This article brings to you the results of impact analysis on something which is very near and dear to us; or, rather to our stomachs –the restaurant and food industry.
We help you understand all about GST on food items, GST on restaurants, and how a restaurant bill will look under GST. We also explain the different GST rates applicable on foods in hotels vs. the GST rate on foods in standalone restaurants. Lastly, find out the implications of GST on the end consumers, the owners, and the overall industry.
As an end consumer, we hardly pay attention to our food bill in these restaurants and most of us are not even aware of the components included in it. If you revisit your food bill from the pre-GST fine-dine experience, you’ll find Service Tax, Service Charge, VAT being added over and above the food value.
First, let us understand the components of the bill:
However, the rates under GST are vastly different from what you would find before the tax policy change. Let us look at these changed rates below.
Under GST, restaurants fall under the 5% GST rate, with no option to claim input tax credit (ITC) or the 18% GST rate, with ITC claims. This rate is decided depending on the location of the restaurant. For instance, a higher GST rate would be applicable for restaurants located within hotels where the room tariff exceeds the specified amount.
In the tables below, we decode the GST rates applicable on food, catering, and restaurant services.
S No | Type of Restaurants | GST Rate |
1 | Food supplied or catering services by Indian Railways/IRCTC | 5% without ITC |
2 | Standalone restaurants, including takeaway | 5% without ITC |
3 | Standalone outdoor catering services or food delivery service | 5% without ITC |
4 | Restaurants within hotels (Where room tariff is less than Rs 7,500) | 5% without ITC |
5 | Normal/composite outdoor catering within hotels (Where room tariff is less than Rs 7,500) | 5% without ITC |
6 | Restaurants within hotels* (Where room tariff is more than or equal to Rs 7,500) | 18% with ITC |
7 | Normal/composite outdoor catering within hotels* (Where room tariff is more than or equal to Rs 7,500) | 18% with ITC |
*This covers individuals supplying catering or other services in hotels (having room tariff of Rs 7,500 or more) and not any hotel accommodation services.
The following are the GST rates on popular food items. It should be noted here that this list is not exhaustive.
Particulars | GST Rate |
GST on fresh and/or chilled vegetables | Nil |
GST on frozen vegetables | Nil |
GST on dried vegetables that are packaged and labelled | 5% |
GST on dried leguminous vegetables other than pre-packaged and labelled | Nil |
GST on dried leguminous vegetables that are pre-packaged and labelled | 5% |
GST on fresh/dried coconuts, grapes, apples, bananas, and pears, among others | Nil |
GST on fruits like grapes, apples, bananas, pears, mangoes, citrus fruits, and berries, among others | Nil |
GST on vegetables, fruits, nuts, and edible plant parts that are preserved using sugar | 12% |
GST on fruits, nuts, and edible plant parts that are preserved and/or prepared using vinegar and/or acetic acid. | 12% |
GST on fresh milk, pasteurised milk (excluding UHT milk), and milk and cream (not concentrated nor contains added sugar or sweeteners) | Nil |
GST on milk and cream that is concentrated or contains added sugar or sweeteners | 5% |
GST on curd, lassi, and buttermilk, other than pre-packaged and pre-labelled | Nil |
GST on curd, lassi, and buttermilk that is pre-packaged and pre-labelled | 5% |
GST on yoghurt and cream, whether containing sugar/flavouring or not | 5% |
GST on fresh or chilled meat and fish | Nil |
GST on meat that is packaged and labelled | 5% |
GST on birds’ eggs in shells | Nil |
GST on birds’ eggs which are not in a shell | 5% |
GST on rice other than pre-packaged and labelled | Nil |
GST on rice, pre-packaged and labelled | 5% |
GST on wheat or meslin (i.e. maize flour) other than pre-packaged or labelled | Nil |
GST on wheat or meslin, pre-packaged and labelled | 5% |
GST on rye other than pre-packaged and labelled | Nil |
GST on rye, pre-packaged and labelled | 5% |
GST on cereal flours other than of wheat or meslin, rye, etc., pre-packaged and labelled. | 5% |
GST on chocolate and food preparations containing cocoa | 18% |
In the GST regime, the Service Tax and VAT amount will be subsumed into one single rate, but you may still find service charge doing rounds on your food bill. Below we have provided a high-level comparison of how your food bill will look pre and post-GST.
Here, we have assumed that VAT is applicable at 100% of the value without any abatement.
Particulars | Billing under VAT regime | Billing under GST regime |
Total Bill | 5000 | 5000 |
Output Tax | ||
–VAT @14.5% | 725 | |
–Service tax@6% | 300 | |
GST @5% | 250 | |
Total output tax liability | 1025 | 250 |
Input credit | ||
—VAT ITC (no ITC on ST) | 75 | |
—GST ITC | – | |
Final Output tax liability | ||
–VAT | 650 | |
–Service Tax | 300 | |
–GST | 250 |
Now in the above example, the total amount payable to the tax authorities under the current regime sums up to Rs.950. However, under GST, net outflow from the pocket will be Rs.250, thanks to the reduced rates.
Thus, we can fairly conclude that GST will bring reasons to rejoice for both consumers and restaurant owners under the new regime and we will have more reason to explore the new food joints in our neighbourhood and pamper our taste buds.
This article explains the impact of GST on the restaurant and food industry, highlighting GST rates on food items and restaurant services. It details the components of a pre-GST restaurant bill and compares it to the post-GST scenario, illustrating the benefits for consumers and restaurant owners. GST rates differ for standalone restaurants and those within hotels, with varying rates for different food items.