Gujarat HC admits writ challenging IGST on imports, ITC denial & IGST exemption on capital goods
Gujarat HC issues notice in writ challenging: (i) IGST levy on import of goods, (ii) provisions of Rule 89(4) of CGST Rules, 2017 being ultra vires Section 54 of CGST Act, 2017 to extent denying refund of accumulated ITC availed on capital goods and (iii) IGST exemption on capital goods imported under EPCG Scheme during the period July 1, 2017 to October 12, 2017; Matter now posted for January 23, 2019.
Trushna Exim vs. Union of India
Writ petition has been filed in Gujarat HC on the following questions of law:
Whether the levy of Integrated Tax on import of goods is constitutionally valid?
Petitioner Contentions
The levy of IGST sought to be made under Section 3(7) of Customs Tariff Act, 1975 is unconstitutional since though the proviso to Section 5(1) IGST Act states that integrated tax on goods imported into India shall be levied and collected in accordance with Section 3 of Customs Tariff Act, 1975, however, the term integrated tax is not defined under Customs Act, 1962 nor under Customs Tariff Act, 1975. Therefore, it is submitted that in the absence of charging section specifically referring to a charge of duty of customs, the charge for levying IGST would fail. It is submitted that where the charge fails, the collection of tax would be without authority of law transgressing the provisions of Article 265 of the Constitution.
Further, the entire purpose of having a mechanism under Article 246A read with Section 5 and section 7 of IGST Act 2017 has been defeated by virtue of proviso to Section 5(1) of IGST Act, 2017 as the charge of integrated tax has been abdicated. It is submitted that as the charge of integrated tax on goods imported into India has been abdicated, no further tax can be collected by resorting to Article 246 read with entry 83 of List I as the said entry only authorises collection of duties of customs including export duties and it does not authorise the collection of integrated tax.
- Whether provisions of Rule 89(4) of CGST Rules, 2017 are ultra vires Section 54 of CGST Act, 2017 to the extent of denying refund of accumulated ITC availed on capital goods?
Petitioner’s Contention
Petitioner submitted that as per provisions of Section 54(3), the assessee is entitled to claim refund of entire ‘input tax credit’ and there is no restriction pertaining to ‘input tax credit’ availed on ‘capital goods’.
Similarly, Section 16(1) specifically provides that every registered person is entitled to take credit of input tax charged on supply of goods or services or both which are used or intended to be used in the course or furtherance of his business and there is no exclusion of ITC on ‘capital goods’. Therefore, the restriction contained in sub-rule (4) ofRule 89 of CGST Rules, 2017 wherein the term ‘Net ITC’ has been restrictively defined to cover the input tax credit availed on ‘input’ and ‘input service’ is contrary to statutory provisions. Accordingly, the provisions of Rule 89(4) of CGST Rules, 2017 restricting the refund claim only on the input tax credit availed on inputs and input services is ultra vires the provisions of Section 54 read with Section 16 of CGST Act, 2017 and therefore should be struck down entirely.
- Whether the exemption restored by Notification No. 79/2017-Customs dated 13.10.2017 amending Notification No. 16/2015-Cus dated 01.04.2015 in respect of levy of Integrated Tax on capital goods imported under EPCG Scheme should be considered as available during the period from 1.7.2017 to 12.10.2017?
Petitioner’s Contention
It was always the intention of the Government to grant ‘zero customs duty’ for the import of capital goods under EPCG scheme, which is evident from the fact that the exemption has been restored on the import of capital goods under EPCG scheme by amending the Notification No. 16/2015-Cus vide Notification No. 79/2017-Cus dated 13.10.2017. Therefore, the exemption from IGST w.e.f., 13.10.2017 would have retrospective effect in view of the Government’s intention to continue the exemption
