© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
QUESTIONS
(1) All questions should be answered on the basis of the position of GST law as
amended up to 31.10.2017 and customs law as amended by the Finance Act, 2017
and notifications and circulars issued till 31.10.2017.
(2) The GST rates for goods and services mentioned in various questions are
hypothetical and may not necessarily be the actual rates leviable on those goods
and services. The rates of customs duty are also hypothetical and may not
necessarily be the actual rates. Further, GST compensation cess should be
ignored in all the questions, wherever applicable.
1. Power Engineering Pvt. Ltd., a registered supplier, is engaged in providing expert
maintenance and repair services for large power plants that are in the nature of
immovable property, situated all over India. The company has its Head Office at
Bangalore, Karnataka and branch offices in other States. The work is done in the
following manner.
- The company has self-contained mobile workshops, which are container trucks
fitted out for carrying out the repairs. The trucks are equipped with items like repair
equipments, consumables, tools, parts etc. to handle a wide variety of repair work.
- The truck is sent to the client location for carrying out the repair work. Depending
upon the repairs to be done, the equipment, consumables, tools, parts etc. are used
from the stock of such items carried in the truck.
- In some cases, a stand-alone machine is also sent to the client’s premises in such
truck for carrying out the repair work.
- The customer is billed after the completion of the repair work depending upon the
nature of the work and the actual quantity of consumables, parts etc. used in the
repair work.
- Sometimes the truck is sent to the company’s own location in other State(s) from
where it is further sent to client locations for repairs.
Work out the GST liability [CGST & SGST or IGST, as the case may be] of Power
Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore on the basis of the facts as described, read with the
following data for the month of November 20XX.
S. No. Particulars `
A. Truck sent to own location in Tamil Nadu
(i) Value of items contained in the truck - ` 3,00,000
(ii) Value of truck - ` 25,00,000
individual customer varies within a range of ± 10% depending upon the terms of
contract of supply with the particular customer.
- Apart from the price of the machinery, ABC Ltd. charges from the customer the
following incidental expenses:
o associated handling and loading charges of ` 10,000
o installation and commissioning charges of ` 1,00,000
The machinery can be dismantled and erected at another site, if required. The
above charges are compulsorily levied in every case of supply of machinery.
- Transportation of machinery to the customer’s premises is arranged by ABC Ltd.
through a third-party service provider [Goods Transport Agency (GTA)]. The
customer enters into a separate service contract with the GTA and pays the freight
directly to it.
- The company provides one year free warranty for the machinery. However, the
company also provides an extended two-year warranty on payment of additional
charge of ` 3,00,000.
- A cash discount of 2% on the price of the machinery is offered at the time of supply,
if the customer agrees to make the payment within 15 days of the receipt of the
machinery at his premises. In the event of failure to make the payment within the
stipulated time, the company-
o recovers the discount given; and
o charges interest @ 1% per month or part of the month on the total amount due
from the customer (towards the machinery supplied) from the date of making
the supply till the date of payment. However, no interest is charged on the tax
dues.
- For every machinery supplied, ABC Ltd. receives a grant of ` 2,00,000 from its
holding company DEF Ltd.
ABC Ltd. has supplied a machinery to D Pvt. Ltd. on August 1, 20XX at a price of
` 40,00,000 (excluding all taxes). D Pvt. Ltd has its corporate office in New Delhi.
However, the machinery has been installed at its manufacturing unit located in Gurugram
(Haryana). D Pvt. Ltd. has paid the freight directly to the GTA and opted for two year
warranty. Discount @ 2% was given to D Pvt. Ltd. as it agreed to make the payment
within 15 days. However, D Pvt. Ltd. paid the consideration on 31 st October, 20XX.
Assume the rates of taxes to be as under:
Bottle cap making machine
CGST – 6% SGST – 6% IGST – 12%
7. ABC Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, provides support services to foreign customers in relation to
procuring goods from India. The company identifies the prospective vendor, reviews
product quality and pricing and then shares the vendor details with the foreign customer.
The foreign customer then directly places purchase order on the Indian vendor for
purchase of the specified goods. ABC Pvt. Ltd. charges its foreign customer cost plus
10% mark up for services provided by it.
For the month of December, 20XX, the company has charged US $ 1,00,000 (exclusive
of GST) to its foreign customer. With reference to the provisions of GST law, examine
whether the company is liable to pay IGST or CGST and SGST.
Note: GST @ 18% is applicable on supply of the support services provided by ABC Pvt.
Ltd. Rate of exchange is ` 65 per US $.
8. SNP Pvt. Ltd., Coimbatore exclusively manufactures and sells product ‘Z’ which is exempt
from GST vide notifications issued under relevant GST legislations. The company sells ‘Z’
only within Tamil Nadu. The turnover of the company in the previous year was ` 55 lakh.
The company expects the sales to grow by 20% in the current year. Owing to the growing
demand for the product, the company decided to increase its production capacity and
purchased additional machinery for manufacturing ‘Z’ on 01.07.20XX. The purchase price
of the capital goods was ` 20 lakh exclusive of GST @ 18%.
However, effective from 01.11.20XX, exemption available on ‘Z’ was withdrawn by the
Central Government and GST @ 12% was imposed thereon. The turnover of the
company for the half year ended on 30.09.20XX was ` 40 lakh.
(a) The Board of Directors of SNP Pvt. Ltd. wants to know whether they have to register
under GST?
(b) In case in the above question, SNP Pvt. Ltd. is already registered with respect to
certain taxable supplies being made by it along with manufacture of exempt product
‘Z’, other facts remaining the same, can it take input tax credit on additional
machinery purchased exclusively for manufacturing ‘Z’? If yes, then how much credit
can be availed?
Advice SNP Pvt. Ltd. on the above issues with reference to the provisions of GST law.
9. Rishabh Enterprises – a sole proprietorship firm – started an air-conditioned restaurant in
Virar, Maharashtra in the month of February wherein the customers are served cooked
food as well as cold drinks/non-alcoholic beverages. In March, the firm opened a liquor
shop in Raipur, Uttarakhand for trading of alcoholic liquor for human consumption.
Determine whether Rishabh Enterprises is liable to be registered under GST law with the
help of the following information:
15. Ranjan intends to start selling certain goods in Delhi. However, he is not able to
determine (i) the classification of the goods proposed to be supplied by him [as the
classification of said goods has been contentious] and (ii) the place of supply if he
supplies said goods from Delhi to buyers in U.S.
Ranjan’s tax advisor has advised him to apply for the advance ruling in respect of these
issues. He told Ranjan that the advance ruling would bring him certainty and
transparency in respect of the said issues and would avoid litigation later. Ranjan agreed
with his view, but has some apprehensions.
In view of the information given above, you are required to advise Ranjan with respect to
following:
(i) The tax advisor asks Ranjan to get registered under GST law before applying for
the advance ruling as only a registered person can apply for the same. Whether
Ranjan needs to get registered?
(ii) Can Ranjan seek advance ruling to determine (a) the classification of the goods
proposed to be supplied by him and (b) the place of supply, if he supplies said
goods from Delhi to buyers in U.S?
(iii) Ranjan is apprehensive that if at all advance ruling is permitted to be sought, he has
to seek it every year. Whether Ranjan’s apprehension is correct?
(iv) The tax advisor is of the view that the order of Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) is
final and is not appealable. Whether the tax advisor’s view is correct?
(v) Sambhav - Ranjan’s friend - is a supplier registered in Delhi. He is engaged in
supply of the goods, which Ranjan proposes to supply at the same commercial level
that Ranjan proposes to adopt.
He intends to apply the classification of the goods as decided in the advance ruling
order to be obtained by Ranjan, to the goods supplied by him in Delhi. Whether
Sambhav can do so?
16. Product ‘Z’ was imported by Mr. X by air. The details of the import transaction are as
follows:
Particulars US $
Price of ‘Z’ at exporter’s factory 8,500
Freight from factory of the exporter to load airport (airport in the 250
country of exporter)
Loading and handling charges at the load airport 250
Freight from load airport to the airport of importation in India 4,500
Insurance charges 2,000
Though the aircraft arrived on 22.08.20XX, the bill of entry for home consumption was
presented by Mr. X on 20.08.20XX.
Particulars US $
FOB value 1,000
Freight, loading, unloading and handling charges associated with Not known
the delivery of the imported goods to the place of importation
Insurance charges 10
Case II
Particulars US $
FOB value plus insurance charges 1,010
Freight, loading, unloading and handling charges associated with Not known
the delivery of the imported goods to the place of importation
Case III
Particulars US $
FOB value 1,000
Sea freight, loading, unloading and handling charges associated 60
with the delivery of the imported goods to the place of importation
Insurance charges Not known
Case IV
Particulars US $
FOB value plus sea freight and loading, unloading and handling 1,060
charges associated with the delivery of the imported goods to the
place of importation
Insurance charges Not known
Case V
Particulars US $
FOB value 1,000
Air freight, loading, unloading and handling charges associated with 250
the delivery of the imported goods to the place of importation
Insurance charges 10
19. With reference to the recent amendments made in the Customs Act, 1962, examine the
validity of the following statements:
(a) A beneficial owner of imported goods is a person on whose behalf the goods are
being imported.
SUGGESTED ANSWERS
1. Computation of GST Liability of Power Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore for the
month of November 20XX
S.No. Particulars `
A. Items sent in container truck to own location in Tamil Nadu - 36,000
IGST @ 12% [Note 1]
Container truck sent to own location in Tamil Nadu [Note 2] -
B. Stand-alone machine sent in container truck to client location -
in Tamil Nadu, for carrying out repairs [Note 3]
Container truck sent to client location in Tamil Nadu [Note 3] -
Items sent in container truck to client location in Tamil Nadu, -
for carrying out repairs [Note 4]
C. Container truck sent to client location in Karnataka [Note 3] -
Items sent in container truck to client location in Karnataka, -
for carrying out repairs [Note 4]
D. Invoices raised for repair work carried out in Tamil Nadu: 12,60,000
IGST @ 18% [Note 5 and Note 6]
E. Invoices raised for repair work carried out in Karnataka: 2,16,000
CGST 9% + SGST 9% [Note 5 and Note 7]
Total GST liability 15,12,000
Notes:
(1) Movement of goods without any consideration to a ‘distinct person’ as specified in
section 25(4) of the CGST Act, 2017 is deemed to be a supply in terms of Schedule
I of the said Act. The purchase value is taken as taxable value, being the open
market value in terms of rule 28(a) of the CGST Rules 2017. (However, if the
regional office is eligible to take full input tax credit, any value may be declared in
the tax invoice and that will be taken to be the open market value in terms of the
second proviso to the same rule.)
In the given case-
• the location of the supplier is in Bangalore (Karnataka); and
• the place of supply of items contained in the truck is the location of such goods
at the time at which the movement of goods terminates for delivery to the
recipient i.e., Tamil Nadu in terms of section 10(1)(a) of the IGST Act, 2017.
Therefore, the given supply of items is an inter-State supply as the location of the
supplier and the place of supply are in two different States [Section 7(1)(a) of IGST
Act, 2017]. Thus, the supply is leviable to IGST in terms of section 5(1) of the IGST
Act, 2017.
Since the activity is a supply, a tax invoice is to be issued by Power Engineering
Pvt. Ltd. in terms of section 31(1)(a) of the CGST Act, 2017 for sending the items to
its own location in Tamil Nadu.
(2) As per section 25(4) of the CGST Act, 2017, a person who has obtained more than
one registration, whether in one State or Union territory or more than one State or
Union territory shall, in respect of each such registration, be treated as ‘distinct
persons’.
Schedule I to the CGST Act, 2017 specifies situations where activities are to be
treated as supply even if made without consideration. Supply of goods and/or
services between ‘distinct persons’ as specified in section 25 of the CGST Act,
2017, when made in the course or furtherance of business is one such activity
included in Schedule I under para 2.
However, in view of the GST Council’s recommendation, it has been clarified that
the inter-State movement of various modes of conveyance between ‘distinct
persons’ as specified in section 25(4), not involving further supply of such
conveyance, including trucks carrying goods or passengers or both; or for repairs
and maintenance, may be treated ‘neither as a supply of goods nor supply of
service’ and therefore, will not be leviable to IGST. Applicable CGST/SGST/IGST,
however, shall be leviable on repairs and maintenance done for such conveyance
[Circular No. 1/1/2017 IGST dated 07.07.2017].
Since the activity is not a supply, tax invoice is not required to be issued by Power
Engineering Pvt. Ltd. However, a delivery challan is to be issued by the company in
terms of rule 55(1)(c) of CGST Rules, 2017 for sending the truck to its own location
in Tamil Nadu.
(3) Supply of goods without consideration is deemed to be a supply inter alia when the
goods are supplied to a ‘distinct person’. However, in this case, stand-alone
machine and container truck are moved to client location and not between ‘distinct
persons’. Hence, the same will fall outside the scope of definition of supply and will
not be leviable to GST.
Here again, a delivery challan is to be issued in terms of rule 55(1)(c) of CGST
Rules, 2017 for sending the stand-alone machines and container truck to client
location.
(4) As per section 2(119) of the CGST Act, 2017, ‘works contract’ means a contract for,
inter alia, repair, maintenance of any immovable property wherein transfer of
property in goods (whether as goods or in some other form) is involved in the
execution of such contract.
In this case, the supplier provides maintenance and repair services for power plants
that are in the nature of immovable property and uses consumables and parts,
wherever necessary, for the repairs. Hence, the contract is that of a works contract.
Further, as per section 2(30) of the CGST Act, 2017, a works contract is a
‘composite supply’ as it consists of taxable supplies of both goods and services
which are naturally bundled and supplied in conjunction with each other. The
composite supply of works contract is treated as supply of service in terms of para
6(a) of Schedule II to the CGST Act, 2017.
The items used in relation to the repair and maintenance work could be
consumables or could be identifiable items/parts. In either case, the transfer of
property in goods is incidental to a composite supply of works contract service.
Thus, the value of the items actually used in the repairs will be included in the
invoice raised for the service and will be charged to tax at that point of time.
Here again, a delivery challan is to be issued in terms of rule 55(1)(c) of CGST
Rules, 2017 for sending the items for carrying out the repairs.
(5) The activity is a composite supply of works contract, which is treated as supply of
service. As per section 8(a) of the CGST Act, 2017, a composite supply is treated
as a supply of the principal supply involved therein and charged to tax accordingly.
Since the activity is a supply of service, a tax invoice is to be issued by Power
Engineering Pvt. Ltd. in terms of section 31(2) of the CGST Act, 2017.
(6) In the given case-
• the location of the supplier is in Bangalore (Karnataka); and
• the place of supply of works contract services relating to the power plant
(immovable property) is the location at which the immovable property is
located i.e., Tamil Nadu in terms of section 12(3)(a) of the IGST Act, 2017.
Therefore, the given supply is an inter-State supply as the location of the supplier
and the place of supply are in two different States [Section 7(1)(a) of IGST Act,
2017]. Thus, the supply will be leviable to IGST in terms of section 5(1) of the IGST
Act, 2017.
(7) In the given case, the location of the supplier and the place of supply of works
contract services are within the same State. Therefore, the given supply is an intra-
State supply in terms of section 8(1) of IGST Act, 2017 and thus, chargeable to
CGST and SGST.
2. Computation of GST liability of ABC Ltd.
Particulars (`)
Price of machine [Note 1] 40,00,000
Handling and loading charges [Note 2] 10,000
Installation and commissioning charges [Note 3] 1,00,000
Transportation cost [Note 4] Nil
Additional warranty cost [Note 5] 3,00,000
Grant from DEF Ltd. [Note 6] 2,00,000
Total price of the machine 46,10,000
Less: 2% cash discount on price of machinery = Rs.40,00,000 × 2% 80,000
[Note 7]
Taxable value of supply 45,30,000
Tax liability for the month of August 20XX [Note 11]
IGST @ 12% [Note 8 and Note 9] 5,43,600
Tax liability for the month of October 20XX [Note 11]
Interest collected @ 3% on ` 44,10,000 [Note 10] 1,32,300
Cash discount recovered [Note 10] 80,000
Cum-tax value of interest and cash discount 2,12,300
IGST = (` 2,12,300/112) x 12% 22,746
Total IGST payable on the machinery 5,66,346
Notes:
(1) As per section 15(1) of the CGST Act, 2017, the value of a supply is the transaction
value i.e., the price actually paid or payable for the said supply when the supplier
and the recipient of the supply are not related and the price is the sole consideration
for the supply. It is assumed that ABC Ltd. and D Pvt. Ltd are not related and the
price is the sole consideration for the supply.
(2) All incidental expenses charged by the supplier to the recipient of a supply are
includible in the value of supply in terms of section 15(2)(c) of CGST Act, 2017.
(3) Any amount charged for anything done by the supplier in respect of the supply of
goods at the time of, or before delivery of goods is includible in the value of supply
in terms of section 15(2)(c) of CGST Act, 2017.
(4) Transportation cost has not been included in the value of supply of the machinery
as it is a separate service contract between the customer and the third-party service
provider. The customer pays the freight directly to the service provider.
The supplier (ABC Ltd), in this case, merely arranges for the transport and does not
provide the transport service on its own account. Tax will be separately levied on
the supply of service of transportation of goods under reverse charge.
(5) Warranty cost is includible in the value of the supply since transaction value
includes all elements of the price excluding those that can be specifically excluded
as per section 15 of the CGST Act.
(6) Subsidies directly linked to the price excluding subsidies provided by the Central
Government and State Governments are includible in the value of supply in terms of
section 15(2)(e) of the CGST Act, 2017.
(7) Cash discount was deducted by ABC Ltd. upfront at the time of supply on August 1,
20XX and hence, the same is excluded from the value of supply as it did not form
part of the transaction value.
(8) In the given case-
• the location of the supplier is in Noida (UP); and
• the place of supply of machinery is the place of installation of the machinery
i.e., Gurugram (Haryana) in terms of section 10(1)(d) of the IGST Act, 2017.
Therefore, the given supply is an inter-State supply as the location of the supplier
and the place of supply are in two different States [Section 7(1)(a) of IGST Act,
2017]. Thus, the supply will be leviable to IGST in terms of section 5(1) of the IGST
Act, 2017.
(9) The given supply is a composite supply involving supply of goods (machinery) and
services (handling and loading and installation and commissioning) where the
principal supply is the supply of goods.
As per section 8(a) of the CGST Act, 2017, a composite supply is treated as a
supply of the principal supply involved therein and charged to tax accordingly.
Thus, tax rate applicable to the goods (machinery) has been considered.
(10) Interest for the delayed payment of any consideration for any supply is includible in
the value of supply in terms of section 15(2)(d) of the CGST Act, 2017. Further,
cash discount recovered will also be includible in the value of supply as now the
transaction value i.e., the price actually paid for the machinery is devoid of any
discount.
The cash discount not allowed and interest have to be considered as cum tax value
and tax payable thereon has to be computed by making back calculations in terms
of rule 35 of CGST Rules, 2017.
(11) It has been assumed that the invoice for the supply has been issued on August 1,
20XX, the date on which the supply is made. Thus, the time of supply of goods is
August 1, 20XX in terms of section 12(1)(a) of the CGST Act, 2017.
As per section 12(6) of the CGST Act, 2017, the time of supply in case of addition in
value by way of interest, late fee, penalty etc. for delayed payment of consideration
for goods is the date on which the supplier receives such addition in value. Thus,
the time of supply of interest received and cash discount recovered on account of
delayed payment of consideration is 31st October, 20XX, the date when the full
payment was made. The supplier may issue a debit note for such interest and cash
discount recovered.
Working Notes
(i) Since the excavators are invariably hired out along with operators and
excavator operators are supplied only when the excavator is hired out, it is a
case of composite supply under section 2(30) of the CGST Act, 2017 wherein
the principal supply is the hiring out of the excavator.
As per section 8(a) of the CGST Act, 2017, the composite supply is treated as
the supply of the principal supply. Therefore, the supply of manpower for
operation of the excavators will also be taxed at the rate applicable for hiring
out of the excavator (principal supply), which is 12%.
(ii) Soil testing and seismic evaluation services being independent of the hiring out
of excavator will be taxed at the rate applicable to them, which is 18%.
Therefore, since even with turnover of ` 90 lakh the ineligibility in respect of nature
of services supplied by firm exists i.e., the firm provides professional services and
not restaurant services; it will not be eligible for composition scheme.
(b) The answer will not change even if the firm is providing support services to
restaurants as only the supplier providing restaurant services per se are eligible for
composition scheme.
5. (i) The transaction undertaken by Mr. Z is neither import nor export of goods in terms
of Customs Act, 1962. However, it is an inter-State supply in terms of provisions of
section 7(5)(a) of the IGST Act, 2017 which provides that when the supplier is
located in India and the place of supply is outside India, supply of goods or services
or both, shall be treated to be a supply of goods or services or both in the course of
inter-State trade or commerce.
(ii) As per section 13(2) of the IGST Act, 2017, in case where the location of the
supplier of services or the location of the recipient of services is outside India, the
place of supply of services except the services specified in sub-sections (3) to (13)
shall be the location of the recipient of services. Sub-sections (3) to (13) provide
the mechanism to determine the place of supply in certain specific situations.
The given case does not fall under any of such specific situations and thus, the
place of supply in this case will be determined under sub-section (2) of section 13.
Thus, the place of supply of services in this case is the location of recipient of
services i.e., USA.
As per section 2(6) of the IGST Act, 2017, export of services means the supply of
any service when,–
(a) the supplier of service is located in India;
(b) the recipient of service is located outside India;
(c) the place of supply of service is outside India;
(d) the payment for such service has been received by the supplier of service in
convertible foreign exchange; and
(e) the supplier of service and the recipient of service are not merely establishments
of a distinct person in accordance with Explanation 1 in section 8.
Since all the above five conditions are fulfilled in the given case, the same will be
considered as an export of service.
6. As per section 16(1) of the CGST Act, 2017, every registered person can take credit of
input tax charged on any supply of goods or services or both to him which are used or
intended to be used in the course or furtherance of his business. However, section 17(5)
of CGST Act, 2017 specifies certain goods and services on which the input tax credit is
not available.
In the light of the foregoing provisions, the availability of input tax credit (ITC) in respect
of the various expenses incurred by Krishna Motors is discussed below:
(i) Section 17(5)(a) specifically blocks ITC on motor vehicles and other conveyances.
However, the same is allowed when the motor vehicles and other conveyances are
used, inter alia, for further supply of such vehicles or conveyances. Thus, ITC on
cars purchased from the manufacturer for making further supply of such cars will be
allowed.
However, ITC on the cars destroyed in accident will not be allowed as the ITC on
goods destroyed for whichever reason is specifically blocked under section 17(5)(h)
of CGST Act.
(ii) Section 17(5)(c) specifically blocks ITC on works contract services when supplied
for construction of an immovable property (other than plant and machinery) except
where it is an input service for further supply of works contract service. Since, in
this case the car shed is not a plant and machinery and the works contract service
is not used for further supply of works contract service, ITC thereon will not be
allowed.
7. Section 2(13) of the IGST Act, 2017 defines “intermediary” to mean a broker, an agent or
any other person, by whatever name called, who arranges or facilitates the supply of
goods or services or both, or securities, between two or more persons, but does not
include a person who supplies such goods or services or both or securities on his own
account.
In this case, since ABC Pvt. Ltd. is arranging or facilitating supply of goods between the
foreign customer and the Indian vendor, the said services can be classified as
intermediary services.
If the location of the supplier of services or the location of the recipient of service is
outside India, the place of supply is determined in terms of section 13 of the IGST Act,
2017. Since, in the given case, the recipient of supply is located outside India, the
provisions of supply of intermediary services will be determined in terms of section 13 of
the IGST Act, 2017.
As per section 13(8)(b), the place of supply in case of intermediary services is the
location of the supplier i.e., the location of ABC Pvt. Ltd. which is New Delhi. Further, as
per section 8(2) of the IGST Act, 2017, supply of services where the location of the
supplier and the place of supply of services are in the same State is treated as intra-
State supply.
Therefore, since in the given case, both the location of ABC Pvt. Ltd. and the place of
supply of the service provided by it are in New Delhi, the supply of service will be an
intra-State supply leviable to CGST & SGST.
Assuming that the given rate of exchange is prevailing on the date of time of supply of
services, the CGST and SGST liability will be worked out as under:
CGST = ` 5,85,000 (1,00,000 x 65 x 9%)
SGST = ` 5,85,000 (1,00,000 x 65 x 9%)
8. (a) Section 22(1) of the CGST Act, 2017 inter alia provides that every supplier, whose
aggregate turnover in a financial year exceeds ` 20,00,000, is liable to be
registered under GST in the State/ Union territory from where he makes the taxable
supply of goods and/or services.
However, a person exclusively engaged in the business of supplying goods and/or
services that are not liable to tax or are wholly exempt from tax is not liable to
registration in terms of section 23(1)(a) of CGST Act, 2017.
In the given case, the turnover of the company for the half year ended on
30.09.20XX is ` Rs 40 lakh which is more than the threshold limit of ` 20 lakh.
Therefore, as per section 22 of CGST Act 2017, the company will be liable to
registration. However, since SNP Pvt. Ltd. supplied exempted goods till
31.10.20XX, it was not required to be registered till that day; though voluntary
registration was allowed under section 25(3) of the CGST Act, 2017.
However, the position will change from 01.11.20XX as the supply of goods become
taxable from that day and the turnover of company is above ` 20 lakh. It is
important to note here that in terms of section 2(6) of the CGST Act, 2017, the
aggregate turnover limit of ` 20 lakh includes exempt turnover also.
Therefore, turnover of ‘Z’ will be considered for determining the limit of ` 20 lakh
even though the same was exempt from GST. Therefore, the company needs to
register within 30 days from 01.11.20XX (the date on which it becomes liable to
registration) in terms of section 25(1) of the CGST Act, 2017.
Further, the company cannot avail exemption of ` 20 lakh from 01.11.20XX as the
GST law does not provide any threshold exemption from payment of tax but
threshold exemption from obtaining registration (which in this case had been
crossed).
(b) Rule 43(1)(a) of the CGST Rules, 2017 disallows input tax credit on capital goods
used or intended to be used exclusively for effecting exempt supplies.
However, as per section 18(1)(d) of the CGST Act, 2017, where an exempt supply
of goods and/or services by a registered person becomes a taxable supply, such
person gets entitled to take credit of input tax in respect of inputs held in stock and
inputs contained in semi-finished or finished goods held in stock relatable to such
exempt supply and on capital goods exclusively used for such exempt supply on the
day immediately preceding the date from which such supply becomes taxable.
Rule 40(1)(a) of the CGST Rules, 2017 lays down that the credit on capital goods
can be claimed after reducing the tax paid on such capital goods by 5% per quarter
of a year or part thereof from the date of the invoice.
Therefore, in the given case, SNP Pvt. Ltd. could not claim credit on machinery till
the time the supply of product ‘Z’ for which said machinery was being used was
exempt. However, it can claim credit from 31.10.20XX - the day immediately
preceding the date from which the supply of product ‘Z’ became taxable
(01.11.20XX).
The credit will be available for the remaining useful life of the machinery and will be
computed as follows:
Date of purchase of machinery 01.07.20XX
Date on which credit becomes eligible 31.10.20XX
Number of quarters for which credit is to be reduced 2 (including part of
quarter)
GST paid on machinery [` 20,00,000 x 18%] ` 3,60,000
Credit to be reduced [` 3,60,000 x 5% x 2] ` 36,000
Amount of credit that can be taken [` 3,60,000 – ` 3,18,000
` 36,000]
9. As per section 22 of the CGST Act, 2017, a supplier is liable to be registered in the
State/Union territory from where he makes a taxable supply of goods or services or both,
if his aggregate turnover in a financial year exceeds ` 20 lakh.
However, if such taxable supplies are made from any of the specified special category States,
namely, States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland,
Sikkim, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, he shall be liable to be registered if
his aggregate turnover in a financial year exceeds ` 10 lakh.
In the given question, since Rishabh Enterprises is engaged in making taxable supplies
from Maharashtra which is not a specified Special Category State, the threshold limit for
obtaining registration is ` 20 lakh.
The threshold limit is not reduced to ` 10 lakh in this case, as sale of alcoholic liquor for
human consumption from Uttarakhand (one of the specified Special Category States) are
non-taxable supplies in terms of section 9(1) of CGST Act, 2017.
As per section 2(6) of the CGST Act, 2017, aggregate turnover includes the aggregate
value of:
(i) all taxable supplies,
(ii) all exempt supplies,
(iii) exports of goods and/or services and
aggregate turnover exceeds ` 20 lakh in the month of March, it should apply for
registration within 30 days from the date on which it becomes liable to registration.
10. (i) Where the aggregate turnover of a supplier making supplies from a State/UT
exceeds `20 lakh in a financial year, he is liable to be registered in the said
State/UT. The said supplier must apply for registration within 30 days from the date
on which he becomes liable to registration. However, in the given case, although
Shagun became liable to registration on 25.01.20XX, she didn’t apply for
registration within 30 days of becoming liable to registration.
Section 122(1)(xi) of the CGST Act, 2017 stipulates that a taxable person who is
liable to be registered under the CGST Act, 2017 but fails to obtain registration shall
be liable to pay a penalty of:
(a) ` 10,000
or
(b) an amount equivalent to the tax evaded [` 1,26,000 in the given case],
whichever is higher.
Thus, the amount of penalty that can be imposed on Shagun is ` 1,26,000.
(ii) Section 122(3)(d) of the CGST Act, 2017 stipulates that any person who fails to
appear before the officer of central tax, when issued with a summon for appearance
to give evidence or produce a document in an inquiry is liable to a penalty which
may extend to ` 25,000. Therefore, penalty upto ` 25,000 can be imposed on
Sagar, in the given case.
11. The written submissions in reply to SCN issued to Rajul are as follows:
i. The show cause notice (SCN) issued for normal period of limitation under section
73(1) of the CGST Act, 2017 is not sustainable.
ii. The SCN under section 73(1) of the CGST Act, 2017 can be issued at least
3 months prior to the time limit specified for issuance of order under section 73(10)
of the CGST Act, 2017. The adjudication order under section 73(10) of the CGST
Act, 2017 has to be issued within 3 years from the due date for furnishing of annual
return for the financial year to which the short-paid tax relates to.
The due date for furnishing annual return for a financial year is on or before the
31st day of December following the end of such financial year [Section 44 of the
CGST Act, 2017]. Thus, SCN under section 73(1) of the CGST Act, 2017 can be
issued within 2 years and 9 months from the due date for furnishing of annual return
for the financial year to which the short-paid tax relates to.
iii. The SCN has been issued for the period between 01.07.2017 to 31.12.2017 which
falls in the financial year (FY) 2017-18. Due date for furnishing annual return for the
FY 2017-18 is 31.12.2018 and 3 years’ period from due date of filing annual return
lapses on 31.12.2021. Thus, SCN under section 73(1) ought to have been issued
latest by 30.09.2021.
iv. Since the notice has been issued after 30.09.2021, the entire proceeding is barred
by limitation and deemed to be concluded under section 75(10) of the CGST Act,
2017.
12. As per section 117(1) of the CGST Act, 2017, an appeal against orders passed by the
State Bench or Area Benches of the Tribunal lies to the High Court if the High Court is
satisfied that such an appeal involves a substantial question of law.
However, appeal against orders passed by the National Bench or Regional Benches of
the Tribunal lies to the Supreme Court and not High Court. As per section 109(5) of the
Act, only the National Bench or Regional Benches of the Tribunal can decide appeals
where one of the issues involved relates to the place of supply.
Since the issue involved in Mr. A’s case relates to place of supply, the appeal in his case
would have been decided by the National Bench or Regional Bench of the Tribunal.
Thus, Mr. A will have to file an appeal with the Supreme Court and not with the High
Court.
13. The duties of the Anti-profiteering Authority are:
(i) to determine whether the reduction in tax rate or the benefit of input tax credit has
been passed on by the seller to the buyer (hereinafter collectively referred to as
‘benefit’) by reducing the prices
(ii) to identify the taxpayer who has not passed on the benefit
(iii) to order
(a) reduction in prices
(b) return to the recipient, an amount equivalent to the amount not passed on by
way of commensurate reduction in prices along with interest at the rate of 18%
from the date of collection of the higher amount till the date of the return of
such amount or recovery of the amount not returned, as the case may be.
If the eligible person does not claim return of the amount or is not identifiable,
the amount must be deposited in the Consumer Welfare Fund;
(c) imposition of penalty
(d) cancellation of registration
(iv) to furnish a performance report to the GST Council by the 10 th of the month
succeeding each quarter [Rule 127 of the CGST Rules, 2017].
14. As per section 54(3) of the CGST Act, 2017, a registered person may claim refund of
unutilised input tax credit at the end of any tax period in the following cases:
(iii) Section 103(2) of the CGST Act, 2017 stipulates that the advance ruling shall be
binding unless the law, facts or circumstances supporting the original advance
ruling have changed. Therefore, once Ranjan has sought the advance ruling with
respect to an eligible matter/question, it will be binding till the time the law, facts and
circumstances supporting the original advance ruling remain same.
(iv) No, the tax advisor’s view is not correct. As per section 100 of the CGST Act, 2017,
if the applicant is aggrieved with the finding of the AAR, he can file an appeal with
Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling (AAAR). Similarly, if the concerned/
jurisdictional officer of CGST/SGST does not agree with the findings of AAR, he can
also file an appeal with AAAR.
Such appeal must be filed within 30 days from the receipt of the advance ruling.
The Appellate Authority may allow additional 30 days for filing the appeal, if it is
satisfied that there was a sufficient cause for delay in presenting the appeal.
(v) Section 103 of the CGST Act provides that an advance ruling pronounced by AAR is
binding only on the applicant who had sought it and on the concerned officer or the
jurisdictional officer in respect of the applicant. This implies that an advance ruling
is not applicable to similarly placed other taxable persons in the State. It is only
limited to the person who has applied for an advance ruling.
Thus, Sambhav will not be able to apply the classification of the goods that will be
decided in the advance ruling order to be obtained by Ranjan, to the goods supplied
by him in Delhi.
16. Computation of assessable value of product ‘Z’
Particulars Amount
Ex-factory price of the goods 8,500 US $
Freight from factory of the exporter to load airport 250 US $
(airport in the country of exporter)
Loading and handling charges at the load airport 250 US $
Freight from load airport to the airport of importation 4,500 US $
in India
Total cost of transport, loading and handling charges 5,000 US $
associated with the delivery of the imported goods to
the place of importation
Add: Cost of transport, loading, unloading and handling charges 1,800 US $
associated with the delivery of the imported goods to the
place of importation (restricted to 20% of FOB value) [Note 1]
Insurance (actual) 2,000 US $
CIF for customs purpose 12,300 US $
[Note 1]
Handling charges at the port in the country of the exporter 100
[Note 1]
Charges for design and engineering work undertaken for the 5,000
machine in US [Note 2]
Buying commission [Note 3] Nil
FOB value 26,100.00
Add: Freight charges up to India 2,000.00
Insurance charges @ 1.125% of FOB [Note 4] 293.63
Transport charges from Mumbai to Cochin port [Note 5] Nil
CIF value 28,393.63
Add: Unloading and handling charges paid at the place of Nil
importation [Note 6]
Assessable value 28,393.63
Assessable value in Indian rupees @ ` 60/ per $ ` 17,03,617.80
Assessable value (rounded off) ` 17,03,618
Notes:
(1) The cost of transport, loading, unloading and handling charges associated with the
delivery of the imported goods to the place of importation are includible in the
assessable value [Rule 10(2)(a) of the Customs Valuation (Determination of Value
of Imported Goods) Rules, 2007 (CVR)].
(2) Design and engineering work undertaken elsewhere than in India and necessary for
the production of the imported goods is includible in the assessable value [Rule
10(1)(b)(iv) of the CVR].
(3) Buying commission is not included in the assessable value [Rule 10(1)(a)(i) of the
CVR].
(4) If insurance cost is not ascertainable, the same shall be added @ 1.125% of FOB
value of the goods [Third proviso to rule 10(2) of the CVR].
(5) Cost of insurance, transport, loading, unloading, handling charges associated with
transshipment of imported goods to another customs station in India is not included
in the assessable value [Sixth proviso to rule 10(2) of the CVR].
(6) By virtue of the amendment carried out in rule 10(2) of the CVR vide Notification No.
91/2017Cus. (NT) dated 26.09.2017, only charges incurred for delivery of goods
“to” the place of importation are includible in the transaction value.
The loading, unloading and handling charges associated with the delivery of the
imported goods at the place of importation are not to be added to the CIF value of
the goods. [Circular No. 39 / 2017 Cus. dated 26.09.2017].
18. Rule 10(2) of the Customs (Determination of Value of Imported Goods) Rules, 2007
(CVR) has been substituted by a new sub-rule. The new sub-rule provides that for the
purposes of sub-section (1) of section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 and these rules, the
value of the imported goods shall be the value of such goods, and shall include -
(a) the cost of transport, loading, unloading and handling charges associated with the
delivery of the imported goods to the place of importation;
(b) the cost of insurance to the place of importation:
Provided that where the cost referred to in clause (a) is not ascertainable, such cost shall
be 20% of the free on board value of the goods.
Provided further that where the free on board value of the goods is not ascertainable but
the sum of free on board value of the goods and the cost referred to in clause (b) is
ascertainable, the cost referred to in clause (a) shall be 20% of such sum:
Provided also that where the cost referred to in clause (b) is not ascertainable, such cost
shall be 1.125% of free on board value of the goods.
Provided also that where the free on board value of the goods is not ascertainable but
the sum of free on board value of the goods and the cost referred to in clause (a) is
ascertainable, the cost referred to in clause (b) shall be 1.125% of such sum.
Provided also that in the case of goods imported by air, where the cost referred to in
clause (a) is ascertainable, such cost shall not exceed 20% of free on board value of the
goods.
Provided also that in the case of goods imported by sea or air and transshipped to
another customs station in India, the cost of insurance, transport, loading, unloading,
handling charges associated with such transshipment shall be excluded.
Explanation-
The cost of transport of the imported goods referred to in clause (a) includes the ship
demurrage charges on charted vessels, lighterage or barge charges.
In the backdrop of the above provisions, the assessable value in the various cases will
be computed as under:
Computation of assessable value
Case I
Particulars US $
FOB value 1,000
Add: Cost of transport, loading, unloading and handling charges 200
associated with the delivery of the imported goods to the place of
importation [20% of FOB value in terms of first proviso to rule 10(2) of
CVR]
Cost of insurance [Includible in terms of rule 10(2)(b) of CVR] 10
Assessable value [CIF value] 1,210
Case II
Particulars US $
FOB value plus insurance charges 1,010
Add: Cost of transport, loading, unloading and handling charges 202
associated with the delivery of the imported goods to the place of
importation [20% of sum of FOB value of the goods and the cost of
insurance in terms of second proviso to rule 10(2) of CVR]
Assessable value [CIF value] 1,212
Case III
Particulars US $
FOB value 1,000
Add: Cost of sea transport, loading, unloading and handling charges 60
associated with the delivery of the imported goods to the place of
importation [Includible in terms of rule 10(2)(a) of CVR]
Insurance [1.125% of sum of FOB value of the goods in terms of third 11.25
proviso to rule 10(2) of CVR]
Assessable value [CIF value] 1,071.25
Assessable value rounded off 1,071
Case IV
Particulars US $
FOB value plus sea freight and loading, unloading and handling charges 1,060
associated with the delivery of the imported goods to the place of
importation
Add: Insurance [1.125% of sum of FOB value of the goods and sea 11.925
freight and loading, unloading and handling charges associated with the
delivery of the imported goods to the place of importation in terms of
fourth proviso to rule 10(2) of CVR]
Assessable value CIF value 1071.925
Assessable value rounded off 1,072
Case V
Particulars US $
FOB value 1,000
Add: Cost of air transport, loading, unloading and handling charges 200
associated with the delivery of the imported goods to the place of
importation is restricted to 20% of FOB value when transportation of
goods is through air [Fifth proviso to rule 10(2) of CVR]
Cost of insurance 10
Assessable value [CIF value] 1,210
19. (a) The statement is valid. A new section 2(3A) has been inserted in the Customs
Act, 1962 vide the Finance Act, 2017 to define beneficial owner to mean any person
on whose behalf the goods are being imported or exported or who exercises
effective control over the goods being imported or exported.
(b) The statement is not valid. The definition of customs area as provided under
section 2(11) of the Customs Act, 1962 has been amended vide the Taxation Laws
(Amendment) Act, 2017 to include within its ambit a warehouse too.
The customs area is now defined to mean the area of a customs station or a
warehouse and includes any area in which imported goods or export goods are
ordinarily kept before clearance by customs authorities.
(c) The statement is valid. The Finance Act, 2017 has included international courier
terminal and foreign post office within the scope of customs station as defined under
section 2(13) of the Customs Act, 1962.
As per the amended section 2(13), a customs station means any customs port,
customs airport, international courier terminal, foreign post office or land customs
station.
20. (i) ‘Clear first-Pay later’ i.e., deferred duty payment is a mechanism for delinking duty
payment and customs clearance. The aim is to have a seamless wharf to
warehouse transit in order to facilitate just-in-time manufacturing. This scheme is in
force w.e.f. 16th November, 2016.
(ii) Central Government has permitted importers certified under Authorized Economic
Operator programme as AEO (Tier-Two) and AEO (Tier-Three) to make deferred
payment of import duty (eligible importers).
As a part of the ease of doing business focus of the Government of India, the CBEC
has rolled out the AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) programme.
It is a trade facilitation move wherein benefits are extended to the entities who have
demonstrated strong internal control systems and willingness to comply with the
laws administered by the CBEC.
(iii) The due dates for payment of deferred duty are -
S. Goods corresponding to bill of Due date of payment of duty,
No. entry returned for payment from inclusive of the period
(excluding holidays) as
mentioned in section 47(2)
1. 1st day to 15th day of any month 16th day of that month
2. 16th day till the last day of any month 1st day of the following month
other than March
3. 16th day till the 31st day of March 31st March
(iv) If there is default in payment of duty by due date more than once in three
consecutive months, the facility of deferred payment will not be allowed unless the
duty with interest has been paid in full.
The benefit of deferred payment of duty will not be available in respect of the goods
which have not been assessed or not declared by the importer in the bill of entry.
Note: GST law is in its nascent stage and has been subject to frequent changes.
Although many clarifications have been issued in the last six months by way of
FAQs or otherwise, many issues continue to arise on account of varying
interpretations on several of its provisions. Therefore, alternate answers may be
possible for the above questions depending upon the view taken.