Social media has been abuzz ever since the news of different taxation of different kinds of popcorn came out. Finally, the GST Council on Saturday stated that there are no changes to the existing rates and clarified the tax structure on popcorn. Scroll on to see the different tax rates on different popcorn and the internet’s reaction to it.
GST Council Clarify Why Different Popcorn Come Under Different Tax Rates
In its 55th meeting on Saturday, the GST Council clarified the tax structure on popcorn. According to the Hindustan Times, pre-packed and labelled ready-to-eat snacks, including popcorn, are subject to a 12% GST. Unpackaged and unlabelled popcorn mixed with salt and spices comes under the 5% GST slab. Furthermore, caramelised popcorn is placed at a higher slab rate of 18%.
The meeting was chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and she later explained the taxability of popcorn in India in a press conference. In her statement, she said, “Salted, caramelised, plain popcorn is being sold as namkeen in certain states. Caramelised popcorn comes with added sugar, so the treatment rate is different from namkeen.”
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) will soon also be releasing a circular to provide further clarity on these tax rules.
Netizens’ Humorous Take On This Entire Popcorn Taxation Issue
As you can imagine, netizens had a lot to say about this popcorn GST issue. Hilarious tweets took over X (formerly Twitter) after the GST council clarified why different popcorn was taxed differently. From wondering what they will tax next to hilarious memes, the internet had a field day on this entire ordeal. Here are some tweets you cannot miss out on.
What next? GST on drinking water — 5% if you sip, 12% if you gulp and 18% if you spill https://t.co/aTuofhl8Lx
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) December 21, 2024
Customer – Bhayya Popcorn dena
Cinema owner – Kaunsa wala
Customer – Bhayya 5% GST wala 🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/O8Y35cdwgu
— Aditya Kondawar (@aditya_kondawar) December 21, 2024
buys a mixed salty, sweet caramel popcorn tub at the movie hall
gst council : pic.twitter.com/vuYOqELGbv
— SwatKat💃 (@swatic12) December 22, 2024
Tried caramel popcorn once. Never again.
Please put it under the 28% GST bracket. https://t.co/IaAF9ncz9Y
— Kunal Gandhi (@kunalvg) December 22, 2024
Accha Hua Khali Popcorn Pe GST lagaya
Samosa pe nahi lagaya— Harsh The Strongest Avenger (@HarshMCU) December 22, 2024
Ever wondered why sweetness is always taxed more in life ? While salty popcorn attracts only 5% GST, sweet popcorn will be taxed at 18% !
— Mukesh Shukla (@mukeshshukla55) December 22, 2024
How about GST Rates based on human blood group?? pic.twitter.com/7L6gUXlCyA
— Bollapragada (@Bollapragada) December 21, 2024
Why stop at water? Next will be Air Tax.
5% if you inhale slowly, 10% for heavy breathing. Bonus surcharge for sighing in disbelief!
— Manish (@Money_sh_) December 21, 2024
Time has come to add these also in the GST slab
1. 5% GST on normal water stored in a well
2. 12% on water kept in a matka
3. 18% on water kept in a bottle at home
4. 28% on water kept in a bottle in a fridge at home.— Ankit Uttam (@ankituttam) December 21, 2024
What next? Breathing tax — 5% for shallow breaths, 12% for deep inhales, and 18% if you sigh out of frustration!
— Gagan Sharma (@fromgagan) December 21, 2024
Explaining GST on popcorn.
Normal 5% Packed 12% Caramel 18% pic.twitter.com/i33xEWmd2B
— Narundar (@NarundarM) December 21, 2024
So, what’s your take on this entire popcorn GST issue? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)
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