Are you also getting confused about when to charge Service Tax, VAT or CST?? . Our professional experience suggests that Startups especially from the technology domain are a little puzzled about chargeability, rates and other points of taxation of service tax, VAT and CST.
This article a continuation of our series on “Taxation Basics for Startups” will try to address these issues.
Difference of Taxability:
Service Tax is a form of indirect tax imposed only on services provided. From the point of view of a layman, providing services means assistance in any work, taking up of any work on behalf of others, any professional assignment or rendering intangible benefits to others.
VAT (Value Added Tax) is a form of indirect tax imposed only on goods sold within a particular state, which essentially means that the buyer and the seller needs to be in the same state. Only when tangible goods and products are sold, VAT can be imposed.
CST (Central Sales Tax) ) is a form of indirect tax imposed only on goods sold from one state to another state, which particularly takes into account that the buyer and the seller needs to be in two different states.
Governing Act:
Service Tax is governed by Finance Act, 1994. It was then when the finance minister brought in taxes on services rendered to reduce the degree of intensity of taxation on manufacturing and trade without forcing the government to compromise on the revenue needs. Service tax does not have any specific act to govern its stipulations.
VAT (Value Added Tax) is governed by respective state Acts. Every state has a separate and distinct VAT act reserved for their state.
CST (Central Sales Tax) is governed by Central Sales Tax Act, 1956. This tax is governed by a single central act, though the chargeability is state specific.
Registration under Act: When Compulsory?
Service Tax registration is a function of gross turnover. Once the turnover of the assessee crosses a threshold limit of Rs 9 lacs, the service provider is required to get itself registered under the law, and compulsorily required to charge service tax on services provided once the turnover crosses Rs 10 lacs.
VAT (Value Added Tax) registration is compulsory for dealers having turnover exceeding Rs 5 lacs (or increased limit of Rs 10 lacs in some states).On registration, such dealer is allotted a unique 11 digit TIN (Taxpayer’s Identification Number).
CST (Central Sales Tax) registration is not dependent on amount of turnover. Simply put, registration of dealer becomes compulsory once he affects an inter-state sale.
Due Dates of Returns:
Service Tax returns are due half-yearly shown as under:
April – September: 25th October.
October – March: 25th April.
VAT (Value Added Tax) returns are due on 20th of the succeeding month following the relevant month i.e. For June, 2012, the due date of VAT return is 20th July, 2012.
CST (Central Sales Tax) returns due date are exactly similar to VAT return due dates i.e. 20th of the succeeding month following the relevant month.
Rate of Charge:
Service Tax: The present rate is 12.36 %, which is leviable on all services except those captured in Negative List(the list comprising of 17 specific services which are exempt from service tax).
VAT (Value Added Tax) do not have any uniform rate. The following table depicts the varied rates of VAT.
This article a continuation of our series on “Taxation Basics for Startups” will try to address these issues.
Difference of Taxability:
Service Tax is a form of indirect tax imposed only on services provided. From the point of view of a layman, providing services means assistance in any work, taking up of any work on behalf of others, any professional assignment or rendering intangible benefits to others.
VAT (Value Added Tax) is a form of indirect tax imposed only on goods sold within a particular state, which essentially means that the buyer and the seller needs to be in the same state. Only when tangible goods and products are sold, VAT can be imposed.
CST (Central Sales Tax) ) is a form of indirect tax imposed only on goods sold from one state to another state, which particularly takes into account that the buyer and the seller needs to be in two different states.
Governing Act:
Service Tax is governed by Finance Act, 1994. It was then when the finance minister brought in taxes on services rendered to reduce the degree of intensity of taxation on manufacturing and trade without forcing the government to compromise on the revenue needs. Service tax does not have any specific act to govern its stipulations.
VAT (Value Added Tax) is governed by respective state Acts. Every state has a separate and distinct VAT act reserved for their state.
CST (Central Sales Tax) is governed by Central Sales Tax Act, 1956. This tax is governed by a single central act, though the chargeability is state specific.
Registration under Act: When Compulsory?
Service Tax registration is a function of gross turnover. Once the turnover of the assessee crosses a threshold limit of Rs 9 lacs, the service provider is required to get itself registered under the law, and compulsorily required to charge service tax on services provided once the turnover crosses Rs 10 lacs.
VAT (Value Added Tax) registration is compulsory for dealers having turnover exceeding Rs 5 lacs (or increased limit of Rs 10 lacs in some states).On registration, such dealer is allotted a unique 11 digit TIN (Taxpayer’s Identification Number).
CST (Central Sales Tax) registration is not dependent on amount of turnover. Simply put, registration of dealer becomes compulsory once he affects an inter-state sale.
Due Dates of Returns:
Service Tax returns are due half-yearly shown as under:
April – September: 25th October.
October – March: 25th April.
VAT (Value Added Tax) returns are due on 20th of the succeeding month following the relevant month i.e. For June, 2012, the due date of VAT return is 20th July, 2012.
CST (Central Sales Tax) returns due date are exactly similar to VAT return due dates i.e. 20th of the succeeding month following the relevant month.
Rate of Charge:
Service Tax: The present rate is 12.36 %, which is leviable on all services except those captured in Negative List(the list comprising of 17 specific services which are exempt from service tax).
VAT (Value Added Tax) do not have any uniform rate. The following table depicts the varied rates of VAT.
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