Housing society are non profit oriented organization, which works for its members. Housing, under GST, it is important that said societies should evaluate GST Impact on its activity.
GST is not just on organization who are doing profit motive business, but it is also applicable to on association of person, charitable organization. There is one argument that, GST is applicable only if, I am doing business with intention to Earn the profit. However this is not so.
Recently, Authority of Advance Ruling of Maharashtra, is case of Lions Club of Poona ( AAR No ara - 33/2018-19/B-100 ) clarified that, “Lions club is required to obtain GST Registration, for activity performed by it, even though there is no furtherance of business and it is just activity done for its members.”
The definition of business as per section 2(17) of the CGST Act, 2017 is as under “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) ..….. (c) …… (d) ……
(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
Having doubt regarding ITC | Watch Video
Get Free Bonus Report: Claim 100% ITC for your business
You May Also Interested in Reading This Post:
There was concern that levy of GST will increase, maintenance charges payable by members drastically. However, vide press release dated 13th July 2019, government has clarified that,
“Residential Welfare Association (RWA) / Housing Societies shall be required to pay GST on monthly subscription/contribution charged from its members if such subscription is more than Rs. 5000 per member ( now increased to Rs 7500/-) and the annual turnover of RWA by way of supplying of services and goods is also Rs. 20 lakhs or more.
Under GST, the tax burden on RWAs will be lower for the reason that they would now be entitled to Input Tax Credit in respect of taxes paid by them on capital goods (generators, water pumps, lawn furniture etc.), goods (taps, pipes, other sanitary/hardware fillings etc.) and input services such as repair and maintenance services.
ITC of Central Excise and VAT paid on goods and capital goods was not available in the pre-GST period and these were a cost to the RWA. Thus, there is no change made to services provided by the Housing Society (RWA) to its members in the GST era.”
- However, three were some concern, of applicability of GST on various amount collected by housing society, how limit of Rs 7500 is calculated. In order to clarify the same, government has issued:
Circular No 109/28/2019 GST dated 22nd July 2019
FAQ, vide TRU letter, F. No. 332/04/2017
In this article, we will be understanding various issues, its solution and its clarification from government, with respect GST on Housing Society
REQUIREMENT OF REGISTRATION TO RWA:
- If aggregate turnover of an RWA does not exceed Rs.20 Lakh in a financial year, it shall not be required to take registration and pay GST even if the amount of maintenance charges exceeds Rs. 7500/- per month per member
- RWA shall be required to pay GST on monthly subscription/ contribution charged from its members, only if such subscription is more than Rs. 7500/- per month per member and the annual aggregate turnover of RWA by way of supplying of services and goods is also Rs. 20 lakhs or more
You May Also Interested in Reading This Post:
GST IMPLICATION ON MAINTENANCE CHARGES AND EXEMPTION CALCULATION:
- Supply of service by RWA to its own members by way of reimbursement of charges or share of contribution up to an amount of Rs. 7500 per month per member for providing services and goods for the common use of its members in a housing society or a residential complex are exempt from GST.
- Prior to 25th January 2018, the exemption was available if the charges or share of contribution did not exceed Rs 5000/- per month per member. The limit was increased to Rs. 7500/- per month per member with effect from 25th January 2018
- What if a Person owns more than two flats in society - As per general business sense, a person who owns two or more residential apartments in a housing society or a residential complex shall normally be a member of the RWA for each residential apartment owned by him separately.
- The ceiling of Rs. 7500/- per month per member shall be applied separately for each residential apartment owned by him. For example, if a person owns two residential apartments in a residential complex and pays Rs. 15000/- per month as maintenance charges towards maintenance of each apartment to the RWA (Rs. 7500/- per month in respect of each residential apartment), the exemption from GST shall be available to each apartment
- What if, monthly charges are more than Rs 7500? - The exemption from GST on maintenance charges charged by a RWA from residents is available only if such charges do not exceed Rs. 7500/- per month per member. In case the charges exceed Rs. 7500/- per month per member, the entire amount is taxable. For example, if the maintenance charges are Rs. 9000/- per month per member, GST @18% shall be payable on the entire amount of Rs. 9000/- and not on [Rs. 9000 - Rs. 7500] = Rs. 1500/- .
GST IMPLICATION ON OTHER AMOUNTS COLLECTED BY RWA (PROPERTY TAX, ELECTRICITY, WATER TAX, SINKING FUND, INTEREST ETC):
- Services provided by the Central Government, State Government, Union territory or local authority to a person other than business entity, is exempted from GST. So, Property Tax, Water Tax, if collected by the RWA/Co-operative Society on behalf of the MCGM from individual flat owners, then GST is not leviable
- Similarly, GST is not leviable on Non Agricultural Tax, Electricity Charges etc, which are collected under other statutes from individual flat owners. However, if these charges are collected by the Society for generation of electricity by Society’s generator or to provide drinking water facility or any other service, then such charges collected by the society are liable to GST.
- Sinking fund, repairs & maintenance fund, car parking charges, Non- occupancy charges or simple interest for late payment in GST, attract GST, as these charges are collected by the RWA/Co-operative Society for supply of services meant for its members.
You May Also Interested in Reading This Post:
Get Free Bonus Report: Claim 100% ITC for your business
INPUT TAX CREDIT:
- RWAs are entitled to take Input Tax Credit of GST paid by them on capital goods (generators, water pumps, lawn furniture etc.), goods (taps, pipes, other sanitary/hardware fillings etc.) and input services such as repair and maintenance services.
- However, on exempted turnover, proportionate Input Tax Credit is required to be reversed as per Sec 17 read with Rule 42
CONCLUSION:
RWA, where charges collected from members are more than Rs 7500/- per month, they should ensure GST Compliance. Else in future, they may receive notice of Big Tax Bucket and in that event, past ITC will also not be available. To summarize, GST implication on Housing Society is as under:
Annual Turnover of Housing Society | GST Registration Required? | Monthly Maintenance Charges | Whether Exempt? | Whether ITC Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
More than Rs 20 lakhs | Yes, if some taxable turnover exists | More than Rs 7,500/- | No | Yes |
More than Rs 20 lakhs | Yes, if some taxable turnover exists | Rs 7500 or less than Rs 7500 | Yes | No |
Less than Rs 20 lakhs | No | More than Rs 7,500/- | Yes | No |
Less than Rs 20 lakhs | No | Rs 7500 or less than Rs 7500 | Yes | No |
File your GST returns
in minutes, not hours!
Get Live Demo and experience the simplicity by yourself.