The Biggest tax reform “GST” (Goods & Services Tax) which came into effect from July 2017 has completely transformed the Indirect Taxation System in India.
In Simple terms, the introduction of GST has replaced multiple indirect taxes such as VAT/CST, Excise, Service Tax, Custom Duties, Surcharge& Cess, Taxes on Advertisements/Lotteries etc and provided us with a single tax system.
Any Person having Sales/Turnover exceeding the threshold limit of Rs 40 Lakhs for Goods (20 Lakhs for Service Providers) in a Financial Year is mandatorily required to take GST Registration.
Components of GST CGST:- The Central Govt. of India Collects it on the Intra-State Sales (Sale Within the State) of Goods/Services. SGST:- The State Govt. Collects it on the Intra-State Sales (Sale Within the State) of Goods/Services. IGST:- The Central Govt. of India Collects it on the Inter-State Sales (Sale outside the State) of Goods/Services.
Benefits of GST:- a) Simple & Easy Registration via online mode b) Return Filing made easy with online portal c) Eliminates Cascading effects of tax (double taxation is avoided) d) Reduced No. of Compliances under GST e) Higher Threshold for Registration (40 Lakhs*) f) Reduction in Cost for Locally Manufactured Goods & Services
Tax Rates Under GST:- The Majority of Goods and Services are covered under four different tax rates structures i.e. 5%, 12%, 18% & 28%. Most of the household products like tea, coffee (except instant), sugar, edible oil are covered under 5% tax Category. The luxury Items like Cars, AC, Refrigerators etc are covered under 28% tax Category. The Govt. keep on shifting some of the items from one category to another depending upon the market situations. For Example- Govt. recently reduced GST rates on Certain life Saving Instruments due to Covid Outbreak in the entire nation.