Registration and Rate of CST

The Dealers are provided with an option to register themselves under the provisions of Central Sales Tax Act, 1957. The Act provides special benefits to the Registered dealers like charging lower or NIL rate of CST on submission of Statutory Forms as prescribed for various types of Interstate Sales.

The unregistered dealers engaged in interstate transactions are required to pay CST at higher rates than the rates applicable to the Registered dealers. Also the unregistered dealers cannot claim any exemptions on the basis of Statutory Forms as specified by the CST Act.

The Basic Central Sales Tax Rate as applicable to the Interstate transactions made by the Registered Dealers is 2%. The interstate transactions are charged at this rate, if the purchasing dealer issues the Statutory Form – Form C to the selling dealer. The selling dealer submits this Form C with his sales tax authorities for payment of 2% and the forms are supplied by the Department on an application by the Registered dealers.  Also the interstate sales are exempted from CST, if such sales are made to specified persons or organisations, on submission of Forms like Form H, I, J etc,

In case of unregistered dealers, all the interstate purchases or sales made by them will attract the local sales tax rates of the selling state. No concessions or exemptions can be given for sales in the course of interstate trade made to any category of persons or organisations.

Some of the points relating to CST rates are as follows:

• For an inter-state sale to a registered dealer against form C, the rate of CST is 2% or local sales tax rate whichever is lower.
• Under the local sales tax law, if the sale or purchase is exempt or Nil, the rate of CST applicable in case of sale to unregistered dealer or registered dealers, will also be exempt or Nil.
• The Sales Tax rates applicable for sale of declared goods, w.e.f 1-4-2007 is as follows:

• The sale of declared goods made to registered dealer, will attract levy of CST at local sales tax rate or 2%, whichever is lower.
• The inter-state sale made to unregistered dealer, will be liable to CST at rates which is equal to VAT/sales tax rates as applicable within the State.