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INSANE: Gst council - The Real Truth

GST decriminalisation decisions set benchmark for trust-based governance: CII

The Confederation of Indian Industry praised the GST Council's recent decisions aimed at decriminalising certain offences. The Council recommended raising the prosecution threshold from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore, promoting trust in businesses.

The Economic Times · Nov 2

CBIC holds outreach programme in Chandigarh to discuss GST 2.0 reforms with taxpayers

More than 200 taxpayers and industry representatives participated in an outreach programme with CBIC leadership. The engagement aimed to discuss implementation of reforms from the 57th GST Council meeting. Key reforms include a higher threshold for criminal prosecution and improved processes for tax refunds and registration. This initiative underscores the…

The Economic Times · Oct 30

GST officers must prove intent to evade tax before invoking fraud provision: CBIC

GST officers cannot invoke fraud, wilful misstatement or suppression provisions merely because tax has not been paid or a discrepancy is found, the CBIC has clarified. Such provisions can be used only where there is specific evidence of deliberate intent to evade tax, and that evidence must be clearly set…

The Economic Times · Oct 27

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GST reforms from November 1 to simplify e-commerce seller registration, fast-track refunds

Starting November 1, the government plans to simplify GST registration for small e-commerce sellers. These reforms intend to reduce compliance burdens and facilitate faster refund processes. New measures will streamline registration by allowing sellers to declare e-commerce warehouses as their Principal Place of Business. Automated systems will issue refunds without…

The Economic Times · Oct 22

Finance Ministry to invite comments on amended GST return forms from Nov 1

The Finance Ministry will invite comments from businesses on proposed changes to GST return forms. This feedback period will begin on November 1 and remain open until November 30. Additionally, the GST audit process will be streamlined to ensure minimal taxpayer harassment. The updated return forms are set to be…

The Economic Times · Oct 22

GST 2.0: How next phase of reforms can simplify compliance and unlock growth for MSMEs

The success of next-generation GST reforms will ultimately be measured on the basis of their ability to lower compliance costs, enhance refund timelines, and provide increased consistency in tax administration.

The Economic Times · Oct 16

GST reforms aim to boost compliance by removing fear, widening tax base

Rate rationalisation showed that a lower rate yields more revenue as the base widens, and process reforms rest on the same principle. A business that doesn't fear the tax office is more likely to register, report its full sales and grow within the system.

The Economic Times · Oct 13

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Has government imposed 5% GST on e-commerce delivery services ahead of Diwali? Income Tax Dept says this

Recent speculation on social media suggests that a new GST has been introduced for e-commerce delivery services. However, the Press Information Bureau has clarified that instead, the GST rate has been lowered from 18% to 5%. This amendment was part of the 57th GST Council meeting recommendations, aiming for a…

The Economic Times · Oct 12

Karnataka CM Shivakumar hints at "good news" on pending central grants after GST Council meet

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar addressed media after the GST Council meeting concerning pending central grants. He mentioned that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman provided some encouraging updates on this matter. Shivakumar opposed the proposal for criminal cases against those not paying GST, advocating for a more constructive approach. The…

The Economic Times · Oct 9

GST 2.0: Easier multi-state expansion for MSMEs, e-commerce sellers

India's GST Council has initiated reforms to modernize the GST framework for improved compliance and business operations. Simplified registrations and automated processes are expected to reduce administrative burdens for e-commerce sellers. The new framework will allow online sellers to manage registrations across multiple states more effectively. Faster refunds aim to…

The Economic Times · Oct 9

GST reforms 2026: Govt plans faceless, centralised CGST system for 2 lakh multi-jurisdiction taxpayers

GST reforms 2026 will move around 2 lakh businesses operating across multiple CGST jurisdictions towards a centralised, faceless tax administration, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. The framework will cover scrutiny, audits, adjudication, appeals and taxpayer services, with public consultation planned before Budget 2027 and implementation targeted for FY28.

The Economic Times · Oct 8

No rate cuts, but big GST relief: 8 reforms on refunds, ITC, registration and enforcement | Explained

The GST Council has approved a sweeping process overhaul, easing registration, speeding up refunds, widening input tax credit and reducing physical checks on goods in transit. The reforms also remove GST arrest powers, raise the prosecution threshold, simplify filing for smaller taxpayers and expand export benefits, while leaving tax rates…

The Economic Times · Oct 8

One GST return a year? New scheme could ease compliance for 16 lakh small businesses

Small businesses selling only to consumers may soon have the option to file GST returns annually. The GST Council has approved a plan for eligible taxpayers with turnover up to Rs 5 crore. Currently, these businesses file monthly returns under the existing GST structure. The new scheme is expected to…

The Economic Times · Oct 8

"GST is always very useful for state like West Bengal": Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta after 57th GST Council meet

In the recent 57th GST Council meeting, West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta emphasized the crucial role of GST in bolstering state revenue. He noted the intended structural reforms aimed at streamlining the ease of doing business. These proposed adjustments look to enhance GST compliance and expedite refund processing. The…

The Economic Times · Oct 8

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The Economic Times · Oct 8

GST Council meet: Scrapping tax officers' arrest powers, decriminalisation among reforms on agenda

The GST Council is poised to address significant reforms that could transform GST compliance for businesses. Among the proposed measures are the removal of arrest powers held by GST officers and higher thresholds for criminal prosecution. Small e-commerce sellers might find it easier to register through platform warehouses without needing…

The Economic Times · Oct 7

Next-gen GST reforms: Single registration, easier input tax credit among key MSME demands

The 57th GST Council meeting, now slated for October 8, 2026 (Thursday), is likely to consider several proposals aimed at easing the compliance burden for small businesses in the country.

The Economic Times · Oct 6

UP’s MSME box units hit by 30% kraft paper price rise, 1 lakh jobs at risk

Manufacturers say they have already increased corrugated box prices by around 10%, but this has not been sufficient to offset the rise in input costs.

The Economic Times · Oct 6

GST 2.0: From stuck tax credit to fewer disputes, industry chambers list key reform demands

GST 2.0 reforms are being advocated by industry chambers to improve input tax credit and streamline compliance processes. Businesses desire changes that would expedite refunds, broaden ITC eligibility, and reduce litigation issues. A more automated GST system is sought to alleviate working capital constraints and simplify registration and returns for…

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The Economic Times · Oct 5

Industrial alcohol is the GST Council's unfinished federal business: States won the legal fight, but the 18% GST still applies

The GST Council is set to meet regarding the regulation of industrial alcohol, which has been contested between the government and states. The Supreme Court has ruled that states have the power to regulate industrial alcohol as it falls under their jurisdiction. Despite this, industrial alcohol remains categorized under the…

The Economic Times · Oct 5

57th GST Council meeting rescheduled for October 8 from October 7; to be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi

The 57th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax Council has been rescheduled to October 8, starting at 11 am. The meeting's location is the Summit Room, Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi. An Office Memorandum cited unavoidable circumstances for the date change without providing further details. Members of the Council…

The Economic Times · Oct 5

GST shake-up: Council may rejig tax officers' panels

The GST Council is likely to recast its tax officers' committees to make them leaner as the system matures. It is proposed to reduce the current structure into three consolidated bodies, including a standing committee. The new arrangement is based on political ownership and transparency in handling proposals from trade…

The Economic Times · Oct 5

GST enforcement may shift from 'arrest' to 'detect, recover and prosecute serious frauds'

The GST Council is likely to consider major enforcement reforms on October 7 that could remove GST officers’ power to directly arrest alleged tax evaders and require greater judicial oversight. The proposed changes would shift routine disputes towards recovery, interest and penalties, while reserving criminal prosecution for serious, deliberate fraud.

The Economic Times · Oct 5

GST Council may scrap arrest provisions, fast-track refunds with 90% automatic payout

The upcoming 57th GST Council meeting on October 7 is set to unveil transformative proposals that could reshape GST regulations. Key suggestions may involve the abolition of arrest clauses related to GST, simplified refund procedures for exporters, and adjustments to the prosecution threshold. Furthermore, small taxpayers could benefit from late…

The Economic Times · Oct 4

GST exemption for banks, nominated agencies for gold, silver imports may be withdrawn

The GST Council may end the IGST exemption on gold, silver and platinum imported by banks and nominated agencies, sources said. The exemption, introduced in 2017 when precious-metal imports were tightly regulated, could be withdrawn as the government seeks to curb non-essential imports and manage foreign exchange outflows.

The Economic Times · Oct 4

GST 2.0's next move: Council may scrap officers' arrest powers, raise prosecution bar to Rs 5 crore

The GST Council is weighing changes to GST enforcement, including ending officials' arrest powers and shifting to court-ordered arrests. Criminal prosecution may be limited to cases involving more than Rs 5 crore, while routine disputes over GST interpretation could be handled through civil penalties and kept outside criminal courts.

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