Manager - Finance & Accounts
58312 Points
Joined June 2010
Hey! Here's how GST works on your freight reimbursement situation:
Your setup:
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You own a lorry, transport cement bags from company to your shop.
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You bear fuel & maintenance expenses.
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Company reimburses you ₹10 per bag as freight.
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You sell cement bags at ₹390 each (excluding freight).
GST Questions:
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Are you liable to pay GST on the freight reimbursement?
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Does RCM apply on the freight reimbursement?
Analysis:
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Is the freight reimbursement a “supply”?
The reimbursement you get from the company for freight is considered a supply of service by you to the company (transportation service).
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Are you charging GST on freight reimbursement?
Since this is a supply (transport service), it is taxable under GST.
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What GST rate applies?
Transportation of goods by road (other than by vessel, aircraft, or goods carriage) is taxed at 5% GST without ITC eligibility.
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Is RCM applicable on freight reimbursement?
RCM (Reverse Charge Mechanism) on freight applies when goods transport service is received from an unregistered transporter by a registered person.
Here, you are the transporter, supplying service to the company. So RCM does NOT apply on your freight reimbursement.
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What is your GST liability on freight reimbursement?
You must charge 5% GST on the freight reimbursement amount (₹10 × number of bags) to the company, issue a proper tax invoice for this service, and pay GST accordingly.
Summary:
Point |
Liability |
Freight reimbursement is a supply |
Yes, it’s transportation service by you to company |
GST applicable on freight reimbursement |
5% GST on ₹10 per bag × no. of bags |
RCM applicable on you (transporter) |
No, since you are registered supplier of service |
GST liability on cement sale |
As per applicable rate (probably 5%) |
Invoice requirement |
Issue GST invoice for freight charges separately or combined |
In your case:
If the ₹10 per bag is reimbursement for freight, you need to charge 5% GST on that ₹10 per bag to the company and pay GST on it. No reverse charge applies on you.