Different tax on popcorn.
Popcorn is a yummy, crunchy snack we all love, especially at the movies! We enjoy eating it while watching our favourite films in the cinema. But recently, popcorn has been in the news because of something surprising: taxes!
The government has announced different taxes on popcorn. Here’s how it works:
Regular popcorn at the movie theatre is taxed at 5%.
If salt or spices are added to it, the tax is still 5%. It’s called "namkeen," which means salty snacks in India. But if the popcorn is pre-packed with a label, like the ones you buy in a store, the tax goes up to 12%.
Sweet popcorn, like caramelised popcorn, is taxed even more—18%! This is because it’s called “sugar confectionery.”
What is GST?
GST is short for Goods and Services Tax. It's a kind of tax that we pay when we buy things, like snacks or even when we get something fixed, like a broken phone.
GST is the same everywhere in India. The money from GST helps pay for important things like hospitals and roads. The government uses this money to help everyone.
People criticise the popcorn tax.
After the popcorn tax news, people started joking on social media. Some people thought it was too much, and others said that soon, even things like water or tea might have taxes! Opposition parties are also unhappy about this new tax.
