Under GST, Input Tax Credit (ITC) is not allowed on specific expenses, primarily those meant for personal use, in cases of fraud, or as outlined in Section 17(5). Key examples include motor vehicles (seating ≤ ≤ 13), food/beverages, health/life insurance, club memberships, construction of immovable property, and free samples.
Fresh fruits, fresh milk, curd, bread, etc. Exports and supplies made to SEZ units or SEZ developers, of both goods and services. Grains, salt, jaggery, etc. Alcohol used for human consumption, natural gas, petrol and its products, etc.
Here are some common reasons for these exemptions: Social welfare and public interest: Essential goods and services vital for societal welfare, such as basic food items (e.g., rice, wheat, milk), healthcare services, and education, may be exempt from GST.
What is ineligible for Input Tax Credit? Under Section 17(5) of the CGST Act, you can't claim credit for GST paid on personal vehicles, food, club fees, life/health insurance (unless required by law), building construction, or lost/damaged goods.
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:
There are only minimal items which are not reportable for GST purposes. These include bank transfers between accounts, stamp duty, depreciation and salary/wages. These are purchases/sales that have a 0% GST rate.
Input Tax Credits may only be claimed via ISD
From 1 April 2025, the Indian government has made it mandatory for businesses to use the Input Service Distributor (ISD) mechanism to claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system.
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.
Common Examples of GST Exempt Transactions:
Financial services – Most banking services, interest payments, and insurance premiums. Residential rent – Rental income from residential properties. Donated goods and services – Items or services that are given away without payment.
Exemption categories vary widely by field, but common types include legal/employment (like executive, administrative, professional roles exempt from overtime), tax (for individuals like dependents, or organizations like charities), and research ethics (for studies like educational practices or benign behavioral interventions that require less oversight). Other examples are property tax exemptions for unoccupied or repair-focused properties, and personal tax exemptions, now mostly handled via standard deductions.
Social Welfare and Public Interest: Certain essential goods and services that are considered essential for the welfare of society may be exempted from GST. This includes items like basic food items (e.g., rice, wheat, milk), healthcare services, and education services.
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.
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.
Common mistakes include claiming ITC without GSTR-2B matching, overlooking ineligible or blocked credits, ignoring non-compliant suppliers, mishandling debit and credit notes, delaying ITC reversals or reclaims, relying on manual reconciliation, and missing statutory cut-off dates.
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.
As per the latest regulatory update, e-invoicing will be mandatory for credit notes issued by registered businesses under GST starting April 1, 2025. This requirement aligns with the ongoing digitization efforts by the government to ensure seamless tax compliance and reduce discrepancies in tax reporting.
Key items exempted from GST:
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.
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.
Exempted Goods under GST
Components such as human blood. Manufacturing parts of hearing aids, such as handloom, chalks, slates, etc. Non-GST goods include egg, fish, fresh milk, etc.
GST-Free Items: