Advocate Services - Place of Supply

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When receiving advocate services, the place of supply is generally your location if you are a registered entity. If the supplier is registered and located in a different state, you'll pay IGST under Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM). Even if the Delhi law firm is unregistered, as you are a registered recipient in Rajasthan, it's considered an interstate supply, meaning IGST is payable under RCM.

Tara Khandelwal

Tara Khandelwal (Querist)
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06 June 2024 A Delhi Law Firm has GST Registration number and charges IGST on the Bill. We are recipient of services registered in Rajasthan. In this case should we pay IGST or CGST on RCM Basis. We are paying IGST on RCM Basis.

In case of unregistered Delhi Law Firm, they do not charge anything, so we are paying CGST/SGST as we are registered entity

Please advice

CA R SEETHARAMAN

CA R SEETHARAMAN (Expert)
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07 June 2024 Pay IGST as law firm registered in Delhi, interstate supply of service.

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Lekhraj sood

Lekhraj sood (Expert)
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10 June 2024 Even if Delhi Law firm is unregistered, you will pay IGST as address of Delhi Law firm is available in your records.

Tara Khandelwal

Tara Khandelwal (Querist)
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10 June 2024 Dear sir
As per place of supply rules section 12(2) where services are made to a registered person, the location of the recipient shall be considered.
Here when the supplier is unregistered, why the location of the supplier is considered. Please quote the Section or provision for the same.

Please throw some light when the supplier is unregistered under RCM

Aashok Kumar Sharma online

Aashok Kumar Sharma

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13 August 2025 Key Points: Place of Supply & RCM for Services from Unregistered Supplier
1. Place of Supply Rule for Services to Registered Person
Section 12(2) of IGST Act says:
"The place of supply of services, except the services specified in sub-sections (3), (4) and (5), made to a registered person shall be the location of such person."
This means for services received by a registered person, the place of supply is the location of the recipient (your place).
2. What if Supplier is Unregistered?
GST is generally not applicable on unregistered suppliers because they are not under GST coverage.
But under Section 9(4) of CGST Act, in certain cases (like services from an unregistered person to a registered person), RCM is applicable to the recipient.
For these RCM services, the recipient must pay GST based on the place of supply determined under IGST Act.
Since place of supply is location of recipient (Section 12(2)), IGST or CGST+SGST applies based on whether it is interstate or intrastate supply.
3. Interstate or Intrastate Supply?
Place of supply = Location of recipient (you in Rajasthan).
Location of supplier (Delhi) is irrelevant for determining place of supply under Section 12(2).
But since supplier is unregistered and GST is to be paid under RCM by recipient, GST is levied on recipient on intrastate or interstate basis depending on recipient and supplier location.
4. Is IGST or CGST+SGST payable under RCM in this case?
For RCM on services from an unregistered person:
If the supplier and recipient are in the same state → CGST + SGST.
If supplier and recipient are in different states → IGST.
But in your case, supplier is Delhi (registered or unregistered), recipient is Rajasthan (registered).
Therefore, this is an interstate supply → so IGST under RCM is applicable.
5. Summary Table
Scenario Place of Supply GST to Pay under RCM
Registered Delhi law firm → Registered Rajasthan recipient Recipient (Rajasthan) IGST (Interstate supply)
Unregistered Delhi law firm → Registered Rajasthan recipient Recipient (Rajasthan) IGST (Interstate supply)
Unregistered Rajasthan law firm → Registered Rajasthan recipient Recipient (Rajasthan) CGST + SGST (Intrastate)
Legal references for your understanding:
Section 12(2), IGST Act – Place of supply for services to registered person.
Section 9(4), CGST Act – Tax liability on recipient under RCM for services from unregistered supplier.
Notification No. 13/2017-Central Tax (Rate) – Specifies categories of services under RCM including services by unregistered advocates.

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