Clarification on various doubts related to treatment of sales promotion schemes under GST vide Circular No. 92/11/2019-GST Dated 7th March 2019

1. Free samples and gifts: - 

It is clarified that samples which are supplied free of cost, without any consideration, do not qualify as "supply" under GST, except where the activity falls within the ambit of Schedule I of the said Act.

It is Further clarified that input tax credit shall not be available to the supplier on the inputs, input services and capital goods to the extent they are used in relation to the gifts or free samples distributed without any consideration

2. Buy one get one free offer:-

It can at best be treated as supplying two goods for the price of one. 

Taxability of such supply will be dependent upon as to whether the supply is a composite supply or a mixed supply and the rate of tax shall be determined as per the provisions of section 8 of the said Act. 

It is also clarified that ITC shall be available to the supplier for the inputs, input services and capital goods used in relation to supply of goods or services or both as part of such offers.

3. Discounts including 'Buy more, save more' offers and Volume Discount At Year End Or at Periodic Interval- 

i. It is clarified that discounts offered by the suppliers to customers (including staggered discount under "Buy more, save more" scheme and post supply / volume discounts established before or at the time of supply) shall be excluded to determine the value of supply.

Provided they satisfy the parameters laid down in sub-section (3) of section 15 of the said Act, including the reversal of ITC by the recipient of the supply as is attributable to the discount on the basis of document (s) issued by the supplier.