NO GST on penal charges by banks and NBFCs [Read Circular]

The Central Board of Direct Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued a circular on applicability of GST on penal charges being levied by the Regulated Entities (REs) in view of RBI instructions dated 18.08.2023 directing such Regulated Entities (REs) to levy penal charges in place of penal interest.

Representations have been received seeking clarification on the applicability of GST on penal charges being levied by the Regulated Entities (REs) in view of RBI instructions dated 18.08.2023 directing such Regulated Entities (REs) to levy penal charges in place of penal interest.

Regulated Entities (REs) such as banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) have been instructed, vide RBI instructions dated 18.08.2023, to discontinue the use of penal interest for non-compliance with loan terms. As per the instructions, instead of penal interest, REs are to levy penal charges for non-compliance with loan terms. The intent of levying penal charges is essentially to inculcate a sense of credit discipline. These instructions are effective from 01.01.2024, and do not apply to credit cards, external commercial borrowings, trade credits and structured obligations which are covered under product specific directions.

It is being viewed by certain field formations that penal charges so levied are in the nature of payment/consideration for tolerating an act or situation. Similar issues were examined in Circular No. 178/10/2022-GST dated 03.08.2022, wherein it has already been clarified that certain payments such as liquidated damages for breach of contract are not a consideration for tolerating an act or situation. They are rather amounts recovered to deter such acts; such amounts are for preventing breach of contract or non-performance and are thus mere ‘events’ in a contract. It has been further clarified that the essence of a contract is its ‘performance’ and not its ‘breach’, meaning thereby that parties enter into a contract for execution and not for its breach.

Penal charges levied by REs, in compliance with RBI directions dated 18.08.2023, are essentially in the nature of charges for breach of terms of contract and hence, fall within the ambit of the above clarification.

Thus, as recommended by the 55th GST Council, it is hereby clarified that no GST is payable on the penal charges levied by Regulated Entities, in compliance with RBI directions dated 18.08.2023, for non-compliance with material terms and conditions of loan contract by the borrower.