GST on restaurant services after GST 2.0
Restaurants, cafes, dhabas and cloud kitchens bill food under SAC 9963 (996331). The rate is 5% without input tax credit for almost every restaurant. Only restaurants inside hotels that charge more than Rs 7,500 a night for a room pay 18% with credit.
Before you set the rate in your billing software, match the code to the item exactly: the first four digits name the heading, and the six- or eight-digit line decides the rate where a heading is split. When your supplier invoice shows a longer code, use that one.
Billing restaurant services correctly
- Print the HSN or SAC code on every line (4 digits up to ₹5 crore turnover, 6 digits above).
- Charge CGST + SGST inside your state and IGST for other states — the free GST invoice generator does this from the place of supply.
- For a price that includes GST, take the tax out by subtraction with the GST calculator.
- Check every B2B buyer's GST number with the GSTIN checker.
Sources: CBIC GST rate notifications — Notification No. 9/2025-Central Tax (Rate) (goods, as amended), 10/2025-Central Tax (Rate) (nil-rated goods) and 11/2017-Central Tax (Rate) as amended by 15/2025-Central Tax (Rate) (services), effective 22 September 2025, published on cbic-gst.gov.in; GST Council FAQs on the 56th meeting. Last checked: 29 October 2026. Rates depend on the exact tariff line and description; confirm borderline items with your CA. This list is a guide, not legal advice.