New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) GST collection in August rose 6.5 per cent to over Rs 1.86 lakh crore with increased domestic sales, and the upcoming festive season is likely to swell the kitty going forward.

The August Goods and Services Tax (GST) mop-up is, however, lower than Rs 1.96 lakh crore collected in July. In August 2024, the collection was Rs 1.75 lakh crore.

The gross domestic revenue grew 9.6 per cent to Rs 1.37 lakh crore, while tax from imports dipped 1.2 per cent to Rs 49,354 crore in August. GST refunds were down 20 per cent year-on-year to Rs 19,359 crore.

EY Tax Partner Saurabh Agarwal said the significant dip in export refunds is a clear signal of the impact that global tariffs are having on the export sector.

"Despite global headwinds and geopolitical tensions, robust domestic consumption has so far held its own, suggesting that India's growth trajectory remains on a solid footing," Agarwal said.

Net GST revenue stood at Rs 1.67 lakh crore in August 2025, recording 10.7 per cent year-on-year growth.

Deloitte India Partner MS Mani said : "The increase in collections is in line with the GDP growth data shared recently and would give the policy makers the confidence to move ahead with GST 2.0 reforms slated to be discussed in the GST Council Meeting this week " ICRA Chief Economist Aditi Nayar said while CGST and SGST recorded a double-digit expansion, the growth in IGST and cess collections was tepid, dampening the headline GST increase to 6.5 per cent.

"The contraction in IGST on imports is puzzling in light of the sharp increase in merchandise imports in July 2025 (that would have reflected in the August 2025 GST data)," Nayar said.

The collection data comes just two days ahead of the meeting of the GST Council, comprising Centre and states, which will deliberate on rate rationalisation and reducing number of tax slabs.

Mani said after four months of increase in GST refunds, this month depicts a decline in refunds, although on an annual basis, refunds are 18 per cent more than last year .

He said these collections pertain to economic activity during July, which is typically impacted by the monsoon-led lower demand for goods and services.

"The demand increase which begin in the festival season starting August and will continue till November, should result in significant jumps in collections in the coming months; however reduced GST rates that are expected to be announced soon may temporarily moderate the collection ," Mani added.

With expected GST cuts on many products in the upcoming Council meeting, the government would be closely monitoring the collections over next few months, according to Pratik Jain, Partner Price Waterhouse & Co LLP. PTI JD ANU ANU

GST collections rise modestly as domestic sales boost revenue ahead of council talks on rate rationalisation. GST receipts rose year on year in August, led by stronger domestic sales and double digit net GST growth, while export refunds fell and IGST on imports contracted. The data precedes a GST Council meeting on rate rationalisation and potential rate cuts, which may temporarily moderate collections despite festival season demand.