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TMI BlogService tax on construction services — regarding.X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ding. Many issues have been referred by the field formations, in the recent past, seeking clarification regarding the levy and collection of service tax on construction services [clauses (zzq),(zzzh) of section 65(105) of the Finance Act, 1994], in the light of varying business models. Across the country, divergent business models and practices are being followed in the construction sector. Some of these business models and practices could be region specific. 2. From the issues referred by the field formations, important ones have been identified model wise, examined and clarified as follows: 2.1. Tripartite Business Model (Parties in the model: (i) landowner; (ii) builder or developer; and (iii) contractor who undertakes construction): ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... lopment rights in the land may not be ascertainable ordinarily. Accordingly, the value of these flats would be equal to the value of similar flats charged by the builder/developer from the second category of service receivers. In case the prices of flats/houses undergo a change over the period of sale (from the first sale of flat/house in the residential complex to the last sale of the flat/house), the value of similar flats as are sold nearer to the date on which land is being made available for construction should be used for arriving at the value for the purpose of tax. Service tax is liable to be paid by the builder/developer on the 'construction service' involved in the flats to be given to the land owner, at the time when the possessi ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... nt rights over the land (including the permission for additional number of flats), to the builder/developer. The second category of service receivers consist of buyers of flats other than the society/members. Generally, they pay by cash. (A) Taxability: (i) Re-construction undertaken by a building society by directly engaging a builder/developer will not be chargeable to service tax as it is meant for the personal use of the society/its members. Construction of additional flats undertaken as part of the reconstruction, for sale to the second category of service receivers, will also not be a taxable service, during the period prior to 01/07/2010; (ii) For the period after 01/07/2010, construction service provided by the builder/developer ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... certificate, again tax liability would arise. 2.4 Conversion Model: Conversion of any hitherto untaxed construction /complex or part thereof into a building or civil structure to be used for commerce or industry, after lapse of a period of time. Clarification: Mere change in use of the building does not involve any taxable service, unless conversion falls within the meaning of commercial or industrial construction service. 2.5 Non requirement of completion certificate / where completion certificate is waived or not prescribed: In certain states, completion certificates have been waived or are considered as not required for certain specified types of buildings. Doubts have been raised, regarding levy of service tax on the construction se ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ht to use and/or develop the land, to the concessionaire, for a specific period, for construction of a building for furtherance of business or commerce (partly or wholly). Consideration for this taxable service may be in the nature of upfront lease amount or annual charges paid by the concessionaire to the Government or its agency. Here the Government or its agency is providing 'renting of immovable property service' (renting of vacant land to be used for furtherance of business or commerce) and in such cases the concessionaire becomes the service receiver. In this model, though the concessionaire is undertaking construction of a building to be used wholly or partly for furtherance of business or commerce, on the land provided by the gove ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... service', 'sale of space for advertisement', etc. Service tax is leviable on the taxable services provided by the concessionaire to the users. There could be many variants of the BOT model explained above and implications of tax may differ. For example, at times it is possible that the concessionaire may outsource the management or commercial exploitation of the building developed/constructed by him, to another person and may receive a pre-determined amount as commission. Taxable service here will be business auxiliary service and service tax is leviable on the commission. (A) Taxability: (i) the service provided by the Government or its agency to the concessionaire is liable to service tax; (ii) the construction services provided by t ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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