Non-alcoholic malt drinks may attract 28% GST, 12% cess

Non-alcoholic malt drinks could soon attract GST on par with carbonated drinks. According to Zee Business analyst Ashish Chaturvedi, Karnataka GST Authority of Advance Ruling has said that GST on malt-based drinks should be increased to 40 per cent.

Soft drinks, at present, attract 40 per cent GST which includes 28% GST along with a cess of 12%.

A malt drink is basically a fermented drink in which the primary ingredient is the grain, or seed, of the barley plant. It doesn't contain alcohol. It is being touted alternative to beer.

Malt-based drinks are currently levied 18% GST.

Ashish Chaturvedi said that United Breweries (UB) has claimed that its drink Kingfisher Radler, which was launched in 2018, is not a malt-based drink. The company said that it is available in a few flavours and is an alternative to beer. It said that the drink contains sweetened aerated water.