Key takeaways
What this article covers, in order:
- What is the reverse charge mechanism (RCM)?
- Why it matters for your business
- A quick example
- How HelloBooks helps
- Frequently asked questions
RCM catches many businesses off guard on freight, legal fees and imports. This guide breaks it down without the jargon.
What is the reverse charge mechanism (RCM)?
Normally the supplier collects GST, but under RCM the buyer pays the tax directly to the government.
GST in India is a destination-based tax split into CGST and SGST for sales within a state and IGST for inter-state sales. Following the rate overhaul effective 22 September 2025, most goods and services sit in a simplified two-slab structure (5% and 18%), with a higher 40% rate reserved for a short list of luxury and "sin" items, and essentials kept exempt.
Why it matters for your business
Understanding the reverse charge mechanism (RCM) keeps your invoices compliant, protects your input tax credit, and avoids notices from the department. Getting this right at the start saves painful corrections at year-end.
- Applies to notified goods and services and to some purchases from unregistered suppliers.
- The recipient raises a self-invoice and pays the tax.
- The same tax can usually be claimed back as input tax credit.
A quick example
A company hires a goods transport agency. Under RCM the company, not the transporter, pays the GST and then claims it as credit.
How HelloBooks helps
You do not have to track any of this on a spreadsheet — HelloBooks does it for you. HelloBooks is free GST accounting software for Indian businesses: you can raise GST-compliant invoices with the correct HSN or SAC code, track input tax credit against your GSTR-2B, and file unlimited GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B returns from one dashboard.
- GST-ready invoicing with automatic CGST / SGST / IGST split and HSN or SAC codes.
- GSTR-2B reconciliation so you only claim the input tax credit you are actually entitled to.
- GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing free, with GSTR-9 generated ready to file and e-invoicing on higher plans.
- Due-date reminders so a late fee never catches you by surprise.
Thousands of founders, freelancers and accountants in India run their books on HelloBooks — you can start free, with no credit card.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is the reverse charge mechanism (RCM) in GST?
Normally the supplier collects GST, but under RCM the buyer pays the tax directly to the government.
Is this the same across all Indian states?
GST is a national law, so the core rules are the same across India, but the state (SGST) half of the tax and your jurisdictional office depend on the place of supply.
Does HelloBooks handle this automatically?
Yes — HelloBooks applies the correct treatment on every invoice and carries it through to your GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B so you do not have to calculate it by hand.
