13/04/2023
In GST, "inputs" refer to the goods and services that are used or consumed by a business in the course of its operations or while providing services. These inputs may include raw materials, consumables, goods used in manufacturing, machinery and equipment, office supplies, and services like rent, electricity, and transportation.
Inputs are an important component in the calculation of the GST liability of a business. The GST paid on inputs is called Input Tax Credit (ITC) and can be claimed as a credit against the GST liability on the output (i.e., goods or services sold or supplied) of the business.
The ITC mechanism under GST aims to eliminate the cascading effect of taxes that existed under the earlier tax regime. By allowing businesses to claim credit for the GST paid on their inputs, GST ensures that the tax is levied only on the value added at each stage of the supply chain. This reduces the tax burden on businesses and ultimately benefits the end consumers by making goods and services more affordable.