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Notes on running a business in India
Plain-English explainers on GST, payments, invoicing and the fine print that usually isn't explained anywhere in one place.
3 November 2026 · 7 min read
Automatic GST Cancellation 2026: The ₹2.5 Lakh Test
New Rule 20 from 1 Nov 2026: the portal cancels GST on your REG-16 if monthly B2B output tax stayed within ₹2.5 lakh. What it counts, and what you file first.
2 November 2026 · 5 min read
Udyam Registration Documents: Portal vs Bank Checklist
Udyam registration needs no document upload. A bank asks for a different list for a CGTMSE loan. See what the portal checks and what a lender wants.
1 November 2026 · 6 min read
GST Registration Documents After Circular 257 (Oct 2026)
What CBIC Circular 257/03/2026-GST says on GST registration: proof for each premises type, what officers cannot ask, query timelines and deemed approval.
1 November 2026 · 5 min read
GST Due Dates November 2026: GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, PMT-06, ITC
GSTR-1 is due 11 Nov and GSTR-3B 20 Nov 2026 for October. IFF, PMT-06, GSTR-7/8 and the 30 Nov ITC cutoff, and what 1 Nov changes do not move.
17 October 2026 · 5 min read
Excel Invoice Template for GST Invoices (Free)
Make a GST invoice and download it as an Excel (.xlsx) file in a minute. See when Excel beats PDF, what the file contains, and a worked 3-item example.
16 October 2026 · 5 min read
Bill of Supply vs Tax Invoice vs Credit/Debit Note
Which bill to give your customer: tax invoice, bill of supply, credit note or debit note. Simple rules on when to use each and who gets GST credit.
7 October 2026 · 6 min read
How to Find the HSN or SAC Code for Your Product (2026)
Find an HSN or SAC code from a product or service name: five steps, worked examples for goods and services, and how to check the GST rate.
5 October 2026 · 7 min read
GST Late Fee and Interest: How It's Worked Out (3 Examples)
GST late fee for a nil return is ₹20 a day, capped at ₹500. See how the late fee and 18% interest are worked out for GSTR-3B and GSTR-1, with rupee examples.
1 October 2026 · 6 min read
Purchase Order vs Quotation vs Invoice: What Each Is For
Quotation, purchase order, proforma and tax invoice: who sends each one, in what order, which carry GST, and what a PO should say to protect you.
1 October 2026 · 7 min read
TDS on Contractor Payments (194C): Limit, Rate, Exemptions
194C contractor TDS in 2026: the ₹30,000 and ₹1 lakh limits, 1% vs 2%, who is exempt, whether GST is included, and what happens with no PAN.
1 October 2026 · 5 min read
GST Multi-State Registration: Master TRN Is Not One GSTIN
GST portal's Multi-State Registration uses one Master TRN, but each state still issues its own GSTIN. What it does, what it doesn't, and what to check first.
30 September 2026 · 5 min read
HSN Code: 4, 6 or 8 Digits? What to Use in 2026
How many HSN code digits to use on a GST invoice, GSTR-1, e-way bill and customs form: 4 or 6 by turnover, and 8 for imports and exports.
29 September 2026 · 8 min read
Salary Breakup Explained: CTC to In-Hand Pay in 2026
How a salary breakup works: basic, HRA, special allowance, PF, gratuity and tax, with a ₹12 lakh and ₹18 lakh CTC worked through to monthly in-hand pay.
29 September 2026 · 7 min read
Advance Tax Due 15 December 2026: Who Pays and How Much
The third advance tax instalment is due 15 December 2026: 75% of the year's tax. Who must pay, how much, and the interest if you missed June or September.
28 September 2026 · 9 min read
Professional Tax Slab Rates 2026: All States Compared
2026 professional tax slabs for Karnataka, Maharashtra, MP, West Bengal, Gujarat and more: monthly amounts, the yearly maximum and a salary comparison.
27 September 2026 · 6 min read
GST Due Dates October 2026: GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, CMP-08, TDS
GSTR-1 is due 11 Oct, CMP-08 18 Oct and GSTR-3B 20 Oct 2026 (Dussehra). All October GST dates, GSTR-7/8, TDS, late fees and a worked example.
25 September 2026 · 13 min read
GST on UPI MDR: 18% Tax + ITC Rules, Now After Diwali
The new 0.4% UPI MDR carries 18% GST once it starts, now after Diwali. Worked examples at ₹2,500, ₹10,000 and ₹50,000, who can claim ITC, and the gap unregistered merchants fall into.
25 September 2026 · 6 min read
TDS on Property Bought From an NRI: Form 141 Without a TAN
TDS on property bought from an NRI under Section 393(2): from 1 Oct 2026, pay it via Form 141 on your PAN, no TAN (Notification 121/2026). Rates and checklist.
24 September 2026 · 12 min read
Tax Audit Due Date Extended to 21 Oct 2026, ITR to 21 Nov
CBDT has extended the AY 2026-27 tax audit report due date from 30 September to 21 October 2026, and the ITR date for audit cases to 21 November.
24 September 2026 · 7 min read
Import Duty Calculator India 2026: How BCD, SWS & IGST Stack
How customs duty on imports into India is calculated: assessable value, BCD, 10% Social Welfare Surcharge and IGST, with a ₹5,00,000 worked example.
24 September 2026 · 7 min read
EPFO Wage Ceiling Raised to ₹25,000: PF and In-Hand Pay
The EPFO wage ceiling went from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 on 17 September 2026. What it means for your PF, pension and in-hand salary, with simple examples.
24 September 2026 · 9 min read
GST Composition Scheme: Rates, Limits and When It Pays
How the GST composition scheme works in 2026: 1%, 5% and 6% rates, the ₹1.5 crore and ₹50 lakh limits, CMP-08 dates, and when it beats regular GST.
23 September 2026 · 9 min read
GST Registration Biometric Aadhaar Check 2026: What Changed
Delhi HC wants biometric Aadhaar checks for every new GST registration, not just risk-flagged ones. What's ordered, what Rule 8(4A) does, and the steps.
22 September 2026 · 9 min read
TDS Section 393(1): New Codes for 194C, 194H, 194I, 194J + Form 132
The 194-series is retired. Look up the Section 393(1) payment code for 194C, 194H, 194I, 194J, 194Q, 194O and 194A — plus what Form 132 replaces.
21 September 2026 · 7 min read
57th GST Council Decisions (8 Oct 2026): ITC, Arrest Powers
57th GST Council, 8 Oct 2026: CBIC pauses arrests, ₹5 crore prosecution limit, isabgol nil and tractor tyres 5% from 1 Nov. Most items not yet notified.
20 September 2026 · 12 min read
GST Rates in India 2026: New Slabs 0%, 5%, 18% & 40%
What is the GST percentage in India in 2026? Four slabs — 0%, 5%, 18% and 40% — plus 3% on gold and 0.25% on rough stones. Full 2026 GST rate list by item.
19 September 2026 · 12 min read
The New Tax Regime for Salaried Employees, Explained Simply
How income tax works for salaried employees under the new tax regime for FY 2026-27 — plain-language rules, simple examples, and real ways to pay less tax.
18 September 2026 · 14 min read
MDR on UPI: The 0.4% Charge, Deferred Past Diwali 2026
NPCI has deferred the 0.4% UPI MDR to immediately after Diwali, date to be notified. Who pays, what stays free at ₹2,000, and what 15 October now means.