Input Tax Credit

Apportionment of credit and blocked credits

Section 17, CGST Act

Chapter 5 Text as on 2026-09-05 Source CBIC

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Amendment history

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In one line

Credit is limited to business and taxable (including zero-rated) use; the exempt/personal part is reversed. Some credits are permanently blocked (s.17(5)): most passenger motor vehicles, food and catering, club/health/insurance, works-contract and construction of immovable property on own account, CSR spends, composition supplies, personal use, and goods lost/stolen/gifted. Banks/NBFCs may opt for a flat 50% credit.

What this means in practice

The parts that actually decide cases — the things a practitioner checks first.

1

17(5)(d) – construction of immovable property on own account – was the subject of Safari Retreats (SC, 03-10-2024), which allowed credit where the building is ‘plant’. The Finance (No.2) Act 2025 inserted Explanation 2 substituting ‘plant or machinery’ with ‘plant and machinery’ RETROSPECTIVELY from 01-07-2017, which nullifies the judgment. Do not advise on the strength of Safari Retreats.

2

CSR spends are blocked by 17(5)(fa) with effect from 01-10-2023. Credit on CSR before that date is arguable; after it, it is not.

3

Motor vehicles: the block is on passenger vehicles of seating capacity up to thirteen persons. Goods carriages, and vehicles used for further supply, passenger transport or driving instruction, remain eligible – the seating-capacity test is where most notices go wrong.

4

The exempt-supply reversal under 17(2) is computed monthly under Rule 42 (inputs and input services) and Rule 43 (capital goods, over 60 months), with a final annual reconciliation by 30 November and interest on any short reversal.

5

Banks and NBFCs choosing the 50% option under 17(4) cannot change the choice during the year, and the restriction does not apply to supplies from a distinct person.

Questions people actually ask

Real questions we get on this provision, answered straight.

We built our own factory shed and want the credit on the steel and cement.+

It is blocked. Section 17(5)(d) blocks credit on goods and services used for construction of immovable property on your own account, and Explanation 2 inserted by the Finance (No.2) Act 2025 – retrospective to 01-07-2017 – confirms that only ‘plant and machinery’ as defined escapes the block. The Safari Retreats route is closed.

Is credit available on a car bought for the director’s use?+

No, if it seats up to thirteen persons. Section 17(5)(a) blocks it except where the vehicle is used for further supply of vehicles, passenger transport or driving instruction.

How much credit do I reverse if I have both taxable and exempt turnover?+

The common credit is apportioned each month on the exempt-to-total turnover ratio under Rule 42, with capital goods spread over sixty months under Rule 43, and a final reconciliation for the year by 30 November of the following year. Interest runs on any shortfall in the monthly reversals.

How this provision is built

The skeleton, clause by clause — useful when a notice cites a specific sub-clause.

(1) Where the goods or services or both are used by the registered person partly for the purpose of any business and partly for other purposes, the amount of credit shall be restricted to so much of the input tax as is attri…
(2) Where the goods or services or both are used by the registered person partly for effecting taxable supplies including zero-rated supplies under this Act or under the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act and partly for e…
(3) The value of exempt supply under sub-section (2) shall be such as may be prescribed , and shall include supplies on which the recipient is liable to pay tax on reverse charge basis, transactions in securities, sale of la…
(4) A banking company or a financial institution including a non-banking financial company, engaged in supplying services by way of accepting deposits, extending loans or advances shall have the option to either comply with…
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) of section 16 and sub-section (1) of section 18 , input tax credit shall not be available in respect of the following, namely:- 2 [(a) motor vehicles for transportati…
(6) The Government may prescribe the manner in which the credit referred to in sub-sections (1) and (2) may be attributed. Explanation .- For the purposes of this Chapter and Chapter VI, the expression "plant and machinery"…

The exact words of the law

7,135 characters, unedited

Reproduced from the CBIC text. We explain it above — but you should always be able to read it yourself.

Read the full provision+
* Section 17. Apportionment of credit and blocked credits.-

(1) Where the goods or services or both are used by the registered person partly for the purpose of any business and partly for other purposes, the amount of credit shall be restricted to so much of the input tax as is attributable to the purposes of his business.

(2) Where the goods or services or both are used by the registered person partly for effecting taxable supplies including zero-rated supplies under this Act or under the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act and partly for effecting exempt supplies under the said Acts, the amount of credit shall be restricted to so much of the input tax as is attributable to the said taxable supplies including zero-rated supplies.

(3) The value of exempt supply under sub-section

(2) shall be such as may be prescribed , and shall include supplies on which the recipient is liable to pay tax on reverse charge basis, transactions in securities, sale of land and, subject to clause
(b) of paragraph 5 of Schedule II , sale of building. 1 [ Explanation .- For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression "value of exempt supply" shall not include the value of activities or transactions specified in Schedule III , 4 [except,—
(i) the value of activities or transactions specified in paragraph 5 of the said Schedule; and (ii) the value of such activities or transactions as may be prescribed in respect of clause
(a) of paragraph 8 of the said Schedule.];]

(4) A banking company or a financial institution including a non-banking financial company, engaged in supplying services by way of accepting deposits, extending loans or advances shall have the option to either comply with the provisions of subsection (2), or avail of, every month, an amount equal to fifty per cent. of the eligible input tax credit on inputs, capital goods and input services in that month and the rest shall lapse: Provided that the option once exercised shall not be withdrawn during the remaining part of the financial year: Provided further that the restriction of fifty per cent. shall not apply to the tax paid on supplies made by one registered person to another registered person having the same Permanent Account Number.

(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section

(1) of section 16 and sub-section

(1) of section 18 , input tax credit shall not be available in respect of the following, namely:- 2 [
(a) motor vehicles for transportation of persons having approved seating capacity of not more than thirteen persons (including the driver), except when they are used for making the following taxable supplies, namely:- (A) further supply of such motor vehicles; or (B) transportation of passengers; or (C) imparting training on driving such motor vehicles; (aa) vessels and aircraft except when they are used-
(i) for making the following taxable supplies, namely:- (A) further supply of such vessels or aircraft; or (B) transportation of passengers; or (C) imparting training on navigating such vessels; or (D) imparting training on flying such aircraft; (ii) for transportation of goods; (ab) services of general insurance, servicing, repair and maintenance in so far as they relate to motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft referred to in clause
(a) or clause (aa): Provided that the input tax credit in respect of such services shall be available-
(i) where the motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft referred to in clause
(a) or clause (aa) are used for the purposes specified therein; (ii) where received by a taxable person engaged- (I) in the manufacture of such motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft; or (II) in the supply of general insurance services in respect of such motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft insured by him;]
(b) 3 [the following supply of goods or services or both-
(i) food and beverages, outdoor catering, beauty treatment, health services, cosmetic and plastic surgery, leasing, renting or hiring of motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft referred to in clause
(a) or clause (aa) except when used for the purposes specified therein, life insurance and health insurance: Provided that the input tax credit in respect of such goods or services or both shall be available where an inward supply of such goods or services or both is used by a registered person for making an outward taxable supply of the same category of goods or services or both or as an element of a taxable composite or mixed supply; (ii) membership of a club, health and fitness centre; and (iii) travel benefits extended to employees on vacation such as leave or home travel concession: Provided that the input tax credit in respect of such goods or services or both shall be available, where it is obligatory for an employer to provide the same to its employees under any law for the time being in force.]
(c) works contract services when supplied for construction of an immovable property (other than plant and machinery) except where it is an input service for further supply of works contract service;
(d) goods or services or both received by a taxable person for construction of an immovable property (other than 7 [plant and machinery]) on his own account including when such goods or services or both are used in the course or furtherance of business. 8 [Explanation 1] .-For the purposes of clauses
(c) and (d), the expression "construction" includes re-construction, renovation, additions or alterations or repairs, to the extent of capitalisation, to the said immovable property; 9 [Explanation 2 .––For the purposes of clause (d), it is hereby clarified that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any judgment, decree or order of any court, tribunal, or other authority, any reference to “plant or machinery” shall be construed and shall always be deemed to have been construed as a reference to “plant and machinery.]
(e) goods or services or both on which tax has been paid under section 10 ;
(f) goods or services or both received by a non-resident taxable person except on goods imported by him; 5 [(fa) goods or services or both received by a taxable person, which are used or intended to be used for activities relating to his obligations under corporate social responsibility referred to in section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013;]
(g) goods or services or both used for personal consumption;
(h) goods lost, stolen, destroyed, written off or disposed of by way of gift or free samples; and
(i) any tax paid in accordance with the provisions of 6 [section 74 in respect of any period up to Financial Year 2023-24]

(6) The Government may prescribe the manner in which the credit referred to in sub-sections

(1) and

(2) may be attributed. Explanation .- For the purposes of this Chapter and Chapter VI, the expression "plant and machinery" means apparatus, equipment, and machinery fixed to earth by foundation or structural support that are used for making outward supply of goods or services or both and includes such foundation and structural supports but excludes-
(i) land, building or any other civil structures; (ii) telecommunication towers; and (iii) pipelines laid outside the factory premises.

What changed, and when

The amendment trail, newest first — because the version that applies to your case depends on the period.

2023-10-01 · Substituted

28/2023-C.T.

Substituted ( w.e.f. 1st October, 2023 vide Notification No. 28/2023-C.T. , dated 31st July, 2023 ) by s. 139 of The Finance Act 2023 (No. 8 of 2023) for "excep …

2023-10-01 · Inserted

28/2023-C.T.

Inserted ( w.e.f. 1st October, 2023 vide Notification No. 28/2023-C.T. , dated 31st July, 2023 ) by s. 139 of The Finance Act 2023 (No. 8 of 2023).

date not stated · Inserted

Inserted by s.9 of The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act, 2018 (No. 31 of 2018)- Brought into force w.e.f. 01st February, 2019.

date not stated · Substituted

Substituted for " (a) motor vehicles and other conveyances except when they are used- (i) for making the following taxable supplies, namely:- (A) further supply …

date not stated · Substituted

Substituted for " (b) the following supply of goods or services or both- (i) food and beverages, outdoor catering, beauty treatment, health services, cosmetic a …

date not stated · Substituted

Substituted by section 119 of The Finance Act (No. 2) Act, 2024 No. 15 of 2024 dated 16.08.2024.

date not stated · Substituted

Substituted by section 124 of The Finance Act (No. 7) Act, 2025 and shall be deemed to have been substituted with effect from the 1st day of July, 2017.

date not stated · Renumbered

Renumbered (w.e.f. 01.10.2025) by section 124 of The Finance Act (No. 7) Act, 2025.

date not stated · Inserted

Inserted (w.e.f. 01.10.2025) by section 124 of The Finance Act (No. 7) Act, 2025.

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Where this comes from

Text reproduced from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, as available on 2026-09-05. The explanation and practice notes above are GSTZone’s own, written for this hub. If you spot anything out of date, tell us and we’ll fix it — this hub is checked daily against CBIC.

blocked creditsection 17(5)ineligible itcitc motor vehicleitc construction buildingplant and machinery gstitc reversal rule 42

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