A Leaner Tax Regime: GST Simplified to 5% and 18% Rates From September 22
A Leaner Tax Regime: GST Simplified to 5% and 18% Rates From September 22 Tax regimes are usually called mirrors of governance—they reflect not only the priorities of the country but further its vision for the future. India's recent move to simplify the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is one such moment of introspection. By piercing the number of slabs to just two main rates—5% and 18%—from September 22, the government has tried to convert complexity into clarity. Why Simplification Matters Businesses and consumers alike have grappled with the multi-slab GST for years. With levels spread over 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%, compliance was often like trying to find one's way through a maze. A deliberate attempt was made to make taxes clear, known, and quick to use with a fresh dual-tier system.At its heart, the move suggests that taxation should facilitate trade and consumption rather than weigh them down. The Everyday Impact For most people, relief can be quite obvious. necessary health a...