If you are wondering what GST or Goods and Services Tax is, then read further. GST is a common replacement of many types of tax policies such as the service tax, Value Added tax, excise duty tax, etc. It can replace a tax scheme or it simplifies a number of tax policies in a government. GST implementation is different in every country and the purpose is all the same- Help the budget of the country. GS Tax is added to goods and services that are bought by consumers.
GST is not levied on all products. Some of the countries using GST as form of tax policy impose it on various goods and services but there are other products that are exempted with the tax. Countries that use GST policy are: Singapore, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
In Canada, GST is introduced on January, 1991 by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney to replace the manufacturer’s sales tax (MST). The tax is levied on goods and services sold in their market except the medical services, residential rent, grocery items, etc. Visitors that buy goods in Canada are entitled to tax-free buying. They will get a refund of the taxes added to the products when they file for refund. As of June 2010, the GST rate of Canada is 5%.
In Singapore, GST is introduced on April, 1994 by the government upon the recommendation of the Economic Review Committee that Singapore must lower down their high rates of taxes. The GST tax is Singapore’s Value Added Tax and the tax is levied on almost all goods and services except the residential property sales and rents. Export goods are also zero-rated to enhance Singapore’s competitiveness in the global economy. The current GST rate of Singapore is at 7%.
GST was first announced on July 2000 in Australia by the Government of Howard. It is used to replace numerous taxes in the government such as Stamp duty, banking tax and Federal wholesale sale tax. The Australian GST is also the Value added tax which is usually levied on many services and goods. The present GST rate in Australia is 10%.
In New Zealand, GST is introduced on October, 1986 by their government. It is their Value Added Tax and it is levied on all goods except rents on properties, financial services and donations. All exported goods and services from New Zealand are also tax-free.
Some people are often burdened by the existence of Goods and Services Tax especially those who are earning lower wages. GST increases the prices of goods and services which are daily necessities of everyone. Some are having a hard time purchasing the goods and services they need because the price is increased and they cannot afford it. Despite these effects of GST on some citizen, the tax policy highly benefits the nation.