• Notification Date: 02-01-2024
• Notification No: N/A

Major GST Changes in 2023: GSTAT, Online Gaming and others

The 50th GST Council meeting held on July 11, 2023, introduced various changes in the field of GST regime. The major changes were brought in the following heads: GSTAT, Online Gaming and medicines etc. Implementation of GST Appellate Tribunals (GSTAT) was a major relief to reducing pending GST cases before High Court and Supreme Court. The GSTAT is the forum of second appeal in GST laws and the first common forum of dispute resolution between Centre and State. 

Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (Appointment and Conditions of Service of President and Members) Rules, 2023: The Council has recommended the Rules governing appointment and conditions of President and Members of the proposed GST Appellate Tribunal for enabling smooth constitution and functioning of GST Appellate Tribunal. The Council also recommended that provisions of the Finance Act, 2023 pertaining to the GST Appellate Tribunal may be notified by the Centre with effect from 01.08.2023.  

Further the council has recommended the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra to be nominated as one of the members of the Search cum selection committee as per Section 110(4)(b)(iii) of CGST Act 2017. Regarding the number of State Benches, it was decided to start them in a phase wise manner. The 52 GST council made certain amendments in the constitution of GSTAT, and they increased the tenure of president to 70 and increased the tenure of members to 67. 

Another major change is in the Online gaming sector. The 50th GST Council proposed charging the online gaming, casinos, and horse racing 28% GST on full face value. Which came to effect from October 1, 2023. Apart from the changes in taxes, the government has implemented guidelines that would be useful for online gaming businesses operating within the Indian territory. These regulations contain requirements for compliance and registration. 

Medicines and Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) designated under the National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021 for personal imports that are used in the treatment of rare diseases will also be excluded from the IGST.