In continuance of our earlier series titled GST Knowledge Series# 1, Understanding the Mechanics of Goods & Service Tax, we have discussed the basic DNA of Goods & Service Tax popularly known as GST. These features as applicable to India were:
1. DUAL GOODS AND SERVICE TAX
2. APPLICABILITY OF GST TO ALL TRANSACTIONS
3. DESTINATION BASED MULTI POINT LEVY
4. COMPUTATION OF GST ON THE BASIS OF INVOICE CREDIT METHOD
5. PAYMENT OF GST
6. UNIFORM PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF GST
In this Article, we will take the discussion forward and discuss in detail about other Salient Features of GST.
1. THRESHOLD LIMIT
The present threshold limits prescribed in different State VAT Acts below which VAT is not applicable varies from State to State. A uniform State GST threshold across States is desirable and, therefore, it is considered that a threshold of gross annual turnover of Rs.10 lakh both for goods and services for all the States and Union Territories may be adopted with adequate compensation for the States.The issue is still debated and there is no consensus till date.
2. COMPOSITION SCHEME UNDER GST
The States are also of the view that Composition/ Compounding Scheme for the purpose of GST should have an upper ceiling on gross annual turnover and a floor tax rate with respect to gross annual turnover. The first discussion paper suggests that there would be a compounding cutoff at Rs. 50 lakh of gross annual turnover and a floor rate of 0.5% across the States. The scheme would also allow option for GST registration for dealers with turnover below the compounding cutoff. In reference to Composition scheme, the task force has recommended rate of 1% each on account of CGST and SGST for dealers with the turnover between Rs 10 lacs to Rs 40 lacs.
3. REGISTRATION & TAX PAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
All the taxable entities with turnover above the threshold limit will be required to register and obtain GST registration number. The taxable entities with lower turnover will also have the option to register. As per First Discussion paper, each taxpayer would be allotted a PANlinked taxpayer identification number with a total of 13/15 digits. This would bring the GST PANlinked system in line with the prevailing PANbased system for Income tax, facilitating data exchange and taxpayer compliance. There will be single GST registration number for all branches in a State. Therefore, a dealer having branches across States will have as many GST registration numbers as the number of States in which he operates.
4. INPUT TAX CREDIT (ITC) SET OFF
Since the Central GST and State GST are to be treated separately, taxes paid against the Central GST shall be allowed to be taken as input tax credit (ITC) for the Central GST and could be utilized only against the payment of Central GST. The same principle will be applicable for the State GST. Further, the rules for taking and utilization of credit for the Central GST and the State GST would be aligned.
5. CROSS UTILIZATION OF ITC
Cross utilization of ITC between the Central GST and the State GST would not be allowed except in the case of interState supply of goods and services under the integrated goods and service tax (IGST) model.
6. CREDIT ACCUMULATION ON ACCOUNT OF REFUND
Ideally, the problem related to credit accumulation on account of refund of GST should be avoided by both the Centre and the States except in the cases such as exports, purchase of capital goods, input tax at higher rate than output tax etc. where, again refund/adjustment should be completed in a time bound manner.
7. ZERO RATING OF EXPORTS
The first discussion paper has suggested that the exports would be zerorated. Similar benefits may be given to Special Economic Zones (SEZs). However, such benefits will only be allowed to the processing zones of the SEZs. No benefit to the sales from an SEZ to Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) will be allowed.
8. GST ON IMPORTS
Imports will be brought under the scope of GST with necessary Constitutional Amendments. They will treated at par with interstate transactions and Integrated goods and service tax (IGST) will be levied on imports. The incidence of tax will follow the destination principle and the tax revenue will accrue to the State where the imported goods and services are consumed. Full and complete setoff will be available on the IGST paid on import on goods and services.
9. SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL AREA SCHEME
After the introduction of GST, the tax exemptions, remissions etc. related to industrial incentives should be converted, if at all needed, into cash refund schemes after collection of tax, so that the GST scheme on the basis of a continuous chain of setoffs is not disturbed.
10. MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS
A taxpayer or exporter would have to maintain separate details in books of account for availment, utilization or refund of Input Tax credit of CGST, SGST and IGST.
11. PERIODICAL RETURNS
The taxpayer would need to submit periodical returns, in common format as far as possible, to both the Central GST authority and to the concerned State GST authorities.
12. ADMINISTRATION OF GST
The administration of the Central GST to the Centre and for State GST to the States would be given. As per the recommendation of Task force report on GST, The Central Board of Excise and Customs(CBEC) shall be responsible for implementation of CGST and state tax administrations will be separately responsible for implementation for SGST.
13. ASSESSMENT
Keeping in mind the need of tax payer's convenience, functions such as assessment, enforcement, scrutiny and audit would be undertaken by the authority which is collecting the tax, with information sharing between the Centre and the States. The various tax administrative functions such as assessment, enforcement, scrutiny and audit should be undertaken by the CBEC in respect of the CGST and by the State tax administration in respect of the SGST. All procedures under CGST and SGST should be uniform. The Central Government will be responsible for establishing a taxpayers information network (TINXYS) keeping in view the information requirement of CBEC and the State tax administration. The TIN will be shared between the Centre and the States. The information furnished through periodical returns shall be stored in a common database with access to both the CBEC and the State tax administrations.Since the tax base will be common, there should be a common appellate authority. Similarly, the Authority for Advance Ruling will also be common. No authority should have any power to make preventive detention for the purposes of CGST and SGST.
14. GOODS AND SERVICE TAX COUNCIL
As per the Constitution Amendment Bill, 2014 (‘Bill’), there will be a Goods and Service Tax Council who shall make recommendation to the Union and the States. The Bill provides that the administration of GST would be the responsibility of the GST Council which would then become the apex indirect tax policy making body of the country. This GST Council would be formed by the Central and State level ministers in charge of the finance portfolio.
Source: CA Club India
Read Other post by CA. Chitresh Gupta
B. Com(H), FCA, IFRS (Certified), IDT (Certified)
