- 28 Mar 2025 06:46 PM
- New
GST on Medicines and Medical Goods: Government Stance
Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/gst-medicines-medical-goods-government-stance.html
The Government of India addressed queries regarding the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on medicines and medical goods in a recent Rajya Sabha session. The GST rates and exemptions are determined by the GST Council, which currently has no recommendations to remove GST on all medicines and medical goods. Jan Aushadhi medicines are sold with GST included in their Maximum Retail Price (MRP) as per existing legislation. Healthcare services, including treatments and inpatients’ food, are exempt from GST if room charges do not exceed ₹5,000 per day. State/UT-wise GST revenue from medicines and medical goods for the financial years 2019-20 to 2023-24 indicates a steady rise, with total collections growing from ₹8,861.70 crores in 2019-20 to ₹13,616.48 crores in 2023-24. The annexure to the parliamentary reply provides a detailed breakdown of revenue across states, highlighting significant contributions from states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat.
Read More
- 27 Mar 2025 06:32 PM
- New
Why a ‘health tax’ alone may not solve India’s junk food crisis
The growing consumption of ultra-processed food and aggressive marketing techniques by brands, such as pushing them to shelves labelled as healthy, have caught the government's eye. The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlighted the issue and suggested several corrective steps from awareness campaigns and stricter labelling to a ‘health tax’ to curb the excessive consumption of ultra-processed food.
Read More
- 27 Mar 2025 06:53 PM
- New
GST Grievances & Recommendations – Sales Tax Bar Association
The Sales Tax Bar Association (Regd.) has raised key GST-related concerns in a representation to the Principal Chief Commissioner, CGST & Central Excise, Delhi. Major issues include a lack of clarity in documentation for businesses operating from shared premises, additional document demands beyond legal requirements, and the inability to withdraw or edit GST registration applications, causing unnecessary delays. The association also recommends a mandatory notice viewing system on the GST portal to enhance communication and compliance. Further, it highlights difficulties in availing the GST Amnesty Scheme due to the mandatory DRC-03A requirement, particularly in cases where appeals are partially accepted or direct payments are made through the Electronic Liability Register. Another critical issue is the delay in appeal disposals due to staff shortages, making it difficult for taxpayers to meet Amnesty Scheme deadlines. To address this, the association urges the government to deploy additional manpower and extend the scheme’s due date from March 31 to June 30, 2025.
Read More
- 26 Mar 2025 06:23 PM
GST on Higher Education: Current Exemptions & Policies
Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/gst-higher-education-current-exemptions-policies.html
The government has stated that GST rates and exemptions for education services are determined by the GST Council, which includes both Union and State/UT representatives. Any change in GST rates or exemptions follows a deliberative process. Currently, no city-based differential GST rates exist. Several educational services are exempt under Notification 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate), including services provided by educational institutions to students, faculty, and staff, entrance examinations, and admission-related services. Schools receive additional exemptions for transport, catering (including mid-day meals), security, cleaning, and online journals for higher education institutions. The definition of “educational institution” includes pre-schools, schools up to higher secondary, recognized degree programs, and approved vocational courses. Additionally, affiliation services provided by educational boards to government or government-controlled schools are also exempt. Under Notification 02/2017, exemptions extend to printed books (including Braille), newspapers, journals, periodicals, children’s books, slates, chalk, and slate pencils. While the government acknowledges concerns about the financial burden on students, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Sangli, there is currently no recommendation from the GST Council to alter existing GST rates on higher education services.
Read More
- 26 Mar 2025 06:16 PM
Budget aims to do reforms to build Viksit Bharat by 2047, says FM Niramala Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Tuesday, underscored the Union government's commitment to providing tax certainty and streamlining business regulations as part of the broader vision to build a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Read More
- 26 Mar 2025 06:18 PM
Why a ‘health tax’ alone may not solve India’s junk food crisis
The growing consumption of ultra-processed food and aggressive marketing techniques by brands, such as pushing them to shelves labelled as healthy, have caught the government's eye. The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlighted the issue and suggested several corrective steps from awareness campaigns and stricter labelling to a ‘health tax’ to curb the excessive consumption of ultra-processed food.
Read More
- 26 Mar 2025 06:13 PM
New income tax bill to be tabled in monsoon session: Sitharaman
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said a select committee has been mandated to submit its report on the new bill by the first day of the upcoming monsoon session.
Read More
- 26 Mar 2025 06:33 PM
CGST Delhi East Hosts GST Registration Campaign 2025
Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/cgst-delhi-east-hosts-gst-registration-campaign-2025.html
CGST Delhi East Commissionerate launched a two-day GST Registration Campaign on March 21-22, 2025, aimed at increasing awareness and compliance among unregistered traders and manufacturers. Helpdesks were set up at key locations in areas like Seelampur, Jaffrabad, and Gandhi Nagar, addressing over 2,000 trader queries. The campaign resulted in more than 100 fresh GST registrations and distributed 7,500 pamphlets in Hindi and Urdu to highlight GST provisions.
Read More
- 26 Mar 2025 06:36 PM
DGGI Cracks Down on Offshore Gaming Tax Evasion
Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/dggi-cracks-offshore-gaming-tax-evasion.html
Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) has intensified actions against offshore online money gaming entities to curb tax evasion. Around 700 offshore operators involved in gaming, betting, and gambling are under investigation for evading GST by not registering, hiding taxable pay-ins, and bypassing tax regulations.
Read More
- 26 Mar 2025 06:39 PM
Import Duty and GST on Lifesaving Medical Devices
Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/reducing-import-duty-lifesaving-drugs.html
Indian Government has clarified there are no current plans to reduce import duties on lifesaving medical equipment. Most medical devices attract a basic customs duty (BCD) ranging from 7.5% to 10%, while certain critical equipment, such as coronary stents and assistive devices for the disabled, attract nil BCD. Regarding GST, most lifesaving medical equipment already benefits from a concessional rate of 12%, compared to the standard 18%. The GST Council, a constitutional body representing Union and State Governments, prescribes GST rates and exemptions. No recommendation has been made by the Council for further GST reductions on such devices. For health and life insurance premiums, a Group of Ministers (GoM) was constituted during the 54th GST Council meeting on September 9, 2024, to examine the issues holistically. However, the GoM has not yet submitted its final report. The government also highlights that concessions and exemptions aim to make essential medical equipment accessible while supporting domestic manufacturing through indirect incentives.
Read More