Goods And Services Tax (GST)

The introduction of the GST would be a significant step in the field of indirect tax reforms in India. By subsuming a large number of central and state taxes into a single tax, it would mitigate cascading or double taxation in a major way and pave the way for a common national market. From the consumer’s point of view, the biggest advantage would be in terms of a reduction in the overall tax burden on goods, which is currently estimated at 25 per cent- 30 per cent. Introduction of the GST is also expected to make Indian products competitive in domestic and international markets. Because of its transparent character, it is expected that the GST would be easier to administer.

• GST would be applicable on supply of goods or services as against the present concept of tax on the manufacture or on sale of goods or on provision of services.
•  destination-based tax as against the present concept of origin-based tax.
• dual GST with the centre and the states simultaneously levying it on a common base. Central GST and State GST.
•  An integrated GST (IGST) would be levied on inter-state supply (including stock transfers) of goods or services. This would be collected by the centre so that the credit chain is not disrupted.
• Import of goods or services would be treated as inter-state supplies and would be subject to IGST in addition to the applicable customs duties.
• A non-vatable additional tax, not exceeding 1 per cent on inter-state supply of goods would be levied by the centre and retained by the originating state at least for a period of two years.
• CGST, SGST, and IGST would be levied at rates to be recommended by the Goods and Services Tax Council
• (GSTC) which will be chaired by the Union Finance Minister and will have Finance Ministers of states as its members.
• GST would apply to all goods and services except alcohol for human consumption.
• GST on petroleum products would be applicable from a date to be recommended by the GST Council.
• Tobacco and tobacco products would be subject to the GST. In addition, the centre could continue to levy central excise duty.
• A common threshold exemption would apply to both CGST and SGST. 
• The list of exempted goods and services would be kept to a minimum and it would be harmonized for the centre and states as far as possible.
• Exports would be zero-rated.
• The two streams of input tax credit (ITC) cannot be cross utilized, except in specified circumstances of inter-state supplies, for payment of IGST.

Implementation of a comprehensive GST in India is expected, ceteris paribus, to lead to efficient allocation of factors of production thus bringing about gains in GDP and exports. This would translate into enhanced economic welfare and higher returns to the factors of production, viz. land, labour, and capital.