VAT is the short form of value-added tax. It will replace the present sales tax. Under the current single-point system of tax levy, the manufacturer or importer of goods into a State is liable to sales tax. There is no sales tax on the further distribution channel. VAT, in simple terms, is a multi-point levy on each of the entities in the supply chain with the facility of set-off of input tax - that is, the tax paid at the stage of purchase of goods by a trader and on purchase of raw materials by a manufacturer. Only the value addition in the hands of each of the entities is subject to tax. For instance, if a dealer purchases goods for Rs 100 from another dealer and a tax of Rs 10 has been charged in the bill, and he sells the goods for Rs 120 on which the dealer will charge a tax of Rs 12 at 10 per cent, the tax payable by the dealer will be only Rs 2, being the difference between the tax collected of Rs 12 and tax already paid on purchases of Rs 10. Thus, the dealer has paid tax at 10 per cent on Rs 20 being the value addition in his hands.
Purchase price - Rs 100
Tax paid on purchase - Rs 10 (input tax)
Sale price - Rs 120
Tax payable on sale price - Rs 12 (output tax)
Input tax credit - Rs 10
VAT payable - Rs 2

VAT levy will be administered by the Value Added Tax Act and the rules made there-under.

The main disadvantages which have been identified in connection with the Value Added Tax are:
VAT is regressive
VAT is too difficult to operate from the position of both the administration and business.
VAT is inflationary
VAT favours the capital intensive firm

Against these disadvantages are the considerable and weighty advantages. These include:
Coverage
Revenue security
Selectivity
Co-ordination of VAT with direct taxation