GST for influencers (India)

GST (Goods and Services Tax) is India’s indirect tax on the supply of services — influencer marketing income, including cash and the value of free products or services received, can fall under it once a creator’s turnover crosses the applicable registration threshold.

Once registered, a creator generally needs to charge GST on invoices to brands and file periodic GST returns, similar to any other service provider — the specific threshold and rate depend on current law and the creator’s total taxable turnover.

• Track your total annual income from all collaborations, since GST registration becomes relevant once you cross the applicable turnover threshold — not per deal.
• Barter and product-seeding deals can still count toward taxable turnover even without cash changing hands, depending on how they’re valued.
• GST thresholds, rates, and exemptions change and vary by state and category — confirm your specific obligations with a tax professional rather than a generic guideline.