What is GST and how it works ?

GST is a type of value added tax and a proposed comprehensive indirect tax levy on manufacture, sale and consumption of goods as well as services at the national level

Eventually, the shirt reaches a retail outlet and ultimately goes in hands of the consumer, who buys the product. Now, its state government turn, which levies Value Added Tax (VAT) as a tax on consumption.

So, we have two taxes, a tax at the factory gate which adds to the cost of the shirt and another tax on the final price, making compliance cumbersome for the business and regulation complex for the government.

The Goods and Service Tax (GST) is considered to be one of the biggest reforms in India’s indirect tax structure since the economy began to be opened up twenty five years ago. In this article, we look at how GST differs from the current regimes and how it will work.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is actually an indirect tax reform which ultimately aims to remove taxation barriers between states and create a single market which is open to all to buy, sell, import, export within the country.

The salient feature of our constitution is that it divides taxation power between centre and states. Both enjoys their own share of powers and has some exclusive areas where they can levy tax.

It’s exclusively designed and has class within it which provides economic freedom to Traders.

Ultimately, GST will make it easier for businesses and consumers. Under GST, the common man benefits in two ways: firstly, all the taxes are directly collected at the point of consumption

For example, if a shirt is taxed at 15%, it will include both central government’s taxes and state government’s taxes. Secondly, when tax barriers are broken between the states; the consumers would not need to end up paying tax on tax which is what happens when goods move across state borders – ultimately reducing the tax paid.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is actually an indirect tax reform which ultimately aims to remove taxation barriers between states and create a single market which is open to all to buy, sell, import, export within the country. It’s exclusively designed and has class within it which provides economic freedom to Traders.

The Manufacturer: Let’s assume a manufacturer of shirts buys a raw material to weave a cloth – thread, buttons, tailoring equipment which cost him Rs 100, a sum that includes a tax of Rs 10. With the available raw material, the manufacturer manufactures a shirt

GST will make it easier for businesses and consumers. Under GST, the common man benefits in two ways: firstly, all the taxes are directly collected at the point of consumption.

The manufacturer adds value to the materials in the process of creating the shirt. Let us assume the value added by him to be Rs. 30. Then the gross value of the shirt becomes Rs 130, (Rs 100 + 30). At a rate of 10%, the tax on output on shirt will then be Rs 13.

But under GST, he can set off this tax Rs 13 against the tax, as he has already paid on raw material and inputs Rs 10. Therefore, the effective GST incidence on the manufacturer is only Rs.3 this way Rs.13-10, making GST a tax only on the value added.

The Distributor or Service Provider: The consecutive stage is that of the good passing from the manufacturer to the wholesaler, a service provider. The wholesaler buys it for Rs.130 and adds on value which is the margin of for assumption say Rs.20.

Then the gross value of the goods the wholesaler sells would then becomes a total of Rs 150 (Rs130 + 20). A 10% tax on this amount will become Rs 15. But again, under GST, one can set off the tax on his output Rs 15 against the tax on his purchased good from the manufacturer Rs 13. Thus, ultimately the effective GST incidence on the wholesaler is only Rs.2 (15 – 13).

GST round the corner (target date July 1), the confusion about its understanding still exists. Though the concept is simple, many, especially the laymen, find it difficult to comprehend.

GST works on the principle of ONLY taxing the vendor's contribution to the "overall product's value". Also, the tax paid is not included in the price of the product sold to the vendor next in the chain.

The Consumer: Finally a retailer buys the shirt from the wholesaler. He adds a margin of Rs.10 to his purchase of Rs.150. Therefore the gross value of the shirt he sells goes up to Rs.160 (Rs.150 + 10).

At this stage the tax a 10% will be Rs.16. By setting off this tax (Rs.16) against the tax on his purchase from the wholesaler (Rs 15), the retailer brings down the effective GST incidence on himself to Rs.1 (16 –15).

Thus we come to an conclusion of the total GST on the entire value chain from raw material i.e. input suppliers (who can claim no tax credit since they haven’t purchased anything themselves) through the manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer is Rs 10+3+2+1 = Rs 16 as a grand total, which is finally borne by the consumer.

Businesses making taxable supplies have to be registered under GST if their annual sales turnover has exceeded the prescribed threshold. Only a registered person can charge and collect GST on the taxable supplies of goods and services made by him. GST is charged on the value or selling price of the products.

The amount of GST incurred on input (input tax) can be deducted from the amount of GST charged (output tax) by the registered person.

If the amount of output tax is more than the input tax in the relevant taxable period, the difference shall be remitted to the Government. However, if the input tax is more than the output tax, the difference will be refunded by the Government.

GST requires businesses who have exceeded the prescribed threshold to register and to keep records of input and output tax. Businesses report their liability in a specific period called taxable period.
Explore the following sections to understand your responsibilities and obligations as a registrant under GST.