India's VAT equivalent is the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a unified indirect tax that replaced the older VAT/excise/service-tax patchwork. Following the 56th GST Council meeting (3 September 2025), the rate structure was simplified into three core slabs — 0%, 5%, and 18% — plus a 40% slab for luxury and sin goods, with special rates of 3% for gold/jewellery and 0.25% for rough diamonds/unprocessed precious stones; the older 12% and 28% slabs were eliminated, with most 12% items moving to 5% and most 28% items moving to 18%. Businesses must register for GST once annual aggregate turnover exceeds ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh in special category states) for services, or ₹40 lakh for exclusive intra-state goods suppliers in most cases.
Core GST slabs (since 22 September 2025): 0%, 5%, 18%, plus 40% for luxury/sin goods.
Special rates: 3% for gold and jewellery, 0.25% for rough diamonds and unprocessed precious stones.
The former 12% and 28% slabs were removed — most 12% items moved to 5%, most 28% items moved to 18%.
GST registration threshold: ₹20 lakh aggregate turnover generally (₹10 lakh in special category states); ₹40 lakh for exclusive intra-state goods suppliers in most cases.
Required Documents
PAN
Proof of business registration/address
Bank account details
Common Mistakes
Using pre-September 2025 GST rate tables (12%/28% slabs) that no longer reflect the simplified 5%/18%/40% structure.
Assuming a single national registration threshold applies to every business type — goods vs. services and special-category states have different thresholds.