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Published on:

May 12, 2025

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Payment of GST and Other Amounts in Instalments: Section 80 and Rule 158 Explained

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, which is currently in effect, most pressingly demands the timely payment of taxes by all businesses. Nevertheless, some companies in financial difficulty might have a hard time complying with this requirement.

By doing this, taxpayers are given the privilege of relief under Section 80 of the CGST Act and the facility under Rule 158 that allows them to pay part of the tax as often as they can.

The article is following the next point set out in the order below:

The legal provisions under Section 80 and Rule 158.

Who is eligible for instalment payments?

Application process and conditions

Interest rates and penalties.

What is Section 80 of the GST Act?

Section 80 in the first way gives the payment to taxpayers in instalments instead of paying the tax all at once.

The opportunity is available for all, both regular taxpayers and defaulters, who cannot afford to pay on time.

For the instalment system, they are to get the licenses from the Commissioner to do that.

Key Features of Section 80

Feature	Details
Purpose	It will support taxpayers who are unable to pay GST on time by helping them distribute their GST dues over several months
Applicable to	Companies facing financial hardship
Approval Authority	GST Commissioner
Maximum Instalments Allowed	24 (Monthly)
Interest Charged	Yes (as per GST laws)
Penalty for Non-Compliance	Instalments may be cancelled, and you are warned of the possibility of legal action in extreme cases

Rule 158: Procedure for Instalments Rule

158 is the one that outlines the method a taxpayer can take if he/she decides to make instalment payments under Section 80.

The act which presents options for the taxpayer to choose takes the inception of the taxpayer's application for installment payment which is then followed by the financial evaluation by the Commissioner.

Steps in Rule 158 for Installation

Step	Description
Step 1	Apply online via the GST portal
Step 2	Justify your request for instalments (e.g. lack of cash flow)
Step 3	Provide the needed information, such as bank statements, tax returns, etc. and send them along
Step 4	Wait for the Singet tax authorities to assess the result of the instalment request and decide whether to reject or accept the tax instalment request
Step 5	Forward the payment schedule for further processing

Eligibility for GST Instalment Payment

For a company to be capable of paying the GST instalments, it has to comply with certain specific conditions.

The taxpayer should not want to make a large payment if he is to be the first one to meet the criteria.

In the process of applying, the candidate must not have had any problems with other GST payments in the past.

The Commissioner's total arrears amount must not exceed the ceiling set by the Commissioner.

Eligibility Criteria Table

Criteria	Requirement
Registered GST taxpayer	Must have a valid GSTIN
Financial hardship proof	Cash flow issues, pending payments, tax history
No previous defaults	Must not have defaulted on past GST payments
Timely application	Must apply before the due date or demand notice

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Application Process for Instalments

How to Apply for GST Instalments

Step 1: Log in to the GST portal.
Step 2: Navigate to Payment Instalment Request under the Services tab.
Step 3: Fill out Form GST DRC-20 with payment details.
Step 4: Upload supporting documents (financial statements, bank statements).
Step 5: Submit the form and wait for approval.

Note: The GST authorities may request additional documents before approving.

Documents Required

Document	Purpose
GST Returns (GSTR-3B, GSTR-1)	Verify previous tax compliance
Financial Statements	Show cash flow status
Bank Statements	Validate liquidity constraints
Business Performance Reports	Evaluate the taxpayer’s financial health

Interest, Penalties, and Conditions

While GST instalments offer flexibility, taxpayers must comply with certain conditions to avoid penalties.

Interest on GST Instalments

Installment Period	Interest Rate
Up to 6 months	18% per annum
6 to 12 months	21% per annum
12 to 24 months	24% per annum

Important Notes:

If a single instalment is missed, the total amount due should be paid immediately.

The instalment schedule cannot be changed once it is approved.

Once the GST authorities prove the application to be misleading, they can reject the application.

Payment Default & Consequences

Although the instalments of GST give a respite, their omission of a single installment can be a serious cause of trouble. If a taxpayer may not then pay the installment, what are the consequences then?

The remaining GST liability becomes due in full and instantly payable.

The GST department may choose to go to court or to take recovery of the dues by taking the assets in the defendant's ownership.

The taxpayer may be blacklisted, denying him or her the opportunity to apply for the rest of the installments.

Being highly penalised and also the heavy late fees that may apply are an additional financial burden.

Thus, to prevent such problems, businesses should make sure the payment schedule is rigorously adhered to and that funds are available before the payment due date of each installment.

Comparison: Lump-Sum vs. Instalment Payment

If you’re unsure whether to opt for GST instalment payments, consider the following comparison:

Factor	Lump-Sum Payment	Installment Payment
Financial Burden	High	Spread out over time
Interest Charges	No interest	Interest applicable
Penalties for Late Payment	High	Controlled, unless defaulted
Impact on Business Cash Flow	Immediate strain	More manageable
Approval Process	Not required	Requires approval from GST authorities

When to Choose Instalments?

Suppose you are in a situation where the cash reserves in the business will be running out in a short while. Maybe your customers pay a little late, and you have to pay salaries before they pay up.

When you expect incoming revenue that will cover future payments. However, if you do not manage your account effectively, you might face different problems. Maybe you cannot stay ahead of your spending.

If your total GST liability is too high to pay at once without disrupting the ongoing operation of the business, it will be better if you apply instalment payment. The installment plan can smoothen the finances for the short term.

Impact of GST Instalments on Business Operations

By choosing to pay GST taxes through an instalment plan, to what extent is it fair to say that a company’s operational efficiency is improved by the installment plan?

As attractive as it is to relieve immediate financial strain, businesses are still obligated to secure future funds necessary to be in a position to cover payments in the form of installments. However, they may have the effect of being high.

Poor financial planning is the biggest one of them that may lead to complex liabilities due to the interest charges.

To manage this effectively:

Businesses should maintain a budget forecast to track the tax returns they have to pay.

Maintaining a reserve fund, specific to tax payments, can be a safety precaution against liquidity trouble.

Keep on checking your installments as this helps you not to miss the due date and therefore avoid penalties.

This allows small and medium-sized enterprises to absorb the lifeline which prevents any stops in the operation of the company.

Role of Technology in GST Instalment Management

Therefore, as the taxation system becomes more digitalised, companies can use the power of technology-driven solutions to assist in the efficient management of GST installment payments.

Automated Reminders: One major edge GST Compliance Software: GST compliance platforms hosted in the cloud are capable of monitoring payable amounts, which may consist of interest that is incurred, and similar to the regulated installment plans.

Integration with Banking Systems: Advanced ERP systems combine a set of features, and hence, the induction of a business bank account and using it for auto-payment of instalments is thus realised.

For digital tax management, it decreases the probability of errors, as well as enhances the compliance and the financial planning for those.

Conclusion

Section 80 and Rule 158 allow businesses to pay GST dues in installments, which in turn helps them overcome cash flow challenges. Taxpayers are required to apply through the GST portal, submit Form GST DRC-20, and justify their request with the help of financial proof. Where the cases involve the taxpayer’s payment of installments, there comes an interest in the participants’ compliance, however, the non-compliance brings about penalties.

If your company is experiencing financial problems, you should think about applying for GST instalments

For expert advice, go to Swipe for better and easier tax solutions!

FAQs

1. Is it possible to get an instalment under Section 80?

You can apply if the conditions of section 80, i.e., not facing any issues due to financial crisis, are met.

2. Is there a maximum limit for instalment payments?

Of course, taxpayers can win the admin valence of up to 24 monthly installments which are spread out in a year under Section 80.

3. How long does it take to get an instalment approval?

15-30 days if there is an immediate check-up, or else it could even take 45 days if there is a strict scrutiny process.

4. Can the GST department reject my instalment request?

Sure. If the income of the applicant is found to be too low or too high or otherwise, not in accord with the requirements, the application may be dismissed.