The latest major GST amendment, often referred to as GST 2.0 reforms, became effective on September 22, 2025. Key changes include a restructured, simplified two-slab system of 5% and 18%, replacing the old 12% and 28% rates, along with a new 40% rate for luxury/sin goods.
What will be the new 2025 GST rate structure? GST 2.0 reform abolished the old tax structure (5%, 12%, 18% and 28%). The council introduced the new 2-slab structure of 5%, 18% and 40% for demerit.
The latest reforms mark a major simplification of the GST structure. 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.
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.
Major highlight was simplification of tax rates into two main slabs (5% & 18%) by removing 12% and 28%. Sin goods will be taxed at a new 40% GST. These changes are now live with notifications by the CBIC passed on 17th September 2025.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
The A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (the Act) provides the administrative framework for the goods and services tax (GST) law.
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).
e-Invoice Time Limit: From April 1, 2025, businesses with an Annual Aggregate Turnover (AATO) of Rs. 10 crore+ must upload e-invoices to the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) within 30 days. It reduces the chances of fake GST invoices, allowing only genuine input tax credit claims.
Using the wrong tax codes or accounting method
Many GST mistakes are the result of using incorrect tax codes or the wrong accounting method: Tax codes: If a GST-free sale is coded as taxable in your accounting system, you'll pay GST unnecessarily. If a taxable sale is coded GST-free, you'll underpay.
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.
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 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.
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.
Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Exemption: The GST exemption was also increased to $15 million per taxpayer for 2026, up from $13,990,000 in 2025. Annual Gift Tax Exclusion: The annual gift tax exclusion remains at $19,000 for 2026, the same amount applicable to 2025.
The 'five year rule' states that residential premises are not considered to be 'new' if they have been rented out as residential premises for five or more years since they first became residential premises, or were last built or substantially renovated.
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.
As of 2025, the GST rate in Singapore is 9% for all taxable goods and services (except for nil-rated). With the GST rate change, as laid out by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), it has become even more important to be at par with the recent amendments.
India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) system has entered a new era with the rollout of GST 2.0, effective from September 22, 2025. The Council has simplified the structure into a 5% slab for essentials, 18% for standard goods, and 40% for luxury/sin items, replacing the earlier complex categories.