- 17 Mar 2025 07:13 PM
- New
Odisha Govt Clarifies GST Exemption on compensation for Land Acquisition
The Odisha Finance Department has issued a clarification regarding the non-applicability of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on compensation paid for land and structural acquisition. According to the Central GST Act, 2017, and Odisha GST Act, 2017, the sale of land or buildings is neither considered a supply of goods nor a supply of services, thereby placing it outside the scope of GST.
The notice highlights a recent case where government authorities erroneously paid GST on compensation amounts provided to private landowners during the acquisition process. The department has emphasized that such payments are incorrect and unnecessary, urging all government departments and subordinate offices to ensure compliance with GST regulations.
- 17 Mar 2025 07:08 PM
- New
GST Reforms in India: Recent Measures & Industry Suggestions
Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/gst-reforms-india-recent-measures-industry-suggestions.html
Indian government, through the GST Council, continuously reviews and implements reforms to improve GST compliance and ease of doing business. In response to industry suggestions, several measures have been introduced. These include a retrospective amendment to Section 16(4) of the CGST Act, 2017, extending the time limit for availing input tax credit for financial years 2017-18 to 2020-21. Additionally, a new Section 128A provides waivers on interest and penalties for demand notices under Section 73 if tax dues are settled by March 31, 2025. To streamline the appeals process, amendments to Sections 107 and 112 have reduced pre-deposit requirements for filing GST appeals. Further, to support small taxpayers and e-commerce businesses, the mandatory registration requirement for intra-state supply of goods through e-commerce operators has been conditionally waived from October 1, 2023. Composition taxpayers are also permitted to make intra-state supplies through e-commerce operators under specific conditions. These reforms aim to reduce the compliance burden, simplify tax regulations, and create a more business-friendly GST framework.
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- 17 Mar 2025 06:57 PM
- New
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.
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- 17 Mar 2025 07:04 PM
No Specific Income Tax Tax Codes for Online Gaming Companies
Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/specific-income-tax-tax-codes-online-gaming-companies.html
The Indian government does not have specific tax codes for online gaming companies, making it difficult to track direct tax collections. However, under GST, 158 cases involving ₹1,53,167.37 crore have been registered against online gaming companies from July 2017 to January 2025. Additionally, 91 show cause notices have been issued, involving ₹1,43,961.83 crore. To prevent tax evasion, several GST measures have been introduced, including mandatory sequential return filing, electronic invoicing for businesses with over ₹5 crore turnover, biometric Aadhaar authentication for GST registration, and system-based monitoring of tax discrepancies. Direct tax compliance is enforced through notices, inquiries, and assessments. Since October 2023, GST at 28% is levied on online money gaming, which is classified as a “specified actionable claim” under the CGST Act. However, under direct tax laws, winnings from online games are not treated as income from gambling but are taxed under Section 115BBJ of the Income-tax Act.
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- 17 Mar 2025 07:01 PM
TN Traders Seek GST Cut on Food Items, Camphor & Chit Fund Services Exemption
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.
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- 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.
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- 13 Mar 2025 05:38 PM
AI, capital, startups & reforms will drive India’s growth to $8 trillion: Infosys’ Nandan Nilekani
India can accelerate to an $8 trillion economy by 2035 by unlocking AI, digital public infrastructure, capital access, entrepreneurship, and policy reforms, says Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani.
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- 13 Mar 2025 05:31 PM
Centre ready to exempt health and life insurance from GST. Then why is the industry pitching for 12%?
New Delhi: There is unanimity on the need to reduce the goods and services tax (GST) on health and life insurance premia from 18%, but consensus eludes on what the final rate should be: nil, 5% or 12%.
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- 12 Mar 2025 06:09 PM
India’s GDP growth revisions shouldn’t raise eyebrows: They’re routine
The National Statistical Office (NSO) recently released the first revised estimates of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) for 2023-24, revising the GDP growth rate at constant prices from the earlier provisional estimate of 8.2% to 9.2%.
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- 10 Mar 2025 06:51 PM
FHRAI urges govt to delink food and beverage GST rates from room tariffs
New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) on Sunday pitched for delinking the GST on food & beverage services from accommodation charges in hotels.
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