In response to your query, while charging rent to a sister concern would attract GST if the aggregate turnover exceeds the prescribed threshold, an interest-free security deposit could potentially be a solution to avoid the rental income issue. However, it's important to note that the interest-free security deposit is not considered income and thus would not attract GST. The key point is that GST is levied on the consideration for the supply of services, such as rent. Therefore, if no actual rent is charged and only a security deposit is taken, there would be no GST liability on the transaction, provided the deposit is genuinely non-refundable and does not represent advance rent.
However, the issue lies in ensuring that the arrangement is structured appropriately and that the security deposit is not re-characterized by authorities as rent or an advance for rent. If the sister concern is merely depositing a refundable security deposit and no rent is being charged, there should be no GST on the deposit. Still, any future rent charges or consideration paid by the sister concern would be subject to GST if the turnover exceeds the threshold limit. Always ensure that the agreement and documentation around such arrangements are clear to avoid any potential GST implications.
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