Practical steps we see working for traders, manufacturers and service businesses — from getting paid faster to becoming loan-ready. Start with the free health score.
Step 1 · 2 minutes
Your business health score
Answer 10 yes/no questions. Every “No” shows the fix.
1. Do you keep a separate bank account only for the business?
Mixing money hides profit and weakens loan applications. See play 01.
2. Do you know last month’s profit and cash position?
Without monthly numbers, problems show up a year late. See play 02.
3. Do customers usually pay within 45 days?
Slow collections lock up your cash. See play 03.
4. Is your business registered on Udyam (MSME)?
Udyam is free and unlocks the 45-day payment rule and MSME loans. See plays 03 and 06.
5. Have you reviewed your prices in the last 12 months?
Costs rise every year; unchanged prices mean shrinking margins. See play 04.
6. Are all GST returns filed on time with ITC matched to GSTR-2B?
Late or mismatched returns cost interest, lost credit and customers. See play 05.
7. Have you filed ITR for each of the last three years?
Lenders ask for 2–3 years of ITR. See play 06.
8. Do you have a Google Business Profile with reviews?
Most customers search before they buy. See play 08.
9. Do you have cash for three months of fixed expenses?
A reserve protects you from one bad month. See play 09.
10. Is a professional handling your tax and GST compliance?
Your time is better spent on customers. See play 10.
Mixed accounts hide your real profit, weaken your ITR and make banks hesitate. Clean separation is the base of every other step.
Open a current account used only for the business.
Take all customer payments into it — UPI QR, bank transfer, card.
Pay yourself a fixed monthly drawing instead of spending from the business account.
Keep cash receipts low; large cash attracts tax questions and penalties.
How TaxEase helps: We set up your chart of accounts and books in Tally.
02
Know your numbers every month
Most small businesses learn their profit once a year, at ITR time — too late to fix anything. Owners who review numbers monthly make faster, better decisions.
Close books by the 10th of every month.
Track five numbers: sales, gross margin, expenses, cash in bank, money owed to you.
Compare with the same month last year.
Spend 30 minutes each month on this — it is the highest-return meeting you will have.
How TaxEase helps: Monthly MIS report with these numbers, prepared by us.
03
Get paid faster
Profit on paper is useless if cash is stuck with customers. Faster collection is free working capital.
Put written payment terms on every quotation and invoice.
Take an advance from new customers.
Print your UPI QR on every bill and follow up on day 1, 7 and 15 after the due date.
Register on Udyam. Buyers must pay micro and small suppliers within 45 days (15 without a written agreement) — late payments can be raised on MSME Samadhaan, and the buyer loses the tax deduction until paid.
Selling to large companies? Use TReDS platforms to discount approved invoices.
How TaxEase helps: Udyam registration and MSME payment-recovery support.
04
Price for profit, not just volume
A small price increase usually adds more profit than a big jump in sales. Many owners underprice because they do not know their full cost.
Work out the true cost of each product or service: material, labour, freight, credit period and wastage.
Find your top 20% customers and products by profit — not by sales.
Review prices every year; pass on cost increases with notice.
Stop or reprice anything that loses money.
How TaxEase helps: Product-wise margin analysis from your books.
05
Use GST as a sales tool
Registered businesses and companies prefer suppliers who give them input tax credit. GST compliance can open doors to bigger buyers and online marketplaces.
Consider voluntary GST registration if you want B2B or marketplace sales, even below the limit.
File every return on time — late filing blocks your buyers’ credit and they move to other suppliers.
Match GSTR-2B every month so you claim every rupee of ITC.
Keep HSN codes and invoice format correct to avoid disputes.
How TaxEase helps: Monthly GST filing with 2B matching.
06
Become loan-ready
Banks lend against documents. A clean, consistent record gets faster approval and lower rates — often without collateral.
File ITR every year, even in a low-income year. Lenders usually ask for 2–3 years.
Keep GST turnover, bank credits and ITR turnover consistent.
Pay EMIs and credit cards on time to protect your credit score.
Keep Udyam registration current — it is needed for most MSME schemes, including collateral-free loans under CGTMSE and Mudra loans (up to ₹20 lakh).
How TaxEase helps: Bank-ready financial statements and CMA data.
07
Choose the right structure and tax method
The right structure saves tax, protects family assets and makes raising money easier. The wrong one costs you every year.
Small and simple: proprietorship with presumptive taxation (44AD / 44ADA) keeps compliance light.
Growing, with partners or bigger risk: LLP gives limited liability.
Planning investors or a strong brand: private limited company.
Compare total tax and compliance cost before switching — we do the numbers for you.
How TaxEase helps: Structure comparison and registration.
08
Win more customers
Customers search before they buy. A strong local presence brings enquiries at almost no cost.
Complete your Google Business Profile with photos, hours and services, and reply to every review.
Ask every happy customer for a review or a referral.
Use WhatsApp Business with a catalogue and quick replies.
Sell to government buyers through the GeM portal, and explore online marketplaces and ONDC.
How TaxEase helps: GST and registration support for marketplace and GeM selling.
09
Protect what you have built
One notice, penalty or bad month can wipe out a year’s profit. Protection is cheaper than repair.
Keep a cash reserve of at least three months of fixed expenses.
Insure stock, shop and key equipment.
Avoid receiving ₹2 lakh or more in cash from one person in a day, and cash expenses above ₹10,000 — both carry penalties or disallowance.
Reply to every tax notice before the due date.
How TaxEase helps: Notice monitoring and replies.
10
Delegate compliance, focus on growth
Every hour the owner spends on returns and portals is an hour not spent on customers. Compliance is a system — give it to a team.
Hand GST, TDS and ITR to a professional with a fixed monthly fee.
Use accounting software instead of notebooks.
Set a monthly 30-minute review with your consultant.
Spend the time you save on sales and customers.
How TaxEase helps: Fixed-fee annual compliance plans.
Step 3 · Take action
Your 90-day action plan
Twelve steps, in order. Tick them off as you go — your progress is saved on this device.