20 Mar 2025 06:35 PM
New

GST Simplification and Financial Inclusion Updates

Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/simplifying-gst-structure.html

The GST Council formed a Group of Ministers (GoM) in September 2021 to review GST rate rationalization, aiming to simplify tax slabs, reduce exemptions, and improve compliance. The GoM submitted an interim report, which was reviewed in the 47th GST Council meeting, and no pending proposals are currently under consideration. On financial inclusion, the government has expanded banking services using the Jan Dhan Darshak (JDD) App, ensuring banking outlets are within 5 km of nearly all inhabited villages. As of February 2025, 99.90% of the country’s 6,01,328 villages have access to banking services. Additionally, 107 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) have been established to enhance digital banking infrastructure, following the launch of 75 DBUs in October 2022 as part of India’s 75th Independence celebrations.

19 Mar 2025 05:51 PM
New

India needs a better way to track its micro-enterprises

Source: https://www.livemint.com/opinion/online-views/india-micro-enterprises-nso-national-statistical-office-informal-economy-directorates-of-economics-and-statistics-data-11742281866382.html

Even before we could get to see the results of the seventh economic census (conducted in 2019-20), plans are afoot to conduct the eighth one in the coming months. India’s economic census is supposed to be a comprehensive database of all firms in the country, including micro-enterprises. It is supposed to be conducted every five years and serve as a sampling frame for informal-sector surveys. These surveys are then used to estimate the informal sector’s contribution to national output.

17 Mar 2025 06:40 PM
New

GST Revenue from Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 5-Year Data

Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/gst-revenue-andaman-nicobar-islands-5-year-data.html

In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1837 on 10th March 2025, the Ministry of Finance provided details on GST revenue collected from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands over the past five years. The gross GST collection, including contributions from the hotel and tourism industry, increased year-on-year, with Rs. 255 crores collected in 2020-21, rising to Rs. 431 crores by February 2025. Net UTGST collections from the region during the same period were also detailed, with Rs. 192 crores collected in 2019-20 and Rs. 190 crores in 2023-24. All GST revenue collected from the Islands is credited to the Consolidated Fund of India. However, specific records of allocation or utilization of these funds for the development and welfare of the Islands are not maintained. The government highlighted the absence of detailed tracking for such allocations.

17 Mar 2025 06:57 PM

Outstanding Tax Dues and Government Recovery Measures

Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/outstanding-tax-dues-government-recovery-measures.html

As per CAG reports, India’s total outstanding tax dues include ₹14.41 lakh crore in direct taxes (as of March 2021), ₹2.26 lakh crore in central excise and service tax, and ₹42,601 crore in customs duties (as of March 2022). No outstanding GST dues have been reported. The accumulation is attributed to litigation, untraceable defaulters, inadequate assets for recovery, and pending appeals. To improve tax collection, the government has introduced digital reforms, simplified tax laws, widened the tax base, and promoted voluntary compliance. Measures such as pre-filled tax returns, expanded TDS/TCS, and digital payment options have been implemented. For tax recovery, authorities monitor top defaulters, enforce asset tracing, and issue legal notices. Indirect tax recovery efforts include tracking defaulters, restricting e-way bills for non-compliant taxpayers, enforcing biometric verification, and using AI to detect fraudulent transactions. GST reforms, including structural rate changes and compliance enhancements, have contributed to increased collections.

17 Mar 2025 06:45 PM

GST Revenue Collection and Evasion Measures

Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/gst-revenue-collection-evasion-measures.html

Ministry of Finance shared data on GST revenue collection targets and actual collections from FY 2019-20 to FY 2023-24. Collections ranged from 79.5% to 110.8% of budget estimates, with consistent improvements in compliance over the years. Between 2020 and January 2025, 86,711 GST evasion cases were detected, leading to tax recoveries totaling ₹6.8 lakh crore. Additionally, 42,673 cases of Input Tax Credit (ITC) fraud were identified, recovering ₹12,367 crore. Key measures to improve compliance include e-invoicing, GST analytics, risk-based audit selection, and initiatives like “Project Anveshan,” which leverages advanced tools like facial recognition and anomaly detection. These steps aim to identify systemic gaps, prevent evasion, and enhance revenue collection. While these measures support compliance and safeguard revenue, their exact contribution is influenced by factors like global economic conditions, domestic consumption, and tax rates, making it challenging to isolate their individual impact on revenue growth.

17 Mar 2025 06:47 PM

GST Revenue Growth and Compliance Measures (2017-2025)

Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/gst-revenue-growth-compliance-measures-2017-2025.html

India’s GST collection has shown a steady increase since its implementation in 2017, reflecting its role in enhancing fiscal health and formalizing the economy. The gross GST collection rose from ₹7.41 lakh crore in 2017-18 to ₹20.18 lakh crore in 2023-24. This growth is attributed to streamlining tax credits, reducing cascading taxes, and fostering a unified national market. Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat are among the top contributors to GST revenue, driven by key sectors like manufacturing and services. The government has implemented various measures to support underperforming states, including targeted reforms and sector-specific interventions. Efforts to curb tax evasion include legal provisions under the CGST Act, data analytics, and enforcement actions, along with technical upgrades to the GST portal for seamless compliance. Challenges such as complexity, ITC mismatches, and compliance burdens persist but are being addressed through structural changes, e-invoicing mandates, and technological integration. These steps have significantly boosted GST compliance and revenue while supporting taxpayers through extended filing periods and grievance redressal mechanisms.

17 Mar 2025 06:36 PM

Indian gig workers who offer mobility services deserve GST relief

Source: https://www.livemint.com/opinion/online-views/indian-gig-workers-mobility-services-gst-council-uber-drivers-ola-rapido-income-tax-union-budget-nirmala-sitharaman-saas-11741853798383.html

The Union Budget for 2024-25 rightly focused on promoting inclusive growth and enabling employment-led development in India. With a goal of assisting the poor and vulnerable groups, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a scheme for the socioeconomic upliftment of Indian workers as the government tries to help them raise their incomes and attain sustainable livelihoods for a better quality of life.

17 Mar 2025 06:50 PM

GST Exemption for Autism Centres: Current Status & Policy

Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/gst-exemption-autism-centres-current-status-policy.html

The Government clarified that Autism Centres providing education, care, and counseling without profit are not exempt from GST under existing laws. GST exemptions, as per Notification No. 12/2017, apply only to specific educational institutions, charitable organizations, and healthcare services. Currently, only healthcare services for terminally ill individuals or those with severe physical or mental disabilities (80% or more impairment) qualify as charitable activities for GST exemption. Autism does not automatically fall under this category, though severe autism (ISAA score >153) may be classified as an 80% disability under the RPwD Act, 2016. The decision to expand GST exemptions rests with the GST Council, which has made no such recommendations to date.

17 Mar 2025 06:42 PM

State-wise list of GST And Other Taxes Received in Year 2019 to 2024

Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/state-wise-list-gst-taxes-received-year-2019-2024.html

Lok Sabha addressed a query regarding state-wise tax contributions and allocations from 2019 to 2024. It covered GST, direct, and indirect tax collections. Gross CGST collections and net central indirect taxes, including Customs Duty, Union Excise Duty, and Service Tax, showed a year-on-year increase. However, state-wise data for certain components like Customs Duty and Union Excise Duty is unavailable. The government highlighted that the inter-se allocation of taxes is determined by the Finance Commission under Article 280 of the Constitution. Details of funds allocated to states, based on central tax collections, were provided, indicating a systematic distribution over the years. The government also clarified that no changes to the tax allocation formula are currently under consideration despite requests from various states, as the formula follows constitutional and statutory guidelines. Detailed annexures for tax contributions and allocations were included to provide transparency.

17 Mar 2025 07:01 PM

TN Traders Seek GST Cut on Food Items, Camphor & Chit Fund Services Exemption

Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/tn-traders-seek-gst-cut-food-items-camphor-chit-fund-services-exemption.html

Government has received requests from trade associations in Tamil Nadu, including the Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Association and the Camphor Tableters Association, for reductions in GST rates on essential food items and camphor used in religious practices. There is also a request to exempt services provided by chit fund foremen. Additionally, some stakeholders have sought a reduction in GST rates for certain service products from 18% to 12% and 12% to 5%. However, changes in GST rates and exemptions require recommendations from the GST Council, a constitutional body comprising representatives from both the Union and State Governments. Regarding medical equipment, including stents, no recommendations for GST rate reductions have been made by the GST Council at this time.