Central Sales Tax (CST) is an indirect, origin-based tax on customers and is payable in the state where a particular product is sold. CST is charged only on inter-state transactions and any transaction within a state or import/export of goods does not fall under its purview.
Central State Tax in India:
India, is a union of states and the strength of our country lies in its ability to handle these states collectively, which is where Central Sales Tax comes into play, by eliminating any confusion regarding inter-trade tax. Central Sales Tax came into existence through an act of the parliament and was enacted in the year 1956 to regulate sale of commodities and taxes regulating such sales. Although CST is levied by the Central Government and falls under the Union List of the Seventh Schedule, it is administered by the state in which a particular sale originates.
Central Sales Tax Act, 1956
Sales Tax in India falls under the ambit of Central Sales Tax Act, 1956, which extends to the whole of India and defines the rules and regulations guiding sales tax. This Act was introduced in the Sixth Constitutional Amendment and brought the taxes on sale/purchase of goods in inter-state trade under the purview of the legislative jurisdiction of Parliament. This act came into force in 1957 and forms the backbone for Central Sales Tax in India, containing various provisions for the same.
Objectives of Central Sales Tax Act:
The government introduced the Central Sales Tax Act in a bid to simplify and streamline tax collection in the country. Some of the main objectives of Central Sales Tax Act are mentioned below.
- Provide provisions for levying, collecting and distributing taxes collected via an interstate sale of goods and products.
- Frame policies to determine when sale and purchase of goods occurs, with reference to interstate commerce.
- Classifying certain goods as being essential and important for trade and commerce.
- Establish which competent authority will settle interstate trade disputes.
Central Sales Tax Rate:
Central Sales Tax rates are determined by the government and have changed since the time the Act first came into force. The original Central Sales Tax rate was 1%, which was then increased periodically to 2% and finally became 4% from July 1975 onwards. Goods which are extremely important for inter-state travel are not taxed under certain provisions of the CST Act, ensuring that essential commodities do not become dearer.
In 2007, an amendment to central sales tax rates was accepted, which saw the Sales Tax coming down to 3% from the previously charged 4%.
June 2008 witnessed a further reduction in the tax rate, with the rate coming down to 2%. A major reason for the reduction in CST rates was the need to introduce Goods and Services Tax (GST), which would make CST inconsistent with GST.
The table below highlights the central sales tax rates for different scenarios.
| Local Tax Rate | Central Sales Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| When sale is to registered dealer | |
| Goods exempt from local tax | Nil |
| 1% | 1% |
| 2% | 2% |
| >2% | 2% (form C required) |
Central State Tax Rules:
There are certain rules which an individual participating in interstate trade is expected to adhere to. Some of the major rules are mentioned below.
- A dealer should submit an application (Form A) for registration under section 7 of the Act. This application should be duly signed by the proprietor and verified by a competent authority.
- Only a single application will be entertained even if an applicant has multiple places of business in a state.
- The certificate of registration should be kept at the principal place of business and copies of the registration should be displayed at other business locations.
- In case a registration certificate is lost or destroyed, the applicant should make a payment in the form of court fee stamps to receive a duplicate copy.
How to get Central Sales Tax Registration?
Individuals wishing to register for Central Sales Tax need to furnish their TIN registration number. This TaxPayer Identification Number is the first step in the process, post which they are required to fill in the necessary forms and pay the registration fee for the same.
Documents Required:
Individuals registering for CST need to furnish the following documents:
- Government approved ID proof
- Address Proof
- PAN card
- Photographs
- Address proof of business establishment
- Purchase invoice
- Bank statement
- Security/Reference
Note: The documents required may vary from state to state.
Central Sales Tax Exemptions:
Central Sales Tax is exempted on certain occasions, some of which are mentioned below:
- Central Sales Tax is excluded if outward freight is charged separately and if the outward insurance of goods are passed on to a buyer during dispatch.
- No CST is to be paid if goods are returned within 180 days.
- CST is exempted in cases when a sale within a particular state is exempt.
- Any sale to SEZs and foreign missions are exempt from CST