GST – Page 2 – FindMyProperty

In 2017, the performance of the real estate market was insipid as compared to the past 4-5 years. During the past decade, Real Estate was one of the top choices for investors to invest their money in. But due to demonetization in India, the real estate sector has been affected hard and has seen a dip in sales. In 2017, the industry saw approximately 50% dip in sales as compared to 2016.

But to cheer up investors and homebuyers here is some good news: Real Estate industry will be back on track in 2018 as predicted by the experts. The reasons for this are:

Real Estate regulatory law:

The Central Government announced a Real Estate regulatory law last year, stating that a limited one- year extension on the completion deadline under the Act was compulsory rather than optional. This law will force the builders to deliver the projects on time and the delay in the delivery of the projects will end. Therefore, the homebuyers can rest assured that the projects will be delivered on time as promised by the developer.

Buyers can get loans at cheaper rates:

The government of India declared that people with an annual income of up to Rs. 18 Lacs will be eligible for loans at a lower rate to build or buy a house of up to 1500 sq ft; the restriction which was previously limited to 1100 sq ft. And those with an annual income of up to Rs. 12 Lacs can buy or build a home of 1200 sq. Ft; which was previously restricted to 900 sq ft.

Improvement in Infrastructure of Delhi – NCR

With the development of many metro stations and corporate offices, especially in Noida, a lot of potential investors are looking forward to investing in property in Delhi – NCR as it is predicted to provide great returns on their investment in the near future.

With these factors into consideration, many experts claim that the real estate industry will be back on track in 2018 and it will be a good time to invest in property.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is finally here and will be effective across the country from 1st July 2017. GST may bring a lot of relief to the real estate sector. All goods and services under the GST regime have been categorised in four tax slabs of 5, 12, 18 and 28 percent, besides those items that attract zero tax.

Currently, the sales of land and buildings have been kept out of the ambit of GST but it is expected to be taxed within a period of a year. Construction of land and building will benefit from the rates declared for cement, bricks, and iron under GST.

Cement will be taxed at the rate of 28% under GST. It is higher the current average rate of tax around 23-24% but a lot of additional taxes charged over the average rate would be subsumed under GST. Iron rods and pillars used in the construction of buildings are charged at the rate of 18% which is similar to the current average rate of 19.5%.

Bricks used in the construction of buildings and houses are taxed under GST at the rate of 28% except for the rate of ceramic building bricks which is kept under 5%. Currently, all bricks except the ceramic bricks are charged an average tax rate of 25-26% inclusive of all state and central level taxes. Logistics cost of transportation of bricks, cement or iron is going to reduce through the subsuming and streamlining of taxes.

Existing tax liabilities on homebuyers are likely to remain unaffected upon the introduction of GST. At present, a homebuyer ends up paying a number of indirect taxes, which include VAT, service tax and excise duty, amounting to 11 percent, exclusive of Stamp Duty. As per the new GST regime, indirect taxes will not be counted, and a uniform 12 percent for purchase of new residential property will be put in place, exclusive of stamp duty.

Real estate sector will benefit with new tax law having a positive effect on all ancillary industries.