Key features of GST

Goods & Service Tax – Key Features

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 cut-off 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 cut-off. 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 PAN-linked taxpayer identification number with a total of 13/15 digits. This  would  bring  the  GST  PAN-linked  system  in  line with  the  prevailing  PAN-based  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 inter-State 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 zero-rated. 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 inter-state 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 set-off 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 set-offs 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. 

CA. Chitresh Gupta
B. Com(H), FCA, IFRS (Certified), IDT (Certified)