Reverse Charge Mechanism(RCM) in Goods and Services Tax (GST): A Complete Guide

Published on: Sat Feb 04 2023
Reverse Charge Mechanism(RCM) in Goods and Services Tax (GST): A Complete Guide

What is Reverse Charge Mechanism?

Reverse charge means the liability to pay taxes is on the recipient of the Supply of Goods or Supply of Services or both instead of the supplier.

Generally, GST is collected by the supplier from the recipient and then deposited to Government (which is simply called a “Forward Charge Mechanism”), however under Reverse Charge Mechanism, GST is paid and deposited by the Recipient to the Government.

For Example, A farmer (Ram), being an unregistered supplier sells raw cotton to any registered person, in such a case, the liability to pay and deposit the GST to the government is on the registered person and not Ram.

RCM example

In which cases, Reverse charge is Applicable?

Reverse charge is applicable in two cases:

  1. First case is dependent on certain notified goods and services where the supply of that specified goods and services is covered under. (This scenario is covered in section 9(3) of CGST ACT.
  2. Second case is covered under 9(4) of the CGST ACT, where taxable supply by any unregistered person to a registered person is covered.

Reverse charge is applicable in two cases

List of Notified/ Specified Goods covered under RCM 

S. No.Supplier of GoodsSupply of GoodsReceiver of Goods
1AgriculturistCashew nuts not shelled or peeledAny Registered person
2Any person who manufactures silk yarnSilk yarnAny Registered person
3AgriculturistBidi wrapper (Tendu leaves)Any Registered person
4State Gov./Union territory /Local AuthoritySupply of lotteryLottery distributor or selling agent
5AgriculturistTobacco leavesAny Registered person
6Central/State/Union territory/local AuthorityUsed vehicles, seized & confiscated goods or old used goods.Any Registered person
7AgriculturistRaw cottonAny Registered person
8Any registered personPriority sector lendingAny Registered person

List of Notified/ Specified Services covered under RCM 

S. No.Service provider Supplier of serviceName of servicesService receiver
1Foreign partyImport of servicesAny Registered person
2Goods transport agency(if a person opt to pay 5%tax)Transport of goods• Any person registered • Any factory • Any society • Any co-operative society in India • Any Body corporate • Any partnership firm (AOP) • Casual taxable person
3Advocate/ firm of advocateAdvocate/ legal servicesAny business entity
4Services provided by an arbitral tribunalArbitral tribunal servicesAny business entity
5Any personSponsorship servicesAny Body corporate or partnership firms
6Director or body corporateService of director or body corporateCompany or body corporate located in Taxable territory in Taxable territory Circular issued clarifying applicability of RCM on services of directors to Company/Body corporate – • Services rendered by directors not in capacity of employee to attract GST and also RCM [Entry no.6 of N\N 13/2017-CT (Rate) – CBIC circular no. 140/10/2020- GST (dated 10th June, 2020)
7Insurance agentInsurance agent servicesInsurance co.
8Recovery agent/ Recovery agent officeRecovery agent servicesBank or financial institution
9Foreign party (person located in NTT)Ocean freight ( transportation of goods by a vessel from a place outside India to custom clearance in India)Importer
10Transfer/Giving permission to copyrighted content (according to section 13(1) of the copyright act 1957)Artist, musician, or any creative personPublishing company
11GovernmentAll services of government Except; • Services by dept. of post • Services in relation to aircraft/vessel • Services of transportation of goodsAny Business entity
12Central/State/Union territory/local authorityRenting of immovable propertyAny person registered in taxable territory
13Member of overseeing committeeAny servicesRBI
14Individual direct selling agent (DSA) other that a body corp. PP or LLPDirect selling agent service(DSA)Banking co. or NBFC
15Business facilitatorAny servicesAny registered person located in taxable territory
16An agent of business correspondentAny servicesAny registered person located in taxable territory
17Any person other than corp.Security servicesAny registered person located in taxable territory
18AuthorTransfer of copyrightPublisher (located in taxable territory)
19Any person, other than a body corporate who supplies the service to a body corporate and does not issue an invoice charging GST@12% (CGST 6% SGST/UTGST 6%) to the service recipientServices provided by way of renting of any motor vehicle designed to carry passengers where the cost of fuel is included in the consideration charged from the service recipient, provided to a body corporate.Any Body corporate located in the taxable territory
20LenderLending of securitiesBorrower
21Any personServices supplied by any person by way of transfer of development rights (TDR) or Floor Space Index (FSI) (including additional FSI) for construction of a project by a promotorPromoter
22Any personLong term lease of land (30 years or more) by any person against consideration in the form of upfront amount (called as premium, salami, cost, prices, development charges or by any other name) and/or periodic rent for construction of a project by a promoterPromoter

What is the Time of Supply Under RCM?

In order to calculate and discharge tax liability, it is important to know the date when the tax liability arises i.e. the date on which the charging event has occurred. In GST law, it is known as the Time of Supply. Section 12(3) & Section 13(3)  of CGST Aare, are about the time of supply under RCM.

As per Section 12(3) of The CGST Act, 20the 17, time of supply of goods under

RCM:-the  In the case of RCM time of supply of goods good is the earliest of the following, 1.Date of receipt of goods, 2. Date of payment, 3. 31st day from the date of issuance of invoice.

Time of Supply Under RCM

Section 13(3) of CGST ACT says the out time of supply of Services under RCM:- In case of RCM time of supply of services is earliest of the following, date of payment or days day from the date of issue of invoice by the supplier.

Time of supply of Services under RCM

The ere date of payment (DOP) is book entry or credited to the bank account whichever is earlier.

Registration Rules Under RCM?

A person who is required to pay tax under reverse charge has to compulsorily register under GST defined under Section 24 of CGST ACT and the threshold limit of INR 20 lakh (INR 10 lakh for special category states ex except for J &does not apply to them.

However, if a person is engaged in the supply of Goods threshold limit increases up to 40 lakhs INR. (if a person supplies other than notified goods.).

Input Tax Credit (ITC) Under RCM?

The recipient can avoid all ITC up to GST amount if that supply is used  in the course or furtherance of business, however, a supplier cannot avoid ailing the benefit of ITC since he is not making any payment of GST under RCM

What is Self-Invoicing?

Self-invoicing is a situation wherein a registered person is required to issue the invoice on his own on account of purchasing goods/services from an unregistered person and there is by, is liable to pay GST under reverse charge. This is because the use supplier is unregistered and cannot issue a GST invoice.

FAQs:-

  • What happens if the recipient of goods or services is required to pay tax through reverse charge, but they are not registered as a dealer?

If the recipient of goods or services is obligated to pay tax through the ugh reverse charge mechanism but they are not registered as a dealer, they may face consequences such as fines or legal penalties for non-compliance with tax regulations.

  • Is ITC allowed unthe der reverse charge mechanism?

Yes, ITC is allowed to the recipient if a person used that goods or services in the course or furtherance of business.

  •  When can a person claim ITC of Tax paid under RCM?

A registered person other than a person covered under section 10 of CGST ACT can take ITC if their purpose was the course or furtherance of business, the and same provision the section 16 is applicable for eligibility and conditions for taking ITC.

  • How to Show RCM sales in GSTR filing?

An individual can declare their inward or outward supplies under Reverse Charge Mechanism in Form GSTR1 & GSTR3B.

  • Can we claim Input Tax Credit on RCM in the same month?

Yes, a person can claim ITC in the same month, when said person deposits GST under RCM.

  • What is the process for claiming reverse charge on the GSTR A reverse

Reverse charge is a liability to pay taxes to the government, it cannot be claimed. However, a person can declare their supplies liable to RCM in GSTR3B and claim ITC on it.

A person can declare the supplies under RCM in table 3.1(d) of foam GSTR 3B.

  • How does RCM on unregistered dealer work?

As per Section 9(4) of the o CGST Act, if an unregistered person supplies goods or services to a registered person, the hen liability to pay the taxes shifts to the registered person.

  • How do you calculate RCM in GST?

RCM is calculated  on taxable value of Goods or services. If we take an example

A trader who is registered in GST takes services the of the Goods Transport Agency (GTA) for INR. 10,000. This service is listed under the reverse charge list therefore trader has to pay tax @ 5% on INR. 10,000 on RCM.

  • What are some important points to keep in mind when handling the RCM?

A few crucial points you can consider while dealing with RCM-

  1. Invoice management & storage- Make sure to store & properly manage the RCM invoices, as these will be useful in GSTR-1 monthly return filing as well as in GSTR-9 annual return filling.
  2. Ensure that payment of ta is must be paid by cash ledger not by credit ledger.
  • What are the exemptions to RCM?   

Goods or services that are exempt from GST would not be subject to the Reverse Charge Mechanism.

Are you Looking for GST Refund Service? Mygstrefund.com offers GST refunds on business, exports, and many more if your GST application is rejected. Get in touch with us today.

Share this Post

MYGST Community

Join India's First GST Community Forum
MYGST Community: India's First GST Community Forum

Subscribe Our Newsletter

By clicking the sign up button, you agree to recieve communication from us via email. No spam, promise. We will not share your email address with any third parties.
© Copyright 2023 My GST Refund. All rights reserved.