9981 SAC Code: Research & development services

SAC code 9981 covers an extensive array of research and development services. It encompasses scientific research services, market research services, and other research and development activities across diverse fields such as agriculture, medical science, engineering, and social science.

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Categorisation of SAC Code 9981

SAC Code 9981 under GST can be classified in the following ways:

SAC Code

9981

Description

Services provided by an incubatee up to a total turnover of fifty lakh rupees in a financial year subject to the following conditions, namely:-(a) the total turnover had not exceeded fifty lakh rupees during the preceding financial year; and(b) a period of three years has not elapsed from the date of entering into an agreement as an incubate.

New Rate

0% without ITC

Old Rate

0% without ITC

Notes

Services by an eligible “incubatee” within the prescribed turnover and time limits are exempt as long as the conditions in the notification are met. The GST 2.0 rate changes for services do not touch this specific incubation exemption.

SAC Code

998111

Description

Research and experimental development services in natural sciences

New Rate

18% with ITC

Old Rate

18% with ITC

Notes

Nil when the research is paid for by a grant and supplied by a Government Entity or by a research association, university, college or institution notified under section 35(1)(ii) or (iii) of the Income-tax Act. Source: Notification 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate), S. No. 44A, inserted by 08/2024.

SAC Code

998112

Description

Research and experimental development services in engineering and technology

New Rate

18% with ITC

Old Rate

18% with ITC

Notes

Nil when the research is paid for by a grant and supplied by a Government Entity or by a research association, university, college or institution notified under section 35(1)(ii) or (iii) of the Income-tax Act. Source: Notification 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate), S. No. 44A, inserted by 08/2024.

SAC Code

998113

Description

Research and experimental development services in medical sciences and pharmacy.

New Rate

18% with ITC

Old Rate

18% with ITC

Notes

Nil when the research is paid for by a grant and supplied by a Government Entity or by a research association, university, college or institution notified under section 35(1)(ii) or (iii) of the Income-tax Act. Source: Notification 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate), S. No. 44A, inserted by 08/2024.

SAC Code

998114

Description

Research and experimental development services in agricultural sciences.

New Rate

18% with ITC

Old Rate

18% with ITC

Notes

Nil when the research is paid for by a grant and supplied by a Government Entity or by a research association, university, college or institution notified under section 35(1)(ii) or (iii) of the Income-tax Act. Source: Notification 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate), S. No. 44A, inserted by 08/2024.

SAC Code

998121

Description

Research and experimental development services in social sciences.

New Rate

18% with ITC

Old Rate

18% with ITC

Notes

Nil when the research is paid for by a grant and supplied by a Government Entity or by a research association, university, college or institution notified under section 35(1)(ii) or (iii) of the Income-tax Act. Source: Notification 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate), S. No. 44A, inserted by 08/2024.

SAC Code

998122

Description

Research and experimental development services in humanities

New Rate

18% with ITC

Old Rate

18% with ITC

Notes

Nil when the research is paid for by a grant and supplied by a Government Entity or by a research association, university, college or institution notified under section 35(1)(ii) or (iii) of the Income-tax Act. Source: Notification 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate), S. No. 44A, inserted by 08/2024.

SAC Code

998130

Description

Interdisciplinary research and experimental development services.

New Rate

18% with ITC

Old Rate

18% with ITC

Notes

Nil when the research is paid for by a grant and supplied by a Government Entity or by a research association, university, college or institution notified under section 35(1)(ii) or (iii) of the Income-tax Act. Source: Notification 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate), S. No. 44A, inserted by 08/2024.

SAC Code

998141

Description

Research and development originals in pharmaceuticals

New Rate

18% with ITC

Old Rate

18% with ITC

Notes

Nil when the research is paid for by a grant and supplied by a Government Entity or by a research association, university, college or institution notified under section 35(1)(ii) or (iii) of the Income-tax Act. Source: Notification 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate), S. No. 44A, inserted by 08/2024.

SAC Code

998142

Description

Research and development originals in agriculture

New Rate

18% with ITC

Old Rate

18% with ITC

Notes

Nil when the research is paid for by a grant and supplied by a Government Entity or by a research association, university, college or institution notified under section 35(1)(ii) or (iii) of the Income-tax Act. Source: Notification 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate), S. No. 44A, inserted by 08/2024.

SAC Code

998143

Description

Research and development originals in biotechnology

New Rate

18% with ITC

Old Rate

18% with ITC

Notes

Nil when the research is paid for by a grant and supplied by a Government Entity or by a research association, university, college or institution notified under section 35(1)(ii) or (iii) of the Income-tax Act. Source: Notification 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate), S. No. 44A, inserted by 08/2024.

SAC Code

998144

Description

Research and development originals in computer related sciences

New Rate

18% with ITC

Old Rate

18% with ITC

Notes

Nil when the research is paid for by a grant and supplied by a Government Entity or by a research association, university, college or institution notified under section 35(1)(ii) or (iii) of the Income-tax Act. Source: Notification 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate), S. No. 44A, inserted by 08/2024.

SAC Code

998145

Description

Research and development originals in other fields n.e.c.

New Rate

18% with ITC

Old Rate

18% with ITC

Notes

Nil when the research is paid for by a grant and supplied by a Government Entity or by a research association, university, college or institution notified under section 35(1)(ii) or (iii) of the Income-tax Act. Source: Notification 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate), S. No. 44A, inserted by 08/2024.

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Scope of SAC Code 9981

SAC 9981 pertains to a wide range of research and development services, specifically including research and experimental development in both natural sciences and engineering, as well as in medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, social sciences, and humanities, along with interdisciplinary research. It also covers the creation of original R&D outputs in fields such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, biotechnology, and computer-related services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers to common queries about SAC Code 9981 and GST compliance.

What does SAC Code 9981 cover?

SAC 9981 covers research and development services. It includes scientific research, market research, product development, experimental development in fields like pharmaceuticals, engineering, agriculture, medical sciences, social sciences and similar research activities done for clients or on contract.

What is the GST rate for services under SAC Code 9981?

Research and development services under 9981 are generally taxed at 18 % GST. Some R and D services done for recognised educational institutions or specific government projects can get special treatment or exemption, but by default these services are fully taxable.

Do companies need to mention SAC Code 9981 on R and D service invoices?

Yes. If your company provides research or product development services, you should show SAC 9981 on invoices, along with a clear description of the project or research activity and the applicable GST rate and amount, so the client can classify and claim ITC correctly.

Which businesses usually fall under SAC 9981?

R and D labs, design houses, contract research organisations, pharmaceutical and biotech R and D units, engineering design centres and market research agencies usually fall under 9981 when they carry out research projects for clients for a fee or on long term contracts.

Is TDS applicable to services classified under SAC 9981?

Yes. Payments for research services are often covered under section 194J as professional or technical services, where TDS of 10 % is usually deducted on the fee component. Some simpler survey contracts may be under section 194C. The section depends on the contract terms, not the SAC code.

Are any R and D services exempt from GST?

Some research services provided to recognised educational or government institutions for non commercial research may be exempt or attract concessional treatment, but these are limited and subject to strict conditions. Commercial contract research for private companies is usually fully taxable at 18 %.

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Important Disclaimer

The above does not constitute professional advice or a formal recommendation. We recommend consulting a professional tax consultant before acting on the information contained in this piece of content.