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Sectionwise Commentary on The Central Goods And Services Tax (Amendment) Act,2018

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Sectionwise Commentary on The Central Goods And Services Tax (Amendment) Act,2018
AttnVivek Jalan By: AttnVivek Jalan
February 1, 2019
All Articles by: AttnVivek Jalan       View Profile
  • Contents

THE CENTRAL GOODS AND SERVICES TAX (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2018

(NO. 31 OF 2018)

[29th August, 2018]

 An Act further to amend the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.

 BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-ninth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

Short title and commencement

1. (1) This Act may be called the Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act, 2018.

 (2) Save as otherwise provided, the provisions of this Act shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint:

 Provided that different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and any reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the coming into force of that provision.

Old Section:

1. (1) This Act may be called the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.

(2) It extends to the whole of India. 

(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint:

Provided that different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and any reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the coming into force of that provision.

Amendment of section 2

2. In section 2 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act) (12 of 2017),--

 (a) in clause (4),--

(i) for the words "Central Board of Excise and Customs", the words "Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs" shall be substituted;

(ii) for the words "the Appellate Authority and the Appellate Tribunal", the words, brackets and figures "the Appellate Authority, the Appellate Tribunal and the Authority referred to in sub-section (2) of section 171" shall be substituted;

Old Clause 4 to Section 2:

 “adjudicating authority” means any authority, appointed or authorised to pass any order or decision under this Act, but does not include the Central Board of Excise and Customs, the Revisional Authority, the Authority for Advance Ruling, the Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling, the Appellate Authority and the Appellate Tribunal;

(b) in clause (17), for sub-clause (h), the following sub-clause shall be substituted, namely:-

 "(h) activities of a race club including by way of totalisator or a license to book maker or activities of a licensed book maker in such club; and";

Old Clause 17 to Section 2:

 “business” includes––

(a) any trade, commerce, manufacture, profession, vocation, adventure, wager or any other similar activity, whether or not it is for a pecuniary benefit;

(b) any activity or transaction in connection with or incidental or ancillary to sub-clause (a);

(c) any activity or transaction in the nature of sub-clause (a), whether or not there is volume, frequency, continuity or regularity of such transaction;

(d) supply or acquisition of goods including capital goods and services in connection with commencement or closure of business;

(e) provision by a club, association, society, or any such body (for a subscription or any other consideration) of the facilities or benefits to its members;

(f) admission, for a consideration, of persons to any premises;

(g) services supplied by a person as the holder of an office which has been accepted by him in the course or furtherance of his trade, profession or vocation;

(h) services provided by a race club by way of totalisator or a licence to book maker in such club ; and

(i) any activity or transaction undertaken by the Central Government, a State Government or any local authority in which they are engaged as public authorities;

Commentary : Changes are being made to ensure that all activities related to a race club are included. It may be noted that vide Notifcation No 3/2018 Central Tax dated 23rd January, 2018, the Govt had notified that the value of supply of actionable claim in the form of chance to win in betting , gambling or horse racing in a race club is amended to 100% of the face  value of the bet or the amount paid into the totalisator.

The term “services” in this clause leads to ambiguity, as actionable claims have been defined as ‘goods’ in the CGST Act.

(c) clause (18) shall be omitted;

(d) in clause (35), for the word, brackets and letter "clause (c)", the word, brackets and letter "clause (b)" shall be substituted;

Old Clause 35 to Section 2:

 “cost accountant” means a cost accountant as defined in clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Cost and Works Accountants Act, 1959 (23 of 1959);

(e) in clause (69), in sub-clause (f), after the word and figures "article 371", the words, figures and letter "and article 371J" shall be inserted;

Old Clause 69 to Section 2:

 “local authority” means––

(a) a “Panchayat” as defined in clause (d) of article 243 of the Constitution;

(b) a “Municipality” as defined in clause (e) of article 243P of the Constitution;

(c) a Municipal Committee, a Zilla Parishad, a District Board, and any other authority legally entitled to, or entrusted by the Central Government or any State Government with the control or management of a municipal or local fund;

(d) a Cantonment Board as defined in section 3 of the Cantonments Act, 2006 (41 of 2006);

(e) a Regional Council or a District Council constituted under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution;

(f) a Development Board constituted under article 371 of the Constitution; or

(g) a Regional Council constituted under article 371A of the Constitution;

(f) in clause (102), the following Explanation shall be inserted, namely:--

 'Explanation.--For the removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that the expression "services" includes facilitating or arranging transactions in securities;'.

Old Clause 102 to Section 2:

 “services” means anything other than goods, money and securities but includes activities relating to the use of money or its conversion by cash or by any other mode, from one form, currency or denomination, to another form, currency or denomination for which a separate consideration is charged.

Commentary : “services” shall include facilitating or arranging transactions in securities, eg. - some service charges or service fees or documentation fees or broking charges or such like fees or charges are charged in relation to transactions in securities.

Amendment of section 7

3. In section 7 of the principal Act, with effect from the 1st day of July, 2017,--

 (a) in sub-section (1), --

 (i) in clause (b), after the words "or furtherance of business;", the word "and" shall be inserted and shall always be deemed to have been inserted;

(ii) in clause (c), after the words "a consideration", the word "and" shall be omitted and shall always be deemed to have been omitted;

(iii) clause (d) shall be omitted and shall always be deemed to have been omitted;

(b) after sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be inserted and shall always be deemed to have been inserted, namely:--

 "(1A) where certain activities or transactions constitute a supply in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1), they shall be treated either as supply of goods or supply of services as referred to in Schedule II.";

(c) in sub-section (3), for the words, brackets and figures "sub-sections (1) and (2)", the words, brackets, figures and letter "sub-sections (1), (1A) and (2)" shall be substituted.

Old Section:

7. (1) For the purposes of this Act, the expression “supply” includes––

(a) all forms of supply of goods or services or both such as sale, transfer, barter, exchange, licence, rental, lease or disposal made or agreed to be made for a consideration by a person in the course or furtherance of business;

(b) import of services for a consideration whether or not in the course or furtherance of business;

(c) the activities specified in Schedule I, made or agreed to be made without a consideration; and

(d) the activities to be treated as supply of goods or supply of services as referred to in Schedule II.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1),––

(a) activities or transactions specified in Schedule III; or

(b) such activities or transactions undertaken by the Central Government, a State Government or any local authority in which they are engaged as public authorities, as may be notified by the Government on the recommendations of the Council,

shall be treated neither as a supply of goods nor a supply of services.

(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-sections (1) and (2), the Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, specify, by notification, the transactions that are to be treated as-

(a) a supply of goods and not as a supply of services; or

(b) a supply of services and not as a supply of goods.

Commentary - The objective to amend Section 7 of the Act is to clarify the scope of supply; It Inserts a new sub-section (1A) in section 7 and omit clause (d) of sub-section (1). Now, first an activity has to be “supply” as per S &(1) only then it will be tested as per Sch II. The recent AAR whereby supply of canteen services by employer to employee is a supply and hence taxable as per Sch II, clause No 6 (b), will be tested now.

Amendment of section 9

4. In section 9 of the principal Act, for sub-section (4), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:--

 "(4) The Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, by notification, specify a class of registered persons who shall, in respect of supply of specified categories of goods or services or both received from an unregistered supplier, pay the tax on reverse charge basis as the recipient of such supply of goods or services or both, and all the provisions of this Act shall apply to such recipient as if he is the person liable for paying the tax in relation to such supply of goods or services or both.".

Old Section:

 (4) The central tax in respect of the supply of taxable goods or services or both by a supplier, who is not registered, to a registered person shall be paid by such person on reverse charge basis as the recipient and all the provisions of this Act shall apply to such recipient as if he is the person liable for paying the tax in relation to the supply of such goods or services or both.

Commentary - The objective to amend Section 9 of the Act empowering the Central Government is to notify classes of registered persons to pay the tax on reverse charge basis in respect of receipt of supplies of certain specified categories of goods or services or both from unregistered suppliers;

Amendment of section 10

5. In section 10 of the principal Act,-

 (a) in sub-section (1) -

 (i) for the words "in lieu of the tax payable by him, an amount calculated at such rate", the words, brackets and figures "in lieu of the tax payable by him under sub-section (1) of section 9, an amount of tax calculated at such rate" shall be substituted;

(ii) in the proviso, for the words "one crore rupees", the words "one crore and fifty lakh rupees" shall be substituted;

(iii) after the proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:--

"Provided further that a person who opts to pay tax under clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c) may supply services (other than those referred to in clause (b) of paragraph 6 of Schedule II), of value not exceeding ten per cent. of turnover in a State or Union territory in the preceding financial year or five lakh rupees, whichever is higher.";

(b) in sub-section (2), for clause (a), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:--

 "(a) save as provided in sub-section (1), he is not engaged in the supply of services;".

Old Section:

10. (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act but subject to the provisions of sub-sections (3) and (4) of section 9, a registered person, whose aggregate turnover in the preceding financial year did not exceed fifty lakh rupees, may opt to pay, in lieu of the tax payable by him, an amount calculated at such rate as may be prescribed, but not exceeding,––

(a) one per cent. of the turnover in State or turnover in Union territory in case of a manufacturer,

(b) two and a half per cent. of the turnover in State or turnover in Union territory in case of persons engaged in making supplies referred to in clause (b) of paragraph 6 of Schedule II, and

(c) half per cent. of the turnover in State or turnover in Union territory in case of other suppliers,

subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed:

Provided that the Government may, by notification, increase the said limit of fifty lakh rupees to such higher amount, not exceeding one crore rupees, as may be recommended by the Council.

(2) The registered person shall be eligible to opt under sub-section (1), if––

(a) he is not engaged in the supply of services other than supplies referred to in clause (b) of paragraph 6 of Schedule II;

(b) he is not engaged in making any supply of goods which are not leviable to tax under this Act;

(c) he is not engaged in making any inter-State outward supplies of goods;

(d) he is not engaged in making any supply of goods through an electronic commerce operator who is required to collect tax at source under section 52; and

(e) he is not a manufacturer of such goods as may be notified by the Government on the recommendations of the Council:

Provided that where more than one registered persons are having the same Permanent Account Number (issued under the Income-tax Act, 1961) (43 of 1961) , the registered person shall not be eligible to opt for the scheme under sub-section (1) unless all such registered persons opt to pay tax under that sub-section.

Commentary - The objective to amend Section 10 of the Act so as to enhance the limit of composition levy from one crore rupees to one crore and fifty lakh rupees; Further Even if Composition dealers supply services of value not exceeding 10% of the turnover in the preceding financial year in a State/Union territory or ₹ 5 lakhs, whichever is higher, they are eligible for composition scheme.

Amendment of section 12

6. In section 12 of the principal Act, in sub-section (2), in clause (a), the words, brackets and figure "sub-section (1) of" shall be omitted.

Old Section:

 (2) The time of supply of goods shall be the earlier of the following dates, namely:-

(a) the date of issue of invoice by the supplier or the last date on which he is required, under sub-section (1) of section 31, to issue the invoice with respect to the supply; or

Amendment of section 13

7. In section 13 of the principal Act, in sub-section (2), the words, brackets and figure "sub-section (2) of" occurring at both the places, shall be omitted.

Old Section:

 (2) The time of supply of services shall be the earliest of the following dates, namely:-

(a) the date of issue of invoice by the supplier, if the invoice is issued within the period prescribed under sub-section (2) of section 31 or the date of receipt of payment, whichever is earlier; or

(b) the date of provision of service, if the invoice is not issued within the period prescribed under sub-section (2) of section 31 or the date of receipt of payment, whichever is earlier; or

Amendment of section 16

8. In section 16 of the principal Act, in sub-section (2),--

(a) in clause (b), for the Explanation, the following Explanation shall be substituted, namely:-

"Explanation.-For the purposes of this clause, it shall be deemed that the registered person has received the goods or, as the case may be, services--

(i) where the goods are delivered by the supplier to a recipient or any other person on the direction of such registered person, whether acting as an agent or otherwise, before or during movement of goods, either by way of transfer of documents of title to goods or otherwise;

(ii) where the services are provided by the supplier to any person on the direction of and on account of such registered person.";

 (b) in clause (c), for the word and figures "section 41", the words, figures and letter "section 41 or section 43A" shall be substituted.

Old Section:

 (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, no registered person shall be entitled to the credit of any input tax in respect of any supply of goods or services or both to him unless,––

(a) he is in possession of a tax invoice or debit note issued by a supplier registered under this Act, or such other tax paying documents as may be prescribed;

(b) he has received the goods or services or both.

Explanation.-For the purposes of this clause, it shall be deemed that the registered person has received the goods where the goods are delivered by the supplier to a recipient or any other person on the direction of such registered person, whether acting as an agent or otherwise, before or during movement of goods, either by way of transfer of documents of title to goods or otherwise;

(c) subject to the provisions of section 41, the tax charged in respect of such supply has been actually paid to the Government, either in cash or through utilisation of input tax credit admissible in respect of the said supply; and

Commentary:

  1. Deemed receipt of Services for ITC - In case of services, the registered person shall be deemed to have received the services where the services are delivered by the supplier to recipient or any other person on the direction of the said registered person. This may benefit Works contractors who are providing services elsewhere and biling elsewhere.

Amendment of section 17

9. In section 17 of the principal Act,--

 (a) in sub-section (3), the following Explanation shall be inserted, namely:--

 'Explanation.-For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression "value of exempt supply" shall not include the value of activities or transactions specified in Schedule III, except those specified in paragraph 5 of the said Schedule.';

 (b) in sub-section (5), for clauses (a) and (b), the following clauses shall be substituted, namely:-

 "(a) motor vehicles for transportation of persons having approved seating capacity of not more than thirteen persons (including the driver), except when they are used for making the following taxable supplies, namely:-

 (A) further supply of such motor vehicles; or

(B) transportation of passengers; or

(C) imparting training on driving such motor vehicles;

(aa) vessels and aircraft except when they are used--

 (i) for making the following taxable supplies, namely:-

(A) further supply of such vessels or aircraft; or

(B) transportation of passengers; or

(C) imparting training on navigating such vessels; or

(D) imparting training on flying such aircraft;

(ii) for transportation of goods;

(ab) services of general insurance, servicing, repair and maintenance in so far as they relate to motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft referred to in clause (a) or clause (aa):

 Provided that the input tax credit in respect of such services shall be available-

 (i) where the motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft referred to in clause (a) or clause (aa) are used for the purposes specified therein;

(ii) where received by a taxable person engaged-

(I) in the manufacture of such motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft; or

(II) in the supply of general insurance services in respect of such motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft insured by him;

(b) the following supply of goods or services or both-

(i) food and beverages, outdoor catering, beauty treatment, health services, cosmetic and plastic surgery, leasing, renting or hiring of motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft referred to in clause (a) or clause (aa) except when used for the purposes specified therein, life insurance and health insurance:

Provided that the input tax credit in respect of such goods or services or both shall be available where an inward supply of such goods or services or both is used by a registered person for making an outward taxable supply of the same category of goods or services or both or as an element of a taxable composite or mixed supply;

(ii) membership of a club, health and fitness centre; and

(iii) travel benefits extended to employees on vacation such as leave or home travel concession:

Provided that the input tax credit in respect of such goods or services or both shall be available, where it is obligatory for an employer to provide the same to its employees under any law for the time being in force.".

Old Section:

 (3) The value of exempt supply under sub-section (2) shall be such as may be prescribed, and shall include supplies on which the recipient is liable to pay tax on reverse charge basis, transactions in securities, sale of land and, subject to clause (b) of paragraph 5 of Schedule II, sale of building.

 (5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) of section 16 and subsection (1) of section 18, input tax credit shall not be available in respect of the following, namely:-

(a) motor vehicles and other conveyances except when they are used––

(i) for making the following taxable supplies, namely:-

(A) further supply of such vehicles or conveyances ; or

(B) transportation of passengers; or

(C) imparting training on driving, flying, navigating such vehicles or conveyances;

(ii) for transportation of goods;

 (b) the following supply of goods or services or both:-

(i) food and beverages, outdoor catering, beauty treatment, health services, cosmetic and plastic surgery except where an inward supply of goods or services or both of a particular category is used by a registered person for making an outward taxable supply of the same category of goods or services or both or as an element of a taxable composite or mixed supply;

(ii) membership of a club, health and fitness centre;

(iii) rent-a-cab, life insurance and health insurance except where ––

(A) the Government notifies the services which are obligatory for an employer to provide to its employees under any law for the time being in force; or

(B) such inward supply of goods or services or both of a particular category is used by a registered person for making an outward taxable supply of the same category of goods or services or both or as part of a taxable composite or mixed supply; and

(iv) travel benefits extended to employees on vacation such as leave or home travel concession;

Commentary - The objective to amend Section 17 of the Act is to specify the scope of input tax  credit.

  1. S 17 (3) - No reversal will be required in cases falling under Sch III – including High seas sales, etc.

Availment of ITC allowed on activities or transactions specified in Schedule III (other than sale of land and, subject to clause (b) of paragraph 5 of Schedule II, sale of building) by excluding it from the ambit of ‘exempt supply’ on which ITC is blocked.

  1. Sec 17 (5) (a), new (aa) & (b) – Blocked Credit Pruned –

Motor Vehicles - input tax credit would now be available in respect of dumpers, work-trucks, fork-lift trucks and other special purpose motor vehicles, vessels and aircraft when these are used for personal purposes.

ITC allowed for motor vehicles used for transportation of money for or by a banking company or a financial institution.

ITC allowed in respect of food and beverages or both where the provision of such goods or services or both is obligatory for an employer to provide to its employees under any law for the time being in force.

Amendment of section 20

10. In section 20 of the principal Act, in the Explanation, in clause (c), for the words and figures "under entry 84,", the words, figures and letter "under entries 84 and 92A" shall be substituted.

Old Section:

Explanation.

(c) the term "turnover", in relation to any registered person engaged in the supply of taxable goods as well as goods not taxable under this Act, means the value of turnover, reduced by the amount of any duty or tax levied under entry 84 of List I of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution and entries 51 and 54 of List II of the said Schedule.

Amendment of section 22

11. In section 22 of the principal Act,--

 (a) in sub-section (1), after the proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-

 "Provided further that the Government may, at the request of a special category State and on the recommendations of the Council, enhance the aggregate turnover referred to in the first proviso from ten lakh rupees to such amount, not exceeding twenty lakh rupees and subject to such conditions and limitations, as may be so notified.";

 (b) in the Explanation, in clause (iii), after the words "State of Jammu and Kashmir", the words "and States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Uttarakhand" shall be inserted.".

Old Section:

 (1) Every supplier shall be liable to be registered under this Act in the State or Union territory, other than special category States, from where he makes a taxable supply of goods or services or both, if his aggregate turnover in a financial year exceeds twenty lakh rupees:

Provided that where such person makes taxable supplies of goods or services or both from any of the special category States, he shall be liable to be registered if his aggregate turnover in a financial year exceeds ten lakh rupees.

(2) Every person who, on the day immediately preceding the appointed day, is registered or holds a licence under an existing law, shall be liable to be registered under this Act with effect from the appointed day.

(3) Where a business carried on by a taxable person registered under this Act is transferred, whether on account of succession or otherwise, to another person as a going concern, the transferee or the successor, as the case may be, shall be liable to be registered with effect from the date of such transfer or succession.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (1) and (3), in a case of transfer pursuant to sanction of a scheme or an arrangement for amalgamation or, as the case may be, de-merger of two or more companies pursuant to an order of a High Court, Tribunal or otherwise, the transferee shall be liable to be registered, with effect from the date on which the Registrar of Companies issues a certificate of incorporation giving effect to such order of the High Court or Tribunal.

Explanation.––For the purposes of this section,––

(i) the expression “aggregate turnover” shall include all supplies made by the taxable person, whether on his own account or made on behalf of all his principals;

(ii) the supply of goods, after completion of job-work, by a registered job worker shall be treated as the supply of goods by the principal referred to in section 143, and the value of such goods shall not be included in the aggregate turnover of the registered job worker;

(iii) the expression “special category States” shall mean the States as specified in sub-clause (g) of clause (4) of article 279A of the Constitution except the State of Jammu and Kashmir

Commentary - The objective to amend Section 22 of the Act is to enhance the exemption limit for registration in the special category States from ten lakh rupees to twenty lakh rupees;

Amendment of section 24

12. In section 24 of the principal Act, in clause (x), after the words "commerce operator", the words and figures "who is required to collect tax at source under section 52" shall be inserted.

 Previously it was read as :

(x) every electronic commerce operator.

Commentary Small e-commerce operators who are not required to collect TCS u/s 52 would not be liable for registration.

Amendment of section 25

13. In section 25 of the principal Act,--

 (a) in sub-section (1), after the proviso and before the Explanation, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:--

 "Provided further that a person having a unit, as defined in the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 (28 of 2005), in a Special Economic Zone or being a Special Economic Zone developer shall have to apply for a separate registration, as distinct from his place of business located outside the Special Economic Zone in the same State or Union territory.";

 (b) in sub-section (2), for the proviso, the following proviso shall be substituted, namely:--

 "Provided that a person having multiple places of business in a State or Union territory may be granted a separate registration for each such place of business, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.".

Old Section:

 (1) Every person who is liable to be registered under section 22 or section 24 shall apply for registration in every such State or Union territory in which he is so liable within thirty days from the date on which he becomes liable to registration, in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed:

Provided that a casual taxable person or a non-resident taxable person shall apply for registration at least five days prior to the commencement of business.

Explanation.-Every person who makes a supply from the territorial waters of India shall obtain registration in the coastal State or Union territory where the nearest point of the appropriate baseline is located.

(2) A person seeking registration under this Act shall be granted a single registration in a State or Union territory:

Provided that a person having multiple business verticals in a State or Union territory may be granted a separate registration for each business vertical, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.

Commentary - S 25(2) – New 2nd, 3rd & 4th Provisio -  Persons having multiple places of business in a State or Union territory may obtain separate registrations for each such place of business. Separate registration for a person having a unit(s) in a SEZ.

Amendment of section 29

14. In section 29 of the principal Act,--

(a) in the marginal heading after the word "Cancellation", the words "or suspension" shall be inserted;

 (b) in sub-section (1), after clause (c), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-

 "Provided that during pendency of the proceedings relating to cancellation of registration filed by the registered person, the registration may be suspended for such period and in such manner as may be prescribed.";

 (c) in sub-section (2), after the proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-

 "Provided further that during pendency of the proceedings relating to cancellation of registration, the proper officer may suspend the registration for such period and in such manner as may be prescribed.".

Old Section:

 (1) The proper officer may, either on his own motion or on an application filed by the registered person or by his legal heirs, in case of death of such person, cancel the registration, in such manner and within such period as may be prescribed, having regard to the circumstances where,––

(a) the business has been discontinued, transferred fully for any reason including death of the proprietor, amalgamated with other legal entity, demerged or otherwise disposed of; or

(b) there is any change in the constitution of the business; or

(c) the taxable person, other than the person registered under sub-section (3) of section 25, is no longer liable to be registered under section 22 or section 24.

(2) The proper officer may cancel the registration of a person from such date, including any retrospective date, as he may deem fit, where,––

(a) a registered person has contravened such provisions of the Act or the rules made thereunder as may be prescribed; or

(b) a person paying tax under section 10 has not furnished returns for three consecutive tax periods; or

(c) any registered person, other than a person specified in clause (b), has not furnished returns for a continuous period of six months; or

(d) any person who has taken voluntary registration under sub-section (3) of section 25 has not commenced business within six months from the date of registration; or

(e) registration has been obtained by means of fraud, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts:

Provided that the proper officer shall not cancel the registration without giving the person an opportunity of being heard.

Commentary - The objective to amend Section 29 of the Act so as to insert a provision for temporary suspension of registration while cancellation of registration is under process;

Amendment of section 34

15. In section 34 of the principal Act,--

 (a) in sub-section (1),--

 (i) for the words "Where a tax invoice has", the words "Where one or more tax invoices have" shall be substituted;

(ii) for the words "a credit note", the words "one or more credit notes for supplies made in a financial year" shall be substituted;

 (b) in sub-section (3),--

 (i) for the words "Where a tax invoice has", the words "Where one or more tax invoices have" shall be substituted;

(ii) for the words "a debit note", the words "one or more debit notes for supplies made in a financial year" shall be substituted.

Old Section:

 (1) Where a tax invoice has been issued for supply of any goods or services or both and the taxable value or tax charged in that tax invoice is found to exceed the taxable value or tax payable in respect of such supply, or where the goods supplied are returned by the recipient, or where goods or services or both supplied are found to be deficient, the registered person, who has supplied such goods or services or both, may issue to the recipient a credit note containing such particulars as may be prescribed.

(2) Any registered person who issues a credit note in relation to a supply of goods or services or both shall declare the details of such credit note in the return for the month during which such credit note has been issued but not later than September following the end of the financial year in which such supply was made, or the date of furnishing of the relevant annual return, whichever is earlier, and the tax liability shall be adjusted in such manner as may be prescribed:

Provided that no reduction in output tax liability of the supplier shall be permitted, if the incidence of tax and interest on such supply has been passed on to any other person.

(3) Where a tax invoice has been issued for supply of any goods or services or both and the taxable value or tax charged in that tax invoice is found to be less than the taxable value or tax payable in respect of such supply, the registered person, who has supplied such goods or services or both, shall issue to the recipient a debit note containing such particulars as may be prescribed.

Commentary: A Dealer may Issue One Credit note for multiple Invoices. A change has to be made in the GST Portal also. It may be noted here that this is a procedural matter which was causing great hardship to dealers where specific Credit notes were required to be made for each invoice. However a practice was followed by the dealers to tag the last invoice only with the credit note in addition to providing an annexure of all invoices linked thereto in the hard copy. Such procedure followed for removal of difficulties till date should also be considered leniently by the field officers.

Amendment of section 35

16. In section 35 of the principal Act, in sub-section (5), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-

 "Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall apply to any department of the Central Government or a State Government or a local authority, whose books of account are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or an auditor appointed for auditing the accounts of local authorities under any law for the time being in force.".

Old Section:

 (5) Every registered person whose turnover during a financial year exceeds the prescribed limit shall get his accounts audited by a chartered accountant or a cost accountant and shall submit a copy of the audited annual accounts, the reconciliation statement under sub-section (2) of section 44 and such other documents in such form and manner as may be prescribed.

Commentary: Sec 35 (5) - Any department of the Central or State Government / local authority which is subject to audit by CAG need not get their books of account audited by a CA/ CMA.

Amendment of section 39

17. In section 39 of the principal Act,--

 (a) in sub-section (1),--

 (i) for the words "in such form and manner as may be prescribed", the words "in such form, manner and within such time as may be prescribed" shall be substituted;

(ii) the words "on or before the twentieth day of the month succeeding such calendar month or part thereof " shall be omitted;

(iii) the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-

"Provided that the Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, notify certain classes of registered persons who shall furnish return for every quarter or part thereof, subject to such conditions and safeguards as may be specified therein.";

 (b) in sub-section (7), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:--

 "Provided that the Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, notify certain classes of registered persons who shall pay to the Government the tax due or part thereof as per the return on or before the last date on which he is required to furnish such return, subject to such conditions and safeguards as may be specified therein.";

(c) in sub-section (9),--

(i) for the words "in the return to be furnished for the month or quarter during which such omission or incorrect particulars are noticed", the words "in such form and manner as may be perscribed" shall be substituted;

(ii) in the proviso, for the words "the end of the financial year", the words "the end of the financial year to which such details pertain" shall be substituted.

Old Section:

 (1) Every registered person, other than an Input Service Distributor or a non-resident taxable person or a person paying tax under the provisions of section 10 or, section 51 or section 52 shall, for every calendar month or part thereof, furnish, in such form and manner as may be prescribed, a return, electronically, of inward and outward supplies of goods or services or both, input tax credit availed, tax payable, tax paid and such other particulars as may be prescribed, on or before the twentieth day of the month succeeding such calendar month or part thereof.

(7) Every registered person, who is required to furnish a return under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) or sub-section (5), shall pay to the Government the tax due as per such return not later than the last date on which he is required to furnish such return.

(9) Subject to the provisions of sections 37 and 38, if any registered person after furnishing a return under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) or sub-section (4) or sub-section (5) discovers any omission or incorrect particulars therein, other than as a result of scrutiny, audit, inspection or enforcement activity by the tax authorities, he shall rectify such omission or incorrect particulars in the return to be furnished for the month or quarter during which such omission or incorrect particulars are noticed, subject to payment of interest under this Act:

Provided that no such rectification of any omission or incorrect particulars shall be allowed after the due date for furnishing of return for the month of September or second quarter following the end of the financial year, or the actual date of furnishing of relevant annual return, whichever is earlier.

Commentary: S 39 (9) Returns  - Returns may be amended – It is proposed to provide for allowing taxpayers to amend the returns. The draft forms are already out for public comments.

Insertion of new section 43A

18. After section 43 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:-

 Procedure for furnishing return and availing input tax credit.

"43A. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2) of section 16, section 37 or section 38, every registered person shall in the returns furnished under sub-section (1) of section 39 verify, validate, modify or delete the details of supplies furnished by the suppliers.

 (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 41, section 42 or section 43, the procedure for availing of input tax credit by the recipient and verification thereof shall be such as may be prescribed.

 (3) The procedure for furnishing the details of outward supplies by the supplier on the common portal, for the purposes of availing input tax credit by the recipient shall be such as may be prescribed.

 (4) The procedure for availing input tax credit in respect of outward supplies not furnished under sub-section (3) shall be such as may be prescribed and such procedure may include the maximum amount of the input tax credit which can be so availed, not exceeding twenty per cent. of the input tax credit available, on the basis of details furnished by the suppliers under the said sub-section.

 (5) The amount of tax specified in the outward supplies for which the details have been furnished by the supplier under sub-section (3) shall be deemed to be the tax payable by him under the provisions of the Act.

 (6) The supplier and the recipient of a supply shall be jointly and severally liable to pay tax or to pay the input tax credit availed, as the case may be, in relation to outward supplies for which the details have been furnished under sub-section (3) or sub-section (4) but return thereof has not been furnished.

 (7) For the purposes of sub-section (6), the recovery shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed and such procedure may provide for non-recovery of an amount of tax or input tax credit wrongly availed not exceeding one thousand rupees.

 (8) The procedure, safeguards and threshold of the tax amount in relation to outward supplies, the details of which can be furnished under sub-section (3) by a registered person,-

 (i) within six months of taking registration;

(ii) who has defaulted in payment of tax and where such default has continued for more than two months from the due date of payment of such defaulted amount,

 shall be such as may be prescribed.".

 Commentary - New S 43 A : A new section is being introduced in order to enable the new return filing procedure as proposed by the Returns Committee and approved by GST Council.

Amendment of section 48

19. In section 48 of the principal Act, in sub-section (2), after the word and figures "section 45", the words "and to perform such other functions" shall be inserted.

Old Section:

(2) A registered person may authorise an approved goods and services tax practitioner to furnish the details of outward supplies under section 37, the details of inward supplies under section 38 and the return under section 39 or section 44 or section 45 in such manner as may be prescribed.

Amendment of section 49

20. In section 49 of the principal Act,--

 (a) in sub-section (2), for the word and figures "section 41", the words, figures and letter "section 41 or section 43A" shall be substituted;

 (b) in sub-section (5),--

 (i) in clause (c), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:--

"Provided that the input tax credit on account of State tax shall be utilised towards payment of integrated tax only where the balance of the input tax credit on account of central tax is not available for payment of integrated tax;";

(ii) in clause (d), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:--

"Provided that the input tax credit on account of Union territory tax shall be utilised towards payment of integrated tax only where the balance of the input tax credit on account of central tax is not available for payment of integrated tax;".

Old Section:

(2) The input tax credit as self-assessed in the return of a registered person shall be credited to his electronic credit ledger, in accordance with section 41, to be maintained in such manner as may be prescribed.

(5) The amount of input tax credit available in the electronic credit ledger of the registered person on account of––

(a) integrated tax shall first be utilised towards payment of integrated tax and the amount remaining, if any, may be utilised towards the payment of central tax and State tax, or as the case may be, Union territory tax, in that order;

(b) the central tax shall first be utilised towards payment of central tax and the amount remaining, if any, may be utilised towards the payment of integrated tax;

(c) the State tax shall first be utilised towards payment of State tax and the amount remaining, if any, may be utilised towards payment of integrated tax;

(d) the Union territory tax shall first be utilised towards payment of Union territory tax and the amount remaining, if any, may be utilised towards payment of integrated tax;

(e) the central tax shall not be utilised towards payment of State tax or Union territory tax; and

(f) the State tax or Union territory tax shall not be utilised towards payment of central tax.

Insertion of new sections 49A and 49B

21. After section 49 of the principal Act, the following sections shall be inserted, namely:--

Utilisation of input tax credit subject to certain conditions.

"49A. Notwithstanding anything contained in section 49, the input tax credit on account of central tax, State tax or Union territory tax shall be utilised towards payment of integrated tax, central tax, State tax or Union territory tax, as the case may be, only after the input tax credit available on account of integrated tax has first been utilised fully towards such payment.

Order of utilisation of input tax credit.

49B. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Chapter and subject to the provisions of clause (e) and clause (f) of sub-section (5) of section 49, the Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, prescribe the order and manner of utilisation of the input tax credit on account of integrated tax, central tax, State tax or Union territory tax, as the case may be, towards payment of any such tax.".

Commentary: New Sec 49A & 49B : The Order for availing the set off of ITC has been rationalized dramatically. This would tremendously assist Trade and Industry.

The Inter Utilization of ITC may be rationalized further. If this happens it would remove all grievances of Trade And Industry that GST was not  one but 3 taxes.

Amendment of section 52

22. In section 52 of the principal Act, in sub-section (9), for the word and figures "section 37", the words and figures "section 37 or section 39" shall be substituted.

Old Section:

(9) Where the details of outward supplies furnished by the operator under sub-section (4) do not match with the corresponding details furnished by the supplier under section 37, the discrepancy shall be communicated to both persons in such manner and within such time as may be prescribed.

Amendment of section 54

23. In section 54 of the principal Act,-

 (a) in sub-section (8), in clause (a), for the words "zero-rated supplies", the words "export" and "exports" shall respectively be substituted;

 (b) in the Explanation, in clause (2),--

 (i) in sub-clause (c), in item (i), after the words "foreign exchange", the words "or in Indian rupees wherever permitted by the Reserve Bank of India" shall be inserted;

(ii) for sub-clause (e), the following sub-clause shall be substituted, namely:--

"(e) in the case of refund of unutilised input tax credit under clause (ii) of the first proviso to sub-section (3), the due date for furnishing of return under section 39 for the period in which such claim for refund arises;".

Old Section:

(8) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (5), the refundable amount shall, instead of     being credited to the Fund, be paid to the applicant, if such amount is relatable to-

(a) refund of tax paid on zero-rated supplies of goods or services or both or on inputs or input services used in making such zero-rated supplies;

(b) refund of unutilised input tax credit under sub-section (3);

 (c) refund of tax paid on a supply which is not provided, either wholly or partially, and for which invoice has not been issued, or where a refund voucher has been issued;

(d) refund of tax in pursuance of section 77;

(e) the tax and interest, if any, or any other amount paid by the applicant, if he had not passed on the incidence of such tax and interest to any other person; or

(f) the tax or interest borne by such other class of applicants as the Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, by notification, specify.

            Explanation.-For the purposes of this section,––

(1) “refund” includes refund of tax paid on zero-rated supplies of goods or services or both or on inputs or input services used in making such zero-rated supplies, or refund of tax on the supply of goods regarded as deemed exports, or refund of unutilised input tax credit as provided under sub-section (3).

(2) “relevant date” means-

(a) in the case of goods exported out of India where a refund of tax paid is available in respect of goods themselves or, as the case may be, the inputs or input services used in such goods,––

 (i) if the goods are exported by sea or air, the date on which the ship or the aircraft in which such goods are loaded, leaves India; or

(ii) if the goods are exported by land, the date on which such goods pass the frontier; or

(iii) if the goods are exported by post, the date of despatch of goods by the Post Office concerned to a place outside India;

(b) in the case of supply of goods regarded as deemed exports where a refund of tax paid is available in respect of the goods, the date on which the return relating to such deemed exports is furnished;

(c) in the case of services exported out of India where a refund of tax paid is available in respect of services themselves or, as the case may be, the inputs or input services used in such services, the date of––

(i) receipt of payment in convertible foreign exchange, where the supply of services had been completed prior to the receipt of such payment; or

(ii) issue of invoice, where payment for the services had been received in advance prior to the date of issue of the invoice;

(d) in case where the tax becomes refundable as a consequence of judgment, decree, order or direction of the Appellate Authority, Appellate Tribunal or any court, the date of communication of such judgment, decree, order or direction;

(e) in the case of refund of unutilised input tax credit under sub-section (3), the end of the financial year in which such claim for refund arises;

(f) in the case where tax is paid provisionally under this Act or the rules made thereunder, the date of adjustment of tax after the final assessment thereof;

(g) in the case of a person, other than the supplier, the date of receipt of goods or services or both by such person; and

(h) in any other case, the date of payment of tax.

Commentary: S 54 of CGST Act & S 2(6)(iv) of IGST Act - Service Exports even if payment is received in INR as allowed by RBI would be treated as exports and refunds would also be available against the same.

Please see detailed discussion in the commentary u/s 2(6) of The IGST Act 2018.

Amendment of section 79

24. In section 79 of the principal Act, after sub-section (4), the following Explanation shall be inserted, namely:-

 'Explanation.--For the purposes of this section, the word person shall include "distinct persons" as referred to in sub-section (4) or, as the case may be, sub-section (5) of section 25.'.

Old Section:

(4) Where the amount recovered under sub-section (3) is less than the amount due to the Central Government and State Government, the amount to be credited to the account of the respective Governments shall be in proportion to the amount due to each such Government.

Commentary: Recovery can be made from any branch of a registered person in any state.

Amendment of section 107

25. In section 107 of the principal Act, in sub-section (6), in clause (b), after the words "arising from the said order,", the words "subject to a maximum of twenty-five crore rupees," shall be inserted.

Old Section:

            (6) No appeal shall be filed under sub-section (1), unless the appellant has paid-

(a) in full, such part of the amount of tax, interest, fine, fee and penalty arising from the impugned order, as is admitted by him; and

(b) a sum equal to ten per cent. of the remaining amount of tax in dispute arising from the said order, in relation to which the appeal has been filed.

Commentary - The objective to amend sub-section (6) of Section 107 of the Act relating to Appeals so as to provide that the amount of pre-deposit payable for filing of appeal shall be capped at twenty five crore rupees;

Amendment of section 112

26. In section 112 of the principal Act, in sub-section (8), in clause (b), after the words "arising from the said order," the words "subject to a maximum of fifty crore rupees," shall be inserted.

Old Section:

            (8) No appeal shall be filed under sub-section (1), unless the appellant has paid–

(a) in full, such part of the amount of tax, interest, fine, fee and penalty arising from the impugned order, as is admitted by him, and

(b) a sum equal to twenty per cent. of the remaining amount of tax in dispute, in addition to the amount paid under sub-section (6) of section 107, arising from the said order, in relation to which the appeal has been filed.

Amendment of section 129

27. In section 129 of the principal Act, in sub-section (6), for the words "seven days", the words "fourteen days" shall be substituted.

Old Section:

 (6) Where the person transporting any goods or the owner of the goods fails to pay the amount of tax and penalty as provided in sub-section (1) within seven days of such detention or seizure, further proceedings shall be initiated in accordance with the provisions of section 130.

Commentary - The objective to amend Section 129 of the Act so as to increase the period relating to detention or seizure of goods and conveyance in transit from seven days to fourteen days.

Amendment of section 140

28. In section 140 of the principal Act, with effect from the 1st day of July, 2017,--

 (a) in sub-section (1), after the letters and word "CENVAT credit", the words "of eligible duties" shall be inserted and shall always be deemed to have been inserted;

(b) in the Explanation 1-

 (i) for the word, brackets and figures "sub-sections (3), (4)", the word, brackets and figures "sub-sections (1), (3), (4)" shall be substituted and shall always be deemed to have been substituted;

(ii) clause (iv) shall be omitted and shall always be deemed to have been omitted;

(c) in the Explanation 2-

 (i) for the word, brackets and figure "sub-section (5)", the words, brackets and figures "sub-sections (1) and (5)" shall be substituted and shall always be deemed to have been substituted;

(ii) clause (iv) shall be omitted and shall always be deemed to have been omitted;

(d) after Explanation 2 as so amended, the following Explanation shall be inserted and shall always be deemed to have been inserted, namely:-

'Explanation 3.-For removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that the expression "eligible duties and taxes" excludes any cess which has not been specified in Explanation 1 or Explanation 2 and any cess which is collected as additional duty of customs under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975).'.

Old Section:

 (1) A registered person, other than a person opting to pay tax under section 10, shall be entitled to take, in his electronic credit ledger, the amount of CENVAT credit carried forward in the return relating to the period ending with the day immediately preceding the appointed day, furnished by him under the existing law in such manner as may be prescribed:

Explanation 1.-For the purposes of sub-sections (3), (4) and (6), the expression “eligible duties” means––

(i) the additional duty of excise leviable under section 3 of the Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance) Act, 1957 (58 of 1957.);

(ii) the additional duty leviable under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975.);

(iii) the additional duty leviable under sub-section (5) of section 3 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975(51 of 1975.);

(iv) the additional duty of excise leviable under section 3 of the Additional Duties of Excise (Textile and Textile Articles) Act, 1978 (40 of 1978.) ;

(v) the duty of excise specified in the First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986);

(vi) the duty of excise specified in the Second Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986); and

(vii) the National Calamity Contingent Duty leviable under section 136 of the Finance Act, 2001 (14 of 2001) ;

in respect of inputs held in stock and inputs contained in semi-finished or finished goods held in stock on the appointed day.

Explanation 2.-For the purposes of sub-section (5), the expression “eligible duties and taxes” means––

(i) the additional duty of excise leviable under section 3 of the Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance) Act, 1957 (58 of 1957);

(ii) the additional duty leviable under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975; (51 of 1975)

(iii) the additional duty leviable under sub-section (5) of section 3 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975; (51 of 1975)

(iv) the additional duty of excise leviable under section 3 of the Additional Duties of Excise (Textile and Textile Articles) Act, 1978; (40 of 1978.)

(v) the duty of excise specified in the First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985; (5 of 1986.)

(vi) the duty of excise specified in the Second Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985; (5 of 1986.) and

(vii) the National Calamity Contingent Duty leviable under section 136 of the Finance Act, 2001; (14 of 2001) and

(viii) the service tax leviable under section 66B of the Finance Act, 1994, (32 of 1994.)

in respect of inputs and input services received on or after the appointed day.

Commentary: S 140(1) – CENVAT Credit on only “Eligible duties” can be availed – Section to eliminate dispute of Transition of EC, SHEC & KKC in GST. Further CVD us 3(1) of Customs Tariff Act has been excluded from eligible duty.

Amendment of section 143

29. In section 143 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1), in clause (b), after the proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-

 "Provided further that the period of one year and three years may, on sufficient cause being shown, be extended by the Commissioner for a further period not exceeding one year and two years respectively.".

Old Section:

1 (b) supply such inputs, after completion of job work or otherwise, or capital goods, other than moulds and dies, jigs and fixtures, or tools, within one year and three years, respectively, of their being sent out from the place of business of a job worker on payment of tax within India, or with or without payment of tax for export, as the case may be:

Provided that the principal shall not supply the goods from the place of business of a job worker in accordance with the provisions of this clause unless the said principal declares the place of business of the job worker as his additional place of business except in a case-

(i) where the job worker is registered under section 25; or

(ii) where the principal is engaged in the supply of such goods as may be notified by the Commissioner.

Amendment of Schedule I

30. In Schedule I of the principal Act, in paragraph 4, for the words "taxable person", the word "person" shall be substituted.

Old Section:

4. Import of services by a taxable person from a related person or from any of his other establishments outside India, in the course or furtherance of business.

Commentary: Sch I, Item No 4 – import of services by entities which are not registered under GST (say, they are only making exempted supplies ) but are otherwise engaged in business activities is taxed when received from a related person or from any of their establishments outside India.  This will effect the foreign Companies not registered in India.

Amendment of Schedule II

31. In Schedule II of the principal Act, in the heading, after the word "ACTIVITIES", the words "OR TRANSACTIONS" shall be inserted and shall always be deemed to have been inserted with effect from the 1st day of July, 2017.

 Change in name of Schedule II : ACTIVITIES OR TRANSACTIONS TO BE TREATED AS SUPPLY OF GOODS OR SUPPLY OF SERVICES

Amendment of Schedule III

32. In Schedule III of the principal Act, -

 (i) after paragraph 6, the following paragraphs shall be inserted, namely:--

"7. Supply of goods from a place in the non-taxable territory to another place in the non-taxable territory without such goods entering into India.

8. (a) Supply of warehoused goods to any person before clearance for home consumption;

 (b) Supply of goods by the consignee to any other person, by endorsement of documents of title to the goods, after the goods have been dispatched from the port of origin located outside India but before clearance for home consumption.";

 (ii) the Explanation shall be numbered as Explanation 1 and after Explanation 1 as so numbered, the following Explanation shall be inserted, namely:-

 'Explanation 2.--For the purposes of paragraph 8, the expression "warehoused goods" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962).'.

Old Section:

1. Services by an employee to the employer in the course of or in relation to his employment.

2. Services by any court or Tribunal established under any law for the time being in force.

3. (a) the functions performed by the Members of Parliament, Members of State Legislature, Members of Panchayats, Members of Municipalities and Members of other local authorities;

(b) the duties performed by any person who holds any post in pursuance of the provisions of the Constitution in that capacity; or

(c) the duties performed by any person as a Chairperson or a Member or a Director in a body established by the Central Government or a State Government or local authority and who is not deemed as an employee before the commencement of this clause.

4. Services of funeral, burial, crematorium or mortuary including transportation of the deceased.

5. Sale of land and, subject to clause (b) of paragraph 5 of Schedule II, sale of building.

6. Actionable claims, other than lottery, betting and gambling.

Explanation.-For the purposes of paragraph 2, the term "court" includes District Court, High Court and Supreme Court.

Commentary: Sch III – Items which are neither goods nor services –

a.        Supply of goods from a place in the non-taxable territory to another place in the non-taxable territory without such goods entering into India;

b.        Supply of warehoused goods to any person before clearance for home consumption; and

There was a clear Double Taxation wherein GST was paid once incase of Bond Sale and thereafter on clearance for home Consumption. While the ITC was available, yet the output tax would be insufficient to set off the ITC.

The same can be explained with an Example –

i. ‘A’ imports certain material in India and warehouses the goods. Thus the IGST payable gets deferred.

ii.        Now ‘A’ sells the goods to ‘B’ and the same is covered in Schedule III and there is no IGST

iii.       When ‘B’ clears the material from the Bonded warehouse, IGST is paid and ‘B’ gets the ITC

c. Supply of goods in case of high sea sales.

High sea sales is a sale carried out by the actual consignee (i.e. the consignee shown in the Bill of Lading) to another buyer while the goods are on high seas or after their dispatch from the port of loading and before their arrival at the port of discharge. For example, if a buyer in India purchases iron scrap from USA and while the shipment is in transit, the goods are sold to another person, the transaction would be termed as high sea sales. Hence, the high sea sales agreement/contract should be signed after dispatch of goods from the origin and prior to their arrival at destination. On concluding the high sea sales agreement, the bill of lading should be endorsed in favour of the buyer. The title of the goods transfers to the buyer and bill of entry is also filed in the name of buyer.

As per provision of section 7 (2) of the IGST Act, supply of goods in the course of import into the territory of India, till they cross the Customs frontiers of India will be deemed to be a supply in the course of Interstate trade or commerce. Hence, GST would be applicable on the transaction.

For high sea sales, the GST Council has decided that IGST on high sea sale (s) transactions of imported goods, whether one or multiple, will be levied and collected only at the time of importation i.e. when the import declarations are filed before the Customs authorities for the customs clearance purposes for the first time. Further, any value addition accruing in each such high sea sale will form part of the value on which IGST is collected at the time of clearance. Thus the final buyer would be responsible for payment of GST on the full value of goods plus any value addition, at time of import.

The GST Councils decision with respect to GST on high sea sales is similar to that of the rules provided under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975. Under the Customs Tariff Act, in respect of imported goods, all duties, taxes, cessessetc will be collected at the time of importation i.e. when the import declarations are filed before the customs authorities for the customs clearance purposes. Clarifications were provided by the GST Council vide Circular No. 33 /2017-Cus dated 1st August, 2017. GST Council Circular No.33/2017. Now this entry under Sch III re-emphasises the same.

 

By: AttnVivek Jalan - February 1, 2019

 

Discussions to this article

 

One point to be noted is motorvehicle which has seating capacity of more than 13 passengers if hired / rented by a GST regd person ITC on the said hire charges/ rentals would be available

the new amended section is given below: 17 (b) (i)

(i) food and beverages, outdoor catering, beauty treatment, health services, cosmetic and plastic surgery, leasing, renting or hiring of motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft referred to in clause (a) or clause (aa)

what is specified in clause (a) is a restriction on motor vehicles for transportation of persons having approved seating capacity of not more than thirteen persons (including the driver)

hence if we read through above the restriction of renting hiring of motor vehicles should not apply for seating capacity of more than 13 persons so ITC should be available.

please confirm the above understanding

By: Madhavan iyengar
Dated: February 1, 2019

 

 

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