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Government of India Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue Tax Research Unit

*****R. Sekar

Joint Secretary (TRU)

Tel.: 23093027 Fax: 23093037 e-mail: [email protected]

D.O. F. No.334/1/2008-TRUNew Delhi, 29th February, 2008

Dear Chief Commissioner / Commissioner,

The Finance Minister has introduced Finance Bill, 2008 in the Lok Sabha on 29th February, 2008. Changes relating to service tax are in,-

(i) Clause 85 of the Finance Bill, 2008, and (ii) Notification Nos.4/2008-Service Tax to 15/2008-Service Tax, all

dated 1st March, 2008.

Changes are being proposed in the provisions of the,-

Finance Act, 1994,

Service Tax Rules, 1994,

CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004,

Export of Services Rules, 2005,

Taxation of Services (Provided from outside India and Received in India) Rules, 2006, and

Works Contract (Composition Scheme for Payment of Service tax) Rules, 2007.

Details of the changes are explained in the Explanatory Notes. Salient features of the changes are discussed hereinafter:

2. INCREASE IN THRESHOLD EXEMPTION LIMIT FOR SMALL

SERVICE PROVIDERS

2.1 The annual threshold limit of service tax exemption for small service providers is being increased from Rs.8 lakh to Rs.10 lakh by amending notification No.6/2005-Service Tax, dated 01.03.05 vide notification No.8/2008-Service Tax, dated 01.03.08. Amendment shall come into effect from 01.04.2008.

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2.2 Consequent upon the increase in the threshold exemption limit from Rs.8 lakh to Rs.10 lakh, the annual turnover limit for obtaining service tax registration shall also be increased from Rs.7 lakh to Rs.9 lakh by amending notification Nos.26/2005-Service Tax and No.27/2005-Service Tax, both dated 07.06.05 vide notification Nos. 9/2008-ST and 10/2008-ST, both dated 01.03.08 respectively. Amendments shall come into effect from 01.04.2008. Increased threshold limit of Rs.10 lakh shall be applicable to small service providers for the financial year 2008-09 onwards.

3. CLASSIFICATION OF TAXABLE SERVICES:

3.1 Taxable services are defined separately under clause (105) of Section 65 of the Finance Act, 1994. Services are supplied as a single composite service by bundling number of different services or disaggregating a single supply into different components. Tax liability may vary depending upon the treatment of the transaction either as a single composite service or multiple supply of service. For the purpose of levy of service tax, a single composite service is to be classified under any one of the specified taxable services.

3.2 For the purpose of classification of a service covering number of separate services, a view has to be taken as to whether an individual service is merely a component of the overall supply or is itself a distinct and independent supply i.e., whether the component is merely ancillary to the principal supply or the component can be considered as separate taxable service in its own right. A service, which does not constitute for a customer an aim in itself but a means of better enjoying the principal supply, is considered as a supply ancillary to the principal supply.

3.3 Section 65A states the principles for classification of taxable services. Classification of a composite service is based on that component of the service which gives the essential character. There is a need to determine whether a given transaction is the one containing major and ancillary elements or the one containing multiple and separate major elements. In the case of a transaction containing a major and ancillary elements, classification is to be determined based on the essential features or the dominant element of the transaction. A supply which comprises a single supply from an economic point of view should not be artificially split. The method of charging or invoicing does not in itself determine whether the service provided is a single service or multiple services. Single price normally suggests a single supply though not decisive. The real nature and substance of the transaction and not merely the form of the transaction should be the guiding factor for deciding the classification.

3.4 Seven services are being separately defined as taxable services. Specifying a service separately as a taxable service does not necessarily mean or suggest that services falling within the scope of newly specified service were not earlier classifiable under any one of the existing taxable services. Grouping of services

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under a specific taxable service may change. The scope and coverage of a taxable service are to be determined strictly in accordance with the language of the relevant statutory provision existing during the material period.

4. FOLLOWING SERVICES ARE SPECIFICALLY INCLUDED IN

THE LIST OF TAXABLE SERVICES:

(i) Services provided in relation to information technology (IT) software for use in the course, or furtherance, of business or commerce [section 65(105)(zzzze) refers];

(ii) Services provided in relation to management of investment, known as segregated fund, under unit linked life insurance business, commonly known as Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) scheme [section 65(105)(zzzzf) refers];

(iii) Services provided by a recognised stock exchange in relation to securities [section 65(105)(zzzzg) refers];

(iv) Services provided by a recognised association or a registered association (commodity exchange) in relation to sale or purchase of any goods or forward contracts [section 65(105)(zzzzh) refers];

(v) Services provided by a processing and clearinghouse in relation to processing, clearing and settlement of transactions in securities, goods or forward contracts [section 65(105)(zzzzi) refers];

(vi) Services provided in relation to supply of tangible goods, without transferring right of possession and effective control of said tangible goods [section 65(105)(zzzzj) refers]; and

(vii) Services provided in relation to internet telecommunication [section 65(105)(zzzu) refers]. Services provided in relation to internet telephony has been covered within the scope of the proposed service. Hence internet telephony service shall be omitted.

4.1 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE SERVICE:

4.1.1 Information Technology (IT) software service includes,-

Development (study, analysis, design and programming) of software.

Adaptation, up-gradation, enhancement, implementation and other similar services in relation to IT software.

Provision of advice and assistance on matters related to IT software, including: o Conducting feasibility studies on the implementation of a system,

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o Providing specifications for a database design, o Providing guidance and assistance during the start-up phase of a new

system,o Providing specifications to secure a database, o Providing advice on proprietary IT software.

Acquiring the right to use,- o IT software for commercial exploitation including right to reproduce,

distribute and sell, o software components for the creation of and inclusion in other IT software

products,o IT software supplied electronically.

4.1.2 Software consists of carrier medium such as CD, Floppy and coded data. Softwares are categorized as “normal software” and “specific software”. Normalised software is mass market product generally available in packaged form off the shelf in retail outlets. Specific software is tailored to the specific requirement of the customer and is known as customized software.

4.1.3 Packaged software sold off the shelf, being treated as goods, is leviable to excise duty @ 8%. In this budget, it has been increased from 8% to 12% vide notification No. 12/2008-CE dated 01.03.2008. Number of IT services and IT enabled services (ITeS) are already leviable to service tax under various taxable services:

Consulting engineer’s service - advice, consultancy or technical assistance in the discipline of hardware engineering [section 65(105)(g)].

Management or business consultant’s service - procurement and management of information technology resources [section 65(65)].

Management, maintenance or repair service - maintenance of software, both packaged and customized and hardware [section 65(64)].

Banking and other financial services - ‘provision and transfer of information and data processing’ [section 65(12)].

Business support service - various outsourced IT and IT enabled services [section 65(105)(zzzq)].

Business auxiliary service - services provided on behalf of the client such as call centres [section 65(19)].

4.1.4 IT software services provided for use in business or commerce are covered under the scope of the proposed service. Said services provided for use, other than in business or commerce, such as services provided to individuals for personal use, continue to be outside the scope of service tax levy. Service tax paid shall be available as input credit under Cenvat credit Scheme.

4.1.5 Software and upgrades of software are also supplied electronically, known as digital delivery. Taxation is to be neutral and should not depend on forms of

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delivery. Such supply of IT software electronically shall be covered within the scope of the proposed service.

4.1.6 With the proposed levy on IT software services, information technology related services will get covered comprehensively.

4.1.7 Following consequential amendments in other taxable services are also being made:

At present, ‘Information technology service’ is specifically excluded from the scope of Business auxiliary service [section 65(105)(zzb)]. Consequent on the proposed IT software service, information technology services get covered comprehensively for the purpose of levy of service tax and, therefore, specific exclusion of ‘Information technology service’ under Business auxiliary service is being deleted.

To include ‘testing and analysis of IT software’ services under Technical testing and analysis service [section 65(105)(zzh)].

To include ‘Certification of IT software’ services under Technical inspection and certification service [section 65(105)(zzi)].

To clarify as removal of doubts that ‘Management, maintenance or repair of properties’ includes Management, maintenance or repair of IT software [section 65(105)(zzg)]. Maintenance of packaged software (being goods) is also leviable to service tax under the said service.

Services provided in relation to advice, consultancy and assistance on matters related to IT software shall be leviable to service tax under the IT software service. Consulting engineer’s service [section 65(105)(g)] in the discipline of computer hardware engineering is leviable to service tax whereas consulting engineer’s service in the discipline of computer software engineering is not leviable to service tax by way of specific exclusion. Specific exclusion of ‘consultancy in the discipline of computer software engineering’ from the scope of ‘consulting engineer’s service’ is not necessary and, therefore, being deleted.

To clarify that a consultancy service, covering both hardware and software consultancy, shall be classifiable under ‘Consulting engineer’s service’.

4.2 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICE PROVIDED UNDER

ULIP:

4.2.1 Unit-Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) is an insurance product offered by life insurance companies combining both risk cover and benefits of investment. ULIP being a combination product, premium amount paid under ULIP consists of risk premium and investment component. Risk premium may be for life or health or any other authorized purposes. Unlike in the case of traditional life insurance policies, policyholder of ULIP can choose portfolios for investment with different investment aims such as low, medium and high-risk category or combination

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thereof. ULIP enables the policyholder to take part in the scheme collectively and becoming the beneficiary like mutual funds. The investment risk is borne by the ULIP policyholder.

4.2.2 The fund available for investment is known as segregated fund. Insurance companies charge from the policyholder, initially and periodically, various charges, in addition to risk premium, relating to management of the segregated fund under various names, such as, premium allocation charges, fund management fees, fund switching charges, surrender charges etc. These are consideration for providing services relating to investment management.

4.2.3 The proposed service enables levy of service tax on services provided in relation to management of the investment portion of ULIP premium also known as segregated fund. Consideration for management of the segregated fund shall be computed as the difference between the total premium paid and the sum of premium for risk cover plus amount of segregated fund. Service tax is liable to be paid as and when an amount is charged from the policyholder.

Illustration(a) Total ULIP premium : Rs.100

(b) Premium for risk cover : Rs.10 (c) Segregated fund for investment : Rs.85 (d) Gross amount charged for the : Rs.5 [100 – (10 + 85)] mangement of segregated fund (e) Service tax @ 12% : Re 0.60 [ 12% of 5 ]

4.2.4 It may be noted that in the case of ULIP, risk premium attributable to risk cover is taxed under ‘Insurance service’ and management of investment is taxed under the proposed taxable service.

4.3 STOCK EXCHANGE, COMMODITY EXCHANGE AND

PROCESSING & CLEARING HOUSE SERVICES:

4.3.1 Stock exchanges such as National Stock exchange, Bombay Stock Exchange are providing services to their members relating to transaction of securities for a consideration. Similarly, commodity exchanges such as Multi Commodity Exchange of India and National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange of India provide services relating to trading in goods and forward contracts. These bodies are regulated by Securities Contract (Regulation) Act, 1956 and the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1952. Stock exchanges and commodity exchanges also perform the duties and functions of processing and clearing of transactions either by themselves or by transferring such duties and functions to processing and clearing houses including Clearing Corporation.

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4.3.2 It is proposed to levy service tax on services provided by recognised stock exchanges, recognised associations and registered associations commonly known as commodity exchanges and processing and clearing houses.

4.3.3 Large number of intermediation services relating to capital market are already leviable to service tax. Service tax paid is available as input credit under Cenvat Credit Scheme.

4.4 SUPPLY OF TANGIBLE GOODS FOR USE:

4.4.1 Transfer of the right to use any goods is leviable to sales tax / VAT as deemed sale of goods [Article 366(29A)(d) of the Constitution of India]. Transfer of right to use involves transfer of both possession and control of the goods to the user of the goods.

4.4.2 Excavators, wheel loaders, dump trucks, crawler carriers, compaction equipment, cranes, etc., offshore construction vessels & barges, geo-technical vessels, tug and barge flotillas, rigs and high value machineries are supplied for use, with no legal right of possession and effective control. Transaction of allowing another person to use the goods, without giving legal right of possession and effective control, not being treated as sale of goods, is treated as service.

4.4.3 Proposal is to levy service tax on such services provided in relation to supply of tangible goods, including machinery, equipment and appliances, for use, with no legal right of possession or effective control. Supply of tangible goods for use and leviable to VAT / sales tax as deemed sale of goods, is not covered under the scope of the proposed service. Whether a transaction involves transfer of possession and control is a question of facts and is to be decided based on the terms of the contract and other material facts. This could be ascertainable from the fact whether or not VAT is payable or paid.

4.5 INTERNET TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE:

4.5.1 In budget 2007-08, six separate taxable services (telephone, pager, leased circuit, telegraph, telex and fax) related to telecommunication were merged into a single taxable service namely telecommunication service. Telecommunication service was comprehensively defined so as to include all services provided in relation to telecommunication.

4.5.2 Telecommunication services are also provided through internet. Services provided by any person in relation to internet telephony is leviable to service tax [section 65(105)(zzzu)].

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4.5.3 Proposal is to define comprehensively internet telecommunication service and omit the present definition of internet telephony service. It may be noted that,-

(a) the present ‘internet telephony service’ shall get subsumed with in the proposed ‘internet telecommunication service’ [section 65(105)(zzzu)];

(b) Internet telecommunication service includes,- (i) internet backbone services, including carrier service of internet

traffic by one Internet Service Provider (ISP) to another ISP,(ii) internet access services, including provision of a direct connection

to the internet and space for the customer’s web page, and (iii) telecommunication services, including fax, telephony, audio

conferencing and video conferencing, provided over the internet.

4.5.4 Service provided by ISPs for accessing the internet through the computer network shall be specifically covered under the proposed service. At present, this service is covered under ‘On-line information and database access or retrieval service’.

5. SCOPE OF SPECIFIED TAXABLE SERVICES IS BEING

AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

5.1 FOREIGN EXCHANGE BROKER SERVICE:

5.1.1 Foreign Exchange (Forex) broking service is leviable to service tax. Foreign exchange brokers provide services as an intermediary in relation to purchase or sale of foreign currency on a commission/brokerage basis. Purchase or sale of foreign currency is undertaken by foreign exchange broker and also by persons authorised under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 to deal in foreign exchange and having licence issued by RBI. Such authorised persons are known as money changers or authorised dealers of foreign exchange. Services in relation to purchase or sale of foreign currency is, therefore, provided by foreign exchange broker, money changer and also authorised dealer of foreign exchange.

5.1.2 Foreign exchange broker indicates the consideration for the services provided (commission) explicitly. Whereas money changers/authorised dealers of foreign exchange providing same services may not necessarily indicate the consideration explicitly.

5.1.3 Section 65(12) is being amended so as to levy service tax on purchase or sale of foreign currency, including money changing, provided by an authorized dealer in foreign currency or an authorised money changer, in addition to a foreign exchange broker. An explanation is being added to the effect that explicit mention of the consideration for the services provided in relation to purchase or sale of foreign currency is not relevant for the purpose of levy of service tax. Taxable

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services [sections 65(105)(zzk) and 65(105)(zm)] are being amended suitably. With these amendments, services provided in relation to purchase or sale of foreign currency by a foreign exchange broker, money changer and authorised dealer of foreign exchange shall also be leviable to service tax.

5.1.4 To enable determination of taxable value, where the consideration for the services provided in relation to purchase or sale of foreign currency is not explicitly indicated by the service provider, a method under rule 6(7B) of the Service Tax Rules, 1994 shall be prescribed. As per this provision, the service provider has the option to pay service tax calculated at the rate of 0.25% of the gross amount of currency exchanged.

Illustration:Buying rate : US$ 1 = Rs.38 // Selling rate : US$ 1 = Rs.40

(i) Purchase of US$ 100 by the service provider: Gross amount of currency exchanged in rupees = Rs.3800 (Rs.38 x 100) Service tax payable = Rs.9.5 (0.25% x 3800)

(ii) Sale of US$ 100 by the service provider:Gross amount of currency exchanged in rupees = Rs.4000 (Rs.40 x 100) Service tax payable = Rs.10 (0.25% x 4000)

5.2 CARGO HANDLING SERVICE:

5.2.1 Cargo handling service does not cover mere transportation of goods. Mere transportation of goods by road is covered under ‘Goods transport agency service’. Service providers, commonly known as packers and movers provide services of packing together with transportation, with or without other services like unpacking, loading, unloading etc. Such composite services, at present, are classifiable under cargo handling service or goods transport agency service depending upon their essential or predominant character of the services provided.

5.2.2 Section 65(23) which defines cargo handling service is being amended so as to include services of packing together with transportation of cargo or goods, with or without one or more other services like loading, unloading, unpacking, under cargo handling service. With this amendment, packing with transportation will be classifiable under cargo handling service only.

5.3 TOUR OPERATOR SERVICE:

5.3.1 Services provided in relation to a journey from one place to another in a tourist vehicle having contract carriage permit is leviable to service tax under tour operator service. Tour in a vehicle covered by the following categories of permits

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granted under the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA), 1988 and rules made thereunder are clearly leviable to service tax under tour operator service:

(i) Contract Carriage permit granted under section 74 of the MVA, 1988 and authorisation certificate issued under Motor Vehicles (All India Permit for Tourist Transport Operators) Rules, 1993; and

(ii) Permit granted under section 88(9) in accordance with the provisions of section 74 of the MVA, 1988 in respect of tourist vehicles, for the purpose of promoting tourism.

Since the permits under the above two categories are granted only for tourist vehicle, service tax is leviable if the tour is provided in the above categories of vehicles. Field formations may verify the nature of permits issued to the vehicles from the transport authorities and collect service tax from vehicles having the above two types of permits.

5.3.2 Section 65(115) defining tour operator is being amended so as to include services provided in relation to a journey from one place to another, generally known as point-to-point tour, in a vehicle having contract carriage permit, even if the vehicle does not meet the criteria specified for tourist vehicles. With this amendment, journey from one place to another conducted in a vehicle having contract carriage permit shall be leviable to service tax under tour operator service. Service tax is not leviable under tour operator service only if the tour is conducted in a vehicle having stage carriage permit. Field formations may collect data from transport authorities regarding details of contract carriage permits issued.

5.3.3 It may be noted that services provided in relation to a journey from one place to another conducted in a tourist vehicle having contract carriage permit for use by educational bodies shall be excluded from the scope of the taxable service. Educational bodies do not include commercial training or coaching centres.

5.4 BUSINESS AUXILIARY SERVICE:

5.4.1 Services provided in relation to promotion or marketing of service provided by the client is leviable to service tax under business auxiliary service. Organization and selling of lotteries are globally treated as supply of service. Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998 enables State Governments to organize, conduct or promote lotteries. Lottery tickets are printed by the State governments and are sold through agents or distributors. Tickets are delivered by the State Government to the distributors at a discounted price as compared to the face value of the tickets. Services provided by the distributors or agents in relation to promotion or marketing of lottery tickets are leviable to service tax under the existing business auxiliary service.

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5.4.2 Lotteries fall under the category of games of chance. Games of chance are known under various names like lottery, lotto, bingo etc. and are also conducted through internet or other electronic networks.

5.4.3 To clarify as removal of doubts, an explanation is added under business auxiliary service stating that services provided in relation to promotion or marketing of games of chance organized, conducted or promoted by the client are covered under the existing definition of business auxiliary service. Amendment is only for removal of doubts and field formations are, therefore, requested to ensure that service tax is collected on such services.

5.5 RENTING OF IMMOVABLE PROPERTY SERVICE:

5.5.1 Use of immovable property is allowed for placing vending / dispensing machines in malls and other commercial premises and erection of communication towers on buildings. In such cases, there may or may not be transfer of right of possession or control of the immovable property in favour of the person using such property.

5.5.2 Renting of immovable property includes renting, letting, leasing, licensing or other similar arrangements of immovable property for use in the course or furtherance of business or commerce. Transactions mentioned in para 5.5.1 get covered under the category of other similar arrangement, if not covered under other categories.

5.5.3 It is proposed to clarify by way of removal of doubts that renting of immovable property service includes allowing or permitting the use of space in an immovable property, irrespective of the transfer of possession or control of the immovable property. Field formations may ensure that service tax is collected in all such cases.

6. TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISES:

6.1 Service tax is levied at the rate of 12% of the value of taxable services (section 66). Section 67 pertaining to valuation of taxable service for charging service tax states that value shall be the gross amount charged for the service provided or to be provided and includes book adjustment. As per rule 6 of the Service Tax Rules, 1994, service tax is required to be paid only after receipt of the payment.

6.2 It has been brought to the notice that the provision requiring payment of service tax after receipt of payment are used for tax avoidance especially when the transaction is between associated enterprises. There have been instances wherein service tax has not been paid on the ground of non-receipt of payment even though

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the transaction has been recognized as revenue/expenditure in the statement of profit and loss account for the purpose of determining corporate tax liability.

6.3 As an anti-avoidance measure, it is proposed to clarify that service tax is leviable on taxable services provided by the person liable to pay service tax even if the amount is not actually received, but the amount is credited or debited in the books of account of the service provider. In other words, service tax is required to be paid after receipt of payment or crediting/debiting of the amount in the books of accounts, whichever is earlier. However, this provision is restricted to transaction between associated enterprises. This provision shall also apply to service tax payable under reverse charge method (Section 66A) as taxable services received from associated enterprises. For this purpose section 67 and rule 6(1) are being amended.

6.4 The term ‘associated enterprise’ has the same meaning as assigned to it in section 92A of the Income Tax Act, 1961. It is a relative concept i.e. an enterprise is an associated enterprise when it is viewed in relation to other enterprises. This concept is used in the Income Tax Act for applying transfer pricing provisions. An enterprise which participates, directly or indirectly, or through one or more intermediaries, in the management or control or capital of the other enterprise is considered as associated enterprise. It also covers an enterprise in respect of which one or more persons who participate, directly or indirectly, or through one or more intermediaries, in the management or control or capital of the other enterprise.

6.5 Section 92A(2) of the Income Tax Act specifies various situations under which two enterprises shall be deemed to be associated enterprises. Enterprise means a person who is engaged in the provision of any services of any kind. For details, relevant provisions of Income Tax Act may be referred to.

7. EXEMPTIONS FROM LEVY OF SERVICE TAX:

7.1 Taxable service provided by a person located outside India, in relation to booking of an accommodation in a hotel located in India for a customer located outside India, is being exempted from levy of service tax (Notification No.14/2008-ST dated 01.03.2008).

7.2 In the case of services provided for the transport of goods by road in a goods carriage, service tax is required to be paid by certain categories of persons who pay the freight instead of the service provider namely Goods Transport Agency. The actual amount of service tax payable is 25% of the amount of freight i.e. 75% of the amount of freight is provided as abatement, subject to the condition that no Cenvat credit of the duty paid has been availed of under Cenvat Credit Scheme. It has been represented that fulfillment of the condition of non-availment of Cenvat credit by the service provider is, at times, difficult to prove, when the service tax is required to be paid not by the service provider but by the consignor or consignee

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who pays the freight. Taking into account the special nature of the goods transport agency (GTA) service, it is being exempted from the payment of service tax unconditionally to the extent of 75% of the freight. In other words, service tax is required to be paid only on 25% of the freight irrespective of who pays the service tax. Simultaneously, the benefit of Cenvat credit has been withdrawn to GTA service under Cenvat Credit scheme by deleting the said service from the scope of output service in the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004. Henceforth, the person who is required to pay service tax under reverse charge method on GTA service can pay service tax on 25% of the freight unconditionally. Recipient of GTA service paying service tax under reverse charge method is no more required to prove non availment of CENVAT credit by the GTA service provider.

7.3 The above exemptions shall come into effect from 1st March, 2008.

8. PENALTY

8.1 Penalty for delayed payment of service tax is levied under section 76. Penalty under section 78 is levied for failure to pay service tax on account of fraud, misdeclaration etc. Section 78 is being amended so as to provide that penalty for failure to pay service tax under section 76 shall not apply where penalty is leviable under section 78.

8.2 Section 77 is being amended so as to provide specific penalty for specific contraventions.

9. OTHER AMENDMENTS IN THE ACT:

9.1 Replacement of “client” or “customer” with “any person”: In number of taxable services, recipient of service is specified as “client” or “customer”. Service tax is levied on services. Ordinarily, the status of recipient of service should not determine the tax treatment of a given service. 39 specified taxable services are being amended so as to substitute “any person” in place of “client” or “customer”. This change will come into effect from a date to be notified after enactment of the Finance Bill, 2008.

9.2 Section 66 is being amended so as to include seven newly specified services in the list of taxable services. This change will come into effect from a date to be notified after enactment of the Finance Bill, 2008.

9.3 To facilitate small taxpayers in filing and furnishing income tax returns, a scheme known as Tax Return Preparers Scheme was announced by the Finance Minister in the Budget, 2006-07. In order to facilitate small service taxpayers in filing of service tax returns, a similar scheme is proposed in the Budget, 2008-09. Section 71 is being incorporated for this purpose.

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9.4 Section 72 is being incorporated to authorise Central Excise Officer to make assessment on the basis of best judgment in certain specified circumstances.

9.5 In order to settle disputes pending as on 01.03.2008 involving tax arrears (service tax, interest and penalty) not exceeding Rs.25,000/-, Service Tax Disputes Resolution Scheme is being introduced. The scheme is valid during 1st July, 2008 to 30th September, 2008.

9.6 Section 95 is being amended to empower the Central Government to issue orders for removal of difficulty in respect of implementing, classifying or assessing the value of any taxable service incorporated by the Finance Bill, 2008 upto one year from the date of enactment of the Finance Bill, 2008.

9.7 The changes mentioned above [except 9.1 and 9.2] will come into force from the date of enactment of the Finance Bill, 2008.

10. AMENDMENTS IN THE SERVICE TAX RULES, 1994:

10.1 PAYMENT OF SERVICE TAX IN ADVANCE: Assessee having centralized registration is allowed to pay service tax in advance. However, such facility is not available for other categories of taxable persons. It is proposed to extend the facility to pay service tax in advance to all taxable persons subject to the condition that the details of advance payment should be intimated to the jurisdictional Superintendent of Central Excise within 15 days of such payment. Service tax paid in advance is allowed to be adjusted against service tax liable to be paid for the subsequent period. It is sufficient to intimate the details of such adjustment in the periodical return to be filed. For this purpose, rule 6 (1A) is being incorporated.

10.2 Rule 6(4B)(iii) provides self-adjustment of excess amount of service tax paid in certain circumstances with a monetary limit of Rs.50,000/-. This rule is being amended to increase the said monetary limit from Rs.50,000/- to Rs.1,00,000/-

10.3 Rule 7B provides facility to file revised return to correct mistake or omission, within a period of 60 day from the date of submission of the return. This rule is being amended to increase the said time limit from 60 days to 90 days

10.4 Rule 7C empowers the Central Excise Officer to reduce or waive the penalty for delayed filing of return, where the gross amount of service tax payable is nil. (Notification No.4/2008-ST dated 01.03.2008).

10.5 The above changes will come into effect from 1st March, 2008.

15

11. AMENDMENTS IN CENVAT CREDIT RULES, 2004:

11.1 Service tax payable on GTA service shall be only on 25% of the gross amount charged as freight. GTA service providers shall not be allowed to avail input credit under Cenvat Credit Scheme. Rule 2(p) is being amended so as to exclude goods transport agency service from the scope of “output service”.

11.2 Rule 3 is being amended to allow removal of capital goods outside the premises of the provider of output service without any time restriction, if the same is for providing output service.

11.3 Rule 6 is being amended to provide the following options to a provider of output services, using common inputs or input services for providing taxable as well as exempted services and opting not to maintain separate accounts, namely:-

(i) either reverse the credit attributable (to be worked out in a manner prescribed in the rule) to the inputs and input services used for providing exempted service, or (ii) pay 8% amount of the value (to be determined in accordance with section 67 of the Finance Act, 1994) of the exempted service.

11.4 Rule 7A is being inserted to prescribe a procedure to enable the provider of output services to take credit on inputs and capital goods on the basis of an invoice, bill or challan issued by its other office.

11.5 Rule 15A is being inserted to provide for general penalty upto Rs.5,000/- in case of contravention of any of the provisions of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004, for which no specific penal provision exists. (notification No.10/2008-Central Excise (N.T.), dated 01.03.2008).

11.6 The changes mentioned in,- (i) 11.1 and 11.5 will come into effect from 1st March, 2008, and (ii) 11.2, 11.3 and 11.4 will come into effect from 1st April, 2008.

12. CROSS BORDER SERVICES RELATING TO TANGIBLE GOODS:

12.1 Information technology is used to provide services in relation to tangible goods located distantly. In such cases, the actual place of performance of the service is different from the actual location of the tangible goods (place of consumption of service).

12.2 The place of performance and the physical location of the goods are immaterial when both places are within a single taxing jurisdiction i.e. country of taxation. However, if these two places are in two different taxing jurisdictions, the

16

taxing jurisdiction shall be the place of actual location of the goods at the time of provision of service.

12.3 Rule 3(1)(ii) of the Export of Services Rules, 2005 and rule 3(ii) of Taxation of Services (Provided from Outside India and received in India) Rules, 2006 are being amended (Notification Nos.5/2008-ST and 6/2008-ST, both dated 01.03.2008) by inserting a proviso to determine the country of use or consumption of the taxable services provided. The proviso enables to determine the taxing jurisdiction based on the place of actual location of the tangible goods at the time of provision of service in the case of following three services:

(a) management, maintenance or repair, (b) technical testing and analysis, and (c) technical inspection and certification,

These services are also provided remotely through internet or any electronic network including a computer network, or any other means.

12.4 The above change shall come into effect from 1st March 2008.

13. WORKS CONTRACT (COMPOSITION SCHEME FOR PAYMENT

OF SERVICE TAX) RULES, 2007

13.1 Service tax payable for works contract service under the Works Contract (Composition Scheme for payment of Service Tax) Rules, 2007 is being increased from 2% to 4% of the total value of the works contract. Rule 3(1) of the said rules is being amended suitably (Notification No.7/2008-ST dated 01.03.2008).

13.2 The above change will come into effect from 1st March, 2008.

14. GENERAL:

14.1 Changes explained above are not exhaustive and are only for the purpose of providing guidance. Explanations are not to be treated as part of the statutory provisions and do not over ride them. The statutory provisions and the relevant notifications have to be read carefully for interpreting the law.

14.2 I would request you to kindly go through the Finance Bill, 2008, amendments in the Rules and notifications carefully and to bring to our notice at the earliest any omissions/errors that might have crept in. It is also felt desirable to have interactive sessions with the field officers and trade and industry associations for their views, comments and suggestions, if any.

17

14.3 A survey may be conducted to assess the potential service providers of the newly introduced services and their revenue potential. Reports to this effect may be sent to the undersigned by 15.03.2008, 31.03.2008 and 30.04.2008.

14.4 If there is any comments, suggestions, doubt or difficulty on any issue, you are kindly requested to bring it immediately to my notice or to the notice of,-

Shri Nishith Goyal, OSD (TRU) [Tel: (011) 2309 5590]; or

Shri K.Balamurugan, Deputy Secretary (TRU) [Tel: (011) 2309 2634]; or

Shri G.G. Pai, Under Secretary (TRU) [Tel: (011) 2309 5558]

Fax : (011) 2309 3037; E-mail: [email protected]

15. Copies of the Finance Minister’s speech, Notifications, Finance Bill, 2008, Explanatory Notes etc. are being forwarded. These are also available on the websites: www.indiabudget.nic.in and www.cbec.gov.in.

With regards, Yours sincerely,

( R. SEKAR )

To

All Chief Commissioners / Director Generals

All Commissioners of Service Tax

All Commissioners of Central Excise

EXPLANATORY NOTES - SERVICE TAX

The following changes are being proposed in the Finance Bill, 2008 [refer clause

85 of the Finance Bill, 2008].

(I) Section 65 is being amended to:

(A) specifically include and define the following services in the list of taxable services, namely:

(i) information technology software service, (ii) management of investment under Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP)

service,(iii) stock exchange service, (iv) recognised association or registered association commonly known as

commodity exchange service, (v) processing and clearinghouse service, (vi) supply of tangible goods for use service;(vii) internet telecommunication service. Consequently, reference to services

provided in relation to internet telephony, being covered as part of internet telecommunication service, shall be omitted.

(B) amend the following taxable services, consequent upon levy of service tax on information technology software service, namely:-

(i) Business auxiliary service [section 65(19)], so as to omit the reference to exclusion of information technology service;

(ii) Consulting engineer service [section 65(105)(g)], so as to omit the exclusion of computer software engineering consultancy and provide that services provided by a consulting engineer in relation to advice, consultancy or technical assistance in the disciplines of both computer hardware engineering and computer software engineering shall also be classifiable under this service;

(iii) Technical testing and analysis service [section 65(106)] so as to specifically include testing or analysis of information technology software;

(iv) Technical inspection and certification service [section 65(108)] so as to specifically include inspection, examination and certification of information technology software;

(C) specify or expand, as the case may be, the scope of the existing taxable services as follows:

(i) Banking and other financial services [section 65(12)] so as to levy service tax on purchase or sale of foreign currency, including money changing by an authorized dealer and authorized money changer;

(ii) Foreign exchange broker services provided by individual [section 65(105)(zzk)] so as to levy service tax on purchase or sale of foreign currency, including money changing by an authorized dealer and authorized money changer;

(iii) Business auxiliary service [section 65(19)] so as to clarify as a removal of doubt, that “service in relation to promotion or marketing of service provided by the client” includes any service provided in relation to promotion or marketing of games of chance, organized, conducted or promoted by the client;

(iv) Cargo handling service [section 65(23)] so as to specifically include services of packing together with transportation of cargo or goods, with or without one or more other services like loading, unloading, unpacking;

(v) Tour operator’s service [section 65(115)] so as to include any person engaged in the business of operating tours in a contract carriage and to provide that “tour” does not include a journey organized or arranged for use by an educational body imparting skill or knowledge or lessons on any subject or field, other than a commercial training or coaching centre;

(vi) Renting of immovable property so as to clarify as a removal of doubt, that renting of immovable property service includes allowing or permitting the use of space in an immovable property, irrespective of the transfer of possession or control of the immovable property;

(D) define the following terms in relation to respective taxable services, namely: (i) associated enterprise,(ii) information technology software, (iii) internet telecommunication service, (iv) processing and clearinghouse;

(E) substitute the words “client” and “customer” with the words “any person” in respect of 39 specified taxable services;

(II) Section 66 pertaining to “Charge of service tax” is being amended to include the

services which are individually specified as taxable services in this year’s Finance

Bill

All the above mentioned amendments in section 65 and section 66 will come into effect from a date to be notified after the enactment of the Finance Bill, 2008.

(III) Exemptions from service tax:

(1) The annual threshold limit of service tax exemption for small service providers has been increased from the present level of Rs.8 lakh to Rs.10 lakh with effect from

01.04.2008, provided that the aggregate value of taxable services rendered by such provider of taxable service from one or more premises, does not exceed Rs.10 lakh in the preceding financial year.

[refer notification No. 8/2008-Service Tax, dated 01.03.2008]

Consequent upon increase in threshold limit of exemption from Rs.8 lakh to Rs.10 lakh, notification No.26/2005-Service Tax dated 07.06.05 and notification No.27/2005-Service Tax dated 07.06.05 have been amended to raise the limit for obtaining service tax registration from Rs.7 lakh to Rs.9 lakh.

[refer notification No. 9/2008-Service Tax,

No. 10/2008-Service Tax, andNo.11/2008-Service Tax, all dated 01.03.2008]

These changes will come into effect from 1st April, 2008.

(2) Exemption from service tax is being provided to the taxable service provided by a person, located outside India, in relation to booking of an accommodation for a customer, located outside India, in a hotel located in India.

[refer notification No. 14/2008-Service Tax, dated 01.03.2008]

(3) Exemption from service tax is being provided to the extent of 75% of the gross amount charged as freight for services provided by a goods transport agency (GTA) in relation to transport of goods by road in a goods carriage, unconditionally. Consequently,-

(i) GTA service [section 65(105)(zzp)] is being excluded from the scope of output service under rule 2(p) of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004, and

(ii) the entry at Sr.No.6 pertaining to abatement of 75% to GTA service in notification No.1/2006-ST, dated 01.03.06 is being omitted;

[refer notification No. 13/2008-Service Tax,

No. 10/2008-Central Excise (N.T.) and No. 12/2008-Service Tax, all dated 01.03.2008]

The exemptions mentioned above [except (1)] will come into effect from 1st March, 2008.

(IV) Other Changes in the Finance Act, 1994:

(1) Section 66 is being amended to include the individually specified services [This change will come into effect from a date to be notified after enactment of the Finance Bill, 2008];

(2) Section 67 is being amended to provide that “gross amount charged” shall include any amount credited or debited, as the case may be, to any account, whether called “Suspense account” or by any other name, in the books of account of a person liable to pay service tax, where the transaction of taxable service is with any associated enterprise;

(3) Section 71 is being inserted so as to empower the Board to frame a Scheme by notification in the Official Gazette to enable preparation and filing of service tax returns through a person or class of person known as Service Tax Return Preparer authorized to act for the said purpose;

(4) Section 72 is being inserted so as to authorize the Central Excise Officer to make assessment on the basis of best judgment after allowing assessee to represent his case where assessee has failed to make service tax returns or assess the tax;

(6) Section 77 is being substituted so as to provide specific penalty for specific contraventions;

(7) Section 78 is being amended to provide that in case where penalty for suppressing value of taxable service under section 78 is imposed, penalty for failure to pay service tax under section 76 shall not apply;

(8) Section 86(2) is being amended to provide that in case the Committee of Chief Commissioners of Central Excise differs in its opinion regarding the legality and propriety of the order of the Commissioner of Central Excise, it shall refer the matter to the Board;

(9) Section 86(2A) is being amended to provide that in case the Committee of Commissioners differs in its opinion regarding the legality and propriety of the order of the Commissioner (Appeals), it shall refer the matter to the jurisdictional Chief Commissioner;

(10) Section 94 is being amended to provide that the rules for framing the Scheme for filing service tax returns through a Service Tax Return Preparer shall be laid before each House of Parliament;

(11) Section 95 is being amended to empower the Central Government to issue orders for removal of difficulty in respect of implementing, classifying or assessing the value of any taxable service incorporated by the Finance Bill, 2008 upto one year from the date of enactment of the Finance Bill, 2008.

The changes mentioned above [except (1)] will come into force from the date of enactment of the Finance Bill, 2008.

(V) A Scheme for resolution of disputes relating to Service Tax arrears pending as

on 01.03.2008 and involving amount not exceeding Rs.25,000, to be called the

Service Tax Dispute Resolution Scheme, 2008 is being introduced. The Scheme is

valid during 1st July, 2008 to 30

th September, 2008.

[refer Chapter VI of the Finance Bill, 2008]

(VI) Changes in the Service Tax Rules, 1994:

(1) Rule 6 is being amended to insert sub-rule (1A) to extend the facility to pay service

tax in advance to all taxable persons. Service tax paid in advance is allowed to be self-adjusted

towards service tax liable to be paid for the subsequent period;

(2) Rule 6(4B)(iii) is being amended to allow self-adjustment of excess service tax paid upto Rs.1 lakh for a relevant month or quarter, as the case may be, instead of the earlier limit of Rs.50,000;

(3) Rule 7B is being amended to allow an assessee to rectify mistakes and file revised return within 90 days, instead of the earlier limit of 60 days, from the due date for filing of original return;

(4) Rule 7C is being amended to empower the Central Excise Officer to reduce or waive the penalty for delayed filing of return, where the gross amount of service tax payable is nil.

[refer notification No.4/2008-Service Tax, dated 01.03.2008]

The above changes will come into effect from 1st March 2008.

(VII) Changes in the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004:

(1) Rule 2(p) is being amended to exclude from the scope of “output service”, the taxable service provided by a goods transport agency in relation to transport of goods by road in a goods carriage, referred to in sub-clause (zzp) of clause (105) of section 65 of the Finance Act, 1994;

(2) Rule 3 is being amended to allow capital goods outside the premises of the provider of output service without any time restriction, if the same is for providing output service;

(3) Rule 6 is being amended to provide the following options to a provider of output services, using common inputs or input services for providing taxable as well as exempted services and opting not to maintain separate accounts, namely:-

(i) either reverse the credit attributable (to be worked out in a manner prescribed in the rule) to the inputs and input services used for providing exempted service, or(ii) pay 8% amount of the value (to be determined in accordance with section 67 of the Finance Act, 1994) of the exempted service;

(4) Rule 7A is being inserted to prescribe a procedure to enable the provider of output services to take credit on inputs and capital goods on the basis of an invoice, bill or challan issued by its other office;

(5) Rule 15A is being inserted to provide for general penalty upto Rs.5,000/- in case of contravention of any of the provisions of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004, for which no specific penal provision exists.

[refer notification No.10/2008-Central Excise (N.T.), dated 01.03.2008]

The changes mentioned in,- (i) (1) and (5) will come into effect from 1st March, 2008, and (ii) (2), (3) and (4) will come into effect from 1st April, 2008.

(VIII) Change in the Export of Services Rules, 2005:

Rule 3(1)(ii) is being amended to provide that where the taxable services referred to in sub-clauses (zzg), (zzh) and (zzi) of section 65(105), are provided remotely through internet or an electronic network including a computer network or any other means in relation to any goods or material or any immovable property, as the case may be, situated outside India at the time of provision of service, then such taxable service, whether or not partly performed in India, shall be treated as performed outside India and treated as export of service.

[refer notification No. 5/2008-Service Tax, dated 01.03.2008].

The above change will come into effect from 1st March 2008.

(IX) Change in the Taxation of Services (Provided from Outside India and Received

in India) Rules, 2006:

Rule 3(ii) is being amended to provide that where the taxable services referred to in sub-clauses (zzg), (zzh) and (zzi) of section 65(105), are provided remotely through internet or an electronic network including a computer network or any other means in relation to any goods or material or any immovable property, as the case may be, situated in India at the time of provision of service, then such taxable service, whether or not partly performed outside India, shall be treated as performed in India and leviable to service tax under reverse charge method.



(X) Change in the Works Contract (Composition Scheme for Payment of Service

Tax) Rules, 2007:

Rule 3(1) is being amended to enhance the rate prescribed for optional scheme for payment of service tax for works contract service from the present rate of 2% of the total value of the contract to 4% of the total value of the contract.



(XI) Service Tax (Publication of Names) Rules, 2008:

Service Tax (Publication of Names) Rules, 2008 have been notified so as to prescribe rules for publication of names and particulars of specified persons who have intentionally evaded or failed to pay service tax.


The said rules will come into effect from 1st March 2008.

TO BE PUBLISHED IN PART II SECTION 3 SUB-SECTION (i) OF THE GAZETTE OF

INDIA, EXTRAORDINARY DATED THE 1ST MARCH, 2008

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(Department of Revenue)

New Delhi the 1st March, 2008

Notification

No. 4/2008-Service Tax

G.S.R. (E). In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 94 of the

Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules

further to amend the Service Tax Rules, 1994, namely :-

1. (1) These rules may be called the Service Tax (Amendment) Rules, 2008.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. In the Service Tax Rules, 1994 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), in rule 6,-

(a) after sub-rule (1), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely:-

“(1A) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-rule (1), every person liable

to pay service tax, may, on his own volition, pay an amount as service tax in advance, to

the credit of the Central Government and adjust the amount so paid against the service tax

which he is liable to pay for the subsequent period:

Provided that the assessee shall,-

(i) intimate the details of the amount of service tax paid in advance, to the

jurisdictional Superintendent of Central Excise within a period of fifteen days from

the date of such payment; and

(ii) indicate the details of the advance payment made, and its adjustment, if any in

the subsequent return to be filed under section 70 of the Act.”;

(b) in sub-rule (4B), in clause (iii), for the words “rupees fifty thousand”, the words “one

lakh rupees” shall be substituted.

3. In rule 7B of the said rules, for the words “sixty days”, the words “ninety days” shall be

substituted.

4. In rule 7C of the said rules, after the second proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted,

namely:-

“Provided also that where the gross amount of service tax payable is nil, the Central Excise

officer may, on being satisfied that there is sufficient reason for not filing the return, reduce or

waive the penalty.”.

(Unmesh Wagh)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

[F. No. 334/1/2008-TRU]

Note:- The principal rules were notified vide notification No.2/94-Service Tax, dated the 28th

June, 1994 and published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary vide number G.S.R.546 (E),

dated the 28th June, 1994 and were last amended vide notification No. 45/2007-Service Tax,

dated the 28th December, 2007 and published vide number G.S.R. 791 (E), dated the 28th

December, 2007.

Notification New Delhi, the 1st March, 2008No. 5/2008-Service Tax 11 Phalguna, 1929 (Saka)

G.S.R. (E).–In exercise of the powers conferred by sections 93 and 94 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Export of Services Rules, 2005, namely :-

1. (1) These rules may be called the Export of Services (Amendment) Rules, 2008. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. In the Export of Services Rules, 2005, in rule 3, in sub-rule (1), in clause (ii), after the proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-

“Provided further that where the taxable services referred to in sub-clauses (zzg), (zzh) and (zzi) of clause (105) of section 65 of the Act, are provided in relation to any goods or material or any immovable property, as the case may be, situated outside India at the time of provision of service, through internet or an electronic network including a computer network or any other means, then such taxable service, whether or not performed outside India, shall be treated as the taxable service performed outside India;”.

(Unmesh Wagh) Under Secretary to the Government of India

[F. No. 334/1/2008-TRU]

Note:– The principal rules were notified vide notification no. 9/2005-Service Tax, dated the 3rd March 2005 and published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary vide number G.S.R. 151(E), dated the 3rd March 2005 and were last amended vide notification No. 30/2007-Service Tax, dated the 22nd May, 2007 vide number G.S.R. 376(E), dated the 22nd May, 2007.


G.S.R. (E).– In exercise of the powers conferred by sections 93 and 94, read with section 66A of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Taxation of Services (Provided from Outside India and Received in India) Rules, 2006, namely :-

1. (1) These rules may be called the Taxation of Services (Provided from Outside India and Received in India) (Amendment) Rules, 2008. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. In the Taxation of Services (Provided from Outside India and Received in India) Rules, 2006, in rule 3, in clause (ii), after the proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:–

“Provided further that where the taxable services referred to in sub-clauses (zzg), (zzh) and (zzi) of clause (105) of section 65 of the Act, are provided in relation to any goods or material or any immovable property, as the case may be, situated in India at the time of provision of service, through internet or an electronic network including a computer network or any other means, then such taxable service, whether or not performed in India, shall be treated as the taxable service performed in India;”.


[F. No. 334/1/2008-TRU]

Note:– The principal rules were notified vide notification no. 11/2006-Service Tax, dated the 19th April, 2006 and published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary vide number G.S.R. 227(E), dated the 19th April, 2006 and were last amended vide notification No. 31/2007-Service Tax, dated the 22nd May, 2007 vide number G.S.R. 377(E), dated the 22nd May, 2007.


G.S.R. (E).–In exercise of the powers conferred by sections 93 and 94 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules to amend the Works Contract (Composition Scheme for Payment of Service Tax) Rules, 2007, namely:-

1. (1) These rules may be called the Works Contract (Composition Scheme for Payment of Service Tax) (Amendment) Rules, 2008. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. In the Works Contract (Composition Scheme for Payment of Service Tax) Rules, 2007, in rule 3, in sub-rule (1), for the words “two per cent.”, the words “four per cent.” shall be substituted.


[F. No. 334/1/2008-TRU]

Note:– The principal rules were notified vide notification No. 32/2007-Service Tax, dated the 22nd May, 2007 and published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary vide number G.S.R. 378(E), dated the 22nd May, 2007.


G.S.R. (E).–In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 93 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994), the Central Government, on being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby makes the following further amendment in the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), No. 6/2005-Service Tax, dated the 1st March, 2005 which was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, vide number G.S.R. 140(E) of the same date, namely:-

In the said notification, for the words “eight lakh rupees”, wherever they occur, the words “ten lakh rupees” shall be substituted.

2. This notification shall come into force on the 1st day of April, 2008.


[F. No. 334/1/2008-TRU]

Note:– The principal notification No. 6/2005-Service Tax, dated the 1st March, 2005 was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, vide number G.S.R. 140(E), dated the 1st March, 2005 and was last amended vide notification No. 4/2007-Service Tax, dated the 1st March, 2007 vide number G.S.R. 158(E), dated the 1st March, 2007.


G.S.R. (E).–In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 69 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994), the Central Government hereby makes the following further amendment in the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), No. 26/2005-Service Tax, dated the 7th June, 2005 which was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, vide number G.S.R. 368(E) of the same date, namely:-

In the said notification, in paragraph 1, in sub-paragraph (ii), for the words “seven lakh rupees”, the words “nine lakh rupees” shall be substituted.



[F. No. 334/1/2008-TRU]

Note:– The principal notification No. 26/2005-Service Tax, dated the 7th June, 2005 was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, vide number G.S.R. 368(E), dated the 7th June, 2005 and was last amended vide notification No. 5/2007-Service Tax, dated the 1st March, 2007 vide number G.S.R. 159(E), dated the 1st March, 2007.


G.S.R. (E).–In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 94 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Service Tax (Registration of Special Category of Persons) Rules, 2005, namely:-

1. (1) These rules may be called the Service Tax (Registration of Special Category of Persons) (Amendment) Rules, 2008. (2) They shall come into force on the 1st day of April, 2008.

2. In the Service Tax (Registration of Special Category of Persons) Rules, 2005, in rule 3, in sub-rule (2), for the words “seven lakh rupees” occurring at both the places, the words “nine lakh rupees” shall be substituted.


[F. No. 334/1/2008-TRU]

Note:– The principal rules were notified vide notification No. 27/2005-Service Tax, dated the 7th June, 2005 and published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, vide number G.S.R. 369(E), dated the 7th June, 2005 and were last amended vide notification No. 6/2007-Service Tax, dated the 1st March, 2007 vide number G.S.R. 160(E), dated the 1st March, 2007.


G.S.R. (E).–In exercise of the powers conferred by rule 3 of the Service Tax (Registration of Special Category of Persons) Rules, 2005, the Central Board of Excise and Customs hereby makes the following further amendment in the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), No. 32/2005-Service Tax, dated the 20th October, 2005 which was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, vide number G.S.R. 640(E) of the same date, namely:-

In the said notification, in Form ST – 1, in serial number 4, in category (b)(ii), for the words “seven lakh rupees”, the words “nine lakh rupees” shall be substituted.



[F. No. 334/1/2008-TRU]

Note:– The principal notification No. 32/2005-Service Tax, dated the 20th October, 2005 was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, vide number G.S.R. 640(E), dated the 7th June, 2005 and was last amended vide notification No. 7/2007-Service Tax, dated the 1st March, 2007 vide number G.S.R. 161(E), dated the 1st March, 2007.


G.S.R. (E).–In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 93 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994), the Central Government, on being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby makes the following further amendment in the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), No. 1/2006-Service Tax, dated the 1st

March, 2006, G.S.R. 115 (E), dated the 1st March, 2006, namely:–

In the said notification, in the Table, S.No.6 and the entries relating thereto shall be omitted.


[F. No. 334/1/2008-TRU]

Note:– The principal notification No. 1/2006-Service Tax, dated the 1st March, 2006, was published vide number G.S.R. 115(E), dated the 1st March, 2006 and was last amended by notification No. 38/2007-Service Tax, dated the 23rd August, 2007, vide number G.S.R. 565(E), dated the 23rd August, 2007.


G.S.R. (E).–In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 93 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994) (hereinafter referred to as the Finance Act), the Central Government, on being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby exempts the taxable service provided by a goods transport agency to any person in relation to transport of goods by road in a goods carriage, referred to in sub-clause (zzp) of clause (105) of section 65 of the Finance Act, from so much of the service tax leviable thereon under section 66 of the Finance Act, as is in excess of the amount of service tax calculated on a value equivalent to twenty five per cent. of the gross amount charged by the goods transport agency for providing the said taxable service.

2. This notification shall come into force on the 1st day of March, 2008.


[F. No. 334/1/2008-TRU]

Notification New Delhi, the 1st March, 2008

No. 14/2008-Service Tax 11 Phalguna, 1929 (Saka)

G.S.R. (E). In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 93 of the

Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994) (hereinafter referred to as the Finance Act), the Central

Government, on being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby exempts

the taxable service provided by a person, having his place of business, fixed establishment,

permanent address or usual place of residence, in a country other than India, and which is

received by a hotel located in India, in relation to booking of an accommodation in the said hotel,

for a customer, who has his place of business, fixed establishment, permanent address or usual

place of residence, in a country other than India, from the whole of the service tax leviable

thereon under section 66 read with section 66A of the Finance Act.

2. This notification shall come into force on the 1st day of March, 2008.

Explanation.– The expression “hotel” means a place that provides boarding and lodging facilities

to public on commercial basis.

(Unmesh Wagh)


[F. No. 334/1/2008-TRU]

Notification New Delhi, the 1st March, 2008

No. 15/2008-Service Tax 11 Phalguna, 1929 (Saka)

G. S. R. (E). In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 94 read

with section 73D of the Finance Act 1994, (32 of 1994), the Central Government hereby makes

the following rules, namely:-

1. Short title and commencement.- (1) These rules may be called the Service Tax (Publication

of Names) Rules, 2008;

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Definitions.-(1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) “Chapter” means the Chapter V of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994);

(b) “section” means a section of the Chapter.

(2) All other words and expressions used herein shall have the meaning assigned to them under

the Chapter or rules made thereunder and if such words and expressions are not defined in the

Chapter but defined in the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944) or the rules made thereunder,

they shall have the meaning assigned to them in that Act or the rules made thereunder.

3. Publication of names and other particulars.- Subject to the provisions of these rules, the

Central Government may cause to be published in the Official Gazette, print media, electronic

media or by any other means, the names and particulars of the following persons, namely:-

(a) persons, who have been adjudged under the provisions of the Chapter, to have contravened

any of the provisions of the Chapter or the rules made thereunder, with intent to evade payment

of service tax;

(b) persons who have been adjudged to pay but has not paid any amount, payable under the

provisions of section 73A of the Chapter:

Provided that nothing contained in this rule shall apply until the time for presenting an appeal

to the Commissioner (Appeals), under section 85, or the Appellate Tribunal, under section 86,

as the case may be, has expired without any appeal having been presented or the appeal, if

presented, has been disposed of.

Explanation.- For removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that in case the person is a firm,

company or other association of persons, the names of the partners of the firm, directors,

managing agents, secretaries, treasurers or manager of the company, or any member of

association, as the case may be, may also be published if, in the opinion of the Central

Government, circumstances of the case justify it.

4. Initiation of action and publication.-(1) If the Commissioner of Central Excise, having

jurisdiction over such person, is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient in the public interest to

publish the names and any other particulars as he deems fit, he shall after due verification of the

facts, and the circumstances of the case, forward a proposal in the Annexure appended to these

rules for such publication to the jurisdictional Chief Commissioner.

(2) The jurisdictional Chief Commissioner, on receipt of proposal referred to in sub-rule (1), shall

within fifteen days from the receipt of such proposal, examine it and if he is satisfied that

circumstance of the case justify such publication, may make a recommendation to the Board

accordingly.

(3) On receipt of the recommendation by the Board, or on its own, the Central Government,

may cause publication of the name and other particulars in a manner as specified in rule 3.

ANNEXURE

Proforma for forwarding the proposal for publishing of names and other details

1. Name and address of the assessee/person:

2. STC No./Registration No.(if any):

3. Constitution of assessee:

(Proprietorship/partnership/Private Ltd /Public Ltd/Registered Trust/ Society/Other

(specify))

4. Commissionerate:

5. Division:

6. Details of offence committed:

7. Amount involved (service tax/interest/penalty/ amount u/s 73A are to be shown

separately):

8. Adjudication details:

9. Whether appeal period has expired with any appeal having been filed/ appeal filed has

been disposed of: (in case of the latter, particulars of the order-in- appeal)

10. Reasons for proposing publication of name and other particulars.

11. Name, address and other details proposed for publication;

12. Involvement of person/assessee whose name and other details are to be published:

13. Details of previous offences, if any:

14. Comments, if any:

Date: Signatures of Commissioner of Central Excise/Service Tax

(With name and official seal)

Comments and Recommendations by the Chief Commissioner

Date: Signatures of Chief Commissioner of Central Excise/Service Tax

(With name and official seal)

(Unmesh Wagh)


[F.No. 334/1/2008-TRU]

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