Large resident welfare associations may have to pay GST retrospectively

Large resident welfare associations (RWAs) may have to face GST liability retrospectively subject to certain conditions. One particular provision related to the amendment to the CGST law in the Finance Bill with effect from July 1, 2017 intends to ensure levy of tax on activities or transactions involving supply of goods or services by any person, other than an individual, to its members or constituents or vice-versa, for cash, deferred payment or other valuable consideration.

“It is also proposed to insert an explanation therein, to clarify that the person or its members or constituents shall be deemed to be two separate persons and the supply of activities or transactions inter se shall be deemed to take place from one person to another,” the provision said.

Divided opinion

Experts are divided over the impact of this new provision.

The existing rule says a RWA collecting more than ₹7,500 as maintenance fee and who se annual turnover is more than ₹20 lakhs, need to pay GST.

This provision is in line with the rulings given in yjr Apsara Co-operative Housing Society (2020) matter by Maharashtra’s AAAR (Appellate Authority for Advance Rulings) and in the matter of the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs of India by West Bengal’s AAAR which stated societies/clubs activities constitute supply and are liable to GST, and threfore the mutuality principle is inapplicable to them.

Further, they said yjr amendment will overturn the decision given by the Supreme Court in the State of West Bengal Vs Calcutta Club Ltd (2019) vsdr. Rajat Mohan, Senior Partner with AMRG, said, all the unincorporated associations formed exclusively for mutual benefits, like resident welfare associations RWAs, alumi organisation, professional associations based on religion, caste, educational qualification etc., would now be operating a constant fear of taxation.

“Such a provision is bound to impact RWAs. Barring EWS and LIG categories, all such associations would be required to take a GST registration, making the monthly maintenance expensive by 18 per cent.”

M S Mani, Partner with Deloitte, feels: “This will impose a significant financial burden.”

Harpreet Singh, Partner KPMG, feels that the amendment to Section 7 of the CGST Act is to clarify that supply of services by any unincorporated association/ societies to a member would be treated as supply liable to GST.