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March 21, 2023
By
Prudhvi Raj

GST on residential rent under RCM

Under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in India, the Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) applies to certain supplies, including the supply of services by an unregistered person to a registered person. The RCM provision on the supply of goods or services ensures that the recipient of such supplies is responsible for paying the GST, instead of the supplier.

With regard to residential rent, the RCM provision applies when the landlord is an unregistered person (i.e., not registered under GST) and the tenant is a registered person (i.e., registered under GST). In such cases, the tenant is required to pay the GST on the rent under the RCM. However, it's important to note that RCM on residential rent is only applicable if the monthly rent paid by the tenant to the landlord exceeds Rs. 50,000. If the rent paid is less than Rs. 50,000, then the RCM provision does not apply.

The rate of GST applicable on residential rent under RCM is 18%. This means that if the monthly rent paid by the tenant to the landlord exceeds Rs. 50,000, the tenant is required to pay GST at the rate of 18% on the amount of rent paid. The tenant can claim this GST paid as input tax credit while filing their GST returns.

RCM under GST Means

RCM stands for Reverse Charge Mechanism under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system in India. It is a mechanism where the liability to pay the tax shifts from the supplier to the recipient of goods or services. This means that the recipient of goods or services is required to pay the GST directly to the government, instead of the supplier of the goods or services.

Under the regular GST system, the supplier of goods or services is responsible for collecting and remitting the GST to the government. However, in certain cases, such as the supply of goods or services by an unregistered person to a registered person, the RCM mechanism is applied, and the recipient of the goods or services is required to pay the GST.

In the case of RCM, the recipient of the goods or services is required to self-assess the GST liability and pay it to the government. The recipient can claim the input tax credit for the GST paid under RCM, subject to certain conditions.

RCM is applicable for certain supplies such as goods or services supplied by an unregistered person to a registered person, specified goods or services as notified by the government, import of services, etc. The RCM mechanism is designed to ensure that the GST is collected efficiently and effectively, and to prevent tax evasion.

Documents required to avail input tax credit for the GST paid under RCM on residential rent

To avail input tax credit (ITC) for the GST paid under Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) on residential rent in India, the tenant (registered person) needs to have the following documents:

1. A tax invoice or a debit note issued by the landlord (unregistered person) for the rent paid.

2. Proof of payment of rent, such as a bank statement or a receipt issued by the landlord.

3. A copy of the lease agreement or rental agreement between the landlord and the tenant.

4. The monthly rent amount and the GST paid under RCM.

It is important to ensure that the tax invoice or debit note issued by the landlord includes all the necessary details, such as the name and address of the landlord and the tenant, the date of issue, a description of the service (rent), the amount of rent and the amount of GST paid under RCM. The tenant should also ensure that the GSTIN (GST Identification Number) of the landlord is mentioned on the tax invoice or debit note.

The tenant should maintain these documents as part of their GST records, as they may be required to furnish them during GST audits or assessments. Availing ITC for GST paid under RCM on residential rent is crucial for registered tenants as it helps to reduce their GST liability and, thus, their overall tax burden.

FAQs

Sure, here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to GST on residential rent under RCM in India:

Q: What is RCM under GST?

A: RCM is a mechanism under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime that requires the recipient of goods or services to pay the tax instead of the supplier.

Q: Does RCM apply to residential rent?

A: Yes, RCM applies to residential rent paid to an unregistered landlord by a registered tenant if the monthly rent paid is more than Rs. 50,000.

Q: What is the GST rate for residential rent under RCM?

A: The GST rate for residential rent under RCM is 18%.

Q: Can a tenant claim input tax credit for the GST paid under RCM on residential rent?

A: Yes, a registered tenant can claim input tax credit for the GST paid under RCM on residential rent while filing their GST returns.

Q: What are the documents required to avail input tax credit for the GST paid under RCM on residential rent?

A: The tenant needs to have a tax invoice or a debit note issued by the landlord to avail input tax credit for the GST paid under RCM on residential rent. The tenant should also have proof of payment of rent, such as a bank statement or a receipt issued by the landlord

Q: Is GST applicable on commercial rent under RCM?

A: No, GST is not applicable on commercial rent under RCM. RCM on rent applies only to residential properties.

Q: Can an unregistered landlord opt for voluntary registration under GST to avoid RCM on residential rent?

A: Yes, an unregistered landlord can opt for voluntary registration under GST to avoid RCM on residential rent. Once registered, the landlord can charge and collect GST from the tenant, and the RCM provision will not apply.

Q: What is the due date for payment of GST on residential rent under RCM?

A: The due date for payment of GST on residential rent under RCM is the 20th of the month following the month in which the tax liability arose.

Q: What happens if the tenant fails to pay the GST on residential rent under RCM?

A: If the tenant fails to pay the GST on residential rent under RCM, they will be liable to pay interest and penalty. The interest is charged at the rate of 18% per annum, and the penalty can be up to 100% of the tax amount.

Q: Is there any threshold limit for RCM on residential rent?

A: Yes, the RCM provision on residential rent applies only if the monthly rent paid by the tenant to the landlord exceeds Rs. 50,000. If the rent paid is less than Rs. 50,000, then the RCM provision does not apply.

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