GST revenue for April 2025 reached a record high of ₹2.37 lakh crore (specifically ₹2,36,716 crore), marking a 12.6% year-on-year increase from April 2024.
India started FY 2025-26 with an economic mega signal — ₹2.37 lakh crore was the GST collection for April 2025, the highest April number ever. This is a robust 12.6% Year-on-Year growth from the ₹2.10 lakh crore seen during April 2024.
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.
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%).
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.
GST Rate and Slab Changes in September 2025
GST rate cuts on 200 items happened from 22nd September 2025. 90% of items in the current 28% slab are moved to the 18% slab. Almost 99% of the items in the 12% slab are moved to the 5% slab.
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.
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.
Taxes on aerated drinks, tobacco and luxury goods will now come under the 28 percent tax bracket under GST, so it will get costlier.
Several major income tax changes are scheduled to take effect from April 1, 2025. These revisions include changes to tax slabs and the implementation of a rebate up to Rs. 60,000.
The Government: A Boost in Revenue
From a government standpoint, GST has been a resounding success in terms of revenue generation and increase in tax base. The number of Taxpayers is increasing from year to year and the same thing can be said about the collection of GST.
Barring of GST Return on expiry of three years
The GST network issued another advisory on 7th June 2025, implementing the rule of time-barring of GST return filing beyond three years from the due date. By this update, taxpayers will not be able to file GST returns after three years from the due date of such return.
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)
Significance of GST
Consumers have benefited from lower average tax rates and reduced costs on essential items, while the logistics sector has seen enhanced efficiency, reduced transport times, and significant investments.
Other countries collect 10 to 60 per cent of the tax. India collects 42.74, Canada 33, US 37, Finland 56.95, France 45, UK 45, Germany 45, Hong Kong 15, China 45, Singapore 22, Japan 55.97, Australia 45, and Singapore 22 per cent of tax charges.
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, ...
Here's what you need to know about the relevant threshold and how it affects your business or enterprise. The GST threshold for 2025 is $75,000 in annual GST turnover for most businesses. If your GST turnover exceeds this amount in any rolling 12-month period, you must register for GST within 21 days.
The following category of tax persons are exempted from payment of 1% of GST in Cash 1. Registered taxpayers who have paid income tax above Rs 1.00 in Income Tax during the last two years continuously 2. Taxpayers who have zero-rated supplies without payment of duty and claimed refund of more than Rs 1.00 lac 3.
What are the new changes in GST 2025? 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.
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 2025 tax legislation signed into law by President Trump, commonly referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, largely preserves the existing capital gains tax framework. Long-term capital gains rates remain set at 0%, 15% and 20%, with no changes to the underlying brackets.