A Critical Appraisal of Goods and Services Tax in India

Abstract

The present paper attempts to make a critical appraisal of Goods and Services Tax (GST), implemented in India from 1st July, 2017. In addition to explaining the structure of GST in India as well as the tax rates under it, the present paper attempts to analyse the impact of GST on certain major industries or sectors within the Indian economy. Although GST has certain obvious advantages including exemptions and low compliance burden for small businesses, lower tax rates for mass consumption goods, increase in tax base and tax collections, etc., it is noteworthy, however, that GST has certain limitations as well. In spite of this, it must be accepted that GST has helped in ensuring a common Indian market through the elimination of multiplicity of taxes as well as ‘ tax on tax ‘. It is expected to accelerate economic growth, help generate more of employment opportunities, and lead to increased tax base as well as increased revenue generation