GST Council To Consider Implementation Of Lower GST Rates On Real Estate
No issue related to rate is on the agenda as the model code of conduct is in force.
The Goods and Service Tax Council, in its 34th meeting to be held on Tuesday, is expected to take up various issues including the implementation of lower GST rates for the real estate sector.
The meeting is likely to deliberate only the transition provision and related issues for the implementation of lower GST rates for the real estate sector, sources said, adding, no issue related to rate is on the agenda as the model code of conduct is in force.
In the previous meeting (Feb. 24), the high-powered GST Council slashed tax rates for under-construction flats to 5 percent and affordable homes to 1 percent, effective April 1.
The council is expected to give its nod to new rules on how far builders can make use of credit for taxes paid on raw materials and services in settling their final tax liability as the real estate sector moves to a new tax regime from April 1, sources said.
Currently, the goods and services tax is levied at 12 percent with input tax credit on payments made for under-construction property or ready-to-move-in flats where completion certificate is not issued at the time of sale. For affordable housing units, the existing tax rate is 8 percent.
The new rules are expected to specify under what circumstances sale transactions initiated in the current tax regime but concluded after April 1, will be eligible for ITC on taxes paid on raw materials and services.
GST collections in February dropped to Rs 97,247 crore from Rs 1.02 lakh crore in the previous month.
Of this, Central GST was Rs 17,626 crore, State GST stood at Rs 24,192 crore, Integrated GST Rs 46,953 crore and cess was Rs 8,476 crore.
GST collections in the current fiscal till February totalled Rs 10.70 lakh crore.
The government has lowered the GST collection target for the current fiscal to Rs 11.47 lakh crore in the revised estimates, from Rs 13.71 lakh crore budgeted initially.
For the next fiscal 2019-20, the GST collection target has been fixed at Rs 13.71 lakh crore.