The new 40% GST rule, introduced as part of the 2025 "GST 2.0" reforms, establishes a top-tier tax bracket for luxury and "sin" goods, such as high-end motorcycles, luxury cars, aerated beverages, tobacco, and pan masala. This rate replaces previous cess structures on these items to simplify taxation, discourage consumption of harmful products, and increase revenue.
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.
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).
The government, through the GST Council, moved to a simplified tax framework of 5% and 18% with the removal of the current 12% and 28% tax rates from 22nd September 2025, after CBIC notifications come out. Except GST on tobacco and its products, GST rate changes on the rest will be implemented from 22nd September 2025.
India's indirect tax system is entering a landmark new phase. The GST Reform Bill (popularly called GST 2.0), cleared by the GST Council, will roll out from September 22, 2025, just ahead of the festive season. This marks the biggest overhaul since GST was first introduced in 2017. Why such a big change?
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%.
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 '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.
Zero-rated supplies
The CRA will make these payments on the 5th day of July and October 2025, and of January and April 2026.
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.
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 40% GST is now a single consolidated rate for sugar-added, flavoured, or carbonated drinks, including cola, lemonade, and fruit-based fizzy beverages. The previous 12% compensation cess has been removed. All aerated soft drinks, whether fruit-based or cola-based, now attract 40% GST under the sin goods category.
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.
You must register for GST if: your business has a GST turnover of $75,000 or more. your non-profit organisation has a GST turnover of $150,000 or more. you provide taxi or limousine travel (including ride-sourcing services like Uber or DiDi) regardless of your GST turnover.
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.
You have to start charging GST/HST on the supply that made you exceed $30,000. You exceed the $30,000 threshold 1 over the previous four (or fewer) consecutive calendar quarters (but not in a single calendar quarter).
(3) Any registered person who opts to pay tax under section 10 shall electronically file an intimation in FORM GST CMP-02, duly signed or verified through electronic verification code, on the common portal, either directly or through a Facilitation Centre notified by the Commissioner, prior to the commencement of the ...
GST is a broad-based tax of 10% on most goods, services and other items sold or consumed in Australia. To work out the cost of an item including GST, multiply the amount exclusive of GST by 1.1. To work out the GST component, divide the GST inclusive cost by 11.
For example, if a manufacturer purchases raw materials costing ₹100 and pays 5% GST, the total cost becomes ₹105. Upon adding ₹50 in value to the product, he sells it for ₹155. The GST on ₹155 is ₹7.75, but he can claim an input tax credit of ₹5 for the GST paid on raw materials.
Good news is, Starting July 2025, the HST/GST credit has increase by 2.7%, helping low- and modest-income households stretch their budgets. This tax free quarterly payment can put hundreds of extra dollars into your pocket each year.
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.
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