SC Ruling On User Development Fee Provides Guidance For GST,

Card image

SC Ruling On User Development Fee Provides Guidance For GST, Tax On Royalty

By Team EOS |

The SC had held that UDF collected by the DIAL is in the nature of statutory levy and the same would not be taken as consideration against any services.
A recent judgment by the Supreme Court (SC) on the user development fee (UDF) collected by the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) may have ramifications on the goods and services tax (GST) as well as the income tax on royalty etc.

Last week, the apex court had held that UDF collected by the DIAL is in the nature of statutory levy and the same would not be taken as consideration against any services.
As such, no service tax is payable on UDF, the court ruled.
 
In determining that the fee collected by the DIAL is in the nature of statutory levy, the court had laid down some principles.
Firstly, UDF is collected for the development of future establishment at the airport and no additional benefit is accrued to passengers, visitors, traders, and airlines upon levy of this fee. Thus, the UDF is in the form of ‘tax or cess’, collected for financing the cost of future projects and the same cannot be taken as consideration for services provided to the customer, visitors, passengers, vendors etc.
 
Secondly, the collection is not premised on the rendering of any service.
Thirdly, the amounts collected are deposited in an escrow account, not within the control of the assessee.
 
Fourthly, the utilization of funds is monitored and regulated by law.
Though the ruling related to the pre-GST matter, experts said the principles laid down by the SC should be applied to the GST too.
“The impact of principles laid down in the judgment would need to be analyzed under the GST legislation which specifically provides that statutory levies other than GST collected by the supplier would form part of the value of supply,” said Saurabh Agarwal, tax partner at EY.
Besides, the principles may be used for determining whether the tax be paid on royalty etc, he said.
“These may be useful in determining whether the consideration in the form of fee, royalty, etc collected by the government from business entities would be in the nature of the statutory levy or the same would be considered as a consideration against any services,” he said.
Source..
Latest Supreme Court

Latest Posts

Card image

Supreme Court Grants Extension Till September 30 To Delhi Government For Finalisation Of Scheme : Two Wheeler Aggregators

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Delhi government to finalise the Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme, 2023 for regulation of two wheeler aggregators by September 30. The Division Bench of Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice ...

Card image

Navigating Cyber Crime Laws in India: A Legal Perspective

The rapid proliferation of digital technologies has transformed India’s social, economic, and professional landscape. While digitalization brings efficiency and innovation, it also exposes individuals and businesses to cybercrime risks. As a lawyer in India, it is crucial to understand the ...

Card image

Maternity Benefits Must Be Granted Even If Period Of Benefit Overshoots Term Of Contractual Employment: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday(17 Aug) held that maternity benefits have to be granted even if the period of benefit overshoots the term of contractual employment. Maternity benefits can travel beyond the term of contractual employment. The court directed the ...

Card image

Rajya Sabha Passes J&K Reorganization Bill To Bifurcate Jammu And Kashmir Into Two Union Territories

The Rajya Sabha has passed the Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganization) Bill, 2019, which is set to bifurcate the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories – Jammu and Kashmir, which will have a legislature, and Ladakh, which will ...

Card image

SC : Divorce Can Be Granted On ‘Grounds Of Irretrievable Breakdown’

The Supreme Court on May 1 held that it can use its extraordinary powers to do “complete justice” under Article 142 of the Constitution and dissolve a marriage on the ground of ‘irretrievable breakdown’ of the union. Usually, the apex ...

Card image

𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲: 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐰

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the legal industry stands at the precipice of transformation. As advancements in technology redefine the way we work, communicate, and interact, the realm of law is not immune to these revolutionary changes. At Eos ...

EOS Chambers of Law

Speak With Our
Experts Today!

Get a Appointment
EOS Chambers of Law