Mansi Sawant

Expert

Published on: Jun 24, 2026

CGST vs SGST - Difference Between CGST & SGST

GST or the Goods and Services Tax is the recent addition to the Indian Taxation system and it is levied on the supply of goods and services.  For the business operation to run smoothly GST  registration is required. It takes about 3-6 working days to obtain

GST Registration. Any business that is operating without GST is considered to be illegal and is bound for penalties. Under the GST law, the central government will collect the CGST, SGST, or the IGST depending on the transaction. When the supply of the goods or services is happening within the state it is called the intrastate transaction then both CGST and SGST will be collected. If the supply of the goods or services has happened between the states it is called inter-state transactions then it is called the inter-state transactions then only IGST will be collected. There were multiple taxes such as the Central excise, service tax, and the State VAT but under GST there is just one tax with three components- CGST, SGST, and IGST.

What is the Central Goods and Service Tax?

The Government of India levies the Central Goods and Service tax on any transaction of goods and services within the state. It is one of the taxes that is charged on every intrastate transaction. CGST has replaced all the existing central taxers like the service tax, central excise duty, customs duty. The rate of the CGST is equal to the

SGST rate and both the taxes are charged based on the products. So in case, If Ayaan is wanting to sell a product to Joseph who lives in the same state then he has to pay two taxes. The rate of CGST is 9% and SGST will also ve 9%. GST is levied on the consumption of the product in which the state is manufactured is not entitled to tax collection. For manufacturing the state levies the tax then the same will be transferred to the consuming state through the central government.

What are the State Goods and the Service tax?

SGST means the state goods and Service tax, which is one of two taxes that is levied on the intrastate transactions of the goods and the services. SGST is levied on the state where the goods are being purchased and sold. It will replace the existing state's taxes that includes the VAT, entertainment tax, sales tax, luxury tax, entry tax, state cess, and the surcharge on any kind of transaction that involves the goods and services. The state government is the sole devising of the revenue earned under the SGST. So if Ankit from Uttar Pradesh is wanting to sell some goods to Lalit in Uttar Pradesh then the product will attract the GST at 18% comprising of 9% of CGST and 9% SGST.

What Is The Difference Between Cgst And Sgst?

Difference CGST GST
Meaning The Central Goods and Service tax under GST has replaced the existing tax services tax, excise tax, etc. SGST means the state goods and service tax that has replaces the existing tax like the sales tax, luxury tax, etc. This tax is levied by the state government.
Collected by Central Government State Government
Benefiting authorities Central Government State Government
Applicable on transaction Intrastate (Within the state) Intrastate (Within the state)
Registration No registration, until the turnover, is exceeding Rs.20 lakh (For northeastern states it is Rs.10 lakh) No registration, until the turnover, is exceeding Rs.20 lakh (For northeastern states it is Rs.10 lakh)
Composition scheme The dealer can use the benefits up to Rs.75 lakh under the composition  scheme The dealer can use the benefits up to Rs.75 lakh under the composition scheme

To get GST registration you can get in touch with our advisors who will help you in getting the GST registration within 6-7 days.

 What are the benefits of getting GST registration?

There are various benefits of getting GST registration like you can avail the Input tax credit and the Interstate sales without restrictions. You can also opt for a composition scheme for small businesses which offers less tax liability, high working capital, and fewer compliances. The GST tax regime has reduced the cascading considerably.
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Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference between CGST and SGST is that CGST (Central Goods and Services Tax) is levied by the central government, while SGST (State Goods and Services Tax) is levied by the respective state government. CGST is applicable on intra-state transactions and is collected by the central government, whereas SGST is also applicable on intra-state transactions but is collected by the state government.
CGST and SGST are applicable when the supply of goods or services happens within the same state, which is known as an intra-state transaction. In case of inter-state transactions, where the supply occurs between two different states, IGST (Integrated Goods and Services Tax) is levied instead of CGST and SGST.
CGST has replaced various central taxes such as service tax, central excise duty, customs duty, and others. Similarly, SGST has subsumed multiple state taxes like VAT, entertainment tax, sales tax, luxury tax, entry tax, state cess, and surcharges.
Yes, the rates of CGST and SGST are typically the same for a particular good or service. If the GST rate is 18%, then CGST and SGST will be charged at 9% each for intra-state transactions.
Yes, businesses can claim input tax credit for both CGST and SGST paid on their inward supplies. This credit can be used to offset their output tax liability, thereby reducing the overall tax burden.
GST registration is mandatory for businesses whose annual turnover exceeds the prescribed threshold limit, which is typically Rs. 20 lakh (or Rs. 10 lakh for certain states). Businesses operating without GST registration, if required, are considered illegal and may face penalties.
The composition scheme is a simplified GST compliance option available for small businesses with an annual turnover up to Rs. 1.5 crore. Under this scheme, businesses can pay GST at a flat rate without input tax credit, reducing their compliance burden.
The process of obtaining GST registration typically takes 3-6 working days from the date of application, provided all the necessary documents and information are submitted correctly.
Some key benefits of GST registration include the ability to claim input tax credit, conduct interstate sales without restrictions, opt for the composition scheme (if eligible), and enjoy reduced cascading of taxes, leading to increased working capital and fewer compliance requirements.
The revenue collected from CGST is retained by the central government, while the revenue from SGST is received by the respective state governments. In the case of inter-state transactions, the IGST revenue is shared between the central and state governments based on predetermined rules.
All businesses in the UAE require a trade license from the Department of Economic Development (DED). The requirements and fees vary based on your business activity, legal structure and location.
Membership with the Dubai Chamber is mandatory for all businesses based in Dubai. Benefits include accessing value-added services, networking events, market studies and more.
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The approvals and certificates required for your business depend on the specific nature of your business activities. For example, companies involved in food production need approvals from the Food Safety Department, while tourism businesses require approvals from Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. The Dubai Chamber website provides comprehensive guides outlining the additional approvals needed for different sectors so you can easily determine what applies to your business.
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Regulations governing businesses can change periodically, so it's important to stay updated. The Dubai Chamber regularly publishes updates and announcements regarding new rules or amendments. Attending Chamber events, subscribing to their newsletters, and bookmarking reliable online resources can help you stay informed about changes you need to be aware of. Consulting legal experts is also advisable, especially for more complex regulatory matters.
The Dubai Chamber website is an invaluable resource, providing detailed guides that walk businesses through every step of the approval process based on their specific activities and legal structure. The Chamber also offers advisory services, training programs, and webinars to further assist companies. Additionally, there are private sector consultants who specialize in handling trade license and approval requirements for businesses in Dubai.