Issues related to GST on monthly subscription/contribution charged by a Residential Welfare Association from its members. - GST - States - 63/2019-GST (CT/GST-15/2017/81)

GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXES, ASSAM KAR :: BHAWAN DISPUR, GUWAHATI-6 CIRCULAR NO. 63/2019-GST Dated Dispur the 26th July, 2019. Subject: Issues related to GST on monthly subscription/contribution charged by a Residential Welfare Association from its members No. CT/GST-15/2017/81.- A number of issues have been raised regarding the GST payable on the amount charged by a Residential Welfare Association for providing services and goods for the common use of its members in a housing society or a residential complex. The same have been examined and are being clarified below. Sl.No. Issue Clarification 1. Are the maintenance charges paid by residents to the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) in a housing society exempt from GST and if yes, is there an upper limit on the amount of such charges for the exemption to be available? Supply of service by RWA (unincorporated body or a non- profit entity registered under any law) to its own members by way of reimbursement of charges or share of contribution up to an amount of ₹ 7500 per month per member for providing services and goods for the common use of its members in a housing society or a residential complex are exempt from GST. Prior to 25th January 2018, the exemption was available if the charges or share of contribution did not exceed ₹ 5000/- per month per member. The limit was increased to ₹ 7500/- per month per member with effect from 25th January 2018. [Refer clause (c) of Sl. No. 77 to the notification No. 12- State Tax (Rate) FTX.56/2017/25 dated 29.06.2019] 2. A RWA has aggregate turnover of ₹ 20 lakh or less in a financial year. Is it required to take registration and pay GST on maintenance charges if the amount of such charges is more than ₹ 7500/- per month per member? No. If aggregate turnover of an RWA does not exceed ₹ 20 Lakh in a financial year, it shall not be required to take registration and pay GST even if the amount of maintenance charges exceeds ₹ 7500/- per month per member. RWA shall be required to pay GST on monthly subscription/ contribution charged from its members, only if such subscription is more than ₹ 7500/- per month per member and the annual aggregate turnover of RWA by way of supplying of services and goods is also ₹ 20 lakhs or more. Annual turnover of RWA Monthly maintenance charge Whether exempt? More than ₹ 20 lakhs More than ₹ 7500/- No ₹ 7500/- or less Yes ₹ 20 lakhs or less More than ₹ 7500/- Yes ₹ 7500/- or less Yes 3. Is the RWA entitled to take input tax credit of GST paid on input and services used by it for making supplies to its members and use such ITC for discharge of GST liability on such supplies where the amount charged for such supplies is more than ₹ 7,500/- per month per member? RWAs are entitled to take ITC of GST paid by them on capital goods (generators, water pumps, lawn furniture etc.), goods (taps, pipes, Other sanitary/hardware fillings etc.) and input services such as repair and maintenance services. 4. Where a person owns two or more flats in the housing society or residential complex, whether the ceiling of ₹ 7500/- per month per member on the maintenance for the exemption to be available shall be applied per residential apartment or per person? As per general business sense, a person who owns two or more residential apartments in a housing society or a residential complex shall normally be a member of the RWA for each residential apartment owned by him separately. The ceiling of ₹ 7500/- per month per member shall be applied separately for each residential apartment owned by him. For example, if a person owns two residential apartments in a residential complex and pays ₹ 15000/- per month as maintenance charges towards maintenance of each apartment to the RWA (₹ 7500/- per month in respect of each residential apartment), the exemption from GST shall be available to each apartment. 5. How should the RWA calculate GST payable where the maintenance charges exceed ₹ 7500/- per month per member? Is the GST payable only on the amount exceeding ₹ 7500/- or on the entire amount of maintenance charges? The exemption from GST on maintenance charges charged by a RWA from residents is available only if such charges do not exceed ₹ 7500/- per month per member. In case the charges exceed ₹ 7500/- per month per member, the entire amount is taxable. For example, if the maintenance charges are ₹ 9000/- per month per member, GST @18% shall be payable on the entire amount of ₹ 9000/- and not on [₹ 9000 - ₹ 7500] = ₹ 1500/-. 2. This Circular is clarificatory in nature and not meant for any interpretation of provisions of the Act and rules. 3. Difficulties, if any, in implementation of the above instructions may be brought to the notice of the Commissioner at an early date. 4. This Circular shall be deemed to have been issued on 22nd July, 2019. Sd/- Anurag Goel, IAS., Commissioner of State tax, Assam, Dispur, Guwahati Memo No. CT/GST-15/2017/81-A Dated Dispur the 26th July, 2019.