Pune: The city’s Consumer Forums and Citizens’ Group have asked the owners of the flat to keep payment of VAT on hold. This declaration came out as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision on pressure put on flat owners for the payment of Value Added Tax (VAT). The meet held by the Citizens’ forum involved the participation of communities like the Grahak Panchayat, Grahak Hitvardhini and many others. Held on the 29th of September 2013, the forum focused on safeguarding the interests of the property owners with respect to paying VAT.The State had sent out a circular, in August 2012, demanding the developers to pay 5% of the contract value as VAT for flats which were under construction during the period of June 2006 to March 31. The developers in turn had filed a petition challenging the decision in the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court as well.The Supreme favored the State Government’s decision of imposing VAT on flat sales. In accordance to the verdict flats which were sold after the 1st of July 2006 shall be liable for VAT, provided the building had been issued an Occupancy Certificate before the drafting of the sale agreement. Builders can recover the VAT amount from the flat owners only if the sale agreement included provisions for the collection of VAT from the buyers. If not Builders were required to shell out the VAT amount due from their pockets.Few Builders are trying to take the situation to their advantage and are recovering the VAT charges from the buyers themselves. The Citizens’ Group and other Consumer forums have responded to this issue by asking the flat owners to abstain from paying VAT taxes if the Builders fail to fulfill the specified terms and conditions. Buyers have been asked to verify whether details pertaining to the ownership of land, Builder’s registration and other mandatory clauses are in place. Also details of the work undertaken post the signing of the contract must be reviewed by the flat owners before paying the Value Added Tax.The forums have asked flat owners to stay alert in this regard. Buyers must obtain detailed information on VAT liability and pay only if the calculations are crystal clear and accurate.займ на карту без отказов круглосуточновзять кредит онлайн