GST Invoice

[Vishnu SR]

Hello All,

Greetings !!

I have few commercial building and I am paying GST for all the rents received from it. I have couple of questions in this regards.

1. In one of the building I collect the common electricity and water charges from individual tenents and I pay it by my self. Earlier, I used to send them an invoice once a quarter for these and they would send the payments to my account. But after GST, my auditors say that any invoice I raise should have GST component. But, how could I add GST for the common electricity and water bills ? Without any invoice my tenents won't release the payments.

2. Also, my tenents used to share few of the maintenance expenses such as RO charge, motor maintenance, borewell hardwater removal maintenance etc which are shared on cost only. There is no profit on these. I just get the invoices from these services and divide them equally amoung the tenents. For these charges I used to raise an invoice and send it to my tenents and they used to pay it to my account. If I raise an invoice without GST, my CA tells me that when he uploads the invoice or submits the invoice, he cannot skip any invoice numbers. So how do I manage my common expenses ? I have to raise the invoice to the tenents and they have to release the amount from their account department. Without invoice they would not release the payments.

Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Vishnu

AI Summary

Landlord Navigates GST on Electricity, Water Charges; Auditors Suggest Inclusion, Experts Debate Exemption and Reimbursement Status A landlord sought advice on handling GST for common electricity and water charges and shared maintenance expenses billed to tenants. Initially, invoices were issued without GST, but auditors advised including GST. Respondents explained that electricity and water charges are GST-exempt under specific notifications, allowing for commercial invoices without GST for these items. Rent for commercial properties requires taxable invoices, while residential rents are GST-exempt. One respondent suggested adding these charges to the taxable value, arguing they are part of the business service. Another agreed with the exemption status, emphasizing that these are reimbursements, not services.