return.
B) How to Claim GST Input Tax Credit?
GST paid to suppliers may be eligible for input tax credit against GST liability on outward supplies, provided the applicable conditions are fulfilled. Certain documentation, reporting, reconciliation, and other requirements need to be met before claiming ITC.
- The invoice needs to be a proper tax invoice in the prescribed format.
- The relevant invoice details should be reported accurately.
- The supplier should have filed the relevant GST details, and the taxpayer should reconcile applicable purchase records with the GST records available on the portal.
Another aspect of ITC is the reversal of credit in circumstances prescribed under GST law, including certain cases involving exempt supplies or non-GST supplies.
C) About Reverse Charge Mechanism & Supply by Unregistered Suppliers
Under the Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM), the recipient of specified goods or services is liable to pay GST instead of the supplier. Certain legal services and other notified categories may fall under RCM. The treatment of supplies by unregistered suppliers depends on the applicable GST provisions and notifications.
D) GST Composition Scheme
The GST Composition Scheme provides a simplified compliance option for eligible small taxpayers. Eligibility, turnover limits, tax rates, restrictions, and filing requirements are governed by the applicable GST provisions and should be checked against the latest rules before opting for the scheme.
For current GST rates, exemptions, compliance notifications, and policy changes, learners should refer to the GST Council and the Official GST Portal.
Who Can Opt for a GST Certification Course Online?
- Small Business Owners: One of the major hurdles faced by small businesses is understanding GST. A GST certification course can help business owners gain working knowledge of GST, its applicability, registration, and compliance requirements.
- Accounting and Finance Professionals: GST certification can add relevant taxation knowledge for accountants and finance professionals. It can help them apply GST concepts in their existing roles and strengthen their professional skills.
- Academicians: An online GST course can help academicians gain additional knowledge of GST, while the certificate can serve as an added qualification.
- Students: An online GST certification course can help students understand GST and return-filing concepts while adding a relevant skill to their academic and professional profile.
Learners looking specifically for government-linked GST training can also explore our guide to a GST certification course by the government.
If you are looking to upgrade your skills further ahead in another field, you can also explore these programmes offered by IIM SKILLS:
Why Should You Go for a GST Certification Course Online?
An online GST certification course can help learners:
- Gain an overall understanding of GST law, its implementation, and compliance requirements.
- Understand how GST can impact the functioning of businesses and organizations.
- Gain practical knowledge of procedures under the GST Act, such as GST registration, return filing, and claiming eligible input tax credit.
The certification course can be especially beneficial for small business owners as it can help clarify common GST-related queries such as:
- Is it compulsory to get a GST registration?
- Is GST applicable to your business?
- How to file GST returns?
- When should GST returns be filed to avoid non-compliance with the applicable due dates?
- Is there any provision to revise GST returns?
- How to correct mistakes made while filing returns?
- What are the various slabs of GST rates?
- What are the various categories of SAC/HSN codes and which ones apply to your business?
- How to correct invoices in case of data mismatch to ensure GST is not held by customers?
- How to claim the correct ITC?
Practical GST knowledge can help business owners adapt to the GST regime and manage compliance requirements with greater confidence.
An online GST certification course can also provide an added advantage to working professionals. The implementation of GST has created opportunities for tax practitioners and finance professionals, while businesses of different sizes require people who understand GST compliance and related processes. This makes GST training a useful additional skill for professionals working in accounting, taxation, finance, and compliance.
FAQs
1. Do I Need a Commerce Degree to Enroll in a GST Certification Course?
No, most GST certification courses are open to beginners, non-commerce students, freelancers, business owners, and working professionals.
2. What Topics Are Covered in a GST Certification Course?
GST courses usually cover GST basics, registration, GST return filing, Input Tax Credit (ITC), invoicing, GST rates, GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, and Tally GST.
3. How Are Online GST Classes and Exams Conducted?
Most online GST courses provide recorded or live classes, practical assignments, quizzes, and online assessments for certification. The exact learning format depends on the course provider.
4. Is IIM SKILLS a Trusted Education Platform for GST Training?
IIM SKILLS is a trusted education platform for learners looking to build practical knowledge through online GST training. Students should review the current course curriculum, training format, certification details, and other course terms before enrolling.
5. Can I File GST Returns for Clients After Completing the Course?
Yes, a GST certification course can help you develop knowledge of GST return filing and compliance processes. However, completing a course does not automatically authorize a person to perform every regulated tax or professional activity. Practical experience and applicable legal and professional requirements should be considered before offering GST services to clients.
6. How Much Does a GST Certification Course Cost?
GST certification course fees can range from free introductory courses to paid professional programmes. The actual fee depends on the provider, course depth, duration, practical training, and certification.
7. Will a GST Certification Help Me Get a Job?
Yes, a GST certification can strengthen your profile and improve opportunities in accounting, taxation, finance, bookkeeping, and GST compliance roles. Employment, however, depends on factors such as qualifications, practical skills, experience, and employer requirements.
8. What Is the Duration of a GST Certification Course Online?
The duration of a GST certification course online varies by provider and course depth. Short introductory courses may take a few hours, while comprehensive professional programmes can require significantly more study time.
For the latest GST rules and compliance requirements, always verify the information with the official GST Portal and applicable GST Council notifications.
