Big Relief for Small Businesses: GST Council May Increase Turnover Threshold for GST Registration

The GST department is expected to increase the annual turnover limit for GST registration. This step is an outcome of excessive and widespread protests and complaints from small traders who have recently received high-demand GST notices. This decision will be discussed in the 56th meeting of the GST Council.

Currently, if any business’s annual turnover limit exceeds Rs. 20 lakh for services and Rs. 40 lakh for goods, they are required to register under GST. However, reports suggest that the GST council is anticipated to increase this limit to Rs. 50 lakh for services and Rs. 1 crore for goods.

A senior government official states, “The GST regime was meant to simplify taxation for businesses, not to strangle small players in red tape.” Further says, “With inflation and business costs rising since 2017, the current turnover thresholds are outdated.”

States including Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka have highlighted the problems faced by small businesses due to this minor turnover limit, suffering high tax demands. Officials familiar with the matter noted this problem is genuine; small businesses are trapped in unnecessary compliance burdens.

Small businesses with yearly sales up to Rs. 1.5 crore can already choose the composition scheme under GST. This scheme lets them pay a low 1% tax and follow easier rules. However, they still need to register for GST once their sales exceed a certain lower limit. That is why numerous taxpayers have recently received notices, creating confusion.

If the government agrees to raise these limits, it would be the first big amendment since GST began in 2017. This move could keep lakhs of small vendors out of the GST system, helping them avoid complex rules and strict checks.

The 56th GST Council Meeting is anticipated to be held in the first week of August, and the final conclusion of the meeting will be announced after that.