Ask a Query






Client Login

Welcome GST India Solution

 

Circular No.108/02/2009- ST
F. No. 137/12/2006-CX.4
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Excise and Customs
 
New Delhi, Dated, 29th January 2009
 
Subject: Imposition of service tax on Builders-regarding
 
Construction of residential complex was brought under service tax w.e.f. 01.06.2005. Doubts have arisen regarding the applicability of service tax in a. case where developer /builder/promoter enters into an agreement, with the ultimate owner for selling a dwelling' unit in a residential complex at any stage of construction (or even prior to that) and who makes construction linked payment. The 'Construction of Complex' service has been defined under Section 65 (105)(zzzh) of the Finance Act as "any service provided or to be provided to any person, by any other person, in relation to construction of a complex". The 'Construction of Complex' includes construction of a 'new residential complex'. For this purpose 'residential complex' means any complex of a building or buildings, having more than twelve residential units. A complex constructed by a person directly engaging any other person for designing or planning of the layout, and the construction of such complex intended for personal use as residence by such person has been excluded from the ambit of service tax.
2. A view has been expressed that once an agreement of sale is entered into with the buyer for a unit in. a residential complex, he becomes the owner of the residential unit and subsequent activity of a builder for construction of residential unit is a service of 'construction of residential complex' to the customer and hence service tax would be applicable to it. A contrary view has been expressed arguing that where a buyer makes construction linked payment after entering into agreement to sell, the nature of transaction is not a service but that of a sale. Where a buyer enters into an agreement to get a fully constructed residential unit, the transaction of sale is completed only after complete construction of the residential unit. Till, the completion of the construction activity the property belongs to the builder or promoter and any service provided by him towards construction is in the nature of self service. It has also been argued that even if it is taken that service is provided to the customer, a single residential unit bought by the individual customer would not fall in the definition of 'residential complex' as defined for the purposes of levy of service tax and hence construction of it would not attract service tax.
3. The matter has been examined by the Board. Generally, the initial agreement between the promoters / builders / developers and the ultimate owner is in the nature of 'agreement to sell. Such a case, as per the provisions of the Transfer of Property Act, does not by itself create any interest in or charge on such property. The property remains under the ownership of the seller (in the instant case, the promoters/builders/developers). It is only after the completion of the construction and full payment of the agreed sum that a sale deed is executed and only then the ownership of the property gets transferred to the ultimate owner. Therefore, any service provided by such seller in connection with the construction of residential complex till the execution of such sale deed would be in the nature of 'self-service' and consequently would not attract service tax. Further, if the ultimate owner enters into a contract for construction of a. residential complex with a. promoter / builder / developer, who himself provides service of design, planning and construction; and. after such constitution the ultimate owner receives such property for his personal use, then such activity would not be subjected to service tax, because this case would fall under the exclusion provided in the definition of 'residential complex'. However, in both these situations, if services of any person like contractor, designer or a similar service provider are received, then such a person would be liable to pay service tax.
4. All pending cases may be disposed of accordingly. Any decision by the Advance Ruling Authority in a specific case, which is contrary to the foregoing views, would have limited application to that case only. In case any difficulty is faced in implementing these instructions, the same may be brought to the notice of the undersigned.
(Gautam Bhattacharya)
Commissioner (Service Tax)
CBEC, New Delhi

 

 

Latest Articles

<--

WHAT IS GST?

GST i.e.Goods and Service Tax is a unified tax that replaces several indirect taxesleviedby the Central Government and the State Government(s)....

Read more
-->

BASIS OF CHARGE OF GST- SUPPLY

In pre-GST regime, goodswere liable to: (i) Excise Duty- on manufacture of goods; (ii) VAT/CST- on sale of goods; (iii) Entry tax- on ...

Read more

WHO IS LIABLE TO PAY TAX

GST is levied on every taxable person. Taxable person means a person who carries on any business at any place in India. Such . ..

Read more

WHAT IS TAXED UNDER GST

GST is a unified tax which is levied on: (i) goods; (ii) services and (iii) a mix of goods and/or services. Any supply of goods or services . .. ...

Read more

Who We Are

GST India Solution is an effort of firm of professionals who welcome implementation of GST. This is an interactiveplatformthat aspires to disseminate right knowledge to professionals, practitioners and public at large. This platform has beenfloatedbya firm of Chartered Accountants relentlessly working in field of direct and indirect taxes since early 1985.

READ MORE

Why

Goods & Service Tax


Our core competence is statutory compliance, advisory, corporate tax planning and appellate matters of direct and indirect taxesandcorporate training sessions on GST.

The senior partner of the firm has to his credit several professional publications viz., Delhi Sales Tax  Right to Use Goods Act, Delhi VAT, Maharashtra VAT, West Bengal VAT, Haryana VAT published by Taxmann. Madhya Pradesh VAT and Chhattisgarh VAT were published by Suvidha Law House, Bhopal. He has also addressed seminars on indirect taxes organized by professional bodies like ICAI, IMA, NIFM etc. and has also contributed articles on subjects of pro. . . . .

READ MORE

Gst Events