- Asiya Begum
- | Goods and Services Tax - Articles
- 12 Apr 2020
- 13,269 Views
- 14 comments
Tax/GST treatment to be given in case of cancelled flats
GST compliance for real estate has always been a nightmare considering the day to day changes in the rates, tax structure, GST returns to be filed so an and so forth. Assessee to be tax compliant has to look for ways and means to make the tax compliances easier. An attempt was made to simplify the GST compliance for real estate and to reduce the GST cost to the ultimate customer by way of introducing a new scheme for the real estate. However, the new scheme has its own pros and cons in all.
GST applicability on the customer advances received for the sale of constructed apartment was always puzzling with the GST rates, land deduction, availability of input tax credit etc.,. To this confusion something is added by way of GST treatment for cancelled flats.
In this article, an attempt is made to simplify the understanding of the tax/GST treatment to be given at the time of flat cancellations by the customers in various scenarios –
Page Contents
- A. Flat booked by the customer in service tax regime and cancelled in GST regime.
- B. Flat booked by the customer in GST regime (July’17 to Mar’18) and is cancelled in FY 18-19 (before Sep’18)
- C. Flat booked by the customer in GST regime (July’17 to Mar’18) and is cancelled in FY 18-19 (after Sep’18)
- D. Flat booked by the customer in FY 18-19 and is cancelled in FY 19-20 (assuming new scheme (GST @5%) is opted by the builder
A. Flat booked by the customer in service tax regime and cancelled in GST regime.
Facts
- A flat is booked by the customer in service tax regime and service tax is paid on part of the amount received in service tax regime. Later on, the same flat is cancelled by the customer in GST regime and the amount received from the customer is refunded along with service tax.
Analysis
- The service tax paid on such cancelled flats neither can be adjusted against the consequent liability under GST nor the taxes paid can be availed as credit in GST regime. As the taxes paid are refunded to the customer and the ultimate tax burden is on the builder, the only option available to the builder is to opt for refund of the taxes paid on such cancelled flats.
- As per Sec. 142(5) of CGST Act, 2017, any refund claim of taxes/duty paid under the earlier law, is made by the assessee on account of services not provided, then the same shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of earlier law itself and the refund shall be made in cash only.
- Under earlier law, provisions of Sec.11B of Central Excise Act, 1944 was made applicable for refund of any service tax vide Sec. 83 of the Finance Act, 1994. Sec. 11B specifies the time limit of 1 year from the relevant date for claiming refund and the relevant date to be considered is the date of payment of taxes.
- However, in this case, the date of cancellation of the flat by the customer shall be considered as the relevant date for calculating the time limit of 1 year for refund, as the event that led to refund of taxes is the cancellation by the customer. If cancellation would not have happened, the refund claim would not have arisen at all. Similar view was taken up in the following judicial pronouncements –
CCE, Pune Vs. Ispat Profiles India Ltd. 2007(220) E.L.T. 218 (Tri. Mumbai
SS Agro Industries Vs. Commr. of Cus., Air Cargo (Export), New Delhi – 2014 (309) E.L.T. 334 (Tri. – Del.)
Conclusion
Hence, if any flat booked in service tax regime and service tax paid on certain part of the consideration, is cancelled in GST regime and the entire amount along with taxes is refunded to the customer then the builder can go for refund of the service tax paid within 1 year from the date of cancellation by the customer. However, if the taxes paid is not refunded to the customer, then builder cannot go for refund of the same as the customer has bear the ultimate tax burden.
B. Flat booked by the customer in GST regime (July’17 to Mar’18) and is cancelled in FY 18-19 (before Sep’18)
Facts
- A flat is booked by the customer in the period starting from July’17 to March’18 and is cancelled by the customer in FY 18-19 (before Sep’18) and the amount received from the customer is refunded along with GST.
Analysis
- In accordance with sec.34 of the CGST Act, 2017, where there is any deficiency in the services supplied, then the supplier can issue a credit note and adjust the amount of GST mentioned in the credit note against the subsequent GST liability by disclosing the credit note in the GST returns accordingly. However, such credit note for any financial year cannot be issued later than September month of the following financial year or the date of furnishing of the annual returns for that particular financial year, whichever is earlier.
- For example, the credit note pertaining to the invoice issued in FY 17-18, cannot be issued after September’18 and the taxes paid cannot be adjusted. (Assuming the annual returns for FY 17-18 is not filed till September’18).
- Disclosure in GST returns
In GSTR-3B – The subsequent month’s liability has to be reduced to the extent of credit note (both taxable value and the taxes) and the net amount shall be disclosed as current month’s supplies in table-3 of GSTR 3B return.
In GSTR-1 – If the customer is unregistered, then the value of the credit note shall be reduced from the subsequent month’s liability and the net amount shall be disclosed as B2C supplies in table -7 of GSTR-1 return. The credit note issued need not be disclosed separately. However, if the customer is registered, then the credit note issued need not be reduced from the subsequent month’s liability in return and shall be disclosed separately in table 9B of GSTR-1.
Conclusion
Hence, if flat is booked in FY 17-18 (from Jul’17 to Mar’18), GST is paid on the consideration received. The same is cancelled in FY 18-19 (before September’18) and the entire amount along with GST is refunded to the customer, then the GST paid can be adjusted against the subsequent liability by issuing a credit note.
C. Flat booked by the customer in GST regime (July’17 to Mar’18) and is cancelled in FY 18-19 (after Sep’18)
As discussed above, the credit note for the FY 17-18 cannot be issued beyond Sep’18 and hence the taxes paid cannot be adjusted.
Note: Though there is no provision in the law, the GSTIN portal allowed credit notes for the FY 17-18 to be uploaded in the GSTR-1 upto 31st March 2019. One more example, wherein the GST provisions and the GSTIN portal are not in line with each other.
Conclusion
Hence, flat is booked in FY 17-18 (from Jul’17 to Mar’18), GST is paid on the consideration received. The same is cancelled in FY 18-19 (after Sep’18) and the entire amount along with GST is refunded to the customer, then the GST paid cannot be adjusted against the subsequent liability by issuing a credit note. The only option left with the builder is to go for refund of the taxes paid under GST within 2 years from the date of cancellation of flat by the customer as per Sec. 54 of the CGST Act, 2017, on the ground that the incidence of tax has been borne by the builder itself and the same is not passed on to the customer.
D. Flat booked by the customer in FY 18-19 and is cancelled in FY 19-20 (assuming new scheme (GST @5%) is opted by the builder
Facts
- Flat booked by the customer in FY 18-19 is cancelled by the in FY 19-20 and the amount received from the customer is refunded along with GST. Builder has opted to pay GST @5% in cash from 1st April 2019 under the new scheme.
Analysis
- Credit note provisions discussed above will be applicable in this case as well. The builder can issue a credit note up to Sep’19 and adjust the taxable value and the taxes paid @12% from the subsequent month’s liability and pay GST @5% in cash on the balance amount.
- Same treatment was explained in the FAQ No. 22 released for real estate by CBIC dated 7th May 2019. (F. No. 354/32/2019 – TRU)
Illustration:
All the above mentioned scenarios can be explained with the help of the following illustration:
| Customer | Flat booking date | Flat cancelled date |
| A | 11th June 2016 | 10th November 2017 |
| B | 2nd August 2017 | 16th April 2018 |
| C | 10th December 2017 | 11th November 2018 |
| D | 3rd March 2018 | 31st December 2018 |
| E | 10th October 2018 | 3rd May 2019 |
Treatment to be given –
| Customer | Action to be taken | Reference |
| A | As the service tax paid earlier cannot be adjusted against the GST liability, apply for refund of the service tax paid within 1 year from the date of cancellation. | Sec. 142(5) of the CGST Act 2017 & Sec. 11B of the Central Excise Act, 1944. |
| B | Issue a credit note in the month of Apr’18 and reduce the taxes to the extent of credit note from April’18 liability. | Sec. 34(1) of the CGST Act, 2017 |
| C | Credit note cannot be issued. Apply for refund for the taxes paid within 2 years from the date of cancellation | Sec. 34(1) & 54 of the CGST Act, 2017 |
| D | Credit note cannot be issued. Apply for refund for the taxes paid within 2 years from the date of cancellation | Sec. 34(1) & 54 of the CGST Act, 2017 |
| E | Issue a credit note in the month of Apr’18 and reduce the taxes to the extent of credit note from April’18 liability. | Sec. 34(1) of the CGST Act, 2017 & FAQ No. 22 issued by the CBIC. |
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Dear madam,
I have booked a flat in aug 2018 and i have paid 10 lakh as advace payment due to some circumstances Iam cancelling the flat booked. The builder is deducting the gst amount in refunding. Is he liable to deduct the gst Or how can i get my full amount.
Hello Madam,
I have booked a flat in July 2018 and made some payments and due to some reasons I was compelled to cancel the flat in Sep 2020. Can the GST paid be refunded?
Sir, I booked a flat on jun 2017 and cancelled the booking in 2019. My GST amount is 4 lakhs 32 thousand. How can I get my GST refunded?
Very nice article.(1) In para C you have stated that builder can claim refund u/s 54 within 2 years from cancellation. However, such relevant date is not mentioned in explanation to sec 54. Relevant date applicable will be date of payment and from this date 2 years will be counted within which builder can apply for refund. Please clarify as cancellation date is not mentioned in relevant date provisions. (2) If builder has not refunded tax element to customer then can customer claim refund u/s 54?
Hello respected madam,
I’m in a dilemma re. my purchased flat cancellation….
Booked flat in Apr 2019
Booking amount paid – 28lacs
Flat cost – 2.05Cr
OC is done and ready for possession since Apr2020
Planning to cancel flat – Oct 2020
The builder has agreed to approve cancellation, but GST paid will be deducted from the booking amount which is 8% of the total cost.
So, I am in a dilemma re. this cancellation as I have no means due to the pandemic situation.
Its a big loss to me without even enjoying the benefits of owning the flat.
My question is what happens in my case. Can I as customer claim refund of the GST from govt given the scenarios presented?
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Robin
Dear Sir,
I had booked 2 BHK flat in Dec 2016 and paid GST amount almost INR 2,28,770/-.
now in Sept 2020, I am cancelling Flat.
Will the builder be eligible refund as per the above article?
If so, can u help me with a Tax Expert who can professionally guide me to claim the same in Prayagraj (Allahabad)?
I had booked flat in August 2018 and paid 12% Gst.
now in October 2020, I am cancelling Flat.
Will the builder be eligible refund Gst.
If so, can u help me with a Tax Expert who can professionally guide me to claim the same in Ahmedabad?
Very Nice article Asiya..
Dear Sir,
I had booked flat in June 2016 and paid service tax in June 2017.
now in August 2020, I am cancelling Flat.
Will the builder be eligible refund as per the above article?
If so, can u help me with a Tax Expert who can professionally guide me to claim the same in Ahmedabad?
If the builder has refunded the complete amount to you including service tax, then he can go for refund on the grounds that the incidence of tax has not been passed.
i(Mr Nitin) have purchase one flat and due to some reasons i am cancelling it. I have booked in dec 19 and have cancelled in march 20. i have paid 72000Rs gst. how will i get the refund as builder is saying that gst is not refunded.
pls reply fast
As the builder is still having time to adjust such GST paid earlier, he should give you the complete refund. However, such adjustment is possible only in Sep’20 GST returns and not later.
SIR, THE ARTICLE IS VERY USEFUL, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE TO CONTENT FOR THE CIRCULATION WITH YOUR SOURCE NAME AND WEBSITE, WOULD SEEK YOUR PERMISSION FOR THE SAME.
Could you please let me know where you would like to circulate the same?