Certain food and beverages will be treated as GST-free supplies within GST law
Scenario:
ATO notes that bottled drinking water is GST-free, and if the fruit and vegetable juices’ content is greater than 90%, they are GST-free and GST taxable if is not. I do not make fresh juices. I just buy bottled juices and then put them in the fridge and sell by bottle. The link above notes that taxable food includes all food and beverages sold in restaurants or for consumption on the premises. 99% of the patrons sit down and eat the food that is sold, but I also sell takeaway coffees and customer could buy drinks in the bottle and take those away. I need some advice on whether or not the sale of bottled juices and water in a café setting is GST-free.
Explanation:
As mentioned above, certain food and beverages will be treated as GST-free supplies within GST law. However, s 38-3 of the GST Act treats all food and beverage sold by cafes and restaurant as taxable no matter whether the food is consumed on the premises or sold as takeaway. So, the café should add GST to all its products.