Circular No. 219/13/2024-GST issued by the GST Policy Wing addresses the availability of input tax credit (ITC) on ducts and manholes used in the network of optical fiber cables (OFCs) for telecommunication services under section 17(5) of the CGST Act, 2017. The clarification responds to concerns raised by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) regarding the denial of ITC by some tax authorities, citing these components as immovable property ineligible for credit.
The circular interprets section 17(5) and its Explanation, which excludes ITC for goods used in constructing immovable property other than plant and machinery. It asserts that ducts and manholes integral to OFC networks qualify as “plant and machinery” under the Act, essential for transmitting telecommunication signals. Not being explicitly excluded under the Act’s definitions, these components are deemed eligible for ITC, ensuring uniformity in tax treatment across jurisdictions and discouraging unnecessary litigation in the telecommunications sector.
F.No. CBIC-20001/4/2024-GST
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
GST Policy Wing
North Block, New Delhi
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Circular No. 219/13/2024-GST Dated 26th June, 2024
To,
The Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners/ Principal Commissioners/Commissioners of Central Tax (All)
The Principal Directors General/ Directors General (All)
Madam/Sir,
Subject: Clarification on availability of input tax credit on ducts and manholes used in network of optical fiber cables (OFCs) in terms of section 17(5) of the CGST Act, 2017 – reg.
Representations have been received from Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) submitting that input tax credit (ITC) is being denied by some tax authorities on ducts and manholes used in network of optical fiber cables (OFCs)on the ground that the same is blocked as per section 17(5) of the Central Goods & Services Tax Act, 2017 (herein after referred to as the ‘CGST Act”), being in nature of immovable property (other than Plant and Machinery). It has been requested to issue clarification in respect of availability of ITC on ducts and manholes used in network of optical fiber cables (OFCs), so as to prevent unwarranted litigation in the telecommunication sector across the country.
2. In order to ensure uniformity in the implementation of the provisions of law across the field formations, the Board, in exercise of its powers conferred by section 168 (1) of the CGST Act, hereby clarifies the issue as below.
| Issue | Clarification |
| Whether the input tax credit on the ducts and manholes used in network of optical fiber cables (OFCs) for providing telecommunication services is barred in terms of clauses (c) and (d) of sub-section (5) of section 17 of the CGST Act, read with Explanation to section 17 of CGST Act ? |
1. Sub-section (5) to Section 17 of the CGST Act provides that input tax credit shall not be available, inter alia, in respect of the following:
i. works contract services when supplied for construction of an immovable property (other than plant and machinery) except where it is an input service for further supply of works contract service; or ii. goods or services or both received by a taxable person for construction of an immovable property (other than plant or machinery) on his own account including when such goods or services or both are used in the course or furtherance of business. 2. Explanation in section 17 of CGST Act provides that the expression “plant and machinery” means apparatus, equipment, and machinery fixed to earth by foundation or structural support that are used for making outward supply of goods or services or both and includes such foundation and structural supports but excludes land, building or any other civil structures; telecommunication towers; and pipelines laid outside the factory premises. 3. Ducts and manholes are basic components for the optical fiber cable (OFC) network used in providing telecommunication services. The OFC network is generally laid with the use of PVC ducts/sheaths in which OFCs are housed and service/connectivity manholes, which serve as nodes of the network, and are necessary for not only laying of optical fiber cable but also their upkeep and maintenance. In view of the Explanation in section 17 of the CGST Act, it appears that ducts and manholes are covered under the definition of “plant and machinery” as they are used as part of the OFC network for making outward supply of transmission of telecommunication signals from one point to another. Moreover, ducts and manholes used in network of optical fiber cables (OFCs) have not been specifically excluded from the definition of “plant and machinery” in the Explanation to section 17 of CGST Act, as they are neither in nature of land, building or civil structures nor are in nature of telecommunication towers or pipelines laid outside the factory premises. 4. Accordingly, it is clarified that availment of input tax credit is not restricted in respect of such ducts and manhole used in network of optical fiber cables (OFCs), either under clause (c) or under clause (d) of sub-section (5) of section 17 of CGST Act. |
3. It is requested that suitable trade notices may be issued to publicize the contents of this Circular.
4. Difficulty, if any, in the implementation of this Circular may be brought to the notice of the Board. Hindi version would follow.
(Sanjay Mangal)
Pr. Commissioner (GST)
