Memes take social media by storm amid clarification over 18% GST on caramelised popcorn

GST Council recently clarified the popcorn taxation structure at its 55th meeting on Saturday (Dec 21), in which caramelised, salted and plain popcorn are taxed differently based on their sugar content.

The GST is classified as 5 per cent on unpacked and unlabelled salted popcorn, 12 per cent on pre-packed and labelled ready-to-eat popcorn and 18 per cent on caramelised popcorn. This clarification by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has sparked memes on social media, with several users poking fun at the complex tax calculations and expressing dissatisfaction.

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Memes flood social media

A user shareda picture of Nirmala Sitharaman with the caption: If anyone questions this, Nirmala Sitaphalam-G will say “This won’t affect middle class, is popcorn made for middle class?”

Another meme posted on X by a user criticised the high tax rates.

A user wrote, “Even Popcorn reaches 18% GST Slab. Next she'll tax air and sunlight,” with a picture of Nirmala Sitharaman sitting on a pile of gold coins as people stand in front of her holding popcorn.

Another user depictededited images of Nirmala Sitharaman with different tax slabs of popcorn and wrote, “United by popcorn, divided by GST. Can we add the popcorn with caramel and sugar + made from EXTRA VIRGIN OIL should be taxed at 28%?”

A user hilariously questionedwhat the GST would be for a popcorn pack that has a mix of both salted and caramel popcorn while sharing an image of it.

“How much tax to use this Meme?” a user satirically wrotewhile sharing a GIF of a person eating popcorn.

An X handle that shares memes, pokedfun at the intricate taxation for different flavours of popcorn while imagining a GST slab on masala dosa.

“Modi ji even found a way to tax timepass!” another user wrotewhile sharing a GIF of a deer chewing popcorn referring to the fact that people sometimes munch on popcorn in their free time.

Some memes also surfaced on social media criticising the tax on used cars.

(With inputs from agencies)