🍦💸 Softy Ice Cream Shocker! 😲 Higher GST on Your Favorite Frozen Treat 💸🍦 Bad news, ice cream lovers! 😥 A recent ruling by the GST Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR) in Rajasthan has declared that softy ice cream mix will now attract a higher GST rate of 18%. Why? Because it's mainly made of sugar, not milk! 🤯

Here's the scoop: Sugar overload: The AAR found that softy ice cream mix contains more sugar (61.2%) than milk solids (34%). Since sugar is the main ingredient, it doesn't qualify as a "natural" dairy product.

Additives matter: The presence of stabilizers and flavorings further disqualifies it from the lower GST rate applied to milk-based products.

Company's plea rejected: VRB Consumer Products, a manufacturer of softy ice cream mix, argued that their product should be taxed at a lower rate (5%) since it contains milk solids. However, the AAR disagreed. What does this mean for you?

🍦 Higher prices: Get ready to shell out more for your favorite softy cones and cups. 🤔 More GST confusion: This ruling highlights the complexities of GST classifications and how even seemingly simple products can face unexpected tax rates.

The GST saga continues: This isn't the first time dairy products have faced GST scrutiny. Lassi, a fermented milk drink, was previously exempted from GST, while flavored milk was taxed at 12%. It seems the battle over what qualifies as a "milk product" is far from over. 🤷‍♀️ What are your thoughts on this ruling? Share your opinions in the comments below! 👇