The federal Generation-Skipping Transfer (GST) tax exemption is set to increase to $15 million per individual in 2026, or $30 million for married couples. This applies to both lifetime gifts and transfers at death, with the exemption amount indexed for inflation. For 2025, the exemption is $13.99 million per person.
Beginning January 1, 2026, the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemptions will be $15,000,000 per individual and $30,000,000 for married couples, indexed for inflation. Without this legislation, the exemption would have reverted to about $7,000,000 per person.
If your GST turnover is below the $75,000 threshold, you may choose to register. But if you do, regardless of your turnover, you must: include GST in the price of most goods and services you sell. claim GST credits for most business purchases you make.
GST exemption from registration
A person whose turnover falls below the threshold exemption limit—INR 40 lakhs for goods, INR 20 lakhs for services, and INR 20 lakhs (or INR 10 lakhs in special category states) for specified categories.
The total of lifetime gifts and the estate are eligible for a lifetime exemption, which is set at $13.99 million in 2025. The exemption amount is indexed for inflation, and was scheduled to be reduced by half after 2025. The higher exemption level was made permanent and slightly increased to $15 million in 2026 by P.L.
For example, the information from your 2024 tax return determines the GST/HST credit amount you get for the payment period from July 2025 to June 2026. You could get up to: $533 if you are a single individual. $698 if you are married or have a common-law partner.
Currently, the GST Exemption Limit is set at Rs. 40 lakhs for goods and Rs. 20 lakhs for services. Businesses with annual revenues below these limits are not mandated to register for GST; however, they may opt to do so voluntarily.
What are the new changes in GST 2025? Starting September 22, 2025, GST in India will be simplified to primarily two rates: 5% and 18%, with a special 40% rate on luxury and sin goods like tobacco and high-end vehicles.
Non-resident Indians have the same rights as Indian citizens when it comes to Goods and Services Tax (GST) exemptions. If a Non-Resident Indian meets the criteria set out in the applicable law, he/she can avail of this benefit.
How to avoid paying higher-rate tax
You have to start charging GST/HST on the supply that made you exceed $30,000. You exceed the $30,000 threshold 1 over the previous four (or fewer) consecutive calendar quarters (but not in a single calendar quarter).
Subtracting GST from Price
To calculate how much GST was included in the price, divide the total price by 11 ($1000∕11=$90.91). To calculate the price without GST, divide the price by 1.1 ($1000∕1.1=$909.09).
The GST/HST break includes certain qualifying goods, such as:
Tax-free income in new tax regime (Financial Year 2025-26)
The basic exemption limit has been raised to Rs. 4 lakh, providing immediate relief to taxpayers. Moreover, the rebate under Section 87A has been increased to Rs. 60,000 for taxable incomes up to Rs. 12 lakh.
Types of GST in India
CGST (Central Goods and Services Tax) SGST (State Goods and Services. IGST (Integrated Goods and Services Tax) UTGST (Union Territory Goods and Services Tax)
The New GST Rate Structure
The old four-slab structure (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) has been simplified. The 12% and 28% slabs were eliminated and replaced with a new structure, which is now primarily 0%, 5%, 18%, and a 40% rate for luxury and “sin” goods.
GST Exemption from Registration
Individuals whose annual turnover does not exceed: INR 40 lakhs for goods. INR 20 lakhs for services. INR 10 lakhs for specific categories in special category states.
In the 56th GST Council meeting, the government approved a simplified structure (now implemented), reducing the old multi-tier system (0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%) to just two main slabs—5% and 18%—plus a 40% “sin & luxury” slab for select items.
Here's what you need to know about the relevant threshold and how it affects your business or enterprise. The GST threshold for 2025 is $75,000 in annual GST turnover for most businesses. If your GST turnover exceeds this amount in any rolling 12-month period, you must register for GST within 21 days.
The GST/HST credit payment period begins in July and ends in June of the following year: January and April payments. Based on your adjusted family net income from your 2024 tax return. July and October payments.