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How GST is Calculated with Examples

📅 Updated: Jan 7, 2026⏱️ 5 min read💰 Finance

GST (Goods and Services Tax) is an indirect tax levied on the supply of goods and services in India. Understanding how to calculate GST is essential for businesses, freelancers, and consumers alike.

🧮 Basic GST Formula

GST Amount = (Original Price × GST Rate) ÷ 100

Final Price = Original Price + GST Amount

GST Rates in India

India has 5 GST rate slabs for different types of goods and services:

0%
Essentials
Milk, eggs, fresh vegetables
5%
Basic Needs
Sugar, tea, coffee, edible oils
12%
Standard
Phones, laptops, processed food
18%
Most Common
Restaurants, IT services, capital goods
28%
Luxury
Cars, AC, cigarettes, aerated drinks

Calculation Examples

Example 1: Restaurant Bill (18% GST)

Original Amount: ₹1,000

GST Rate: 18%

Calculation:
GST Amount = (1,000 × 18) ÷ 100 = ₹180
Final Bill = 1,000 + 180 = ₹1,180

Example 2: Laptop Purchase (12% GST)

Original Price: ₹45,000

GST Rate: 12%

Calculation:
GST Amount = (45,000 × 12) ÷ 100 = ₹5,400
Total Price = 45,000 + 5,400 = ₹50,400

Example 3: Luxury Car (28% GST)

Original Price: ₹10,00,000

GST Rate: 28%

Calculation:
GST Amount = (10,00,000 × 28) ÷ 100 = ₹2,80,000
Total Price = 10,00,000 + 2,80,000 = ₹12,80,000

Reverse Calculation: Finding Original Price

Sometimes you have the final price (including GST) and need to find the original price:

Reverse Formula:

Original Price = (Final Price × 100) ÷ (100 + GST Rate)

Example:

You paid ₹1,180 at a restaurant (18% GST included). What was the original amount?

Original = (1,180 × 100) ÷ (100 + 18) = 1,18,000 ÷ 118 = ₹1,000
GST Amount = 1,180 - 1,000 = ₹180

Understanding CGST, SGST, and IGST

GST is actually divided into three components:

🏛️

CGST (Central GST)

Tax collected by Central Government (50% of total GST)

🏢

SGST (State GST)

Tax collected by State Government (50% of total GST)

🌐

IGST (Integrated GST)

For inter-state transactions (100% to Central, redistributed later)

Example: ₹1,000 item with 18% GST (within same state)

Total GST: ₹180

  • • CGST (9%): ₹90 → Goes to Central Government
  • • SGST (9%): ₹90 → Goes to State Government
  • • Customer pays: ₹1,180

Quick Tips

  • Always check the GST rate for the product/service category
  • Ask for GST invoice from sellers—required for tax filing and claims
  • Input Tax Credit (ITC): Businesses can claim GST paid on purchases
  • E-invoicing mandatory for businesses with turnover above certain threshold
  • File GST returns on time to avoid penalties (GSTR-1, GSTR-3B)

Calculate GST Instantly

Use our free GST calculator for quick and accurate calculations

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