Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Next GST Reform Phase to Simplify Compliance, Sitharaman Says
India is planning another set of changes to its Goods and Services Tax system.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says these changes will make it easier for people and businesses to follow the tax rules.
The GST Council is expected to consider the proposals on October 7.
Earlier rate changes began on September 22, 2025.
Sitharaman said tax collections and reported sales have grown during the periods described.
She also said more GST refunds were paid to businesses.
The government says simpler rules could help businesses, including small ones, grow.
The article does not include views opposing the changes.
Sitharaman said the next phase of GST reforms will focus on simplifying compliance.
The process-related proposals are due before the GST Council, which is to consider proposals on October 7.
Rate changes introduced on September 22, 2025, formed the first part of the reforms.
Gross GST collections rose 11.6% to Rs 12.46 lakh crore during April–September 2026, according to the minister.
She said the changes aim to reduce compliance costs and help households and businesses, including small enterprises.
- Who
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the GST Council.
- What
- A forthcoming phase of GST process reforms is intended to make compliance simpler.
- When
- The proposals are to be considered on October 7; the article says the next phase will come before the Council shortly.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To reduce the time and cost of compliance, support taxpayers and businesses, and advance the government’s Viksit Bharat vision.
Government’s stated aims
Other perspectives
Purpose and impact of the reforms
Government’s stated aims
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the reforms aim to ease compliance, provide relief to taxpayers and households, and give businesses greater certainty.
Other perspectives
The article does not report opposing views or an independent assessment of the reforms.
- Next phase
- Process-related GST reforms are expected to be presented to the GST Council shortly.
- Council meeting
- Proposals are to be considered on October 7.
- Rate changes
- The first part of the reforms took effect on September 22, 2025.
- Gross GST collections
- Rose 11.6% to Rs 12.46 lakh crore during April–September 2026.
- Taxable supplies
- Reported value grew 25.8% from a year earlier between October 2025 and July 2026.
- GST registrations
- About 1.71 crore at the end of August, nearly 15% higher than a year earlier.
- Refunds
- Around Rs 1.80 lakh crore was refunded during April–September.