Cut GST on digital news subscription from 18% to 5%: MIB to Revenue Dept

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has sought the reduction of GST on digital news subscriptions from 18% to 5%. Currently, online news subscriptions attract GST of 18% as Online Information Database Access and Retrieval services under the IGST Act.

Online news subscriptions fall in the sub-category of services for supply of images, text, and information and making available of databases.

MIB has written to the Department of Revenue seeking either exemption of digital news subscriptions from GST or reduction in GST.

At present, there is no GST on printed newspapers, journals, and periodicals.