Taxmann’s GST Ready Reckoner By V.S. Datey 27th Edition October 2025

GST Ready Reckoner is a single-volume, practice-oriented digest that consolidates the law, rules, and procedures of India’s Goods & Services Tax (GST) in a logically sequenced and quick-referencing format. Aligned to notifications up to 17-09-2025, this Edition helps professionals interpret core charging provisions, apply place/time/value rules correctly, compute and utilise ITC, comply with invoicing/returns/e-way bill mandates, and navigate assessments, audits, demands, refunds, offences, and appeals with precision. The book also covers sector-specific applications (real estate, construction, transport, finance, telecom, e-commerce, government activities, etc.), ensuring readers can resolve day-to-day issues and prepare for litigation with clear paragraph-by-paragraph guidance.

This book is intended for the following audience:

• Tax Professionals & Advisors (CA/CMA/CS/Advocates) – For quick answers, compliance checks, and dispute preparation
• CFOs/Finance Controllers & GST Teams – For internal SOPs, impact evaluation of notifications, and return closure
• Industry & MSMEs – For practical, on-ground guidance on registration, invoicing, ITC, e-way bills, and refunds
• Government/PSUs & SEZ/EOU Units – For treatment of supplies, concessions, and zero-rated benefits
• Students & Aspirants – For a structured, exam-ready understanding of concepts, procedures, and appellate framework

The Present Publication is the 27^th Edition | October 2025, incorporating Notifications issued on 17-09-2025. It is authored by Mr V.S. Datey, with the following noteworthy features:

• [Up-to-Date Law] Captures CGST/SGST/IGST/UTGST provisions, Rules, and constitutional background updated to 17-09-2025
• [Section & Rule Mapping] Extensive Section Index and Rules Index with para-number pin-pointing for faster navigation
• [Concept → Application Flow] Core concepts (supply, classification, value, place/time of supply) segue into computation (ITC, valuation, RCM) and compliance (registration, invoices, returns, e-way bill, payment)
• [Procedural Depth] Stepwise treatment of assessments, audits, scrutiny, demands & recovery, refunds, and penalties/prosecution/compounding
• [Sector-specific Treatment] Dedicated chapters for Construction & Works Contracts, Real Estate (including TDR/FSI/long-term lease), Distributive Trade, Passenger & Goods Transport, Financial Services, Leasing/IPR/Software, Telecom & Broadcasting, Government-related activities, E-commerce, etc.
• [Litigation-ready] Thorough coverage of appeals—First Appeal/Revision, Appellate Tribunal, High Court/Supreme Court—with enabling provisions and procedures
• [Transitional & Cess] Dedicated guidance on Transitory Provisions and GST Compensation Cess

The coverage of the book is as follows:

• Foundations & Charge
  • Overview of GST; IGST/CGST/SGST/UTGST structure; taxable event; supply (including composite/mixed and Schedule I–III)
• Classification & Valuation
  • HSN/SAC orientation; valuation inclusions/exclusions; Valuation Rules for non-ascertainable value; pure agent; related/distinct persons; foreign exchange rate rules
• Input Tax Credit (ITC)
  • Eligibility, conditions, timelines, blocked credits, proportionate reversal for exempt supplies, ISD, job-work, banking/NBFC special provisions, and ITC in zero-rated supplies
• Place & Time of Supply
  • Domestic and cross-border rules for goods/services; exports/imports; OIDAR; online gaming; special rules for intermediary, transport, telecom, and other specified services
• Zero-rated & Special Zones
  • Exports/SEZ/EOU—benefits, documentation, refund routes (with/without payment of tax), recovery contingencies
• Reverse Charge & Exemptions
  • RCM on notified goods/services; exemptions by notification (general/special/absolute)
• Small Enterprise Concessions
  • Composition scheme—eligibility, rates, conditions, and validity
• Industry-specific Chapters
  • Construction & Works Contracts; Real Estate (including TDR/FSI/long-term lease for residential/commercial apartments)
  • Distributive Trade; Passenger & Goods Transport
  • Financial & Related Services; Leasing/Rental; IPR/Software
  • Business & Production/Manufacturing Services
  • Telecom/Broadcasting/Information Supply
  • Community, Social & Other Services; Government-related activities
  • E-Commerce (operator/merchant responsibilities, TCS, reconciliations)
• Compliance
  • Registration (including Aadhaar authentication, multiple registrations, cancellation/revocation, casual/non-resident, OIDAR)
  • Tax Invoice/Credit & Debit Notes; e-Invoicing; Bill of Supply; Vouchers
  • E-way Bill—generation, documents to carry, transit checks, detention/seizure protocols
  • Payment & Ledgers—cash/credit ledgers, utilisation order, interest, liability register
  • Returns—GSTR-1/GSTR-3B, composition returns, ISD/TDS/TCS, non-resident/OIDAR, annual return & reconciliation; 2B/3B differences and system communications
• Administration & Enforcement
  • Powers of officers, inspection/search/seizure, summons, arrests, provisional attachment, publication of information, consent-based data sharing
• Demand, Recovery & Offences
  • Non-fraud and fraud-linked demands (including FY-wise regime changes), recovery modes, general discipline, confiscation, prosecution and compounding standards
• Appeals & Advance Ruling
  • First appeal, revision, GST Appellate Tribunal, appeals to High Court/Supreme Court, authorised representatives; AAR/AAAR procedures and binding nature
• Refunds
  • Exports, inverted duty, SEZ/UN agencies, provisional refunds, unjust enrichment, interest on delayed refunds, and recovery on non-realisation.
• Transitory & Constitutional Framework
  • Carry-forward of credits; constitutional entries, powers and restrictions; GST Council architecture

The structure of the book is as follows:

• Introductory Chapters – Overview of GST, fundamentals of IGST, CGST, SGST, UTGST, and their interlinkages
• Conceptual Modules – Detailed discussions on taxable events, supply, classification, valuation rules, input tax credit, place of supply, and exemptions
• Sector-specific Chapters – Focused coverage of construction, works contracts, real estate, e-commerce, transport, leasing, financial and insurance services, job work, and more
• Procedural & Compliance Sections – Step-by-step guidance on registration, invoicing, e-way bills, return filing, payment of taxes, audits, assessment, and appeals
• Advanced Topics – Refunds and demands, offences and penalties, compounding provisions, anti-profiteering, evidence rules, and transitional provisions
• Annexures & Indexes – Acronyms, section indexes, subject indexes, and references to relevant rules & notifications