GoM suggests lowering GST rates for manufacturers and restaurants

30 Oct 2017 Evaluate

The ministerial panel working to make Goods and Services Tax (GST) composition scheme more attractive, has suggested lowering tax rates for manufacturers and restaurants under the plan to 1 percent. At present, manufacturers pay GST at 2 percent, the rate for restaurants is 5 percent and traders pay 1 percent. The Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also suggested doing away with the tax rate distinction between AC and non-AC restaurants, those which are not covered under composition scheme, and tax them at 12 percent.

The GoM recommended that hotels which has room tariff of more than Rs 7,500 should attract 18 percent tax rate. For traders, it suggested two-pronged approach for taxation under the scheme. It said that traders who want to exclude the sale proceeds of tax-free items from its turnover, it can pay 1 percent GST. However, those traders who pay tax on total turnover, the tax rate has been proposed at 0.5 percent.

Composition scheme is open for manufacturers, restaurants and traders whose turnover does not exceed Rs 1 crore. This threshold was earlier Rs 75 lakh and the GST Council earlier this month raised it to Rs 1 crore from October 1. The panel has suggested allowing businesses who are engaged in inter-state sale to avail the composition scheme.

Under the new indirect tax regime, around 15 lakh businesses opted for composition scheme, which allows them to pay taxes at a concessional rate and makes compliance easy. While a regular taxpayer has to pay taxes on a monthly basis, a composition supplier is required to file only one return and pay taxes on a quarterly basis. Also, a composition taxpayer is not required to keep detailed records that a normal taxpayer is supposed to maintain. It also suggested that manufacturers engaged in job works can be allowed to opt for composition scheme. 

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