Input Tax Credit on Purchase of Car for Rent-a-Cab Service – Marred by Conflicting Advance Rulings

Rent-a-cab (RAC) operators typically either purchase or take cabs on rent for providing the outward taxable supply of RAC service. Input Tax Credit (ITC) is eligible to operators who take cabs on rent for providing the outward taxable supply of RAC service expressly under Section 17 of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, […]

Exempt, Nil-Rated, Zero-Rated, Non-GST & Non-Supplies: Understanding the Differences

[Article published in the Salem Branch of SIRC of ICAI e-Newsletter, April 2019; Penned by CA. Srinivasan V and reviewed by CA. Saravana Prabhu] Although it has been more than one-and-half years since the GST law came into force, many users inter-changeably fill details relating to nil-rated supplies, exempt supplies, non-taxable supplies, transactions which are […]

Order Extending Time for ITC Claim & Rectification of Errors in GSTR-1: Points to Ponder

As per Section 37 of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, 2017, any error / omission in GSTR-1 (pertaining to the period 01-Jul-2017 to 31-Mar-2018, hereinafter referred to as “relevant period”) could be rectified only up to the date of filing GSTR-1 of September 2018 – considering the non-availability of annual return for […]

Machinery fastened to earth – Movable or Immovable Property from CENVAT / ITC Perspective?

Machinery is usually fastened to earth in factories. Whether it warrants classification as immovable property has always been a bone of litigation under the erstwhile CENVAT regime. Hence, the post delves into this topic in the context of recent decision of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi in Vodafone Mobile Services Ltd. v. Commissioner of […]

GST | Is supply & erection of solar power system a composite supply?

Background: Appellant proposes to enter into two agreements: (i) for supply of solar power generating system (viz., supply of goods); and (ii) erection, testing and commissioning (viz., supply of services for setting up the system). As per the service agreement, the appellant accepts responsibility for successful completion & commissioning of the plant and 5% of […]

Is Imposition of Time to Avail GST Transitional Credit under Section 140(3) CGST Act unjust?

Issue: Is imposition of time limit to avail credit under Section 140(3) of CGST Act harsh/unjust? Isn’t such a condition also arbitrary and discriminatory? Background: Assessee (who was a First Stage Dealer/”FSD” under the erstwhile Central Excise Law) could pass on the credit of excise duty paid on their purchases to the customers, who could utilize […]

GST | Should levy of liquidated damages be a taxable supply of services?

Issue: Should the levy of liquidated damages be treated as supply of services by the appellant? Background: Appellant has awarded a contract to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited for erection, testing & commissioning of a power plant. The contract provides for payment of liquidated damages if project completion is delayed beyond the scheduled date. Ruling: Appellant […]

Coal Importers boxed by amendment barring credit of Clean Energy Cess on transitional stock

With effect from July 01, 2010, Clean Energy Cess (renamed subsequently as Clean Environment Cess / “CEC”) was levied as a “duty of excise” on removal of raw coal, lignite and peat from the coal mine [vide Section 83(3) of the Finance Act, 2010]. This levy was primarily intended for financing and promoting clean energy initiatives […]

GST | Facilitating Student Enrolment to Foreign University – Taxable or Zero-Rated?

Issue: Whether facilitating recruitment or enrolment of students to foreign universities is a taxable or zero-rated supply? Background: Applicant facilitates recruitment / enrolment of students to foreign Universities. It is paid commission, based on performance in recruiting students, which is a percentage of tuition fee collected from students enrolled through applicant. Ruling: From the terms […]

Service Tax – Important Case Laws

Fitness One Group India Ltd. v. Cus., C.Ex. & S.T. Sett. Comm., ChennaiBackground – Petitioner was aggrieved with a part of the Order passed by the Settlement Commission.Issue – Can a part of the Order passed by the Settlement Commission be disputed?Decision [by the High Court of Madras on Nov.01, 2016] – Petitioner cannot selectively accept a part of such Order […]