CGST vs SGST vs IGST Explained: Key Differences You Must Know

As a business, understanding the difference between CGST, SGST, and IGST is a must. 

Here’s a simple guide, that will break them down with simple examples so understand clearly what each of these mean.

What is CGST?

CGST or Central Goods and Services Tax is one of the core components of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system in India. 

It is administered by the Central Government and allows it to earn its share of tax revenue from transactions that occur within a state. 

This ensures coordinated tax administration and compliance under the unified GST framework.

Key Highlights:

• Levied by the Central Government of India
• Applied to intra-state transactions i,e. when the supplier and buyer are located within the same state or union territory
• Collected revenue goes directly to the Central Government.

What is SGST?

SGST refers to State Goods and Services Tax. It is the counterpart to CGST and is managed by the respective State Government.

It is governed by the State Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, with each state enacting its own version under a common structure.

SGST ensures that state governments receive their fair share of tax revenue from sales occurring within their jurisdiction. This can then be used to support state-level infrastructure, welfare, and public services.

Key Highlights:

• Levied by the State Government
• Charged on intra-state supplies of goods and services  – within the same state or union territory
• Revenue is retained by the state where the goods or services are consumed.

What is IGST?

IGST is the Integrated Goods and Services Tax. It is applicable on inter-state transactions and on import/export of goods and services.

IGST is designed to allow seamless tax credit flow across states and eliminates double taxation on trade between states

Key Highlights:

• Levied by the Central Government
• Charged when:
  • Goods/services move from one state to another
  • Goods are imported into or exported out of India
• Collected by the Central Government and then distributed to the destination state (the state where consumption occurs).

Example:

A business in Maharashtra sells goods to a buyer in Karnataka. If the GST rate is 18%, IGST of 18% is levied (not split into CGST and SGST). The central government later allocates the appropriate share to Karnataka.

Key Difference between CGST, SGST, and IGST 

Before we can understand the difference between CGST, SGST, and IGST, here’s a quick comparison:

Scope & Applicability

CGST (Central Goods and Services Tax) and SGST (State Goods and Services Tax) apply to intra-state transactions, meaning the supply of goods or services occurs within the same state.

Both the supplier and the recipient are located within the same state. 

In contrast, IGST (Integrated Goods and Services Tax) is applicable to inter-state transactions i.e. supplies between two different states or union territories or 

IGST also applies to imported goods and services, treating them as inter-state supplies under GST law.

Place of Supply

For CGST and SGST, the place of supply is within the same state, which triggers intra-state tax treatment. 

For IGST, the place of supply is outside the state of the supplier or involves foreign transactions, such as imports and exports. Determining the correct place of supply is essential for proper tax classification and compliance.

Levied By

CGST is levied by the Central Government under the CGST Act, while SGST is levied by the respective State Government under the State GST Act. 

IGST is levied solely by the Central Government under the Integrated GST Act, even though a portion of the collected revenue is later transferred to the destination state.

Collection

In intra-state transactions, CGST and SGST are collected simultaneously by their respective governments on a single transaction. 

Each tax is calculated at an equal rate and collected separately. 

For inter-state transactions, IGST is collected as a single, consolidated tax by the Central Government. 

This simplifies the process for inter-state suppliers who would otherwise have to deal with multiple tax authorities.

Tax Collected Goes To

The CGST component goes directly to the Central Government’s treasury, while the SGST component is retained by the State Government where the supply occurs.

However, IGST involves a revenue-sharing mechanism. The Central Government initially collects the full amount and then distributes the appropriate share to the destination state based on where the goods or services are consumed.

Revenue Sharing

There is no cross-sharing of tax revenue in CGST and SGST. The central and state governments independently manage their respective collections.

 IGST, however, involves settlement between governments, where the Central Government allocates part of the revenue to the state where the final consumption takes place.

 This mechanism is crucial for seamless inter-state commerce without double taxation.

Rate Structure

The total GST rate is typically split equally between CGST and SGST for intra-state transactions. For example, if the GST rate is 18%, it is divided as 9% CGST and 9% SGST. 

For inter-state transactions, the full 18% is charged as IGST. The IGST rate is equal to the sum of the applicable CGST and SGST rates for a given supply.

Refund Mechanism

Refunds under CGST and SGST are processed separately by the respective central and state tax authorities and are often linked to conditions such as inverted duty structures or excess input credit. 

IGST refunds, particularly for exports (zero-rated supplies), are generally faster and processed by the Central Government, often through an automated system. This makes IGST refunds more efficient, especially for exporters

Input Tax Credit (ITC)

Input Tax Credit rules vary among the three tax types. CGST credit can be used to pay CGST and IGST liabilities but not SGST. 

SGST credit can be used against SGST and IGST, but not CGST.

 IGST credit is the most flexible—it can be used to offset IGST, CGST, and SGST liabilities, in that order. This hierarchy plays a crucial role in optimizing cash flow and reducing tax burden.

Registration Requirements

Businesses must register for CGST and SGST if they operate and make taxable supplies within a state and exceed the prescribed turnover threshold. 

For IGST, registration is mandatory for inter-state suppliers, e-commerce operators, and businesses engaged in import or export, regardless of turnover in certain cases.

 Compliance requirements may vary depending on the nature and scope of the business operations.

Invoice and Compliance Procedures

Invoices for intra-state transactions must clearly display separate CGST and SGST amounts, including their respective rates. 

For inter-state supplies, a single IGST amount is shown on the invoice. 

Compliance includes accurate classification of transactions in GST returns such as GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, and GSTR-9, with a clear distinction between intra-state and inter-state sales for proper tax settlement and credit matching.

Impact on Business

For businesses operating within a single state, managing CGST and SGST involves handling dual tax ledgers and tracking separate input credits. However, this may lead to unused credits if cross-utilization is not permitted. 

IGST simplifies inter-state trade by enabling a seamless flow of input tax credit, eliminating the need for entry taxes and reducing the cascading effect of taxation, which was a major challenge in the pre-GST regime.

Applicability on Imports

Imports of goods and services into India are treated as inter-state supplies under GST. As such, IGST is levied on imports, in addition to basic customs duty and other applicable taxes.

CGST and SGST are not directly applicable to imports. Importers can claim ITC on the IGST paid, subject to eligibility and documentation compliance.

Learn more: GST on Imports 

Applicability on Exports

Exports are considered inter-state supplies but are classified as zero-rated under GST. While no tax is collected on export sales, the exporter can claim a refund of IGST paid on inputs and input services.

CGST and SGST are not levied on exports, and businesses can opt for export under bond or LUT (Letter of Undertaking) to avoid upfront tax payment.

Learn more: GST on Exports 

Examples of CGST, SGST & IGST

Let’s now see how CGST, SGST & IGST are calculated with examples:

Example of CGST & SGST (Intra-State Supply)

Assume a seller in Chennai sells a laptop worth ₹40,000 in Madurai (within the same state). The GST rate applicable on the laptop is 18%.

Calculation:

• Total GST = 18% of ₹40,000 = ₹7,200
• Total GST is split equally between the CGST and SGST, each receiving 9%.
  • CGST = ₹7,200 / 2 = ₹3,600
  • SGST = ₹7,200 / 2 = ₹3,600

Final Amount Payable:

• Base Price of the Laptop = ₹40,000
• CGST (9%) = ₹3,600
• SGST (9%) = ₹₹3,600

Total Invoice Amount = ₹40,000 + ₹7,200 = ₹47,200.

Buyer pays ₹47,200 in total, which includes both the base price and the taxes. The ₹7,200 tax is split equally between the Central and the State Government.

Example of IGST with Calculation 

A Bangalore-based company selling a product worth ₹10,000 to a customer in Mumbai (Maharashtra). Since this transaction occurs between two different states, IGST applies. 

The GST rate is again 18%.

Calculation:

• Total GST (IGST) = 18% of ₹10,000 = ₹1,800.

Final Amount Payable:

• Base Price of the Product = ₹10,000
• IGST (18%) = ₹1,800

Total Invoice Amount = ₹10,000 + ₹1,800 = ₹11,800.

The Central Government collects the ₹1,800 IGST, and then the collected tax is shared between the Central Government and the Destination State (Maharashtra). 

After the collection, the CGST part (₹900) goes to the Central Government, while the SGST part (₹900) goes to the State Government of Maharashtra.

FAQs on Difference between CGST, SGST, and IGST