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GST in India among most complex in the world, is second highest in tax rate: World Bank

Published

8 years ago

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GST

If the goods and services tax (GST) system and rates have got you reaching out for pills to quell a headache, you will derive satisfaction from a World Bank report that agrees with you.

The GST system introduced by Narendra Modi government in India on July 1 last year is among the most complex in the world and is the second highest in tax rate, said the World Bank in a report covering 115 countries with similar indirect tax system.

The World Bank, in its bi-annual India Development Update released on Wednesday, March 14, said the complexity of India’s GST, was due to “higher tax rates and large number of tax slabs” compared with similar systems in other countries. GST has multiple tax rates of 0, 5, 12, 18, and 28%. Separately, gold is taxed at 3 percent, precious stones at 0.25 percent.

Further, there are several exempted sales and exports are zero rated, which allows exporters to claim refund for taxes paid on inputs that go into production process.

Alcohol, petroleum products, stamp duties on real estate and electricity duties are excluded from the GST and continue to be taxed by the state governments at state-specific rates.

This compares unfavourably with other regimes across the world as most countries have a single rate of GST. For example, the report said, India’s highest slab of 28% is the second-highest among 115 sampled countries and the highest in Asia.

The report said that 49 countries use a single rate, 28 use two rates, and only five including India use four non-zero slabs. The countries that use four or more rates of GST include Italy, Luxembourg, Pakistan and Ghana. Thus, India has among the highest number of different GST rates in the world.

The threshold of Rs 1.5 crore of annual turnover under GST for companies to opt for a simpler compliance regime with a flat tax rate called ‘composition scheme’ is also highest among 31 countries, the report said.

The World Bank report also argued against exemptions provided in the GST structure as these reduced the tax base and compromised on the logic of the GST by reintroducing cascading of taxes. “While exemptions allow easing the tax burden on items with high social value, such as healthcare… it creates incentives for vertical integration to keep the exempt status and raise compliance costs by making it necessary to allocate input taxes between exempt and non-exempt output when manufactured or traded together,” the report said.

The World Bank report said the introduction of GST has been accompanied by state administrations experiencing disruptions in initial days after GST’s introduction. This included lack of clarity on discontinuation of local taxes, for example, in Tamil Nadu where the state government devolved an entertainment tax to local governments in order to impose it over and above a 28% GST. To preserve revenue collections, Maharashtra has also increased motor vehicles tax to compensate for losses due to GST.

There also have been reports of an increased administrative tax compliance burden on firms and a locking-up of working capital due to slow tax refund processing, the World Bank said. “High compliance costs are also arising because the prevalence of multiple tax rates implies a need to classify inputs and outputs based on the applicable tax rate. Along with the need to apply the correct rate, firms are required to match invoices between their outputs and inputs to be eligible for full input tax credit, which increases compliance costs further,” it added.

“While international experience suggests that the adjustment process can affect economic activity for multiple months, the benefits of the GST are likely to outweigh its costs in the long run. It added that the key to success of GST was a policy design that minimises compliance burden by cutting number of rate slabs and limiting exemptions with simple laws and procedures, an appropriately structured and resourced administration,” the report said.

The GST was intended to replaced multiple tariffs and levies imposed by the centre and states and bring a uniform system. While the GST Council — the decision-making body for GST — had put well over 200 items in the highest bracket of 28% at the time of roll-out, it has since reduced the items under the slab to 50.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley has said there’s scope to merge 12 percent and 18 percent slabs in order to make it more transparent, efficient and tax payer-friendly.

While the government assured that GST will help curb black or untaxed money and steadily expand the base of taxpayers, complicated tax slabs and lack of proper IT infrastructure have become a problem for businesses.

But there is “positive impulse” expected from GST system as it is likely to improve the domestic flow of goods and services, contribute to the formalization of the economy and sustainably enhance growth, the World Bank observed.

However, notwithstanding the recent momentum, India will have to address several structural challenges to attain a growth rate of 8 percent and higher on a sustained basis, the World Bank said.

India would need to boost private investments and exports – its two lagging engines of growth – while maintaining its hard-won macroeconomic stability to boost growth.

“This will require continued impetus for structural reforms. Resorting to countercyclical policies will not help spur sustained growth and India should not compromise its hard-earned fiscal discipline in order to accelerate growth,” said Poonam Gupta, lead economist and the main author of the report.

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India News

Modi says right time to invest in Indian shipping sector; meets global CEOs

Published

1 month ago

on

October 29, 2025

By

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday exhorted global investors to take bets on the Indian shipping sector, pointing out that this is the “right time” for such a move.

The Prime Minister also met a select chief executives of global majors, including DP World and APM, at a specially convened meeting on the sidelines of the India Maritime Week 2025 held here.

“For all of you hailing from different countries, this is the right time to work in the Indian shipping sector and also expand (your presence),” Modi said during a public address before the closed-door meeting with CEOs.

Modi listed several targets being chased by India in the maritime sector over the next few years, and underlined the importance of the global community in the same.

“You all are an important partner who will help us achieve all our aims. We welcome your ideas, innovations and investments,” Modi said.

He said that India allows 100 per cent foreign direct investment in the shipping and ports sector, and also provides incentives under the “Make In India, and Make For The World” vision.

Addressing an audience, including leaders of various companies, the Prime Minister affirmed India’s commitment to strengthening the supply chain resilience at a global level.

He also said that India is engaged in creating world-class mega ports, and cited the work undertaken on the Vadhavan Port to the north of the financial capital, which entered the top-10 firms in the world on the first day.

The government is also looking to grow the capacity at 12 major ports by four times and increase India’s share in containerised cargo at the global level.

Later, Modi held a meeting with top CEOs of shipping sector companies from across the world.

As per people in the know, he met AP Moller-Maersk Chairman Robert Maersk Uggla, DP World Group Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Mediterranean Shipping Company Chief Executive Soren Toft, Adani Ports and SEZ Managing Director Karan Adani and French company CMA-CGM’s Senior Vice President Ludovic Renou.

The participation from over 85 countries in the IMW sends a strong message, Modi said, noting the presence of CEOs of major shipping giants, startups, policymakers, and innovators at the event.

The Prime Minister also thanked Port of Singapore (PSA) for the nearly Rs 8,000 crore investment in the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority’s fourth terminal, pointing out that this is also the largest FDI in the port sector in India.

Modi said more than 150 new initiatives have been launched under the ‘Maritime India Vision’, resulting in nearly doubling the capacity of major ports, a substantial reduction in turnaround time, and a new momentum in cruise tourism.

—PTI

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Economy news

ITR filing last date today: What taxpayers must know about penalties and delays

The deadline for ITR filing ends today, September 15. Missing it may lead to penalties, interest charges, refund delays, and loss of tax benefits.

Published

3 months ago

on

September 15, 2025

By

Income Tax Return

The deadline to file Income Tax Returns (ITR) for most taxpayers, including salaried individuals, pensioners, and small businesses not requiring audit, ends today, September 15. Those who miss the due date face penalties, interest charges, and loss of certain tax benefits.

Penalties for late filing

If the return is not filed by the deadline, taxpayers can still file a belated return until December 31. However, under Section 234F of the Income Tax Act, late filing attracts penalties.

  • For income up to Rs5 lakh: penalty is capped at Rs1,000.
  • For income above Rs5 lakh: penalty increases to Rs5,000.

Additionally, if any tax remains unpaid, Section 234A imposes an interest of 1% per month (or part thereof) until the return is filed.

Consequences of missing deadline

  • Loss of certain tax benefits: Belated filers cannot carry forward specific losses such as business or capital losses.
  • Restrictions on tax regime change: Taxpayers lose the option to switch between old and new tax regimes after the deadline.
  • Refund delays: Those eligible for refunds will face delays compared to timely filers.

Steps to file before time runs out

  • Gather documents: Form 16, Form 26AS, Annual Information Statement (AIS), bank interest certificates, and proofs of investments or deductions.
  • Use the e-filing portal: File immediately to avoid last-minute portal congestion.
  • Verify your return: Ensure the ITR is verified electronically or physically for it to be considered valid.

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Economy news

India’s GDP surges 7.8% in Q1, outpaces estimates and China

India’s GDP surged 7.8% in Q1 2025-26, the highest in five quarters, driven by strong services and agriculture sector growth, according to NSO data.

Published

3 months ago

on

August 29, 2025

By

GDP Growth

India’s economy recorded a sharp growth of 7.8% in the April-June quarter (Q1) of 2025-26, surpassing the earlier estimate of 6.5% and outpacing China’s 5.2% growth in the same period. The figure also marks a notable rise from the 6.5% growth in the corresponding quarter last year, making it the fastest expansion in the last five quarters.

Strong performance across key sectors

According to data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the surge was driven primarily by the services sector, which expanded 9.3% compared to 6.8% a year ago, and the agriculture sector, which rose 3.7% against 1.5% last year.

The construction sector, however, witnessed a slowdown, growing 7.6% compared to 10.1% in the same quarter of the previous fiscal.

RBI’s earlier forecast

Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had projected a more modest Q1 growth of 6.5%, with overall real GDP growth for 2025-26 expected at 6.5%. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra attributed the positive outlook to favorable conditions, including a good monsoon, lower inflation, and strong government capital expenditure.

He said, “The above normal southwest monsoon, lower inflation, rising capacity utilisation and congenial financial conditions continue to support domestic economic activity. The supportive monetary, regulatory and fiscal policies, including robust government capital expenditure, should also boost demand. The services sector is expected to remain buoyant, with sustained growth in construction and trade in the coming months.”

India remains fastest-growing major economy

With China reporting 5.2% growth in April-June, India has retained its position as the world’s fastest-growing major economy. The latest figures highlight resilience in the face of external pressures, including recent US tariffs on Indian imports.

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