20 March 2012
1. 01/04/2012 . See notification 2/2012 dated 17/03/2012. 2. 4.944% (including cess and she cess)of the entire contract value. See notification 10/2012 dated 17/03/2012. 3. Yes 4. Pre budget rates.
20 March 2012
We are property developers regd under WCT composite scheme. Presently we are charging ST @4%+cess from customers while taking advance agst. booking of apartment.
So after 01.04.12 we have to collect 4.944%. Is it reqd. to collect the difference amount from customers (old rate-New rate) agst advance received before 01.04.12
Invoice we will raise after completion only. It may take another 2 years.So how we will show ST in invoice
25 July 2025
This is an important query related to **transition of Service Tax rate** under **Works Contract – Composite Scheme** in 2012, particularly for **property developers** collecting advances and raising invoices later.
Let’s address your concerns step-by-step in the context of applicable **notifications, rules**, and **Point of Taxation Rules (POTR), 2011**, as they stood in **March–April 2012**.
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## 🔹 Q1: **What is the new Service Tax rate applicable w\.e.f.?**
✔️ **Answer**: The **new rate of service tax** became applicable **from 01.04.2012**, as per:
* **Notification No. 2/2012 – ST dated 17.03.2012** * Increased from **10% + 2% EC + 1% SHEC = 10.30%** to **12% + 2% EC + 1% SHEC = 12.36%**
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## 🔹 Q2: **What is the Service Tax rate under WCT - Composite Scheme?**
✔️ **Answer**: Under the **composite scheme** for works contracts (as per **Notification No. 10/2012-ST dated 17.03.2012**), the rate is:
So, if **all three events** happen after the new rate comes into force, you must apply **new rate**.
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## 🟩 Your Real Query: You’ve collected **advances before 01.04.2012**, invoices will be raised after 2 years. What rate should be applied?
### ✅ Suggested Treatment:
1. **Advance received before 01.04.2012**:
* Applicable rate: **4.12%** * Issue receipt voucher with this rate * Mention in ledger and service tax return as tax already paid
2. **Invoice raised after 01.04.2012**:
* You may adjust service tax already paid on advance under Rule 6(3) of **Service Tax Rules, 1994**
3. **Balance to be collected later (on invoice)**:
* Will attract **new rate: 4.944%**
### ❗ Should You Collect Difference from Customers?
* **Legally, you cannot revise the tax amount on an advance already received**, if tax was paid as per then-prevailing rate. * However, if your contract with customers includes a **tax clause (subject to revision)**, you *may* be able to raise differential demand. * **Most developers absorbed the difference**, unless explicitly agreed upon in the agreement.
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## 🧾 In Your Invoice (after 2 years), show like:
| Description | Amount | | ----------------------------------- | ------ | | Gross Value | ₹X | | Less: Already taxed advance (4.12%) | ₹Y | | ST on balance at 4.944% | ₹Z |
Maintain **clear working papers** and **auditable reconciliation** for ST already deposited.
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## ✅ Summary:
| Aspect | Your Situation | Action | | ---------------------- | ----------------------- | --------------------------------------- | | Old Rate | 4.12% (before 01.04.12) | Apply to advances received before | | New Rate | 4.944% (from 01.04.12) | Apply to balance payable/invoiced later | | Cess | Yes | Included in both rates | | Recovery of difference | Depends on agreement | Usually not recoverable |
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Let me know if you need:
* Sample invoice format for this scenario * Advance adjustment working * Service tax reconciliation template
Would you like me to draft a sample clause for your customer agreements regarding tax rate changes?