The 32nd GST Council took major decisions to entice the informal sector specifically, MSMEs, small traders and the service sector. Here are the key highlights of the meet:
The GST council in its 32nd meeting today accorded massive relief for MSME sector.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) January 10, 2019
GST Registration
Basic exemption limit to be increased from Rs 20 lakhs to Rs 40 lakhs. The limit for registration which is currently at Rs 10 lakhs for special category States is increased up to Rs 20 lakhs. States like Chattisgarh and Kerala have been given an option to revise threshold limits for their States.
Exemption limit for paying GST for goods increased from Rs.20 lakhs to Rs.40 lakhs. For North-East and hill States, the exemption limit has been raised from Rs.10 lakhs to Rs.20 lakhs
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) January 10, 2019
New Composition scheme for Services providers
Those suppliers rendering either independent services or providing a mixed supply of goods & services with a turnover of up to Rs 50 lakhs p.a can join this scheme, where the tax rate is fixed at 6%
A new composition scheme has been introduced for services sector and for mixed transactions of goods and services with turnover limit of Rs.50 lakhs at 6% GST.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) January 10, 2019
Changes to existing Composition scheme
Increase in the limit to opt into the scheme will be increased up to Rs 1.5 crore effective from 1st April 2019.
The limit of composition schemes for goods has been raised to Rs.1.5 crore at 1% GST rate.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) January 10, 2019
Tax to be paid Quarterly and GST Returns to be filed annually.
Consensus received for charging calamity cess in Kerala
Kerala has been given an approval to charge Disaster/calamity cess at 1% on all the intra-state supplies within Kerala, for up to two years
GST Rate Cuts
No changes in GST Rates until Revenue spikes, recommended by the GST council
No GST rate cut on the sale of under construction flats. Instead, a 7 member group of ministers is formed to study the implications of reducing the rates from 12% to 5% on the supply of such under construction properties.
Further, No GST rate cuts on the Private lottery distributions. A Group of ministers will be formed with representatives from developing and selling states
