Selling of Space for advertisement in print media by Advertising Agency: Clarification dt 23-08-2017
Selling of space for advertisement in print media is leviable to GST @ 5%
If advertisement agency works on Principal to Principal basis: If the advertisement agency works on principal to principal basis, that is, buys space from the newspaper and sells such space for advertisement to clients on its own account, that is, as a principal, it would be liable to pay GST @5% on the full amount charged by advertisement agency from the client. E.g. The news agency buys space of Rs. 100 at discount of Rs. 15 for Rs. 85 and sells it to customer at Rs. 100. In this case, advertisement agency shall be charged GST on Rs. 85 @ 5% = Rs. 4.25, and shall also pay GST @ 5% on Rs. 100 = Rs. 5
If the advertisement agency works as agent of newspaper: On the other hand, if the advertisement agency sells space for advertisement as an agent of the newspaper on commission basis, it would be liable to pay GST@ 18% on the sale commission it receives from the Newspaper. ITC of GST paid on such sale commission would be available to Newspaper.
Where advertisement agency works as agent, the billing shall be done by newspaper to the customer on Rs. 100 @ 5% and ITC paid to advertisement agency @ 18% on Rs. 15 shall be utilized.
However, if the advertisement agency supplies any service other than selling of space for advertisement, such as designing or drafting the advertisement, and such supply is not a part of any composite supply, the same would be liable to tax @18%. If such supplies are part of any composite supply, the rate applicable for the principal supply shall apply.