Agricultural Produce Under GST Regime

India, being an agrarian country, has always been reliant on agriculture for its economic growth. With the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017, the agricultural sector has undergone significant changes. In this article, we will delve into the impact of GST on agricultural produce and how it affects small and medium business owners and startup founders.

Understanding Agricultural Produce under GST

Before we dive into the implications of GST on agricultural produce, let's first understand how agricultural produce is classified under GST. Agricultural produce is classified as a 'zero-rated' supply under GST. It means that no GST is levied on the supply of agricultural produce. However, the input tax credit (ITC) on goods and services used for the production of agricultural produce is available.

Impact of GST on Agricultural Produce

The introduction of GST has had both positive and negative impacts on the agricultural sector. Let's have a look at them:

Positive Impacts

1. Uniform Taxation:

With GST, the taxation system has become more uniform across the country. Earlier, different states had different taxes on agricultural produce, leading to confusion and a lack of transparency. GST has brought about uniformity in taxation, making it easier for business owners to operate across the country.

2. Elimination of Cascading Effect:

GST has eliminated the cascading effect of taxes. Earlier, there were multiple taxes at different stages of the supply chain, leading to an increase in the cost of agricultural produce. With GST, there is only one tax, leading to a reduction in the cost of the final product.

3. Increased Efficiency:

GST has helped in increasing the efficiency of the supply chain. Earlier, there were multiple checkpoints, leading to delays and an increase in the cost of transportation. With GST, there are fewer checkpoints, leading to faster delivery of agricultural produce.

Negative Impacts

1. Lack of Clarity:

There is still a lack of clarity regarding the classification of certain agricultural produce under GST. For example, there is confusion regarding the classification of animal feed and whether it is classified as a 'zero-rated' or 'taxable' supply.

2. High Compliance Costs:

GST has increased the compliance costs for small and medium business owners and startup founders. They have to comply with various regulations and file multiple returns, leading to an increase in the cost of doing business.

3. Increase in Prices:

GST has led to an increase in the prices of certain agricultural produce. For example, the tax on fertilizers and pesticides has increased from 6% to 18%, leading to an increase in the cost of production and, ultimately, the price of the final product.

Conclusion

The introduction of GST has brought significant changes to the agricultural sector in India. While there have been positive impacts such as uniform taxation, elimination of cascading effect, and increased efficiency, there have also been negative impacts such as lack of clarity, high compliance costs, and an increase in prices. It is essential for small and medium business owners and startup founders to understand the implications of GST on agricultural produce to navigate this new tax regime successfully.