Kerala GST & compliance
Kerala is a state with GST state code 32. Kerala levies Professional Tax.
Kerala at a glance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | State |
| Capital | Thiruvananthapuram |
| GST state code | 32 (every Kerala GSTIN starts with this) |
| Special-category state? | No — standard thresholds apply |
| GST registration threshold | ₹40 lakh for goods (₹20 lakh for services) — standard national thresholds |
| Professional Tax? | Yes — annual cap ₹2500 |
| Intra-state GST split | CGST + SGST in equal halves of the rate |
Kerala-specific notes
- Professional Tax applies — Kerala Municipality Act, 1994 — administered via local self-governments.
- Kerala Flood Cess (1% on intra-state B2C supplies) was levied 2019-2021; verify current state cesses before invoicing.
- High remittance economy — relevant for cross-border financial services compliance.
Authoritative source
Kerala state-level compliance is administered by the Kerala State Goods and Services Tax Department →. Use it for registration, advance rulings, Professional Tax slabs (where applicable), and state-specific notifications. GST returns are filed centrally at gst.gov.in →.
How HelloBooks does this
HelloBooks handles Kerala compliance end-to-end — GSTIN validation against state code 32, automatic CGST + SGST split on intra-state supplies, Professional Tax deductions on payroll, and direct GSTR filing.
- 1
Configure your Kerala GST profile
Add your Kerala GSTIN (state code 32), trade name, and PAN in Settings → Taxes. HelloBooks validates the state code and the embedded PAN automatically. Mark your registration type (Regular, Composition, SEZ, Casual, Non-Resident, Input Service Distributor).
- 2
Add Kerala place of supply on every transaction
Tag the place of supply on every invoice and bill. When the customer's place of supply is Kerala (and your registration is also Kerala), HelloBooks charges CGST + SGST in equal halves of the rate. Inter-state supplies trigger IGST.
- 3
Configure Kerala Professional Tax on payroll
For employees based in Kerala, HelloBooks computes the Professional Tax deduction from the current slab table. Annual cap is ₹2500. Verify the live slab on the Kerala State Goods and Services Tax Department portal before each state-budget cycle.
- 4
File monthly / quarterly GST returns from the books
HelloBooks aggregates your Kerala invoices, credit notes, and amendments into GSTR-1 (outward supplies) and the GSTR-3B liability summary. Review, then file directly via the GST portal or export the JSON.
- 5
Reconcile GSTR-2B against your purchase register
Each month, the GST portal publishes GSTR-2B — auto-drafted from your suppliers' GSTR-1 filings. HelloBooks reconciles this against your purchase register and flags missing input tax credit before the ITC claim window closes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Kerala GST state code?
32. Every GSTIN issued in Kerala starts with 32, followed by the entity's 10-character PAN and three further characters. HelloBooks validates the structure and the embedded state code whenever you save a customer or vendor master.
What is the GST registration threshold in Kerala?
₹40 lakh for goods (₹20 lakh for services) — standard national thresholds. Inter-state suppliers, e-commerce operators, casual taxable persons, and persons under reverse charge must register from the first rupee — no threshold applies.
Does Kerala levy Professional Tax?
Kerala levies Professional Tax under Article 276 of the Constitution. Annual cap is ₹2500 (the constitutional maximum is ₹2,500/year). Slab tables are revised in state budgets — verify the current schedule on the Kerala State Goods and Services Tax Department portal.
Kerala is a State — does that change my GST compliance?
Kerala levies SGST alongside CGST on intra-state supplies (each half of the rate). Inter-state supplies attract IGST. Returns and filing process are identical across states.
Where do I file Kerala GST returns?
All GST returns are filed through the central GST portal (gst.gov.in) — there is no state-specific filing portal. The Kerala State Goods and Services Tax Department (https://keralataxes.gov.in/) handles state-level matters: registration assistance, advance rulings, and Professional Tax / state-specific cesses.
How does HelloBooks handle Kerala compliance?
HelloBooks validates Kerala GSTINs (state code 32 expected), applies the right CGST + SGST split on intra-state supplies, builds filing-ready GSTR-1 / GSTR-3B for Kerala-registered entities, and tracks Professional Tax deductions on payroll.
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 returnsAIS Reconciliation: Match Your Annual Information Statement
Upload AIS JSON or PDF, match TDS and income entries to your books, and export the reconciliation report for ITR filing.
Read ais reconciliationAuthoritative 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.
File GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B free with HelloBooks
The Free Plan is ₹0: it files unlimited GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B returns for one GSTIN and reconciles GSTR-2B, with no credit card and no expiry. Pro at ₹499/month adds GSTR-9 generated ready to file, e-invoicing and unlimited users.
GST filing included, no card · free GST filing software · GST due-date calendar · Talk to a human
Working with an accountant on HelloBooks
Free, vetted directory of independent firms. Every partnership tier is earned, never paid for — we verify credentials against the official registry before any profile goes live.