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.

28 Mar 2025 06:43 PM
New

Maharashtra GST Dept Lists of 7773 Non-Genuine Taxpayers on 28.02.2025

Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/maharashtra-gst-dept-lists-7773-non-genuine-taxpayers-28-02-2025.html

As of February 28, 2025, the Maharashtra State Goods and Services Tax (GST) Department has compiled a list of non-existent or non-genuine taxpayers whose GST Registration Certificates (RC) have been canceled ab initio. This initiative is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to identify and eliminate fraudulent entities that undermine the integrity of the tax system.

27 Mar 2025 06:53 PM
New

GST Grievances & Recommendations – Sales Tax Bar Association

Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/gst-grievances-recommendations-sales-tax-bar-association.html

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.

27 Mar 2025 06:32 PM

Why a ‘health tax’ alone may not solve India’s junk food crisis

Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/ultra-processed-food-india-health-tax-india-economic-survey-india-junk-food-consumption-processed-food-health-risks-11742975221926.html

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.

26 Mar 2025 06:18 PM

Why a ‘health tax’ alone may not solve India’s junk food crisis

Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/ultra-processed-food-india-health-tax-india-economic-survey-india-junk-food-consumption-processed-food-health-risks-11742975221926.html

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.

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.

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.

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.

26 Mar 2025 06:13 PM

New income tax bill to be tabled in monsoon session: Sitharaman

Source: https://www.livemint.com/politics/policy/new-income-tax-bill-monsoon-session-parliament-nirmala-sitharaman-select-committee-review-finance-bill-google-tax-11742901156076.html

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.

26 Mar 2025 06:29 PM

Govt Eases GST Compliance for MSMEs & Small Taxpayers

Source: https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/govt-eases-gst-compliance-msmes-small-taxpayers.html

Government has taken multiple steps to simplify GST compliance for MSMEs and small taxpayers, based on recommendations from the GST Council. The turnover threshold for GST registration was increased to ₹40 lakh for goods suppliers (except special category states), and the composition scheme limit was raised to ₹1.5 crore, reducing compliance requirements for small businesses. The Quarterly Return Monthly Payment (QRMP) scheme allows taxpayers with turnover up to ₹5 crore to file quarterly returns instead of monthly ones. Filing of NIL returns via SMS and a fully electronic refund process have further eased compliance. Businesses with turnover up to ₹2 crore are exempt from annual return filing. An auto-generated return with an editing option is now available, and taxpayers can amend outward supply details in the current tax period. Digital payment options, including UPI and credit cards, have been introduced for GST payments. Additionally, mandatory GST registration for intra-state e-commerce sellers has been waived under certain conditions. A retrospective amendment allows input tax credit claims for earlier financial years until November 30, 2021. Section 128A of the CGST Act waives interest and penalties on demand notices for 2017-2020 if tax dues are paid by March 31, 2025. Pre-deposit requirements for GST appeals have been reduced, late fee structures have been rationalized, and certain GST offences have been decriminalized. These measures aim to streamline tax procedures and improve ease of doing business for small enterprises.