Gifts up to Rs 50,000 by employer to employee per year outside GST

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Gifts upto a value of Rs 50,000 per year by an employer to his employee are outside the ambit of GST. However, gifts of more than Rs 50,000 made without consideration are subject to GST, when made in the course or furtherance of business. There were reports that gifts and perquisites supplied by companies to their employees will be taxed under GST.

The question, however, arises as to what constitutes a gift. Gift has not been defined in the GST law. In common parlance, gift is made without consideration, is voluntary in nature and is made occasionally. It can’t be demanded as a matter of right by the employees and they can’t move a court of law for obtaining a gift, according to a PIB release.
Another issue is the taxation of perquisites. It is pertinent to point out here that the services by an employee to the employer in the course of or in relation to his employment is outside the scope of GST (neither supply of goods or supply of services). It follows therefrom that supply by the employer to the employee in terms of contractual agreement entered into between the employer and the employee will not be subjected to GST, according to the PIB release.

The Input Tax Credit (ITC) Scheme under GST does not allow ITC of membership of a club, health and fitness centre. It follows, therefore, that if such services are provided free of charge to all the employees by the employer then the same will not be subjected to GST provided appropriate GST was paid when procured by the employer. The same would hold true for free housing to the employees, when the same is provided in terms of the contract between the employer and employee and is part and parcel of the cost-to-company (C2C).