Key features and importance of Central Goods and Services ACT 2017

Welcome to the official blog of the Law Offices of Kr. Vivek Tanwar Advocate and Associates, where we are dedicated to providing litigation support services for matters related to income tax. In today’s blog post, we aim to shed light on the prevailing issues surrounding income tax.gst, the legal framework in place for their protection, and the steps we can take as a society to combat these acts. Join us as we explore this critical subject and empower you with the knowledge to protect your rights and safety.

INTRODUCTION

The Central Goods and Services Tax Act (CGST Act) is a significant piece of legislation in India that was enacted as part of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) reform. The CGST Act, along with the State Goods and Services Tax Act (SGST), Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act (IGST), and Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Act (UTGST), collectively form the legal framework for the implementation of GST in India.

The GST system was introduced to streamline and simplify the indirect taxation structure in the country by replacing various indirect taxes such as excise duty, service tax, value-added tax (VAT), and others. It came into effect on July 1, 2017.

Key features of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act include:

1. Unified Taxation: The CGST Act provides for a unified taxation system by subsuming multiple central taxes and duties.
2. Input Tax Credit: Businesses can claim input tax credit for taxes paid on inputs (raw materials) against the tax liability on output (final products or services).
3. Levy and Collection: The Act defines the conditions and provisions for the levy and collection of Central Goods and Services Tax.
4. Registration: It outlines the rules for registration of businesses under the GST regime.
5. Tax Rates and Classification: The Act prescribes the different tax rates for various goods and services and provides guidelines for their proper classification.
6. Compliance and Returns: Businesses are required to maintain proper records and file regular GST returns under the provisions of the Act.
7. Provisions for Input Service Distributors (ISD): Input Service Distributors can distribute the input tax credit to different units of a business under certain conditions.
8. Anti-Profiteering Measures: The Act contains provisions to prevent businesses from taking unfair advantage of reduced tax rates by not passing on the benefits to consumers.
9. Electronic Commerce: The Act covers various aspects related to e-commerce transactions and electronic platforms.
10. GST Council: The Act provides for the establishment of the GST Council, which is responsible for making recommendations on various GST-related matters, including tax rates, exemptions, and amendments to the Acts.

Need and importance of this act –

The Central Goods and Services Tax Act (CGST Act) of 2017 holds significant importance in the context of India’s tax system and economic landscape. Its objectives and importance can be outlined as follows:

1. Streamlined Taxation System: The primary objective of the CGST Act is to streamline and simplify India’s complex indirect tax system. Before the implementation of GST, the country had a fragmented tax structure with various central and state taxes. The CGST Act, along with other GST-related laws, unifies these taxes into a single comprehensive tax, leading to a more efficient and seamless tax regime.

2. Elimination of Cascading Effect: The Act aims to eliminate the cascading effect of taxes, also known as “tax on tax.” Under the previous tax regime, taxes were levied at different stages of the supply chain, resulting in multiple taxes being applied on the same product or service. The CGST Act allows businesses to claim input tax credit, ensuring that taxes are levied only on the value added at each stage of production or distribution.

3. Boost to Economic Growth: By simplifying and rationalizing the tax structure, the CGST Act aims to promote economic growth and investment. It reduces compliance costs and encourages businesses to expand and invest in new ventures, ultimately contributing to increased economic activity and job creation.

4. Reduction in Tax Evasion: The Act incorporates measures to curb tax evasion and improve tax compliance. With a digitalized system and increased transparency, it becomes more difficult for businesses to engage in fraudulent practices and underreporting of sales.

5. Enhanced Ease of Doing Business: The Act contributes to improving the ease of doing business in India. The unified tax system reduces the administrative burden on businesses by eliminating the need to comply with a multitude of state and central taxes. This simplification encourages both domestic and foreign businesses to operate more seamlessly in the Indian market.

6. Harmonization of Tax Rates: The CGST Act, in conjunction with the GST Council, aims to bring about uniformity in tax rates across states and union territories. This helps in creating a level playing field for businesses and prevents tax rate disparities that could lead to distortion of trade and commerce.

7. Promoting Make in India and Export: The Act supports the “Make in India” initiative by making domestic manufacturing more competitive. It provides input tax credit on domestic procurements, which reduces the cost of production and makes Indian goods more competitive in both domestic and international markets.

8. Technological Advancements: The CGST Act emphasizes the use of technology for tax administration. It requires businesses to file returns and maintain records electronically, fostering a digital ecosystem that enhances efficiency, accuracy, and accountability in tax-related matters.

9. Revenue Collection and Fiscal Consolidation: The Act contributes to better revenue collection by widening the tax base and reducing leakages. It aids in achieving fiscal consolidation by creating a stable and predictable source of revenue for the government.

Overall, the Central Goods and Services Tax Act 2017 plays a pivotal role in modernizing India’s indirect tax system, fostering economic growth, improving compliance, and creating a more business-friendly environment

We are a law firm in the name and style of Law Offices of Kr. Vivek Tanwar Advocate and Associates at Gurugram and Rewari. We are providing litigation support services for matters related to income tax act and goods and services tax act.

written By- Adv Arti Mudgil