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2023 (9) TMI 1596 - AAR - GSTEligibility for GST exemption on hostel accommodation services - whether the hostel accommodation being provided by the Applicant to students and working women qualify to be a residential dwelling for use as residence as described in the above entry and thus eligible for exemption or not? - HELD THAT - The term 'residential dwelling' has not been defined either under CGST Act or under Notification No. 12/2017. However, under the erstwhile service tax law, in paragraph 4.13.1 of the Taxation of Services An Education Guide dated 20.06.2012', issued by the CBIC, the expression residential dwelling' has been interpreted in terms of the normal trade parlance as per which it is any residential accommodation, but does not include hotel, motel, inn, guest house, campsite, lodge, house boat, or like places meant for temporary stay. It is clear that the purpose and objective of the notification is nothing but to avoid taxing residential properties taken on rent by family or individuals and the benefit of exemption is not extended to the premises which do not qualify as residential dwelling for use as residence. Further, unless the twin conditions of 'renting of residential dwelling' for 'use as residence,' being inter-twined and inseparable, are not met, the exemption is not available. As per settled position in taxation laws, especially when exemptions or concessions or benefits are to be availed, the interpretation is to be literally and strictly construed and not in liberal terms. In effect, the place rented out is neither a residential dwelling nor being rented out for use as residence. It is clear that hostel accommodation is not equivalent to residential accommodation and hence the services supplied by the Applicant would not be eligible for exemption under Entry 12 of Exemption Notification No. 12/2017-CT(Rate) dated 28.06.2017 and under the identical Notification under the TNGST Act, 2017, and also under Entry 13 of Exemption Notification No.09/2017-IT(Rate) dated 28.06.2017, as amended. Requirement for GST registration based on turnover - HELD THAT - It is clear that the Applicant's service of providing hostel accommodation is not eligible for exemption under Entry 12 of Exemption Notification No. 12/2017-CT(Rate) dated 28.06.2017 as amended, the Applicant is very much be required to take registration under the GST Enactments, as the arrangement between the Applicant and the hostel occupants is liable to be classified as transaction in the course of furtherance of business and hence, as per Section 7(1)(a) of CGST Act, 2017 read with Entry No. 2(b) of the Second Schedule to the CGST Act, the said transaction constitutes supply - the Applicant is required to get themselves registered in the state of Tamil Nadu, if their aggregate turnover in a financial year exceeds twenty lakh rupees. Taxability and applicable GST rate for hostel accommodation services - HELD THAT - It is observed that hotels are meant for a temporary stay (2-5 days) and have lot of facilities and staff, but hostels are used for a longer period and have basic facilities with minimal staff required by the inmates to stay at a reasonable rate. Therefore, hostel services cannot be equated to a hotel accommodation and hotel GST rates cannot be applied to a hostel. Therefore, the supply of hostel accommodation services (Tariff heading 9963) is taxable @ 9% CGST 9% SGST under Sl. No. 7(vi) of the above Notification (Sl.No. 7 (ix) as per original notification). Tax treatment of in-house food supply as part of hostel services - HELD THAT - The natural bundle has the characteristic of where one service is the main service and the other services are ancillary services which help in better enjoyment of the main service. Further, there is a single price for the combined services. The principal activity of the Applicant is supply of accommodation Services. While providing such services, the charges are being realised in a consolidated manner for the value of food and other like services rendered. The Applicant has stated that they do not charge separately for the other services provided by them. Thus, the services provided by the Applicant are composite in nature - As per Section 8 of the CGST Act, 2017, for a Composite supply, the tax rate on the principal supply will be treated as the tax rate on the given composite supply. Since the Applicant provides a number of services in a composite manner, the hostel accommodation services provided by the Applicant, being the principal supply, which is taxable @18%, will be tax rate for the composite supply provided by them.
Issues Involved:
1. Eligibility for GST exemption on hostel accommodation under Entry 12 of Exemption Notification No. 12/2017-CT (Rate). 2. Requirement for registration under GST if the aggregate turnover exceeds twenty lakh rupees. 3. Applicable tariff heading and tax rate for the supply of hostel accommodation services. 4. Taxability of in-house food supply to hostel inmates as part of a composite supply. 5. Scope of ruling under Section 97(2) of the GST Act. Issue-wise Detailed Analysis: 1. Eligibility for GST Exemption on Hostel Accommodation: The primary issue was whether the hostel accommodation provided by the applicant qualifies for exemption under Entry 12 of Exemption Notification No. 12/2017-CT (Rate), which pertains to "services by way of renting of residential dwelling for use as residence." The term "residential dwelling" was not defined under the CGST Act. However, it was interpreted in normal trade parlance as any residential accommodation excluding places meant for temporary stay like hotels, motels, inns, etc. The judgment emphasized that the applicant's hostel, which provides temporary lodging akin to a hotel, does not qualify as a "residential dwelling" and thus is not eligible for the exemption. The ruling also noted that the applicant's hostel is a commercial establishment and not a residential dwelling, as evidenced by various licenses and certificates obtained for running a hostel. 2. Requirement for Registration under GST: The judgment clarified that since the applicant's service of providing hostel accommodation is not exempt, the applicant is required to register under GST if their aggregate turnover in a financial year exceeds twenty lakh rupees. This requirement is in accordance with Section 22 of the GST Acts, which mandates registration for suppliers of services exceeding the specified turnover threshold. 3. Applicable Tariff Heading and Tax Rate: The supply of hostel accommodation services by the applicant falls under Tariff heading 9963, which pertains to "Accommodation, food, and beverage services." The ruling determined that the applicable tax rate is 9% CGST + 9% SGST, as per Sl.No. 7(vi) of Notification No. 11/2017, Central Tax (Rate), as amended. The judgment distinguished hostel services from hotel accommodation, noting that hostels are used for longer stays with basic facilities, whereas hotels are for temporary stays with more amenities. 4. Taxability of In-house Food Supply as Composite Supply: The judgment addressed whether the incidental activity of supplying in-house food to hostel inmates would be exempt as part of a composite supply. It was determined that the applicant's services are composite in nature, with accommodation being the principal supply. As per Section 8 of the CGST Act, the tax rate on the principal supply applies to the composite supply. Therefore, the tax rate for the composite supply, including in-house food, is 18%. 5. Scope of Ruling under Section 97(2) of the GST Act: The judgment noted that no ruling could be issued for the fifth question raised by the applicant, as it did not fall under the scope of Section 97(2) of the GST Act. This section outlines the specific matters on which advance rulings can be sought, and the question posed did not align with those criteria. Ruling Summary: - The applicant's hostel accommodation services are not eligible for GST exemption under the specified notification entries. - The applicant must register under GST if their turnover exceeds the threshold. - The applicable tax rate for hostel accommodation services is 18%. - The supply of in-house food is part of a composite supply, taxable at the same rate as the principal supply. - No ruling was issued for the question outside the scope of Section 97(2).
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