GST Clarification on ISD Mechanism & Taxability of Services Between Distinct Persons
<h3><strong>Key Highlights from CBIC Circular No. 199/11/2023-GST</strong></h3><p>The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued a crucial clarification regarding the taxability of services exchanged between different branches or offices of an organization, which are considered distinct persons under GST law. The circular also provides guidance on the Input Service Distributor (ISD) mechanism and valuation of internally generated services.</p><h3><strong>1. Input Tax Credit (ITC) Distribution – ISD Mechanism is Optional</strong></h3><ul><li>Head Offices (HO) procuring common input services for themselves and their Branch Offices (BOs) <strong>can distribute ITC using the ISD mechanism</strong> but are <strong>not mandatorily required</strong> to do so.</li><li>Alternatively, the HO may issue tax invoices under <strong>Section 31 of the CGST Act</strong> to BOs for input services, allowing BOs to claim ITC directly.</li><li>If the HO chooses to distribute ITC via ISD, it <strong>must register as an ISD</strong> under Section 24(viii) of the CGST Act.</li></ul><h3><strong>2. Valuation of Internally Generated Services</strong></h3><ul><li>When an HO provides services to BOs, the transaction value should follow <strong>Rule 28 of CGST Rules</strong> (open market value).</li><li>If <strong>full ITC is available</strong> to the BO, the invoice value declared by the HO will be deemed to be the open market value, regardless of whether certain cost components (e.g., employee salary) are included.</li><li>If no invoice is issued for a service, it may be deemed to have a <strong>nil value</strong> for tax purposes.</li></ul><h3><strong>3. Salary Cost Inclusion – Not Mandatory</strong></h3><ul><li>If full ITC is <strong>not available</strong> to the BO, the salary cost of HO employees involved in providing services to BOs <strong>does not have to be mandatorily included</strong> in the taxable value of the services.</li><li><a href="https://cms.plasament.com/storage/chirag-singla/circular-cgst-199.pdf">circular-cgst-199</a><br> </li></ul>