GST on Construction -All you need to know


GST on Construction -All you need to know

The goods and services tax on building materials has streamlined the tax system and incorporated various state and central government taxes. The government also imposes GST on construction contracts. Before July 2017, the tax on goods and services was complex, as there were many taxes on goods and services. However, the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has simplified the process by eliminating excise duties, Octroi, VAT, customs duties, etc. The basic needs of a person include food, shelter, and clothing. Obtaining a comprehensive Goods and Services Tax (GST) on construction is imperative, as this sector employs nearly 30 crore people nationwide. In addition, contributing assets worth two hundred billion each year. To control the activities carried out in construction, the concept of a work contract was introduced.  Central taxes include service tax, production tax, central sales tax, customs, surcharges, and central taxes, etc. In addition to these, various state taxes, such as value-added tax, luxury tax, entertainment tax, purchase tax, and state taxes, along with taxes on gambling, advertising, lottery, gambling, surcharges, and income taxes. Therefore, it can be concluded that this reform involved many indirect taxes, providing an equivalent system for all taxpayers.

What do you understand about the works contract in the GST on construction?

GST Taxation A works contract is a broad concept that includes agreements related to the construction of a structure on a property. In addition, it includes details of the raw materials and products used during the implementation of any project. For example, the GST on residential home construction will include the rate for bricks, cement, paint, wallpaper, bathroom installation, etc. GST in construction contracts consists of activities such as:
  • Building
  • Construction
  • Fabrication
  • Erection
  • Completion
  • Fitting out
  • Installation
  • Improvement
  • Modification
  • Maintenance
  • Repair
  • Renovation
  • Commissioning and alteration of immovable property and transferring of properties in good
The structures/buildings that are part of GST on construction contracts are:
  • Apartment
  • Residential complex
  • Single residential units
  • Industrial buildings
  • Multi and single-story buildings
  • Administrative and commercial buildings
According to CGST, 2017, taxpayers must pay GST only on property under construction; Therefore, there is no need to pay GST for move-in-ready properties. Despite knowing the above fact, many people have trouble calculating GST on properties under construction. To solve this problem and learn the calculation process, read on.

What are the different GST rates on building materials?

There are different types of materials used in construction sites, including cement, sand, bricks, marble, etc. Therefore, an adequate tax system has been introduced to manage the cost of these assets. However, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on building materials varies depending on the materials used, resulting in huge bills for merchants and buyers. Here is an overview of these prices: 

Material

GST Rates

Sand

  • Asphaltic rocks, oil shale/bituminous, tar sand, natural asphaltites, asphalt- 18%

  • Natural sand- 5%

Mica

12%

Brick

5% - 28%

Cement

28%

Crushed stones, pebbles, gravel

5%

Granite and marble

  • Blocks- 12%

  • Not in blocks- 28%

Steel and Iron

18%

Building stones

5%

Tiles

5% - 28%

Coal

5%

Wallpaper

28%

Varnish and Paint

28%

Bathroom interiors and appliances

  • Pipes and tubes, fitting- 18%

  • Other items- 28%

Electrical Appliances

28%

  Find out how to calculate GST with examples if you have trouble understanding how to use these rates. Also, Read - 6 Cheapest Platforms to Pay Rent Using a Credit Card What are immovable and movable properties? To calculate the GST rate on construction contracts, it is necessary to have prior knowledge of the type of property. In accordance with the General Clauses Act of 1897, Section 3 discusses the type of property. In Section 3 (26), it is clearly established that everything related to land in usufruct or derived from it is included in the category of real estate. While in Section 3 (36), all other items such as jewelry, books, utensils, etc. they are considered movable property. Additionally, wire, weeds, and permanent wood are also included in movable property. It should be noted that any property that one can easily move into without any repair, renovation, or work does not require the payment of GST on building materials, services, contracts, etc. Apart from this status, people who have the right to sell and construct buildings/production must pay GST as mentioned in GST in construction contracts.

GST rate on construction services and materials

GST rate on construction services and materials In general, the GST rate on construction services is 18%. However, this rate varies in the construction sector as does affordable housing; It is 1%. In addition, the rate of supplies, services, and construction materials is 18%, while other sectors have 5%. In the case of an ITC, the GST rate on construction services ranges from 8% to 10%. For example, to calculate GST on under-construction property: Suppose material and labor cost INR 75; Therefore, the tax on 45% of these materials and labor will be INR 33.75. The value of GST in construction contracts will be assessed at a rate of eighteen percent of GST, which is equal to INR 6,075. If the profit is INR 25, then the total amount of the sale before tax becomes INR 106.43. This increases to INR 111.75 after applying a 5% goods and services tax on construction and not the ITC. Apart from this, many tutorials will tell you how to calculate GST with examples. Various materials are required, from the foundation of the building to its decoration. GST rates on building materials vary; Some of these materials used in construction are:
  • Cement: Regardless of the type of cement, including aluminous cement, slag, Portland cement, hydraulic cement, or super sulfate, the rate is 12%.
  • Sand: It can be the type of sand used as well as its speed. For example, the goods and services tax (GST) on building materials such as tar sand, shale or bitumen, asphalt, asphalt rock, natural asphalt, and bitumen is 18%. In the case of natural sand or any other type of mineral sand, this rate drops to 5%.
  • Pebbles, crushed stone, and gravel: The GST rate on the construction of houses and other structures is 5%.
  • Brick: Masonry bricks, fly ash, silica, or other fossil bricks are available at a 5% rate. However, it has been increased to 12% and will be implemented as of April 1, 2022.
Additionally, tiles, ceramic items, and firebricks are available at 18%. GST in construction properties where cement and glass blocks used in paving, concrete, and artificial bricks can be up to 28%.
  • Marble and granite: GST in these materials is 12% and 28% for blocks and those that are not organized in blocks, respectively.
  • Building Stone - 5% GST is applied to basalt, porphyry, sandstone, or other building stone slabs and blocks.
  • Coal - Buyer pays 5% GST.
  • Steel and Iron: The products of this material are available in rolls, wires, blocks, etc. with an amount of 18%.
  • Mica: 12% of GST is collected.
  • Tiles - Different types of tiles have different GST rates; For bamboo/clay tile floors and ceilings, they are 18% and 5%, respectively. On the other hand, cement tiles, plastic floors, industrial tiles, concrete tiles, etc. can add 28% of GST to the amount you pay.
  • Interior decoration: wallpaper, paint, enamel, varnish, appliances, spare parts, etc., 28% is borne by the buyer. In addition, bathroom services such as sinks, urinals, cisterns, toilets, showers, etc. also have the same GST rate. But pipe and tubing fittings, such as elbows or sleeves made of iron, steel, plastic, copper, nickel, and aluminum, have a GST rate of 18%.
Therefore, you can refer to the above information when calculating the GST on construction and the total amount. However, it is not a piece of cake even when you have the entire price list; So see the options where you can find how to calculate the GST on a property under construction with examples. This will give you the exact amount and shipping costs. Also, Read - How to Become a Real Estate Agent in India? RERA Registration and Guidelines