- 17 Mar 2025 07:01 PM
- New
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 07:04 PM
- New
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 06:47 PM
- New
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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 17 Mar 2025 07:13 PM
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.
- 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 06:44 PM
GST rate cut soon, tax review in final stages, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman
Sitharaman said that the ministerial group set up by the GST Council has done excellent work, which is in final stages now and that the minister would take one more look at the proposals and take it to the federal indirect tax body for decision making.
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