8 Years after GST, the Poor and Middle Class Will Enjoy a Double Bonanza

The September 2025 announcement promises higher savings, cheaper goods and a broader tax relief for India’s working households.

How often do salaried families calculate their budgets at the start of the month and realise that tax and bills leave little space for savings? The latest announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2025 is being called a double bonanza GST reforms and income tax relief package. 

The government says the combined impact of income tax changes and GST cuts will result in savings worth nearly ₹2.5 lakh crore across households.

New Changes In Income Tax Relief And GST Reforms India 2025

The Union Budget 2025 report released in July 2025 laid the foundation for new direct tax slabs. The exemption under the new regime has been lifted from ₹7 lakh to ₹12 lakh. This move benefits crores of middle-income earners.

The GST Council report dated 21 September 2025 confirmed that only two core rates will remain for most items. Goods that were earlier taxed at 12 percent are now shifted to 5 percent. Essentials like soap, toothpaste, medicines and even hotel rooms will cost less from 22 September 2025.

Together, these steps form the PM Modi announcement for middle class tax benefits. The Finance Ministry says that the idea is to leave more disposable income with households while lowering the cost of essential goods.

Simplified Tax Structure For Salaried Class

The new tax structure is one of the boldest steps in recent years. Here is a look at the slabs for Assessment Year 2025-26 under Section 115BAC(1A)
 

Source

The biggest change is in the ₹10–12 lakh bracket. People in this group will pay 15 percent tax instead of 20 percent. The Income Tax Department report for 2025 also noted that the rebate under Section 87A will rise to ₹60,000 from the next year, offering more relief.

Theory Behind Government Tax Reforms For Poor And Middle Class

Tax relief is not just an accounting measure. Direct tax cuts put money in people’s hands. Indirect tax cuts reduce the price of goods. Together they create demand. That is the central theory behind the government tax reforms for poor and middle class.

The Press Information Bureau release of 21 September 2025 highlighted that nearly 25 crore Indians moved out of poverty in the last 11 years. This new “neo middle class” is expected to spend more when costs come down. The twin reforms are not only about easing bills. They are also about pushing growth by creating more consumption in the economy.

Everyday Goods Cheaper After GST Changes And Income Tax Relief Under Modi Government

Daily essentials form the largest share of household expenses. The GST Council report lists items that will now fall under a lower rate.

The cuts mean that poor and middle-class families will see savings in supermarkets, pharmacies and travel. This is the most visible part of the GST changes and income tax relief under Modi government.

Looking Back At Past Announcements

This development links back to earlier reforms. In July 2024, we reported on “Budget Brings More Relief Through Revised Tax Rebates”. That article explained how income up to ₹7 lakh was made tax-free. The September 2025 step extends that relief up to ₹12 lakh.

The trend is clear. Each year, the government has widened the slab and eased compliance. This current package is the largest so far.

Estimated Savings For Different Groups

The government did not limit the estimate of savings to households. Small businesses and shopkeepers are also covered.
 

This scale of savings is what the government means by double bonanza GST reforms and income tax relief. The relief goes beyond salaried families and covers local traders as well.

Different Reaction Compared To Earlier Years

When GST was first launched in 2017, multiple slabs created confusion. Traders faced complex billing. Banks also had to adjust systems. The current reform is simpler, LoansJagat’s New GST Rates List 2025 outlines how India has moved away from the old four-slab structure to just two main GST rates (5% & 18%) for most goods, with a 40% slab reserved for sin and luxury items. 

In direct tax too, the rebate under Section 87A was last revised in 2023. Back then, only income up to ₹7 lakh was free from tax. The 2025 reform is much sharper: according to a LoansJagat article on Section 87A of Income Tax Act, the rebate has now been raised to apply for incomes up to ₹12 lakh, with a maximum rebate of ₹60,000. 

Past steps were incremental. This step is sweeping.

Transparency Through Price Display

Another new step is price comparison boards. The Finance Ministry has asked shops, transport services and hotels to display both old and new rates.
 

This ensures that the benefit reaches consumers. The PIB note stressed that visible boards will prevent businesses from keeping the gain without passing it to customers.

Conclusion

The reforms announced on 21 September 2025 combine direct tax relief with indirect tax cuts. They are expected to save citizens nearly ₹2.5 lakh crore. The government has branded it as a savings festival, starting on 22 September 2025.

The impact will be felt in household budgets, shop counters and travel bills. It will also be reflected in higher demand for goods and services. For now, the announcement stands as the largest combined tax relief under the current government. The coming months will show if these savings reach every poor and middle-class family as promised.

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LoansJagat Team

‘Simplify Finance for Everyone.’ This is the common goal of our team, as we try to explain any topic with relatable examples. From personal to business finance, managing EMIs to becoming debt-free, we do extensive research on each and every parameter, so you don’t have to. Scroll up and have a look at what 15+ years of experience in the BFSI sector looks like.