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Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Assignee of a Contributory (Section 431).

Assignee of a Contributory (Section 431). If a contributory is adjudged insolvent, either before or after he bas been placed on the list of contributories, his assignee in

insolvency shall represent him for all the purposes of the winding-up, and shall be contributories accordingly.

5. Liquidator of a Body Corporate which is a Member (Section 432). If a body corporate which is a contributory is ordered to be wound-up, either before or after it has been placed on the list of contributories, the liquidator of the body corporate shall represent it for all the purposes of the winding up of the company and shall be a contributory accordingly.

6. Subscribers to the Memorandum. Subscribers to the Memorandum are deemed to be members of the company even though their names mayor may not be entered in the Register of members. Accordingly, in the event of winding-up, in spite of the fact that their names are not entered in the Register of members, they shall be deemed as contributories for the amount remaining unpaid on the shares they agreed to subscribe for.

In f.H. Chandler and Co. Ltd., In re (1926) 48 All. 580, a person agreed to purchase shares in a company and subscribed to the Memorandum of Association, but later asked the promoter to cancel his “requirements”. His name was never entered in the register of members. It was held that he was liable as a contributory.

Even allotment of shares is not necessary to create liability On the part of the persons who have subscribed to the Memorandum. [Babulal Vs. Narayana Sugar and General Mills Ltd. (1958) 28 Compo Cas. 155 (Punj.); Universal Transport Company Ltd. Vs. S. fagjit Singh (1958) 26 Compo Cas. 36 (Punj.)].

Persons Liable as Contributories

Present and Past Members. A member of a limited company shall be liable to contribute the amount unpaid on the shares in respect of which he is a contributory, or the amount he has guaranteed to pay in the event of winding up. A past member shall be liable to contribute: (i) if he ceased to be a member within one year before the commencement of winding-up; (ii) the debt liability was contracted or incurred while he was a member; and (iii) the present members fail to meet the liabilities in respect of the debts incurred while he was a member (Section 426).

2. Directors and Manager Whose Liability is Unlimited. In the winding-up of a limited company, any Director or Manager, whether past or present, whose liability is unlimited shall be liable as if he were a member of an unlimited company. But, a contribution from such a person shall require a Court order, and he shall not be liable if he had ceased to hold office for a year or upward before the commencement of the winding-up (Section 427). A past Director or Manager shall not be called upon to make payment as a contributory if the debt or liability of the company was contracted after he ceased to be the Director or Manager, as the case may be.

3. Legal Representatives of a Deceased Member. If a contributory dies either before or after he has been placed on the list of contributories, his legal representatives shall be liable to contribute to the assets of the company in discharge of his liability and are contribu tories accordingly [Section 430(1)]. But they are only liable to contribu te to the extent of the assets, if any, which have come into their hands from the deceased shareholder [Prayan Prasad Vs. Gaya Bank & Traders Assn. Ltd. (1931) 1 Compo Cas. 85].

The expression ‘legal representative’ for the purposes of Section 430 is not confined to the legal representatives of the person primarily interested but also includes the legal representatives of his legal representatives [P.R. Krishnaswami, In re (1947) 17 Compo Cas. 189 (Mad)].

In case shares are held jointly, the interest of the deceased shareholder passes on to the survivor and not to the heir of the deceased. The heir neither becomes a shareholder nor a contributory within the meaning of Section 430, read with Regulation 25 of Table A [Ram Gobind Mishra Vs. Allahabad Theatres Pvt. Ltd. (1986) Tax L.R.

1681 (All.)]. .

Meaning of Contributory

The term’ contributory’ means every person liable to contribute to the assets of a company in the event of its being wound-up, and includes the holder of any shares which are fully paid-up [Section 428].

Further, Section 428.makes use of the expression ‘deemed contributories’ which shall include any person alleged to be a contributory.

Contributory vis-a-vis Member

The terms ‘contributory’ and ‘member’ are not interchangeable under Section 428. While every member would become a contributory, the converse would not be true. For instance, a legal representative of a deceased member shall be regarded as contributory but he cannot be regarded as a member until and unless his name is entered in the Register of members [Rajdhani Grains and Jaggery Exchange Ltd., Re [1983]54 Compo Cas. 166].

Distinguish between ‘Members’ Voluntary Winding-up’ and ‘Creditors’

Members’ voluntary winding-up can be resorted to by solvent companies and thus requires the filing of Declaration of Solvency by the Directors of the company with the Registrar. Creditors’ winding-up, on the other hand, is resorted to by insolvent companies.

2. In Members’ 1Toluntary winding-up there is no need to have creditors’ meeting. But, in the case of creditors’ voluntary winding-up, a meeting of the creditors must be called immediately after the meeting of the members.

3. Liquidator, in the case of members’ winding-up, is appointed by the members. But in the case of creditors’ voluntary winding-up, if the members and creditors nominate two different persons as liquidators, creditors’ nominee shall become the liquidator.

4. In the case of Creditor’s voluntary winding-up, if the creditors so wish, a ‘Committee of Inspection’ may be appointed. In the case of Members’ voluntary winding-up, there is no provision for any such Committee.

5. The remuneration of liquidator/(s) is fixed by the members in case of Members’ voluntary winding-up (Section 490) whereas the same is to be fixed by the Committee of Inspection, if any, or by the creditors in case of Creditors’ voluntary winding-up (Section 504).

Final Meeting and Dissolution [Section 5091. As soon as the affairs of the company are fully wound-up, the liquidator shall

Final Meeting and Dissolution [Section 5091. As soon as the affairs of the company are fully wound-up, the liquidator shall

(a) make up an account of the winding-up, showing how the winding-up has

been conducted and the property of the company has been disposed of; and

(b) call a general meeting of the company and a meeting of the creditors for the purpose

of laying the account before the meeting and giving any explanation thereof.

Each such meeting must be called by advertisement and must specify the time, place and objects thereof and must be published at least one month before the meeting in the Official Gazette and also in some newspaper circulating in the district where the registered office of the company is situated.

If the liquidator fails to call a general meeting of the company, as aforesaid, he

shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.

Within one week after the date of the meeting, the liquidator shall send to the Registrar and the Official Liquidator a copy of the account and a return of the meeting held [Section 509(3)].

If the copy is not so sent or the return is not so made, the liquidator shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees for every day during which the default continues.

The Official Liquidator, after scrutiny of the books and papers of the company,

shall make a report to the Court. If this report states that the affairs of the company

have not been conducted in a manner prejudicial to the interest of the company or public then from the da te of the submission of the report, the company shall be deemed to have been dissolved; otherwise the Court will ask the Official Liquidator to make further investigation and may, after the subsequent report of the Official Liquidator order that the company shall stand dissolved from a specified date or may issue such other order as may be considered appropriate by the Court [Section 509(6)].

Notice by Liquidator of his Appointment [Section 5161.

Notice by Liquidator of his Appointment [Section 5161. The liquidator shall, within 30 days after his appointment, publish in the Official Gazette, and deliver to the Registrar for registration, a notice of his appointment in the prescribed form. In case, he fails to comply with this provision he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees for every day during which the default continues.*

5. Committee of Inspection [Section 5031. The creditors at their first or any subsequent meeting may, if they think fit, appoint a committee of inspection of not more than five persons. If such committee is appointed, the company may, either at the meeting at which the winding-up resolution is passed, or at a later meeting, appoint not more than five persons to serve on the committee. If the creditors object against any person or persons appointed by the company, then the matter will be referred to the Court for the final decision. The powers of such committee are the same, as those of a committee of inspection appointed in a compulsory winding up**. It may be noted that the provisions of Section 465 enabling the creditors and contributories to appoint persons holding power of attorney to the committee will b.z applicable. Further, no committee of inspection is to be appointed in a voluntary winding-up by members.

6. Fixing of Liquidator’s Remuneration [Section 5041. The remuneration to be paid to the liquidator or liquidators has to be fixed by the committee of inspection or, if there

is no such committee, by the creditors. Where the remuneration is not so fixed, it must be determined by the Court. Any remuneration once fixed shall not be increased in any circumstances whatever, whether with or without sanction of the Court.

7. Board’s Powers to Cease on Appointment of Liquidator [Section 5051. On the appointment of a liquidator, all the powers of the Board of Directors shall cease, except in so far as the committee of inspection, or if there is no such committee, the creditors, in general meeting, may sanction the continuance thereof.

8. Power of the Liquidator to Accept Shares, Policies, etc., as Consideration for the Sale of Property. Section 494 discussed under members’ voluntary winding-up will apply to creditors’ voluntary winding-up also but only subject to the permission to exercise such power being granted either by the Committee of Inspection or by the Court.

9. Duty of Liquidator to Call meeting of Company and of Creditors at the End of Each Year [Section 5081. In the event of the winding-up continuing for more than one year, the liquidator must call a general meeting of the company and a meeting of the creditors at the end of the first year, from the commencement of the winding-up and at the end of each succeeding year, or as soon thereafter as may be convenient within 3 months from the end of the year or such longer period as the Central Government (i.e., the Regional Director), may allow. Further, he shall lay before the meeting an account of his acts and dealing and of the conduct of winding-up during the preceding year, together with a statement in the prescribed form and containing the prescribed particulars with respect to the proceedings, and position of the winding-up. The liquidator is punishable with a sum not exceeding rupees one thousand” in case of each default committed by him, i.e., to call the meetings and/or to lay the statement of accounts.

• As per Companies (Amendment) Act, 2000

Notice to Registrar [Section 501A A copy of any resolution passed at the creditors’ meeting must be filed with the Regtstrar within 10 days of the passing thereof. If default is m.ade, then the compan.y eind every officer in default shall be punishable with fine which may extend to 500 rupees for every day of the default.

3. Appointment of Liquidator [Section ‘Q021. The creditors and the members at their respective first meetings may nominate erson to be the liquidator for the purpose of winding-up the affairs and distributing the assets of the company. If the creditors and the members nominate different persons, the creditors’ nominee will as a rule be the liquidator. But any Director, Member or Creditor may apply to the Court for an order that the company’s nominee or the Official Liquidator or some other person should be appointed. The order of the Court will be binding on all. If no person is nominated by the creditors, the members’ nominee shall be the liquidator. Conversely, if no person is nominated by the members, the nominee of the creditors shall be the liquidator. In a situation where in the members’ meeting a liquidator is to be appointed, the decision of meeting should be based on the majority in number of members and not by the value of shares held’. Vacancies in the office caused by death, resignation or otherwise may be filled by creditors, except where the liquidator was originally appointed by or under the direction of the Court, when the Court will, on application, fill the vacancy.

Body Corporate not to be Appointed as Liquidator (Section 513). A body corporate shall not be qualified for appointment as liquidator of a company in a voluntary winding-up. Any such appointment, if made, shall be void. Further, sub-section (3) of Section 513 provides that any body corporate which acts as liquidator of a company and every Director or a Manaer thereof shall be punishable with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees.

Procedure for Creditors’ Voluntary Winding-up

The procedure in a creditors’ voluntary winding-up is based upon the assumption that the company is insolvent. Meeting of the creditors is required to be held in addition to those. of the members almost from the beginning of the process of the voluntary winding-up. The chief power to appoint the liquidator in case of a creditors’ voluntary winding up arising out of insolvency of the company, is in the hands of the creditors and there is also a provision for the appointment of a Committee of Inspection, if desired, to which is left the fixing of the liquidator’s remuneration. The detailed provisions as contained in Sections 500 to 509 are given below:

1. Meeting of Creditors [Section 5001. When no statutory declaration of solvency has been made and filed as required by the Act, the Board of Directors, acting on behalf of the company must summon a meeting of the creditors, on the same day or the next day after the meeting at which the resolution for voluntary winding-up is to be proposed. Notices of the meeting have to be sent by post to the creditors simultaneously with the sending of the notices of the meeting to the members for the meeting of the members. Notice of the meeting should also be advertised in the Official Gazette and in at least two newspapers circulating in the district of the registered office or principal place of business of the company.

The Board of Directors must prepare and lay before the meeting statement of the position of the company’s affairs, together with a list of its creditors and the estimated amounts of their claims. The meeting is to be chaired by one of the Directors of the company. Violation of Section 500 is punishable with fine which may extend to to,OOO. rupees leviable on the defaulting Director(s) and/or the company in calling the meeting.

If the liquidator fails to call a general meeting of the company, as aforesaid, he

If the liquidator fails to call a general meeting of the company, as aforesaid, he

shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.

If the copy is not so sent or the return is not so made, the liquidator shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees for every day during which the default continues.

Within one week after the meeting, the liquidator must send to the Registrar and the Official Liquidator each a copy of the account and the return regarding holding of the meeting. In case quorum was not present at the meeting called, he must report accordingly.

If the copy is not so sent or the return is not so made, the liquidator shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees for every day during which the default continues.

On receipt of the above documents, the Registrar will forthwith register them. The Official Liquidator shall make a scrutiny of the books and papers of the company and report to the Court, the result of his scrutiny. If the report of the Official Liquidator shows that the affairs of the company have not been conducted in a manner prejudicial to the interest of its members or to public interest, then, from the date of submission of report to the Court, the company shall be deemed to have been dissolved. In the case of an unfavourable report, the court shall direct the Official Liquidator to make a further investigation of the affairs of the company. On receipt of the report of the Official Liquidator on such further investigation, the Court may either make an order that the company stands dissolved with effect from the date specified in the order or make such order as the circumstances of the case brought out in the report permit.

Duty of Liquidator to Call Creditors’ Meeting in Case of Insolvency

Duty of Liquidator to Call Creditors’ Meeting in Case of Insolvency [Section 4951. If the liquidator is, at any time, of opinion that the company will not be able to pay its debts in full within the period stated in the declaration of solvency, or that period has expired without the debts having been paid in full, he must forthwith summon a meeting of the creditors and must lay before the meeting a statement of the assets and liabilities of the company. If he fails to comply with the above requirements, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to Rs. 5,000’.

7. Duty of the Liquidator to Inform the Income-tax Officer. Every liquidator of a company being wound up is to give notice of his appointment as liquidator to the Income-tax Officer, having jurisdiction to assess the income of the company, within thirty days of his appointment. It may also be noted that the Official Liquidator has been held to be the principal officer of the company for income-tax assessment purposes as per the decision in ITO Vs. Official Liquidator [1977] 47 Compo Cas. 54 (DB)(AP).

8. Duty of the Liquidator to Call General Meeting at the End of Each Year [Section 4961. In case winding-up continues for more than one year, the liquidator must:

(a) call a general meeting of the company at the end of the first year from the commencement of winding-up and at the end of each succeeding year, or as soon thereafter as may be convenient within three months from the end of the year or such longer period as the Central Government (i.e., the Regional Director) may allow; and

(b) lay before the meeting an account of his acts and dealing and of the conduct

of the winding up during the preceding year.

Failure on the part of the liquidator to call general meetings, as aforesaid, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to Rs. 5,000’.

9. Final Meeting and Dissolution [Section 4971. As soon as the affairs of the company are fully wound-up, the liquidator shall,

(a) make up an account of the winding-up showing how the winding-up has been

conducted and the property of the company has been disposed of; and

(b) call a general meeting of the company for the purpose of laying the account

before it, and giving any explanation thereof.

The meeting must be called by advertisement specifying the time, place and object of the meeting, and must be published at least one month before the meeting in the Official Gazette and also in some newspaper circulating in the district where the registered office of the company is situated.

Court on the application of any of them [Section 492].

Board’s Powers to Cease. On the appointment of a liquidator, all the powers of the Board of Directors and of the Managing or whole-time Director or Manager shall cease except for purpose of giving a notice of such appointment to the Registrar. But their powers may continue if sanctioned by the general body of the shareholders or by the liquidator to the extent of the sanction [Section 491].

4. Notice of Appointment of Liquidator to be Given to Registrar [Section 493]. The company must give notice to the Registrar regarding the appointment of liquidator within 10 days of his appointment. In case of default, the company and every officer of the company (including liquidator) who is in default, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to Rs. 1,000’ for every day during which the default continues.

5. Power of Liquidator to Accept Shares, etc., as Consideration of sale of Property of

the Company [Section 494]. The liquidator may accept shares, policies or like interests in consideration of the sale of the company’s undertaking to another company”, with an object to distribute them amongst the members of transferor company, provided:

(a) a special resolution is passed by the company to that effect; and

(b) he purchases the interest of any dissenting member at a price to be determined

The money to the dissenting members should be paid before the company is dissolved and should be raised in such manner as may be determined by special resolution.

Explain the procedure to wind-up a company voluntarily

The procedure to wind-up a company voluntarily varies with the company being a solvent company or an insolvent one. In case company is a solvent company and the Directors of the company or their majority has made a Statutory Declaration to this effect, called ‘Declaration of Solvency’, the company shall be allowed to resort to members voluntary winding-up. Otherwise, the company shall have to opt for creditors’ voluntary winding-up only.

The procedure under the two types of voluntary winding-up is being given hereunder:

Procedure for Members Voluntary Winding-up

1. Passing of Members Resolution to Wind-up the Company. As per Section 484, the company shall have to pass an ordinary resolution where the period for which the

· As per Companies (Amendment) Act, 2000.

company had been created has expired or the purpose for which it had been formed is accomplished.

In every other situation, special resolution shall be required to be passed.

2. Appointment and Remuneration of Liquidators (Sec. 490). The company in

general meeting must:

(a) appoint one or more liquidators for the purpose of winding-up the affairs and

distributing the assets of the company; and

[There is no restriction in the Companies Act on the appointment of a firm

of Chartered Accountants as liquidators of a company in winding-up. How

ever, no body corporate can be appointed as a liquidator [Section 513).]

(b) Fix the remuneration, if any, to be paid to the liquidator or liquidators. Any remuneration so fixed cannot be increased in any circumstances whatever, whether with or without the sanction of the Court. No liquidator shall take charge of his office unless his remuneration is so fixed. Further, if a vacancy occus by death, resignation or otherwise in the office of the liquidator appointed by the company, the company in general meeting may, subject to any arrangement with its creditors, fill the vacancy. For the purpose, meeting may be convened by any contributory or the continuing liquidator or by the

Any Director of a company making a declaration under this section

Any Director of a company making a declaration under this section without having reasonable grounds for the formation of the opinion that the company will be able to pay its debts in full within the period specified in the declaration, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine upto Rs. 50,000’ or with both. If the company is wound-up in pursuance of a resolution passed within the period of five weeks after making the declaration, but its debts are not paid or provided for in full within the period specified in the declaration, it shall be presumed, until the contrary is shown, that the Director did not have

reasonable grounds for his opinion. .

If the above provisions are not complied with, the winding-up shall not be a members’ voluntary winding-up (Vosica Vs. Janda Rubber Works)” and in such case provisions relating to members’ voluntary winding-up, viz., Sections 490 & 498 cannot apply and if a liquidator is appointed in pursuance of Section 490 or 498 such appointment would be bad in law. In such a case the provisions relating to creditors’ voluntary winding-up, Sections 500-509 should be followed and the violation of these provisions will make the winding-up proceeding void ab initi - M. Kakshmiah Vs. Registrar of Companies, Trivandrum unreported case, decided by the Kerala High Court, and if default is made in calling a meeting of the creditors then the company and the Directors, as the case may be, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to 1,000 rupees and, in the case of default by the company, every officer of the company who is in default, shall be liable to the like punishment [Section 500(6)]. The Court may, if moved by the company or its shareholders, instead of treating the winding-up

proceeding as invalid, direct the company to convene the creditors meeting - Light

of Asia Insurance Company, Ret. The above rules will be applicable even where a declaration of solvency has been filed complying with the provisions of Section 488(2).

The company, however, may pass a fresh resolution for its winding-up after

complying with the requirements of Section 488, viz., declaration of solvency.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (11) of Section 2, there shall be levied and collected, in accordance with the provisions.

Indian Service Tax

Finance (No.2) Act, 2004 Extracts)

CHAPTER V

Service Tax

Sections 90 incorporated at the appropriate place in the Act

CHAPTER VI

Education Cess

91. Education Cess

(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (11) of Section 2, there shall be levied and collected, in accordance with the provisions. of this Chapter as surcharge for purposes of the Union, a cess to be called the Education Cess, to fulfil the commitment of the Government to provide and finance universalised quality basic education.

(2) The Central Government may, after due appropriation made by';' Parliament by law in this behalf, utilise, such sums 'Of money of the Education Cess levied under sub-section (11) of Section 2 and this Chapter for the purposes specified in sub-section (1), as it may consider necessary.

92. Definition

The words and expressions used in this Chapter and defined in the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944), the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) or Chapter V of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994), shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in those Acts or Chapter, as the case may be.

93. Education Cess on Excisable Goods

(1) The Education Cess levied under Section 81, in the case of goods Specified in the First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986), being goods manufactured or produced, shall be a duty of excise (in this section referred to as the Education Cess on excisable goods), at the rate of two per cent, calculated on the aggregate of all duties of excise (including special duty of excise or any other duty of excise but excluding Education Cess on excisable goods) which are levied and collected by the Central Government in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), under the provisions of the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944)otunder any other law for the time being in force.

(2) The Education Cess on excisable goods shall be in addition to any other duties of excise chargeable on such goods, under the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944) or any other law for the time being in force.

(3) The provisions of the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944) and the rules made thereunder, including those relating to refunds and exemptions from duties and imposition of penalty shall, as far as may be, apply in relation to the levy and collection of the Education Cess on excisable goods as they apply in relation to the levy and collection of the duties of excise on such goods under the Central Excise Act, 1944 or the rules, as the case may be.

94. Education Cess on Imported Goods

  1. The Education Cess levied under Section 81, in the case of goods specified in the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975), being goods imported into India, shall be a duty of customs (in this section referred to as the Education Cess on imported goods), at the rate of two per cent, calculated on the aggregate of duties of customs which are levied and collected by the Central Government in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), under Section 12 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) and any sum chargeable on such goods under any other law for the time being in force, as an addition to, and in the same manner as, a duty of customs, but not including­

  • the safeguard duty referred to in Sections 8B and 8C of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975);

  • the countervailing duty referred to in Section 9 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975);

  • the anti-dumping duty referred to in Section 9A of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975); and

  • the Education Cess on imported goods.

  1. The Education Cess on imported goods shall be in addition to any other duties of customs chargeable on such goods, under the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) or any other law for the time being in force.

  2. The provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) and the rules and regulations made thereunder, including those relating to refunds and . exemptions from duties and imposition of penalty shall, as far as may be, apply in relation to the levy and collection of the Education Cess on imported goods as they apply in relation to the levy and collection of the duties of customs on such goods under the Customs Act, 1962 or the rules or the regulations, as the case. may be.

95. Education Cess on Taxable Services

  • The Education Cess levied under Section 81, in the case of all services which are taxable services, shall be a tax (in this section referred to as the Education Cess on taxable services) at the rate of two per cent, calculated on the tax which is levied and collected under Section 66 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994).

  • The Education Cess on taxable services shall be in addition to the tax chargeable on such taxable services, under Chapter V of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994).

  • The provisions of Chapter V of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994) and the rules made thereunder, including those relating to refunds and exemptions from tax and imposition of penalty shall, as far as may be, apply in relation to the levy and collection of the Education Cess on taxable services, as they apply in relation to the levy and collection of tax on such taxable services under Chapter V of the Finance Act, 1994 or the rules, as the case may be.

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 93 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994)

Indian Service Tax

[Notification No. 12/2004-Service Tax, dt. 10/9/2004)

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 93 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994), the Central Government, being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby directs that the following notifications of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) as specified in column (2) of the Table below, shall be amended or further amended, as the case may be, in the manner specified in the corresponding entry in column (3) of the said Table, namely:­

Table

Notification number and date (2)

Amendments (3)

1.

21/97- Service Tax, dated the 26thJune, 1997[G.S.R. 347(E), dated the 26thJune 1997]

In the said notification, for the proviso, following proviso shall be substituted namely:- “Provided that the said exemption shall apply in such cases.

(a) such mandap keeper also provides catering services, that is, supply of food and the invoice, bill or challan issued for this purpose indicates that it is inclusive of charges for catering service; and

(b) no credit of duty paid on inputs or capital goods has taken under the provisions of the Central Credit Rules, 2004; and

(c) Such mandap keeper has not availed the benefit under the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), No. 12/2003-Service Tax, dated the 20thJune ,2003 [G.S.R.503 (e), dated the 20thJune, 2003.]”.

2.

39/97-Service Tax dated the 22nd August, 1997 G.S.R.481(E), Dated the 22ndAugust, 1997]

In the said notification, in the opening paragraph, the following proviso shall be inserted at the end, namely:-

“Provided that the said exemption shall not apply in such cases where-

(i) the credit of duty paid on inputs or capital goods has been taken under the provisions of the CenvatCredit Rules, 2004; or

(ii) such tour operator has availed the benefit under the notification of the Government of India, in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), No. 12/2003-Service Tax, dated the 20thJune, 2003 [G.S.R.503 (E), dated the 20thJune, 2003].”

3.

40/97-Service tax, dated the 22nd August, 1997 [G.S.R. 482 (E), Dated the 22ndAugust, 1997]

In the said notification, for proviso, following proviso shall be substituted, namely:-

“Provided that the said exemption shall not apply in such cases where-

(a) the invoice, bill or challan issued by the tour operator to the client only includes the service charges for arranging or booking accommodation for any person in relation to a tour and does not include the cost of such accommodation; or

(b) Credit of duty paid on inputs or capital goods has been taken under the provisions of the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004; or

(c) Such tour operator has availed the benefit under the notification of the Government of India in the ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), No. 12/2003-Service Tax, dated the 20thJune, 2003 [G.S.R. 503 (E), dated the 20thJune, 2003].”.

4.

12/2001-Service Tax dated the 20thDecember, 2001 [G.S.R.907 (E), dated the 20th December, 2001]

In the said notification, in the opening paragraph, the following proviso shall be inserted at the end namely:-

“Provided that the said exemption shall not apply in such cases where-

i) credit of duty paid on inputs or capital goods has been taken under the provisions of the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004; or

(ii) such hotel providing service as mandap keeper has availed the benefit under the notification of the Government of India in theiMinistry of Finance (Department of Revenue), No. 12/2003-Service Tax, dated the 20th June, 2003 [G.S.R. 503 (E), dated the 20th June,2003].".

5.

8/2003-Service Tax, dated the 20th June, (E), dated the 20th June, 2003]

In the said notification, in the Explanation, for clause (i), 2003 [G.S.R. 499 the following clause shall be substituted, namely:-

‘(i) “Call centre” menas a commercial concern which,-

(a) provides assistance, help or information; or

(b) contacts customer including prospective customer, for the purposes of sales, telemarketing, payments through telephone, leased lines, satellite links, mail, fax, web chat and use of information system for monitoring and recording information on behalf of another person;' .

6.

12/2003-Service Tax, dated the 20th June, 2003 [G.S.R 503 (E), dated the 20th June, 2003]

In the said notification, in the opening paragraph, the following proviso shall be .inserted at the end, namely:-

"Provided that the said exemption shall apply only in such cases where-

(a) no credit of duty paid on such goods and materials sold, has been taken under the provisions of the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004; or

(b) where such credit has been taken bythe service provider on such goods and materials, such service provider has paid the amount equal to such credit availed before the sale of such goods and materials.".

7.

18/2003-Service Tax, dated the 21 st August, 2003 [G.S.R. 676 (E), dated the 21 st August, 2003

In the said notification,

for the words "in relation to commissioning or installation", the words "in relation to erection, August, 2003] commissioning or installation" shall be substituted.

8.

19/2003-Service Tax, dated the 21 st August, 2003 [G.S.R. 677 (E), August, 2003]

In the said notification,

(i) for the words "commissioning or installation", wherever dated the 21 st they occur, the words "erection, commissioning or installation" shall be substituted; (ii) after condition

(ii), the following condition shall be inserted, namely: "

(iii) the benefit ul1der this notification shall be allowed only if no credit of duty paid on inputs or capital goods has been taken under the provisions of the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004.".

9.

2/2004-Service Tax, dated the 5th February, 2004 [G.S.R. 101 (E), dated the 5th February, 2004]

In the said notification, in the opening paragraph, following proviso shall be inserted at the end, namely:

"Provided that the said February, 2004] exemption shall not apply in such cases where

(i) credit of duty paid on inputs or capital goods has been taken under the provisions of the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004; or

(ii) such tour operator has availed the benefit under the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of\Revenue),No. 12/2003-Service Tax, dated the 20th June, 2003 [G.S.R. 503 (E), dated the 20th June, 2003]."

10.

9/2004-Service Tax, dated the 9th July, 2004 [G.S.R. 435 (E), dated the 9th July, 2004]

In the said notification, the following proviso shall be inserted, at the end, namely:

"Provided that the said exemption shall not apply in such cases where-

(i) credit of dutv paid on inputs or capital goods has been taken under the provisions of the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004; or

(ii) such rent-a-cab scheme operator has availed the benefit under the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Fil1ance (Department of Revenue), No. 12/2003-Service Tax, dated the 20th June, 2003 [G.S.R. 503(E), dated the 20th June, 2003].".

11.

10/2004-Service Tax, dated the 9th [G.S.R., 436 (E), dated the 9th 2004]

In the said notification, in the opening Tax, paragraph, the July, 2004 following proviso shall be inserted at the end, namely:-

"Provided that the said exemption shall not apply in such cases where-

(i) the credit of duty paid on inputs or capital goods has been taken under the provisions of the Cenvat Credit Rules,2004;or

(ii) such commercial concern has availed: the benefit under the notification of the' Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), NO" 12/2003-Service.Tax, dated the 20th June, 2003 [G.S.R. 503 (E), dated the 20th June, 2003).".

[F. No. B2/8/2004-TRU]

(Y. Sivasubramanian)

Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Note

  • The principal notification 21/97-Service Tax, dated the 26th June, 1997 was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, dated the 26th June, 1997,videnumber G.S.R. 347 (E) dated the 26th June, 1997;

  • The principal notification 39/97-Service Tax, dated the 22nd August, 1997 was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, dated the 22nd August, 1997,videnumber G.S.R. 481 (E) dated the 22nd August, 1997;.

  • The principal notification 40/97-Service Tax, dated the 22nd August, 1997 was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, dated the 22nd August, 1997,videnumber G.S.R. 482 (E) dated the 22nd August, 1997;

  • The principal notification 12/2001-Service Tax, dated the 20thDecember, 2001 was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, dated the 20 December, 2001,videnumber G.S.R. 907 (E) dated the 20th December, 2001 and was last amended vide notification No. 8/2004-Service Tax, dated the 9th July, 2004 [G.S.R. 434 (E) dated the 9th July, 20041;

  • The principal notification 8/2003-Service Tax, dated the 20th June, 2003 was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, dated the 20th June, 2003,videnumber G.S.R. 499 (E) dated the 20th June, 2003;

  • The principal notification 12/2003-Service Tax, dated the 20th June, 2003 was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, dated the 20th June, 2003,videnumber G.S.R. 503 (E) dated the 20th June, 2003;

  • The principal notification 18/2003-Service Tax, dated the 21 st August, 2003 was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, dated the 21st August, 2003,videnumber G.S.R. 676 (E) dated the 21st August, 2003;

  • The principal notification 19/2003-Service Tax, dated the 21 st August, 2003 was published in the Gazette ,of India, Extraordinary, dated the 21st August, 2003,videnumber. G.S.R. 677 (E) dated the 21st August, 2003;

  • The principal notification 2/2004-Service Tax, dated the 5th February, 2004 was published in. the Gazette of India,. Extraordinary, dated the 5th February, 2004,videnumber G.S.R. 101 (E) dated the 5th February, 2004 and was last amended vide notification No. 8/2004-Service Tax, dated the 9th July, 2004 [G.S.R. 434 (E) dated the 9th July, 20041;

  • The principal notification 9/2004-Service Tax, dated the dated the 9th July, 2004 was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, dated the 9th July, 2004,videnumber G.S.R. 435 (E) dated the 9th July, 2004;

  • The principal notification 10/2004-Service Tax, dated the dated the 9th July, 2004 was published in the Gazette 01 India, Extraordinary, dated the 9th July, 2004,videnumber G.S.R. 436 (E) dated the 9th July, 2004

A. the following new services have come under the service tax levy

Indian Service Tax

Clarifications Issued Pertaining To The Changes By Finance (No.2) Act, 2004 In Service Tax

[Cir. F.No.B2I8/2004-TRU, dated 10/9/2004]

1. The Finance Bill (No.2), 2004 has been enacted on 10/09/2004. With the enactment of the Finance Bill

A. the following new services have come under the service tax levy,­

  • Business exhibition services

  • Airport services

  • Transport of goods by air

  • Survey and exploration of minerals

  • Opinion poll services

  • Intellectual property services (other than copyrights)

  • Forward contract services

  • Pandal or shamiana services

  • Outdoor catering services

  • TV and radio programme production services

  • Construction services (commercial and industrial buildings or civil structures)

  • Travel agents (other than air/rail travel agents)

B. The following taxable services get expanded to include,­

  • Commission and installation service to include erection service

  • Stock brokers to include sub-brokers

  • Cable operators to include multi system operators

  • Business auxiliary service to include activities relating to procurement of inputs, production of goods
    (not amounting to manufacture) or provision of services on behalf of a client.

  • Financial services to include some more specified financial services. Such services provided by non-banking financial
    company, body corporate or any other commercial concern are also being subjected to service tax.

  • Tour operators to include such package tour operators who organize tours involving different modes of transport.

C. The risk cover in life insurance becomes subject to levy of service tax.

D. The rate of service tax on all taxable services, including the new and expanded services becomes 10%.

E. The education Cess of 2% of the service tax would be leviable on taxable services.

2. The scope of these changes is explained in the following paragraphs.

3. Education Cess on taxable services

Education cess on taxable services is imposed under section 91 read with section 95 of the Finance (No.2) Act, 2004. The cess would be 2% of the service tax levied and collected. Therefore, fully exempted taxable services would not be subjected to cess. In case of a partial exemption, say by way of abatement, the cess would be calculated on the net tax paid and not on the entire amount of tax that would have been payable, but for the exemption.

4. Business exhibition services

4.1 Business exhibition service is a service rendered to an exhibitor by an organizer of a business exhibition that intends to market, promote, advertise or show case products or services for growth in business of the producers or providers of such products or services. Thus, organizers of events such as trade fairs, road shows, fashion shows, display show-cases kept in airports, railway stations, hotels etc. would be covered under this new levy. A display of consumer goods in shops or shopping centers for customers to select and purchase would normally not attract any service tax, as normally no separate charges are collected by the shop-keepers for displaying such goods. However, in case an amount is collected for merely displaying an item, the same would be chargeable to service tax.

4.2 While event management service (a currently taxable service) also relates to organizing such events, but in that case, the services are rendered to the organizer by an event manager in relation to planning, promoting, organizing etc. Thus, an organizer of a business exhibition is not covered under Event Management Services, but would be covered under the new levy of 'Business Exhibition Services'. Similarly, while services rendered in relation to a circular, label, documents, hoardings or any other audio visual representation of a product or service falls under 'advertisement services', the services relating to actual exhibition or display of the product or services would fall under the category of 'Business Exhibition Services'."

5. Airport services

Services provided in an airport or civil enclave, to any person by Airports Authority of India (AAI), a person authorized by it, or any other person having charge of management of an airport are taxable under this category. This includes variety of services provided to airlines, as well as for cargo and passenger handling such as security, transit facilities, landing charges, terminal navigation charges, parking and housing charges and route navigation facility charges. It would be on the gross amount chargeable by AAI or other such authorized person. Thus, charges such as royalty, license fees etc. collected by AAI from other service providers at the airport such as ground handling, security, common user terminal services etc. are chargeable to service tax. However, in case a part of airport! civil enclave premises is rented / leased out, the rental/lease charges would not be subjected to service tax, as the activity of letting out premises is not rendering a service.

6. Transport of goods by air

Services provided by an aircraft operator (i.e. commercial concern like an airlines) in relation to transport of goods by an aircraft falls under this category. Thus, in addition to the actual air-freight charges, all charges collected towards storing, handling, loading/unloading (done in relation to air transportation of cargo) by an airlines are also ohargeable to this levy.

7. Survey and exploration of minerals

The service tax would be leviable when the service of survey and exploration of minerals is provided by any person to a customer. The survey and exploration may result in locating ores, crude etc. Subsequent to survey and exploration, the mineral is extracted and transported for refining, processing and production. The service tax under this category would be limited to the services rendered in relation to survey and exploration only and not on the activity of actual extraction after the survey and exploration is complete. The transport, refining, processing or production of the extracted products would also be out of the ambit of service tax. Activities such as seismic survey, collection/processing/interpretation of data and drilling or testing in relation to survey and exploration would, however, fall within the ambit of taxable service.

8. Opinion poll services

Services provided by an opinion poll agency (i.e. any person providing that service) in relation to opinion polls are taxable under this category. Opinion poll means securing information on public opinions regarding social, economic, political and other issues. The term 'securing' would include activities like selecting the target groups, preparing questionnaires, gathering opinions from such target groups, collating their responses, drawing conclusions. or analyzing trends and preparing reports based thereon. A similar service

i.e. 'market research agency service' is taxable since 1998. However, that service includes conducting of market research in relation to products, services and utilities. Opinion polls conducted to secure information on economic issues do not include such market researches about specific products, services or utilities. Therefore, obtaining opinion of general public on economic issues like price rise, reaction of people to certain government or corporate policies etc., would fall under the category of opinion poll services while information gathered in relation to specific products, services etc. would fall under 'market research agency service'.

9. Intellectual property services (other than copyrights)

9.1 Intellectual property emerges from application of intellect, which may be in the form of an invention, design, product, process, technology, book, goodwill etc. In India, legislations are made in respect of certain Intellectual Property Rights (i.e.IPRs) such as patents, copyrights, trademarks and designs. The definition of taxable service includes only such IPRs (except copyright) that are prescribed under law for the time being in force. As the phrase 'law for the time being in force' implies such laws as are applicable in India, IPRs covered under Indian law in force at present alone are chargeable to service tax and IPRs like integrated circuits or undisclosed information (not covered by Indian law) would not be covered under taxable services.

9.2 A permanent transfer of intellectual property right does not amount to rendering of service. On such transfer, the person selling these rights no longer remains a 'holder of intellectual property right' so as to come under the purview of taxable service. Thus, there would not be any service tax on pem1anent transfer of IPRs

9.3 In case a transfer or use of an IPR attracts cess under Section 3 of the Research and Development Cess Act, 1986, the cess amount so paid would be deductible from the total service tax payable. (refer Notification No. 17/2004-ST, dated 10.09.2004).

10. Forward contract services

As per the provisions of Forard Contract (Regulation) Act, 152, a forward contract is a contract for delivery of goods, which is not a ready delivery contract. For commodities Notified under the Act, forward contracts can be entered into only through members of association recognized under that Act. For other commodities, future trading can be done through associations registered with Forward Market Commission. The levy of service tax under this category is on the services provided by members of such associations (Commonly called as commodity exchanges) to any person in relation to forward Contracts.

11. Pandal or shamiana services and Outdoor catering services

11.1 A person providing services, directly or indirectly, in connection with preparation, arrangement, erection or decoration of a pandal or shamiana (i.e. a place specially prepared for organizing official, social or business functions) is a 'pandal or shamiana contractor'. Service provided by him in any such manner, including that of a caterer is liable to service tax under the category of 'Pandal or Shan1iana Contractor service'.

11.2 Similarly, catering services provided by a caterer at a place other than his own place is taxable as 'outdoor catering service'.

11.3 The following abatement/exemptions have been allowed in respect of,­

A. Outdoor caterer

1. 50% abatement, when bill includes charges for food also (refer Notification No. 20/04-ST, dated 10/09/2004)

2. Full exemption, to caterers providing service in academic institutions, medical establishments or railway trains (refer Notification No. 19 &21104-ST,both dated 10/09/2004)

(B) Pandal Shamiana

30% abatement, when bill includes charges for food also (refer Notification No. 22/04-ST, dated 10.09.2004).

11.4 It is clarified that pandal/shamiana services provided for pure religious ceremonies or congregation, for example, for worship of Gods/ Goddesses, are not liable to service tax. It is also clarified that in case a cafe, hotels, restaurants etc. delivers food to home and no' charge, other than that for the cost of the foods, is 'Charged (i.e. free home delivery) no service tax is leviable.

12. TV and radio programme production

Services provided by a TV or radio programme producer have been brought under the purview of taxable service. Any programme produced (or any service rendered in connection of producing such programme) by a commercial programme producer, for telecasting! radio transmission. by a broadcaster would fall under this category of taxable service including cases where a programme is sold to the broadcaster. However, a: service rendered by an employee of the service receiver (i.e. the broadcaster) or by an amateur photographer who, say, shoots a footage for himself, . would no the charged to service tax.

13. Construction services (commercial and industrial buildings or civil structures)

13.1 Services provided by a commercial concern in relation to construction, repairs, alteration or restoration of such buildings, civil structures or parts thereof which are used, occupied or engaged for the purposes of commerce and industry are covered under this new levy. In this case the service is essentially provided to a person who gets such constructions etc. done, by a building or civil contractor. Estate builders who construct buildings/ civil structures for themselves (for their own use, renting it out or for selling it subsequently) are not taxable, service providers. However, if such real estate owners hire contractor/ contractors, the payment made to such contractor would be subjected to service tax under this head. The tax is limited only in case the service is provided by a commercial concern. Thus service provided by a laborer engaged directly by the property owner or a contractor who does. not have a business establishment would not be subject to service tax.

13.2 The leviability of service tax would depend primarily upon whether the building or civil structure is 'used, or to be used' for commerce or industry. The information about this has to be gathered from the approved plan of the building or civil construction. Such constructions which are for the use of organizations or institutions being established solely for educational, religious, charitable, health, sanitation or philanthropic purposes and not for the purposes of profit are not taxable, being non-commercial in nature. Generally, government buildings or civil constructions are used for residential, office purposes or for providing civic amenities. Thus, normally government constructions would not be taxable. However, if such constructions are for commercial purposes like local government bodies getting shops constructed for letting them out, such activity would be commercial and builders would be subjected to service tax.

13.3 In case of multi-purpose buildings such as residential cum commercial construction, tax would be leviable in case such immovable property is treated as a commercial property under the local! municipal laws.

13.4 The definition of service specifically excludes construction of roads, airports, railway. transport terminals, bridge, tunnel, long distance pipelines and dams. In this regard it is clarified that any pipeline other than those running within an industrial and commercial establishment such as a factory,' refinery and similar industrial establishments are long distance pipelines. Thus, constru:ction of pipeline running within such an industrial and commercial establishment is within the scope of the levy.

13.5 The gross value charged by the building contractors include the material cost, namely, the cost of cement, steel, fittings and fixtures, tiles etc. Under the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004, the service provider can take credit of excise duty paid on such inputs. However, it has been pointed out that these materials are normally procured from the market and are not covered under the duty paying documents. Further, a general exemption is available to goods sold during the course of providing service (Notification No. 12/2003-S.T.) but due exemption is subject to the condition of availability of documentary proof specially indicating the value of the goods sold. In case of a composite

contract, bifurcation of value of goods sold is often difficult. Considering these facts, an abatement of 67% has been provided in case of composite contracts where the gross amount charged includes the value of material cost (Refer Notification No.15/2004-S.T.,dated 10/9/2004). This would, however' be optional subject to the condition that no credit of input goods, capital good and no benefit (under Notification No. 12/2003-S.T.) of exemption towards cost of goods are availed.

14. Extension of service tax on installation and commissioning, to erection services Service tax was levied on commissioning and installation of plant, machinery and equipment w.e.f. 1/7/2003. The general practice is that 'erection, commissioning and installation' are contracted as a composite package. There have been a number of doubts and queries regarding the distinction between erection and commissioning/installation. Erection would refer to the civil works to installation/commissioning of a plant or machinery. In this year's budget, the scope of service tax under installation and commissioning is being extended to include erection also. Erection involves civil works, which would otherwise fall under the category of construction services. However, in case of a composite contract for erection, commissioning and installation, the erection charges would be taxed as part of this category of service.

15. Extension of service tax on air travel agents and rail travel agents to other travel agents.

At present, service tax is leviable on air travel agents and rail travel agents. Travel agents of other modes of transport (road, water) are not covered under service tax. The scope of service tax has' been extended to include all travel agents. The taxable service is the service provided by travel agent in relation to the booking of passage for travel by modes other than air and road. The value of taxable service would be the commission/fee charged by the travel agent from the customer.

16. Sub-brokers

Services provided by brokers, sub-brokers to investors in connection with sale and purchase of securities listed on recognized stock exchanges would be subjected to service tax.

17. Extension of service tax on cable operators to Multi System Operators (MSOs)

In cable TV services, broadcast channels. transmit television signals to multi system operators (MSO) who further send them to the cable operator. The services' provided by the M80s to the cable operators have been made taxable.

18. Expansion of Business auxiliary service

18.1 The scope of an existing taxable service (i.e. Business Auxiliary Service) has been expanded to include activities relating to procurement of inputs, production of goods (not amounting to manufacture) or provision of services on behalf of a client. The tax is leviable only when the service provider is a commercial concern.

18.2 The pre-budget definition of Business Auxiliary Service covered services, which relate to the sale and marketing side of a business. However, the auxiliary services which relate to procurements, inventory, production (or provision in case of services) were not covered. The present definition intends to bring all business auxiliary services relating to procurement, inventory and production under service tax. Thus, the procurements of input, capital goods or input services as defined in the CENVAT Credit Rules, by a commercial concern for a client i.e. a person producing goods or providing services would be now taxable under this category. Similarly, if a commercial concern produces goods on behalf of the client or provides service on behalf of a client, such activities would come under the scope of this service, unless the activity of service provider amount to manufacture in terms of the central excise law. The aim of all such activities is production of goods or provision of services, the whole or part of which is being carried out by the service provider (i.e. the agent) on behalf of the client. Such activities include procurements, productions or service providing activities done for the client.'

18.3 The service tax is, however, being restricted to only those cases where the service provider is a factory governed by the Factories Act, 1948, a company established by or under the Companies Act, 1956 or a corporation or a body corporate established by or under any law, partnership firms (whether or not registered), societies registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 or under any law and any co-operative society established by or under any law. However, services in relation to agriculture, printing, textile processing and education would remain exempt even if provided by such service providers. (Refer Notification No. 14/2004-S.T., dated 10/9/2004).

19. Expansion of banking and other financial services

19.1 The existing taxable service i.e., 'banking and other financial services" has been expanded both in terms of its coverage and the types of service providers. Financial services would now also include specific financial services, namely, lending; issue of pay order, demand draft, cheque, letter of credit, bill of exchange, providing a bank guarantee, overdraft facility, bill discounting, safe deposit lockers, or safe vaults and operation of bank accounts. The interest amount would, however, remain excluded from the purview of service tax. In addition to banking company, financial institution including a non-banking financing company, body corporate and any other commercial concern providing financial services will also be covered.

19.2 The 'interest on loans' has been specifically excluded by way of amendment to the provisions relating to valuation (S.67). All such interests that are in the nature of interests on loans would thus remain excluded from taxable value. Further, clarifications on these issues would be issued shortly.

19.3 Collection and other bank charges in relation to taxes/duties collected on behalf of the Union/State Governments and Union Territories have been exempted from service tax. (Refer Notification No. 13/2004-ST, dated 10/9/2004).

20. Extension of tour operator service to package tour operators using different modes of transport

At present, tour operator service covers package tours operators also. However, under the present definition, such package tours attract service tax only if such tours involve modes of transport other than road (say a combination of air-rail-cab travel). The definition of tour operator has been suitably expanded. While the existing levy on tour operators engaged in operating tours in tourist vehicles remains as such, in case of a package tour (which are planned, scheduled, organized or arranged by tour operators), the scope of the levy is being extended by removing the limitation regarding transportation by tourist vehicles only. Such tourist operators would be subjected to service tax irrespective of the mode of transport used during such tours. The abatements (Notification No. 39/97-S.T.) in case of package tour operators (providing transportation and accommodation) would remain at 60%.

21. Life Insurance Services

21.1 In Budget 2004, it has been decided to levy service tax on that portion of the service which pertains to risk element. The levy would not be applicable to such premium of the existing policies, which were paid before the new levy comes into force.

21.2 It has been provided that in the case of composite policies (risk plus saving) life insurer can at his option pay 1 % of the total premium towards discharge of service tax liability. This shall not be applicable in case an insurance policy is towards risk only or where the premium gives details of . risk premium and other premium separately. (Refer Notification No. 11/2004 S.T., dated 10/9/2004). However, those insurance companies who want to pay tax on risk premium as certified by the Appointed Actuary on a company basis can do so. The insurance companies may be allowed to pay monthly service tax provisionally, based on estimates. The monthly estimated (i.e. provisional) duty payment for the entire company would be based on a provisional certificate issued by the Appointed Actuary, subject to final. certification at the end of the year. At the end of the financial year, when the sum at risk is calculated and certified by the Actuary, the liabilities would be finalized and the companies would pay the balance tax or adjust the excess tax paid.

22. Vocational and Recreational Coaching Institute

Vocational and recreational training institutes have been exempted from service tax. (Refer Notification No. 24/2004-S.T., dated 10/9/2004).

23. Service tax on IT industry

Taxable services provided in respect of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software systems by a management consultant for management of any organization has been exempted. (Refer Notification No. 16/2004-S.T., dated 10/9/2004).

23.5 Notification No. 8/2003-S.T., exempts services provided by call centres. For this notification, call centres mean a commercial concern which provides assistance, help or information, through telephone on behalf of another person. The definition of call centres has been modified as 'a commercial concern which provides assistance, help or information or contacts current or prospective customers for sales, telemarketing, payments through telephone, lease lines, satellite links, mail fax, web chat and using information systems for monitoring and recording information on behalf of another person'. (Refer to Notification No. 12/2004-S.T., dated 10/9/2004).

24. Restriction on availment of credits and exemptions towards goods sold, in cases where abatements are allowed

24.1 In cases of specified services, like tour operators, rent-a-cab, mandap­keeper providing catering services, erection, commissioning and installation etc., abatements are allowed to neutralize the cost of materials/goods supplied or used during the course of provision of service. These abatements were allowed when cross credit of excise duty and service tax was not available. Service tax like Cenvat is basically a value added tax which is operated through credit mechanism. It is being provided that in all such cases, the abatement would be conditional, subject to non-availment of input goods and capital goods credit under the new Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004 and also non-availment of benefit under Notification No. 12/2003-S.T. (Refer Notification No. 12/2004­S.T., dated 10/9/2004). The credit of input services would, however, be available.

24.2 Exemption No. 12/2003-S.T. provides that the value of goods and materials sold by the service provider during the course of providing service shall remain excluded from value of taxable service subject to production of documentary proof value of such sale. It is being provided that benefit of abatement would not be available to any service provider availing this concession. Also, this concession would be subject to condition that either no CENVAT credit has been availed on such goods or if already availed, it is reversed Prior to the sale of such goods. (Refer Notification No. 12/2004-S.T., dated 10/9/2004).

25. Withdrawal of exemption to engineering consultancy services in relation to computer software

The exemption to services provided by a consulting engineer in relation to computer software (Notification No. 4/99-S.T.) has been withdrawn (Refer Notification No. 23/2004-S.T., dated 10/9/2004).

26. Transport of goods by road by a goods transport agency

In pursuance to an agreement between the Government and representatives of the transport industry, a Committee has been set up to look into appropriate mechanism/modalities for collection and payment of service tax by commercial concerns and the rules/notifications will be finalized in consultation with the Committee. The Committee would give its report within two months. In terms of the agreement, the tax would be levied and collected in a manner to be notified. No tax would, therefore, be payable by the goods transport agency till such time Government comes out with the relevant rules/notifications prescribing the modalities for levy and collection.

27 . Many of the services covered under fresh levies may include activities that were taxable earlier under different category of taxable services. While the classification of a taxable service would be in terms of Section 65A of the Finance Act, 1994, it should be ensured that there is no double taxation and a service is taxed only once under the appropriate category.

28. Notification Nos. 18 and 25/2004-S.T., dated 10/9/2004 have been issued so as to exempt the payments received by the service provider before 10th September, 2004 in respect of new services and expanded services.

29. The CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004 have been issued allowing credit across goods and services (Refer Notification No. 23/2004-C.E. (N.T.), dated 10/9/2004).

30. The above changes may be immediately brought to the notice of the field formulations and the trade. All possible assistance and facilitation may be provided to providers of such services who have been subjected to the above changes, so that the implementation of these new levies or other changes is smooth and the tax payers do not face any problem in this regard.)

purposes of clause (87) of Section 65 of the said Act, the expression "agricultural produce

Indian Service Tax

Service Tax (Removal Of Difficulty) Order, 2002

[Order No. l/2002-Service Tax, dated 1/8/2002]

In exercise of the powers conferred QY sub-section (1) of Section 95 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994), (hereinafter referred to as the said Act), the Central Government hereby makes the following Order, namely:­

1. This order may be called the Service Tax (Removal of Difficulty) Order, 2002.

2. This Order shall come into force on the 16th day of August, 2002.

a. For the purposes of clause (87) of Section 65 of the said Act, the expression "agricultural produce" means any produce resulting from cultivation or plantation, on which either no further processing is done or such processing is done by the cultivator like tending, pruning, cutting, harvesting, drying which does not alter its essential characteristics but make it only marketable and includes all cereals, pulses, fruits, nuts and vegetables, spices, copra, sugar cane, jaggery, raw vegetable fibres such as cotton, flax, jute, etc., indigo, unmanufactured tobacco, betel leaves, tendu leaves, rice, coffee and tea but does not include manufactured products such as sugar, edible oils, processed food, processed tobacco.

These rules may be called the Service Tax (Advance Rulings) Rules, 2003

Indian Service Tax

Service Tax (Advance Rulings) RULES, 2003

[Notification No. 17/2003-ST, Dated 23/7/2003]

In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 96-1 read with sub-sections (1) and (3) of Section 96C, sub-section (7) of Section 96D of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:-

1. Short title, extent and commencement

(1) These rules may be called the Service Tax (Advance Rulings) Rules, 2003.

(2) They extend to the whole of India, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

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

2. Definitions

In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires -

  • Act "means the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994)

  • Authority "means the Authority for Advance Rulings constituted under Section 28F of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962)

  • Form-Application for Advance Ruling (Service Tax)" means the form annexed to these rules

  • words and expressions used and not defined herein but defined in the Act shall have the meanings respectively, assigned, to them in the Act

3. Form and manner of application

(1) An application for obtaining an advance ruling under sub-section (1) of Section 96C of the Act shall be made in Form - Application for Advance Ruling (Service Tax).

(2) The application referred to insub-rule (1), the verification contained therein and all relevant documents accompanying such application shall be signed -

  • in the case of an individual, by the individual himself, or where the individual is absent from India, by the individual concerned or by some person duly authorized by him in this behalf; and where the individual is a minor or is mental,ly incapacitated from attending to . his affairs, by his guardian or by any other person competent to act on his behalf

  • in the.. case of a Hindu undivided family, by the karta of that family and, where the karta is absent from India or is mentally incapacitated from attending to his affairs, by any other adult member of that family

  • in the case of a company or .local authority, by the principal officer thereof authorized by the company or the local authority, as the case may be, for such purpose;

  • in the case of a firm, by any partner thereof, not being a minor;

  • in the case of an association, by any member of the association or the principal officer thereof;

  • in the case .of any other person, by that person or some person competent to act on his behalf.

(3) Every application shall be filed in quadruplicate and shall be accompanied by a fee of two thousand five hundred rupees.

4. Certification of copies of the Advance Rulings pronounced by the Authority

A copy of the advance ruling pronounced by the Authority for Advance Rulings and duly signed by the Members to be sent to each of the applicant and to the Commissioner of Central Excise under sub-section (7) of Section 96D of the Act, shall be certified to be true copy of its original by the Commissioner, Authority for Advance Rulings, or any other officer duly authorized by the Commissioner, Authority for Advance Rulings, as the case may be.

"Form AAR(ST)

[Application for Advance Ruling (Service Tax)]

[See Rule 3 of the Service Tax (Advance Rulings) Rules, 2003]

Before the Authority for Advanced Rulings (Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax)

New Delhi

Form of application for seeking Advance Ruling under Section 96C of the Finance Act, 1994

Application No.____________________________ of_______________________

Full name and address along with telephone Number, Fax number and e-mail address of the applicant

Names, addresses, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address of the resident(s)/ non-resident(s) setting up the joint venture or of the wholly owned Indian subsidiary of a foreign holding company, proposing to undertake any business activity

Status of the applicant

Service Tax registration number of the applicant (if any)

Permanent Account Number of the applicant (if any)

Nature and status of the business activity proposed to be undertaken by the applicant

Basis of claim that the person referred to at serial number 1, is an applicant as defined under clause (b)of Section 96A of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994)

Question(s) of law and/or fact relating to a business activity proposed to be undertaken on which the advance ruling is required

Statement of any relevant facts having abearing on the aforesaid question(s)

Statement containing the applicant's interpretation of law and/or facts, as the case may be, in respect of the aforesaid question(s)

Commissioner of Central Excise having jurisdiction in respect of the question referred at serial number eight above (if any)

List of documents/statements attached

Particulars of account payee demand draft accompanying the application

(Applicant's signature)

Verification

I,_________________ (name in full and in block letters), son/daughter/wife of_______________ do hereby solemnly declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief what is stated above and in the annexure(s), including the documents are correct. I am making the application in my capacity as___________________ (designation) and that I am competent to make this application and verify it.

2. I also declare that the question(s) on which the advance ruling is sought is/are not pending in any case before any Central Excise Authority, Appellate Tribunal or any Court.

3. Verified this ______________________ day of____________________ 200______________________ at__________Applicant's signature)

Annexure I

Statement of the relevant facts having a bearing on the question(s) on which the advance ruling is required

Place ____________________

Date_____________________


(Applicant's signature)

Annexure II

Statement containing the applicant's interpretation of law and/or facts, as the case may be, in respect of the question(s) on which advance ruling is required

Place ____________________

Date_____________________


(Applicant's signature)

Notes

1. The application must be filled in English or Hindi in quadruplicate.

2. The application must be accompanied by an account payee demand draft of Rupees two thousand five hundred drawn in favour of Authority for Advance Rulings, payable at New Delhi. Particulars of the draft should be entered in the column pertaining to item number 13.

3. The number and year of receipt of the application will be filled in the Office of the Authority for Advance Rulings.

4. If the space provided for answering any item in the application is found insufficient, separate sheets may be used for this purpose. Each sheet must be signed at the bottom by the applicant.

5. In reply to item number 3, the applicant must state its status, i.e. whether the applicant is an individual, Hindu undivided family, firm, company, association of persons or any other person.

6. In reply to item number 6, the applicant must also state the status of the business activity proposed to be undertaken, i.e. the stage to which it has progressed.

7. For item number 7, the reply must be given in the context of the provisions regarding 'residence' in India, 'non-resident', 'Indian Com­pany' and 'Foreign Company' as per the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961).

8. Regarding item number 8, the question(s) should be based on the activity proposed to be undertaken, hypothetical questions will not be enter­ tained. .

9.In respect of item number 9, the applicant must state in detail the relevant facts and also disclose the nature of his activity and the likely date and purpose of the proposed activity(ies). Relevant facts reflected in documept submitted along with the application must be included in the statement of facts and not merely incorporated by reference.

10. For item number 10, the applicant must clearly state his interpretation of law or facts' in respect of the question(s) on which the advance ruling is being sought.

11. The application, the verification appended thereto, the Annexures to the application and the statements and documents accompanying the Annexures 1 and 2, must .be signed on each page."

In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 37 of the Central Excise, Act, 1944 (1 of 1944) and Section 94 of the Finance Act, 1994 (

Indian Service Tax

The Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004

[Notification No. 23/2004-CE (NT.), dt. 10/9/2004]

In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 37 of the Central Excise, Act, 1944 (1 of 1944) and Section 94 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994) and in supersession of the CENV AT Credit Rules, 2002 and the Service Tax Credit Rules, 2002, except as respects things done or omitted, to be done before such supersession, the Central Government hereby makes' the following rules, namely-

1. Short title, extent and commencement

(1) These rules may be called the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004.

(2) They extend to the whole of India: Provided that nothing contained in these rules relating to availment and utilization of credit of service tax shall apply to the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

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

2. Definitions

In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,­ ­ (a) "capital goods" means:­

(A) the following goods, namely:­

  • all goods falling under Chapter 82, Chapter 84, Chapter 85, Chapter 90, heading No. 68.02 and sub-heading No. 6801.10 of
    the First Schedule to the Excise Tariff Act;

  • pollution control equipment;

  • components, spares and accessories of the goods specified at (i) and (ii);

  • moulds and dies, jigs and fixtures;

  • refractories and refractory materials;

  • tubes and pipes and fittings thereof; and

  • storage tank, used­-

(1) in the factory of the manufacturer of the final products, but does not include any equipment or appliance used in an office; or

(2) for providing output service;

(B) motor vehicle registered in the name of provider of output service for providing taxable service as specified in sub-clauses (t), (n), (0), (zr), (zzp), (zzt) and (zzw) of clause (105) of Section 65 of the Finance Act;

(b) "Customs Tariff Act" means the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975);

(c) "Excise Act" means the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944);

(d) 'exempted goods" means excisable goods which are exempt from the whole of the duty of excise leviable thereon, and includes goods which are chargeable to "Nil" rate of duty;

(e) "exempted services" means taxable services which are exempt from the whole of the service tax leviable thereon, and includes services on which no service tax is leviable under Section 66 of the Finance Act;

(f) "Excise Tariff Act" means the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986); (g) "Finance Act" means the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994)

(h) "final products" means excisable goods manufactured or produced from input, or using input service;

(ij) "first stage dealer" means a dealer, who purchases the goods directly from,­

  • the manufacturer under the cover of an invoice issued in tenus of the provisions of Central Excise Rules, 2002 or from the
    depot of the said manufacturer, or from premises of the consignment agent of the said manufacturer or from any other
    premises from where the goods are sold by or on behalf of the said manufacturer, under cover of an invoice; or

  • an importer or from the depot of an importer or from the premises of the consignment agent of the importer, under cover of
    an invoice;

(k) "input" means­

  • all goods, except light diesel oil, high speed diesel oil and motor spirit, commonly known as petrol, used in or in relation to the
    manufacture of final products whether directly or indirectly and whether contained in the final product or not and includes
    lubricating oils, greases, cutting oils, coolants, accessories of the final products cleared along with the final product, goods
    used as paint, or as packing material, or as fuel, or for generation of electricity or steam used in or in relation to manufacture
    of final products or for any other purpose, within the factory of production;

  • all goods, except light diesel oil, high speed diesel oil, motor spirit, commonly known as petrol and motor vehicles, used for
    providing any output service;

Explanation1

The light diesel oil, high speed diesel oil or motor spirit, commonly known as petrol, shall not be treated as an input for any purpose whatsoever.

Explanation2

Input include goods used in the manufacture of capital goods which are further used in the factory of the manufacturer;

(1) "input service" means any service,­

  • used by a provider of taxable service for providing an output service; or

  • used by the manufacturer, whether directly or indirectly, in or in relation to the manufacture of final products and clearance of final products from the place of removal,and includes services used in relation to setting up, modernization, renovation or repairs of a factory, premises of provider of output service or an office relating to such factory or premises, advertisement or sales promotion, market research, storage upto the place of removal, procurement of inputs, activities relating to business, such as accounting, auditing, financing, recruitment and quality control, coaching and training, computer networking, credit rating, share registry, and security, inward transportation of inputs or capital goods and outward transportation upto the place of removal

(m) "input service distributor" means an office of the manufacturer or producer of final products or provider of output service, which receives invoices issued under rule 4A of the Service Tax Rules, 1994 towards purchases of input services and issues invoice, bill or, as the case may be, challan for the purposes of distributing the credit of service tax paid on the said services to such manufacturer or producer or provider, as the case may be

(n) 'job work" means processing or working upon of raw material or semi-finished goods supplied to the job worker, so as to complete a part or whole of the process resulting in the manufacture or finishing of an article or any operation which is essential for aforesaid process and the expression "job worker" shall be construed accordingly;

(o) "notification" means the notification published in the Official Gazette;

(p) "output service" means any taxable service provided by the provider of taxable service, to a customer, client, subscriber, policy holder Or any other person, asthecase may be, and the expressions 'provider' and 'provided' shall be construed accordingly

Explanation

For the removal of doubts it is hereby clarified that if a person liableforpaying service tax does not provide any taxable service or does not manufacture final products, the serviceforwhich he is liable to pay service tax shall be deemed to be the output service.

(q) "person liableforpaying service tax" has the meaning as assigned to it in clause (d) of sub-rule (1) of rule 2 of the Service Tax Rules, 1994;

(r) "provider of taxable service" include a person liableforpaying service tax;

(s) "second stage dealer" means a dealer who purchases the goodsfroma first stage dealer

(t) words and expressions used in these rules and not defined but defined in the Excise Act or the Finance Act shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in those Acts.

3. Cenvat credit

(1) A manufacturer or producer of final products or a provider of taxable service shall be allowed to take credit (hereinafter referred to as the CENVAT credit) of­

  • the duty of excise specified in the First Schedule to the Excise Tariff Act, leviable under the Excise Act;

  • the duty of excise specified in the Second Schedule to the Excise Tariff Act, leviable under the Excise Act;

  • the additional duty of excise leviable under Section 3 of the Additional Duties of Excise (Textile and Textile Articles) Act,1978
    (40 of 1978);

  • the additional duty of excise leviable under Section 3 of the Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance) Act,
    1957 ( 58 of 1957);

  • the National Calamity Contingent duty leviable under Section 136 of the Finance Act, 2001 (14 of 2001);

  • the Education Cess on excisable goods leviable under Section 91 read with Section 93 of the Finance (No.2) Act, 2004
    (23 of 2004);

  • the additional duty leviable under Section 3 of the Customs Tariff Act, equivalent. to the duty of excise specified under clauses
    (i), (ii),(iii), (iv), (v) and (vi);

  • the additional duty of excise leviable under Section 157 of the Finance Act, 2003 (32 of 2003)

  • the service tax leviable under Section 66 of the Finance Act; and

  • the Education Cess on taxable services leviable under Section 91 read with Section 95 of the Finance (No.2) Act, 2004
    (23 of 2004), paid on­

(i) any input or capital goods received in the factory of manufacture of final product or premises of the, provider of output service on or after the 10th day of September, 2004; and

(ii) any input service received by the manufacturer of final product or by the provider of output services, on or after the 10th day of September, 2004,including the said duties, or tax, or cess paid on any input or input service, as the case may be, used in the manufacture of intermediate products, by a job-worker availing the benefit of exemption specified in the notification of the Government bf India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), No. 214/86­Central Excise, dated the 25th March, 1986, published in the Gazette of India vide number G.S.R. 547 (E), dated the 25th March, 1986, and received by the manufacturerforuse in, or in relation to, the manufacture of final product, on or after the 10th day of September, 2004.

Explanation

For the removal of doubts it is clarified that the manufacturer of the final products and the provider of output service shall be allowed CENVAT credit of additional duty leviable under Section 3 of the Customs Tariff Act on goods falling under heading 9801 of the First S(;hedule to the Customs Tariff Act.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), the manufacturer or producer of malproducts shall be allowed to bike CENVAT credit of the duty paid on inputs lying in stock or in process or inputs contained in the fmal products lying in stock on the date on which any goods manufactured by the said manufacturer or producer cease to be exempted goods or any goods become excisable.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contamed in sub-rule (1), in relation to a service which ceases to be an exempted service, the provider of the output service shall be allowed to take CENVAT credit of the duty paid on the inputs received on and after the 10th day of September, 2004 and lying in stock on the date on which any service ceases to be an exempted service and used for Providing such service.

(4) The CENVAT credit may be utilized for payment of­-

  • any duty of excise on any final product; or

  • an amount equal to CENVAT credit taken on inputs if such inputs are removed as such or after being partially processed; or

  • an amount equal to the CENV AT credit taken on capital goods if such capital goods are removed as such; or

  • an amount under sub rule (2) of rule 16 of Central Excise Rules 2002; or

  • service tax on any output service:

Provided that while paying duty of excise or service tax, as the case may be, the CENVAT credit shall be utilized only to the extent such credit is available on the last day of the month or quarter, as the case may be, for payment of duty or tax relating to that month or the quarter, as the case may be:

Provided further that the CENVAT credit of the duty, or service tax, paid on the inputs, or input services, used it} the manufacture of final products cleared after availing of the exemption under the following notifications of Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue),­

  • No. 32/99-Central Excise, dated the 8th July, 1999 [G.S.R. 508(E), dated 8th July, 1999];

  • No. 33/99-Central Excise, dated the 8th July, 1999 [G.S.R. 509(E), dated 8th July, 1999]

  • No. 39/2001-Central Excise, dated the 31st July, 2001 [G.S.R. 565 (E), dated the 31st July, 2001]

  • No. 56/2002-Central Excise, dated the 14th November, 2002 [G.S.R. 764(E), dated the 14th November, 2002];

  • No. 57/2002-Central Excise, dated 14th November, 2002 [G.S.R.. 765(E), dated the 14th November, 2002];

  • No. 56/2003-Central Excise, dated the 25th June, 2003 [G.S.R. 513 (E), dated the 25th June, 2003]; and

  • No. 71/2003-Central Excise, dated the 9th September, 2003 [G.S.R 717 (E), dated the 9th September, 2003],

shall, respectively, be utilized only for payment of duty on final products, in respect of which exemption under the said respective notifications is availed of.

(5) When inputs or capital goods, on which CENVAT credit has been taken, are removed as such from the factory, or premises of the provider of output service, the manufacturer of the final products or provider of output service, as the case may be, shall pay' an amount equal to the credit availed in respect of such inputs or capital goods and such removal shall be made under the cover of an invoice referred to in rule 9

Provided that such payment shall not be required to be made where any inputs are removed outside the premises of the provider of output service for providing the output service:

Provided further that such payment shall not be required to be made when any capital goods are removed outside the premises of the provider of output service for providing the output service and the capital goods are brought back to the premises within 180 days, or such extended period not exceeding 18'0 days as may be pennitted by the jurisdictional Deputy Commissioner of central Excise, or Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise, as. the case may be, of their removal.

(6) The amount paid under sub-rule (5) shall be eligible as CENVAT credit as if it was a duty paid by the person who removed such goods under sub-rule (5).

(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1) and sub-rule (4),­

(a) CENVAT credit in respect of inputs or capital goods produced or manufactured, by a hundred per cent. export-oriented undertaking or by a unit in an Electronic Hardware Technology Park or in a Software Technology Park other than a unit which pays excise duty levied under Section 3 of the Excise Act read with serial numbers 3,5, 6 and 7 of notification No. 23/2003-Central Excise, dated the 31st March, 2003, [G.S.R. 266(E), dated the 31st March, 2003] and used in the manufacture of the final products or in providing an output service, in any other place in India, in case the unit pays excise duty under Section 3 of the Excise Act read with serial number 2 of the notification No. 23/2003-Central Excise, dated the 31st March, 2003, [G.S.R. 266(E), dated the 31st March, 2003], shall be admissible equivalent to the amount calculated in the following manner, namely:­

Fifty per cent. of [X multiplied by {(1+BCD/100) multiplied by (CVD/ 100)}], where BCD and CVD denote ad valorem rates, in per cent., of basic customs duty and additional duty of customs leviable on the inputs or the capital goods respectively and X denotes the assessable value.

(b) CENVAT credit in respect of,-­

  • the additional duty of excise leviable under Section 3 of the Additional Duties of Excise (Textiles and Textile Articles) Act, )978 (40 of 1978);.

  • the National Calamity Contingent duty leviable under Section 136 of the Finance Act, 2001 (14 of 2001)

  • the Education Cess on excisable goods leviable under Section 91 read with Section 93 of the Finance (No.2) Act, 2004 (23 of 2004)

  • he additional duty leviable under Section 3 of the Customs Tariff Act, equivalent to the duty of excise specified under clauses (i), (ii) and (iii);

  • the additional duty of excise leviable under Section 157 of the Finance Act, 2003 (32 of 2003); and

  • the Education Cess on taxable services leviable under Section 91 read with Section 95 of the Finance (No.2) Act, 2004 (23 Of 2004), shall be utilized only towards payment of duty of excise or, as the case may be, of service tax leviable under the said Additional Duties of Excise (Textiles and Textile Articles) Act, or the National Calamity Contingent duty leviable under Section 136 of the Finance Act, 2001 the Education Cess on excisable goods leviable under Section 91 read with Section 93 of the said Finance (No.2) Act, 2004, the additional duty of excise leviable under Section 157 of the said Finance Act, 2003, or the Education Cess on taxable services leviable under Section 91 read with Section 95 of the said Finance (No.2) Act, 2004, respectively, on any final products manufactured by the manufacturer or for payment of such duty on inputs themselves if such inputs are removed as such or after being partially processed or on any output service.

Provided that the credit of the Education Cess on excisable goods and the Education Cess on taxable services can be utilized either for payment of the Education Cess on excisable goods or for the payment of the Education Cess on taxable, services.,

Explanation

For removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that the credit of the additional duty of excise leviable under Section 3 of the Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance) Act, 1957 (58 of 1957) paid on or after the 1st day of April, 2000, may be utilized towards payment of duty of excise leviable under the First Schedule or the Second Schedule of the Excise Tariff Act;

(c) the CENVAT credit, in respect of additional duty leviable under Section 3 of the Customs Tariff Act, paid on marble slabs or tile~ falling under sub-heading No. 2504.21 or 2504.31 respectively of the First Schedule to the Excise Tariff Act shall be allowed to the extent of thirty rupees per square meter

Explanation

Where the provisions of any other rule or notification provide for grant of whole or part exemption on condition of non-availability of credit of duty paid on any input or capital goods, or of service tax paid on input service, the provisions of such other rule or notification shall prevail over the provisions of these rules.

4. Conditions for allowing CENVAT credit

(1)The CENVAT credit in respect of inputs may be taken immediately on receipt of the inputs in the factory of the manufacturer or in the premises of the provider of output service

(2) (a) The CENVAT credit in respect of capital goods received in a factory or in the premises of the provider of output service at any point of time in a given financial year shall be taken only for an amount not exceeding fifty per cent. of the duty paid on such capital goods in the same financial year

Provided that the CENV AT credit in respect of capital goods shall be allowed for the whole amount of the duty paid on such capital goods in the same financial year if such capital goods are cleared as such in the same financial year.

(b) The balance of CENV AT credit may be taken in any financial year subsequent to the financial year in which the capital goods were received in the factory of the manufacturer, or in the premises of the provider of output service, if the capital goods other than components, spares and accessories, refractories and refractory materials, moulds and dies and goods falling under heading No. 68.02 and sub-heading No. 6801.10 of the First Schedule to the Excise Tariff Act, are in the possession of the manufacturer of final products, or provider of output service in such subsequent years.

Illustration

A manufacturer received machinery on the 16th day of April, 2002 in his factory. CENVAT of two lakh rupees is paid on this machinery. The manufacturer can take credit upto a maximum of one lakh rupees in the financial year 2002-2003, and the balance in subsequent years..

(3) The CENVAT credit m respect of the capital goods shall be allowed to a manufacturer, provider of output service even if the capital goods are acquired by him on lease, hire purchase or loan agreement, from a financing company.

(4) The CENVAT credit in respect of capital goods shall not be allowed in respect of that part of the value of capital goods which represents the amount of duty on such capital goods, which the manufacturer or provider of output service claims as depreciation under Section 32 of the Income-tax Act, 1961(43 of 1961).

(5)(a) The CENVAT credit shall be allowed even if any inputs or capital goods as such or after being partially processed are sent to a job worker for further processing, testing, repair, re-conditioning or any other purpose, and it is established from the records, challans or memos or any other document produced by the manufacturer or provider of output service taking the CENVAT credit that the goods are received back in the factory within one hundred and eighty days of their being sent to a job worker and if the inputs or the capital goods are not received back within one hundred eighty days, the manufacturer or provicer of output service shall pay an amount equivalent to the CENVAT credit attributable to the inputs or capital goods by debiting the CENVAT credit or otherwise, but the manufacturer or provider of output service can take the

CENVAT credit again when the inputs or capital goods are received back in his factory or in the premises of the provider of output service

(b) The CENVAT credit shall also be allowed in respect of jigs, fixtures moulds and dies sent by a manufacturer of final products to a job worke; for the production of goods on his behalf and according to his specifications.

(6) The Commissioner of Central Excise having jurisdiction over the factory of the manufacturer of the final products who has sent the input or partially processed inputs outside his factory to a job-worker may, by an order, which shall be valid for a financial year, in respect of removal of such input or partially processed input, and subject to such conditions as he may impose in the interest of revenue including the manner in which duty, if leviable, is to be paid, allow final products to be cleared from the premises of the job­worker.

(7) The CENV AT credit in respect of input service shall be allowed, on or after the day which payment is made. of the value of input service and the service tax paid or payable as is indicated in invoice, bill or, as the case may be, challan referred to in rule 9.

5. Refund of CENVAT credit

Where any input or input service is used in the final products which is cleared for export under bond or letter of undertaking, as the case may be, or used in the intermediate products cleared for export, or used in providing output service which is exported, the CENVAT credit in re!ipect of the input or input service so used shall be allowed to be utilized by the manufacturer or provider of output service towards payment of,

(i) duty of excise on any final products cleared for home consumption or for export on payment of duty; or

(ii) service tax on output service, and where for any reason such adjustment is not possible, the manufacturer shall be allowed refund of such amount subject to such safeguards, conditions and limitations, as may be specified, by the Central Government, by notification

Provided that no refund of credit shall be allowed if the manufacturer or provider of output service avails of drawback allowed under the Customs and Central Excise Duties Drawback Rules, 1995, or claims a rebate of duty under the Central Excise Rules, 2002, in respect of such duty.

Explanation: For the purposes of this rule, the words 'output service which are exported' means any output service in respect of which payment is received in India in convertible foreign exchange and the same is not repatriated from, or sent outside, India.

6. Obligation of manufacturer of dutiable and exempted goods and provider of taxable and exempted services

(1) The CENVAT credit shall not be allowed on such quantity of input or input service which is used in the manufacture of exempted goods or exempted services, except in the circumstances mentioned in sub-rule (2).

(2) Where a manufacturer or provider of output service avails of CENV AT credit in respect of any inputs or input services, except inputs intended to be used as fuel, and manufactures such final products or provides such output service which are chargeable to duty or tax as well as exempted goods or services, then, the manufacturer or provider of output service shall maintain separate accounts for receipt, consumption and inventory of input and input service meant for use in the manufacture of dutiable final products or in providing output service and the quantity of input meant for use in the manufacture of exempted goods or services and take CENVAT credit only on that quantity of input or input service which is intended for use in the manufacture of dutiable goods or in providing output service on which service tax is payable.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rules (1) and (2), the manufacturer or the provider of output service, opting not to maintain separate accounts, shall follow either of the following conditions, as applicable to him, namely:­

(a) if the exempted goods are-­

  • goods falling within heading No. 22.04 of the First Schedule to the Excise Tariff Act (hereinafter in this rule referred to as the
    said First Schedule );

  • Low Sulphur Heavy Stock (LSHS) falling within Chapter 27 of the said First Schedule. used in the generation of electricity;

  • Naphtha (RN) falling within Chapter 27 of the said First Schedule used in the manufacture of fertilizer;

  • Naptha (RN) and furnace oil falling within Chapter 27 of the said First Schedule used for generation of electricity;

  • Newsprint, in rolls or sheets, falling within heading No.48.0l of the said First Schedule;

  • Final products falling within Chapters 50 to 63 of the said First Schedule,

  • Goods supplied to defence personnel or for defence projects or to the Ministry of Defence for official purposes, under any of
    the following notifications of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), namely:­

(1) No. 70/92-Central Excise, dated the 17th June, 1992, G.S.R. 595 (E), dated the 17th June, 1992;

(2) No. 62/95-Central Excise, dated the 16th March, 1995, G.S.R. 254 (E), dated the 6th March, 1995

(3) No. 63/95-Central Excise, dated the 16th March, 1995, G.S.R. 255 (E), dated the 16th March, 1995;

(4) No. 64/95-Central Excise, dated the 16th March, 1995, G.S.R. 256 (E), dated the 16th March, 1995,

the manufacturer shall pay an amount equivalent to the CENVAT credit attributable to inputs and input services used in, or in relation to, the manufacture of such final products at the time of their clearance from the factory; or

(b) if the exempted goods are other than those described in condition (a), the manufacturer shall pay an amount equal to ten per cent. of the total price, excluding sales tax and other taxes, if any, paid on such goods, of the exempted final product charged by the manufacturer for the sale of such goods at the time of their clearance from the factory;

(c) the provider of output service shall utilize credit only to extent of an amount not exceeding twenty per cent. of the amount of service tax payable on taxable output service.

Explanation I

The amount mentioned in conditions (a) and (b) shall be paid by the manufacturer or provider of output service by debiting the CENVAT creditor otherwise.

Explanation II

If the manufacturer or provider of omput service fails to pay the said amount, it shall be recovered along with interest in the same manner, as provided in rule 14, for recovery of CENVAT credit wrongly taken.

(4) No CENVAT credit shall be allowed on capital goods which are used exclusively in the manufacturt;: of exempted goods or in providing exempted services, other than the final products which are exempt from the whole of the duty of excise leviable thereon under any notification where exemption is granted based upon the value or quantity of clearances made in a financial year.

(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rules (1), (2) and (3), credit of the whole of service tax paid on taxable service as specified in sub-clause (g), (p), (q), (r), (v), (w), (za), (zm), (zp), (zy), (zzd), (zzg), (zzh), (zzi), (zzk), (zzq) and (zzr) of clause (105) of Section 65 of the Finance Act shall be allowed unless such service is used exclusively in or in relation to the manufacture of exempted goods or providing exempted services.

(6) The provisions of sub-rules (1), (2), (3) and (4) shall not be applicable in case the excisable goods removed without payment of duty are either-­

(i) cleared to a unit in a special economic zone; or

(ii) cleared to a hundred per cent. export-oriented undertaking; or

(iii) cleared to a unit in an Electronic Hardware Technology Park or Software Technology Park; or

(iv) supplied to the United Nations or an international organization for their official use or supplied to. projects funded by them, on which exemption of duty is available under notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) No.10S/ 95-Central Excise, dated the 2Sth August, 1995, number G. S R. 602 (E), dated the 2Sth August, 1995; or

(v) cleared for export under bond in terms of the provisions ofthe Central Excise Rules, 2002; or

(vi) gold or silver falling within q,hapter 71 of the said First Schedule, arising in the course of manufacture of copper or zinc by smelting.

7. Manner of distribution of credit by input service distributor

The input service distributor may distribute the CENV AT credit in respect of the service tax paid on the input service to its manufacturing units or units providing output service, subject to the following condition, name1y:­

(a) the credit distributedJ' against a document referred to in rule 9 does not exceed the amount of service tax paid thereon; or

(b) credit of service tax attributable to service use in a unit exclusively engaged in manufacture of exempted goods or providing of exempted services shall not be distributed.

8. Storage of input outside the factory of the manufacturer

The Deputy Commissioner of Central Excise or the Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise, as the case may be, having jurisdiction over the factory of a manufacturer of the final products may, in exceptional circumstances having regard to the nature of the goods and shortage of storage space at the premises ?f such manufacturer, by an order, permit such manufacturer to store the input III respect of which CENV AT credit has been taken, outside such factory, subject to such limitations and conditions as he may specify:

Provided that where such input is not used in the manner specified in these rules for any reason whatsoever, the manufacturer of the final products shall pay an amount equal to the credit availed in respect of such input.

9. Documents and accounts

(1) The CENVAT credit shall be taken by the manufacturer or the provider of output service or input service distributor, as the case may be, on the basis of any of the following documents, namely-­

(a) an invoice issued by-­

  • a manufacturer for clearance of ­-

  • inputs or capital goods from his factory or depot or from the premises of the consignment agent of the said manufacturer or
    from any "Other premises from where the goods are sold by or on behalf of the said manufacturer;

  • inputs or capital goods as such;

  • an importer;

  • an importer from his depot or from the premises of the consignment agent of the said importer if the said depot or the
    premises, as the case may be, is registered in terms of the provisions of Central Excise Rules, 2002;

  • a first stage dealer or a second stage dealer, as the case may be, in terms of the provisions of Central Excise Rules, 2002; or

(b) a supplementary invoice, issued by a manufacturer or importer of inputs or capital goods in terms of the provisions of Central Excise Rules, 2002 from his factory or depot or from the premises of the consignment agent of the said manufacturer or importer or from any other premises from where the goods are sold by, or on behalf of, the said manufacturer or importer, in case additional amount of excise duties or additional duty leviable under Section 3 of the Customs Tariff Act, has been paid, except where the additional amount of duty became recoverable from the manufacturer or importer of inputs or capital goods on account of any non-levy or short-levy by reason of fraud, collusion or any wilful misstatement or suppression of facts or contravention of any provisions of the Excise Act, or of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) or the rules made there under with intent to evade payment of duty.

Explanation

For removal of doubts, it is clarified that supplementary invoice shall also include challan or any other similar document evidencing payment of additional amount of additional duty leviable under Section 3 of the Customs Tariff Act; or

  • a bill of entry; or

  • a certificate issued by an appraiser of customs in respect of goods imported through a Foreign Post Office; or

  • a challan evidencing payment of service tax by the person liable to pay service tax under sub-clauses (iii) and (iv) of clause
    (d) of sub-rule (1) of rule (2) of the Service Tax Rules, 1994; or

  • an invoice, a bill or challan issued by a provider of input service on or after the 10th day of, September, 2004; or

  • an invoice, bill or challan issued by an input service distributor under rule 4A of the Service Tax Rules, 1994.

(2) The CENVAT credit shall not be denied on the grounds that any of the documents mentioned in sub-rule (I) does not contain all the particulars equired to be contained therein under these rules, if such document contains details of payment of duty or service tax, description of the goods or taxable service, assessable value, name and address of the factory or warehouse or provider of input service:

Provided that the Deputy Commissioner of Central Excise or the Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise, as the case may be, having jurisdiction over the factory of a manufacturer or provider of output service intending to take CENVAT credit, or the input service distributor distributing CENVAT credit on input service, is satisfied that the duty of excise or service tax due on the input or input service has been paid and such input or input service has actually been used or is to be used in the manufacture of final products or in providing output service, then, such Deputy Commissioner of Central Excise or the Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise, as the case may be, shall record the reasons for not denying the credit in each case.

(3) The manufacturer or producer of excisable goods or provider of output service taking CENV AT credit on input or capital goods or input service, or the input service distributor distributing CENV AT credit on input service shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that the input or capital goods or input service in respect of which he has taken the CENVAT credit are goods or services on which the appropriate. duty of excise or service tax as indicated in the documents accompanying the goods or relating to input service, has been paid.

Explanation

The manufacturer or producer of excisable goods or provider of output service taking CENVAT credit on input or capital goods or input service or the input service distributor distributing CENVAT credit on input service on the basis of, invoice, bill or, as the case may be, challan received by him for distribution of input service credit shall be deemed to have taken reasonable steps if he satisfies himself about the identity and address of the manufacturer or supplier or provider of input service, as the case may be, issuing the documents specified in sub-rule (1), evidencing the payment of excise duty or the additional duty of customs or service tax, as the case may be, either­-

(a) from his personal knowledge; or

(b) on the basis of a certificate given by a person with whose handwriting or signature he is familiar; or

(c) on the basis of a certificate issued to the manufacturer or the supplier or,as the case may be, the provider of input service by the Superintendent of Central Excise within whose jurisdiction such manufacturer has his factory or such supplier or provider of output service has his place of business or were the provider of input service has paid the service tax, and where the identity and address of the manufacturer or the supplier or the provider of input service is satisfied on the basis of a certificate, the manufacturer or producer or provider of output service taking the CENV AT credit or input service distributor distributing CENVAT credit shall retain such certificate for production before the Central Excise Officer on demand.

(4) The CENVAT credit in respect of input or capital goods purchased from a first stage dealer or second stage dealer shall be allowed only if such first stage dealer or second stage dealer, as the case may be, has maintained records indicating the fact that the input or capital goods was supplied from the stock on which duty was paid by the producer of such input or capital goods and only an amount of such duty on pro rata basis has been indicated in the invoice issued by him.

(5) The manufacturer of final products or the provider of output service shall maintain proper records for the rece~pt, disposal, consumption and inventory of the input and capital goods in which the relevant information regarding the value, duty paid, CENVAT credit taken and utilized', the person from whom the input or capital goods have been procured is recorded and the burden of proof regarding the admissibility of the CENVAT credit shall lie upon the manufacturer or provider of output service taking such credit.

(6) The manufacturer of final products or the provider oJ output service shall maintain proper records for the receipt and consumption of the input services in which the relevant information regarding the value, tax paid, CENVAT credit taken and utilized, the person from whom the input service has been procured is recorded and the burden of proof regarding the admissibility of the CENVAT credit shall lie upon the manufacturer or provider of output service taking such credit.

(7) The manufacturer of final products shall submit within ten days from the close of each month to the Superintendent of Central Excise, a monthly return in the form specified, by notification, by the Board:.

Provided that where a manufacturer is availing exemption under a notification based on the value or quantity of clearances in a financial year, he shall file a quarterly return in the form specified, by notification, by the Board within twenty days after the close of the quarter to which the retum relates.

(8) A first stage dealer or a second stage dealer, as the case may be, shall submit within fifteen days from the close of each quarter of a year to the Superintendent of Central Excise, a return in the form specified, by notification, by the Board.

(9) The provider of output service availing CENVAT credit, shall submit a half yearly return in form specified, by notification, by the Board to the Superintendent of Central Excise, by the end of the month following the particular quarter or half year.

(10) The input service distributor, shall submit a half yearly Statement, giving the details of credit received and distributed during the said half year to the Superintendent of Central Excise, by the end of the month following the half year.

10. Transfer of CENVAT credit

(1) If a manufactUrer of the final products shifts his factory to another site or the factory is transferred on account of change in ownership or on account of sale, merger, amalgamation, lease or transfer of the factory to a joint venture with the specific provision for transfer of liabilities of such factory, then, the manufacturer shall be allowed to transfer the CENVAT credit lying unutilized in his accounts to such transferred, sold, merged, leased or amalgamated factory..

(2) If a provider of output service shifts or transfers his business on account of change in ownership or on account of sale, merger, amalgamation, lease or transfer of the business to a joint venture with the specific provision for transfer of liabilities of such business, then, the provider of output service shall be allowed to transfer the CENV AT credit lying unutilized in his accounts to such transferred, sold, merged, leased or amalgamated business.

(3) The transfer of the CENVAT credit under sub-rules (1) and (2) shall be allowed only if the stock of inputs as such or in process, or the capital goods is also transferred along with the factory or business premises to the new site or ownership and the inputs, or capital goods, on which credit has been availed of are duly accounted for to the satisfaction of the Deputy Commissioner of Central Excise or, as the case may be, the Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise.

11. Transitional provision

(1) Any amount of credit earned by a manufacturer under the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2002, as they existed prior to the 10th day of September, 2004 or by a provider of output service under the Service Tax Credit Rules, 2002, as they existed prior to the 10th day of September, 2004, and remaining unutilized on that day shall be allowed as CENVAT credit to such manufacturer or provider of output service under these' rules, and be allowed to be utilized in accordance with these rules.

(2) A manufacturer who opts for exemptiori from the whole of the duty of excise leviable on goods manufactured by him under a notification based on the value or quantity of .clearances in a financial year, and who has been takIng CENVAT credit on inputs or input services before such option is exercised, shall be required to pay an amount equivalent to the CENVAT credit, If any, allowed to him. in respect of inputs lying in stock or in process or Contained in final products lying in stock on the date when such option is exercised and after deducting the said amount from the balance, if any, lying in his credit, the balance, if any, . still' remaining shall lapse and shall not' be allowed to be utilized for payment of duty on any excisable goods, whether cleared for home consumption or for export.

12. Special dispensation in respect of inputs manufactured in factories located in specified areas of North East region, Kutch district of Gujarat, State of Jammu and Kashmir and State of Sikkim

Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules, where a manufacturer has cleared any inputs or capital goods, in terms of notifications of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) No. 32/99- Central Excise, dated the 8th July, 1999 [G.S.R. 508(E), dated the 8th July, 1999] or No. 33/99­Central Excise, dated the 8th July, 1999 [G.S.R. 509(E), dated the 8th July, 1999] or No. 39/2001-Central Excise, dated the 31st July, 2001 [G.S.R. 565(E), dated the 31 st July, 2001] or notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Finance and Company Affairs (Department of Revenue) No.56/2002-Central Excise, dated the 14th November, 2002 [G.S.R. 764(E), dated 14th November, 2002]or No.57/2002-Central Excise, dated the 14th November, 2002 [ GSR 765(E), dated the 14th November, 2002] or notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) No. 56/2003-Central Excise, dated the 25th June, 2003 [G.S.R. 513 (E), dated the 25th June, 2003] or 71/2003-Central Excise, dated the 9th September, 2003 [G.S.R.717 (E), dated the 9th September, 2003, the CENVAT credit on such inputs or capital goods shall be admissible as if no portion of the duty paid on such inputs or capital goods was exempted under any of the said notifications.

13. Power of Central Government to notify goods for deemed CENVAT credit

Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 3, the Central Government may, by notification, declare the input or input service on which the duties of excise, or additional duty of customs or service tax paid, shall be deemed, to have been paid at such rate or equivalent to such amount as may be specified in that notification and allow CENVAT credit of such duty or tax deemed to have been paid in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be specified in that notification even if, in the case of input, the declared input, or in the case of input service, the declared input service, as the case may be, is not used directly by the manufacturer of final products, or as the case may be, by the provider of taxable service, declared in that notification, but contained in the said final products, or as the case may be, used in providing the taxable service.

14. Recovery of CENVAT credit wrongly taken or erroneously refunded

Where the CENVAT credit has been taken or utilized wrongly or has been erroneously refunded,' the same along with interest shall be recovered from the manufacturer or the provider of the output service and the provisions of sections llA and IIAB oLthe Excise Act or sections 73 and 75 of the Finance Act, shall apply mutatis mutandis for effecting such recoveries.

15. Confiscation and penalty

(1) If any person, takes CENVAT credit in respect of input or capital goods, wrongly or without taking reasonable Steps to ensure that appropriate duty on the said input or capital goods has been paid as indicated in the document accompanying the input or capital goods specified in rule 9, or contravenes any of the provisions of these rules in respect of any input or capital goods, then, all such goods shall be liable to confiscation and such person, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding the duty on the excisable goods in respect of which any contravention has been committed, or ten thousand rupees, whichever is greater.

(2) In a case, where the CENVAT credit in respect of input or capital goods has been taken or utilized wrongly on account of fraud, willful mis­statement, collusion or suppression of facts, or contravention of any of the provisions of the Excise Act or the rules made thereunder with intention to evade payment of duty, then, the manufacturer shall also be liable to pay penalty in terms of the provisions of Section IIAC of the Excise Act.

(3) If any person, takes CENVAT credit in respect of input services, wrongly or without taking reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate service tax on the said input services has been paid as indicated in the document accompanying the input services specified in rule 9, or coptravenes any of the provisions of these rules in respect of any input service, then, such person, shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to an amount not exceeding ten thousand rupees.

(4) In a case, where the CENVAT credit in respect of input services has been taken or utilized wrongly by reason of fraud, collusion, willful mis­statement, suppression of facts, or contravention of any of the provisions of the Finance Act or of the rules made thereunder with intention to evade payment of service tax, then, the provider of output service shall also be liable to pay penalty in terms of the provisions of Section 78 of the Finance Act.

(5) Any order under sub-rule (1), sub-rule (2), sub-rule (3) or sub-rule (4) shall be issued by the Central Excise Officer following the principles of natural justice.

16. Supplementary provision

Any notification, circular, instruction, standing order, trade notice or other order issued under the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2002 or the Service Tax Credit Rules, 2002, by the Central Government, the Central Board of Excise and Customs, the Chief Commissioner of Central Excise or the Commissioner of Central Excise, and in force at the commencement of these rules, shall, to the extent it is relevant and consistent with these rules, be deemed to be valid and issued under the corresponding provisions of these rules.