Key GST changes effective from the July 2025 tax period (filed in August 2025) in India focus on streamlining compliance and tightening, including non-editable auto-populated GSTR-3B forms based on GSTR-1/1A, a 3-year time limit for filing returns, and the initiation of "GST 2.0" reforms aimed at simplifying tax slabs and reducing rates on various items.
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.
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%.
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).
Automobile sector reforms reduce GST from 28% to 18% on small cars, motorcycles (up to 350cc), buses, trucks, ambulances, and three-wheelers, while maintaining high rates for large luxury vehicles. Housing and infrastructure relief with GST on cement cut from 28% to 18%, easing construction costs.
GST impacts car prices directly by adding a tax to the vehicle's price. In 2025, GST rates on small petrol and diesel cars were reduced from 28% to 18%, lowering the price for buyers. This means you pay less when buying smaller, everyday cars. Electric vehicles enjoy a low GST of only 5%, encouraging cleaner choices.
You will get your annual GST/HST credit, which was calculated using information from your 2024 tax return, in four payments. The CRA will make these payments on the 5th day of July and October 2025, and of January and April 2026.
GST 2.0: Diwali 2025 Reforms – A Game-Changer for Consumption? The government has announced a major overhaul in the GST system, aimed at simplifying tax rates. The new GST structure will reduce the number of tax slabs to just two — 5% and 18% — replacing the current multi-tier system.
How much will I receive in October 2025? It depends on your 2024 adjusted family net income, marital status, and number of children. Maximum amounts are $533 (singles), $698 (couples), and $184 per child.
How to Avoid GST on Overseas Purchases Legally
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.
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.
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.
Effective October 2025 period onwards, a new section for "Import of Goods" has been introduced in IMS wherein the Bill of Entry (BoE) filed by the taxpayer for import of goods including import from SEZ, will be made available in the IMS for taking allowed action on individual BoE.
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.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) 2.0 reform, which came into effect from September 22nd, 2025, brought relief for the common people and boosts for businesses. One of the key GST updates under 2.0 reform is that it simplified the GST tax structure from a 4-slab (5%, 12%, 18% and 28%) to a 3-slab (5%, 18% and 40%).
Along with the GST break, the government of Canada is also planning on offering cheques in the amount of $250 to qualifying middle-class families. In order to qualify for this, you have to have worked in 2023 and had an income below $150,000.
Goods and services tax credit
According to the federal government, the maximum annual amount an individual may receive from July 2025 to June 2026 is $533, while a married or common-law couple could see up to $698 combined.
As the car limit for the 2025–26 financial year is $69,674, the maximum GST credit Darren can claim is $6,334 (1/11 × $69,674). Darren reports $69,674 at label G10 on his activity statement and includes a GST credit of $6,334 at label 1B.
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.
New Deadline: September 30, 2025
A critical change: the $7,500 tax credit (and the $4,000 used EV credit) will expire on September 30, 2025. Any EV purchase or lease finalized on or before that date qualifies; after that, the incentive disappears, regardless of model or eligibility.
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.