GST Mechanism Structure

The goods and services tax is the biggest financial reform in the indirect taxation at a nationwide level in India. Ever since the economy opened up 25 years ago, the GST reform is the biggest positive change that aims at strengthening the country's economy.

The GST reform aims at removing complexities in taxation and duties levied on the products by multiple government authorities. The common taxation law has combined multiple tax schemes under one tax regime to simplify taxation. Also, different segments of the domestic industry such as Telecom, Textiles, Information and Technology and various other industries. The GST regime offers taxation relief to different types of industries that are helpful in scaling up the business operations leading to business growth gradually.

Since GST (Goods and Services Tax) is a Multi-Leveled Tax, it involves the process collection by different registered service providers and vendors right through the production and distribution chain. This is done before the products, goods or services reach the consumers finally.

The dual governance structure in the country has made the present taxation system complicated in the state and the centre. There have been many attempts to make these complicated taxation systems, simplified for common people, working professionals and business owners. However, the no government has been able to do the same. The GST reform is the much-awaited solution for the existing problem that provides simplified taxation that is fast paced and allows tax returns and tax filing to become hassle-free and less time-consuming.

The domestic industry has reacted positively to the GST reform welcoming the government move. The advent of an organised and simplified taxation regime allows transparent and fast-paced dealing in the domestic market. This contributes to strengthening the domestic market for consumer durables, and other types of goods and services.

Under the framework of GST, each registered vendor charges GST on his sales and reclaims the credits for the tax paid on purchases. The total amount of Goods and Services Tax paid to the concerned tax authority by the vendors. In the production and distribution chain is equal to the amount of tax finally paid by the customer.

Total GST = Tax Finally Paid by the Consumer

This tax is a single-staged tax charged on the product's end levels of sale, RST (Retail Sales Tax) which is an indirect tax levied at the retail stages where goods pass through a chain consisting of retailers, finally reaching the end-consumers, might look like a simpler way of taxing general consumption on the surface levels.

However, if we examine it thoroughly, it would reveal that it has numerous inherent problems, making it not as efficient as the GST. The RST is levied at only one stage of the production and distribution chain. It needs elaborated rules to define when a particular seller is a "retailer" and should be registered and levy RST on its sales.

Moreover, very clear rules are required to differentiate the cases in which the purchaser is only a mediator. For example trader or wholesaler active in the production of the products and goods. Hence, it qualifies them for the taxation exempt from paying the RST.Adding on to the legislative and administrative complexities that are involved in the RST regime, this tax has proven to be prone to abuse, as it is all collected at the only single stage.

Contrary to the RST, GST, being a Multi-Stage Tax, has its own policies and has a lower risk of leakage of revenues. Considering GST's inherent advantages over RST, many jurisdictions, over the past two decades, have moved from their sales tax systems to the GST. More than 135 jurisdictions around the globe have already implemented a GST.

GST is clearly a long-term strategy; it would lead to a greater output, much more employment opportunities as well as economic inclusion.

Initially, however, it is likely to cause high inflation rates (price hikes), administrative costs, and face stiff oppositions from the states due to a loss of autonomy. There will be an appropriate allocation of Central and State funds. Accounting will be simplified and consideration for input tax from raw materials will become easier. As a business owner, you must apply for a GST number. Get professional assistance for GST Registration or GST Return.