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THE KERALA GOODS AND SERVICES TAX ACT, 2017 Circular and Advance Ruling
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Body Advance Ruling ORDER No. KER/ 33 /2019, DATED 1st March, 2019

KERALA AUTHORITY FOR ADVANCE RULING

GOODS AND SERVICES TAX DEPARTMENT

Tax Tower, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 002

BEFORE THE AUTHORITY OF : Shri. S. Anil Kumar IRS &
  : Shri. B.S. Thyagarajababu B.Sc, LL.M

Legal Name of the applicant M/s. Kerala Forest Development Corporation Ltd.
GSTIN 32AAACK8721D1ZZ
Address "Arahyakom", Karappuzha, Kottayam -686003
Advance Ruling sought for Tax liability under GST for the tour packages, which are provided to guests by way of separate services like accommodation, serving food and beverages, service of authorized guides, trekking accessories etc. against separate invoices.
Date of Personal Hearing 01.03.2019
Authorized Representative M/s RKrishna Iyer & Co.

Kerala Forest Development Corporation has been established with an unique commitment to preserve the culture and beauty of forest and for the development of Eco-Tourism in the State of Kerala. Accordingly, the applicant is conducting Eco-tourism activities in the reserve forest at Munnar, Gavi, Neliiyampathy and Arippa. The objective of Eco-Tourism programs is to provide the guests the experience of the wild life in natural habitat and to create awareness for conservation as well as protection of forest wild life. The applicant offers tour packages at Munnar, Gavi, Neliiyampathy and Arippa. The charges for tour package depends upon the type of accommodation choose by the customers. Now the applicant intends to change the modus operandi by issuing separate invoices to customers/guests for the services availed by them, instead of giving as packages. The services offered under different category are;

(a) providing accommodation;

(b) preparing and serving food and beverages;

(c) providing service of authorized guides;

(d) providing trekking accessories;

It is pointed out that these services are individually available to the guests, as such the guests have right to choose any one of the services. If the guests choose all the services, they will provide separate invoice. Accordingly, the applicant requested advance ruling on the following:

Tax liability under GST for the tour packages, which are providing to guests by way of separate services like accommodation, serving food and beverages, service of authorized guides, trekking accessories etc. against separate invoices.

The authorized representative-was heard. It is stated that charges for accommodation per guest is below threshold minimum to levy tax, The food and beverages are prepared in each of the destinations, and are served to the guests. Since the accommodations are in far away places the guests are provided with a fixed menu with choices and accordingly the rates are also fixed, For this they will charge 5% GST vide Serial No. 7 of Notification No.11/2017- Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017 as amended by Notification No. 13/2018- Central Tax (Rate) dated 26.07.2018 For providing service of authorized guide, the applicant proposes to collect 18% GST.

The matter was examined in detail. The criteria for arriving threshold limit in the case of service of accommodation is not based on the charges realized from guests on per head. As per SAC 9963, exemption is eligible only if services by a hotel, inn, guest house, clubs or campsite, by whatever name called, for residential or lodging purposes, having declared tariff of a unit of accommodation below one thousand rupees per day or equivalent (SRO. No.371/2017 SLNo.14). As per S.R.O.No.370/2017 dtd.3O-06-2O17, accommodation in hotels, inns, guest houses, clubs, campsites or other commercial places meant for residential or lodging purposes having declared tariff of a unit of accommodation of one thousand rupees and above but less than two thousand five hundred rupees per unit per day or equivalent is taxable at 12% GST. If the declared tariff of unit accommodation is Rs.2500/- and above, but less Rs.7500/- per unit per day or equivalent is taxable at 18% GST and the same above Rs.7500/- attract 28% GST. [Explanation: "declared tariff" includes charges for all amenities provided in the unit of accommodation (given on rent for stay) like furniture, air conditioner, refrigerators or any other amenities, but without excluding any discount offered on the published charges for such unit."]

It is stated that food and beverages are prepared in each of the destinations, and are served to the guests as per their request and separate invoices are to be issued. As per Notification No. 13/2018-Central Tax (Rate), dtd. 26-07-2018, "supply, by way of or as part of any service, of goods, being food or any other article for human consumption or any drink, provided by a restaurant, eating joint including mess, canteen, whether for consumption on or away from the premises where such food or any other article for human consumption or drink is supplied, other than those located in the premises of hotels, inns, guest houses, clubs, campsites or other commercial places meant for residential or lodging purposes having dedared tariff of any unit of accommodation of seven thousand five hundred rupees and above per unit per day or equivalent is taxable @ 5% GST without input tax credit The applicant is providing service of authorized guide which attract 18% GST. As per Circular No.47/21/2018-GST dtd.08-06-2018, it has been clarified that the taxability of supply would have to be determined on a case to case basis looking at the facts and circumstances of each case. Where a supply involves supply of both goods and services and the value of such goods and services supplied are shown separately, the goods and services would be liable to tax at the rates as applicable to such goods and services separately.

In view of the observations stated above, the following rulings are issued:

Tax liability under GST for the tour packages, which are providing to guests by way of separate services like accommodation, serving food and beverages, service of authorized guides, trekking accessories etc. against separate invoices.

In case where a supply involves supply of both goods and services and the value of such goods and services supplied are shown separately, the goods and services would be liable to tax at the rates as applicable to such goods and services separately.

S. Anil Kumar. IRS B.S. Thyagarajababu B.Sc, LL.M
Joint Commissioner of Central Tax Member Joint Commissioner of State Tax Member