Yes, a 40% GST rate is applicable in India as of September 2025 for specific "sin" and luxury goods [2, 6]. This highest-ever rate, introduced in the 56th Council meeting, replaces the old 28% + cess structure for items like tobacco, luxury cars (SUVs), aerated drinks,, and personal aircraft [1, 7]. It does not apply to general goods, which are now under a 5% or 18% slab [4].
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.
The GST rates in India have been simplified to three main slabs: 5%, 18%, and 40%. The 5% rate applies to essentials and common household goods, the 18% rate is the new standard for most consumer products and services, and the 40% rate is for luxury and "sin" goods.
Who is exempt from GST registration? Service providers and small business owners with annual turnovers under ₹40 lakh, as well as agriculturists and those supplying exempt goods or services, are exempt from GST registration.
The Value Added Tax (VAT) or Goods and Services Tax (GST) are broadly based consumption tax assessed on the value added to goods and services. It applies to all goods and services that are bought and sold for use or consumption in foreign tax jurisdiction.
If the place of supply and the location of the supplier are in the same State then it will be intra-State supply and CGST / SGST will be applicable.
Businesses with annual sales of Rs. 40 lakhs or more for goods, and Rs. 20 lakhs or more for services, must register for GST. If the turnover exceeds the allowed threshold, there is a penalty for failing to register under GST.
If you have exceeded the threshold you must register for GST. You reach the GST turnover threshold if either: your current GST turnover – your turnover for the current month and the previous 11 months – totals $75,000 or more ($150,000 or more for non-profit organisations)
The GST exemption essentially allows the earmarking of transfers, made during lifetime or at death, that either skip a generation or are made in trust for multiple generations.
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)
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.
The tax is a 5% tax imposed on the supply of goods and services that are purchased in Canada, except certain items that are either "exempt" or "zero-rated": For tax-free — i.e., "zero-rated" — sales, GST is charged by suppliers at a rate of 0% so effectively there is no GST collected.
How to calculate GST?
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%.
Goods and services tax (GST) is a tax of 10% on most goods, services and other items sold or consumed in Australia. If your business is registered for GST, you have to collect this extra money (one-eleventh of the sale price) from your customers.
Businesses are required to register for GST and pay tax on their annual turnover if their annual revenue exceeds Rs. 40 lakhs in the case of goods supplied and Rs. 20 lakhs for the supply of services.
Certain government services and small businesses below the GST registration threshold also qualify for exemption. It's important to note that exempt supplies differ from non-GST supplies. Exempt supplies, like healthcare or education services, are part of the GST system but are not taxed.
The GST Council on September 3, 2025 has announced rationalisation of GST slab structure by abolishing 12% and 28% tax slabs and introducing 40% tax rate primarily for luxury and sin goods. With this rationalisation in rates, key goods that would benefit include several FMCG and consumer durable products.
Businesses dealing in goods are exempt from GST if their annual aggregate turnover is below INR 40 lakhs. For businesses in hilly and northeastern states, this threshold is reduced to INR 20 lakhs to address regional challenges. Service providers are exempt from GST if their turnover is under INR 20 lakhs annually.
A taxpayer must get a tax audit done if their business's sales, turnover, or gross receipts are over ₹1 crore, or if their profession's earnings exceed ₹50 lakh in a financial year. There are other situations where a tax audit might also be required.
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, ...
Your business will need to register for GST if your annual turnover is $75,000 or more. You have a choice to register or not if it's less than that. You must register for GST if you reach the $75,000 turnover threshold or if it looks likely that you will exceed it.
You are eligible for this credit if you are a resident of Canada for income tax purposes at the end of the month before and at the beginning of the month in which the CRA makes a payment (read When your GST/HST credit is paid). In the month before the CRA makes a quarterly payment, you must be at least 19 years old.