Input Tax Credit Eligibility Checker for Startups
Check whether GST paid on your business expenses is claimable as Input Tax Credit — with startup-specific blocked credit rules, RCM obligations, and partial credit scenarios.
Invoice in company's GSTIN
💡 Claim in the same month invoice is received and payment made.
Self-assess RCM; ITC recoverable same period
💡 File in GSTR-3B Table 3.1(d). Claim ITC in Table 4 same month.
Used for business; invoice in company name
💡 Maintain asset register with GSTIN-invoiced purchases.
Used for business
💡 Unlike cars, ITC on phones is not blocked — even for employees.
GST-registered landlord only
💡 Residential premises rented by company: 18% RCM applies from Oct 2022.
Movable furniture only
Blocked for immovable property construction
💡 Even in a leased office — plastering, tiling, civil work ITC is blocked.
RCM if agency registered; self-assess if unregistered
RCM self-assessment at 18% IGST; ITC recoverable same period
💡 Match monthly spend with invoices from Google/Meta for RCM calculation.
ITC must be reversed if gifted free (gift rule)
💡 If sold even at ₹1, ITC is safe. Only reverse if truly given at zero consideration.
Business travel; invoice in company name
Invoice in company GSTIN
💡 < ₹7,500/night: 12%; ≥ ₹7,500/night: 18%.
Permanently blocked — all food & beverages
💡 Even genuine client entertainment — no ITC, no exceptions.
Passenger transport for employees — blocked
💡 Exception only if company is in the transport business.
Health insurance for employees — blocked
💡 Personal accident insurance may differ — consult your CA.
Motor vehicle ITC blocked (not transport/supply business)
💡 Even used exclusively for sales visits — ITC is permanently blocked.
Same Section 17(5) block — lower rate but still blocked
Goods transport use — exempt from block
💡 Delivery bikes for B2C delivery: ITC claimable.
Goods transport vehicles exempt from block
Advocate does not charge GST; recipient pays RCM
💡 File RCM in GSTR-3B Table 3.1(d) and recover as ITC in Table 4.
Exempt supply — proportional ITC reversal required
💡 If interest income is significant, apportion common ITC under Rule 42.
Non-executive director remuneration: RCM at 18% IGST
Based on CGST Act 2017, Section 17(5) blocked credit list, and GST Council notifications as of FY 2024-25. Consult your CA for case-specific ITC treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
Which business expenses are blocked from Input Tax Credit under GST?
Section 17(5) of CGST Act blocks ITC on: motor vehicles (cars, bikes) for non-transport businesses; food and beverages, outdoor catering; beauty treatment, health services, cosmetic surgery; membership of clubs/fitness centres; travel benefits to employees (LTA, holiday packages); works contract for immovable property construction; goods or services for personal use. ITC on these is permanently blocked even if used for business.
Can startups claim ITC on office rent, co-working space, and leasehold improvements?
Yes. GST paid on office rent and coworking memberships is fully claimable as ITC if used for making taxable supplies. However, ITC on construction services for leasehold improvements (civil work, fit-outs classified as immovable property) is blocked under Section 17(5)(c). ITC on movable furniture, equipment, and IT infrastructure installed in leased offices is fully claimable.
Is ITC available on Google Ads, AWS, and other foreign vendor payments?
Foreign vendors like Google, Meta, AWS, Zoom, and Slack are not GST-registered in India. Under the Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM), you self-assess and pay GST on these payments. The GST you pay under RCM is immediately eligible as ITC in the same return period, effectively making it a wash — but only if you are registered under GST and making taxable supplies.
How does ITC work when a startup makes both taxable and exempt supplies?
When a startup makes both taxable (e.g., B2B software) and exempt supplies (e.g., interest income from deposits), ITC must be proportionally reversed. The formula under Rule 42: Reversal = Common ITC × (Exempt supplies ÷ Total supplies). Startups with significant exempt income (banking, insurance, exports exempt under LUT) should carefully track common ITC to avoid penalties on excess claims.
Can startups claim ITC on employee expense reimbursements — phones, internet, travel?
Phones and internet: ITC claimable on GST paid if the expense is incurred for business purposes and the invoice is in the company's name. Employee reimbursements where the invoice is in the employee's personal name cannot claim ITC. Business travel: hotels (12/18% GST) and air tickets (5/12%) — ITC claimable if for business. Food and beverages during travel: blocked. Local conveyance: claimable only for goods transport, not employee commute.