Clarifications on Principal-Agent Relationship: Key Insights from Circular No. 73/47/2018-GST
<h3><span>1. <strong>Understanding Del-Credere Agents (DCA)</strong></span></h3><p><span>A DCA is a selling agent engaged by a principal to assist in the supply of goods or services by contacting potential buyers. What sets a DCA apart from other agents is their guarantee of payment to the supplier. If a buyer fails to make payment on time, the DCA ensures the payment to the principal, effectively providing insurance against default.</span></p><h3><span>2. <strong>Scope of DCA as Agent Under CGST Act</strong></span></h3><p><span>The circular clarifies the conditions under which a DCA falls under the ambit of an agent as per Para 3 of Schedule I of the CGST Act:</span></p><ul><li><span>If the invoice for the supply of goods is issued by the supplier, either directly or through the DCA, the DCA does not fall under the agent category.</span></li><li><span>If the invoice is issued by the DCA in their own name, the DCA is considered an agent.</span></li></ul><h3><span>3. <strong>Valuation of Supplies in Loan Arrangements</strong></span></h3><p><span>The circular addresses the valuation of supplies in scenarios where the DCA provides short-term loans to buyers:</span></p><ul><li><span>When the DCA is not an agent, the temporary loan provided by the DCA to the buyer is treated as an independent supply of service. Therefore, the interest charged by the DCA is not included in the value of goods supplied by the supplier. Such loan services are exempt from GST as per Notification No. 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate).</span></li></ul><h3><span>4. <strong>Interest Charges by DCA as Agent</strong></span></h3><p><span>In cases where the DCA acts as an agent and makes payments on behalf of the buyer:</span></p><ul><li><span>The temporary credit extended by the DCA is subsumed in the supply of goods by the DCA to the buyer. The interest charged for such credit must be included in the value of the supply of goods as per Section 15(2)(d) of the CGST Act.</span> <a href="https://cms.plasament.com/storage/shubham-pathak/circular-no-73.pdf">circular-no-73</a><br> </li></ul>