Transfer of a completed immovable property’s title is exempt from service tax

For long there was a debate around when a developer should charge service tax to a home buyer while selling the property—when the property is being constructed, or even after it is finished and occupancy certificates received. Resolving the issue, the Ministry of Finance issued a circular on 26 October, stating that developers should not levy service tax on sale of flats and apartments once occupancy certificate is received but completion certificate is not. In its statement, the ministry stated, “...that sale of flats/dwellings, etc., where the entire consideration is received after issue of occupancy certificate by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), leading to a mere transfer of title in immovable property, falls outside the definition of “Service” provided in Section 65B (44) of the Finance Act, 1994, and is therefore, not taxable.” In many projects, the developer may get the occupation certificate phase-wise, and the completion certificate once the whole project is completed.