Deepak Gupta | Jan 30, 2019 |
FAQ’s Electronic Commerce and Tax Collected at Source GST
As per Section 52 of the CGST Act, 2017 the e- commerce operator, not being an agent, is required to collect an amount calculated at the rate not exceeding one per cent., as notified by the Government on the recommendations of the Council, of the net value of taxable supplies made through it, where the consideration with respect to such supplies is to be collected by such operator. The amount so collected is called as Tax Collection at Source (TCS).
Below are the FAQ’s on Electronic Commerce and Tax Collected at Source GST
These Frequently asked questions have been taken from Final GST FAQ 3rd Edition of December, 2018 released by Central Board of Indirect Taxes (CBIC).
Ans. As per Section 2(44) of the CGST Act, 2017, electronic Commerce means the supply of goods or services or both, including digital products over digital or electronic network.
Ans. As per Section 2(45) of the CGST Act, 2017, electronic Commerce operator means any person who owns, operates or manages digital or electronic facility or platform for electronic commerce.
Ans. As per Section 52 of the CGST Act, 2017 the e- commerce operator, not being an agent, is required to collect an amount calculated at the rate not exceeding one per cent., as notified by the Government on the recommendations of the Council, of the net value of taxable supplies made through it, where the consideration with respect to such supplies is to be collected by such operator. The amount so collected is called as Tax Collection at Source (TCS).
Ans. Rate of TCS is 0.5% under each Act (i.e. the CGST Act, 2017 and the respective SGST Act / UTGST Act respectively) and the same is 1% under the IGST Act, 2017. Notifications No. 52/2018 Central Tax and 02/2018-Integrated Tax both dated 20th September, 2018 have been issued in this regard. Similar notifications have been issued by the respective State Governments also.
Ans. Yes. As per section 24(x) of the CGST Act, 2017, every electronic commerce operator has to obtain compulsory registration irrespective of the value of supply made by him. The benefit of threshold exemption is not available to e- commerce operators.
Ans. As per Section 24(ix) of the CGST Act, 2017, every person supplying goods through an e-commerce operator shall be mandatorily required to register irrespective of the value of supply made by him. However, a person supplying services, other than supplier of services under section 9 (5) of the CGST Act, 2017, through an e- commerce platform are exempted from obtaining compulsory registration provided their aggregate turnover does not exceed INR 20 lakhs (or INR 10 lakhs in case of specified special category States) in a financial year. Government has issued the notification No. 65/2017 Central Tax dated 15th November, 2017 in this regard.
Ans. As per Section 24(ix) of the CGST Act, 2017, every person supplying goods or services through an ecommerce operator is mandatorily required to register. However, vide Notification 65/2017-Central Tax dated 15th November, 2017 a person supplying services, other than supplier of services under section 9 (5) of the CGST Act, 2017, through an e-commerce platform were exempted from obtaining compulsory registration provided their aggregate turnover does not exceed INR 20 lakhs (or INR 10 lakhs in case of specified special category States) in a financial year. Since such suppliers are not liable for registration, e-commerce operators are not required to collect TCS on supply of services being made by such suppliers through their portal.
Ans. As per the extant law, registration for TCS would be required in each State / UT as the obligation for collecting TCS would be there for every intra-State or inter-State supply. In order to facilitate the obtaining of registration in each State / UT, the e-commerce operator may declare the Head Office as its place of business for obtaining registration in that State / UT where it does not have physical presence. It may be noted that each State/UT has indicated one administrative jurisdiction where all e- commerce operators having business (but not having physical presence) in that State/UT shall register. The proper officer for the purpose of registration of ECOs has also been notified by each State/UT.
Ans. Where registered supplier is supplying goods or services through a foreign e-commerce operator to a customer in India, such foreign e-commerce operator would be liable to collect TCS on such supply and would be required to obtain registration in each State / UT. It may be noted that each State/UT has indicated one administrative jurisdiction where all e-commerce operators having business (but not having physical presence) in that State/UT shall register. The proper officer for the purpose of registration of ECOs has also been notified by each State/UT. If the foreign e-commerce operator does not have physical presence in a particular State / UT, he may appoint an agent on his behalf.
Ans. E-Commerce operator has to obtain separate registration for TCS irrespective of the fact whether e- Commerce operator is already registered under GST as a supplier or otherwise and has GSTIN.
Ans. The net value of taxable supplies means the aggregate value of taxable supplies of goods or services or both, other than the services on which entire tax is payable by the e-commerce operator, made during any month by a registered supplier through such operator reduced by the aggregate value of taxable supplies returned to such supplier during the said month.
Ans. The value of net taxable supplies is calculated at GSTIN level.
Ans. Yes, every e-commerce operator is required to collect tax where the supplier is supplying goods or services through e-commerce operator and consideration with respect to the supply is to be collected by the said e- commerce operator.
Ans. TCS is to be collected once supply has been made through the e-commerce operator and where the business model is that the consideration is to be collected by the e- commerce operator irrespective of the actual collection of the consideration. For example, if the supply has taken place through the e-commerce operator on 30th October, 2018 but the consideration for the same has been collected in the month of November, 2018, then TCS for such supply has to be collected and reported in the statement for the month of October, 2018.
Ans. No, TCS is not required to be collected on exempt supplies.
Ans. No, TCS is not required to be collected on supplies on which the recipient is required to pay tax on reverse charge basis.
Ans. As per section 10(2)(d) of the CGST Act, 2017, a composition taxpayer cannot make supplies through e-commerce operator. Thus, question of collecting TCS in respect of supplies made by the composition taxpayer does not arise.
Ans. TCS is not liable to be collected on any supplies on which the recipient is required to pay tax on reverse charge basis. As far as import of goods is concerned since same would fall within the domain of Customs Act, 1962, it would be outside the purview of TCS. Thus, TCS is not liable to be collected on import of goods or services.
Ans. No such exemption from TCS has been granted.
Ans. No, payment of TCS is not allowed through Input Tax Credit of e-Commerce operator.
Ans. An e-commerce company is required to collect tax only on the net value of taxable supplies made through it. In other words, value of the supplies which are returned (supply return) may be adjusted from the aggregate value of taxable supplies made by each supplier (i.e. on GSTIN basis). In other words, if two suppliers A and B are making supplies through an e-commerce operator, the net value of taxable supplies would be calculated separately in respect of A and B. If the value of returned supplies is more than supplies made on behalf of any of such supplier during any tax period, the same would be ignored in his case.
Ans. Negative amount cannot be declared. There will be no impact in next tax period also. In other words, if returns are more than the supplies made during any tax period, the same would be ignored in current as well as future tax period(s).
Ans. The amount collected by the operator is to be paid to appropriate government within 10 days after the end of the month in which the said amount was so collected.
Ans. The amount of TCS deposited by the operator with the appropriate Government will be reflected in the electronic cash ledger of the actual registered supplier (on whose account such collection has been made) on the basis of the statement filed by the operator in FORM GSTR-8 in terms of Rule 67 of the CGST Rules, 2017. The said credit can be used at the time of discharge of tax liability by the actual supplier.
Ans. TCS collected is to be deposited by the e-commerce operator separately under the respective tax head (i.e. Central tax / State tax / Union territory tax / Integrated tax). Based on the statement (FORM GSTR-8) filed by the e- commerce operator, the same would be credited to the electronic cash ledger of the actual supplier in the respective tax head. If the supplier is not able to use the amount lying in the said cash ledger, the actual supplier may claim refund of the excess balance lying in his electronic cash ledger in accordance with the provisions contained in section 54(1) of the CGST Act, 2017.
Ans. Yes, every operator is required to furnish a statement, electronically, containing the details of outward supplies of goods or services effected through it, including the supplies of goods or services returned through it, and the amount collected by it as TCS during a month within 10 days after the end of such month in FORM GSTR-8. The operator is also required to file an annual statement by 31st day of December following the end of the financial year in which the tax was collected in FORM GSTR-9B..
Ans. As per section 52(6) of the CGST Act, 2017, interest is applicable on omission as well in case of incorrect particulars noticed. In such a case, interest is applicable since it is a case of omission. Further penalty under section 122(vi) of the CGST Act, 2017 would also be leviable.
Ans. As per section 12(11) of the IGST Act, 2017, the address on record of the customer with the supplier of services is the place of supply.
Ans. TCS is to be collected by that e-Commerce operator who is making payment to the supplier for the particular supply happening through it, which is in this case will be ECO-2.
Ans. As per section 52(12) of the CGST Act, 2017, any authority not below the rank of Deputy Commissioner may serve a notice requiring the operator to furnish the details of their supplies of goods or services or both as well as stock of goods held by the suppliers within 15 working days of the date of service of such notice.
Ans. E-commerce operators, who have been unable to obtain registration in the month of October, 2018 but have already collected TCS for the said month, may furnish the details of TCS collected in the month of October, 2018 in the first return in FORM GTSR-8 to be filed after obtaining registration.
Ans. No. According to Section 52 of the CGST Act, 2017, TCS is required to be collected on the net value of taxable supplies made through it by other suppliers where the consideration is to be collected by the ECO. In this case, there are two transactions – where you purchase the goods from the vendors, and where you sell it through your website. For the first transaction, GST is leviable, and will need to be paid by your vendor, on which credit is available for you. The second transaction is a supply on your own account, and not by other suppliers and there is no requirement to collect tax at source. The transaction will attract GST at the prevailing rates.
Ans. Yes, this is allowed. Any registered person can declare a premises as a place of business if he has requisite documents for use of the premises as his place of business (like ownership document, agreement with the owner etc.) and there is no restriction about use of a premises by multiple persons. The registered person shall have to comply with the requirements of maintaining records as per section 35 of the CGST Act, 2017 and Rules 56 to 58 of the CGST Rules, 2017.
Ans. As per the definitions in Section 2 (44) & 2 (45) of the CGST Act, you will come under the definition of an electronic commerce operator. However, according to Section 52 of the Act, ibid, TCS is required to be collected on the net value of taxable supplies made through it by other suppliers where consideration is to be collected by the ECO. In cases where someone is selling their own products through a website, there is no requirement to collect tax at source as per the provisions of this section. These transactions will be liable to GST at the prevailing rates.
Ans. Section 52(1) of the CGST Act, 2017, mandates that TCS is to be collected on the net taxable value of such supplies in respect of which the ECO collects consideration. The amount collected should be duly reported in the GSTR- 7 andremitted to the government. Any such amount collected will be available to the concerned supplier ascredit in his electronic cash ledger.
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