SERVICE TAX SWACHH BHARA CESS TO BE INTRODUCED FROM 15 NOVEMBER 2015 AT 0.5%

Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC)  has issued the Notification for date and rate of Swachh Bharat Cess from 15th November 2015 at .5% on value of taxable services. So from 15th Nov 2015 Service Provider has to charge 14% Service Tax and .5% Swachh Bharat Cess on value of taxable services

[TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA, EXTRAORDINARY, PART II, SECTION 3, SUB-SECTION (i)]

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE)

New Delhi, the 6th November, 2015

 

Notification No. 22/2015-Service Tax

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) read with sub-section (5) of section 119 of the Finance Act, 2015 (20 of 2015), the Central Government, being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby exempts all taxable services from payment of such amount of the Swachh Bharat Cess leviable under sub-section (2) of section 119 of the said Act, which is in excess of Swachh Bharat Cess calculated at the rate of 0.5 percent. of the value of taxable services:

Provided that Swachh Bharat Cess shall not be leviable on services which are exempt from service tax by a notification issued under sub-section (1) of section 93 of the Finance Act, 1994 or otherwise not leviable to service tax under section 66B of the Finance Act, 1994.

This notification shall come into force from the 15th day of November, 2015.

 

No Extension of Date for filing of Tax Audit Report and Returns Due by 30th September 2015

Central Board of Direct Taxes has issued the press release and clarified the doubts relating to the extension of time for filing of Tax Audit Report and E-Return filing by the Companies and the Tax Payer required to file return on or before 30th Sept 2015. CBDT has accepted that there was delay in issue of return by 4 months but considering no major changes in the ITR and TAR no extension is required and suggested that tax payer should be file ITR before due date to avoid last minute rush.

Income-tax returns for Assessment Year 2015-16 for certain categories of assessees viz companies, and firms, individuals engaged in proprietary business/profession etc whose accounts are required to be audited, are to be filed by 30th September, 2015. The audit report is also required to be filed by the said date. The Government has received representations from various stakeholders seeking extension of date for filing of returns and tax audit reports beyond 30th September 2015. The reasons cited are delay in notifying the returns and related delay in availability of forms on the e-filing website. The matter has been considered. Income-tax returns forms 3,4,5,6 and 7 which are used by the above mentioned categories of assessees were notified for Assessment Year 2015-16 on 29.07.2015. The forms were e-enabled and were available on the e-filing website of the Department from 7th August 2015 giving enough time for compliance. The changes made to these forms are not extensive as compared to the earlier years. Further taxpayers entering into either international transactions or specified domestic transactions are required to file their returns by 30th November 2015 only. After consideration of all facts, it has been decided that the last date for filing of returns due by 30th September 2015 will not be extended. Taxpayers are advised to file their returns well in time to avoid last minute rush.

DUE DATE FOR FILLING INCOME TAX RETURN FOR FY 2014-15 i.e. AY 2015-16 is 31st August 2015

CBDT has extended the due date for filing income tax return for FY 2014-15 i.e. AY 2015-2016 from 31st July 2015 to 31st August 2015. Due date is for all the assessee whose accounts are not required to be audited under this Act or under any other law for the time being in force. Again Same has been extended to 7th Sept for tax payers required to efile the return

Section 139: Income Tax Return 

(1) Every person,—

(a)  being a company or a firm; or

(b)  being a person other than a company or a firm, if his total income or the total income of any other person in respect of which he is assessable under this Act during the previous year exceeded the maximum amount which is not chargeable to income-tax,

shall, on or before the due date, furnish a return of his income or the income of such other person during the previous year, in the prescribed form and verified in the prescribed manner and setting forth such other particulars as may be prescribed :

In this sub-section, “due date” means,—

(a) where the assessee other than an assessee referred to in clause (aa) is—

 (i)  a company; or

(ii)  a person (other than a company) whose accounts are required to be audited under this Act or under any other law for the time being in force; or

 (iii) a working partner of a firm whose accounts are required to be audited under this Act or under any other law for the time being in force,

the 30th day of September of the assessment year;

(aa) in the case of an assessee who is required to furnish a report referred to in section 92E, the 30th day of November of the assessment year;

(b) in the case of a person other than a company, referred to in the first proviso to this sub-section, the 31st day of October of the assessment year;

(c) in the case of any other assessee, the 31st day of July of the assessment year.

F.No.225/154/201511TA.II
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Direct Taxes
North Block, !TAM Division

New Delhi, the 10m June, 2015.

Order under section 119 of the Income-tax Act 1961

Subject:- Extension of due date of filing return of income for Assessment Year 2015-16 — regarding.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes, in exercise of powers conferred under section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, hereby extends the ‘due-date’ for filing Returns of Income, in terms of clause (c) of Explanation 2 to sub-section (1) of section 139 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, for Assessment Year 2015-16 from 31 July, 2015 to 31 August, 2015 in respect of income tax assessees concerned.

(Richa Rastogi)
Under secretary to the Government of India Copy to:-
1. PS to F.M. / OSD to FM / PS to MOS(R) / OSD to MOS(R).
2. PS to Secretary (Revenue).
3. Chairperson (DT), All Members, Central Board of Direct Taxes
4. All PCCsIT / PDGsIT
5. All Joint Secretaries / CsIT, CBDT
6. Directors / Deputy Secretaries / Under Secretaries of Central Board of
Direct Taxes.
7. DIT (RSP&PR) / Systems, New Delhi, for appropriate publicity by
putting it on departmental website.
8. The C&AG of India (30 copies).
9. The JS & Legal Advisor, Ministry of Law & Justice, New Delhi
10. The DG, NADT, Nagpur
11. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, IP Estate, New Delhi-
110003
12. All Chambers of Commerce
13. CIT(OSD) Official Spokesperson of CBDT
1/4….,14( Addl. CIT, Data Base Cell for putting it on irsofficersonline.govin

 

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NEW SERVICE TAX RATE OF 14% EFFECTIVE FROM 1st JUNE 2015

Government of India i.e. Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) has issued the notification no D.O.F.No.334/5/2015-TRU on 19th may 2015 regarding the change in service tax rate from 12% to 14% and new service tax rate of 14% will be effective from 1st June 2015. Current Service Tax Rate of 12%+2%+1%=12.36% will remain applicable till 30th May 2015 from 1st June 2015 new rate of 14% shall come into force. Another addition of 2% i.e. Swachh Bharat Cess to this rate of 14% will remain pending till notified by the central government.

New Delhi, the 19th May, 2015
D.O.F.No.334/5/2015-TRU

The Finance Bill, 2015, has received the assent of the Honorable President and has been notified. In the Budget, 2015, certain amendments in the Finance Act, 1994 have been incorporated through the Finance Act, 2015, which will come into effect from a date to be notified. In this regard, 1st June, 2015 is being notified as the date on which the provisions as specified in paragraph 2 below will come into effect. Certain provisions in some notifications already issued, will also come into effect from 1st June, 2015.

2. Following provisions will come into effect from 1st June, 2015.

2.1 Section 66B of the Finance Act, 1994, prescribes the service tax rate. It has been amended by Section 108 of the Finance Act, 2015. The rate of Service Tax is being increased from 12% to 14% (including cesses). The increase in Service Tax rate will come into effect from 1st June, 2015. (Notification No.14/2015-Service Tax, dated 19th May, 2015 refers)

2.2 Sections 153 and 159 of the Finance Act, 2015 provide that section 95 of the Finance (No.2) Act, 2004 and section 140 of the Finance Act, 2007, levying Education Cess and Secondary and Higher Education Cess, respectively, on taxable services, shall cease to have effect from a date to be notified by the Central Government. The above provisions levying Education Cess and Secondary and Higher Education Cess should also cease to have effect from 1st June, 2015. (Notification No.14/2015-Service Tax, dated 19th May, 2015 refers), that is the date with effect from which the increase in the Service Tax rate comes into effect.

2.3 The Negative List entry [section 66D (j)] that covers “admission to entertainment event or access to amusement facility” is to be omitted vide section 109 (4) of The Finance Act, 2015. Section 65B (9) and 65B (24) of the Finance Act, 1994 defines amusement facility and entertainment event, respectively. These entries in the definitions have been omitted by the Section 107 (a) and (c) of the Finance Act, 2015. These changes will come into effect from 1st June, 2015. The implication of these changes are as follows,-
(a) Service Tax shall be levied on the service provided by way of access to amusement facility providing fun or recreation by means of rides, gaming devices or bowling alleys in amusement parks, amusement arcades, water parks and theme parks.
(b) Service tax shall be levied on service by way of admission to entertainment event of concerts, pageants, musical performances concerts, award functions and sporting events other than the recognized sporting event, if the amount charged is more than Rs. 500 per person for the right to admission to such an event.
This levy would come into effect from 1st June, 2015. (Notification No.14/2015-Service Tax, dated 19th May, 2015 refers)

2.3.1 However, the existing exemption, by way of the Negative List entry, to service by way of admission to entertainment event, namely, exhibition of cinematographic film, circus, recognized sporting event, dance, theatrical performance including drama and ballet shall be continued, through the route of exemption. Entry 47 and definition of “recognised sporting event” [paragraph 2 entry „zab‟] has been inserted in notification No. 25/2012-ST vide S.No.1.(xii) and S. No. 2.(b) respectively of notification No. 06/2015-ST dated 1st March, 2015. This entry will also come into effect from 1st June, 2015. (Notification No.16/2015-Service Tax, dated 19th May, 2015)

2.4 The entry in the Negative List [section 66D (f)] that covers service by way of any process amounting to manufacture or production of goods has been amended vide section 109(2) of Finance Act, 2015, to exclude any service by way of carrying out any processes for production or manufacture of alcoholic liquor for human consumption. Consequently, Service Tax shall be levied on contract manufacturing/job work for production of potable liquor for a consideration. In this context, the definition of the term “process amounting to manufacture or production of goods” [section 65 B (40)] has also been amended vide section 107 (f) of the Finance Act, 2015. This levy would come into effect from 1st June, 2015. (Notification No.14/2015-Service Tax, dated 19th May, 2015 refers)

2.4.1 A consequential amendment in S. No. 30 of notification No. 25/2012-ST dated 20th June, 2012, to exclude intermediate production of alcoholic liquor for human consumption from ambit of the exemption, will also come into effect from 1st June, 2015. [Notification No. 06/2015-ST dated 1st March 2015 Entry at Sl. No. 1.(ix)] (Notification No.16/2015-Service Tax, dated 19th May, 2015 refers)

2.5 An entry in the Negative list covers betting, gambling or lottery [Section 66D (i)]. This entry has been amended by section 109 (3) of the Finance Act, 2015 so as to include an explanation that “betting, gambling or lottery” shall not include the activity carried out by a lottery distributor or selling agent in relation to promotion, marketing, organising, selling of lottery or facilitating in organising lottery of any kind, in any other manner. The objective of making these exclusions was to make it explicitly clear that while lottery per se is not subject to service tax, aforesaid services in relation to lottery will be taxable. This will come into effect from 1st June, 2015. (Notification No.14/2015-Service Tax, dated 19th May, 2015 refers)

2.6 In respect of certain services like money changing service, service provided by air travel agent, insurance service and service provided by lottery distributor and selling agent, the service provider has been allowed to pay service tax at an alternative rate subject to the conditions as prescribed under rules 6(7), 6(7A), 6(7B) and 6(7C) of the Service Tax Rules, 1994. Consequent to the upward revision in Service Tax rate, the said alternative rates shall also be revised proportionately.

2.6.1 Amendments to this effect have been made in the Service Tax Rules which will also come into effect from 1st June, 2015, that is the date with effect from which the increase in the Service Tax rate is made effective. [Notification No. 05/2015-ST 1st March 2015 Entry at Sl. No. 2(a)(e)(ii)] (Notification No.15/2015-Service Tax, dated 19th May, 2015 refers)
3. Presently, services provided by Government or a local authority, excluding certain services specified under clause (a) of section 66D, are covered in the Negative List. An enabling provision has been made, by amending section 66D (a) (iv), to exclude all services provided by the Government or local authority to a business entity from the Negative List [section 109(1) of Finance Act, 2015]. Consequently, the definition of “support service” [section 65 B (49)] is also to be omitted from date to be notified [section 107(h) of Finance Act, 2015].

As and when this amendment is given effect to, all services provided by the Government or local authority to a business entity, except the services that are specifically exempted, or covered by any another entry in the Negative List, shall be liable to service tax. The date from which this amendment would come into effect will be notified in due course.

4. An enabling provision has been incorporated in the Finance Act, 2015 vide section 117 (Chapter VI) to impose a Swachh Bharat Cess on all or any of the taxable services at a rate of 2% or lower on the value of such taxable services. This cess shall be levied on such services at such rate from such date as may be notified by the Central Government. The date from which this amendment would come into effect will be notified in due course.

5. In other words, date of effect of the provisions discussed in para 3 & 4 above are not being notified at present.

6. Amendments have been made by Sections 113, 114 and 115 in the Finance Act, 1994, in order to impart greater clarity and align the service tax provisions with those in Central Excise by adding provisions relating to closure of proceedings in sections 76, 78 and 78B. A similar alignment with the central excise provisions has been done in sections 76(2) and 78(2) with respect to cases where the appellate authority increases the duty or penalty. These changes have come into effect immediately after enactment of Finance Bill, 2015.

7. All the above changes may be brought to the notice of trade and industry and wide publicity may be made in this regard.

Process for Issue of Summons in Central Excise and Service Tax

Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has issued the guidelines on 20th January 2015 through circular No. 207/07/2014-CX-6 for issue of summons in Central Excise and Service Tax matters. As per Section 14 of Central Excise Act, 1944, summons can be used in an inquiry for recording statements or for collecting evidence/ documents. Summons can be issued by  Superintendents or higher authority but only after taking prior permission of  Assistant Commissioner or higher authority with reasons of summons recorded in writing. In case not able get written permission then telephonic permission is required & same should be reduced to writing and intimated to the officer.  The officer issuing summons should submit a report or should record a brief of the proceedings in the case file and submit the same to the  officer who had authorised the issue of summons. senior management officials such as CEO, CFO, General Managers of a large company or a PSU should not generally be issued summons at the first instance. They should be summoned only when there are indications in the investigation of their involvement in the decision making process which led to loss of revenue. Instruction has also been issued vide F. No. 137/39/2007-CX.4 dated 26.2.2007 in Service Tax matters. Board has already issued a circular vide F. No 208/122/89-CX.6 dated 13.10.1989 in respect of Central Excise

 

No. 207/07/2014-CX-6

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Excise and Customs

  New Delhi, the 20th January, 2015

 

To

 

Principal Chief / Chief Commissioners of Central Excise (All),

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

Sub: Instructions regarding issue of summons in Central Excise and Service Tax matters – reg.

Madam/Sir,

It has been brought to the notice of the Board that in some instances, the summons under Section 14 of the Central Excise Act, 1944 have been issued by the field formations to the top senior officials of the companies in a routine manner to call for material evidence/ documents. Besides, summons have been issued to enforce recovery of dues, which are under dispute. As per Section 14 of Central Excise Act, 1944, summons can be used in an inquiry for recording statements or for collecting evidence/ documents. While the evidentiary value of securing documentary and oral evidence under the said legal provision can hardly be over emphasized, nevertheless, it is desirable that summons need not always be issued when a simple letter, politely worded, can also serve the purpose of securing documents relevant to investigation. It is emphasized that the use of summons be made only as a last resort when it is absolutely required.

On this issue, Board has already issued a circular vide F. No 208/122/89-CX.6 dated 13.10.1989 in respect of Central Excise. Instruction has also been issued vide F. No. 137/39/2007-CX.4 dated 26.2.2007 in Service Tax matters.

The following guidelines are being issued to be followed in both Central Excise and Service Tax matters:–

 

(i) Power to issue summons are generally exercised by Superintendents, though higher officers also issue summons. Summons by Superintendents should be issued after obtaining prior written permission from an officer not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner with the reasons for issuance of summons to be recorded in writing;

(ii) where for operational reasons it is not possible to obtain such prior written permission, oral/telephonic permission from such officer must be obtained and the same should be reduced to writing and intimated to the officer according such permission at the earliest opportunity;

(iii) In all cases, where summons are issued, the officer issuing summons should submit a report or should record a brief of the proceedings in the case file and submit the same to the  officer who had authorised the issue of summons.

Further, senior management officials such as CEO, CFO, General Managers of a large company or a PSU should not generally be issued summons at the first instance. They should be summoned only when there are indications in the investigation of their involvement in the decision making process which led to loss of revenue.

These instructions may be brought to the notice of all the field officers for strict compliance. Non observance of the instructions will be viewed seriously. Hindi version would follow.

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

(ROHAN)

Under Secretary, (CX-6)

Custom Rate of Exchange of Conversion of the Foreign Currency on 31st March 2015

Custom exchange rates for 31st March 2015. CBDT has issue the rate of exchange of one unit of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees for different foreign currency like Australian Dollar, Bahrain Dina, Canadian Dollar, EURO, Hong Kong Dollar, Kuwait Dinar, New Zealand Dollar, Norwegian Kroner, Pound Sterling, Singapore Dollar, South African Rand, Saudi Arabian Riyal, Swedish Kroner, Swiss Franc, UAE Dirham, US Dollar, Japanese Yen (100 YEN), Kenya Shilling (100 Shiling).

Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue Central Board of Excise And Customs has issued the notification for exchange rate on 19th March 2015 Notification No.32/2015-CUSTOMS and updated on 25th March, 2015 Notification No. 33/2015. Exchanges Rates are updated on fortnightly basis.

S.NO Foreign Currency Rate of exchange of one unit of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees
For Imported
Goods
For Export
Goods
1 Australian Dollar 49.00 47.75
2 Bahrain Dinar 170.55 161.25
3 Canadian Dollar 50.20 49.00
4 Danish Kroner 9.15 8.90
5 EURO 68.20 66.50
6 Hong Kong Dollar 8.15 8.00
7 Kuwait Dinar 215.05 203.05
8 New Zealand Dollar 47.25 46.05
9 Norwegian Kroner 8.05 7.85
10 Pound Sterling 94.20 92.10
11 Singapore Dollar 45.85 44.75
12 South African Rand 5.30 5.05
13 Saudi Arabian Riyal 17.15 16.20
14 Swedish Kroner 7.30 7.10
15 Swiss Franc 63.80 62.30
16 UAE Dirham 17.50 16.55
17 US Dollar 63.00 62.00
18 Japanese Yen (100 YEN) 52.55 51.35
19 Kenya Shilling (100 Shiling) 69.95 66.00

Custom Rate of Exchange of Conversion of the Foreign Currency from 16th April 2015 and 30th April 2015

CBDT has issue the rate of exchange of one unit of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees for different foreign currency like Australian Dollar, Bahrain Dina, Canadian Dollar, EURO, Hong Kong Dollar, Kuwait Dinar, New Zealand Dollar, Norwegian Kroner, Pound Sterling, Singapore Dollar, South African Rand, Saudi Arabian Riyal, Swedish Kroner, Swiss Franc, UAE Dirham, US Dollar, Japanese Yen (100 YEN), Kenya Shilling (100 Shiling). Government of India Ministry of Finance Department Of Revenue Central Board Of Excise And Customs has issued the notification for exchange rate on 16th April 2015 and updated on 30th April 2015. Exchanges Rates are updated on fortnightly basis.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE CENTRAL BOARD OF EXCISE AND CUSTOMS NOTIFICATION NO.38/2015-CUSTOMS (N.T.) AND Notification No. 41/2015 – Customs (N.T.)

S.NO Foreign Currency Rate of exchange of one unit of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees
For Imported
Goods
For Export
Goods
1 Australian Dollar 49.10 47.85
2 Bahrain Dinar 170.40 161.05
3 Canadian Dollar 51.50 50.35
4 Danish Kroner 9.60 9.35
5 EURO 71.45 69.70
6 Hong Kong Dollar 8.15 8.00
7 Kuwait Dinar 213.15 201.00
8 New Zealand Dollar 48.15 46.75
9 Norwegian Kroner 8.55 8.30
10 Pound Sterling 99.15 96.95
11 Singapore Dollar 46.65 45.55
12 South African Rand 5.35 5.05
13 Saudi Arabian Riyal 17.15 16.20
14 Swedish Kroner 7.70 7.50
15 Swiss Franc 65.55 64.00
16 UAE Dirham 17.50 16.55
17 US Dollar 62.95 61.95
18 Japanese Yen (100 YEN) 53.05 51.85
19 Kenya Shilling (100 Shiling) 68.75 64.95

New ITR Released For A.Y. 2015-16

New ITR Form ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-4S for A.Y. 2015-16 (Financial Year 2014-15) has been released by the Income Tax Department for physical filing i.e. submitting ITR to Income Tax Department Office

The Income Tax Department releases the updated ITR every year for income tax return filing for Physical & E-filing of ITR. Income tax department has released new Income Tax Return Form vide notification 41/2015 dated 15/04/2015, while all ITR utility for E-filling  is still pending .i.e. ITR 1 ITR 2 & ITR 4S are released for physical filing but ITR 3, ITR 4 , ITR 5 , ITR 6 & ITR 7 are pending.

There are few differences in old and new ITR forms (AY 2014-15 Vs  AY 2015-16). Some new features includes uploading the ITR utility itself as compared to previous ITR excel utilities wherein the taxpayer was required to first prepare the xml file from the ITR utility and than manually upload on the income tax website. The new ITR java utility has the option for both manual as well as automatic upload of the Income Tax Return on the income tax website.

Further changes like: Compulsory e-filing, if refund is claimed by Assessee; No need to send ITR V to Bengaluru if you are using  Electronic Verification Code system, which has been implemented by Income Tax Department from AY 2015-16.

Details of changes in New ITR as launched on 15/04/2015 

ITR-1:

Introduction of furnishing AADHAR CARD Number in Income Tax Return, which will be used for EVC system. Introduction of EVC for verification of return of income filed as an option to send ITR V to CPC, Bangalore.

Bank Account Details in Income Tax Return

ITR-2:

Details of Foreign Travel made if any includes Passport No., Issued at, Name of Country, No. of Times Traveled and Expenditure. In Schedule FA- Foreign Assets Disclosure: Foreign Bank Account Details are further requirement. For Non-resident, income from other sources, if any income chargeable to tax at special rate provided in DTAA, it is now required to provide details. Details of utilization of amount deposited in Capital Gain Account Scheme for years preceding to last two Assessment Years.

ITR FOREIGN TRIP CONSENT AND DETAILS FOR INCOME TAX RETURN

ITR-4S:

Details of all Bank Accounts with Bank Name, IFSC Code, Name of Joint Holder (if any), Account Number, Account Balance as on 31.03.2015 mandatory to be provided. Even those accounts which are closed during the year.

 

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New Service Tax Rate 14% +2% i.e. 12.36% to 14%+2% =16% New Effective Date and Rate

Ministry of Finance of has issued the clarification related to the applicability of the new service tax rate of 14%+2%(Swachh Bharat Tax) total of 16% and as per the circular new rate and its applicable date will be notified by the government after the enactment of the Finance Bill, 2015 i.e. after budget is passed by the parliament and assented by the President of India and possible date will be between 20th April to 25th April 2015 till then current rate of 12.36% will be applicable.

Circular No. 183 / 02 / 2015-ST

F. No. B-1 /1/2015-TRU
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
(Tax Research Unit)

***

Room No. 153, North Block, New Delhi.

Dated 10th April, 2015.

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,

Dear Madam/Sir,

Subject: Clarification on rate of service tax – regarding.

Doubts have been expressed in various forums regarding the proposed increase in the rate of service tax from 12.36% (including education cesses) to 14% on the value of taxable service.

2.         It may be noted that changes proposed in the Budget have/are coming into effect on various dates as already indicated in JS (TRU-II) D.O. letter dated 28th February, 2015. Certain amendments made in the Finance Act, 1994, including the change in service tax rate, will come into effect from a date to be notified by the Government after the enactment of the Finance Bill, 2015.

 3.        In this regard your attention is invited to clause 106 of the Finance Bill, 2015 and paragraph 3 of JS (TRU-II) D.O. letter, which  is reproduced below:-

“3. Service Tax Rate:

3.1       The rate of Service Tax is being increased from 12% plus Education Cesses to 14%. The ‘Education Cess’ and ‘Secondary and Higher Education Cess’ shall be subsumed in the revised rate of Service Tax. Thus, the effective increase in Service Tax rate will be from the existing rate of 12.36% (inclusive of cesses) to 14%, subsuming the cesses.

3.2       In this context, an amendment is being made in section 66B of the Finance Act, 1994. Further, it has been provided vide clauses 179 and 187 respectively of the Finance Bill, 2015 that sections 95 of the Finance Act, 2004 and 140 of the Finance Act, 2007, levying Education Cess and Secondary and Higher Education Cess on taxable services shall cease to have effect from a date to be notified by the Government.

3.3       The new Service Tax rate shall come into effect from a date to be notified by the Central Government after the enactment of the Finance Bill, 2015.

3.4       Till the time the revised rate comes into effect, the ‘Education Cess’ and ‘Secondary and Higher Education Cess’ will continue to be levied in Service Tax.”

4.         The paragraph reproduced above is self-explanatory and it is clear that the new Service Tax rate shall come into effect from a date to be notified by the Central Government after the enactment of the Finance Bill, 2015. The date will be notified in due course after the enactment.

5.         Similarly, certain doubts have been raised with regard to abatement on value of services provided in relation to serving of food or beverages by a restaurant, eating joint or a mess, having the facility of air-conditioning or central air-heating in any part of the establishment, at any time during the year. Valuation of services provided in relation to serving of food or beverages by a restaurant, eating joint or a mess is determined as provided in rule 2C of the Service Tax (Determination of Value) Rules, 2006.

5.1       In the Union Budget, 2015, no change has been made in these rules; therefore, any confusion is unwarranted. Further, as explained above, the rate of service tax on the specified portion of the amount charged for such supply which is 40% continues to be 12.36% (includingcesses) at present i.e. 4.944 %. The rate of Service tax, as discussed above, will continue unchanged till a date which will be notified in due course.

6.         Wide publicity may be given so that the assesses and public are aware of the above.  All the major Industry/Trade Associations may be informed accordingly.

 

Yours sincerely,

(Dr. Abhishek Chandra Gupta)

Technical Officer, TRU

Tel: 011-23095547