05 February 2016
If my client is having distributor ship of idea cellular which provides recharges to retaillers then is there a service between distributor and company[idea)?
24 July 2025
In your client's case — acting as a distributor for Idea Cellular and providing recharges to retailers — the nature of the transaction is considered a "commission-based intermediary service", typically falling under Business Auxiliary Services (pre-2012) or Business Support Services, and later under Intermediary Services in GST.
✅ Taxable Value in Service Tax (pre-GST era): Definition of Taxable Value: As per Rule 6(1) of the Service Tax (Determination of Value) Rules, 2006, the taxable value is the gross amount charged by the service provider for such service rendered.
🔹 In Your Client’s Case: If the distributor receives commission or margin from Idea Cellular (e.g. ₹5 on every ₹100 recharge sold),
Then that commission amount alone is the taxable value.
✅ Not the full recharge value (i.e., not ₹100), ❌ Only the commission/margin (₹5) is subject to service tax.
📌 Example: Description Amount Recharge MRP ₹100 Purchase price from Idea ₹95 Distributor margin ₹5 Taxable value ₹5 only Service tax (@14%) ₹0.70
So, your client pays service tax only on ₹5, not on the recharge value.