Best GST Filing Service India 2026
There are two ways to get GST returns filed: a managed service, where an accountant prepares and files GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B for you, or GST software, where you or your accountant do the work. Tax Garden and Ankpal are managed services; ClearTax and ExpressGST are software. Pick based on how much of the work you want to hand off.
GSTR-1 is due on the 11th and GSTR-3B on the 20th of every month for regular taxpayers. You can file yourself on the GST portal, hire an in-house accountant, buy software, or pay a managed service. This guide compares the last two options.
Quarterly (QRMP) filers have different dates. GSTR-1 is due by the 13th of the month after the quarter (Notification 83/2020-Central Tax). GSTR-3B is due by the 22nd in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and the other states in that group, and by the 24th in the rest (Rule 61, CGST Rules).
Best GST Filing Services in India Compared
| Tax Garden | ClearTax | ExpressGST | Ankpal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Managed service | Software (assisted options) | DIY software | Managed service |
| Who prepares and files GSTR-1 and 3B | Tax Garden's team | You or your accountant | You | Their team |
| GSTR-2B / ITC reconciliation | Done by the team before every GSTR-3B | Tools provided, you run them | You do it | Done by their team |
| Fee | From Rs 1,500/month, GST extra | Quote based on GSTINs, volume and modules | Check the provider | Ask for a written quote |
| Best for | SME owners who want returns handled end to end | Teams with in-house finance staff | Simple GST, owner has time | Businesses comparing managed providers |
Ready to hand off your returns? See what our online GST filing service for businesses across India covers each month.
Tax Garden: Best for Hands-Off SMEs
Model: Managed filing by a CA-led team, flat monthly fee by transaction volume.
Plans (professional fees, GST extra):
- GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing: Rs 1,500/month (up to 100 transactions), Rs 3,000/month (up to 225), Rs 5,000/month (up to 500)
- Retail Shops GST Package: Rs 2,100/month (GSTR-1 and 3B up to 100 transactions plus TDS filings up to 200 transactions)
- Compliance Standard: Rs 6,200/month (GST and TDS filings with quarterly reviews)
- Multi-GSTIN / Scale: Rs 17,600/month (multi-GSTIN reconciliations)
What you get:
- A dedicated account manager for your business
- GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B prepared and filed by our team from the invoices you share
- GSTR-2B and IMS reconciliation before every GSTR-3B
- Kavach cover of up to Rs 50,000 in service charges for clerical errors made by our team
GST notice replies are billed separately at Rs 3,500 per reply.
Trade-off: You do not operate the software yourself, so you rely on sharing invoices on time.
Best for: SME owners who want returns handled end to end.
ClearTax: Best for Tech-Comfortable Teams
Model: GST filing software, operated by you or your accountant, with assisted options.
What you get:
- GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B preparation and filing software
- Reconciliation tools
- Integrations with accounting and ERP systems
Trade-off:
- Someone on your side has to enter or upload data and run reconciliation
- Pricing depends on the GSTINs, invoice volume and modules you choose, so get a quote for your volume
Best for: Accountants, finance teams and businesses with in-house staff.
ExpressGST: Budget DIY Option
Model: DIY GST filing software.
What you get:
- GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B preparation and filing
- Invoice and return data management
Trade-off:
- You handle data entry, reconciliation and filing yourself
- No professional review before filing
Best for: Owners with simple GST and time to file themselves.
Ankpal: Managed Alternative
Model: Managed, accountant-led filing.
What you get:
- GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing handled by their team
- ITC reconciliation
Best for: Businesses comparing managed providers. Ask for a written scope and fixed fee, as you would with any provider.
Tax Garden vs ClearTax: Head-to-Head
For accounting software, billing apps and ITR tools beyond this list, see ClearTax alternatives for GST and ITR filing, or the detailed Tax Garden vs ClearTax comparison.
Tax Garden: Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000/month for GST-only filing (Rs 18,000 to Rs 60,000 a year), more for bundled plans. Our team does the work.
ClearTax: Software subscription priced on your GSTINs and volume. Lower cost if you already have someone to run it.
Verdict: Tax Garden if you want the work done for you. ClearTax if you have staff and want software control.
DIY vs Managed: What a Year Really Costs
DIY software:
- Software subscription
- Your time: data entry, GSTR-2B reconciliation and filing every month
- Late fee risk: Rs 50 per day per return (Rs 20 for nil returns), capped by turnover, plus 18% p.a. interest on tax paid late (Sections 47 and 50, CGST Act)
Managed service (Tax Garden, up to 100 transactions/month):
- Rs 1,500 x 12 = Rs 18,000/year in professional fees
- Your time: sharing invoices each month
- Kavach: up to Rs 50,000 in service charges covered for clerical errors by our team
Verdict: Software is cheaper on paper. Managed filing makes sense once your own hours and the cost of a late or wrong return are counted.
How to Choose
Choose Tax Garden if:
- You want compliance handled completely
- You want a flat, predictable fee (see our GST filing service)
- You don't want to learn GST software
Choose ClearTax if:
- You have an accountant or finance team to run it
- You need enterprise integrations
Choose ExpressGST if:
- Budget is the priority
- Your GST is simple (few invoices)
- You are comfortable with reconciliation
If you have only just registered, work through the GST compliance checklist for new businesses before you pick a filing service.
Bottom Line
Want hands-off: Tax Garden (dedicated account manager, from Rs 1,500/month).
Want software control: ClearTax.
Want lowest cost: ExpressGST, if you have the time to file yourself.
Don't delay: GSTR-1 is due on the 11th and GSTR-3B on the 20th each month.
