As of September 22, 2025, India's revamped GST structure ("GST 2.0") significantly impacts a wide range of goods and services. Key changes include lower taxes on essentials like staples (grains, dairy, vegetables), toothpaste, soap, and electronics (ACs, TVs, washing machines). Conversely, luxury goods, high-end cars, tobacco, and carbonated beverages are taxed at higher rates.
The GST reforms lower taxes on electronic goods like mobile phones, refrigerators, air conditioners, TVs, and washing machines. This makes them more affordable and encourages production. This blog explores how GST 2.0 impacts consumer durables and what it means for buyers.
Cereals, edible fruits and vegetables (not frozen or processed), edible roots and tubers, fish and meat (not packaged or processed), tender coconut, jaggery, tea leaves (not processed), coffee beans (not roasted), seeds, ginger, turmeric, betel leaves, papad, flour, curd, lassi, buttermilk, milk, and aquatic feeds, and ...
Goods and services tax (GST) applies to most goods and services sold in Australia. Find out how to register and what it means for your business. Goods and services tax (GST) is a tax of 10% on most goods, services and other items sold or consumed in Australia.
GST-Free Items:
Exempt supplies under GST include nil-rated supplies, supplies wholly or partially exempted by government notification, and non-taxable supplies like alcoholic liquor for human consumption. Exempt goods and services do not attract GST, and input tax credit (ITC) for such supplies cannot be claimed or utilized.
You can claim a credit for any goods and services tax (GST) included in the price you pay for things you use in your business. This is called an input tax credit, or a GST credit.
Certain goods and services are exempt from GST due to their essential nature. This exemption applies based on the type of supply, not the supplier. Example: Healthcare services, educational services, and public utility services (e.g., water supply) are exempt from GST.
GST is a 10% tax added to most goods and services sold in Australia, but not everything in the food and beverage sector is treated equally. Some items are GST-free, while others are fully taxable, and understanding the difference can have a direct impact on your pricing, bookkeeping, and compliance.
Goods and services tax (GST) is added to the price of most products and services. If you're GST registered, you can claim back the GST you pay on goods or services you buy for your business. You can also charge GST (15%) on what you sell.
The Value Added Tax (VAT) or Goods and Services Tax (GST) are broadly based consumption tax assessed on the value added to goods and services. It applies to all goods and services that are bought and sold for use or consumption in foreign tax jurisdiction.
5% GST Slab: Common goods such as packaged food. 12% GST Slab: Processed food, fruit juices, frozen meat, butter, ghee, nuts, etc. 18% GST Slab: Most services like restaurants, telecom and banking, cosmetics, toiletries, hair oil, toothpaste, and capital goods.
Daily food items like UHT milk, roti, paratha, paneer, and packaged snacks brought under 5% or Nil GST, easing household expenses. Reforms promote affordability, healthier lifestyles, and improved ease of living for youth and households.
At its core, GST 2.0 introduces a simplified two-slab structure (5% and 18%), replacing the earlier four-tier system of 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%. Essentials like food, medicines, and education items move to the Nil or 5% category, while household goods and consumer durables see major rate cuts.
The GST/HST break includes certain qualifying goods, such as:
You can claim a GST refund in the following situations, when additional tax is paid or deposited due to errors or omissions. When dealers and deemed export goods or services are subject to refund or refund. Refunds can also be made for purchases made by UN agencies or embassies.
These GST exemptions are aimed at making essential commodities affordable to the common ma,n but at the same time enable the businesses to benefit their respective communities without an extra tax burden.
Examples: Electricity, Diesel, Petrol and Alcohol for human consumption are some examples of Non GST supplies.
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.
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 exempted from VAT are: