TaxSavvy

Free guide · no login · checked 4 Nov 2026

Bookkeeping and accounts practice

Keep books, invoices and GST data for small businesses.

Money to start

Up to ₹50,000

Time it needs

10 to 25 hours a week

Risk

Low

Works from home

Yes

Explore

What it is, who it suits, what it can pay, how soon, the upside and the risks.

Small businesses need someone to record sales, purchases and bank entries every month, and prepare data for GST and income tax. You do this on accounting software for a monthly fee. Filing returns and audits are reserved work for qualified professionals in many cases.

Who it suits

  • Commerce graduates
  • People with Tally or accounting software skills
  • Homemakers with accounts experience

Upside

  • Recurring monthly income
  • Work from home
  • Grows with clients

Risks to know

  • Errors cost clients money
  • Peak deadline stress
  • Do not sign or certify what only CAs can

What it can pay

We do not publish a number without a reliable source.

What drives it: Number of monthly clients, transactions per client, and extra work like payroll.

Time to first income

Two to four weeks.

Assess

Skills, money, tools, hours and registrations you need, and a five question fit check.

Skills

  • Accounting basics
  • Accounting software
  • GST data

Money to start

Laptop and software.

Tools

  • Laptop
  • Accounting software
  • Secure document storage

Time per week

10 to 40 hours a week.

Licences and registrations

Tick each one as you get it. Your ticks stay on this device.

Quick fit check

  1. 1.Can you pass entries for a month without errors?
  2. 2.Do you know GST basics?
  3. 3.Can you keep client data confidential?
  4. 4.Can you meet monthly deadlines?
  5. 5.Will you ask a CA when in doubt?

Answer all five to see how well this fits you.

Run

Your first 30 days to the first rupee: set up, price, get paid, find customers, keep records.

0 of 10 steps done

  1. Days 1 to 7

    Set up

  2. Days 8 to 10

    Price it and get ready to be paid

  3. Days 11 to 24

    Find your first customers

  4. Days 25 to 30

    Record and review

Nurture

Grow and stay compliant: tax, GST, government schemes and the help that fits.

Grow it

  • Add payroll and MIS reports
  • Build a small team
  • Partner with a CA firm

Tax: Small business on presumptive tax

Return: ITR-4 (Sugam) if total income is up to ₹50 lakh; otherwise ITR-3

  • This is business income. With turnover up to ₹2 crore (₹3 crore if at least 95% comes in digitally) you can use Sec 58 of the Income-tax Act 2025 (old Sec 44AD): declare 6% of digital receipts and 8% of cash receipts as profit, or more if you earn more. No detailed books needed.
  • If you leave this scheme after using it, you cannot come back to it for the next five years. Choose with care.
  • Under the new regime, total income up to ₹12 lakh usually means no tax after the rebate. You still file, to show the income and claim back any TDS.
  • Pay advance tax in one go by 15 March if the year's tax is ₹10,000 or more.
  • Accountancy is a notified profession, so the professional route of Sec 58 (old Sec 44ADA) may apply. A Savvy confirms it for your work.

GST on services

Register once your services turnover crosses ₹20 lakh in a year (₹10 lakh in some North-Eastern and hill states). Below that, register only if clients insist or it helps you claim tax credit.

Government schemes that help

Make it official

Only what this way of earning needs. Free tools are marked; services are done by a TaxSavvy CA.

TaxSavvy serviceITR-4 presumptive returnYour return under Sec 58 presumptive tax, filed by a CA.See how it works →Free toolFree invoice generatorGST or plain invoice with UPI QR, as a PDF. No login.Open the tool →Free toolCompliance calendarEvery due date for your returns and filings.Open the tool →

Questions

How much can I earn from bookkeeping and accounts practice in India?

What drives it: Number of monthly clients, transactions per client, and extra work like payroll.

How long until the first income?

Two to four weeks.

What do I need to start?

Laptop and software. Registrations: PAN, GST registration, Udyam registration.

Which ITR form do I file for this income?

ITR-4 (Sugam) if total income is up to ₹50 lakh; otherwise ITR-3. This is business income. With turnover up to ₹2 crore (₹3 crore if at least 95% comes in digitally) you can use Sec 58 of the Income-tax Act 2025 (old Sec 44AD): declare 6% of digital receipts and 8% of cash receipts as profit, or more if you earn more. No detailed books needed.

Do I need GST?

Register once your services turnover crosses ₹20 lakh in a year (₹10 lakh in some North-Eastern and hill states). Below that, register only if clients insist or it helps you claim tax credit.

Which government schemes can help?

PM Mudra Yojana. Each scheme has its own eligibility; check the official site before applying.

Sources

Read on 4 Nov 2026. Limits, rates and fees change: check the official site before you rely on them.

This guide is general information from TaxSavvy, not a promise of income. No legal way to earn is guaranteed or instant. Avoid any offer that asks you to pay to join, recruit others or bet.

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