India’s Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections grew nearly 15% to about ₹2 lakh crore in August 2026, official data released on Tuesday (September 1, 2026) showed.
Net collections, however, grew a relatively lower 8.3% on higher refunds being given out.
Gross GST collections grow 15.4% to more than ₹2.11 lakh crore in July on higher imports, sales
The Gross GST revenue stood at ₹1,99,853 crore in August 2026, reflecting the business activity of July. The data also showed that the collections for August last year were revised downward from the originally reported ₹1.86 lakh crore to ₹1.74 lakh crore. As a result, the growth in gross collections in July 2026 now stands at 14.8%.
Had the July 2025 figure not been revised, growth in gross GST collections in August 2026 would have been 7%.
Within the data, tax analysts have also pointed out the continued robust growth in revenues from imports as opposed to the slower growth in revenue from domestic transactions.
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“The quality of collections warrants closer attention,” Manoj Mishra, Partner and Tax Controversy Management Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat said. “While gross GST revenue expanded by 14.8% year-on-year, domestic collections grew 9.3%, whereas import-related GST surged 29%, indicating that trade-linked activity continues to make a disproportionately higher contribution to revenue buoyancy.”
They also pointed out that the sharp increase in refunds, which grew nearly 68% overall in August 2026, also pointed to structural issues that the GST Council should take note of in its next meeting scheduled on September 12.
“The sharp 72.6% surge in domestic refunds, driven by inverted duty structures, signals a structural imbalance that warrants urgent redressal,” Vivek Jalan , Partner at Tax Connect Advisory Services LLP said. “The Hon’ble GST Council may address these anomalies in its forthcoming meeting to ensure that the tax framework supports competitiveness.”