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TRANSPARENT · PERFORMANCE-ALIGNED · NO SURPRISES

Our Fees —
Clear, Honest,
and Aligned with Your Outcome.

We believe a client who understands exactly what they are paying — and why — is a client who can make an informed decision about engaging us. Our fee structure varies by the nature of the mandate: refund matters are structured on a success-fee basis so you pay only when you recover; litigation and audit matters are stage-based fixed fees. The free consultation determines which model applies to your matter.

Performance-Aligned
Refund fees are success-based — we earn when you recover. No recovery, no fee on refund mandates.
Stage-Based for Litigation
SCN, audit, and appeal fees are agreed per stage before each stage commences. No open-ended retainers.
Free Initial Assessment
The consultation is free. We assess your matter and propose a fee before you commit — you decide with full information.
Written Engagement Letter
Every mandate is governed by a written engagement letter specifying scope, fee, timeline, and each party's obligations.
HOW WE CHARGE
Two Fee Models — Chosen
Based on the Nature of Your Matter

Not all GST matters are the same — and not all fee structures should be. The right model depends on whether your matter produces a quantifiable cash outcome (refunds) or involves defending a position (litigation, audit, appeals).

%
Success Fee Model
Applied to GST Refund Mandates

A percentage of the refund amount actually credited to your bank account. No upfront fee. No fee if the refund is not recovered. Our incentive is entirely aligned with yours — the faster and more completely we recover your refund, the more we earn. This model eliminates the risk of paying a large fixed fee for a result that does not materialise.

APPLICABLE TO
IGST Refund — Goods ExportersITC Refund — Export of ServicesInverted Duty ITC RefundWrongly Denied ITC — Appellate Recovery
Why this model works for you: You carry no financial risk. If we file the claim and it is rejected for reasons beyond our control, you pay nothing on the refund mandate. Our investment of time and expertise is backed entirely by our confidence in the outcome.
Stage-Based Fixed Fee
Applied to Litigation, Audit & Advisory

A fixed fee agreed per stage of the proceeding — SCN reply, personal hearing, adjudication, first appeal, second appeal — before each stage commences. You know the fee before authorising each step. You are not committed to subsequent stages until the outcome of the current stage is known. This model gives you cost certainty and control at every point in the matter.

APPLICABLE TO
Section 65 Audit DefenceSCN Reply — Section 73 / 74GST Appeals — Section 107 / 112Department Appeal CounterNRI / Cross-Border Advisory
Why this model works for you: Litigation outcomes are not guaranteed — no honest practitioner will commit to a success fee on a contested demand matter. The fixed fee per stage allows you to budget precisely and decide at each milestone whether to proceed further based on the developing outcome.
REFUND MATTERS — SUCCESS FEE SCHEDULE
GST Refund Fee Rates

Fees are charged as a percentage of the refund amount actually credited to your bank account. The applicable rate depends on the complexity of the matter and the stage at which we are engaged. All rates below are indicative — the exact percentage for your matter is confirmed in writing during the engagement letter, following the free consultation.

SERVICEFEE MODELINDICATIVE RATENOTES
IGST Refund — Goods Exporters
Shipping bill-based refund, Rule 96 applications
SUCCESS FEE
2% – 4%
of refund credited to bank
Lower rate applicable on large quantum mandates (>₹1Cr). Rate increases if the matter involves rejection reversal or appellate proceedings.
ITC Refund — Export of Services
LUT route, Statement 3, FIRA documentation
SUCCESS FEE
3% – 5%
of refund credited to bank
Higher complexity than goods refunds — five-condition Sec 2(6) assessment, FIRA co-ordination, and intermediary risk analysis included in scope.
ITC Refund — Inverted Duty Structure
Rule 89(5), inputs-only ITC, Statement 1
SUCCESS FEE
3% – 5%
of refund credited to bank
Rate reflects complexity of amended Rule 89(5) computation, Net ITC restriction to inputs only, and proportionate deduction mechanism. Rate confirmed after review of ITC quantum and GSTR data.
Refund — Rejection Reversal / Appellate
Challenging prior rejections through appeal
SUCCESS FEE
5% – 8%
of refund recovered through appeal
Higher rate reflects the additional complexity of reversing a prior rejection — legal analysis of grounds, appellate representation, and the elevated risk that the prior rejection may have been on defensible grounds.
Wrongly Denied ITC — Recovery via Appeal
Section 107 appeal, Sec 16 defence
SUCCESS + STAGE
Stage fee + 5–7%
of ITC restored / recovered
Hybrid model — a fixed stage fee for the appellate preparation and representation, plus a success component on the ITC value restored. Exact split confirmed in the engagement letter.
What Is Not Included in the Success Fee Scope
Government pre-deposit amounts (paid by client directly)
Departmental fees or court fees, if any
Travel costs for hearings outside agreed jurisdiction (billed at actuals)
GST on our professional fees (billed at 18% on the fee amount)
Accountant / auditor fees for document preparation at client's end
Subsequent appeal stages — each stage quoted separately if required
LITIGATION, AUDIT & APPEAL — STAGE-BASED FEE SCHEDULE
Fee Per Stage of Proceeding

The following ranges reflect typical fee structures across matter stages. The actual fee for your matter is determined by the complexity of the legal issues, the quantum of the demand, the number of grounds to be addressed, and the number of periods covered. The fee for each stage is confirmed in writing before that stage commences — and quoted during the free consultation once we have reviewed your matter.

01
GST Audit Defence
(Section 65 ADT-02 Reply)
FIXED FEE
₹25,000 – ₹1,50,000
Preparation of ADT-02 reply, review of all audit findings, statutory rebuttal with bare act extracts, documentary compilation, and personal hearing representation.
Range reflects number of findings, periods covered, and demand quantum at risk.
02
SCN Reply
(Section 73 / 74)
FIXED FEE
₹30,000 – ₹2,00,000
Detailed SCN reply — jurisdictional challenge, demand quantum rebuttal, Section 73 vs 74 challenge, penalty reduction strategy, and personal hearing representation.
Higher range for matters with Section 74 invocation, multiple years, or large demand quantum.
03
First Appeal
(Section 107 — Appellate Authority)
FIXED FEE
₹40,000 – ₹2,50,000
Appeal preparation — grounds of appeal, pre-deposit advice, stay of demand, appellate memo, documentary brief, and hearing representation before the Appellate Authority.
10% pre-deposit paid by client directly to the department.
04
Second Appeal
(Section 112 — GSTAT)
FIXED FEE
₹75,000 – ₹5,00,000
GSTAT appeal — comprehensive grounds, limitation period audit (3-month window from first appellate order), 20% pre-deposit strategy, and Tribunal representation.
GSTAT now operational. 3-month limitation period is strictly enforced — engage immediately on receipt of first appellate order.
05
Department Appeal Defence
(Counter Representation — Sec 107(2))
FIXED FEE
₹35,000 – ₹2,00,000
Counter-representation when the department appeals a favourable order you have obtained. Response filing, grounds of defence, and hearing representation.
Department has 6 months to file — engage immediately on receiving notice of department's appeal.
06
NRI / Cross-Border GST Opinion
FIXED FEE
₹20,000 – ₹75,000
Written legal opinion on place of supply, intermediary classification, RCM applicability, OIDAR registration, or LUT eligibility — with transaction restructuring advisory where required.
Fully virtual for NRI and overseas clients. Delivered within agreed timeline with written opinion document.
GST HEALTH CHECK — FIXED FEE TIERS
Preventive Review Fee Structure

The GST Risk Review and Health Check is structured as a fixed-fee engagement. The scope — and therefore the fee — increases by tier. All fees are confirmed after a brief scope discussion in which we understand your business size, GST transaction complexity, and the periods to be covered.

Rapid Review
MSMEs, proprietorships, below ₹5Cr GST turnover
₹15,000 – ₹35,000
+ 18% GST · One financial year
SCOPE INCLUDES
GSTR-1 vs GSTR-3B reconciliation
GSTR-2B vs ITC availed check
Section 17(5) blocked credit screening
RCM obligation identification
HSN classification spot-check
Executive risk summary report
Detailed ITC eligibility workings
GSTR-9 / 9C deep reconciliation
Refund opportunity mapping
Book Consultation →
Deep Dive Audit
Large businesses, M&A due diligence, regulatory scrutiny — ₹50Cr+ turnover
₹1,50,000 – ₹5,00,000
+ 18% GST · Up to three financial years
SCOPE INCLUDES
All Full Health Check scope — in full
Transaction-level ITC review — 100%
Valuation — related party / group supplies
Place of supply — cross-border / multi-state
E-way bill and movement compliance audit
Job work and stock transfer compliance
Pre-GSTR-9C simulation and finalisation
M&A GST liability mapping
Voluntary payment strategy + implementation
Book Consultation →
ONGOING ADVISORY — RETAINER ARRANGEMENTS
For Clients Who Need Continuous
GST Compliance Support

Some clients — particularly those with ongoing export operations, complex monthly ITC profiles, or businesses that have recently come through a litigation matter — benefit from a structured ongoing advisory relationship. The retainer arrangements below provide priority access to our team and a defined scope of monthly support.

MONTHLY RETAINER — ADVISORY
GST Compliance Retainer
₹8,000 – ₹25,000 / month
+ 18% GST · Minimum 6-month engagement · Scope confirmed before commencement
Monthly GSTR-1 vs GSTR-3B reconciliation review
ITC eligibility advisory on new or unusual transactions
RCM applicability review — new vendor categories
GSTR-2B mismatch identification and resolution advice
Regulatory update alerts — circulars, notifications, amendments
Priority response to departmental notices — within 24 hours
Annual GSTR-9 / 9C advisory and review
Enquire About Retainer →
QUARTERLY RETAINER — EXPORTERS
Exporter GST & Refund Retainer
₹15,000 – ₹50,000 / quarter
+ 18% GST · Refund success fees billed separately on recovery · Scope confirmed before commencement
Quarterly refund application preparation and filing
GSTR-2B and ITC ledger reconciliation every quarter
LUT renewal — annual filing and compliance
FIRA and banking documentation review
Rejection defence and departmental correspondence
Export classification and HSN advisory — ongoing
Priority access for any audit or SCN that arises during period
Enquire About Retainer →
FEE COMMITMENTS
What We Commit to —
On Every Engagement
Written Fee Agreement Before Commencement
We never commence work without a signed engagement letter specifying the exact fee, the scope of work, and what happens if the matter extends beyond the agreed scope.
No Hidden Charges
The engagement letter is the complete fee agreement. No additional charges are raised mid-matter without a written addendum agreed by both parties before the additional work commences.
Stage Fee Quoted Before Each Stage
For litigation and audit matters, you are informed of the fee for the next stage before it begins. If the matter proceeds to appeal, the appeal fee is a separate agreement — not assumed from the original engagement.
Honest Assessment of Whether to Proceed
If the cost of the next stage exceeds the realistic value of the outcome, we will tell you. Our interest is in your long-term trust — not in generating stage fees on matters that are unlikely to succeed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Questions About Our Fees
Is there any fee for the initial consultation?
No. The initial consultation — whether by phone, video call, or WhatsApp — is completely free and without obligation. During the consultation, we assess your matter, give you a preliminary view of your position, and explain what the engagement would involve and at what fee. You decide whether to proceed after that conversation. No payment of any kind is required before or during the consultation.
For refund matters — when exactly is the success fee charged?
The success fee is triggered only when the refund amount is actually credited to your bank account by the GST department — not when the refund is sanctioned or approved. An RFD-06 sanction order without actual bank credit does not trigger the fee. We invoice only on confirmed receipt of funds. In cases where the refund is received in multiple tranches, the fee is charged pro-rata on each tranche as received.
What happens if the SCN reply is successful but the matter is appealed by the department?
If the department files an appeal under Section 107(2) against a favourable order obtained at the adjudication stage, that is a new proceeding and is scoped and priced as a separate engagement — the department appeal counter representation. This is not included in the original SCN reply fee. If we have already assessed your matter, we will be best positioned to handle the counter-representation at an appropriate fee, which we propose in writing before accepting the mandate.
Are disbursements — travel, government fees — included in the quoted fee?
No. Quoted fees are professional fees only — for analysis, drafting, and representation. Government pre-deposit amounts, court fees, and any mandated payments to the department are paid directly by the client. Travel costs for hearings outside the agreed base jurisdiction are billed at actuals, with prior approval. For NRI and outstation clients, all representation is virtual unless a physical hearing is specifically required by the forum, in which case we advise accordingly.
Can the fee be structured differently for a very large matter?
Yes. For matters involving demands or refunds above ₹5 crore, we are open to discussing a customised fee arrangement — which may involve a lower percentage rate on a larger success fee base, or a milestone-based fixed fee on a large litigation matter. All arrangements are confirmed in the engagement letter. The free consultation is the right starting point — we assess the matter and then propose a fee structure that is appropriate for the size and complexity of the mandate.

All fee ranges stated on this page are indicative only and represent typical ranges for the categories described. Actual fees for any specific mandate are determined after a review of the matter during the free consultation and confirmed in a written engagement letter prior to commencement of work. Fees are subject to GST at 18% on the professional fee amount. Vertax Partners reserves the right to decline mandates at its discretion. Nothing on this page constitutes a binding fee offer — only the executed engagement letter constitutes the binding fee agreement between Vertax Partners and a client.

Discuss Your Matter —
Get a Specific Fee Proposal.

The free consultation is where we review your matter and give you an exact fee. No ranges — a specific number, in writing, before you decide.

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