GST for Software Developers in India — Registration, LUT & Compliance
Last updated: March 2025 · Reviewed by TaxTap CA team
If aggregate turnover crosses the applicable threshold (commonly ₹20L, or ₹10L in notified special-category states), GST registration is required. For software developers serving overseas clients, export-of-service treatment and zero-rating can apply where legal conditions and LUT/bond compliance are satisfied.
Who this applies to
- Software Developers with annual turnover above ₹20L
- Software Developers working with international clients
- Freelance software developers confused about GST on foreign income
- Software Developers wanting to claim Input Tax Credit on tools and software
How this works for Software Developers
GST registration is mandatory when aggregate turnover crosses ₹20L (₹10L for special category states).
Services to foreign clients may qualify as export of services where statutory conditions are met; zero-rating is generally used through LUT/bond compliance.
File LUT (Form GST RFD-11) at the start of each financial year. Without it, you'd charge IGST and file for refund.
For domestic clients, charge 18% GST. For foreign clients with LUT, charge 0%.
File GSTR-1 (outward supplies) and GSTR-3B (summary return) monthly or quarterly.
Keep FIRC/BRC (or equivalent remittance evidence) to support export-realization documentation.
This section covers common search intent: 'GST for freelancers India', 'GST on foreign clients', and 'LUT for export of services'.
Create a monthly GST control cycle: turnover tracker, domestic/export split, invoice review, LUT status, return preparation, and books-vs-returns reconciliation.
For export-heavy freelancers, maintain a per-invoice export evidence chain (contract, invoice, remittance proof, LUT reference, return disclosure).
Where services are bundled (strategy + execution + reimbursements), define value components in contracts to reduce classification disputes.
Common deductible tools for Software Developers
Commonly missed expenses
Real examples
Software Developer under ₹20L turnover
A software developer earning below the GST threshold with only domestic clients.
Software Developer with foreign clients
A software developer earning from export of services, registered under GST with LUT.
What should you do?
Under ₹20L with only domestic clients? GST registration is optional.
Have foreign clients? Register voluntarily and file LUT — even if under ₹20L. Cleaner invoicing.
Crossing ₹20L? Don't delay registration. Late registration means penalties.
GST-registered? Claim ITC on software subscriptions, coworking, and business tools.
Use location-neutral, intent-led phrasing (registration threshold, LUT workflow, return cadence) to match informational and transactional query variants.
Choose compliance workflow early (monthly vs quarterly return cadence as applicable) and keep a fixed close calendar.
Use a dedicated business bank account and invoice series to reduce reconciliation and notice response time.
Mistakes to avoid
Charging 18% GST on foreign invoices instead of zero-rating with LUT.
Not filing LUT at the start of the financial year.
Forgetting that ₹20L threshold counts all supplies — not just taxable ones.
Not collecting FIRC/BRC from bank for export proof.
Mixing personal and business bank accounts making GST reconciliation difficult.
Preparing returns from payment-platform totals without invoice-level validation.
Not documenting place-of-supply logic for cross-border services where recipient/location details matter.
Documents you need
- GST registration certificate
- LUT filing acknowledgment (Form RFD-11)
- FIRC or e-BRC for foreign remittances
- All invoices with correct SAC codes
- Bank statements reconciled with GSTR returns
- LUT acknowledgement (Form GST RFD-11) for zero-rated export of services
- FIRC/e-BRC and bank advice as export realization proof
- GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B working papers/reconciliations
- GST close checklist (invoice validation, tax-position review, return filing, reconciliation sign-off)
- Domestic vs export invoice master with tax treatment column
- Quarterly books-vs-GSTR variance tracker and explanation log
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