“An Empirical Study on Impact of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on Customers’ Perception in Rajkot District”

Abstract

The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India in July 2017 marked a significant milestone in tax reform. Its primary goal is to eliminate cascading effects and establish uniformity in taxation and market practices nationwide. Over the course of its three-year implementation, numerous amendments have been made to simplify processes and enhance user-friendliness. Customers, as key stakeholders in this reform, hold sway over its success. Their acceptance of the changes is paramount for the intended benefits to materialize. This study aims to assess the impact of GST on customer perceptions in Rajkot District. Utilizing structured questionnaires, data was collected from various areas within the district. Results indicate that over 95% of customers have a basic understanding of GST. Furthermore, factors such as education, profession, and location significantly influence perceptions regarding prices, expenditures, and consumption patterns post-GST. This underscores the necessity of considering diverse factors when evaluating the overall impact of GST on customer perspectives in Rajkot District.