Every indirect taxation system contains a credit/set-off mechanism to avoid the cascading effect of taxes incurred at the previous stage. The credit framework should be wide in ambit and with the least exceptions. Yet the lawmakers choose to keep a long list of goods and services outside the basket.
By Puneet Bansal and Neha Jain
With the advent of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, the taxpayers had hoped to take a sigh of relief, but the reality is far distant. One of the important credit restrictions, earlier as well as in today’s times, is on goods and services used for ‘construction and works contract for construction’.
The Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004 (CCR 2004) underwent a major change in 2011, wherein goods and services used for construction were specifically made ineligible for credit. This journey has continued in the GST regime as well. In this article, the authors will touch upon various disputes emanating from this restriction in the GST regime.
Constitutionality of Credit Restriction
Taxpayers always endeavour to avail credit on all expenses incurred by them on the pretext of credit being a vested right. On the contrary, it is settled legal position that power to grant or deny credit is wholly a legislature’s perspective and domain. Thus, denial of credit in a statute cannot be held to be unconstitutional merely due to the blockage of the credit chain. Though the taxpayers have challenged the validity of this restriction under the GST regime, it will be interesting to see whether the courts will uphold the legislature’s power to restrict credit.
In the authors’ view, this restriction is valid, and its constitutionality should prevail considering the earlier judicial precedents.
Nuts and Bolts of Credit Restriction on Construction Expenses
Section 17(5) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (CGST Act) restricts Input Tax Credit (ITC) on inward supplies of ‘construction and works contract for construction’. Clause (c) and (d) of Section 17(5) restrict ITC on: (c) works contract services when supplied for construction of an immovable property (other than plant and machinery) except where it is an input service for further supply of works contract service; (d) goods or services or both received by a taxable person for construction of an immovable property (other than plant or machinery) on his own account including when such goods or services or both are used in the course or furtherance of business.
This restriction has the potential of extensive litigation in the GST regime. The common understanding of the term ‘construction’ is to ‘make or build’ something. For the purpose of Section 17(5), the term ‘construction’ has an inclusive definition to include ‘re-construction, renovation, additions or alterations or repairs, to the extent of capitalisation, to the said immovable property’.
The first test to be applied for triggering this restriction is whether an activity qualifies as ‘construction’ in the first place or not. If it does not, then the restriction does not apply, and ITC will be available. Further, the term ‘for’ employed in Section 17(5)(c) and (d) would encompass only such goods and services inextricably linked with construction. Had the legislature intended to deny ITC on all goods and services directly or indirectly linked with construction activity, it would have been explicitly provided in the law.
Another important issue is that the restriction is confined to ‘immovable property’ and ITC will be available on goods and services used for the ‘construction’ of movable property. Consequently, the judicial precedents laying down the test of ‘immovable property’ under the erstwhile laws will continue to hold relevance in the GST regime. Further, this restriction is not confined to every immovable property and ‘plant and machinery’ is an exception to this. Resultantly, ITC will be available on immovable property qualifying as ‘plant and machinery’.
Section 17(5) of the CGST Act defines ‘plant and machinery’ to mean: ‘….apparatus, equipment, and machinery fixed to earth by foundation or structural support that are used for making outward supply of goods or services or both and includes such foundation and structural support but excludes: the land, building or any other civil structures; telecommunication towers; and pipelines laid outside the factory premises’. Thus, it becomes important to identify ‘plant and machinery’ in an immovable property.
In an endeavour to maximise ITC, taxpayers should consider proper structuring of contracts. For example, expenses on electrical fittings, wirings, plumbing, lighting system, etc. in a building may not be hit by this restriction. The series of GST Advance Rulings on this issue has given the contradictory verdict. The Maharashtra Authority of Advance Ruling (‘AAR’) allowed ITC on overhead crane, sewage system, sanitary ware, air, water, and oil supply systems and electrical works being plant and machinery. On the contrary, the Karnataka AAR disallowed ITC on electrical works, pumps, pumping systems and tanks, lighting systems, physical security systems, and fire systems being part and parcel of a building. Similarly, the Karnataka AAR observed that lifts, air handling units, chillers, sewage treatment plants and other facilities in a building cannot be separated from the building and hence, disallowed ITC on the same.
The accounting treatment of expenses on such goods and services in books of accounts will also play a pivotal role in creating eligibility or ineligibility of ITC. If expenses are not capitalised, ITC will be available.
The last controversy revolves around ITC on construction expenses incurred for constructing a building that is further let out or meant for self-use. Clause (d) of Section 17(5) restricts ITC on goods and services received for construction on their own account. To the taxpayer’s respite, the Orissa High Court allowed ITC on expenses incurred for the construction of a building which is further let out by reading down Clause (d) of Section 17(5).
In the authors’ view, the term ‘own account’ employed in Clause (d) of Section 17(5) should be read as ‘construction activity done on own account’ for own use. The statutory provision does not distinguish between immovable property used for self or given on rent. Also, it is a settled judicial principle that restriction clause in a statute should be read strictly unless there is an absurdity or ambiguity in the law. Given various facets of ‘ITC on construction expenses’, the authors expect this issue to open a pandora’s box of disputes in times to come. It will be interesting to watch as to how the Courts will do a balancing act, wherein taxpayers will endeavour to maximise their credits, and the tax officers will seek to deny the same.
Taxpayers must carefully analyse restriction areas as well as avail optimisation opportunities in the midst of prevailing controversies on this issue. The views are strictly the authors’ personal and do not, in any manner, represent any advice.
The authors are managing partner and senior associate at NITYA Tax Associates. Views are their own. First published on TaxScan.
The article has been suitably edited to adhere to Sourcing Hardware editorial guidelines
