Service tax in real estate

This query is : Resolved 

19 February 2014 If any builder sold a furnished flat and separate sale agreement is made for flat & furnishment.
then what will be the service tax rate on furnishment value.
Abatement of 75% will be allowable or not?
Means ST rate will be 12.36 % or 3.09%(after abatement)

20 February 2014 NO ST if sale is made after receipt of completion certitifcate.

20 February 2014 Both Agreements are done before completion & consideration also received before completion.

24 July 2025 Thanks for the details! Here’s a clear explanation for your situation on **service tax on furnished flat sale with separate agreements for flat and furnishing**:

---

### Key Points:

1. **Sale of flat (real estate) before completion certificate:**

* Service tax is **payable on the entire amount received** from the buyer, including the furnishing value, **if the sale happens before receipt of the completion certificate**.
* This is because the activity qualifies as **“construction service”** or **“works contract service”**, both taxable services under service tax.

2. **Abatement on service tax for construction/works contract:**

* Builders get a **40% abatement on service tax for construction/works contract services**, so the effective rate is **12.36% x 60% = 7.416%** on the taxable value.
* The **75% abatement** is generally **not applicable** for furnishing, as it is treated as a separate service (supply of goods or interior decoration service), **unless the furnishing is integrated into the construction contract**.

3. **Sale of furnishing separately:**

* If furnishing is sold separately (separate agreement, consideration), then it is a **supply of goods** or **interior decoration service**.
* Service tax on furnishing (if charged as service) is at the **full rate of 12.36%** without any abatement.
* If it is supply of goods (furnishing items), then **no service tax** but possibly VAT or GST depending on current law.

4. **If sale is after completion certificate:**

* No service tax on construction services (or works contract) since the construction is complete.
* Separate furnishing sale may be liable to VAT/GST but not service tax.

---

### Your Case:

* Since both agreements (flat + furnishing) and payments are made **before completion certificate**, service tax is payable.
* For the flat, builder gets **abatement of 40%**, so service tax is on 60% value.
* For furnishing (separate agreement), **no abatement** is allowed, so full 12.36% service tax applies on furnishing value **if furnishing is treated as a service**.
* If furnishing is considered supply of goods, no service tax applies on it.

---

### Summary Table:

| Item | Service Tax Applicability | Rate/Abatement |
| ------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Flat (before completion) | Yes (construction/works contract) | 12.36% on 60% of value (40% abatement) |
| Furnishing (separate agreement) | Yes, if furnishing service; No if goods | 12.36% full rate (no abatement) or no ST if goods |

---

If you want, I can help find the specific notifications or circulars on this. Would you like that?


You need to be the querist or approved CAclub expert to take part in this query .
Click here to login now


CCI Pro

Similar Resolved Queries


loading


Unanswered Queries



CCI Pro
Meet our CAclubindia PRO Members

Follow us
add to google news


Answer Query



Company
24 May 2026
Accounts & Tax Executive

PARAS KHURANA AND CO

New Delhi

B.Com

View Details
Company
ARTICLESHIP 28 May 2026
Accounts, Audit & Compliance Executive

Shyam Joshi & Associates

Pune

B.Com

View Details
Company
Featured 26 May 2026
Account Executive

SMJ global advisors pvt ltd

New Delhi

B.Com

View Details
Company
10 June 2026
Senior Account Executive

JDS Advisory LLP

Ahmedabad

CA Inter

View Details
Company
Featured 15 June 2026
Senior Auditor

N. Dhawan & Co

New Delhi

CA Inter

View Details
Company
29 May 2026
Finance Head

Bhawar Sales Corporation

Chennai

Graduate (Any)

View Details
Company
ARTICLESHIP 23 May 2026
Article Assistants

Acupro Consulting

Gurgaon

CA Inter

View Details
Company
ARTICLESHIP 18 June 2026
Article Assistance

RB KESHRI & CO.

Mumbai

CA Inter

View Details