Circular No. FAQ-SBC - Dated: 16-11-2015 - SWACHH BHARAT CESS (SBC)-FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Q.15 What would be the point of taxation for Swachh Bharat Cess?

Ans. As regards Point of Taxation, since this levy has come for the first time, all services (except those services which are in the Negative List or are wholly exempt from service tax) are being subjected to SBC for the first time. SBC, therefore, is a new levy, which was not in existence earlier. Hence, rule 5 of the Point of Taxation Rules would be applicable in this case. Therefore, in cases where payment has been received and invoice is raised before the service becomes taxable, i.e. prior to 15th November, 2015, there is no lability of Swachh Bharat Cess. In cases where payment has been received before the service became taxable and invoice is raised within 14 days, i.e. upto 29th November, 2015, even then the service tax liability does not arise. Swachh Bharat Cess will be payable on services which are provided on or after 15th Nov, 2015, invoice in respect of which is issued on or after that date and payment is also received on or after that date. Swachh Bharat Cess will also be payable where service is provided on or after 15th Nov, 2015 but payment is received prior to that date and invoice in respect of such service is not issued by 29th Nov, 2015

Point of taxation for Swachh Bharat Cess: levy applies where service, invoice and payment occur on or after commencement date. Because SBC is a new levy on taxable services not in the Negative List or wholly exempt, the Point of Taxation Rules determine liability. SBC does not arise where payment and invoice are issued before the levy's commencement or where payment precedes commencement but invoice is issued within the short prescribed period. SBC is chargeable where service provision, invoice issuance and payment occur on or after the commencement date; it also applies if service is provided on or after commencement but payment was received earlier and invoice is not issued within the short post-commencement period.