India’s GST, launched in 2017, was intended to unify indirect taxes and balance fiscal power between the Union and States. However, successive rate cuts, the expiration of the compensation guarantee in 2022, and the 2025 three‑tier reform have eroded state revenue, deepening fiscal dependence on the Union.
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News On Air · 3 days ago
India's Delhi government has reduced the VAT on aviation turbine fuel from 25% to 7%. The concessional rate will apply for six months, starting from 19 April 2026.
LiveLawBiz · 3 days ago
India: The Gauhati High Court has ruled that Hawkins Cookers Ltd. must pay an additional 8.5% VAT on the original sale price of pressure cookers, confirming the 12.5% rate applied before 2010. The court rejected the company's attempt to compute the differential tax on a reduced sale price after excluding previously collected 4% VAT.
GSTZen · 3 days ago
India's GST framework allows businesses to claim Input Tax Credit on hotel accommodation when the stay is for business purposes. Eligibility depends on valid tax invoices, GST paid, and compliance with CGST Act sections 16 and 17(5). A minimum room rate of 7500 is required for ITC eligibility.
Indian Television Dot Com · 7 days ago
India's online gaming industry is challenging the Supreme Court's May 27 ruling that upheld the 28 per cent GST on online gaming, potentially triggering retrospective tax demands of over Rs 1.5 lakh crore.
A2Z Taxcorp · 18 days ago
The article explains that while GST was designed to eliminate cascading tax and enable seamless input tax credit (ITC), the reality has become a compliance-driven process. ITC eligibility now hinges on invoice matching, GSTR‑2B reconciliation, Rule 36(4), Section 16(2)(aa) restrictions, and the Invoice Management System (IMS), making credit availability conditional on supplier filings and compliance data. Businesses face working‑capital pressure and litigation due to delayed or denied ITC.
GSTZen · 20 days ago
The article explains that for services, GST becomes payable immediately upon receipt of an advance, while for goods, advance receipts are exempt under Notification No. 66/2017-Central Tax and GST is due only when goods are supplied. It also details the required receipt and refund vouchers and how to calculate GST on inclusive and exclusive advances.
Key Takeaways
The guarantee expired in June 2022.
It reduced rates of 178 items from 28% to 18% overnight.
A three‑tier structure of 5%, 18% and 40% was approved, with an estimated annual revenue loss of at least Rs. 48,000 crore.
The reforms were announced on 15 August 2025.
Primary source
Read the full article at FrontlineThis summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 4 April 2026. It relates to VAT developments in India. The original source is Frontline.
