Page 4 - Taxation

Budget 2025: Tax sops, investments in new tech on Indian startups wishlist

Industry body Nasscom has also called for the Centre to set up a dedicated fund to enable early-stage investments into tech startups between Series A and B rounds of fundraising

Net direct tax mopup rises 16% to Rs 16.9 trillion until January 12

Corporate tax during the same period grew at a slower pace, 8.1 per cent, to Rs 7.7 trillion. The securities transaction tax grew 75.2 per cent to Rs 44,538 crore

Govt extends monthly GST return, payment deadline due to snag in system

The government on Friday extended the deadline for filing monthly GST sales return form GSTR-1 and GST payment by 2 days after taxpayers reported technical glitches in the GSTN system. As per a notification by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the last date for filing GSTR-1 for December is January 13, while that for taxpayers opting for quarterly payment under the QRMP scheme for the October-December period will be January 15. Normally, the last date for filing GSTR-1 for monthly return filers is January 11, while for quarterly taxpayers it is January 13. The deadline for GST payment by filing GSTR-3B for December has been extended to January 22, from the existing date of January 20. For taxpayers who pay GST quarterly, the due date has been extended to January 24 and January 26, depending on the state-wise registration of the business. Earlier in the day, GST Network said in a post on X that it has sent an "incident report" to the Central Board of Indirect

Simplification of policies to be govt's focus for taxation in 2025

Simplification of direct and indirect tax policies will be the main focus area for the government in the New Year after beginning the review of the six-decade-old income tax law and rationalisation of the GST rate in 2024. With monthly gross GST collections stabilising at around Rs 1.8 lakh crore and gross direct tax collections steadily rising at 20 per cent rate, the effort to ease compliance burden for individuals as well as corporates will gain traction. On the GST front, individuals are awaiting a tax cut in life and health insurance premiums, which will bring down the cost of insurance, while businesses are awaiting the operationalisation of the GST Tribunal for faster dispute resolution. Also, the work on rationalising GST rates and slabs has been put in motion with a group of ministers (GoM) deliberating on the changes, but a final decision is expected only by the GST Council, comprising the Centre and state finance ministers. Currently, GST is a four-tier tax structure wit

GST Council issues clarification on proposal of taxation on popcorn

GST Council on Saturday agreed to issue a clarification on taxation of popcorn, saying that pre-packed and labelled ready-to-eat snacks will attract a 12 per cent tax while an 18 per cent GST will be levied if it is caramelised. There is no change in the tax rate of popcorn and the GST Council has only agreed that the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) will issue a circular clarifying the current taxation regime of popcorn. "Ready-to-eat popcorn", which is mixed with salt and spices, and has the essential character of namkeens currently attracts a 5 per cent GST if it is not pre-packaged and labelled. If it is supplied as pre-packaged and labelled, a 12 per cent GST is levied. However, when popcorn is mixed with sugar (caramel popcorn), its essential character changes to that of a sugar confectionary, and would therefore be classifiable under HS 1704 90 90 and attract an 18 per cent GST, as per the clarification.

Safari Retreats case on GST Council table, SC verdict may be reversed

The SC judgment on the expression "plant or machinery" appears to defeat the intention of the GST Council, the law committee observed

Net direct tax collection grew 16.45% to Rs 15.82 trn till Dec 17 of FY25

Gross direct collections during the period grew 20.3 per cent to Rs 19.2 trillion, with refunds increasing 42.5 per cent to Rs 3.4 trillion

Higher tax will drive capital away, says CEA V Anantha Nageswaran

Rejecting the idea of a "billionaire tax" suggested by noted economist Thomas Piketty, Nageswaran said, "Not all problems can be solved through fiat"

Life insurers adjust term premiums ahead of business end of financial year

While some companies are increasing rates, others are slashing them, and still others have made no change; GST changes on premium taxation may change outlook

Centre expects to exceed gross direct tax collection target for FY25

Actual tax liability declined by 40% for those earning between Rs 10-20 lakh

GST returns to become time-barred after three years from early 2025

GST Network on Tuesday said beginning early next year, GST taxpayers will not be able to file monthly and annual GST returns after three years of the original filing due date. In an advisory, Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) said GST outward supply returns, besides returns related to payment of liability, annual returns and tax collected at source, will become time-barred after the expiry of a period of three years from the due date of furnishing the said return. "The said changes are going to be implemented in the GST portal from early next year (2025). Hence, the taxpayers are advised to reconcile their records and file their GST returns as soon as possible if not filed till now," GSTN said. AMRG & Associates Senior Partner Rajat Mohan said the recent GSTN update concerning the barring of GST return filings post a three-year deadline introduces a significant compliance shift. "This move aligns with a broader intent to ensure timely compliance, enhance data reliability, and .

Hong Kong cuts liquor tax to boost nightlife and attract tourists

Hong Kong's leader announced a cut to liquor tax Wednesday as the Asian financial hub hopes to revive its reputation as a travel destination with a vibrant nightlife and dining scene. After fulfilling Beijing's long-standing imperative to enact a homegrown national security law, Chief Executive John Lee now faces challenges with economic competitiveness against regional rivals like Singapore, Japan, and mainland Chinese metropolises. Changes in residents' lifestyles and a wave of middle-class emigration during the COVID-19 pandemic have dampened local demand. Many residents now prefer to spend their weekends in mainland China, attracted by its lower prices and a wider variety of entertainment options. Visitors from the mainland are also spending less in the city than before. Vacant shops are commonly seen in the city's most popular shopping districts, and revenue at the city's bars were down about 28% in the first half of 2024 from the same period in 2019, preliminary official data

CBDT comes out with FAQs on Direct Tax Vivad se Viswas scheme 2024

The Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas (DTVSV) Scheme, 2024, was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 by the Union Finance Minister to resolve pending income tax disputes

GST compensation cess to be discussed at GoM meeting on Wednesday

During the 54th GST Council meeting on September 9, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman indicated that the government plans to fully repay the loan, including interest, by January 2026

India's high tax curbing soft drinks segment reach potential: ICRIER report

Carbonated soft drinks segment in India is unable to reach its potential in terms of scale expansion due to barriers such as high taxation under the GST regime despite government's initiatives like 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', according to a report by economic think tank ICRIER. The cross-country comparative data on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) taxes collated by the World Bank shows that India has one of the highest tax rates for carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) at a total tax rate of 40 per cent as of 2023. Over 90 per cent of countries that tax SSBs have a lower tax rate than India, as per the report titled 'Carbonated Beverages Industry in India: Tax Policy to Promote Growth, Innovation and Investment'. Consumers, globally and in India, are shifting towards low-sugar and no-added sugar varieties of beverages amid heightened health awareness. "The CSD market is also changing from its traditional high sugar carbonated beverages to low-sugar and fruit-based and/or ...

Good enough vs ideal: Incremental GST reforms may outshine rapid changes

Our guiding principle in taxation should be driven by the principle of what works, not what is theoretically the best idea. The good enough should not be made the enemy of the ideal

GoM on GST rate rationalisation to discuss slab, rate tweaks on Sep 25

The ministerial panel on GST rate rationalisation will meet on September 25 and is expected to discuss tweaking of tax slabs and rates. "The meeting of the GoM on rate rationalisation is scheduled for September 25 in Goa," an official told PTI. The six-member Group of Minister (GoM) under Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, last met on August 22 and had submitted a status report to the GST Council on September 9. During the August meeting, the panel had tasked the fitment committee comprising tax officers from the Centre and states to analyse the implication of tax rate change on some items and gather more data. Currently, goods and services tax (GST) is a four-tier tax structure with slabs at 5, 12, 18, and 28 per cent. Under GST, essential items are either exempted or taxed at the lowest slab, while luxury and demerit items attract the highest slab. Luxury and sin goods attract cess on top of the highest 28 per cent slab. There have been talks of merging the 12 and 18

GST Council meeting: E-invoice mandate may soon cover B2C transactions

Pilot run on voluntary basis for selective sectors

GST Council to meet on Sept 9; compensation roadmap may stretch into FY26

GST Council agenda includes tax relief for foreign airlines, and clarity on a host of items such as car seats

FinMin to develop climate finance taxonomy in 6-10 months: DEA secy

Climate finance taxonomy is a set of guidelines that will help investors and institutions direct funds towards investments that will aid in tackling climate change