2.12.19

November: GST Collections Up 6%


India’s goods and services tax collections rose 6% to ₹1.03 lakh crore in November, reversing two months of decline, with experts attributing the increase to festive shopping and better compliance.

GST collections were ₹97,637 crore in November last year and ₹95,380 crore in October this year.

The increase in collections was a sign of economic revival, recovery in demand and measures to ease compliance. “After two months of negative growth, GST revenues witnessed an impressive recovery… During the month, the GST collection on domestic transactions witnessed a growth of 12%, highest during the year,” the government said in a statement.

Tax revenue growth has been muted in the current financial year because of slowing growth. Net tax revenue climbed 3.4% in April-October from a year ago. Higher collections will provide some fiscal relief to the government.

India’s economic growth slowed to a six-year low of 4.5% in July-September, while nominal GDP growth in the quarter hit a decade low of 6.1%, which would impact taxes.

GST collections had fallen 2.7% in September and 5.3% in October from the corresponding months in 2018.

Collections may have got a lift from better compliance measures.

Collections in November comprised of Rs.19,592 crore of central GST, Rs.27,144 crore of state GST, Rs.49,028 crore integrated GST (including Rs.20,948 crore collected on imports) and cess of Rs.7,727 crore.

The total number of GSTR 3B returns filed for October up to November 30 was 77.83 lakh.

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