Posts

“Beginner's Guide to GST in India – For Small Businesses and Freelancers”

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What is GST?   GST (Goods and Services Tax) is a unified indirect tax levied on the supply of goods and services across India. It has replaced various indirect taxes like VAT, service tax, and excise duty. Goods and services are divided into 5 different tax slabs for collection of tax: 0%, 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. However,  petroleum products ,  alcoholic beverages , and  electricity  are not taxed under GST and instead are taxed separately by the individual  state governments , as per the previous tax system. There is a special rate of 0.25% on rough precious and semi-precious stones and 3% on  gold . In addition a  cess  of 22% or other rates on top of 28% GST applies on several items like aerated drinks,  luxury cars  and tobacco products. Pre-GST, the statutory tax rate for most goods was about 26.5%; post-GST, most goods are expected to be in the 18% tax range. The tax came into effect from 1 July 2017 t...

Why I Started The SVibes – My Journey, My Voice

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  Welcome to **The SVibes** – a space where passion meets purpose! I'm Shubham, the creator of this blog. With over 7 years of hands-on experience in **accounting, GST, TDS, income tax, financial analysis**, and **business finance**, I’ve seen how confusing and overwhelming money matters can be — especially for individuals, freelancers, and small business owners. Why I Started This Blog This blog is born from a simple idea:   “What if I could share what I’ve learned over the years and help others grow financially smarter?” Whether it's **basic tax filing**, **budgeting tips**, or **my personal experiences** navigating the world of finance, I want this blog to be both practical and personal. What You’ll Find Here **Smart Finance**: GST, TDS, Income Tax, Money Tips **Personal Experiences**: Real stories from my career and life **Tools & Tutorials**: Step-by-step guides on accounting, Excel, software, and more My Goal To empower you — whether you're a student, freelancer...

The Economic Cost of War: Lessons from Ukraine, Gaza, and a Warning for South Asia

War is more than a geopolitical conflict—it's a financial catastrophe. While global attention often focuses on death tolls and diplomacy, the economic and infrastructural destruction left behind shapes nations for decades. In 2025, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza serve as vivid reminders of how conflicts drain national wealth, destabilize societies, and disrupt global economies. Here’s a breakdown of the financial toll these wars are taking—and a lesson for South Asia, especially India and Pakistan. Ukraine: A Nation Under Siege, An Economy in Ruins Total Economic Loss: Estimated at $499 billion from February 2022 to June 2025. Worst-hit Sectors: Commerce & Industry ($173B), Agriculture ($70B), and Energy Infrastructure. Energy Blackout Crisis Ukraine’s power generation fell drastically from 18 GW to around 12–13 GW, worsened by the Russian occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. This collapse caused a 50% drop in industrial energy use and a 20% decline in household consumpt...

How to Start a Blog : A step-by-step Beginner's Guide

  How to Start a Blog: A Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide Blogging is a powerful way to share your knowledge, express your ideas, and even earn money online. Whether you're passionate about writing, looking to build an audience, or want to grow a personal brand, starting a blog can be an exciting journey. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you launch your blog successfully—even if you’re a complete beginner. Step 1: Choose Your Niche Before anything else, decide what your blog will be about. A niche helps you attract a specific audience and stay focused. Here are a few popular blog niches: Technology Personal finance Travel Education Health and fitness Food and recipes Choose something you're interested in and something that has an audience searching for information. Step 2: Pick a Blogging Platform There are two main types of blogging platforms: Free platforms : Blogger , WordPress.com , Medium (Best for beginners testin...