Applicability of GST on Real Estate

The supply of goods and services related to both movable and immovable property is also subject to the implementation of the e-invoicing system in stages. The National Informatics Center was the first designated invoice registration portal (IRP) for this (NIC). A trial version of einvoice1-trial.nic.in was made available to taxpayers so they could get accustomed to using it. However, the government withdrew this website since many taxpayers were using it to create their actual e-invoices.

In this article, we will take a look at what einvoice1-trial.nic.in is and what the user can do by using this provision.he GST tax. With several taxes previously in place, such as service tax and VAT, the indirect taxation in this industry has undergone a total revamp with the implementation of GST.

BOOK A FREE DEMO




    Is GST Applicable to Immovable Property?

    Section 7(2)(a) of the CGST legislation of 2017 states that the sale of land and buildings must not be regarded as a supply of goods or services. Numerous services that are related to real estate are subject to GST.

    For instance, any lease or letting out of an entire or partial building, such as a commercial, industrial, or residential complex for a business or trade; any tenancy, easement, or permission to occupy the land. The real estate-related services that are subject to the GST are listed below:

    Get a Free Demo of – Real Estate Accounting & Billing Software

    • Rentals of Immovable Property and any lease, tenancy, or easement: Rental services for business purposes are included in the definition of supply in Section 7(1), which refers to “all sorts of supply.” The GST council establishes the GST rate for renting an immovable property as a business for a certain time period. Residential real estate used exclusively for residential purposes will not be subject to taxation. The GST will be applied to the tenancy premium. After paying a fee, the tenant is granted the right to occupy the property.
    • Until the entire compensation is paid after the competent authority issues a completion certificate or after the first occupation, whichever comes first, real estate project construction is taxed in accordance with schedule II. It stipulates that finished projects are free from GST and that only properties that are still under development are taxed. Only when partial or full payment is made prior to the first occupation or the issuance of the completion certificate, whichever comes first, is GST due.

    Get Free: BUSY 21 Setup Download

    The Pre-GST Taxability of Real-Estate Transactions

    The table given below shows the applicability of taxes on real-estate transactions in the pre-GST era:

    Nature Of Duty Rate Of Tax When Was Tax Required To Be Paid?
    VAT 1 to 4% On Sale Of Under Construction Properties
    Service Tax 4.5% On Sale Of Under Construction Properties
    Registration Charges 0.5 to 1% On Sale Of Under Construction Properties
    Stamp Duty Charges 5 – 7% On Sale Of Under Construction Properties

    *State-to-state differences exist for stamp duty, VAT, and registration fees. Under the former indirect tax system, VAT was not applied to finished or ready-to-sell assets, and Cenvat credit on the input used to construct a building or other civil structure, or any portion thereof, was restricted.

    Taxability of Real Estate Transaction Under GST

    The table given below shows the applicability of GST on real-estate transactions:

    Particulars Applicability Rate Of Tax Input Tax Credit
    On Ready-To Move properties for which completion certificates are issued Not Applicable – Because the sale of the building is treated as an activity or transaction which shall be treated neither as a supply of goods nor a supply of service as per schedule III of CGST act, 2017 Not Available
    On Under Construction Properties (For Homes Purchased Under Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme) Applicable as the supply of service as per schedule I of CGST Act, 2017 8%* Available
    On under-construction properties (other than above) Applicable as the supply of services as per schedule I of CGST Act, 2017 12% Available
    On resale properties Not Applicable Not Available
    On Land Purchase and sale Not Applicable. As per schedule III, the sale of land is neither supply of goods nor services. Not Available
    Works Contract Applicable 18% Available
    Composite supply of works contract – For use by the general public Applicable 12% Available
    Composite supply of works contract – Affordable housing Applicable 12% Available

    Note: The homes purchased under the credit-linked subsidy scheme (CLSS) attract 12% GST rates. The applicable rate will be 8% after cutting the ⅓ amount towards the land cost.

    Download Now: Free GST Accounting Software

    Impact of GST Rate on Real Estate Sector

    Impact of GST on Property Purchase

    GST has simplified the tax structure for affordable housing, making it easier for buyers to understand the costs. The reduced GST rate of 1% without input tax credit (ITC) has lowered the overall cost for first-time homebuyers. This has made affordable housing more accessible, boosting demand in this sector. Developers can’t claim ITC, which may slightly impact their profits, but the benefit to buyers generally outweighs this.

    Impact of GST on Luxury Property

    Luxury properties attract a higher GST rate of 5% without input tax credit (ITC). While this rate provides clarity, it can increase the overall cost for buyers in this segment. Since the ITC is not applicable, developers may pass on the additional tax burden to buyers, slightly inflating property prices. As a result, buyers in this category need to be mindful of the additional costs when planning their purchases.

    Impact of GST on Under-Construction Property

    A 5% GST rate applies without input tax credit (ITC) for under-construction properties. Buyers should note that this increases the upfront costs compared to ready-to-move-in properties, where no GST is applicable. While it simplifies the tax process, the lack of ITC means developers might face higher costs, which could be passed on to buyers. This has led to a preference for ready-to-move-in properties in some cases.

    Impact of GST on Buyers

    When purchasing properties that were still being built, buyers were required to pay stamp duty, registration fees, VAT, and service tax. Additionally, the cost of properties differed from state to state due to VAT, registration fees, and stamp duty. Construction properties are subject to a single tax rate of 12% under the GST.

    At the same time, GST is not applicable on completed or ready-to-sale properties under construction, and GST is not on completed or ready-to-sale properties, as was the case in the previous law. As a result, consumers will benefit from the GST price reductions.

    Impact on GST on Developers/Builders/ Contractors

    As a result of the availability of input tax credits, several taxes are consolidated under GST, greatly lowering the developer’s building costs. Additionally, a decrease in the cost of logistics will be advantageous. There will be an increase in the margin as a result. The drawback is that developers must perform numerous calculations to determine ITC before passing it on to customers.

    Impact of GST on Other Stakeholders

    The effects on related industries, including labour, material suppliers, service providers, etc. It depends on whether the tax imposed on these goods and services rises or falls. The real estate sector would be adversely affected by this. The following list of commodities has a connection to the construction sector’s GST rates:

    Get a Free Demo – Best Billing and Invoicing Software

    Product Rate Of GST
    Sand 5%
    Sand and fly ash bricks 12%
    Steel 18%
    Paints 18%
    Marble and granitw 28%
    Cement 18%

    Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) and Its Impact

    The scope of RCM has significantly expanded in GST, which may adversely impact the developers.

    • If products or services are obtained from a party who is not registered under GST, a registered person under GST is required to pay GST on all such deliveries. This is a substantial addition to RCM under the GST statute.
    • A developer is required to pay the GST in circumstances where services are provided by municipalities, the government, or other local authorities, such as those that transport goods, provide legal services, or other situations where the services are provided by an individual or corporation (subject to exclusions).
    • Additionally, under GST, the developer is not permitted to offset the tax due under RCM with the input credit made possible by the GST paid on inputs. It must be paid in cash or by bank transfer instead.

    Applicability of Stamp Duty

    Stamp duty and registration fees are not included in the calculation of the GST. Similar to the pre-GST regime, stamp duty will continue to be charged on both finished and unfinished properties.

    Conclusion

    The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has had a significant impact on the real estate sector in India since its implementation in 2017. The applicability of GST on real estate depends on various factors, such as the type of property, the stage of construction, and the nature of the transaction.

    While the introduction of GST has led to some challenges for the real estate industry, such as increased compliance requirements and higher tax rates in certain cases, it has also brought about greater transparency and simplification in tax administration. As the sector continues to adapt to the new tax regime, it is important for businesses to stay up-to-date with the latest regulations and compliance requirements to ensure smooth operations and avoid any penalties or legal issues.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Is GST applicable on the purchase of land?
      No, GST is not applicable on the purchase of land. The sale of land falls under the “no supply” category, which means it is outside the scope of GST. Land transactions are subject to stamp duty and registration charges, which vary from state to state. Since land is an immovable asset, it does not attract GST, helping buyers avoid extra costs under the GST regime.
    • How does GST affect the resale of properties?
      GST is not applicable on the resale of properties. Once a property is constructed and a completion certificate has been issued, it is considered a “ready-to-move-in” property. These properties fall outside the GST framework. However, buyers still need to pay applicable stamp duty and registration charges on resale transactions, but there is no GST burden in such cases.
    • Are rental incomes subject to GST in the real estate sector?
      Rental income from residential properties is exempt from GST. However, if a commercial property is rented out and the landlord’s total rental income exceeds ₹20 lakhs annually, GST at 18% applies. No GST is charged for residential rentals, ensuring relief for homeowners. Businesses need to factor in this tax for commercial rentals when calculating total costs.
    • Can developers claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) under GST?
      Under GST, developers of residential properties cannot claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) for affordable and luxury housing projects. This rule applies to properties sold under the new GST rates of 1% (affordable) and 5% (non-affordable). While developers cannot offset their tax costs, the intention is to pass the benefit of lower taxes to buyers by making properties more affordable.
    • Home
    • /
    • GST
    • /
    • applicability of GST on real estate

    BUSY is a simple, yet powerful GST / VAT compliant Business Accounting Software that has everything you need to grow your business.

    phone Sales & Support:

    +91 82 82 82 82 82
    +91 11 - 4096 4096