The fee hike for the US H-1B visa by the Donald Trump administration has no short-term impact on Tata Technologies Ltd, although it will change resourcing plans for the future, according to its CEO and managing director, Warren Harris.
Sources in the know said the service tax paid by exporters on commissions paid to foreign agents was likely to be exempted. Foreign agents are responsible for getting orders from prospective clients based abroad. The move is likely to benefit all exporters, especially from textiles and pharmaceutical sectors. Exporters said the service tax on commission to foreign agents formed a major chunk of the tax paid by them.
India needs Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council-like common platforms between states and the Centre in areas such as land clearances, power, and water to fast-track infrastructure projects to achieve double-digit growth going ahead, said Praveer Sinha, chief executive officer and managing director of The Tata Power Company.
If he cannot do it this term by using his bureaucracy and experts from different fields, it will be a tragedy, asserts Ramesh Menon.
'Any earnings, regardless of location, will be subject to Indian income tax.'
'There is responsibility to make great games that are played by audiences, that fill the gap from an entertainment perspective.'
Traders in Karnataka are raising concerns over GST demand notices based on UPI transaction data. A tax official defends the action, stating it's within the law and recipients can respond with documentation.
After four failed reform drives, a new plan aims to rescue India's debt-laden power discoms through privatisation, accountability and long-term financial fixes.
Ten services including commercial training and coaching centres, Internet cafes, franchise services, forex brokers, auto servicing and ports will come under the 8.0 per cent service tax net from July.
"The new structure will substantially reduce taxes on the middle class and leave more money in their hands, boosting household consumption, savings and investment," Sitharaman said presenting what was dubbed as 'reformist' budget for the next fiscal in Lok Sabha.
On the back of robust tax collection, the ratio of direct taxes to gross domestic product (GDP) this financial year is likely to be the highest in this century so far. This, along with strong goods and services tax (GST) collection, may drive up receipts from central taxes as a proportion of GDP to the highest level or close to the highest since 2008-09 despite subdued excise and customs duty receipts. This will be due also to lower nominal GDP projected in the first advance estimates for 2023-24.
The decision to hike US H-1B visa application fee to $100,000, trade talks and the GST rate cut will be the key drivers for stock market movement this week, analysts said.
CPGRAMS -- an online platform available to citizens 24x7 to lodge their grievances to public authorities on service delivery -- has existed for close to two decades. But it has never been this active, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.
Last year, the government had considered raising the rate to 14 per cent but the move was shelved on account of fears of inflation, which was ruling at 6.5 per cent in January 2007. For the week ended December 29, the inflation rate stood at 3.5 per cent, raising the possibility that service tax rates will increase.
From second homes and AC rail travel to private tutors, astrologers and marriage-makers come under the tax net
Since the first Reit listing in 2019, the sector has grown to a market capitalisation of about $18 billion as of August 2025, and is projected to cross $25 billion by 2030.
'We have now drastically simplified it, primarily to two rates in long-term capital gains: 20% and the applicable rates. Similarly, in short-term capital gains.' 'For listed shares, there is a slight increase, but for unlisted shares, where indexation benefits are removed, there is a reduction in rates, benefiting unlisted companies, venture capital firms, etc.' 'Similarly, in real estate, wherever returns are higher, the new structure is beneficial. In very few cases, returns are lower, and those are more of an exception.'
'It was like rigorously preparing for a solid, good exam...' 'I don't know what marks I will get, but I felt the rigorous preparation of an exam.' 'You may sweat, but I feel rejuvenated.'
India is set to become the world's fourth-largest economy in 2025, but slow income growth, lack of structural change, and rising inequality highlight the gap between progress and real transformation.
Trading sentiment in the equity market will be guided by macroeconomic data announcements, global trends and quarterly earnings from IT major TCS this week, analysts said. Stock markets would also be tracking trading activity of foreign investors who remained net sellers of Indian equities in September.
The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) adoption rate has risen to over 4.35 per cent, with more than 100,000 people out of 2.3 million eligible individuals opting for it, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) chairman S Ramann said in an exclusive interview with Business Standard on Monday. He also said that six states had approached the PFRDA for help in adoption of the scheme.
'It's better to stay away from large IT stocks until there is clarity on tariffs.'
'Reinvention is not a hugely difficult task. With technology as available today, you can reinvent yourself pretty quickly.'
The wife of a deputy commissioner of GST in Ghaziabad, who allegedly committed suicide, has claimed that her husband was under "immense work pressure" and denied that he had stage four cancer. The incident took place on Monday when Sanjay Singh (59) jumped from the 15th floor of a building. Singh's wife, Aparna Singh, told reporters that he was a "victim of the system." His cousin, Dhananjay Singh, confirmed that Singh had been diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early stage and had been cured.
Top Indian cement firms are expected to report a strong earnings growth for the second quarter of the financial year 2025-26 (Q2FY26) on a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis, amid improved realisations, prices, and steady volume growth, but on a low base.
'Our focus would be to onboard top 100 merchants in top 10 different segments.'
One of the most exploited provisions is Section 10(13A), which permits exemption on HRA.
Victory wrested from regime that only listens when forced, the TMC said on GST exemption on insurance.
The textile and apparel sector is India's second-largest employment provider, after agriculture, and it is now caught in a wave of uncertainty following the Donald Trump administration's tariff policy.
In addition, exporters will also get a refund on the service tax paid on courier services used by them to transport goods and documents.
'The government is putting insurance in the same category as food, which is essential for life.' 'Now this is an opportunity for the sector to focus on the consumer.'
In the medium term, corporates and vendors could move away from visa dependency, shift more work offshore and share higher cost burdens with clients.
The panel, headed by the Union finance minister and comprising of representatives of all states and UTs, decided on tax rate based on recommendation of a group of ministers that looked at taxing casinos, horse racing and online gaming.
Andhra Pradesh will establish two expansive integrated space cities in Lepakshi and Tirupati, spanning around 33,000 acres.
'India is a big market for StanC, and it is also fastest growing economy in the world.'
The 100 per cent withdrawal provision and the 25 per cent minimum balance provision have led to some confusion.
The World Bank has asked the government to cut a slew of duties, including entertainment tax on broadband Internet connections in some states, on telecom services.
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The primary market is set for a busy week as two major companies, Tata Capital Ltd and LG Electronics India Ltd, gear up to launch their initial public offerings (IPOs), collectively worth more than Rs 27,000 crore.
