Restoration of service specific accounting codes for payment of service tax

Restoration of service specific accounting codes for payment of service tax Service Tax Circular No.165/16/2012 -ST, F.No.341/21/2012-TRU dated New Delhi, 20th November, 2012

Subject: Restoration of service specific accounting codes for payment of service tax – regarding.

Negative List based comprehensive approach to taxation of services came into effect from the first day of July, 2012. Accounting code for the purpose of payment of service tax under the Negative List approach [“All Taxable Services” – 00441089] was prescribed vide Circular 161/12/2012 dated 6th July, 2012.

2.         Subsequent to the issuance of the Circular, suggestions were received from the field formations that the service specific old accounting codes should be restored, for the purpose of statistical analysis; also it was suggested that list of descriptions of services should be provided to the taxpayers for obtaining registration. These suggestions were examined and a decision has been taken to restore the service specific accounting codes. Accordingly, a list of 120 descriptions of services for the purpose of registration and accounting codes corresponding to each description of service for payment of tax is provided in the annexure to this Circular.

3.         Descriptions of taxable services given in the annexure are solely for the purpose of statistical analysis. On the advice of the office of the C & AG, a specific sub-head has been created for payment of “penalty” under various descriptions of services. Henceforth, the sub-head “other receipts” is meant only for payment of interest payable on delayed payment of service tax. Accounting Codes under the sub-head “deduct refunds” is not to be used by the taxpayers, as it is meant for use by the field formations while allowing refund of tax.

4.         Registrations obtained under the positive list approach continue to be valid. New taxpayers can obtain registrations by selecting the relevant description/s from among the list of 120 descriptions of services given in the Annexure. Where registrations have been obtained under the description ‘All Taxable Services’, the taxpayer should file amendment application online in ACES and opt for relevant description/s from the list of 120 descriptions of services given in the Annexure. If any applications for amendment of ST-1 are pending with field formations, seeking the description ‘all taxable services’, such amendment may not be necessary and the officers in the field formations may provide necessary guidance to the taxpayers in this regard. Directorate General of Systems will be making necessary arrangements for display of the list of 120 descriptions of services and their corresponding Accounting Codes in Form ST-1 and Form ST-2 as may be necessary.

5.         Officers in the field formations are instructed to extend necessary guidance to the tax payers regarding the selection of appropriate description of taxable service and facilitate the payment of service tax/cess due under the appropriate accounting code. Trade Notice/Public Notice may be issued to the field formations and tax payers. Please acknowledge receipt of this Circular. Hindi version follows.

Circular No. 162/13 /2012 –ST

Circular No. 162/13 /2012 –ST

F. No. 354/111/2012-TRU

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Excise and Customs

(Tax Research Unit)

Room No 146, North Block, New Delhi-1,

Dated the 6th July 2012.

To

Chief Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise (All)

Chief Commissioner of Central Excise & Service Tax (All)

Director General of Service Tax

Director General of Central Excise Intelligence

Director General of Audit

Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise (All)

Commissioner of Central Excise and Service Tax (All)

Commissioner of Service Tax (All)

Madam/Sir,

Subject:  Clarification on Point of Taxation Rules – regarding.

Consequent to the changes introduced at the time of Budget 2012 in the Point of Taxation Rules, 2011, together with revision of the service tax rate from 10% to 12% and the subsequent changes that have been made effective from 01.07.2012, the following clarifications have been desired:

(a)           Point of taxation and the rate applicable in respect of continuous supply of services at the time of change in rates effective from 01.04.2012;

(b)           Applicability of the revised  rule 2A of the Service Tax (Determination of Value) Rules, 2006 to ongoing works contracts for determination of value when the value was being determined under the erstwhile Works Contract (Composition Scheme for Payment of Service Tax) Rules, 2007; and

(c)           Applicability of partial reverse charge provisions in respect of specified services.

2.1        The issues have been examined.  The continuous supply of services was governed by rule 6 until 31.03.2012.  The rule started with the wordings “notwithstanding anything contained in rules 3, 4 …” Therefore, the point of taxation in respect of services provided in terms of the said rule on or before 31.03.2012 would remain unaffected by rule 4.

2.2        To clarify the matter further, if the invoice had been issued or payment received in respect of such services on or before 31.03.2012, the point of taxation would stand determined under rule 6 accordingly and shall not alter due to the subsequent changes in the Point of Taxation Rules, 2011 that became effective only from 1.4.2012.

3.1        However the position has undergone a change at the time of transition towards the Negative List and the introduction of other accompanying changes in Service Tax (Determination of Value) Rules, 2006 and partial reverse charge.  At the said time rule 6 stood omitted and the point of taxation was required to be determined ordinarily in such cases under the main rule i.e. rule 3.   This rule is, however, overridden by rule 4 when there is a change in effective rate of tax.  The “change in effective rate of tax” has been defined in clause (ba) of rule 2 to include a change in the portion of value on which tax is payable.

3.2        To illustrate, the following would be changes in effective rate of tax:-

(i)         the change in the portion of total value liable to tax in respect of works contract other than original works (from @ 4.8% earlier to @ 12% on 60% of the total amount charged, or effectively @ 7.2% now).

(ii)         exemption granted to certain works contracts w.e.f. 1st July 2012 which were earlier taxable.

(iii)        taxability of certain works contracts which were hitherto exempted.

(iv)        change in the manner of payment of tax from composition scheme under the Works Contract (Composition Scheme for Payment of Service Tax) Rules, 2007 to payment on actual value under clause (i) of rule 2A of the Service Tax (Determination of Value) Rules, 2006.

3.3        However, the following will not be a change in effective rate of tax:-

(i)         works contracts earlier paying service tax @ 4.8% under Works Contract (Composition Scheme for Payment of Service Tax) Rules, 2007 and now required to pay service tax @12% on 40% of the total amount charged, keeping the effective rate again at 4.8% (as only the manner of expression has been altered).

(ii)         works contracts which were outside the scope of taxation (and not merely exempted) but have become now taxable e.g. construction of residential complex comprising of  2 to 12 residential units,  construction of buildings meant for use by NGOs etc. (Rule 5 of the Point of Taxation Rules, 2011 shall apply to such services.)

3.4        Thus the point of taxation for services provided in respect of taxable works contracts in progress on 01.07.2012 would need to be determined under rule 4 of the Point of Taxation Rules unless there is no change in effective rate of tax.

4.         It is further clarified that the provisions of partial reverse charge would also be applicable in respect of such services where point of taxation is on or after 01.07.2012 under the applicable rule in respect of the service provider.

5.         This Circular may be communicated to the field formations and service tax assessees, through Public Notice/ Trade Notice. Hindi version to follow.

 

 Yours faithfully,

(Dr. Shobhit Jain)

O.S.D. (TRU)

Fax: 23093037

Circular No. 160/11/2012-ST

Circular No. 160/11/2012-ST

F.No.334/1/2012-TRU

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Excise & Customs

(Tax Research Unit)

Room No. 153, North Block,

New Delhi, 29th June, 2012.

To

Chief Commissioners of Customs and Central Excise (All)

Chief Commissioners of Central Excise & Service Tax (All)

Directors General of Service Tax/Central Excise Intelligence/Audit

Commissioners of Central Excise & Service Tax (All)

Commissioners of Service Tax (All)

Commissioners of Customs and Central Excise (All)

Madam/Sir,

Subject: Applicability of provisions of the Finance Act, 2004 relating to education cess and the Finance Act, 2007 relating to secondary and higher education cess– regarding.

Circular No.161/12/2012 -ST

Circular No.161/12/2012 -ST

F.No.341/21/2012-TRU

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Excise & Customs

Tax Research Unit

153, North Block,

New Delhi, 6th July, 2012

To

Chief Commissioners of Customs and Central Excise (All),

Chief Commissioners of Central Excise & Service Tax (All),

Director General (Service Tax), Director General(Systems), Director General (Central Excise Intelligence),  Director General (Audit),

Commissioners of Service Tax (All),

Commissioners of Central Excise (All) &

Commissioners of Central Excise and Customs (All).

Madam/Sir,

Subject:  Accounting Code for payment of service tax under the Negative List approach to taxation of services, with effect from the first day of July 2012 – regarding.

Negative List based comprehensive approach to taxation of services came into effect from the first day of July, 2012. For payment of service tax under the new approach, a new Minor Head – ‘All taxable Services’ has been allotted under the Major Head “0044-Service Tax”.

 

2.  Accounting codes for the purpose of payment of service tax under the Negative List approach, with effect from 1st July, 2012 is as follows:

 

Name of Services

Accounting codes

Tax collection Other Receipts Penalties Deduct refunds
All Taxable Services 00441089 00441090 00441093 00441094

 

NOTE: (i) service specific accounting codes will  also continue to operate, side by side, for accounting of service tax  pertaining to the past period (meaning, for the period prior to 1st July, 2012); (ii) Primary Education Cess on all taxable services will be booked under 00440298 and Secondary and Higher Education Cess on all taxable services will be booked under 00440426; (iii) a new sub-head has been created for payment of “penalty”; the sub-head “other receipts” is meant only for payment of interest etc. leviable on delayed payment of service tax; (iv) the sub-head “deduct refunds” is not to be used by the assessees, as it is meant for use by the Revenue/Commissionerates while allowing refund of tax.

3. Trade Notice/Public Notice may be issued to the field formations and tax payers. Please acknowledge the receipt of this Circular. Hindi version follows.

(S. Jayaprahasam)

Technical Officer

Tel: 011-23092037

Circular No. 164/15/2012-ST

Circular No. 164/15/2012-ST

F. No. 356/17 /2012 – TRU

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Excise & Customs

(Tax Research Unit)

153, North Block,

New Delhi, 28th August, 2012

To

Chief Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise / Central Excise & Service Tax (All)

Director General of Service Tax /Central Excise Intelligence /Audit;

Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise/ Central Excise and Service Tax/ Service Tax (All)

Madam/Sir,

Subject:  service tax – vocational education/training course — regarding.

Clarification has been sought in respect of levy of service tax on certain vocational education/training/ skill development courses (VEC) offered by the Government (Central Government or State Government) or local authority themselves or by an entity independently established by the Government under the law, as a society or any other similar body.

2.         The issue has been examined. When a VEC is offered by an institution of the Government or a local authority, question of service tax does not arise. In terms of section 66D (a), only specified services provided by the Government are liable to tax and VEC is excluded from the service tax.

3.         When the VEC is offered by an institution, as an independent entity in the form of society or any other similar body, service tax treatment is determinable by the application of either sub-clause (ii) or (iii) of clause (l) of section 66D of the Finance Act, 1994. Sub-clause (ii) refers to “qualification recognized by any law” and sub-clause (iii) refers to “approved VEC”. In the context of VEC, qualification implies a Certificate, Diploma, Degree or any other similar Certificate. The words “recognized by any law” will include such courses as are approved or recognized by any entity established under a central or state law including delegated legislation, for the purpose of granting recognition to any education course including a VEC.

4.         This Circular may be communicated to the field formations and service tax assessees, through Public Notice/Trade Notice. Hindi version to follow.

Yours faithfully,

(S.Jayaprahasam)

Technical Officer, TRU

Tel/Fax: 011-23092037

Circular No. 156/7 /2012-ST

Circular No. 156/7 /2012-ST

F.No.354/66/2011-TRU

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Excise & Customs

(Tax Research Unit)

153, North Block,

New Delhi, 9th April, 2012

To

Chief Commissioner of Customs/ Customs and Central Excise/ Central Excise & Service Tax (All), Director General of Service Tax /Central Excise Intelligence /Audit, Commissioner of Customs, Commissioner of Customs/Customs and Central Excise/ Central Excise and Service Tax/ Service Tax (All)

 

Madam/Sir,

Subject:   Service tax paid on taxable services used for export of goods at the post-manufacture stage — electronic refund through the Indian Customs EDI System — Notification 52/2011-ST – review — regarding.

 

A Committee has been constituted with Director General of Service Tax,  Smt. Sanghamitra Panda as Chairperson, to review the scheme for electronic refund of service tax paid on taxable services used for export of goods, made operational vide Notification 52/2011-ST dated 30th December, 2011.  Other members of the Committee are Commissioner of Service Tax, Mumbai-1, Shri. Sushil Solanki and Director, TRU, Shri. J. M. Kennedy.

2.         The Committee has been instructed, as a part of the review, to (a) evolve a scientific approach for the fixation of rates in the schedule of rates for service tax refund; and (b) propose a revised schedule of rates for service tax refund, taking into account the revision of rate of service tax from 10% to 12% and also movement towards ‘Negative List’ approach to taxation of services. The Committee may interact with/call for data from, the field formations, export promotion councils, chambers of commerce or any other business or industry association, as may be required. The Committee will submit its report to the Chairman, CBEC, before 20/06/2012. Views and suggestions may be posted at the e-mail address: [email protected]

3.         This Circular may be communicated to the field formations, exporters, chambers of commerce, export promotion councils, through Public Notice/Trade Notice. Hindi version to follow.

(Samar Nanda)

Under Secretary, TRU

Tel/Fax: 011-23092037

Circular No. 157/8 /2012-ST

Circular No. 157/8 /2012-ST

F.No.354/234/2011-TRU

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Excise & Customs

(Tax Research Unit)

153, North Block,

New Delhi, 27th April, 2012

To

Chief Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise / Central Excise & Service Tax (All)

Director General of Service Tax /Central Excise Intelligence /Audit; Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise/ Central Excise and Service Tax/ Service Tax (All)

Madam/Sir,

Subject:   Services provided by the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) /Board– regarding.

Representations have been received, seeking clarification regarding the levy of service tax on certain services provided by the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC)/Board, using the ‘market fee’, in the light of Notification No.14/2004-ST. The representations have been examined.

2.         APMCs are statutory bodies created with a view to regulate agricultural produce markets. APMCs charge market fee for issuing licenses to whole sale trader-cum-commission agent, wholesale traders, commission agent, mill / factory / cold storage owners or any other buyers of agricultural produce, for an agricultural year. The amount so collected by the APMC, from the licensees, is used for providing among other things facilities like roads, drinking water, weighing machines, storage places, street lights, etc. in the market area.  These services are not provided on one-to-one basis i.e. in consideration or as an obligation to the persons who have tendered the license fee. Some of these services may be capable of being used more conspicuously by the licensees but they do not form part of any contractual obligation to any of the licensees.

3.         Reportedly some field formations are inclined to take a view that services provided by the APMCs are in the nature of Business Support Service (BSS), and hence the exemption made available for BAS in relation to agriculture vide Notification No.14/2004-ST will not be applicable. As a consequence, service tax becomes leviable on the ‘market fee’ popularly known as ‘mandi shulk’, collected by the APMC.

4.         When examined with reference to its constitution and functions, the services provided by APMC out of the ‘market fee’ collected from the licensees, do not appropriately fall under the category of BSS.  The distinction between BSS and BAS is explained in the instructions dated 28.02.2006 issued from F.No.334/4/2006-TRU. In the light of the above instruction, the service provided by APMC out of the market fee is not in the nature of ‘outsourced service’.   It is not possible to hold that the licensees have outsourced the development and maintenance of agricultural market to the APMC, which could have been otherwise undertaken by them, solely in their business interest. Development and maintenance of agricultural market infrastructure undertaken by APMC in accordance with the statute, is for the benefit of all users, rather than an activity solely in the interest of licensees. Hence, APMC cannot be said to be rendering ‘business support service’ to the licensees. ‘Market fee’ is not in the nature of consideration for such BSS.

5.         As statutory bodies, APMCs provide basic facilities in the market area out of the ‘market fee’ collected from the licensees, mainly to facilitate the farmers, purchasers and others. APMCs provide a host of services to the licensees in relation to the procurement of agricultural produce, which are ‘inputs’ in terms of the definition given in section 65(19) of the Finance Act, 1994 itself. To that extent the meaning of ‘input’ is much wider in scope than the meaning assigned in rule 2(k) of Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004. Therefore, it is clarified that the services provided by the APMC are classifiable as BAS and hence covered by the exemption under Notification 14/2004-ST.

6.         However, any other service provided by the APMCs for a separate charge(other than ‘market fee’) to either the licensees or farmers or any other person, e.g. renting of shops in the market area, etc. would be liable to tax under the respective taxable heads. This Circular may be communicated to the field formations and service tax assessees, through Public Notice/Trade Notice.

(Samar Nanda)

Under Secretary, TRU

Tel/Fax: 011-23092037

Circular No. 158/9/ 2012 – ST

Circular No. 158/9/ 2012 – ST

F.No 354/69/2012- TRU

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Excise and Customs

Tax Research Unit

Room No 146, North Block, New Delhi

Dated : 8th May 2012

To

Chief Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise (All)

Chief Commissioner of Central Excise & Service Tax (All)

Director General of Service Tax

Director General of Central Excise Intelligence

Director General of Audit

Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise (All)

Commissioner of Central Excise and Service Tax (All)

Commissioner of Service Tax (All)

 

Madam/Sir,

 

Subject: – Clarification on Rate of Tax – regarding.

 

  1. The rate of service tax has been restored to 12% w.e.f. 1st April 2012.  Representations have been received requesting clarification on the rate of tax applicable wherein invoices were raised before 1st April 2012 and the payments shall be after 1st April 2012. Clarification has been requested in case of the 8 specified services provided by individuals or proprietary firms or partnership firms, to which Rule 7 of Point of Taxation Rules 2011 was applicable and services on which tax is paid under reverse charge.
  2. The rate of service tax prevalent on the date when the point of taxation occurs is rate of service tax applicable on any taxable service. In case of the 8 specified services and services wherein tax is required to be paid on reverse charge by the service receiver the point of taxation is the date of payment. Circular No 154/5/2012 – ST dated 28th March 2012 has also clarified the same. Thus in case of such 8 specified services provided by individuals or proprietary firms or partnership firms and in case of services wherein tax is required to be paid on reverse charge by the service receiver, if the payment is received or made, as the case maybe, on or after 1st April 2012, the service tax needs to be paid @12%.
  3. The invoices issued before 1st April 2012 may reflect the previous rate of tax (10% and cess). In case of need, supplementary invoices may be issued to reflect the new rate of tax (12% and cess) and recover the differential amount. In case of reverse charge the service receiver pays the tax and takes the credit on the basis of the tax payment challan. Cenvat credit can be availed on such supplementary invoices and tax payment challans, subject to other restrictions and conditions as provided in the Cenvat Credit Rules 2004.
  4. Trade Notice/Public Notice may be issued to the field formations accordingly.
  5. Please acknowledge the receipt of this circular. Hindi version to follow.

 

(Dr. Shobhit Jain)

OSD, TRU

Fax: 011-23093037

Circular No. 159/10/2012-ST

Circular No. 159/10/2012-ST

F.No.354/89/2012-TRU

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Excise & Customs

(Tax Research Unit)

Room No. 153, North Block,

New Delhi, 19th June, 2012.

To

 

Chief Commissioners of Customs and Central Excise (All)

Chief Commissioners of Central Excise & Service Tax (All)

Directors General of Service Tax/Central Excise Intelligence/Audit

Commissioners of Central Excise & Service Tax (All)

Commissioners of Service Tax (All)

Commissioners of Customs and Central Excise (All)

Madam/Sir,

 

Subject: Audit fees collected by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) – regarding.

            A doubt has been raised whether service tax is leviable on the audit fees collected by the CAG for conducting directly, audit of corporations.   Reportedly some field formations are inclined to take a view that such ‘audit fee’ collected by the CAG is leviable to service tax under the authority of the inclusive portion of the definition of “practicing chartered accountant” read with the relevant definition of the taxable service [Section 65(83) read with section 65(105)(s) of Finance Act, 1994].

2.         The issue has been examined.  The definition of the practicing chartered accountant in section 65(83) of Finance Act, 1994 reads as follows:

“practicing chartered accountant” means person who is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and is holding a certificate of practice granted under the provisions of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 (38 of 1949) and includes any concern engaged in rendering services in the field of chartered accountancy” [emphasis added].

3.         According to the Law Lexicon [by Shri P. Ramanatha Aiyar] the expression “concern” means: “an organization or establishment for business”.  It further elaborates that the word “concern” is a mercantile term.  CAG being a constitutional authority cannot be considered as a concern in the same manner as a firm of chartered accountants. CAG is a constitutional authority and by no stretch of imagination be covered by the meaning of expression “concern” appearing in the definition of “practicing chartered accountant”.

4.         It is further added that the words “in the field of chartered accountancy” would mean such services as are ordinarily rendered by a chartered accountant.  The services of CAG are not services as are rendered by a chartered accountant even though both may be engaged in the sphere of the auditing.  The scope of work of the CAG goes far beyond that of a statutory company auditor and is often carried out by persons who may not even be professional chartered accountants.  These audits are done in terms of section 18 of the CAG (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971, which is entirely different from the powers vested in a chartered accountant under the Chartered Accountant Act, 1949.

5.         The services of CAG are also not covered by the heading Business Support Services specified in clause (zzzq) of section 65. When the business support services were taxed for the first time in the year 2006, the TRU circular stated as follows:

“Business entities outsource a number of services for use in business or commerce. These services include transaction processing, routine administration or accountancy, customer relationship management and tele-marketing. There are also business entities which provide infrastructural support such as providing instant offices along with secretarial assistance known as “Business Centre Services”.  It is proposed to tax all such outsourced services.  If these services are provided on behalf of a person, they are already taxed under Business Auxiliary Service.  Definition of support services of business or commerce gives indicative list of outsourced services.”

It is evident that this circular has clarified that the new service was meant to capture such services as are ordinarily outsourced by business entities.  The audit activity is not an outsourced function but is carried out in statutory fulfillment of duties.  Thus the services by CAG would also not be covered by the service head “Business Support Service”.

6.         This circular may be communicated to the field formations and service tax assessees through Public Notice/Trade Notice.   Hindi version would follow.

 

Yours faithfully,

(S. Jayaprahasam)

Technical Officer (TRU)

Tel/Fax: 011-23092037

Circular No.155/6/ 2012 – ST

Circular No.155/6/ 2012 – ST

F. No 334/1/2012- TRU

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Excise and Customs

Tax Research Unit

Room No 146, North Block, New Delhi

Dated: 9th April 2012

To

Chief Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise (All)

Chief Commissioner of Central Excise & Service Tax (All)

Director General of Service Tax

Director General of Central Excise Intelligence

Director General of Audit

Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise (All)

Commissioner of Central Excise and Service Tax (All)

Commissioner of Service Tax (All)

 

Madam/Sir,

 

Subject: – Clarification on Point of Taxation Rules – regarding.

  1.             Notification No. 2/2012 – Service Tax dated the 17th March 2012 has rescinded Notification No.   No. 8/2009 – Service Tax, dated the 24th February, 2009, thus restoring the effective rate of service tax to 12% wef 1st April 2012. Further the Notification No. 26/2010-Service Tax, dated the 22nd June, 2010 has been superseded by Notification No. 6/2012 – Service Tax dated the 17th March, 2012, wef 1st April 2012.
  2.             It has been brought to the attention of the Board that some airlines are collecting differential service tax on tickets issued before 1st April 2012 for journey after 1st April 2012, causing inconvenience to passengers. Representations have also been received in this regard. The position of law in the above respect is clear and is detailed below.
  3.             Rule 4 of the Point of Taxation Rules 2011 deals with the situations of change in effective rate of tax. In case of airline industry, the ticket so issued in any form is recognised as an invoice by virtue of proviso to Rule 4A of Service Tax Rules 1994. Usually in case of online ticketing and counter sales by the airlines, the payment for the ticket is received before the issuance of the ticket. Rule 4(b)(ii) of the Point of Taxation Rules 2011 addresses such situations and accordingly the point of taxation shall be the date of receipt of payment or date of issuance of invoice, whichever is earlier. Thus the service tax shall be charged @10% subject to applicable exemptions plus cesses in case of tickets issued before 1st April 2012 when the payment is received before 1st April 2012.
  4.             In case of sales through agents (IATA or otherwise including online sales and sales through GSA) the payment is received by the agent and remitted to airlines after some time.  When the relationship between the airlines and such agents is that of principal and agent in terms of the Indian Contract Act 1872, the payment to the agent is considered as payment to the principal. Accordingly as per Rule 4(b)(ii), the point of taxation shall be the date of receipt of payment or date of issuance of invoice, whichever is earlier. Thus the service tax shall be charged @10% subject to applicable exemptions plus cesses in case of tickets issued before 1st April 2012 when the payment is received before 1st April 2012 by the agent.
  5.             However, to the extent airlines have already collected extra amount as service tax and do not refund the same to the customers, such amount will be required to be paid to the credit of the Central Government under Section 73A of the Finance Act 1994 (as amended).
  6. Trade Notice/Public Notice may be issued to the field formations accordingly.
  7. Please acknowledge the receipt of this circular. Hindi version to follow.

 

(Shobhit Jain)

OSD, TRU

Fax: 011-23092037