Clarification/ Guidelines for Pre-GST and Post-GST Contracts

GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL
Finance Department
Audit Branch

No. 5050-F(Y) Dated 16.08.2017

NOTIFICATION

Subject: Clarification/ Guidelines regarding issues pertaining to Contracts awarded by the State Government Departments/ local authorities/ statutory bodies/ PSUs under Government of West Bengal due to the introduction of GST i.e. 1st July 2017.

With the introduction of GST, different Departments have sought clarifications on modalities of treatment of pending bills of different contracts in the pre-GST regime. Departments have also sought clarifications with regard to projects which have been approved prior/post to the introduction of GST on 1st July 2017.

2. Now, the following guidelines have to be followed by the Departments/ local authorities/ statutory bodies/ PSUs under Government of West Bengal with respect to treatment of work contracts and supplies in the pre-GST and post-GST regime for:

1. Pre-GST contracts for supply of goods;
2. Pre-GST contracts for supply services;
3. Pre-GST works contracts;
4. Post-GST contracts for supply of goods or services or both.

3. Pre-GST contracts:

i. With regard to supply of only goods the following procedure is to be followed:

ii. With regard to supply of only services (eg: Consultancy, Security Services, Cleaning, etc.) the following procedure is to be followed:

iii. With regard to works contracts (eg: roads, buildings, etc.) where the supply is of both goods and services:

iv. When invoices/bills are to be raised by the contractor/supplier, the value of the bill together with the applicable tax under GST (i.e. WBSGST + CGST in case of local purchase from within the State) should not exceed the value that such contractor/supplier would have billed for prior to 1st July, 2017 inclusive of VAT and Service Tax, if any.

For instance, say, as per pre-GST contract agreement (which was inclusive of VAT and service tax, if any) the value of the project is Rs. 100000/-, the bill/RA bill under GST will arrive at the taxable value in accordance with the formula below:

So here, the project value (excluding tax), with, lets say, a GST rate of 6% CGST and 6% SGST, will be = 100000 X 100/112= 89285.70/-

Thus the bill will be raised as follows:

It is clarified that under no circumstances will there be a revision of any contractual values in the contract due to impact of change in tax rate(s), if any, from VAT/Service Tax to GST.

4. Post-GST contracts:

i. With regard to post-GST contracts or ongoing projects where estimates have been approved before 1st July 2017 i.e. those work orders given/to be given for supply of goods or services or both (works contracts), GST rates will be applicable. In other words, the supplier of goods/services/both has to pay WBGST and CGST on all taxable goods/services.

ii. Under the West Bengal Value Added Tax Act 2003, “works contract” covered both moveable and immoveable property, whereas, “works contract” under GST is restricted only to immovable property.

In GST, works involving supply of taxable goods along with labour to any moveable property [e.g. servicing of motor vehicle with motor parts, AMC contract for computers or AC machines or generator, repair of furniture, etc) has been referred to as “composite supply” as the supply of goods and labour are naturally bundled and made in conjunction with each other. The rate of tax for a “composite supply” will be that of the principal supply. In other words, the pre-dominant nature of the contract will be the deciding factor. The principal supply can either be of service or goods. For instance, in the case of servicing of motor vehicles or AMC contracts the principal supply is service and the rate of tax on service shall be applicable. On the other hand, where a contract is for supply-cum-installation of AC machine, then here the principal supply will be AC machine and the rate of tax of the AC machine will be applicable.

iii. No TDS under GST is to be deducted till Section 51 (i.e. the Section relating to TDS) of the WBGST/CGST Act is notified and made operative.

5. Difficulty, if any, in the implementation of the above instructions may be brought to the notice of the Finance Department.

Sd/- H.K. Dwivedi, IAS
Principal Secretary to the
Government of West Bengal

No. 5050-F dated 16.08.2017, Source