In a recent case, BOKS Business Services Pvt Ltd vs Commissioner of Central Goods and Services Tax Delhi South and Anr. [W.P.(C) 1255/2023 dated August 22, 2023], the Delhi High Court addressed a crucial question related to the classification of a service provider under the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (IGST Act). The case revolved around whether referring to a party as an “agent” in an agreement automatically designates them as an intermediary for GST purposes.
Delhi High Court held that even when a assessee is referred to as an agent in the agreement, doesn’t concretely mean that the he is an intermediatory and not a principal service provider. As a result, the denial of the refund was overturned, and the tax authorities were instructed to process the refund claim expeditiously. This article provides an overview of the case, the issues at hand, and the court’s decision.
Facts:
BOKS Business Services Pvt Ltd (“the Petitioner”), specializes in providing bookkeeping, payroll, and accounting services through cloud technology to its affiliated entity in the United Kingdom, previously known as Boks Business Services Limited. The Petitioner sought a refund for unutilized input tax credit related to “zero-rated supplies” under the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (“the IGST Act”) for the tax periods spanning from April 2018 to March 2019 and April 2019 to December 2019, following the necessary procedure by submitting Form RFD 01.
The tax authorities (“the Respondent”) initially raised concerns regarding the nature of services provided by the Petitioner. They suggested that these services fall under the category of “intermediary services,” thereby implying that the place of service delivery was within India. The tax authorities issued a show cause notice dated 24.06.2020, indicating their intention to reject the refund claim.
The Petitioner responded to the show cause notice by explaining the nature of its services, but the explanation was not accepted. Consequently, the claims for refund were rejected in orders dated July 23, 2020, with the authorities categorizing the Petitioner as an “intermediary” under Section 2(13) of the IGST Act.
The Petitioner appealed these decisions to the Appellate Authority.
The Petitioner contended that they should not be considered as an “intermediary” under the IGST Act. They contended that their role was not that of facilitating third-party services or acting as intermediaries in procuring services for their affiliate. Instead, they asserted that they had been contracted directly to provide services, making them the principal service providers for bookkeeping, payroll, and accounting services via cloud technology
Issue:
Whether the Petitioner can be considered as an “intermediary” within the meaning of Section 2(13) of the IGST Act in the context of the services rendered by it?
Held
The Hon’ble Delhi High Court in W.P.(C) 1255/2023 held as under:
- The Petitioner could not be classified as an “intermediary” under the IGST Act. The Petitioner’s services included bookkeeping, payroll, and accounting services using cloud technology.
- Noted that in the case of intermediary services, there are typically three entities involved: one providing the principal service, one receiving the principal service, and an intermediary acting as an agent or broker to facilitate or arrange such services for the recipient.
- Further noted that the agreement between the Petitioner and its foreign affiliate, Boks Business Services Limited, did use the term “agent,” but it was clear that the Petitioner was not acting as an agent to procure services for the service recipient. Since, the agreement clearly stated that the Petitioner was engaged to provide the principal services, and it was the principal service provider for bookkeeping, payroll, and accounts through the use of cloud technology.
- Held that merely because the services were for the clients of the Petitioner’s affiliate did not make the Petitioner an “intermediary” as per the IGST Act. Subsequently, the Court relied on relevant decisions, including M/s Ernst And Young Limited v. Additional Commissioner, CGST Appeals-II, Delhi And Anr. [2023:DHC:2116-DB] and M/s Cube Highways and Transportation Assets Advisor Private Limited v. Assistant Commissioner CGST Division & Ors. [2023: DHC:5822- DB], to support its conclusion.
- Set aside the impugned orders that had rejected the Petitioner’s claim for a refund of unutilized input tax credit.
- Held that the Respondent are directed and bound to process the Petitioner’s claim for a refund expeditiously, preferably within four weeks from the date of the judgment i.e. August 22, 2023.
Conclusion
The Delhi High Court’s decision in the case of BOKS Business Services Pvt Ltd provides clarity on the classification of service providers for GST purposes. It underscores that the mere use of the term “agent” in an agreement does not automatically designate a party as an intermediary if the nature of the services and the agreement’s terms indicate otherwise. This ruling ensures that service providers are classified accurately under the IGST Act, preventing unwarranted denials of refunds and facilitating smoother GST compliance.
Relevant Provision:
Section 2(13) of the CGST Act
Section 2(13) “intermediary” means a broker, an agent or any other person, by whatever name called, who arranges or facilitates the supply of goods or services or both, or securities, between two or more persons, but does not include a person who supplies such goods or services or both or securities on his own account;
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