Restaurants to bill differently on Friday, pre midnight and post

New Delhi: With the launch of the new Goods and Services Tax (GST), those planning to dine out on Friday night may find themselves caught in minor disputes over payments, if they stay on post Friday midnight.

Diners may be presented with two bills in some places -- one before Friday midnight, and one after 12 AM.

With a single tax replacing the current system of multiple taxes, eating out may become cheaper, but restaurants are looking at ways to bill their Friday midnight diners Friday night.

At The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, dining will become cheaper with the implementation of GST, with a 20 percent tax on alcohol and 18 percent on food, as opposed to the current 26 percent and 18.5 percent respectively.

To ward off confusion at Friday night, executive chef Rohit Tokhi said, "Our restaurants close by 11:30 pm and all bills will be raised before 12 am."

Food and beverages consumed before 12 am at the hotel bar would be billed by 11:58, he said.

"Any consumption post Friday midnight would be charged under GST," Tokhi said.

Gurgaon's Bristol Hotel will be taking the final orders at 11:45 pm on Friday, and the bill shall be raised before 12 AM, using old VAT and service taxes.

However, should a diner wish to stay on post 12 AM, the bill will then be raised under the new tax regime.

"We are following the same regulations for both F&B and our rooms," a spokesperson from the hotel said.

Priyank Sukhija, who owns several food chains in Delhi- NCR, including Lord of the Drinks, Tamasha and Teddy Boy, has decided shut all his restaurants before midnight, to "change billing software in accordance with the new tax structure".

When the eateries open on Saturday, the new tax rates will be in effect, he said.

Although, under the new GST, the taxes applicable on airconditioned and non-aircontioned spaces will be 18 percent and 12 percent respectively, Sukhija said charges for AC restaurants would be levied even if a customer dined outdoors.

"Our restaurants are AC establishments, so whether someone sits out or in, GST for AC, which is 18 percent, will apply," he said.