Expenses without GST, often called GST-free or exempt, typically include basic food, health services, education courses, water/sewerage, charitable activities, and financial services like bank fees and interest. Other common non-GST items include residential rent, government charges (stamp duty/rates), salaries, and insurance.
These are purchases/sales that have a 0% GST rate. Examples include, purchasing items from overseas (exports); purchasing items from within Australia that are not subject to GST, eg. fresh food, some education. GST free sale /expenses are reported on your BAS.
Office supplies, equipment, rental costs, and professional services are examples of expenses on which input tax can be claimed. Further, input tax cannot be claimed on the following expenses: private use, non-business entertainment, and motor vehicle expenses.
The GST/HST break includes certain qualifying goods, such as:
Goods and services exempted from VAT are:
Zero-rated supplies are supplies of property and services that are taxable at the rate of 0%. This means there is no GST/HST charged on these supplies, but GST/HST registrants may be eligible to claim ITCs for the GST/HST paid or payable on property and services acquired to provide these supplies.
Is GST paid considered an expense? No, GST paid on business expenses is generally not considered an expense. For GST-registered businesses, the amount paid as GST on purchases can be claimed as a GST credit. This means it is essentially refunded or offset against the GST collected from sales.
Yes, GST Input Tax Credit (ITC) can be claimed on furniture purchases, but only if the furniture is used for business purposes. Businesses can claim ITC on the GST paid for office furniture since it is considered a necessary expense for making taxable supplies.
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)
Zero-rated
Certain taxable supplies are taxed at the rate of 0% rather than at the standard rate of 15%. You must include all zero-rated supplies in box 5 on your GST return along with your total taxable supplies. Supplies that are zero-rated in certain situations include; Duty-free goods.
Drinking water packed in 20-litre bottles – 12% GST. Mineral and aerated waters (sealed containers, no sugar/flavour) – 18% GST.
Generally, basic food items like fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, bread, and milk are GST-free. However, foods that are prepared, cooked, or consumed on the premises, such as meals at restaurants or takeaway hot food, are typically taxable.
Items not taxed generally include most staple groceries (unprepared food), ** prescription medications**, certain essential clothing/school supplies (often during holidays), prosthetic devices, and purchases made by non-profits or governments, but this varies by location, with prepared foods, electronics, and luxuries usually taxed; look for state-specific sales tax holidays for temporary exemptions on items like clothing or emergency supplies.
GST-Free Items:
Key items exempted from GST:
List of Goods Exempt from GST in India
By zero rating it is meant that the entire value chain of the supply is exempt from tax. This means that in case of zero rating, not only is the output exempt from payment of tax, there is no bar on taking/availing credit of taxes paid on the input side for making/providing the output supply.
Can I sell on Meesho without a GST number? Yes, you can sell on Meesho without a GST number for certain exempt categories. However, for most product categories, a GSTIN is mandatory as per government regulations. We recommend checking the specific requirements for your product type.
Tax Free is a consumption tax exemption system that applies to general stores in cities, such as department stores and shopping malls. On the other hand, Duty Free is specific to Duty Free shops located in restricted airport areas. This system exempts goods from customs duties, tobacco tax, and liquor tax, etc.
Navigating VAT obligations can be particularly complex for online businesses, especially those selling across borders. Common mistakes—such as failing to register in the correct countries, applying the wrong VAT rates, or missing important filing deadlines—can lead to serious financial and legal consequences.