The government has eliminated the 18% GST on life and health insurance premiums effective October 1, 2025. While this benefits customers by lowering costs, insurance agents—especially those working with private insurers—are facing commission cuts of up to 18% due to the loss of input tax credit. Public insurers are absorbing the GST cost, but private companies are passing it on to agents.

This blog post provides a comprehensive overview of India's GST 2.0, implemented on September 22, 2025. It details the key features, including the reduction of tax slabs to 5% and 18% (with a new 40% for luxury/sin goods), lower taxes on essential goods, durables, and automobiles, and increased prices for luxury items. The article identifies beneficiaries like everyday households, the middle class, farmers, healthcare consumers, and MSMEs. It also addresses potential challenges such as revenue shortfall, price pass-through issues, and transition headaches for businesses. Finally, it outlines expected economic ripples and crucial factors to monitor for the reform's success, concluding that GST 2.0 is a bold step towards simplifying life for millions. An appendix with sample MRP comparisons is also included.

By declaring that no structural modifications to the capital gains tax system are under consideration, the government has reassured private investors and High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs). This ruling, which was announced on January 22, 2025, gives investors much-needed confidence and guarantees stability in India's tax system. The blog discusses the basics of capital gains tax, making a distinction between short-term capital gains (STCG) and long-term capital gains (LTCG), and stressing the significance of the government's resolve to preserve the current framework. Stability in tax policy, the maintenance of investment incentives, and increased market trust are important lessons learned that guarantee investors may smoothly organize their finances.

Income tax is a crucial tool for promoting social equity and reducing income inequality by taxing the rich at higher rates and using the revenue to fund public services and transfer payments to the poor. Income tax can also promote social equity by funding public services and transfer payments that benefit low-income and disadvantaged households, reducing the gender wage gap, and promoting equal opportunities and reduced poverty. However, income tax also faces challenges such as high income tax rates that can discourage work and investment, and evasion or avoidance that can reduce its effectiveness as a tool for redistribution. Income tax is only one part of a broader system of fiscal policy that must be designed and implemented in a way that promotes social equity and redistribution.