How GST is split between CGST, SGST and IGST
GST in India is a dual tax. When the seller and buyer are in the same state or union territory, the tax is shared equally between the Centre and the State: half is collected as CGST and half as SGST (or UTGST). When goods or services move between states, the entire tax is collected by the Centre as IGST and later apportioned.
Inter-state: IGST = Base × Rate ÷ 100
Example: an 18% invoice of ₹10,000 within Karnataka carries ₹900 CGST + ₹900 SGST. The same invoice from Karnataka to Maharashtra carries ₹1,800 IGST. The buyer pays the same total either way — only the split changes.
Why the split matters
- Tax invoices must show CGST, SGST/UTGST and IGST in separate columns.
- ITC of CGST can be set off against CGST and IGST, but not SGST (and vice versa).
- Wrong classification of intra vs inter-state supply is a common GSTR-1 error.