Blog on Circular No. 150/06/2021-GST: GST Applicability on Road Construction Annuities
<h4><strong>Introduction</strong></h4><p>The <strong>Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)</strong> issued <strong>Circular No. 150/06/2021-GST</strong> on <strong>June 17, 2021</strong>, clarifying the <strong>applicability of GST on annuity payments for road construction</strong>. This addresses concerns about whether deferred payments (annuities) for road projects are <strong>exempt from GST</strong>, similar to toll payments. The circular confirms that <strong>GST is applicable to annuity payments</strong> for road construction services.</p><hr><h3><strong>Key Highlights of the Circular</strong></h3><h4><strong>1. GST Exemption on Road Access (Toll and Annuity)</strong></h4><ul><li>As per <strong>Entry 23 and Entry 23A of Notification No. 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate)</strong>:<ul><li><strong>Toll payments and annuities for accessing roads and bridges</strong> fall under <strong>service code 9967</strong> and <strong>are exempt from GST</strong>.</li><li>This exemption applies to <strong>"supporting services in transport"</strong>, such as operating highways, expressways, bridges, and tunnels.</li></ul></li></ul><h4><strong>2. GST Applicability on Road Construction Services</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Road construction services</strong> are classified under <strong>service code 9954</strong>, which covers:<ul><li>General construction services for <strong>highways, streets, roads, railways, bridges, and tunnels</strong>.</li><li>Payments for such services are often made <strong>partially upfront and partially as annuities (deferred payments)</strong>.</li></ul></li><li><strong>Clarification:</strong><ul><li><strong>Entry 23A does not apply to road construction services (service code 9954).</strong></li><li><strong>Even if payments are made as annuities</strong>, they <strong>are not exempt from GST</strong>.</li></ul></li></ul><h4><strong>3. Final Clarification by CBIC</strong></h4><ul><li>The <strong>GST Council’s 43rd meeting</strong> confirmed that <strong>annuity payments made for road construction projects are taxable under GST</strong>.</li><li><strong>Only toll and annuities paid for road access are exempt</strong>, not those for <strong>construction services</strong>.<a href="https://cms.plasament.com/storage/nisha/circular-refund-150.pdf">circular_refund_150</a><br> </li></ul>