Features of GST
Taxes Subsumed by GST
The GST will consolidate Central Excise Duty, Service Tax, VAT, Central Sales Tax, Customs Duty, Central Surcharge & Cess, Octroi, Luxury Tax, Entertainment Tax, Purchase Tax and a few other indirect taxes. The GST will apply on all goods and services. Even petrol and petroleum products will eventually be subject to it.
GST Rates
The GST council has decided on a four-tier structure. The GST rate will depend on the type of goods and services. Currently, the slab rates are 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. The rate for gold is 3%; the rate will be 0.25% for rough stones.
CGST & SGST
GST will have a central component (Central Goods and Services Tax or CGST) and a state component (State Goods and Services Tax or SGST). Therefore, centre and state will levy GST on all entities. Inter-state transactions will attract the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST), to be levied by the centre.
GST Threshold
Businesses with a supply turnover of over Rs. 20 lakh must register for GST. The key word here is supply, which takes into consideration any turnover, including stock-taking, discounts and freebies. In fact, even those supplying non-taxable goods must register for GST. Business making sales to other states must register for GST, regardless of turnover.