Goods and Services Tax

Understanding India's Goods and Services Tax and the economics behind it. Explore how GST works, why it was introduced, and the debates over tax rates, exemptions, compliance, and reform.

Syllabus

Books

  1. James Mirrlees et al. (eds.), Tax by Design: The Mirrlees Review (2011) — Institute for Fiscal Studies. Relevant chapters: ch. 2, "The Ingredients of Tax Design," and ch. 6, "Taxing Goods and Services"

Academic Papers

  1. Targeting, Cascading, and Indirect Tax Design — Michael Keen, IMF Working Paper 13/57, 2013
  2. The Redistributive Power of Cash Transfers vs VAT Exemptions: A Multi-Country Study — Ross Warwick et al., World Development, 2021
  3. Informality, Consumption Taxes and Redistribution — Pierre Bachas, Lucie Gadenne and Anders Jensen, NBER Working Paper 27429, 2020
  4. Input Tax Credit and Refunds under GST in India: Conceptual and Legal Framework — Arbind Modi, XKDR Forum Working Paper 44, 2025

Reports

  1. Chelliah committee-era excise reform report, ch. 4, "Structural Reform of the Excise Tax System"
  2. First Discussion Paper on GST in India (2009) — Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers
  3. Task Force on GST — Thirteenth Finance Commission, 2009. Relevant chapters: ch. 2 and ch. 6

Articles & Blog Posts

  1. Cholesterol in the Indian GST — Arbind Modi and Ajay Shah, The LEAP Blog, 2026
  2. GST Without a Seamless Input Tax Credit System Fails Its Core Principles ("To GST or Not to GST") — Vijay Kelkar, Arbind Modi and Ajay Shah, Business Standard, 2025
  3. Steps Towards the Perfect GST — Vijay Kelkar, Arbind Modi and Ajay Shah, Business Standard, 2025

Podcasts & Videos

  1. Episode 121: How to Fix Our GST — Everything Is Everything, with Amit Varma and Ajay Shah, 17 October 2025