‘Sarais’ run by religious or charitable trusts are exempt from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) irrespective of rent, the Union Finance Ministry said on 4 August.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)’s managed few ‘sarais’ on their own started collecting GST for rents up to ₹1,000 per day after the decisions on the recommendations of the 47th GST Council meeting came into effect from 18 July, 2022.
According to the GST Council meeting recommendations, hotel rooms having room rents up to ₹1,000 per day were brought under the GST rate slab of 12 per cent from the earlier exempt category.
However, the GST is not applicable on room rent in religious precincts by a charitable or religious trust, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes said in a series of tweets.
The CBIC cited this as another exemption which exempts renting of rooms in religious precincts by a charitable or religious trust, where amount charged for the room is less than ₹1,000 per day. Also, it added the exception continues to be in force without any change and is available as per the notification dated 28 June 28.
“The precincts of a religious place, in terms of above notification, has to be given broader meaning to include a Sarai even if it is located outside the boundary wall of a complex of a religious place, in the surrounding area, and managed by the same trust/management,” another tweet said.
Three Sarais — Guru Gobind Singh NRI Niwas, Baba Deep Singh Niwas, Mata Bhag Kaur Niwas — managed by the SGPC in Amritsar have started paying GST with effect from July 18, 2022.
“These sarais managed by the SGPC may therefore avail the above stated exemptions in respect of renting of rooms by them,” it said.
With PTI inputs
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