Blog on Circular No. 87/06/2019-GST: Clarification on Transitional Credit Under Section 140(1) of CGST Act, 2017
<p><a href="https://cms.plasament.com/storage/nisha/circular-cgst-87.pdf">circular-cgst-87</a><br><strong>Introduction</strong></p><p>The <strong>Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)</strong> issued <strong>Circular No. 87/06/2019-GST</strong> on <strong>January 2, 2019</strong>, to clarify <strong>the scope of “eligible duties” under Section 140(1) of the CGST Act, 2017</strong>. The amendment to <strong>Section 140(1) under the CGST (Amendment) Act, 2018</strong>, raised concerns about whether <strong>CENVAT credit of service tax could be transitioned to GST</strong>. This circular confirms that <strong>service tax credit remains eligible for transition</strong>, while <strong>credit of cesses (like education cess, Swachh Bharat cess) is not allowed</strong>.</p><hr><h3><strong>Key Highlights of the Circular</strong></h3><h4><strong>1. CENVAT Credit of Service Tax is Allowed for Transition</strong></h4><ul><li>The amendment to <strong>Section 140(1) introduced the term “eligible duties”</strong>, leading to doubts about the transition of <strong>service tax credit</strong>.</li><li>The circular <strong>confirms that CENVAT credit of service tax (paid under Section 66B of the Finance Act, 1994) is eligible for transition under GST</strong>.</li></ul><h4><strong>2. Interpretation of “Eligible Duties”</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Section 140(1) and its explanations must be read harmoniously</strong> to avoid confusion.</li><li><strong>The term “duties” is used interchangeably with “taxes”</strong> in taxation statutes.</li><li><strong>“Eligible duties” include all duties and taxes listed in Explanation 1 and Explanation 2 of Section 140</strong>, meaning <strong>service tax is covered</strong>.</li></ul><h4><strong>3. Exclusions from Transitional Credit</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Cesses (like Education Cess, Krishi Kalyan Cess, and Swachh Bharat Cess) are not eligible for transition</strong>.</li><li><strong>Customs Cess collected as additional duty under Section 3(1) of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, is also not allowed</strong>.</li></ul><h4><strong>4. Government Decision Not to Notify Certain Provisions</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Clauses (i) of sub-section (b) and (c) of Section 28 of the CGST (Amendment) Act, 2018, will not be notified</strong>.</li><li>This means that <strong>transitional credit under Section 140(1) will not be linked to goods in stock or inputs/services in transit</strong>.</li><li><strong>The credit allowed for transition remains unrestricted by conditions related to stock or in-transit goods.</strong></li></ul>