As of September 22, 2025, India has implemented a restructured Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, primarily featuring a two-rate structure of 5% for essentials and 18% for standard goods and services. A higher 40% rate applies to luxury and "sin" goods (e.g., aerated drinks, high-end cars), replacing the previous four-tier system.
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. Many essentials, including certain medicines and foods, are now zero-rated, while several items see reduced rates.
India's GST regime is undergoing a landmark transformation with the 56th GST Council meeting unveiling GST 2.0 - next-generation reforms simplifying tax slabs to 5%, 18%, and 40%. Effective from September 22, 2025, these reforms aim to ease compliance, boost consumption, and fuel economic growth.
Effective October 1st, 2025, a new set of rules for GST return filing will come into effect. This marks the first filing cycle under the GST 2.0 reforms, aimed at improving transparency, control, and accuracy in Input Tax Credit (ITC) management through the Invoice Management System (IMS).
For any standard-rated supplies of goods or services that you make on or after 1 Jan 2024, you must charge GST at 9%. For instance, if you issue an invoice and receive payments for your supply on or after 1 Jan 2024, you must account for GST at 9%.
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.
How to Avoid GST on Overseas Purchases Legally
Maximum marginal rate is the highest rate of tax at any income level. This means for those with incomes between Rs 2 crore and Rs 5 crore, 39% will be the highest applicable tax rate, and for those with incomes above Rs 5 crore, it will be 42.74% — the highest tax rate since 1992.
20th August 2025
Due to the incessant rains in various parts of Maharashtra, the government has extended GSTR-3B due date for July 2025 from 20th August to 27th August 2025.
The GST/HST credit payment dates for Canada in 2025 are scheduled as follows: January 3, April 4, July 4, and October 3. You do not need to apply separately; the GST/HST credit payment 2025 is automatically assessed when you file your tax return.
The rollout of new GST 2.0 rates from September 22, 2025, marks a turning point in India's tax journey. By simplifying the system into 5%, 18%, and 40% slabs, the government has addressed one of the biggest criticisms of the original GST—complexity.
Total Net GST revenue for October 2025 stands at ₹1,69,002 crore, which is 0.6% higher(monthly growth) and 7.1% higher (yearly growth) than the corresponding period last year at ₹1,68,054 crore.
New GST Rate of 9% in 2024
Come 1 Jan 2024, the GST rate will be raised from 8% to 9%, as part of the two-step GST rate change announced by the Minister for Finance in Budget 2022. The first step from 7% to 8% had taken place earlier on 1 Jan 2023.
New GST Rate Structure 2025: 5%, 18%, and 40% Explained. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India has undergone its biggest overhaul since its 2017 launch.
Tax changes for 2025, largely driven by the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBBA) Act, introduce significant deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, expand the Child Tax Credit, and raise the SALT deduction cap to $40,000, while making several 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions permanent, including the seven tax brackets. Key changes include a $2,200 Child Tax Credit, a $6,000 senior deduction, deductions for qualified tips and overtime, and a permanent standard deduction increase.
2022, Works contract services provided to Central and State Government, or Local Authorities, which were earlier eligible for concessional rate of 12% GST,would attract GST at the rate of 18% in view of amendment carried out in notification No. 11/2017- Central Tax (Rate) vide notification No.
What is New in 2025 HST/GST Credit Increase? Every year, the CRA adjusts federal tax benefits based on inflation. For 2025, the CRA HST credit will rise by 2.7%, starting with the July 2025 GST HST payment. While this increase is lower than 2024's 4.7%, it still brings welcome support for millions across the country.
The shift to a two-slab system of 5% and 18%, removing the earlier 12% and 28% rates, will make taxation more transparent and easier to follow. At the same time, a 40% on luxury and sin goods such as pan masala, tobacco, aerated drinks, high-end cars, yachts, and private aircraft ensures fairness and revenue balance.
Registered taxpayers can now file their GSTR-3B for the month of September 2025 or the quarter of July–September 2025 by October 25, 2025, instead of the earlier due date.
According to government reports, while over 7 crore people file tax returns, only a fraction of them actually pay taxes because many fall below the taxable income threshold or use deductions to reduce liability.
The key categories of goods and services included under the special 40% GST slab are, Tobacco and related intoxicants as sin goods (e.g., cigarettes, bidis, pan masala, caffeinated drinks) Drinks with high sugar content and caffeinated. Super-luxury and luxury 4-wheelers, 2-wheelers and personal use yacht, aircraft, ...
Prior to FY21, his salary had been capped at Rs 15 crore annually since 2009. Despite forgoing a salary, Ambani earned Rs 8.85 crore in dividend income from his 1.61 crore directly held shares in Reliance Industries, based on the Rs 5.50 per share dividend declared for FY25.
There's no single income limit for "no tax," as it depends on your filing status, age, deductions, and credits, but for the 2025 tax year, if you're a single filer under 65, you generally don't need to file if your gross income is below $15,750, which is the standard deduction. Higher incomes might still owe zero federal income tax if they fall within 0% capital gains brackets or qualify for significant credits, but most people with income above the standard deduction threshold will file and potentially owe some tax, though some income (like certain Social Security or new overtime pay) can be tax-free.
In a word, yes. Declaring luxury goods to US Customs is always a good idea. All of your purchases abroad are subject to declaration by US Customs, and luxury goods have the highest likelihood of being inspected.