Which Major Electronics Will See GST Benefits? Smart TVs, Smart Home Appliances Get Big Tax Cuts

Mumbai: India’s GST 2.0 reforms have officially taken effect, simplifying the tax structure into 0%, 5%, 18%, and 40% slabs. The overhaul has slashed taxes on 90% of items previously taxed at 28%, delivering a significant boost for consumers and especially impacting household electronics and smart appliances.

While not every gadget sees a reduction—mobile phones, laptops, and audio devices retain their 18% GST rate—several key items now come with substantial savings, making this festive season a perfect time to upgrade tech at lower prices.

Mobile Phones:
Flagship and budget phones continue at 18% GST, ensuring stable pricing across brands like Samsung and Apple. While there’s no direct cut, the simplified slabs could help manufacturers reduce compliance costs, keeping mid-range devices under Rs 20,000 affordable.

Laptops:
Essential for professionals, students, and gamers, laptops remain at 18% GST, preventing unexpected price hikes. Entry-level Chromebooks and high-performance laptops from Dell, HP, and Lenovo are expected to maintain competitive pricing, with retailers possibly offering attractive bundles with accessories.

Audio Devices:
Headphones, earbuds, and portable speakers continue at 18% GST, keeping immersive sound systems from brands like Sony, JBL, and boAt reasonably priced. This allows consumers to build entertainment ecosystems without worrying about fluctuating taxes.

Smart TVs – Big Winner:
Smart TVs are one of the major beneficiaries, with GST reduced from 28% to 18%. This 10% tax cut can save families thousands of rupees on 4K models from LG, Mi, and Samsung, making home theater setups more accessible. The reform encourages adoption of voice assistants and smart features, turning living rooms into cinematic hubs at lower costs.

Smart Home Appliances:
Connected refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners also see a drop from 28% to 18%, making IoT-enabled home appliances more affordable. A smart fridge from Whirlpool or AC from Voltas could cost 8-10% less, encouraging broader use of energy-efficient, app-controlled devices.

Other Electronics:
Several other tech products now enjoy lower GST, including dishwashers, computer monitors, projectors, microwaves with smart features, and other home and office essentials. Even wearables like smartwatches, while staying at 18%, benefit from the stable tax structure, giving consumers confidence to invest in connected devices.