Clarification Regarding Applicable GST Rate on Sale of Second-hand Trucks.

[Govinda R]

Hi,

Can anyone help me with the applicable GST rate?

I am engaged in the business of buying and selling second-hand trucks. I purchase the trucks from a company that does not charge GST, so the GST liability falls on me.

For example, I buy a truck for ?10,00,000, make some minor modifications, and then sell it for ?12,00,000.

Is Rule 32(5) applicable in my case? If yes, what would be the applicable GST rate? I do not want to claim any input tax credit, as the seller does not charge GST.

Lastly, how should I report my turnover under GST and Income Tax?

Since my bank receipts will show ?12,00,000, but under GST I declare only my margin of ?2,00,000, wont there be a mismatch between the GST turnover and the Income Tax turnover?

And pls let me know is there any other way which will be beneficial.

[YAGAY andSUN]

You are engaged in the business of buying and selling second-hand trucks. You purchase these from entities not charging GST and do not claim input tax credit (ITC). In this context, Rule 32(5) of the CGST Rules, 2017 is applicable.

Rule 32(5) provides that where a person deals in second-hand goods (used goods as such or after minor processing not changing their nature), and no ITC is availed, the value of supply shall be the margin (i.e., selling price minus purchase price). If the margin is negative, it shall be ignored.

Accordingly, in your case:

• Purchase Price: ?10,00,000
• Sale Price: ?12,00,000
• Margin (Taxable Value under Rule 32(5)): ?2,00,000
• Applicable GST Rate: 18% (9% CGST + 9% SGST) – assuming the truck is for goods transport.
• GST Payable: ?36,000 on margin.

This concessional valuation mechanism is valid only if the truck’s nature remains unchanged, and no ITC is claimed on purchase. Any structural transformation (e.g., converting to passenger use) may disqualify the transaction from Rule 32(5).

Turnover Disclosure:

• Under GST Law, turnover is the margin (?2,00,000), as per Rule 32(5).
• Under Income Tax Act, turnover includes gross receipts (?12,00,000). This may result in a mismatch, which must be reconciled and properly disclosed in your financial statements and tax audit report, if applicable.

Such mismatch is not non-compliance but arises due to distinct statutory definitions under GST and Income Tax laws.

Recommendation:

• Continue under Rule 32(5) where eligible.
• Maintain robust documentation—purchase invoices, sale records, and ITC non-availment.
• Report GST turnover on a margin basis and reconcile with income tax gross turnover.

There exists no other legally preferable valuation mechanism more beneficial than Rule 32(5) for second-hand goods dealers under current GST law.

[Raam Srinivasan Swaminathan Kalpathi]

I would also advocate for filing of Annual Return in Form GSTR-9 and reconciliation in 9C whether the relevant Returns are applicable or not. GSTR-9C essentially is a reconciliation between the books and GST Returns.    

AI Summary

Second-hand truck dealers can pay GST on profit margin under Rule 32(5) instead of full sale value A business owner engaged in buying and selling second-hand trucks sought clarification on applicable GST rates. The owner purchases trucks from entities not charging GST and makes minor modifications before resale. For a truck purchased at ₹10,00,000 and sold at ₹12,00,000, legal experts confirmed Rule 32(5) of CGST Rules 2017 applies, allowing taxation on the margin of ₹2,00,000 rather than full sale value. The applicable GST rate is 18% on the margin, resulting in ₹36,000 tax liability. This concessional valuation requires no input tax credit claims and maintains the truck's original nature. A turnover reporting mismatch exists between GST law (margin-based at ₹2,00,000) and Income Tax Act (gross receipts at ₹12,00,000), which must be reconciled in financial statements. Experts recommended maintaining proper documentation and filing appropriate returns including GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C for reconciliation purposes.