GST Council decides to levy 28% GST on online gaming, horse racing, casinos ; GST exemption on certaain medicines
GST Council decides to levy 28% GST on online gaming, horse racing, casinosNew Delhi : The GST council, in its 50th meeting held on Tuesday, made several key recommendations relating to changes in GST tax rates, measures for facilitation of trade and measures for streamlining compliances in GST. The meeting was chaired by union finance minister Nirmala sitharaman.
Changes in GST Tax Rates:
I. Recommendations relating to GST rates on Goods
A. Changes in GST rates of goods
1. It has been decided to reduce the rate on uncooked/unfried snack pellets, by whatever name called, to 5% and to regularise payment of GST on uncooked /unfried snack pellets during the past period on “as is basis”.
B. Other changes relating to goods
1. It has been decided to exempt IGST on Dinutuximab (Quarziba) medicine when imported for personal use.
2. It has been decided to exempt IGST on medicines and Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) used in the treatment of rare diseases enlisted under the National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021 when imported for personal use subject to existing conditions. Similarly, IGST exemption is also being extended to FSMP when imported by Centres of Excellence for Rare Diseases or any person or institution on recommendation of any of the listed Centres of Excellence.
3. It has been decided to clarify that supply of raw cotton, including kala cotton, by agriculturists to cooperatives is taxable under reverse charge mechanism and to regularise issues relating for the past period on “as is basis”.
4. It has been decided to reduce GST on imitation zari thread or yarn known by any name in trade parlance from 12% to 5% and to regularize payment of GST related to this matter during the past period on “as is basis”.
5. It has been decided to amend the entry 52B in compensation cess notification to include all utility vehicles by whatever name called provided they meet the parameters of Length exceeding 4000 mm, Engine capacity exceeding 1500 cc and having Ground Clearance of 170 mm & above and to clarify by way of explanation that ‘Ground clearance’ means Ground Clearance in un-laden condition.
6. It has been decided to reduce GST rate on LD slag from 18% to 5% to encourage better utilisation of this product and for protection of environment.
7. It has been decided to regularise the matters relating to trauma, spine and arthroplasty implants for the period prior to 18.07.2022 on “as is basis” in view of genuine interpretational issues.
8. It has been decided to reduce the GST rate on fish soluble paste from 18% to 5% and to regularise payment of GST on fish soluble paste during the past period on “as is basis”.
9. It has been decided to regularise the matters relating to dessicated coconut for the period 1.7.2017 to 27.7.2017 on “as is basis” in view of genuine interpretational issues.
10. It has been decided that on pan masala, tobacco products etc, where it is not legally required to declare the retail sale price, the earlier ad valorem rate as was applicable on 31st March 2023 may be notified in order for levy of Compensation Cess.
11. It has been decided to include RBL Bank and ICBC bank in the list of specified banks for which IGST exemption is available on imports of gold, silver or platinum and update the list of banks /entities eligible for such IGST exemption as per Annexure 4B (HBP) of Foreign Trade Policy 2023.
12. Consequential changes in notifications may be carried out in view of new Foreign Trade Policy 2023.
13. It has been decided to regularise the issues relating to GST on plates and cups made of areca leaves prior to 01.10.2019.
14. It has been decided to regularise the issues relating to GST on biomass briquettes for the period 01.7.2017 to 12.10.2017.
II. Recommendations relating to GST rates on Services
A. Changes in GST rates of services
1. It has been decided that GST exemption on satellite launch services supplied by ISRO, Antrix Corporation Limited and New Space India Limited (NSIL) may be extended to such services supplied by organisations in private sector also to encourage start ups.
B. Other changes relating to Services
Services
1. As a trade friendly measure, it has been decided that GTAs will not be required to file declaration for paying GST under forward charge every year. If they have exercised this option for a particular financial year, they shall be deemed to have exercised it for the next and future financial years unless they file a declaration that they want to revert to reverse charge mechanism (RCM).
2. It has also been decided that the last date of exercising the option by GTAs to pay GST under forward charge shall be 31st March of preceding Financial Year instead of 15th March. 1st January of preceding Financial Year shall be the start date for exercise of option.
3. It has been decided to clarify that services supplied by a director of a company to the company in his private or personal capacity such as supplying services by way of renting of immovable property to the company or body corporate are not taxable under RCM. Only those services supplied by a director of company or body corporate, which are supplied by him as or in the capacity of director of that company or body corporate shall be taxable under RCM in the hands of the company or body corporate under notification No. 13/2017-CTR (Sl. No. 6) dated 28.06.2017.
4. It has been decided to clarify that supply of food and beverages in cinema halls is taxable as restaurant service as long as (a) they are supplied by way of or as part of a service and (b) supplied independently of the cinema exhibition service. Where the sale of cinema ticket and supply of food and beverages are clubbed together, and such bundled supply satisfies the test of composite supply, the entire supply will attract GST at the rate applicable to service of exhibition of cinema, the principal supply.