GST Payment: How to Pay, Claim Credits, and Avoid Mistakes in India

When you run a business in India, GST payment, the Goods and Services Tax you collect from customers and remit to the government. Also known as GST liability, it’s not just a tax—it’s a legal obligation tied directly to your sales, invoices, and records. If you skip it, delay it, or mess up the filing, you risk penalties, blocked input credits, or even a suspension of your GST number. The system isn’t complicated if you know the rules, but most small businesses trip up on simple things like wrong GSTIN entries, late returns, or claiming credits on ineligible expenses.

Input tax credit, the amount you can subtract from your GST payment because you already paid tax on your business purchases. Also known as ITC, it’s the whole reason GST exists—to avoid double taxation. But you can’t claim it unless your supplier has filed their return, your invoice matches the GSTN portal, and you’ve paid the supplier within 180 days. Many businesses think they can claim credit as soon as they get an invoice. They can’t. The system checks every detail. Then there’s GST return filing, the process of submitting GSTR-1 (sales) and GSTR-3B (summary) on the GST portal. Also known as GST compliance, it’s mandatory for almost every registered business, even if you had zero sales in a month. Filing late means late fees, and missing it twice can trigger a notice from the tax department. And if you’ve overpaid? You can apply for a GST refund, the process of getting back excess tax paid due to exports, inverted tax rates, or errors. Also known as GST refund claim, it’s not automatic. You need to file Form RFD-01, match your data with your supplier’s filings, and wait for verification. Many refunds get stuck because of mismatched invoices or incomplete documentation.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real, practical guides from Indian businesses who’ve been through it. How to file GSTR-3B without errors. What expenses you can’t claim credit for (like personal travel or restaurant bills). Why your refund is stuck. How to fix mismatched invoices. Whether you need to pay GST if you’re a freelancer under the threshold. These aren’t theory pieces—they’re fixes for problems you’re probably facing right now. Whether you’re a small shop owner, a service provider, or a startup, the rules are the same. Get it right once, and you’ll save time, money, and stress.