GST Exempt Products in India – What You Should Know

 

Many people believe that GST applies to every product sold in India. However, the Government has exempted several essential goods from GST to make them affordable for the common public.

Understanding GST-exempt products can help businesses, traders, and consumers avoid confusion while buying or selling goods.

What Does GST Exempt Mean?

When a product is GST exempt, no GST is charged on its sale. The seller cannot collect GST from the customer and generally cannot claim input tax credit on purchases related to such supplies.

Common GST Exempt Products

1. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh fruits and vegetables sold in their natural form are exempt from GST.

Examples:

• Apples

• Bananas

• Tomatoes

• Potatoes

• Onions

2. Fresh Milk

Milk sold without any flavoring or processing is exempt from GST.

Examples:

• Cow milk

• Buffalo milk

• Fresh milk supplied by dairies

3. Eggs

Fresh eggs are exempt from GST.

4. Fresh Meat and Fish

Unprocessed meat and fish are exempt from GST.

Examples:

• Fresh chicken

• Fresh fish

• Fresh mutton

5. Cereals and Food Grains

Several food grains are exempt when sold in specified forms.

Examples:

• Rice

• Wheat

• Maize

• Jowar

• Bajra

6. Salt

Common edible salt is exempt from GST.

7. Books and Printed Educational Material

Books play an important role in education and therefore enjoy GST exemption.

Examples:

• Academic books

• Printed educational books

8. Handloom Products

Many traditional handloom products are exempt to support artisans and rural industries.

9. Organic Manure

Organic manure used in agriculture is exempt from GST.

10. Agricultural Produce

Most agricultural produce sold directly by farmers is exempt from GST.

Examples:

• Paddy

• Raw cotton

• Pulses

• Oil seeds

Important Note

GST exemption does not always mean every related product is exempt. For example:

• Fresh milk is exempt.

• Flavoured milk may attract GST.

• Fresh fruits are exempt.

• Fruit juices attract GST.

Therefore, classification of products is very important.

Why Businesses Should Be Careful

Incorrect GST classification can result in:

• Tax demands

• Interest liability

• Penalties

• Litigation with GST authorities

Before treating any product as exempt, it is advisable to verify the latest GST notifications and HSN classification.

If you are unsure whether your product is exempt, taxable, or eligible for a concessional GST rate, consult a GST professional before making tax decisions.

CA RAMAKRISHNA SANJAY

7760252581

ITR Filing When Shares Are Involved – A Simple Guide for Investors

 

Many taxpayers think that filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) is simple until they start investing in shares. Once shares are bought or sold, additional reporting requirements arise, and filing the correct return becomes important.

Why Are Shares Important in ITR Filing?

The Income Tax Department receives information about your share transactions from stock exchanges, brokers, and depositories. Therefore, it is important to correctly disclose share-related income in your ITR.

Types of Income from Shares

1. Capital Gains

When you sell shares, the profit or loss is called a capital gain or capital loss.

Short-Term Capital Gain (STCG)

• Shares sold within 12 months of purchase.

• Taxed at applicable rates as per prevailing tax laws.

Long-Term Capital Gain (LTCG)

• Shares held for more than 12 months.

• Tax benefits may be available subject to conditions and limits prescribed under the Income Tax Act.

2. Dividend Income

If a company distributes dividends, the amount received is taxable in the hands of the investor and must be reported in the ITR.

3. Capital Losses

Not every investment generates profit.

If shares are sold at a loss:

• The loss should be reported in the ITR.

• It can help reduce future tax liability by setting off against eligible capital gains, subject to tax provisions.

• To carry forward losses, the ITR must be filed within the due date.

Common Mistakes Investors Make

❌ Reporting only profits and ignoring losses.

❌ Forgetting dividend income.

❌ Using the wrong ITR form.

❌ Not reconciling transactions with broker statements.

❌ Ignoring share transactions because there is no taxable profit.

Why Professional Assistance Helps

Share transactions may involve:

• Multiple buy and sell transactions

• Intraday trading

• Futures & Options (F&O)

• Bonus shares

• Rights shares

• IPO allotments

• Foreign investments

A small reporting error can result in notices, loss of tax benefits, or incorrect tax computation.

Final Thoughts

A correctly filed return not only keeps you compliant but also helps you make full use of available tax benefits and loss set-off provisions.

Have you bought or sold shares during the year? Ensure your ITR captures every transaction accurately before filing.

CA RAMAKRISHNA SANJAY

7760252581

ITR Filing : Why Form 16 Is Important for Salaried Employees

 

The Income Tax Return (ITR) filing season for Financial Year 2025-26 has begun. Most salaried employees are eagerly waiting to receive their Form 16 from their employers before filing their income tax returns.

What is Form 16?

Form 16 is a Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) certificate issued by an employer to an employee. It contains details of salary paid and income tax deducted during the financial year.

Employers are required to issue Form 16 on or before 15th June 2026.

Why is Form 16 Important?

Form 16 helps employees:

✅ Verify salary income reported by the employer

✅ Check TDS deducted and deposited with the Income Tax Department

✅ Confirm deductions claimed under Sections 80C, 80D, etc.

✅ Verify taxable income and tax liability

✅ File accurate income tax returns and avoid notices

Components of Form 16

Part A

Contains:

• Employee and Employer details

• PAN and TAN details

• Quarterly TDS information

• Tax deposited with the Government

Part B

Contains:

• Salary breakup

• Exemptions and allowances

• Deductions under Chapter VI-A

• Taxable income computation

• Tax payable and relief details

What if You Changed Jobs?

If you worked with more than one employer during the financial year, each employer will issue a separate Form 16 for the period you worked with them.

Both Form 16s should be considered while filing your income tax return.

Should You Wait for Form 16 Before Filing ITR?

Although it is possible to file an ITR without Form 16, salaried taxpayers should ideally wait for it. It helps reconcile salary income, TDS, deductions, and tax payments, reducing the chances of errors.

Due Dates for ITR Filing

• ITR-1 and ITR-2 (Individuals): 31 July 2026

• ITR-4 (Eligible Non-Audit Taxpayers): 31 August 2026

Conclusion

Form 16 is one of the most important documents for salaried taxpayers. Before filing your Income Tax Return, carefully verify the details in Form 16 with your salary slips and Form 26AS/AIS. A few minutes spent reviewing these documents can help avoid future tax notices and ensure smooth processing of your refund.

Always verify your tax details before filing your return.

CA RAMAKRISHNA SANJAY

7760252581

IPO OPEN NOW · CLOSES 7 MAY 2026

Bagmane Prime Office REIT IPO

Bengaluru's largest premium office portfolio hits the public market. Here's everything you need to make an informed investment call.

REIT Bengaluru Income Investing

IPO At a Glance

Price

₹95–100

Issue Size

₹3,405 Cr

Lot

150

GMP

+₹4

Positives

✔ Stable rental income from MNC tenants

✔ High EBITDA margins (~80%)

✔ Strong REIT dividend structure

Risks

⚠ Weak subscription

⚠ Low listing gains expected

⚠ Interest rate sensitive

Verdict

Short Term: Avoid for listing gains

Long Term: Suitable for income investors

This is for educational purposes only. Consult a financial advisor before investing.

Memorandum of Association (MOA) – Simple Guide

🔹 What is MOA?

The Memorandum of Association (MOA) is a basic document of a company.

It tells:

• What the company does

• Why it is started

• What activities it can do

👉 A company cannot do anything beyond its MOA.

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🔹 Why is MOA Important?

• ✔ Defines company’s business

• ✔ Gives clarity to owners and investors

• ✔ Acts as a legal document

• ✔ Prevents doing unauthorized activities

👉 In short: MOA sets the boundary of the company.

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🔹 Main Parts of MOA

• Name of the company

• Registered office (state)

• Business activities (objects)

• Capital details

• Details of first shareholders

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🔹 How to Draft MOA (Easy Way)

1. Decide your main business clearly

2. Add related supporting activities

3. Use simple and clear language

4. Think about future growth

5. Follow rules under Companies Act, 2013

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🔹 Care to be Taken

• Keep objects clear and practical

• Do not make it too narrow or too wide

• Ensure activities are legal

• Match with your actual business plan

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🔹 Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Copy-paste from other companies

• ❌ Writing very vague objects

• ❌ Not planning for future expansion

• ❌ Wrong capital details

• ❌ Not matching with actual business

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🔹 Final Note

MOA is not just a formality.
It is the base of your company.

👉 Draft it carefully to avoid future problems.

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Tips for Reserving a Name for Your Company / LLP

 

CA RAMAKRISHNA SANJAY

7760252581

Choosing a name is the first and most important step in starting your business. A wrong name can lead to rejection and delay your incorporation.

Here are simple tips to get it right the first time:

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1. Keep It Unique

Your name should not be similar to existing companies or LLPs.

• Avoid common words like India, Global, Solutions

• Check availability on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) website before applying

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2. Avoid Copying Brand Names

Do not use names similar to well-known brands.

❌ Example: TATA, Reliance, Infosys
✔ Even “Tata Solutions India” will be rejected

This may also create trademark issues later

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3. Follow Proper Structure

A good name should have 3 parts:

• Unique word (main identity)

• Business activity (optional but helpful)

• Suffix

Examples:

• ABC Tech Private Limited

• Zenith Workforce LLP

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4. Match Your Business Activity

The name should reflect what your business does.

• Staffing company → Workforce, Staffing, HR

• IT company → Tech, Solutions, Systems

This improves approval chances.

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5. Avoid Restricted Words

Certain words need approval from authorities:

• Bank

• Stock Exchange

• Insurance

• Venture Capital

Use them only if you have proper licenses.

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6. Don’t Use Government-Like Words

Avoid names that look like government entities:

❌ National Authority, Government Board, Commission

These are usually rejected outright.

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7. Check Trademark Availability

Even if MCA approves, trademark conflict can create future issues.

👉 Always do a basic trademark search before finalizing

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8. Provide Multiple Options

Always apply with 2 names (RUN/SPICe+)

• If one gets rejected, second may get approved

• Saves time and cost

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9. Avoid Special Characters

Do not use:

❌ @, #, %, &, *
✔ Only alphabets are safe

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