Hi, Good Morning,

Goods and Service Tax (GST) is based on consumption. The law will require all businesses to register for GST with the Customs Dept. In some countries like UK it is called VAT.  Essentially a GST registered business can offset GST paid by the business against GST charged on supplies to that business. GST is charged on the value added at each stage of the supply chain. The consumer is at the end of the supply chain and therefore cannot recover the GST.  In addition, GST is charged when a sale is made and not when payment is received and is payable to the Government monthly.  GST is a major difference from the present sales and service tax in Malaysia. Some very small businesses will be exempt from registration.

Kindly refer the following link:

http://ijcas.net/Files/CMSUserOwnFolder/issue/June-2015/07.pdf 

Hello @James, since 1 April 2015, GST has been implemented in my country, at 6%.  Food is supposed to be exempted, but most traders increased prices, increasing the cost of living.  Recently, there was a cut in the annual budget for education, meaning that it's also likely to get more expensive.  Many undergrads have little money left for entertainment, unless they happen to be from rich households.  But at least "Telcos to provide GST rebates to Malaysian prepaid users for one year".  A little sigh of relief for undergrads...

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/12/28/telcos-to-provide-gst-rebates-for-malaysian-prepaid-users-for-one-year/

Impact of GST on undergraduates?

Generally GST has negative impact on undergraduates e.g. rising cost for many areas as shared.  Not sure is there any empirical study to provide evidence that the imposed GST has caused undergraduates to drop out, work part-time to save some money for their education, lost of focus on study etc?  Also not sure is there any empirical study to demonstrate that with the imposed GST, undergraduates are concentrating on their study so that they can graduate faster to get a job?

Depends on jurisdiction - in Canada, GST/HST is not applied to things like rent, and "basic food" as defined by CRA, and not on tuition. "Entertainment" is only taxed if it costs money in a retail environment, which may not be the case among college-aged kids in their various leisure pursuits.