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GST on SaaS Services in India — Rate, OIDAR & Export Rules Explained
SaaS is taxed at 18% in India, but the real complexity is jurisdictional — whether your customer is a domestic subscriber or an overseas one changes everything from registration to invoicing. SetupFiling.in's CA-assisted team gets SaaS founders registered correctly, GSTIN in 24–72 hours.
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Quick Answer: SaaS subscriptions billed to Indian customers attract 18% GST once your turnover crosses ₹20 lakh. SaaS billed to overseas customers is zero-rated export of service if you've filed an LUT. Foreign SaaS companies selling to Indian users must separately register under India's OIDAR rules. SetupFiling.in handles registration at ₹999 onwards, GSTIN in 24–72 hours.
Why GST on SaaS Isn't as Simple as "18% on Everything"
SaaS is a service, so the base rate is straightforward — 18% GST, same as most professional and IT services. What actually trips up SaaS founders is that a single product often sells to two completely different types of customer under two completely different GST treatments: an Indian subscriber paying in rupees, and an overseas subscriber paying in foreign currency. The first is a normal taxable domestic supply. The second is an export of service, eligible for zero-rated treatment under an LUT. And if your own SaaS company is based outside India but sells to Indian users, an entirely separate set of rules — OIDAR — requires you to register for GST in India regardless of where your company is incorporated. GST Registration services across India from SetupFiling.in are built to handle SaaS billing exactly this way — split cleanly by customer jurisdiction from day one.
SetupFiling.in is founded by practising Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, and Trademark Attorneys with 15+ years of combined experience, and we have already helped 12,000+ entrepreneurs and 50,000+ customers across India register and stay compliant.
What Is OIDAR, and Why Does It Apply to SaaS?
OIDAR stands for Online Information and Database Access or Retrieval — a specific GST category covering services delivered over the internet with minimal human intervention, which describes almost every SaaS product by definition. This matters most for foreign SaaS companies: since an amendment effective October 2023, any overseas provider supplying OIDAR services (including SaaS) to recipients in India — whether businesses or individual consumers — must Register for GST in India and charge 18% GST, using a simplified non-resident OIDAR registration process. This closed a gap where foreign SaaS platforms selling to Indian consumers previously fell outside GST entirely.
- Cloud software and web-based platforms accessed remotely
- Subscription-based SaaS tools, whether B2B or B2C
- Digital content and automated online services with minimal manual delivery
- Applies to foreign SaaS providers selling into India, regardless of incorporation location
- Covers sales to both business and individual Indian recipients since the 2023 amendment
- Uses a simplified registration process distinct from standard domestic GST registration
Domestic SaaS Sales vs Export of SaaS — How Treatment Differs
| Basis | Sold to Indian Customer | Sold to Overseas Customer |
|---|---|---|
| GST Treatment | Taxable supply — 18% GST charged on invoice | Zero-rated export of service — no GST if LUT is filed |
| Registration Requirement | Required once turnover crosses ₹20 lakh | Required to file LUT, which itself needs an active GSTIN |
| Documentation | Standard GST invoice with 18% shown | Export invoice + FIRC/BRC proving foreign exchange receipt |
| Refund Eligibility | Not applicable | ITC refund on inputs used to build/run the SaaS product |
Most SaaS companies sell to both segments simultaneously — this doesn't require separate registrations, but invoicing and returns must clearly distinguish domestic and export revenue.
Choose Your GST Registration Package
Transparent, one-time pricing — no hidden charges. Compare what's included in each package below.
| What's Included | Silver Registration only ₹999 | Gold + 6 months returns ₹3999 ₹1999 | RECOMMENDED Premium + 12 months returns ₹7398 ₹3,699 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GST Registration Certificate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| GST Portal User ID & Password | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ARN Tracking Included | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| GST Return Filing | — | 6 Months | 12 Months |
| Delivery Time | 48–72 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours |
| Place Your Order | Place Your Order | Place Your Order |
Who Needs GST Registration — SaaS & Software Companies
- Your annual turnover from SaaS subscriptions exceeds ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh in special category states)
- You bill any customers based in India, regardless of your own company's location
- You want to file an LUT to export SaaS to overseas customers without paying IGST
- You're a foreign SaaS company selling to Indian consumers or businesses (OIDAR registration)
- You process payments through a payment gateway that requires a valid GSTIN
- You want to raise GST-compliant invoices for enterprise or B2B customers
- You've recently completed a Private Limited Company registration and need a GSTIN to invoice
- You voluntarily want to claim Input Tax Credit on hosting, cloud infra, and software tools
Common SaaS Categories We Register
B2B SaaS Platforms
B2C Subscription Apps
API & Developer Tools
Marketplace & Aggregator Platforms
AI & Automation Tools
EdTech & LMS Platforms
Documents Required for GST Registration — SaaS Companies
- PAN Card of the founder / company
- Aadhaar Card of the founder(s) / directors
- Passport-size photograph
- Proof of registered office address (electricity bill / rent agreement)
- Bank account statement or cancelled cheque
- Digital signature (for companies & LLPs)
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Board resolution authorising the signatory, if applicable
How to Get GST Registration for a SaaS Company — Step by Step
1
Choose your package and place your order
Select Silver, Gold, or Premium above and complete payment securely through secure online payment options.
2
Share your documents and customer mix
Send your PAN, Aadhaar, address proof, and bank details, along with a note on whether your customers are domestic, overseas, or both.
3
Application filed with correct SAC code
Our CA/CS team prepares and files your GST REG-01 application under the correct SAC code for SaaS and software services.
4
ARN generated and tracked
You receive an Application Reference Number (ARN) instantly, and we track its status until approval.
5
GSTIN delivered — LUT filed if you export
Once approved, your GSTIN and certificate are emailed to you. If you bill overseas customers, we can file your LUT immediately after so you can invoice without IGST.
Benefits of Getting GST Right for a SaaS Business
- Clean split of domestic vs export revenue: Correct invoicing from day one avoids messy reconciliation as you scale.
- Export without IGST: An LUT lets you bill international customers without charging or paying IGST upfront.
- Claim input tax credit: Offset GST paid on cloud hosting, SaaS tools, and professional services against your output tax.
- Pass payment gateway checks: Many payment processors require a valid GSTIN before enabling full transaction limits.
- Enterprise-ready invoicing: Corporate customers need a GST-compliant invoice to process their own input tax credit.
- Avoid penalties: Timely registration keeps you clear of interest and late-fee exposure under the CGST Act.
Why Choose SetupFiling.in for SaaS GST Registration?
SaaS billing rarely fits neatly into a single GST treatment — most founders don't realise the domestic/export split needs to be built into invoicing structure from the very first registration, not patched in later once returns get complicated. Our team of Chartered Accountants and Company Secretaries sets this up correctly from day one. And since SaaS compliance rarely stops at registration, we also support LUT filing for exporters of services, monthly and quarterly GST return filing help, GSTR-3B filing support, and updating your GST registration details as you grow.
- 15+ years of combined CA, CS & legal expertise
- 12,000+ businesses and 50,000+ customers served pan-India
- 100% online — no office visits required
- Correct SAC classification and export/domestic split from day one
- Dedicated WhatsApp support for real-time updates
- Fast turnaround — 24 to 72 hour delivery
Related Compliance Services
SaaS companies usually need more than a one-time registration. Explore related services:
Frequently Asked Questions — GST on SaaS Services in India
What is the GST rate on SaaS services in India?
SaaS services are taxed at the standard 18% GST rate when billed to Indian customers, the same rate applicable to most IT and software services.
Do foreign SaaS companies need GST Registration in India?
Yes. Under India's OIDAR rules, foreign SaaS providers selling to recipients in India — businesses or individual consumers — must register for GST in India using a simplified non-resident registration process, regardless of where the company is incorporated.
Can an Indian SaaS company export software without paying IGST?
Yes. Once GST-registered, an Indian SaaS company can file a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) to bill overseas customers as a zero-rated export of service, without paying IGST upfront.
What is the place of supply for SaaS and cloud services?
For most SaaS transactions, the place of supply is the location of the recipient. This determines whether a domestic sale is treated as intra-state or inter-state, and whether a sale to an overseas customer qualifies as an export of service.
Do I need GST registration if all my SaaS customers are outside India?
Yes. Registration is still required once turnover crosses ₹20 lakh, and it's actually a prerequisite for filing the LUT needed to export services without paying IGST.
How much does GST Registration Cost for a SaaS company?
GST registration with SetupFiling.in starts at ₹999 for the Silver package. The Gold package (registration + 6 months of returns) costs ₹1,999, and the Premium package (registration + 12 months of returns) costs ₹3,699.
What documents are required for GST registration for a SaaS business?
You need PAN, Aadhaar, a passport-size photo, proof of registered office address, and bank account details. Companies and LLPs additionally need a Certificate of Incorporation and digital signature.
How long does it take to get a GST number for a SaaS startup?
The Silver package is delivered in 48–72 hours, while the Gold and Premium packages are delivered within 24 hours, subject to timely document submission and GST portal approval.
How do I place an order for GST registration for my SaaS company?
Select a package above and click "Place Your Order" to pay securely via Razorpay, or message us on WhatsApp at +91 98182 09246 and our team will guide you through the process.
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