In a quirky twist to India's GST framework, the government has introduced different tax rates for popcorn based on its flavoring. At the recent GST Council meeting, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman explained the rationale behind this unusual decision:
𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻: If you enjoy your popcorn plain and salty, it’s taxed at a mere 𝟱% when sold loose.
𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻: For those opting for convenience with pre-packaged salted popcorn, the tax jumps to 𝟭𝟮%.
𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻: The sweet treat, classified as sugar confectionery due to its sugar coating, faces the highest tax rate of 𝟭𝟴%.
The differentiation stems from the idea that adding sugar transforms popcorn into a confectionary item, thus attracting a higher tax rate. So, next time you're at the movies, remember: your choice of popcorn could cost you more than just a snack!
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