Quick Summary
- The Indian government has clarified that there will be no GST levied on UPI transactions exceeding ₹2,000.
- Reports suggesting GST imposition on such transactions were termed incorrect by the Finance Ministry.
- The government remains committed to promoting digital payments through UPI and currently has no proposal to impose GST on UPI transactions.
- Merchant discount Rate (MDR) on customer-to-merchant (P2M) UPI transactions was removed in January 2020, making these payments exempt from GST as MDR forms the basis of taxation for such fees.
- UPI transaction volumes have surged substantially, growing from ₹21.3 lakh crore in FY2019-20 to an estimated ₹260.56 lakh crore by March 2025.
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Indian Opinion Analysis
The governmentS clarification about not imposing GST on high-value UPI transactions reinforces its commitment to bolstering digital payments and financial inclusion in India. With MDR effectively abolished for P2M transactions as 2020, any potential taxation would contradict established frameworks and might disincentivize adoption of cashless systems.
Rapid growth in UPI usage highlights its critical role in transforming India into a digitally-driven economy. By dismissing false reports about new charges, the management aims to maintain public trust and confidence in using this payment mode while contributing positively to economic modernization without burdening users.