Gst Council

55th GST Council takes key decisions, defers rate cuts on insurance premium

GST Council addresses disaster levy, clarifies tax exemptions, and revises ITC norms, while deferring insurance premium GST cut and key rate rationalisation decisions

GST Council issues clarification on proposal of taxation on popcorn

GST Council on Saturday agreed to issue a clarification on taxation of popcorn, saying that pre-packed and labelled ready-to-eat snacks will attract a 12 per cent tax while an 18 per cent GST will be levied if it is caramelised. There is no change in the tax rate of popcorn and the GST Council has only agreed that the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) will issue a circular clarifying the current taxation regime of popcorn. "Ready-to-eat popcorn", which is mixed with salt and spices, and has the essential character of namkeens currently attracts a 5 per cent GST if it is not pre-packaged and labelled. If it is supplied as pre-packaged and labelled, a 12 per cent GST is levied. However, when popcorn is mixed with sugar (caramel popcorn), its essential character changes to that of a sugar confectionary, and would therefore be classifiable under HS 1704 90 90 and attract an 18 per cent GST, as per the clarification.

GST Council defers decision to reduce tax on health, life insurance

Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary said another meeting of the GoM is scheduled for January before the proposal is reintroduced to the GST Council

GoM on rate rationalisation defers report submission to GST Council

The GoM on GST rate rationalisation on Saturday deferred submission of its report, which suggested rate rationalisation in 148 items, to the GST Council, the panel's convenor and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary said. "Will submit the Group of Ministers (GoM) report on rate rationalisation in next meeting of the Council," Chaudhary told reporters here. The GoM had earlier this month arrived at a broad consensus to rejig tax rates on about 148 items, including levying a higher 35 per cent tax on sin goods, like aerated beverages and tobacco products, as compared to 28 per cent at present. It was widely expected that the GoM would submit its report to the GST Council meeting on Saturday. Currently, GST is a four-tier tax structure with slabs at 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent. Luxury and demerit goods are taxed at highest bracket of 28 per cent, while packed food and essential items are at the lowest 5 per cent slab. The GoM had also decided to propose rationalising tax rates

GST Council to decide on insurance premium tax; major rate rejig unlikely

The GST Council, in its meeting on Saturday, is likely to decide on reducing tax rates on life and health insurance premiums, but a decision on big-ticket rate rationalisation, including a higher tax on sin goods, may be deferred. The GoM on GST rate rationalisation had proposed rate rejigs in 148 items in its recommendations, but sources said that consensus is needed to be built on some of the tax changes that the panel has suggested and some more time may be needed for that. The 55th meeting of the GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising state counterparts, is also likely to deliberate on bringing Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), a major component for airline industry's operation cost, in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) fold. The GST rate is also proposed to be cut on food delivery platforms like Swiggy and Zomato, to 5 per cent (without input tax credit), from the current 18 per cent (with ITC). However, the Fitment Committee (comprising tax

GST Council may provide exporter status to intermediaries for tax relief

At present intermediary services are charged at 18 per cent under the Central GST Act

GoM proposes GST cuts for health insurance, exemption for term policies

Also recommends reduction of rate on individual health covers from 18% to 5%

Safari Retreats case on GST Council table, SC verdict may be reversed

The SC judgment on the expression "plant or machinery" appears to defeat the intention of the GST Council, the law committee observed

GST Council likely to consider lowering tax on online food delivery fees

The potential tax cut, which could take effect from Jan. 1, 2022, would not allow food delivery platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy to claim tax credits

A comprehensive review: GST Council needs to address all aspects

The idea should be to simplify the structure. This will increase compliance and reduce disputes

35% GST slab in the works? A look at GST bands and how they are decided

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST rate rationalisation has recommended to raise GST on select sinful goods. Here's how GST Council decides on different tax bands

GoM report on GST on health insurance to be put before Council: FinMin

Recommendations of the Group of Ministers (GoM) looking into issues pertaining to GST on life and health insurance will be placed before the GST Council when received, Parliament was informed on Monday. The issue of exempting/reducing GST on life and health insurance was placed before the GST Council in its 54th meeting on September 9, 2024. After detailed deliberations, the Council recommended constituting a GoM to holistically look into issues pertaining to GST on life and health insurance. Accordingly, a GoM was constituted under the Chairmanship of Samrat Chaudhary, Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. First meeting of the GoM was held on October 19, 2024 at New Delhi where issues of GST rate on health and life insurance policies were discussed, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. "Recommendations of the GoM when received will be placed before the GST Council," he said. GST on health insurance services and pure term life insuranc

FICCI calls for GST cut on EV batteries and charging to boost growth

EV Committee chair points out that while EVs are taxed at 5%, batteries and charging services face an 18% GST rate

GST Council to meet in Jaisalmer on December 21; may discuss insurance levy

The GST Council will meet on December 21 in Jaisalmer, in which the much-awaited decision on exemption or lower GST rate on health and life insurance is likely to be taken. The council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising her state counterparts, may also take up some rate rationalisation exercise and reduce tax rates on a host of common man items from 12 per cent to 5 per cent slab as per the recommendations of a panel of state ministers. "The 55th meeting of the GST Council will be held on 21 December 2024 at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan," the GST Council said in a post on X. The council, in its previous meeting on September 9, had tasked the GoM to finalise the report on GST levy on insurance by October-end. Following that, the group of ministers (GoM) on health and life insurance GST last month met and broadly agreed on exempting insurance premiums paid for term life insurance policies, and senior citizens' health insurance from GST. Also, GST on premium

GST Council may waive 18% tax on senior citizens' insurance plans in Dec

The GST Council is scheduled to meet in Rajasthan on December 21 and 22 to discuss potential tax relief on select insurance plans

58 luxury goods and 24 services may face 28% GST slab in upcoming review

The Council is planning to move 58 goods and 24 services to the 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST) slab, including Botox services, luxury spa and salon offerings, and premium stationery, among others

Food processing ministry to take up concern on GST with Council: Paswan

Seeking to promote the food processing sector, the Centre on Thursday held consultation with more than 100 senior executives of food companies to understand the problems faced by them related to ease of doing business, imports, GST rates and misconceptions about processed food items. During the meeting, food companies demanded reduction in GST rates of many food items. A high-level CEO roundtable, under the co-chairpersonship of Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan, was organized as part of World Food India 2024 event being held during September 19-22 in the national capital. It laid "focus on promoting investment and enhancing Ease of Doing Business and was attended by over 100 CXOs," an official statement said. Speaking on the sidelines of this meeting, Paswan said, "the objective of this CEO roundtable was to provide a platform to industry representatives of food companies to put forward their concerns and suggestions ..

Kudos to CBIC for dropping difficult CGST Rules, reducing compliance burden

When goods are exported without IGST payment under bond or letter of undertaking, the ITC of GST paid on related inputs and input services remains unutilised

From filter coffee to viral blend: Annapoorna steams up headlines

Sreenivasan raised concerns about the different GST rates for sweets, savouries, and bakery products during an interaction of Sitharaman with MSMEs and Chamber of Commerce in Coimbatore

GST Council moves closer to reducing GST on life, health insurance premiums

Shares of major insurance companies like Star Health, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, and Go Digit General Insurance traded in the red due to concerns over insurance premium GST rates