GST RATE ON GOODS & SERVICES

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been one of the key things that has caught the attention of the market given its implications on earnings of companies. The government has kept a large number of items under 18% tax slab. The government categorised 1211 items under various tax slabs.

No tax 
Goods 
No tax will be imposed on items like fresh meat, fish chicken, eggs, milk, butter milk, curd, natural honey, fresh fruits and vegetables, flour, besan, bread, prasad, salt, bindi. Sindoor, stamps, judicial papers, printed books, newspapers, bangles, handloom, etc. 

Services 
Hotels and lodges with tariff below Rs 1,000, Grandfathering service has been exempted under GST. 

5% 
Goods 
Items such as fish fillet, cream, skimmed milk powder, branded paneer, frozen vegetables, coffee, tea, spices, pizza bread, rusk, sabudana, kerosene, coal, medicines, stent, lifeboats will attract tax of 5 %, 

Services 
Transport services (Railways, air transport), small restraurants will be under the 5% category because their main input is petroleum, which is outside GST ambit. 

12% 
Goods 
Frozen meat products , butter, cheese, ghee, dry fruits in packaged form, animal fat, sausage, fruit juices, Bhutia, namkeen, Ayurvedic medicines, tooth powder, agarbatti, colouring books, picture books, umbrella, sewing machine, cellphones will be under 12 % tax slab. 

Services 
N on-AC hotels, business class air ticket, fertilisers, Work Contracts will fall under 12 per cent GST tax slab 

18% 
Goods 
Most items are under this tax slab which include flavoured refined sugar, pasta, cornflakes, pastries and cakes, preserved vegetables, jams, sauces, soups, ice cream, instant food mixes, mineral water, tissues, envelopes, tampons, note books, steel products, printed circuits, camera, speakers and monitors. 

Services 
AC hotels that serve liquor, telecom services, IT services, branded garments and financial services will attract 18 per cent tax under GST. 

28% 
Goods 
Chewing gum, molasses, chocolate not containing cocoa, waffles and wafers coated with choclate, pan masala, aerated water, paint, deodorants, shaving creams, after shave, hair shampoo, dye, sunscreen, wallpaper, ceramic tiles, water heater, dishwasher, weighing machine, washing machine, ATM, vending machines, vacuum cleaner, shavers, hair clippers, automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft for personal use, will attract 28 % tax - the highest under GST system. 

Services 
5-star hotels, race club betting, cinema will attract tax 28 per cent tax slab under GST