Air Purifier: The government may reduce GST on air purifiers by 13%! Find out how much money you could save..

Amidst deteriorating air quality and rising pollution in Delhi and several other cities across the country, there might be some good news for the common people. The government may reduce the GST on air purifiers and water purifiers. IANS, citing reports, stated that the GST Council may consider reducing the tax on air and water purifiers from 18% to 5% in its next meeting. Several reports, citing sources, indicated that the government is considering reclassifying these two products from consumer goods to essential goods.

How much cheaper will air and water purifiers become?
If this happens, the affordability of air and water purifiers will increase, and their prices will come down by 10-15%, making it easier for a large number of people to purchase these products.

Let's say the price of an air purifier (before tax) is Rs. 10,000.

Currently, it attracts 18% GST, which means Rs. 1,800.
The price of the air purifier after tax is Rs. 11,800.
Now, let's assume the GST is reduced to 5%.

The air purifier worth Rs. 10,000 will attract only Rs. 500 in tax.
This means the price of the air purifier after tax will be Rs. 10,500.
If this happens, you will save Rs. 1,300 on an air purifier that currently costs Rs. 11,800. Similarly, if you calculate for a Rs. 20,000 air purifier, you will save Rs. 2,600 on a purifier that currently costs Rs. 23,600.

Reports state that the date for the next GST Council meeting has not yet been finalized. The 56th meeting of the GST Council was held in September. At that time, the rates on these products were kept unchanged. The court also said: Reduce the tax.
The Delhi High Court recently asked the government to reduce or eliminate the tax on air purifiers, if necessary, through a virtual meeting, considering the air quality in Delhi-NCR.

Additional Solicitor General N Venkataraman informed the court and argued that the meetings should be held in person. He also said, "A process is underway, but we are not saying whether it will be done or not."

The Delhi High Court said that if clean air cannot be ensured for the citizens, then at least the GST on air purifiers should be reduced.

Consider them medical devices.
The court made this statement during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to declare air purifiers as medical devices, and it had asked the central government to issue immediate directions regarding granting GST exemption.

According to the PIL, high-efficiency air purifiers play a preventive medical role by reducing exposure to PM 2.5, PM 10, and other harmful pollutants.

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