GST Council lowers tax rates on 17 items, 6 services; rationalises 28% slab

24 Dec 2018 Evaluate

In a big relief for common man, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, at its 31st meeting has decided to lower tax rates on 23 goods and services, including movie tickets, TV and monitor screens and power banks, and exempted frozen and preserved vegetables from the levy. The new rates would come into effect from January 1, 2019.

Of the 23 goods and services on which rates have been slashed, tax rate on seven items in the 28 percent slab has been brought down. With this, only 28 goods are left in the highest 28 per cent tax bracket. The goods on which GST has been lowered to 18 percent from 28 percent at present include pulleys, transmission shafts and cranks, gear boxes, retreated or used tyres, power banks of lithium ion batteries, digital cameras, video camera recorders and video game consoles. The 28 percent slab is now restricted to only luxury and sin goods apart from auto-parts and cement - the tax rate on which could not be cut due to high revenue implication. Mass use item cement and white goods like air conditioners and dishwashers are left in the 28 per cent slab.

Further, Cinema tickets costing up to Rs 100 will have GST rate of 12 percent from 18 percent and tickets with cost more than Rs 100 will attract GST rate of 18 percent as against 28 per cent now. This will have annual revenue implication of Rs 9 billion. That apart, TVs and computer monitors will attract 18 per cent GST as against 28 per cent at present. Similarly, power banks and some agricultural accessories will also have lower rate of GST at 18 percent. The Council has also decided to slash tax rate on parts and accessories for the carriages for disabled persons from 28 percent to 5 percent. Also third party insurance premium of goods carrying vehicles has been reduced from 18 per cent to 12 percent. The other items will attract lower GST rate of 5 percent include marble rubble, natural cork, walking stick, fly ash blocks.

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