New GST rules to tighten compliance for foreign digital service providers

They will have to pay 18 per cent GST regardless of the purpose

Starting October 1, foreign companies such as Netflix, Spotify, and Hotstar, providing a wide range of digital services to users in India, will face stricter compliance norms on goods and services tax (GST).

They will have to pay 18 per cent GST regardless of business or personal consumption.  Until now, foreign firms providing service to non-GST registered recipients such as the central and state governments and individuals for any purpose other than business were exempt from the tax.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on Wednesday notified the “exemptions will no longer be applicable to OIDAR, or