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Microlesson · 5-min read

RCM — Services by Government/Local Authority

# RCM on Services by Government / Local Authority

## Coverage

Any services provided by Central Government, State Government, Union Territory or Local Authority to any business entity located in taxable territoryRCM applies, business entity pays.

## Carve-outs — when this entry does NOT apply

ServiceMechanism
Services by Department of PostsFCM — government pays
Services by Ministry of RailwaysFCM
Transport of goods or passengers by GovernmentFCM
Services to an aircraft or vessel inside or outside the portFCM
Renting of immovable property by GovernmentCovered under a separate RCM entry (Entry No. 5), not this one

## Exemption-first check

Services by Government/UT/Local Authority are exempt (so RCM does not arise) when supplied to:

  • A person other than a business entity OR to CG/SG/UT/LA themselves
  • A business entity whose preceding-FY turnover ≤ registration threshold
  • Any case where value of service ≤ ₹5,000

## Decision flow

```

1. Is the recipient a business entity above the threshold? NO → Exempt; stop.

2. Is the value of service > ₹5,000? NO → Exempt; stop.

3. Is the service a carve-out (post, rail, transport, vessel, immovable rent)? YES → use the relevant rule (FCM or separate RCM entry).

4. Otherwise → RCM under this entry; business entity pays.

```

Worked example

### Example 1

Q. A municipal corporation grants a one-time approval to ABC Ltd. (a registered company with ₹10 crore turnover) for ₹50,000. Who pays GST?

A. Recipient is a business entity above the threshold, value > ₹5,000, and the service is not a carve-out → RCM applies. ABC Ltd. pays GST directly to the Government.

### Example 2

Q. Same scenario but the approval fee is ₹3,000. Who pays?

A. Value is ≤ ₹5,000 → Exempt. No GST liability arises on either party.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Applying RCM to Postal/Railway services or government transport services — these are explicitly carved out and follow FCM.
  • Applying this entry to renting of immovable property by Government — that is a separate RCM entry.
  • Missing the ₹5,000 value exemption — small-value government services are exempt.
  • Treating services to small business entities (below registration threshold) as taxable — they are exempt.
Reference: — Notification No. 13/2017-CT(R); Notification No. 12/2017-CT(R)
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