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CGST Act Section 2(117A): Virtual | Finin2min

Definition 117A - Virtual

Chapter I - Preliminary
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Source control: The text/status on this page is tied to the official source gateway and the Phase 1 legal-review register. Open official source.

Finin2min Summary - Definition in 2 Minutes

The meaning imported by reference to the income-tax definition; the CGST text still uses the 1961 Act cross-reference in the official consolidation. PRACTICAL EXAMPLE A payment or stake involving a token classified under the imported income-tax definition is treated as a VDA for CGST provisions that use this expression. EXCEPTION / PROFESSIONAL ALERT The official CGST consolidation dated 11 June 2026 still cross-refers to the repealed Income-tax Act, 1961. The cross-reference must not be silently renumbered; apply statutory re-enactment/ saving principles and verify the current corresponding provision.

Exact operative text

Paragraph-wise decode

The meaning imported by reference to the income-tax definition; the CGST text still uses the 1961 Act cross-reference in the official consolidation. PRACTICAL EXAMPLE A payment or stake involving a token classified under the imported income-tax definition is treated as a VDA for CGST provisions that use this expression. EXCEPTION / PROFESSIONAL ALERT The official CGST consolidation dated 11 June 2026 still cross-refers to the repealed Income-tax Act, 1961. The cross-reference must not be silently renumbered; apply statutory re-enactment/ saving principles and verify the current corresponding provision.

Section-Rule-Form-Notification bridge

No direct Rule certified in Phase 1. Check notifications, circulars, forms and corresponding State law.

The mapping is a legal concordance, not a round-robin related-link list. It is limited to instruments certified in this phase.

Practical example

Apply the defined term to the transaction facts before moving to the charging, valuation, credit or procedural provision.

Professional alert

Definitions do not by themselves create a tax charge, exemption, credit or filing obligation.

Implementation checklist

  1. Fix the transaction, taxable period and jurisdiction.
  2. Read every subsection, proviso, explanation and omission marker.
  3. Open the mapped Rule, form, notification and circular.
  4. Test State/UT variation and portal version.
  5. Preserve evidence, approvals, working papers and acknowledgements.
  6. Record the conclusion, assumptions, source date and reviewer.

Evidence and retention checklist

Practical Q&A

What does definition 117A regulate?
It regulates virtual. Read the exact text, conditions, exceptions and transaction date together.
Which subordinate law should be checked?
No direct CGST Rule has been certified in this phase. Notifications, circulars, forms and the corresponding SGST/UTGST layer may also apply.
What evidence should be retained?
Preserve the contract or transaction record, invoice or form, portal acknowledgement, payment/ledger evidence, correspondence, legal working and the official source version used.
Can portal behaviour override the statute?
No. Portal functionality is operational evidence; legal entitlement and liability remain controlled by the Act, Rules, notifications and binding decisions.