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GST rates changes hit industries and trade bodies. Everyone from business to consumers evaluates their position as a result of this change.
So in this article, we bring you the meaning of the GST rate and the key changes in GST rates from the inception of the GST law so far.
GST rate refers to the percentage rate of tax imposed on the sale of goods or services under the CGST, SGST and IGST Acts. A business registered under the GST law must issue invoices with GST amounts charged on the value of supply. The GST rates in CGST and SGST (For intra-state transactions) are approximately the same. Whereas, the GST rate in the case of IGST
(For inter-state transactions) is approximately the sum total of CGST and SGST rate.
The GST slabs are pegged at 5%, 12%, 18% & 28%. According to the GST latest news from the GST council, the tax structure for common-use goods are as under:
Tax GRates | Products | |
---|---|---|
0% | Milk | Kajal |
0% | Eggs | Educations Services |
0% | Curd | Health Services |
0% | Lassi | Children’s Drawing & Colouring Books |
0% | Unpacked Foodgrains | Unbranded Atta |
0% | Unpacked Paneer | Unbranded Maida |
0% | Gur | Besan |
0% | Unbranded Natural Honey | Prasad |
0% | Fresh Vegetables | Palmyra Jaggery |
0% | Salt | Phool Bhari Jhadoo |
5% | Sugar | Packed Paneer |
5% | Tea | Coal |
5% | Edible Oils | Raisin |
5% | Domestic LPG | Roasted Coffee Beans |
5% | PDS Kerosene | Skimmed Milk Powder |
5% | Cashew Nuts | Footwear (< Rs.500) |
5% | Milk Food for Babies | Apparels (< Rs.1000) |
5% | Fabric | Coir Mats, Matting & Floor Covering |
5% | Spices | Agarbatti |
5% | Coal | Mishti/Mithai (Indian Sweets) |
5% | Life-saving drugs | Coffee (except instant) |
12% | Butter | Computers |
12% | Ghee | Processed food |
12% | Almonds | Mobiles |
12% | Fruit Juice | Preparations of Vegetables, Fruits, Nuts or other parts of Plants including Pickle Murabba, Chutney, Jam, Jelly |
12% | Packed Coconut Water | Umbrella |
18% | Hair Oil | Capital goods |
18% | Toothpaste | Industrial Intermediaries |
18% | Soap | Ice-cream |
18% | Pasta | Toiletries |
18% | Corn Flakes | Computers |
18% | Soups | Printers |
28% | Small cars (+1% or 3% cess) | High-end motorcycles (+15% cess) |
28% | Consumer durables such as AC and fridge | Beedis are NOT included here |
28% | Luxury & sin items like BMWs, cigarettes and aerated drinks (+15% cess) |
(1) New HSN Codes from 2022
Three notifications were issued on 28th December 2021 by the CBIC to align HSN codes with HS-2022 with effect from 1st January 2022. Central Tax (Rate) notification no. 18/2021, Central Tax (Rate) notification no. 19/2021 and Central Tax (Rate) notification no. 20/2021
(2) GST rate changes to correct the inverted tax structure:
GST increased to 12% from 5% for textiles with HSN codes 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 60, 63 and 64 such as woven as well as knitted fabrics, knitting, saree falls, embroidery works, curtains bed linen and home furnishings. It also includes dyeing services.
The same increase applies to footwear with HSN code 64 valued at or below Rs.1,000 per pair.
Changes were notified vide the Central Tax (Rate) notification no. 14/2021 and 15/2021 dated 18th November 2021, recommended at the 45th GST Council meeting.
(3) e-Commerce operators to pay GST under Section 9(5) for passenger transport and restaurant services
e-Commerce operators will become liable to pay GST under Section 9(5) for the cab services, carrier services, etc provided for transportation of passengers since they are removed from the list of exemptions. This is notified by the Central Tax (Rate) notification no. 16/2021 dated 18th November 2021.
Further, the transport of passenger service included under Section 9(5) of the CGST Act will also include omnibus and other motor vehicles. Further, cloud kitchens e-commerce operators providing the supply of food will also be included under Section 9(5) and subject to GST. However, it exempts food supply services from premises having hotel accommodation where the declared tariff per unit is at or below Rs.7,500. These two are notified vide the Central Tax (Rate) notification no. 17/2021 dated 18th November 2021.
(4) Other GST rate changes
a) Exempts ‘carriages for disabled persons’ under HSN code 8713 earlier taxed at 12% by the Central Tax (Rate) notification no. 13/2021 dated 27th October 2021. Further, the same notification removed ‘in respect of Information Technology software’ from entry 452P earlier charged 18% GST.
b) Central Tax (Rate) notification no. 15/2021 dated 18th November 2021 removed ‘Governmental Authority or a Government Entity’ from serial 3 being construction services.
c) Key changes are carried out to the description of goods chargeable to GST vide the Central Tax (Rate) notification no. 18/2021 dated 28th December 2021.
d) Key changes are carried out to the description of goods exempt from GST vide the Central Tax (Rate) notification no. 19/2021 dated 28th December 2021.
e) A concessional GST rate of 12% applies to HSN code chapter 4414 instead of earlier 44140000 covering wooden frames having paintings, photos,
mirrors, etc. Also, a concessional GST rate of 12% applies to HSN code 7419 80 instead of earlier 741999 covering art ware related to brass, copper or its alloys, electroplated with nickel/silver.
The 45th GST council meeting was held on 17th September 2021 and the following decisions had been taken regarding GST rates.
These have been notified vide Central Tax (Rate) notification nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11/2021 dated 30th September to apply with effect from 1st October 2021.
Central Tax (Rate) notification no. 12/2021 dated 30th September 2021 grants extension to exempt the COVID-19 treating medicines up to 31st December 2021.
GST Rates reduced on Goods & Services:
Item | Before | After |
---|---|---|
Import of expensive life-saving medicines such as Zolgensma, Viltepso or as recommended by a relevant government department for personal use | 12% | Nil |
Waste unintentionally generated during the fish meal production, except for Fish Oil | Applicable rate | Nil from 1st July 2017 to 30th September 2019 |
IGST on the goods sold at Indo-Bangladesh border haats | Applicable rate | Nil |
Transport of goods by vessel and air from India to outside India extended up to 30th September 2022 | Nil | Nil |
Granting of National Permit to goods carriages on a fee payment | 18% | Nil |
Skill training programmes where the state/central government funds expenditure equal to or more than 75% | 18% | Nil |
Services on AFC Women's Asia Cup to be held in 2022 | 18% | Nil |
‘Keytruda’ drug for the treatment of cancer | 12% | 5% |
Biodiesel, sold to the oil marketing companies for blending it with diesel | 12% | 5% |
Fortified Rice Kernels for the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme, etc | 18% | 5% |
Retro fitment kits in vehicles for the disabled | Applicable rate | 5% |
*With effect from 1st October 2021 subject to the CBIC notification
GST Rates increased on Goods & Services:
Item | Before | After |
---|---|---|
Polyurethanes and other plastics waste and scrap | 5% | 18% |
Cartons, bags, boxes, packing containers made out of paper, etc | 12/18% | 18% |
Papers such as cards, catalogue, printed material Under Chapter 49 | 12% | 18% |
Licensing, broadcasting and showing original films, Radio Television programmes, sound recordings | 12% | 18% |
Printing and reproduction of recorded media being the publisher’s content | 12% | 18% |
*With effect from 1st October 2021 subject to the CBIC notification
GST rate corrections for inverted tax structure:
Item | Before | After |
---|---|---|
Specified Renewable Energy Devices and parts | 5% | 12% |
Ores and metal concentrates | 5% | 18% |
All kinds of pens | 12/18% | 18% |
Railway parts, locomotives and goods in Chapter 86 | 12% | 18% |
*With effect from 1st October 2021 subject to the CBIC notification
The 44th GST council meeting was held on 12th June 2021 and the following decisions had been taken regarding GST rates effective up to 30th September 2021.
These were notified vide the Central Tax(Rate) notification no. 04/2021 and 05/2021 dated 14th June 2021.
Medicines required for COVID-19 & Black Fungus treatment:
Items | Old rate | Proposed rate |
---|---|---|
Tocilizumab | 5% | Nil |
Amphotericin-B | 5% | Nil |
Remedesivir | 12% | 5% |
Anti-coagulants like Heparin | 12% | 5% |
Any other drug (recommended by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Dept. of Pharma (DoP) for Covid-19 treatment) | Existing rate | 5% |
Medical equipment required for COVID treatment:
Items | Old rate | Proposed rate |
---|---|---|
Medical Grade Oxygen | 12% | 5% |
Oxygen concentrators/ generators (which include personal imports) | 12% | 5% |
Ventilators and ventilator masks/ cannula/ helmets | 12% | 5% |
BiPaP machine | 12% | 5% |
High flow nasal cannula device | 12% | 5% |
Pulse oximeters | 12% | 5% |
COVID-19 testing kits and items utilised for the prevention of COVID-19:
Items | Old rate | Proposed rate |
---|---|---|
Covid-19 testing kits | 12% | 5% |
Specified Inflammatory Diagnostic Kits, namely D-Dimer, IL-6, Ferritin and LDH | 12% | 5% |
Hand sanitiser | 18% | 5% |
Temperature checking equipment | 18% | 5% |
Others:
Items | Old rate | Proposed rate |
---|---|---|
Gas/electric/other furnaces for crematorium, including their installation, etc | 18% | 5% |
Ambulances | 28% | 12% |
The 42nd GST council meeting was held on 5th October 2020 and the following decisions have been taken regarding GST rates.
39th GST Council meeting was held on 14th March 2020, Saturday at New Delhi. Read all the highlights on 39th GST Council Meeting.
The following are the rate cuts announced at the 39th GST Council meeting:
Item |
Old Rate |
New Rate |
Mobile phones and specified parts |
12% |
18% |
Handmade matches |
5% |
12% |
Other than handmade matches |
18% |
12% |
Aircraft MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) services |
18% |
5% (with full ITC) |
The rate changes are effective from 1 April 2020
38th GST Council meeting was held on 18th December 2019, Wednesday at New Delhi. Read all the highlights on 38th GST Council Meeting.
The following are the rate cuts announced at the 38th GST Council meeting:
Item | Old Rate | New Rate |
Lotteries (State-owned) |
12% |
28% |
Lotteries (State-authorised) |
28% |
28% |
Woven and non-woven fabrics |
12% |
18% |
Sacks of Polythene and Polypropylene in nature |
12% |
18% |
GST rate changes will apply from 1 March 2020 for lottery and from 1 January 2020 for bags and sacks.
GST Council had its 37th meet held at Goa on Friday (20th September 2019). Read all the highlights on 37th GST Council Meeting.
The following are the rate cuts announced at the 37th GST Council meeting:
GST Rate Revision effective from 1st October 2019
Item | Old Rate | New Rate |
Plates and cups made of flowers, leaves and bark | 5% | Nil |
Caffeinated Beverages | 18% | 28%+12% cess |
Supplies of Railways wagons & coaches (without refund of accumulated ITC) | 5% | 12% |
Outdoor Catering (without ITC) | 18% | 5% |
Diamond Job work | 5% | 1.50% |
Other Job work | 18% | 12% |
Hotels (Room Tariff of Rs.7501 or above) | 28% | 18% |
Hotels (Room Tariff from Rs 1,001 to Rs 7,500) | 18% | 12% |
Woven/ Non-woven Polyethylene Packaging bags | 18% | 12% |
Marine fuel | 18% | 5% |
Almond Milk | 18% | |
Slide fasteners | 18% | 12% |
Wet grinders (consisting of stone as a grinder) | 12% | 5% |
Dried Tamarind | 5% | Nil |
Semi-precious stones- cut & polished | 3% | 0.25% |
Specified goods for petroleum operation under HELP* | Applicable Rate | 5% |
*Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy
Item | Old Rate | New Rate |
Cess on Petrol Motor Vehicles (Capacity of 10-13 passengers) | 15% | 1% |
Cess on Diesel Motor Vehicles (Capacity of 10-13 passengers) | 15% | 3% |
GST Council had its 36th meet via video conference on Saturday (27th July 2019). Read all the highlights on 36th GST Council Meeting..
The following are the rate cuts announced at the 36th GST Council meeting:
Items | Old rate | New rate |
Electric chargers |
18% |
5% |
Electric vehicles |
12% |
5% |
A full exemption is given to hiring of e-buses(seating capacity exceeds 12 passengers) by local authorities
Note: Will come into effect from 1 August 2019 after the CBIC notification
The latest meeting-33rd GST Council meeting is rescheduled on 24th February 2019 from earlier date 20th February 2019.
It was chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Real estate was in limelight.
This is the first one after the Interim Budget 2019.
The GST rates were slashed on the under-construction houses without ITC benefit; No changes to GST Rate on lottery or Cement.
31st GST Council meeting was held on 22nd December 2018. GST Rates for 23 Goods and 3 Services has been revised*.
Here is a summarised version of the list of rate cuts on both Goods and Services:
SL.no | List of Goods/Services | Changes in Tax Rate |
1 | Vegetables provisionally preserved but unsuitable for immediate consumption | 5% to Nil |
2 | Vegetables cooked/uncooked via steamed, frozen or boiled (branded) | 5% to Nil |
3 | Music Books | 12% to Nil |
4 | Parts for manufacturing renewable energy devices falling under chapter 84, 85 or 94 of Tariff | 5% |
5 | Natural cork | 12% to 5% |
6 | Fly ash blocks | 12% to 5% |
7 | Walking sticks | 12% to 5% |
8 | Marble rubble | 18% to 5% |
9 | Agglomerated cork | 18% to 12% |
10 | Cork roughly squared or debugged | 18% to 12% |
11 | Articles of Natural cork | 18% to 12% |
12 | Movie Tickets < or = Rs 100 | 18% to 12% |
13 | Premium on Third party insurance on Vehicles | 18% to 12% |
14 | Accessories for Handicapped Mobility Vehicles | 28% to 5% |
15 | Power banks | 28% to 18% |
16 | 28% to 18% | |
17 | Video game consoles, equipments used for Billiards and Snooker and other sport related items of HSN code 9504 | 28% to 18% |
18 | Retreated & used pneumatic Rubber Tyres | 28% to 18% |
19 | Colour Television Sets & monitors up to “32 Inches” | 28% to 18% |
20 | Digital & Video Camera recorders | 28% to 18% |
21 | Pulleys, transmission shafts, cranks and gear boxes under HSN 8483 | 28% to 18% |
22 | Tax rate on Air travel of pilgrims reduced* | 28% to 18% |
*For travel by non-scheduled/chartered operations for religious pilgrimage which are facilitated by GoI under bi-lateral agreements. Others: -GST on the composite supply of goods attracting 5% GST rate where it is supplied along with the supply of construction services and other goods for solar power plant, is now levied as follows:
-Rate of 5%/18% to be applied based on transaction value of footwear. -Uniform GST rate of 12% on Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container (FIBC) from existing 5%/12% (depending on the value).
28th GST Council Meeting was held on 21st July 2018. GST Rates for 45 Goods and 2 Services has been revised*.
S.NO | Items | New Rate | Old rate |
1 | Rakhi (other than that of precious or semi-precious material ) | Nil | 18% |
2 | Sanitary Napkins | Nil | 12% |
3 | Circulation and commemorative coins | Nil | 5% |
4 | Raw material for broom | Nil | 12% |
5 | Stone/Marble/Wood Deities | Nil | 5% |
6 | Sal leaves and its products | Nil | 18% |
7 | Khali dona | Nil | 18% |
8 | Coir pith Compost | Nil | 5% |
9 | Chenille fabrics and other fabrcis under 5801 | 5% | 12% |
10 | Handloom dari | 5% | 12% |
11 | Phosphoric Acid (fertilizer grade only) | 5% | 12% |
12 | Handmade Carpets, Textile Floor, Coverings | 5% | 12% |
13 | Knitted cap/topi having retails sale value exceeding Rs. 1000 | 5% | 12% |
14 | Kota Stones and Simliar Stones (other than polished) | 5% | 18% |
15 | Ethanol for sale to oil marketing companies for blending with fuel | 5% | 18% |
16 | Solid Bio fuel pellets | 5% | 18% |
17 | Marine Engine | 5% | 28% |
18 | Bamboo Flooring | 12% | 18% |
19 | Hand Operated Rubber Roller | 12% | 18% |
20 | Brass Kerosene Pressure Stove | 12% | 18% |
21 | Zip and Slide Fastener | 12% | 18% |
22 | Handicrafts (Excluding handmade) | 12% | 18% |
23 | Handbags including pouches and purses; jewellery box | 12% | 18% |
24 | Fuel Cell vehicle | 12% | 28% |
25 | Televisions upto 68 cm | 18% | 28% |
26 | Glaziers’ putty, grafting putty, resin cements | 18% | 28% |
27 | Refrigerators, freezers, water cooler, milk coolers, ice cream freezer | 18% | 28% |
28 | Washing Machines | 18% | 28% |
29 | Food Grinders & mixer | 18% | 28% |
30 | Vacuum Cleaners | 18% | 28% |
31 | Paints and Varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) | 18% | 28% |
32 | Shavers, Hair Clippers | 18% | 28% |
33 | Hair Cleaners | 18% | 28% |
34 | Storage water heaters | 18% | 28% |
35 | Immersion heaters | 18% | 28% |
36 | Hair Dryers, Hand Dryers | 18% | 28% |
37 | Electric Smoothing irons | 18% | 28% |
38 | Scent Sprays | 18% | 28% |
39 | Toilet Sprays | 18% | 28% |
40 | Pads for application of cosmetics or toilet preparations | 18% | 28% |
41 | Lithium-ion batteries | 18% | 28% |
42 | Powder Puffs | 18% | 28% |
43 | Special purpose motor vehicles | 18% | 28% |
44 | Work Trucks (Self-propelled, not fitted with lifting or handling equipment) | 18% | 28% |
45 | Trailers & Semi trailers | 18% | 28% |
Fortified Milk | exempt | 5% |
SERVICES |
||
---|---|---|
Rate Change | ||
Services | New GST Rates | Old GST Rates |
Supply of e-books | 5% | 18% |
Supply of Multimodal Transportation | 12% | Nil |
List of Services Exempt |
Senior Citizens |
1. Sevices provided by Coal Mines provident fund organisation to the PF subscribers |
2. Services provided by Old age home run by state government / central government to the citizens aged more than 60 years up to Rs. 25000 |
GST exempted on the administrative fee collected by National Pension System Trust |
4. Services provided by an unincorporated body or non profit entity registered under any law to own members up to Rs. 1000 per year of membership fees. |
Agriculture/ Farmers |
1. Services by way of artificial insemination of livestock (other than horses) |
2. Services provided by FSSAI to food businesses. |
3. Services provided by way of warehousing minor forest produce |
4. Services provided by the installation and commissioning by DISCOMS for extending electricity distribution network for agricultural use. |
Banking/Finance/ Insurance |
1. Reinsurance services provided to insurance scheme such as Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Mission |
Government |
1. Guarantees given by central/state government to their undertakings/PSUs. |
2. Services provided by government to ERCC by assigning the right to collect royalty to mining lease holders. |
Miscellaneous |
1. Import of services by Foreign diplomatic missions/UN other international organizations |
2. GST rate slabs will apply on the actual rate for hotel services instead of declared tariff. |
GST council has made the much-awaited announcements around tax rates on various categories of goods on 18th January 2018 at Vigyan Bhavan, Delhi. There has been hype around these rates for a while and now these GST rates are finally in the public domain!
GST Rates for 29 Goods and 53 Services were revised*. Click here to read all updates of the meet.
In addition to the above, a few other items were mentioned in the Council’s announcement of GST rates. These items and the applicable GST rates on them are as follows:
5% Tax Slab
18% Tax slab
If you want to know more about the GST rates & HSN codes, please check the below table.
If you are using any version of Tally as accounting software, you can easily import all your sales and purchase data to ClearTax GST software and file your returns. Now you can integrate your Tally data and use ClearTax GST software for all GST compliance.