Goods and Service Tax (GST) is a comprehensive Indirect Tax levied on goods and services consumed in an economy. GST is levied at every stage of the supply chain with eligibility of Input Tax Credit in respect of the tax remitted at previous stages. It is basically a tax on final consumption with tax being collected at each stage. To explain it in simple words, GST is a tax on supply of goods and services, which is levied at each point of supply of goods / services with a mechanism to claim input tax credit paid on procurement of goods or services.
Let us understand the working of GST on a manufactured commodity from point of view of a manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer and final consumer.
Stage of Supply Chain | Value of Supply | Rate of GST | GST on Output | Purchase Value of Input | Input Tax Credit (ITC) | Net GST Payable = GST on Output – ITC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manufacturer to Wholesaler | 1300 | 20% | 260 | 1000 | 200 | 260 - 200 = 60 |
Wholesaler to Retailer | 1500 | 20% | 300 | 1300 | 260 | 300 - 260 = 40 |
Retailer | 1600 | 20% | 320 | 1500 | 300 | 320 - 300 = 20 |
The adoption of GST is perceived as a positive form of tax since it increases consumption and encourages savings and investments. It is a form of taxation which will be more evenly spread across the population, minimizing economic distortions by providing comprehensive coverage.