Recent Updates in GST till 30th September 2022

The goods and Services Tax is the single most important tax reform since independence and it covers all goods and services. It replaces the complex levy of goods and services at the center and at the state levels. The new GST will merge the aforementioned indirect central and state taxes into a single tax.

Overview of GST Regime

GST stands for Goods and Services Tax. It is an indirect tax that has largely superseded several other indirect taxes in India, including excise duty, VAT, and services tax. The Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 was enacted by Parliament on March 29, 2017, and went into effect on July 1, 2017.
In other words, GST is charged on the provision of goods and services. The Goods and Services Tax Law in India is a multi-stage, destination-based tax applied on every value addition. GST is the country’s only domestic indirect tax law. The GST scheme imposes the tax at every point of sale. Intra-state sales are subject to both Central GST and State GST. All interstate sales are subject to the Integrated GST.

The introduction of GST is a part of the ongoing tax reforms. The goods and Services Tax is the single most important tax reform since independence and it covers all goods and services. It replaces the complex levy of goods and services at the center and at the state levels. The new GST will merge the aforementioned indirect central and state taxes into a single tax. There will be a Fortier rate structure of 5, 12, 18, and 28 percent.
While necessity goods will be taxed at 5 percent and luxury and consumer durable goods at 28 percent, most goods, and all services will be taxed at the standard rates of either 12 or 18 percent. The main purpose of the GST is to eliminate the compounding effect of the current multi-layered tax system.

Benefits of the GST Regime

The following are the benefits of the GST Tax Regime:

• GST is a simple tax that decreases the amount of indirect taxes.
• Because registered shops would not be charged GST, there will be no hidden taxes and the cost of conducting business will be reduced.
• There is no doubt that services are increasingly used or consumed in the manufacturing and distribution of commodities, and vice versa.
• Separate taxes for goods and services, as is the current taxation system, necessitate the split of transaction values into the value of products and services for taxation, resulting in increased complexities, and administrative, and compliance expenses.
• Based on the VAT premise, GST will be collected just at the ultimate point of consumption, rather than at several locations (from manufacturing to retail outlets). This will aid in the removal of economic distortions and the formation of a common national market.
• GST will also contribute to the development of a transparent and corrupt-free tax administration.
• Currently, a tax is assessed when a finished product leaves a factory, which is paid by the producer, and it is levied again when the product is sold at a retail outlet.
• GST is supported by the GSTN, a fully integrated tax infrastructure that handles all elements of GST.

Recent Updates in GST till 30th September 2022

For a better understanding of our reader we have tried to incorporate the information in the following table:

Further, Recent Updates with respect to GST

The GST Council’s next meeting is expected in the following months. The two important issues that are to be taken up arise out of recent Supreme Court judgments. Circular for non-imposition of IGST on ocean freight and re-opening of the window for transitional credit. It may also discuss reports of the Group on Ministers. Another important issue of correcting inverted duty structure is also on the cards. States may also push further their demand for compensation toward GST shortfall. 

India has transformed from an agrarian economy to a service-oriented economy since independence. India is the fastest-growing economy.

• The provisions relating to various taxes continue to be changed and updated by the government. Any number of reasons could be given, but most often, adjustments are made to make it easier for taxpayers. 
• The Government has given the clarification that GST would not be applicable to residential units if they are rented out to private persons for personal use.
• CBIC Chairman has recently stated that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) is also likely to take over the role of Anti-Profiteering Authority for such matters by the year-end. He has also opined that conceptually, BPOs and KPOs cannot be considered intermediaries.
• GST collection of food businesses license / registration fee / penalty w.e.f. 18.07.2022, applicable GST rate on application fee, registration fee, a penalty in relation to food businesses/ FSSAI license, etc shall be @18%.
• GST on rent in relation to residential property to registered persons is leviable with effect from 18.07.2022 under the reverse charge mechanism. CBIC has further clarified by way of a tweet that Renting of residential unit is taxable only when it is rented to a business entity and No GST is leviable when a residential unit is rented to a private person for personal use. 
• It has been brought to the notice of the Board that in certain instances, summons under Section 70 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (the CGST Act’) have been issued by the field formations to the top senior officials of the companies in a routine manner to call for material evidence/ documents. 
• Besides, a summons has also been issued to call for statutory records GSTR-3B, and GSTR-1 which are available online in the GST portal.

Conclusion

In a country like India, changes are not very easy. It is never easy to accept the changes be it in lifestyle, economic reforms, social reforms, or tax regimes. In a country of 1.3 billion people, the implementation and development of GST reforms will never be a cakewalk. 

To bring in amendments to existing reforms, lawmakers must keep in mind the related problems and consequences. There is always scope for the development and enhancement of GST laws for their successful implementation and to bring in a unified tax system. This acts as an advantage because there will be easy input credits, reduced compliance, and a single market with the hassle-free movement of goods.