Positive Signs for Indian Tax System: GST Collections on the Rise Is India’s GST system becoming more efficient? Indian GST collections are rising, but the ratio to GDP remains low. Experts discuss the reasons and future outlook
India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections are showing a gradual upward trend, indicating a potential strengthening of the country’s tax system. March 2024 saw a significant surge in gross GST collections, reaching ₹1.78 trillion, an impressive 11.5% increase year-on-year. This positive momentum continued throughout the 2023-24 fiscal year, with total collections reaching ₹20.18 trillion, reflecting an 11.7% growth compared to the previous year.
However, while the raw numbers are encouraging, there’s still room for improvement. When compared to India’s GDP, the GST collections still represent a relatively modest share. In 2023-24, GST receipts accounted for just 6.86% of the GDP, a slight increase from 6.72% the year before. This highlights the ongoing need to further expand the tax base and improve compliance.
There are positive signs on this front as well. The Indian government’s focus on digitization and formalization initiatives appears to be paying off. These efforts have helped to broaden the GST base, leading to better enforcement and a rise in net GST collections to GDP ratio. In 2023-24, the net ratio reached 6.13%, up from 5.89% in the previous year.
Looking ahead, experts believe that India’s ongoing economic recovery, coupled with continued policy interventions and advancements in tax administration technology, have the potential to maintain the momentum of GST buoyancy in the coming years.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the GST system in India? Share your views in the comments below!
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