In the 38th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, for the first time, it was decided to impose a single GST rate on lotteries by voting on an issue. From March 1, 2020, all types of states and private lotteries will attract 28% GST. Apart from this, giving relief to those who have not filed GSTR-1 from the year 2017 till now, the GST Council approved a waiver of late fees on them. Annual GST returns, GSTR-9 and GST 9C filing dates for the year 2017-18 were also extended. Now GSTR-9 and 9C can be filed by 31 January 2020. Earlier this date was 31 December 2019.
The government decided to impose a single GST rate on lotteries
In addition, GST was abolished on long term lease for the establishment of industrial parks on industrial land. As far as GST collection is concerned, a committee was formed to increase it. The GST Council made several amendments during the meeting, which will be introduced in the 2020 budget. Currently, the lotteries in the states attract 12% GST, while the lotteries authorized by the state governments and sold outside the states attract 28% GST. After the meeting, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that for the first time in the GST Council meeting, voting was taken to decide on an issue. There was no consensus among the states regarding the GST on a lottery.
By majority, it was decided to impose GST on the lottery at a uniform rate of 28%. Earlier, unanimous decisions were taken in 37 meetings of the Council. According to sources, 21 states supported the imposition of GST at the rate of 28% on lotteries in voting, while seven states opposed it. The lottery industry has long been demanding the imposition of a uniform tax at the rate of 12% and tax-free the prize money. He said that double tax is affecting the growth of the lottery industry. The 8-member group of ministers constituted by the GST Council. Also, under the chairmanship of Sudhir Mungantiwar, former finance minister of Maharashtra. However, to form a consensus among the states on the tax on lotteries. The council had also decided to seek a judicial opinion from the Attorney General regarding this in the July meeting.
Bags will expensive
Revenue Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey said that it decided to levy a GST at the rate of 18% on woven. Also, non-woven bags, polythene, polypropylene strips and some other packaging materials used for packing. Till now, some packing materials taxed at the rate of 10 and some at the rate of 12%.
