GST basics

A destination-based tax on supply, collected at each stage with credit for tax already paid. The record-keeping is where most of the effort goes.

What GST is

Goods and Services Tax is a destination-based tax on the supply of goods and services. It is collected at each stage of the chain, and businesses claim credit for tax paid on their own inputs.

The net effect is that tax is borne by the final consumer, while businesses in the chain act as collectors — which is why the record-keeping obligations sit on them.

GST basics, in three chapters

Registration and rates

Registration turns on turnover thresholds and on the nature of the supply, and thresholds differ for goods and services and by state category.

Rates are set by the GST Council and change. We deliberately do not publish thresholds or rates here — take the current position from the GST portal or your consultant.

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GST basics, answered.

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