The article explains that the GST Council’s exemption of individual health and term insurance policies effective 22 September 2025 did not lower premiums because insurers lost the ability to claim input tax credit on operating expenses, making the exemption cost‑neutral. It outlines insurers’ options—absorbing costs, raising premiums, or recalibrating commissions—and calls for structural fixes such as partial ITC restoration and concessional GST rates.
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Frontline · 17 days ago
India’s GST, launched in 2017, was intended to unify indirect taxes and balance fiscal power between the Union and States. However, successive rate cuts, the expiration of the compensation guarantee in 2022, and the 2025 three‑tier reform have eroded state revenue, deepening fiscal dependence on the Union.
A2Z Taxcorp · 22 days ago
Vito Tanzi, former IMF Fiscal Affairs Director, has urged India to replace its multi‑rate GST slabs with a single uniform rate for all domestic consumption and to redistribute the entire revenue equally to every citizen via per‑capita digital transfers linked to Aadhaar accounts. The proposal was presented at an international conference on the socio‑economic impacts of GST organised by the Centre for Development Studies.
Pune Mirror · 30 days ago
India’s GST 2.0 reform, effective 22 September 2025, cut the GST on most small cars to 18% and on larger cars and SUVs to a flat 40%, boosting first‑time buyer shares for major manufacturers. The tax reset has lifted demand in the budget‑friendly segment, with Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors reporting higher first‑time buyer percentages.
BW Legal World · about 1 month ago
The Allahabad High Court ruled that disputes arising from contractual obligations linked to GST compliance are arbitrable and do not fall under sovereign taxation functions. The court distinguished between challenges to the validity of tax levies and contractual disputes, allowing arbitration to proceed. The decision clarifies that GST compliance issues can be raised as defenses in arbitration proceedings.
BW Auto World · about 1 month ago
The Supreme Court of India has admitted a petition by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) concerning more than Rs 2,500 crore in blocked compensation cess credits that became unusable after the implementation of GST 2.0. The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 25 2026 and is considering a transitional mechanism to allow these credits to be offset against other GST liabilities. The case could set a precedent for handling legacy tax credits during indirect tax reforms.
The Hindu · about 2 months ago
India’s GST rationalisation introduced a two‑tiered rate structure of 5% and 18% in September 2025, boosting domestic consumption. However, February 2026 saw a sharp rise in import IGST collections—up 17% YoY—driven by a weaker rupee and higher import costs, which may erode the price relief from the new rates.
Effective 22 September 2025.
Because insurers lost the ability to claim input tax credit on GST paid on operating expenses, making the exemption cost‑neutral.
They could absorb higher costs, raise base premiums, or recalibrate commissions and pricing, often requiring regulatory approval.
Partial ITC restoration, concessional GST rates instead of full exemption, carve‑outs for essential costs, and higher tax deductions under Sections 80C and 80D.
This summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 19 January 2026. It relates to VAT developments in India. The original source is A2Z Taxcorp.
