In June 2024, India’s GST collections reached ₹1.74 lakh crore, marking a significant 7.7% increase compared to June 2023. This collection is the highest ever recorded since the introduction of GST. For the financial year so far (April-June 2024), the average GST collection stands at ₹1.86 lakh crore.
Key Points:
- June 2024 Collection: ₹1.74 lakh crore
- Year-on-Year Growth: 7.7%
- Average Collection for April-June 2024: ₹1.86 lakh crore
- Highest Collection Since GST Introduction
Recent Developments
The Ministry of Finance has decided to discontinue the practice of releasing detailed monthly GST collection data. This marks a change from the previous 74-month routine of issuing such detailed reports. The decision was reportedly influenced by public dissatisfaction over high GST collections, leading to concerns that the government was overtaxing citizens.
GST Revenue Breakdown
Although the detailed data for June 2024 is not fully available, approximate figures indicate:
- Central GST (CGST) from IGST: ₹39,600 crore
- State GST (SGST) from IGST: ₹33,548 crore
Collection Trends
Here’s a comparative look at GST collections for the last few months:
Month | GST Collection (₹ lakh crore) | Year-on-Year Growth (%) |
---|---|---|
April 2024 | 2.1 | 12.4% |
May 2024 | 1.73 | 10% |
June 2024 | 1.74 | 7.7% |
- April 2024: Record-high GST collection of ₹2.1 lakh crore.
- May 2024: ₹1.73 lakh crore.
- June 2024: ₹1.74 lakh crore.
Impact of Discontinued Data Releases
The decision to stop detailed monthly releases has sparked debate:
- Public Perception: The government faced criticism for high GST collections, with accusations of overtaxing citizens.
- Economic Analysis: Economists argue that the high GST collections are due to increased compliance and a broader tax base, rather than a higher tax rate.
Expert Opinions
Economists and tax experts suggest that while the public may misinterpret high GST collections as increased tax burdens, the growth reflects a robust economy and improved compliance. They also caution that discontinuing detailed data releases could hinder economic analysis and transparency.
GST Regime: 7th Anniversary
On the seventh anniversary of GST’s rollout, the Finance Ministry highlighted the system’s benefits:
- Increased Taxpayer Base: Grew to 14.6 million in April 2024 from 10.5 million in April 2018.
- Reduced Compliance Burden: Waiver of annual return filing for small taxpayers and fewer returns under the QRMP scheme.
June 2024’s GST collection reflects a strong economic performance, with collections continuing to exceed historical highs. Despite the government’s shift away from detailed monthly reports, the overall trend indicates a buoyant economy, driven by better compliance and a larger tax base.