GST Benefits for Startups and Entrepreneurs in IndiaThe Goods and Services Tax (GST)

– GST Bill was passed in Lok Sabha on 6th May, 2015. The concept of GST in India has been mooted and evolved for over a decade now. With the GST Bill passing the Lok Sabha, it is now slated to be presented to the Rajya Sabha. Once cleared by the Rajya Sabha, the Bill would set in motion the rollout of GST in April, 2016, transforming India’s indirect taxation system. In this article, we review some of the major advantages of GST implementation in India for startups and small businesses.

GST OverviewGST or Goods and Services Tax is a value added tax, levied at all points in the supply chain with credit allowed for any tax paid on inputs acquired for use in making the supply. Therefore, it is the end consumer who bears this tax as the last person/entity in the supply chain. The introduction of GST in India is expected to result in major simplification of indirect tax structure at both Centre and State levels – replacing the multiple layers of complex taxation currently existing in India.
GST will Improve Ease of Starting a Business in IndiaWhile starting a new business in India, businesses currently have to get VAT registration from the State’s Sales Tax department. Since, each State has different procedures and fees for VAT registration, it is hard for businesses operating in multiple States to obtain and maintain compliance with VAT regulations.
With the implementation of GST in India, the procedure for GST registration would be centralized and standardized similar to service tax registration. Under GST regime, business would no longer have to obtain multiple VAT registration – as a single GST registration would be applicable across India. The procedure for obtaining GST registration would also be standardized, thereby improving the ease of starting a new business in India.
Integration of Multiple Taxes in GSTCurrently goods and products are taxed under the VAT regime implemented by State Government and services are taxed under the service tax regimen implemented by the Central Government. As VAT is implemented by State Governments, each of the State has different VAT rates, VAT regulations and VAT procedures – leading to complications. Further, in addition to VAT and Service Tax, there are various other tax regulations that businesses must comply with like Central Sales Tax (CST), Additional Customs Duty, Purchase Tax, Luxury Tax, etc.,
Under GST regime, many of the taxes in existence today would be subsumed and made into one tax. The following taxes are proposed to be subsumed under GST:

Central Taxes subsumed under GST

  • Central Excise Duty (including additional excise duties)
  • Service tax
  • Additional customs duty (CVD)
  • Special Additional Duty of Customs (SAD)
  • Central surcharges and cesses

State Government Taxes subsumed under GST

  • Value Added Tax
  • Central Sales Tax
  • Octroi and Entry Tax
  • Purchase Tax
  • Luxury Tax
  • Taxes on lottery, betting & gambling
  • State cesses and surcharges
  • Entertainment tax

GST Exemption for Startups and Small BusinessesCurrently, VAT registration and VAT payment is mandatory once a business crosses an annual turnover of Rs.5 lakhs in some States and Rs.10 lakhs in a few other States. The multiple VAT legislation enacted by each State creates confusion and complexities. Once GST is implemented, businesses with a turnover of less than Rs.10 lakhs per annum would not have to register for GST nor collect GST. Further, businesses with an annual sales turnover of Rs.10 lakhs to Rs.50 lakhs may have to pay GST only at a lower rate. Therefore, once GST is rolled out, thousands of startups and small businesses currently having an annual sales turnover of Rs.5 lakh – Rs.10 lakh would be out of the tax net providing relief to them from collection and filing of GST returns.
GST will Improve Ease of Doing Business in India
Currently, businesses like restaurants or computer sales and service – which sell goods and provide services as a package have to comply with both VAT and Service Tax regulations. This creates complexity for the business and they have to calculate taxes for the transaction based on different rates for different items. With the introduction of GST, the distinction between Goods and Services will be gone – thereby making compliance easier. Further, invoicing will be easier for businesses as only one rate would be adopted.