17 Mar 2025 07:01 PM
New

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.

17 Mar 2025 06:50 PM
New

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
New

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 06:40 PM

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 07:08 PM

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.

17 Mar 2025 07:11 PM

GST on Education: Coaching, Books & Exemptions

Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/gst-education-coaching-books-exemptions.html

The Indian government applies an 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on commercial coaching and training services. However, services provided by educational institutions to their students, faculty, and staff are exempt from GST. Printed educational books under HSN Code 4901 are also exempt. GST revenue from taxable education services, specifically commercial coaching, has increased over the past three years, rising from ₹2,859.49 crore in 2021-22 to ₹4,793.24 crore in 2023-24. The GST Council, comprising Union and State/UT members, determines GST rates and exemptions. Additional exemptions exist for services provided to educational institutions up to higher secondary level, including student transportation, catering (mid-day meals), security, cleaning, examination services, and online educational journals (with some exceptions). No further measures to provide relief in GST to the education related services are proposed other than the current exemptions.

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.

17 Mar 2025 06:53 PM

Government has no plans to roll back GST on leased properties

Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/government-plans-roll-gst-leased-properties.html

The Government has no plans to roll back GST on leased properties, which has been applicable at 18% since 2017. The GST Council, a constitutional body, reviews such policies. In its 54th meeting, the Council shifted GST on non-residential property leases to a reverse charge mechanism. However, concerns were raised that this change increased costs for Composition Scheme taxpayers, as they cannot claim Input Tax Credit (ITC). To address this, the 55th GST Council meeting (Dec 2024) recommended excluding Composition Scheme taxpayers from this requirement. A new notification (No. 07/2025-CT(R)) was issued in January 2025, exempting them from reverse charge GST liability. The Central Government does not maintain nationwide data on leased properties.

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.

13 Mar 2025 05:38 PM

AI, capital, startups & reforms will drive India’s growth to $8 trillion: Infosys’ Nandan Nilekani

Source: https://www.livemint.com/economy/ai-capital-startups-reforms-will-drive-india-s-growth-to-8-trillion-infosys-nandan-nilekani-11741788488305.html

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.