India GST & Compliance Hub
Everything an Indian business needs to stay compliant — GST registration, HSN/SAC codes, e-invoicing, e-way bills, and GSTR returns. Plain-English definitions, the official rules, and how HelloBooks handles each step automatically.
What this hub covers
Indian indirect tax sits on top of five workflows: registering for GST, classifying every line item with the correct HSN or SAC code, generating an e-invoice when required, generating an e-way bill when goods move, and filing the monthly and annual GSTR returns. Get any one wrong and you risk input tax credit (ITC) loss, late fees, interest, and — for e-invoicing and e-way bills — the invoice becoming legally invalid.
This hub explains each workflow, links to the GSTN source documents, and shows how HelloBooks automates the heavy lifting end-to-end.
Sub-pages
- Indian GST: CGST, SGST, IGST & RegistrationThresholds, GSTIN format, place of supply, and the rules that decide whether you charge CGST + SGST or IGST.Read more
- HSN & SAC Codes for GST InvoicesHow HSN (goods) and SAC (services) codes work, how many digits to print, and how HelloBooks fills them automatically.Read more
- GST E-Invoicing: IRN, QR & IRP WorkflowTurnover thresholds, the IRN/QR lifecycle, the 24-hour cancellation window, and how HelloBooks pushes invoices to the IRP.Read more
- E-Way Bill Rules, Distance Limits & CancellationWhen an EWB is required, validity periods by distance, Part A vs Part B fields, and the HelloBooks generation flow.Read more
- GSTR-1, 3B, 2B & 9 Returns: Filing GuideWhat each return covers, the due dates and late fees, and how HelloBooks builds them from your books.Read more
HelloBooks Indian compliance coverage at a glance
- ✓GSTIN-validated customer & vendor masters
- ✓Auto CGST + SGST or IGST split by place of supply
- ✓HSN (goods) and SAC (services) auto-fill from item master
- ✓E-invoice IRN + QR via Fynamics GSP
- ✓E-way bill Part A and Part B generation and cancellation
- ✓GSTR-1 with B2B, B2C, exports, and credit notes
- ✓GSTR-3B liability summary auto-built from books
- ✓GSTR-2B reconciliation against purchase register
- ✓GSTR-9 annual return draft from year's filings
- ✓Reverse-charge transactions and ineligible ITC tracking
Frequently asked questions
Is HelloBooks GST software approved by the GSTN?
HelloBooks generates invoices, e-invoices, e-way bills, and GSTR returns that conform to the schemas published by the GSTN, CBIC, and the IRP. E-invoice IRN/QR generation is routed through Fynamics, a GSTN-authorised GST Suvidha Provider (GSP). The GSTN does not certify accounting software directly; it certifies GSPs that connect to the GST APIs.
Which Indian compliance returns and documents does HelloBooks generate?
Tax invoices with CGST/SGST/IGST split, e-invoices with IRN and QR, e-way bills (Part A and Part B), GSTR-1 (outward supplies), GSTR-3B summary, GSTR-2B reconciliation, and GSTR-9 annual return. Debit/credit notes flow through the same e-invoice and return pipelines.
Do I need to upgrade to a paid plan to file GST returns?
No. The free plan includes GST invoicing, e-invoice IRN generation, e-way bills, and GSTR-1/3B/2B/9 reports. There is no per-invoice or per-return charge.
How often does HelloBooks update for new GST notifications?
GST schemas, rates, and rules change frequently. HelloBooks tracks CBIC notifications and IRP/EWB schema updates and pushes changes to the platform without requiring a customer upgrade. Each compliance page on this hub carries a 'Last updated' date so you can see how current the guidance is.
Can I migrate from Tally, Zoho Books, or QuickBooks India?
Yes. HelloBooks imports your masters (customers, vendors, items with HSN/SAC codes), opening balances, and historical invoices, then continues filing from the next return period. Migration support is included in onboarding.
Where can I check official GST rules and notifications?
Three primary sources: the GST portal (gst.gov.in) for filing and registration, CBIC GST (cbic-gst.gov.in) for Acts, rules, and circulars, and the IRP (einvoice1.gst.gov.in) for the e-invoice schema. We link each authoritative source on the relevant sub-page.
Start exploring
Indian GST: CGST, SGST, IGST & Registration
Thresholds, GSTIN format, place of supply, and the rules that decide whether you charge CGST + SGST or IGST.
Read gst basicsHSN & SAC Codes for GST Invoices
How HSN (goods) and SAC (services) codes work, how many digits to print, and how HelloBooks fills them automatically.
Read hsn & sac codesGST E-Invoicing: IRN, QR & IRP Workflow
Turnover thresholds, the IRN/QR lifecycle, the 24-hour cancellation window, and how HelloBooks pushes invoices to the IRP.
Read e-invoicingE-Way Bill Rules, Distance Limits & Cancellation
When an EWB is required, validity periods by distance, Part A vs Part B fields, and the HelloBooks generation flow.
Read e-way billGSTR-1, 3B, 2B & 9 Returns: Filing Guide
What each return covers, the due dates and late fees, and how HelloBooks builds them from your books.
Read gstr returnsAuthoritative sources
GST rules change frequently. Always verify the current position with the official GSTN sources below before filing.
- GST Portal — gst.gov.inOfficial GSTN portal for registration, returns, and payments.
- CBIC GST — cbic-gst.gov.inCentral Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs — Acts, rules, notifications, and circulars.
- E-Invoice Portal — einvoice1.gst.gov.inInvoice Registration Portal (IRP) for IRN generation and e-invoice schema.
- E-Way Bill Portal — ewaybillgst.gov.inNational e-way bill portal for EWB generation, cancellation, and verification.
Run all of this on autopilot in HelloBooks
Indian GST, e-invoicing, e-way bills, and GSTR returns are built into the free plan. No add-on, no per-invoice charge.