Service Tax on service portion in execution of works Contract:- An Analysis

[ROHAN THAKKAR]

Budget 2012 has ushered a new system of taxation of services; popularly known as Negative List. The new changes are a paradigm shift from the existing system where only services of specified descriptions are subjected to tax. In the new system all services, except those specified in the negative list, will be subject to taxation. The negative list has come into effect from 1^st July, 2012. 

It is said that nothing is certain except change. The paradigm shift in service tax has some effect in a way the functioning of persons who provides work contract is done. The changes that is required to be done for complying with the new law relating to service tax with reference to functioning of the company for the services that are provided by it is described in the paragraphs below:

 1.      Works Contract Service

• With effect from 01-07-2012, service portion in execution of works contract has been listed as declared service. Section 66E(h) reads as under

(h) service portion in the execution of a works contract;

• In this regard, works contract has been defined by section 65B(54) which as under:

                   i.            "works contract" means a contract

• wherein transfer of property in goods involved in the execution of such contract is leviable to tax as sale of goods and
• such contract is for the purpose of carrying out

1. construction,
2. erection,
3. commissioning,
4.  installation,
5. completion,
6. fitting out,
7. repair,
8. maintenance,
9. renovation,
10. alteration

• of any moveable or immovable property or for carrying out any other similar activity or a part thereof in relation to such property;

• Thus, method of valuation for works contract has been specified under Rule 2A of Service Tax (Determination of Valuation Rules) the provision of which has been summarized as under:

   I . Where the VAT has been paid / payable on actual value and not under composition scheme.

• Where the VAT has been paid on the actual value of goods transferred in execution of works contract, in such as case, value of service portion in the execution of a works contract shall be equivalent to the gross amount charged for the works contract less the value of property in goods transferred in the execution of the said works contract.
• The gross amount charged for the works contract shall not include value added tax or sales tax, as the case may be, paid or payable, if any, on transfer of property in goods involved in the execution of the said works contract.
• Where value added tax or sales tax has been paid or payable on the actual value of property in goods transferred in the execution of the works contract, then, such value adopted for the purposes of payment of value added tax or sales tax, shall be taken as the value of property in goods transferred in the execution of the said works contract for determination of the value of service portion in the execution of works contract under this clause.
• value of works contract service shall include (The word include indicates that the list is illustrative in nature)

1. labour charges for execution of the works;
2.  amount paid to a sub-contractor for labour and services;
3. charges for planning, designing and architect's fees;
4. charges for obtaining on hire or otherwise, machinery and tools used for the execution of the works contract;
5.  cost of consumables such as water, electricity, fuel used in the execution of the works contract;
6.  cost of establishment of the contractor relatable to supply of labour and services;
7.  other similar expenses relatable to supply of labour and services; and
8.   profit earned by the service provider relatable to supply of labour and services;

• The provider of taxable service shall not take Cenvat credit of duties or cess paid on any inputs, used in or in relation to the said works contract, under the provisions of CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004. It is to be noted that the provider only will not be able to avail Cenvat credit on inputs; there is no restriction on service receiver.

Thus, there is restriction on availment of Cenvat credit on inputs and not on credit on input services or of capital goods. The logic behind not allowing Cenvat credit on inputs is that on the goods, VAT will be charged and that is a state subject.

Example

• A Ltd enters into contract with B Ltd for execution of works contract for Rs 50,00,000 excluding taxes. The contract is divided into two parts, Rs 30,00,000 for goods portion and Rs 20,00,000 for service portion. The service tax is required to be paid at 12.36% on Rs 20,00,000. 

II. Where the VAT has been not been paid / payable on actual value and but is paid under composition scheme.

• Where the value cannot be determined as per (i) above (i.e., VAT has been paid under composition scheme), in such a case, the person liable to pay tax on the service portion involved in the execution of the works contract shall determine the service tax payable in the following manner:-

Sr No	Situation	Value of Service in execution of works contract
A	In case of original works contract	40% of the total amount charged for works contract
B	In case of works contract entered into for maintenance or repair or reconditioning or restoration or servicing of any goods (Thus, activities relating to immovable property are not covered)	70% of the total amount charged for the works contract
C	Other works contract not covered by (A), or (B), above including maintenance, repair, completion and finishing services such as glazing, plastering, floor and wall tiling, installation of electrical fittings of an immovable property	60% of the total amount charged for the works contract

• The term ‘original works’ means:

1. All new constructions;
2. All types of additions and alterations to abandoned or damaged structures on land that are required to make them workable;
3. Erection, commissioning or installation of plant, machinery or equipment or structures, whether pre-fabricated or otherwise;

• The term  "total amount" means the sum total of the gross amount charged for the works contract and the fair market value of all goods and services supplied in or in relation to the execution of the works contract, whether or not supplied under the same contract or any other contract, after deducting-

1. the amount charged for such goods or services, if any; and
2. the value added tax or sales tax, if any, levied thereon:

The fair market value of goods and services so supplied may be determined in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles.

Example(s)

• A Ltd enters into contract with B Ltd for execution of works contract for Rs 50,00,000 excluding taxes. There is no bifurcation in the contract. The VAT is charged as per composition scheme under works contract. In this case, the value of service will be 40% of Rs 50,00,000/- in case of original works.
•  A Ltd enters into contract with B Ltd for execution of works contract for Rs 50,00,000 excluding taxes. There is no bifurcation in the contract. The VAT is charged as per composition scheme under works contract. In the contract, B Ltd has agreed to provide Cement to A Ltd worth 20,00,000. In this case, the value of service will be 40% of Rs 70,00,000/- in case of original works.
• A Ltd enters into contract with B Ltd for execution of works contract for Rs 50,00,000 excluding taxes. There is no bifurcation in the contract. The VAT is charged as per composition scheme under works contract. In the contract, B Ltd has agreed to provide Cement to A Ltd worth 20,00,000; however, for this, B Ltd will charge A Ltd Rs 15,00,000. In this case, the value of service will be 40% of Rs 55,00,000/- [ 50 lacs + 20 Lacs -15 Lacs] in case of original works.

2. Exemption with respect to certain services

1. Exemption w.r.t certain services

• Not all the works contract are taxable. There are certain exemptions given for services of certain nature provided to certain person. The said exemption is given by way of Notification No 25/2012-ST dated 20-06-2012. The list is as under:
• Services provided to the Government, a local authority or a governmental authority by way of construction, erection, commissioning, installation, completion, fitting out, repair, maintenance, renovation, or alteration of –

a)      a civil structure or  any other original works meant predominantly for  use other than for commerce, industry, or any other business or profession;

b)     a historical monument, archaeological site or remains of national importance, archaeological excavation, or antiquity specified under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (24 of 1958);

c)      a structure meant predominantly for use  as

• an educational,
• a clinical, or 
• an art or cultural establishment; 

d)     canal, dam or other irrigation works;

e)      Pipeline, conduit or plant for

• water supply
• water treatment, or
• sewerage treatment or disposal; or

f)       A residential complex predominantly meant for self-use or the use of their employees or other persons specified in referred as under:

• the functions performed by the Members of Parliament, Members of State Legislative, Members of Panchayats, Members of Municipalities and Members of other local authorities who receive any consideration in performing the functions of that office as such member; or
• the duties performed by any person who holds any post in pursuance of the provisions of the Constitution in that capacity; or
• the duties performed by any person as a Chairperson or a Member or a Director in a body established by the Central Government or State Governments or local authority and who is not deemed as an employee before the commencement of section 65B. [Sr No 12 of Notification]

• Services provided by way of construction, erection, commissioning, installation, completion, fitting out, repair, maintenance, renovation, or alteration of,-

a)      A road, bridge, tunnel, or terminal for road transportation for use by general public;

b)     a civil structure or  any other original works pertaining to a scheme under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission or Rajiv Awaas Yojana;

c)      a building owned by an entity registered under section 12 AA of the Income tax Act, 1961(43 of 1961) and meant predominantly for religious use by general public;

d)     a pollution control or effluent treatment plant, except located as a part of a factory; or

e)      a structure meant for funeral, burial or cremation of deceased; [Sr No 13 of Notification]

• Services by way of construction, erection, commissioning, or installation of original works pertaining to,-

a)      an airport, port or railways, including monorail or metro;

b)     a single residential unit otherwise than as a part of a residential complex;

c)      low- cost houses up to a carpet area of 60 square metres per house in a housing project approved by competent authority empowered under the ‘Scheme of Affordable Housing in Partnership’ framed by the Ministry ofHousingand Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India;

d)     post- harvest storage infrastructure for agricultural produce including a cold storages for such purposes; or

e)      mechanised food grain handling system, machinery or equipment for units  processing  agricultural produce as food stuff excluding alcoholic beverages; [Sr No 14 of Notification]

3. The services stated in para 2 above is exempt. However, many a times, a contract is awarded to a contractor and then the same is sub contracted. In this case, whether the services provided by sub contractor continue to enjoy exemption or not. 

• In this regard, Sr No 29(h) of Notification No 25/2012-ST dated 20-06-2012 states that sub-contractor providing services by way of works contract to another contractor providing works contract services which are exempt. Thus, if the main contractor enjoys exemption, sub contractor will also continue to enjoy exemption.

4 If the works contract service is provided by an individual / HUF/ partnership firm, then the service receiver will be liable to pay 50 % of the service tax and balance will only be paid by service provider. For the following services, the service tax is required to be paid by service receiver. The provisions in this regard:-

a. If the following services are received from Individual, HUF, Partnership Firm whether registered or not, including AOP, then services tax will be paid by service receiver:

1.  Man Power Recruitment Service;
2. Work Contract Service
3.  Renting of motor vehicle designed to carry passenger, to any person who is not engaged in a similar business.

b. The liability of service tax will be discharged by the service provider and service receiver in the following manner:

Nature of Service	Service Provider	Service Receiver	Percentage of Service tax is to be borne by
			Service Provider	Service Receiver
Manpower Recruitment Service	Individual / HUF/ Partnership Firm	Body Corporate	25%	75%
Manpower Recruitment Service	Body Corporate	Body Corporate	100%	NIL
Rent a cab Value without abatement	Individual / HUF/ Partnership Firm	Body Corporate	60%	40%
Rent a cab Value  with abatement	Individual / HUF/ Partnership Firm	Body Corporate	NIL	100%
Rent a cab	Body Corporate	Body Corporate	100%	NIL
Works Contract Service	Individual / HUF/ Partnership Firm	Body Corporate	50%	50%
Works Contract Service	Body Corporate	Body Corporate	100%	NIL

c. Apart from above, if the services of Individual advocate or firm of advocates by way of support services is received by the company, then in that case, service tax on the amount paid to advocate is required to be paid by the business entity under reverse charge mechanism.

5.  Now it needs to be analyzed about the position of existing works contract which are ongoing as on 01-07-2012 i.e., the date on which Negative list came into force. The point at which the tax will be payable is governed by the provisions of Rule 3 of Point of Taxation Rules, 2011 the provisions of which are as under w.r.t continuous supply service. 

The point of taxation will be 

• Date when invoice is issued for services provided or to be provided; (invoice is required to be issued within 30 days, otherwise, the point of taxation will be the date of provision of service
• Date when the payment is received for services provided or to be provided;                                 whichever is earlier

6 In case of continuous supply of service where the provision of the whole or part of the service is determined periodically on the completion of an event in terms of a contract, which requires the receiver of service to make any payment to service provider, the date of completion of each such event as specified in the contract shall be deemed to be the date of completion of provision of service;

7.After change in provision with respect to works contract (i.e., on or after 01-07-2012), the following provisions will apply

a.      Works contract services provided upto 30-06-2012

  i.     Where the services has been provided before 30-06-2012 (before change in effective rate of tax) and

• The  invoice for the same has been issued and the payment received on or after 01-07-2012 (after thechange in effective rate of tax), the point of taxation shall be date of payment or issuing of invoice, whichever is earlier (i.e., the provisions on or after 01-07-2012 will apply); or
• Where the invoice has also been issued prior to change in effective rate of tax (i.e., upto 30-06-2012) but the payment is received after the change in effective rate of tax (i.e., on or after 01-07-2012) , the point of taxation shall be the date of issuing of invoice (i.e., provisions upto 30-06-2012 will apply); or
• Where the payment is also received before the change in effective rate of tax (i.e., upto 30-06-2012), but the invoice for the same has been issued after the change in effective rate of tax (i.e., on or after 01-07-2012), the point of taxation shall be the date of payment (i.e., provisions upto 30-06-2012 will apply);

 b.     Works contract services provided on or after 01-07-2012

  i.      Where the services will be provided on or after 01-07-2012 (after change in effective rate of tax) and

• Where the invoice w.r.t services to be provided has been issued prior to the change in effective rate of tax (i.e., upto 30-06-2012) and the payment of which is received on or after 01-07-2012, then the point of taxation shall be the date of payment (i.e., the provision on or after 01-07-2012 will apply); or
• Where the invoice has also been raised after the change in effective rate of tax (i.e., on or after 01-07-2012), but the payment has been received before the change in effective rate of tax (i.e., upto 30-06-2012, the point of taxation shall be date of issuing of invoice. (i.e., the provision on or after 01-07-2012 will apply);
• Where the invoice has been issued and the payment for the invoice received before the change in effective rate of tax, the point of taxation shall be the date of receipt of payment or date of issuance of invoice, whichever is earlier. Thus, the payment and invoices w.r.t services which will be provided on or after 01-07-2012 has been made and received upto 30-06-2012, then the provisions upto 30-06-2012 will have to be followed.

8. Following implications will be drawn from above provision:

a.      The contractor who was constructing a residential complex having 12 or less than 12 residential units were exempted upto 30-06-2012. The said project is going on. Upto 30-06-2012, Rs 60,00,000 has been received and invoice of Rs 70,00,000 has been made. Thus, there will not be any service tax on 70,00,000. There will not be service tax even on Rs 10,00,000 received after 01-07-2012 which was billed upto 30-06-2012 but the payment has not been received. [As per Rule 3 and 4 of Point of Taxation Rules, 2011 read with Circular No. 162/13 /2012 –ST dated 06-07-2012 issued vide F No F. No. 354/111/2012-TRU]

b. Mr A provides painting service. The said service constitutes completion and finishing service and is also liable to works contract.

  i.      There is a project going on. No advance has been received nor any bill has been made upto 30-06-2012. The service tax will have to be paid at 7.416% (12.36% x  60%) if the bill is made after 01-07-2012 w.r.t above service or payment is received after 01-07-2012.

• If in the above case, service has been completed on 28-06-2012, then it is obligatory to issue invoice within 30 days, otherwise, the services will be deemed to have been provided on 28-06-2012 and service tax will have to be paid at 4.12% under the provisions upto 30-06-2012 (Rate of 4.12% under composition scheme).

    ii.      Mr A receives advance for the project om 28-06-2012 that is going to commence on 01-08-2012, in this case,  the service tax is required to be paid at 7.416% (12.36% x  60%) as service will be provided on or after 01-07-2012 (change in effective rate of tax).

9. The above cited are some of the provisions relating service tax on works contract. The above change is required to be noted and needs to be applied carefully.

BY CA Rohan Thakkar