Who is Liable to Pay 12% Royalties on Books Under GST?

The GST has created the confusion between publishers and authors and the question is that who is liable to pay 12% of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on royalties. The Meerut Publishers’ Association on the issue of GST liability on royalty filed the writ petition seeking clarity on the subject matter. The petition was initiated in Delhi high court on September 11 against the centre on the confusion created by India’s biggest indirect tax reform These types of taxes paid on Consumption by the consumer but they do not pay directly to the government (unlike income tax). For example, GST, Sales Tax, VAT, Custom Duty and Octroi Tax.

The fiction and subjects authors are regulating the court case with proximity. The famous fiction writers like Ashwin Sanghi and Ravi Subramanian have become more serious about the discussions on the topic with the publishers.

The hot discussion is that “Who is liable to furnish 12% GST on royalty?”

On the matter, Ashwin Sanghi said, “The problem lies in the fact that 12% GST is applicable on author royalties. Publishers must pay GST on the reverse charge mechanism basis Get an easy guide to RCM (reverse charge mechanism) introduced in GST India same as VAT basis. Also, We covered the topic in all aspects along with systematic manner, but the problem is that the publisher can’t claim input credit given that books are not covered under GST.”

Lately, there was no significant tax on royalty under sales tax and it was the subject of the exempted list. In addition, the royalty was also not the part of VAT as when the author transfer his/her own work the right of publishing it is not considered absolute.

MS Mani, a partner at Deloitte India said, “The reverse charge applicable on the copyrights of authors under GST requires the publishers to pay the tax, and if these are passed on to the authors, it would amount to an effective reduction in the royalties payable.”

Another discussion among authors is that the famous fiction writer like Ashwin Sanghi and Ravi Subramanian are able to propel the publishers to pay royalties but the neophyte in the field will not be able to establish their remark on the subject matter.

Ravi Subramanian, the established fiction author said, “While the well-known authors would be able to convince the publishers to absorb the GST on royalty, the lesser known and new writers would be squeezed. The larger problem, however, is that the publishers operate on about 5% margins and that they are facing the squeeze.”

Read Also: One Nation One Tax: Why GST is Still Away From This Agenda Why is the GST far away from its agenda as One Nation, One Tax? We flashed out this topic deeply and try to showcase innovative ways for easy understanding

Industry experts concerned on the topic say that however, the books are put out of the GST net, still, the cost of the structure is not forgiving the publishers.

Abhishek A Rastogi, a partner at Khaitan & Co said on regarding the matter, “While books are largely out of the GST gamut, various input supplies are taxable. The royalties paid to authors or writers are taxed at 12% and that too under the reverse charge mechanism. The cost of books may go up due to the cascading tax effect on publishers.”

Ashwin Sanghi, Author of well-known books like The Krishna Key, The Rozabal Line, and Chanakya’s Chant commented on the matter in a humorous way and said we may do opposite of other industries and put hurdles for the inclusion of books under GST.

According to tax experts, refund mechanism is not available against input taxes if the supply Goods such as books are exempted under GST. The revert of refund scheme profits is limited to only taxable goods mentioned under GST taxable items list. This is the reason why publishers are not able to compensate royalties against tax liabilities.

Abhishek A Rastogi said, “The matter for a refund of inverted duty structure in case of exempted supplies for publishers is pending before the Delhi High Court. The legislature and judiciary should take a pragmatic view on this subject to keep costs under control for these essential supplies.”

The norms under GST will also shade their effects over freelancers and authors of school and college books. The situation can increase the cost of books in colleges and schools.

CA Vineeta

Hi,I am Vineeta Sharma. I am a chartered accountant. I have done my (B.Com) from Rajasthan University. I have keen interest in taxation field.

View Comments

    • No. You do not have to register for GST. They ask for your personal India tax info NOT GST. You fill a form and relax.

  • I am an author. My publisher has deducted 9% GST from my ROYALTY. Is it correct? What's the legal position? kindly clarify

  • i purchase the paper and job work for printing and binding the book.
    Sale to private educational institute
    What is rate of GST and HSN code ?
    please reply

  • We have client paying GST under reverse charge and passing following entry

    Royalty A/c Dr 10
    IGST (Reverse Charge) Dr 1.2
    To IGST Cr. 1.2
    To TDS u/s 194J 1
    To Party 9

    Now confirm me is this ok or not and what will we do IGST (Reverse Charge) it will continue or on place of IGST (reverse charge) include it in value of Royalty.

    Here IGST is our liability paid from bank.

  • I am a simple author. I have received a one-time lump sum amount for writing books. I want to know whether the GST will be applied to the lump sum amount achieve by the publisher. Please acknowledge me and give me the proper information that 12% GST is applicable to the authors one-time lump sum amount or not.

  • If GST is payable on royalty, it is going to discourage new writers which may ultimately be a loss to the students community. I think if GST has already been charged on all the items connected with publishing, there is no reason to charge it again on royalty, which is otherwise is not a permanent income and income tax is already being paid.

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