No GST if amount received after issuance of completion certificate
Karnataka’s Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) has upheld that amounts received for sale of shares in flats will not attract Goods & Services Tax (GST) in case the entire consideration is paid after issuance of completion certificate.
This ruling has persuasive powers in matters related to sale and purchase of flats or building. The consideration is paid either during construction or post construction and after the completion certificates are issued. The law prescribes applicability of GST before issuance of completion certificate. Still, doubts have been raised from time to time because of different payment systems prevailing at various places.
In the said matter, Bengaluru-based resident BR Sridhar tied up with a developer for construction of residential flats on his immovable property. It was decided that upon development of the said property, he will get 40 per cent share of undivided right, title and interest in the land. Sridhar approached AAR with a specific question as to whether the amount received by him post issuance of completion certificate will attract GST.
He contended that the liability to pay GST by him would not arise as he had not entered into any agreement with the prospective buyers before receiving the completion certificate from the competitive authority. He further stated that one clause of the agreement with the developers restricts his right to execute any sale agreements or conveyancing deeds till he takes over the units and the occupancy certificate is issued. Sridhar had no occasion to enter into any transaction for transferring his right, title or interest in respect of his share of the flats till the occupancy certificate was issued by the concerned authority.
Accordingly, he said he is not liable to pay GST in respect of 40 per cent of super built area received by him.
After going through the facts, AAR highlighted clause 5 (b) of the Schedule II of the CGST Act 2017, which says, “Construction of a complex, building, civil structure or a part thereof, including a complex or building intended for sale to a buyer, wholly or partly shall be treated as supply of services except where the entire consideration has been received after issuance of completion certificate.” The Authority noted that share of units/flats was received by the applicant after issuance of completion certificate.
“The amount received by the applicant, either by himself or through his agents towards sale of their share of flats, is not eligible for GST, if and only if the entire consideration related to such flats is received after the issuance of completion certificate,” AARsaid in the order.