Whether a Government Department, required to deduct tax at source, is liable to take registration as a normal taxpayer

The Government Departmentis required to take registration as a normal taxpayer only if it makes a taxable supply of goods and/or services and in such cases, the registration shall be obtained on the basis of PAN but Bank account is not mandatory. However, if it is not making any taxable supply of goods and/or services, it is required to register only as a deductorof tax at source on the basis of TAN/PAN.

(FAQ 31: GOVERNMENT SERVICES)

What is the concept called ‘tax deduction at source’

As per section 51 of the CGST Act, 2017, the Government may mandate (a) a department or establishment of the Central Government or State Government; or (b) local authority; or (c) Governmental agencies; or (d) such persons or category of persons as may be notified by the Government
on the recommendations of the Council, to deduct tax at the rate of one per cent on account of CGST and one percent on account of SGST from the payment made or credited to the supplier where the total value of the supply under a contract exceeds two lakh and fifty thousand rupees (excluding tax payable under the GST Acts). The deductor shall remit the deducted amount to the Government and is also required to furnish a certificate to the deductee by mentioning the details of the amount deducted and payment of such deducted amount.
Illustration: ABC Ltd supplies the service valued at Rs. 3,00,000/- excluding tax to Government department. The department while making the payment of Rs. 3,00,000/- should deduct Rs. 3000/- on account of CGST and Rs. 3000/-
on account of SGST and make a net payment of Rs. 2,94, 000/- to ABC Ltd. Thereafter, the department shall pay the amount of Rs. 3,000/- to the Central Government andRs. 3,000/- to the State Government and furnish a certificate to the deductee, containing the details of such deduction including the details of such deductee.

(FAQ 28: GOVERNMENT SERVICES)

What is reverse charge in GST

As per 2(98) of the CGST Act, 2017, ‘’reverse charge” means the liability to pay tax by the recipient of supply of goods or services or both instead of the supplier of such goods or services or both under sub-section (3) or subsection (4) of section 9 of the CGST Act, 2017, or under subsection (3) or subsection (4) of section 5 of the IGST Act, 2017.

(FAQ 23: GOVERNMENT SERVICES)

What are the functions entrusted to a Panchayat under Article 243G of the Constitution

The functions entrusted to a Panchayat under the Eleventh Schedule to Article 243G of the Constitution are as under:
(i) Agriculture, including agricultural extension. (ii) Land improvement, implementation of land reforms, land consolidation and soil conservation. (iii) Minor irrigation, water management and watershed development. (iv) Animal husbandry, dairying and poultry. (v) Fisheries. (vi) Social forestry and farm forestry. (vii) Minor forest produce. (viii) Small scale industries, including food processing industries. (ix)Khadi, village and cottage industries. (x) Rural housing. (xi) Drinking water. (xii) Fuel and fodder. (xiii) Roads, culverts, bridges, ferries, waterways and other means of communication. (xiv) Rural electrification, including distribution of electricity. (xv) Non-conventional energy sources. (xvi) Poverty alleviation programme. (xvii) Education, including primary and secondary schools. (xviii) Technical training and vocational education. (xix) Adult and non-formal education. (xx) Libraries. (xxi) Cultural activities. (xxii) Markets and fairs. (xxiii) Health and sanitation, including hospitals, primary health centres and dispensaries. (xxiv) Family welfare. (xxv) Women and child development. (xxvi) Social welfare, including welfare of the handicapped and mentally retarded. (xxvii) Welfare of the weaker sections,
and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. (xxviii) Public distribution system. (xxix) Maintenance of community assets.

(FAQ 17: GOVERNMENT SERVICES)

What are the functions entrusted to a municipality under Article 243W of the Constitution

The functions entrusted to a municipality under the Twelfth Schedule to Article 243W of the Constitution are as under:
(a) Urban planning including town planning.
(b) Regulation of land-use and construction of buildings.
(c) Planning for economic and social development.
(d) Roads and bridges.
(e) Water supply for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes.
(f) Public health, sanitation conservancy and solid waste management.
(g) Fire services.
(h) Urban forestry, protection of the environment and promotion of ecological aspects.
(i) Safeguarding the interests of weaker sections of society, including the handicapped and mentally retarded.
(j) Slum improvement and upgradation.
(k) Urban poverty alleviation.
(l) Provision of urban amenities and facilities such as parks, gardens, playgrounds.
(m) Promotion of cultural, educational and aesthetic aspects.
(n) Burials and burial grounds; cremations, cremation grounds; and electric crematoriums.
(o) Cattle pounds; prevention of cruelty to animals.
(p) Vital statistics including registration of births and deaths.
(q) Public amenities including street lighting, parking lots, bus stops and public conveniences.
(r) Regulation of slaughter houses and tanneries.

(FAQ 16: GOVERNMENT SERVICES)

What is the scope of agency services provided by the Department of Posts mentioned in the Notification No. 12/2017-Central Tax(Rate) dated 28.06.2017?

The Department of Posts also provides services like distribution of mutual funds, bonds, passport applications, collection of telephone and electricity bills on commission basis. These services are in the nature of intermediary and generally called agency services. In these cases, the Department of Posts is liable to pay tax without application of reverse charge.

(FAQ 13: GOVERNMENT SERVICES)

Are various regulatory bodies formed by the Government covered under the definition of ‘Government’

  1. No. A regulatory body, also called regulatory agency, is a public authority or a governmental body which exercises functions assigned to them in a regulatory or supervisory capacity. These bodies do not fall under the definition of Government.
  2. Examples of regulatory bodies are – Competition Commission of India, Press Council of India, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Forward Market Commission, Inland Water Supply Authority of India, Central Pollution Control Board, Securities and Exchange Board of India.

(FAQ 10: GOVERNMENT SERVICES)