As of late 2025 and moving into 2026, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has undergone a major overhaul (GST 2.0) effective from September 22, 2025, simplifying the structure into 3 main slabs (5%, 18%, and 40% for luxury/sin goods). Key changes include lower rates on electronics (28% to 18%) and essential items, with 90% of 28% items moved to 18% and 99% of 12% items moved to 5%.
India's GST reforms in 2025 focus on simplifying GST slabs. 99% of items in the 12% slab moved to 5%, and 90% of those in the 28% slab reduced to 18%. This reform has greatly reduced the burden of taxation and make goods more reasonable for consumers.
The New GST Rate Structure
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. This change has impacted the pricing of many goods, including: Reduced to 18%: Items like electronic appliances and small cars.
GST Reforms 2025: Key Changes in GST Rates Across Categories
Key categories have seen rate reductions: daily essentials have dropped from 12%/18% to 5%, agricultural equipment from 12%/18% to 5%, healthcare services to 5% or exempt, and education services are now fully tax-exempt.
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%.
Modes of Payment for the 2025 GSTV – Cash
By doing so, eligible citizens will receive their GSTV – Cash earlier, from 6 August 2025. Citizens without PayNow-NRIC linked bank accounts but have a DBS/POSB, OCBC, or UOB bank account, may provide their bank account information at the govbenefits website by 28 July 2025.
How to Avoid GST on Overseas Purchases Legally
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.
List of exempted goods under GST in India:
As per the new GST rules 2026 from 1st Jan, one change that's easy to overlook but very impactful: GST registration can now be automatically suspended if you haven't furnished bank account details in your GST profile. When suspended, you cannot file returns or generate e-way bills until you update this information.
Demonstrating a sustainable financial momentum, India's GST collection for September 2025 soars to ₹1.89 lakh Crore, depicting a 9.1% YoY rise.
GST registration limits in regular category states are ₹40 lakhs for goods and ₹20 lakhs for services. Special category states have a limit of ₹20 lakhs.
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 CRA will make these payments on the 5th day of July and October 2025, and of January and April 2026.
Payment amounts are recalculated every July
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.
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 break includes certain qualifying goods, such as:
Common Examples of GST Exempt Transactions:
Financial services – Most banking services, interest payments, and insurance premiums. Residential rent – Rental income from residential properties. Donated goods and services – Items or services that are given away without payment.
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.
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.
What are the new GST rate slabs for 2025 in India? The slabs under the 2025 Next-Gen GST Reforms are 0% (exemption), 5% and 18%. A new 40% GST slab has been introduced for luxury goods like premium cars and bikes, and sin goods like cigarettes and tobacco.
Section 69 of CGST Act, 2017 : Section 69: Power To Arrest
(a) where a person is arrested under sub-section (1) for any offence specified under sub-section (4) of section 132, he shall be admitted to bail or in default of bail, forwarded to the custody of the Magistrate; (b) in the case of a non-cognizable and.
You must declare all purchases and gifts acquired abroad, food/agricultural items, alcohol/tobacco exceeding duty-free limits, medications (with prescription), and currency over $10,000 USD, as customs agents need to know about anything not originally brought in, especially if it could pose a health risk or incur duties. The general rule is to declare everything obtained or altered overseas, even if you don't owe duty.
The registration granted under GST can be cancelled for specified reasons. The cancellation can either be initiated by the department on their own motion or the registered person can apply for cancellation of their registration. In case of death of registered person, the legal heirs can apply for cancellation.