Retrospective GST on e-gaming firms: SC defers hearing to July 31
The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned the hearing on a clutch of 27 petitions challenging the imposition of retrospective goods and services tax (GST) on real-money gaming companies. The next hearing has been fixed for July 31.
In April this year, the apex court had transferred to itself all pending petitions in nine High Courts challenging the notices issued to them by tax authorities. The Supreme Court had said that it called for an “authoritative pronouncement”.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said that the cases would be listed on July 31 only for further directions and would likely be heard on a subsequent date.
The apex court also directed that written submissions by all the parties in the case should be submitted before it, prior to the next date of hearing.
In its 50th meeting held in July 2023, the GST council decided to levy 28 per cent tax -- the highest slab -- on the full face value of online gaming, bringing it on par with casinos and horse racing. The council had decided against having any distinction between 'games of skill' and 'games of chance'. Earlier online gaming was subject to 18 per cent GST.
