Different rules apply to calculate input tax credit reversals, availability, non-availability, and tax credits in respect of capital goods under GST. In this article, we will dive into the concept of ITC for capital goods. Claiming the correct ITC can be challenging since you need to follow many rules and regulations. Use reliable GST Accounting Software to claim Input Tax Credits and comply with rules easily.
Businesses require capital goods and raw materials to produce the goods and services they sell. Capital goods refer to the machinery, equipment and assets used to produce goods and services. The manufacturing process converts raw materials into finished products, which are the primary products. For example, let’s say ‘Company A’ manufactures wooden furniture. They will require machines to cut, shape and polish the wood.
The use of these machines will not end with the production of one piece of furniture. They will use them for many years. Thus, these are long-term capital goods. On the other hand, wood is a raw material used to make furniture. Machinery transforms wood into furniture.
Once manufacturers make capital goods, they do not change. Manufacturing transforms raw materials and cannot return them to their original state. According to the GST Act, “capital goods” are goods recorded as assets in the books of accounts. A person claims these goods for an Input Tax Credit.
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You must pay the applicable GST rate when purchasing goods or services. However, you can claim back the GST Input Tax Credit on capital goods if you are a GST-registered taxpayer. The same applies when you purchase capital goods for business purposes. However, capital goods are subject to elimination over time, as per rates prescribed under the Income Tax Act. They also have a predetermined useful life as per the same Act.
To claim ITC, only claim depreciation on the value of the capital goods purchased without including the GST paid. You cannot claim an Input Tax Credit if you deduct depreciation on the total amount spent on capital goods. This total amount consists of the GST paid.
For example, you purchased a new computer for business use. They will classify that computer as capital goods. The taxable value of the computer is ₹50,000, and the applicable rate of GST is 18%, which is ₹9,000. Hence, the total amount you have paid for the computer is ₹59,000.
The Income Tax Act allows the depreciation of computers by 40% over five years, which is their useful life. To be eligible for ITC, you must claim depreciation only on the value before GST, i.e. ₹50,000. If you claim depreciation on the entire amount of ₹59,000, then you cannot claim ITC.
Taxpayers can claim an Input Tax Credit for capital goods for business and personal use. However, they can only claim this credit if they use the goods solely for business purposes. Let’s say you are a freelancer selling copywriting services to clients. You purchased a computer for your copywriting job but also enjoy using it for gaming and watching movies. You can get a refund for the GST you paid on the computer if you use it for your copywriting business.
Let’s say you purchased a subscription to a software that helps you do your copywriting work better and faster. If you use the software for business, you can claim the full tax credit on the monthly subscription price. If you buy a computer game or movie streaming service for yourself, you can’t get any tax credits for them. To know more, read our guide to ITC on Common Credit.
The Conditions for claiming ITC on Capital goods are as follows:
Types Of ITC For Capital Goods. These are:
He can avoid paying GST if he buys a small flour mill for his store and produces unbranded flour. However, he won’t be able to claim a tax credit for the flour. This means he can’t get a tax credit for it.
The input tax credit is not available for personal or exempted sales of capital goods. For instance, if Mr Kapoor buys a fridge for his house, it is a personal purchase; hence, ITC cannot be claimed. Similarly, if he purchases a small flour mill for his grocery shop, he is producing unbranded flour, which is exempted from GST, and thus he cannot claim an ITC for the same.
Mr. Manoj bought machinery to make shoes. Because the machinery is a regular taxable supply, he can claim the GST he paid on it as an Input Tax Credit.
Capital goods used partly for personal or exempted sales and partly for normal taxable sales are eligible for claiming ITC.
The ITC that is paid for the capital goods is transacted through the e-ledger. The shelf life of such assets will be marked as five years from the date of purchase. The e-ledger will distribute the total input tax transacted over the marked shelf life. To calculate the monthly ITC, use this formula: Shelf life of 5 years and pay GST monthly.
Considering five years as the shelf life and the GST is paid monthly, the following formula can be used to calculate the ITC per month:
ITC per month= Input tax credited to the e-ledger divided by 60 (5×12)
The amount of ITC from common capital credit that can be attributed to exempt supplies is:
Credit attributed to exempted supply= (Value of exempted supplies divided by the total sales) multiplied by Common Credit for a tax period
After subtracting credit for exempt materials, the remaining sum will be eligible for ITC. These calculations should be carried out separately for CGST, SGST, IGST, and UTGST.
The system will credit 5% of the input tax for every quarter or part from the invoice date subtracted from the input tax.
A Transaction with Consideration:
If someone loses, steals, destroys, writes off, or disposes of items, it constitutes a transaction without consideration. This is similar to what happened before. In such circumstances, people will not consider it the supply of goods and will not charge any GST.
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The following circumstances require businesses to reverse input tax credits obtained on capital items.
If we cancel a taxpayer’s registration early, we will credit them for the remaining value of their assets. This credit assumes a five-year useful life.
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Suppose the employer has given an employee a capital asset to use during business. If the manufacturer returns the item to the employee within three years, the employee may get a tax credit. If you do not return the assets within three years, we will consider them supplied. You will owe tax plus interest for late payments.
Thus, capital goods that aid a company’s expansion are eligible for the input tax credit (ITC). ITC reduces the expense of corporate development, which benefits the economy as a whole. Comprehending and calculating ITC can be challenging. Utilising fully automated software that can handle time-consuming tasks on your behalf helps you save time and effort.
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Capital goods are assets like machinery, tools, and equipment used in the production of goods or services. These are long-term assets that help a business generate revenue over time. For example, a factory machine used to manufacture products is a capital good.
Other inputs, on the other hand, are consumable items or raw materials directly used in the production process. These inputs are short-term resources consumed during production, like raw materials, packaging, or fuel.
The key difference lies in their purpose and lifespan: capital goods provide long-term benefits and are not directly consumed in production, while other inputs are essential for day-to-day operations and get consumed quickly.
Credit on capital goods refers to the tax benefit businesses can claim for purchasing capital goods. Under GST, businesses can claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) on the tax paid while purchasing capital goods. This helps reduce the overall tax liability.
For example, if a business buys machinery for ₹1,00,000 with a GST of ₹18,000, the ₹18,000 can be claimed as ITC. This reduces the effective cost of the machinery.
Claiming credit on capital goods supports businesses by encouraging investments in long-term assets, which boosts productivity and growth.
Common credit refers to the Input Tax Credit (ITC) that is shared between taxable and exempt supplies. It typically arises when a business uses goods or services for both taxable (e.g., products attracting GST) and exempt (e.g., tax-free) purposes.
For instance, if a business uses a shared office space for taxable services and exempt activities, the GST paid on the rent falls under common credit. Businesses must proportionally allocate and claim this ITC as per GST rules to avoid misuse.
Common credit is important because it ensures fair taxation. Businesses often engage in activities involving both taxable and exempt supplies, so proper allocation prevents over-claiming or under-claiming of ITC.
Accurate handling of common credit helps businesses comply with GST regulations, avoiding penalties and audits. Additionally, it ensures that businesses don’t unfairly benefit from ITC on exempt supplies, maintaining a balanced tax system.
Understanding common credit promotes better financial management and helps businesses optimize their tax liabilities.