COMPLIANCE UNDER SERVICE TAX LAW
By Harsha
Chartered Accountant

C OMPLIANCES UNDER FA, 1994
•
–
–
•
•
•
•
•

R EGISTRATION : P ERSONS REQUIRED TO TAKE R EGISTRATION
• Persons required to register:
• Service Provider - other than negative list of services
• Service Receiver – Reverse/Joint charge
• Exclusive trading entities
• Companies having Directors
• Input Service Distributor
• SSP - crossing the threshold limit of 9 lacs.
• Registration to be done online through ACES

R EGISTRATION
• Time limit: within 30 days from liability/ commencement of business i.e., provision of service
• Application to be filed online through ACES.
• Trade Notice issued by Hyderabad–III
Commissionerate vide 19/2012 dated 25.09.2012
regarding documents to be submitted for the centralized and single registration.
• Within 7 days of submission of docs, ST-2 is to be granted.

S ERVICE P ROVIDER PROVIDING SERVICES FROM M ULTIPLE L OCATIONS
• Has to register separately for each premise
• However if centralized billing or centralized accounting, then Centralized Registration can be taken at the option of service provider.
• The Jurisdictional Commissioner would grant registration through Superintendent
• Single Premise Registration can be amended to
Centralized Registration.
• Registration to be given within 7 days otherwise deemed to be register.
• Deemed registration not applicable in case of centralized registration.

ST R EGISTRATION THROUGH ACES
• Logon to www.aces.gov.in
• Click on Service Tax
• Click on New User
• Fill the required Details
• ACES will send a mail providing the password for the first time.
• Use the user name and p/w provided in the mail and log on to ACES
• Fill ST-1
• Submit the filled form online

ST R EGISTRATION THROUGH ACES
• Print the Form ST-1
• Affix Signature on the same
• Submit the same to Jurisdictional Supt.
• Documents along with hard copy are o Self Attested copy of PAN o Self Attested Partnership Deed/AOA & MOA o Proof of Address: o Any one of the following: electricity bill or telephone bill or copy of the bank account statement of the applicant showing the name and address
(not older than 3 months) and o In case of Self owned property: Annual tax payment receipt or sale deed and o In case of Rented Premises: Rental agreement o And others as specified in the Trade Notice.

A MENDMENT TO R EGISTRATION C ERTIFICATE
• RC requires amendment under following situations:
– Change in the status of service provider
– Change in any information furnished in ST-1
– Furnishing of additional information
– Addition of new premises
• Detail to be intimated within 30 days of above changes.
Amendment to be done online – aces.gov.in
• Superintendent to give effect within 7 days – Give the old ST-2 and take fresh ST-2.

S URRENDER / CANCELLATION OF R EGISTRATION
• Registration to be surrendered/ cancelled under following circumstances: o On stopping provision of taxable services o On service being exempted o Gross turnover not exceeding exemption limit o Closure of operation o Transfer of business etc.
• Surrender of registration application to be made on closure. To be done online.
• Superintendent to check whether all the monies due to
Govt. are paid and then cancel the RC

B ELATED R EGISTRATION
• Due to confusion/ ignorance, assessee may not have taken registration.
• Subsequently, assessee become aware that he is liable to take registration.
• Assessee should arrive at proper “relevant date”. It could be date of notification or date when taxable activity was started.
• Service provider may examine availment of SSI exemption limit.
• He is to calculate the service tax payable from the relevant date.

B ELATED R EGISTRATION
• ST should be paid along with interest @ 18% (15% if taxable service does not exceed 60 lacs during preceding FY)
• Comprehensive letter detailing the ST payable, reason for delay, request to allow Cenvat Credit along with declaration that once registration is accorded tax along with interest would be paid.
• Letter should be sent through RPAD letter.
• Other registration procedure would be same.
• On registration, ST along with interest should be paid.

N EW FORM PROPOSED
• Old form required for identifying the classification of services.
• New Return issued obviating the need of ascertaining the nature of services.
• Only thing required to check if the services provided are other than covered by Negative List.
• This form is different from common EST form proposed at the time of budget proposal.

R ECORDS (R ULE 5 OF STR)
• Manual records as well as computerized records maintained under other law is acceptable.
• Following list submitted at the time of filing of first return:
1. All records maintained for accounting of following transactions: o Providing of any service o Receipt, procurement and payment of input service o Receipt, purchase, manufacture, storage, sale or delivery of inputs and capital goods o Other activities i.e. manufacture or sale of goods
2.
All other financial records maintained in normal course of business

R ECORDS FOR C ENVAT (R ULE 9 OF CCR)
• No prescribed format required for availment and utilization of Cenvat Credit
• Proper records to be maintained for: o Receipt, disposal, consumption and inventory of input and capital goods o Receipt and consumption of input services
• Records to contain following details: o Value of input, capital goods and input services o Duty or tax paid o Cenvat Credit taken and utilised o Person from whom input, input services and capital goods are procured.

S UGGESTED R ECORD M AINTENANCE
• Vouchers (debit and credit)
• Details about clients
• Copies of bills
• Register of service tax charged, collected and deposited
• Receipts issued to the clients
• Credit notes detailing the credits allowed, bills cancelled etc
• Register of receipts, consumption and balance on input service tax.

R ECORD CONT ..
• Records to prove the receipt of inputs and capital goods
• Stock record of inputs
• Cenvat Credit listing of inputs
• Memorandum Credit account ( for 50 % CG credit)
• Listing of inputs removed as such/ sold
• Listing of capital goods removed as such/ sold
• Documents for input/ CG credit

I NITIAL D ECLARATIONS
• As per the Rule 5(2) of STR, 1994 there is requirement of providing the details of records maintained.
• It is also suggestible to intimate the details of all type of services and the nature of treatment intended by the assesses for the same.
• This would avoid the surprise demand later and also save from invocation of extended limitation period.

I MPORTANCE
• Corrections more expensive
• Unnecessary hassles avoided later
• Increased likely hood of being picked up for audit
• Do It Right The First Time

I NVOICING / BILLING
• W.e.f. 10.9.04 it is mandatory for Taxable SP to issue an invoice/a bill/a challan.
• It should be issued within 30 days (earlier14 days) from completion of service or receipt of any payment towards taxable value whichever is earlier.
• Invoice/bill/challan should be serially numbered
(Other than for bank)
• Also to be signed by service provider or his authorized person.
• Continuous supply service – event enabling the receipt of payment
• Banks/FI including NBFC’s – 45 days time for invoice/bill/challan

C ONTENTS OF I NVOICE
• Invoice/Bill/Challan should contain o Name and address of TSP o Registration No. of TSP o Name & address of such Service Receiver o Description of taxable service o Value of taxable service o Service Tax payable thereon.
• Ensure to avoid credit denial at user/ client

S PECIAL C ASES
• Banks – any document having the above info even without having service receiver address or Si. Nos. is acceptable
• GTA – any document shall have in addition to above info, details of consignment note no. & date, gross weight.
• Air Passenger – ticket in any form with or without registration no /address of service receiver but with the above information

S UGGESTED B ILL FOR S ERVICES
• Reference to Order / Offer/ Quotation
• Service Tax Registration no. TSP
• Goods Involved/ Sold (excluded from the definition of service)
• Services covered by negative List
• Exempt Services( describe – Notification No.)
• Taxable services
• Abatement (Notification No & extent)
• Reimbursable expenses
• Service tax & Cess specifically mentioned.

I NPUT S ERVICE D ISTRIBUTOR
• The Head Office, Sales Office, Corporate Office may spend on services centrally.
• These services may be utilised at more than units/offices.
• These may need to distribute the credit, so that it can be availed at each of the premises of multiple registration entities.
• Distribution can be done by way of an invoice/ challan.
• Separate Registration. Method of registration same as discussed above.

I SD - I NVOICING
• ISD required to issue serially numbered invoice to each recipient of credit distributed.
• Invoice should contain following information: o Name, address and registration number of person providing input services o Serial number and date of invoice issued by person providing input services.
o Name and address of said ISD o Name and address of the recipient of credit distributed o Amount of credit distributed.

I NPUT S ERVICE D ISTRIBUTOR CONTD ..
• Conditions for distributing credit o Credit distributed should not exceed ST Paid o Exempted units’ credit cannot be distributed o Services used wholly in a particular unit to be distributed only to that unit o In case of common services distribution should be pro-rata on turnover of the preceding month or quarter as the case may be
• Turnover to be determined as per formula for refund

C OMPILATION OF R ETURNS
• E-filing of ST-3 form on half yearly basis. Only for the period April to June 2012 – quarterly returns prescribed. Return to be filed through ACES.
• There are two options for filing of Return. Online and offline. For Apr to June 12 – Only offline.
• Return to be filed within 25 th of April & 25 th October every year. For Apr to June 12- 25 th November.
• Compulsory to file Returns online only. Declaration to be filed with Superintendent for User name and pw.
• Revision within 90 days from date of filing.

C OMPILATION OF R ETURNS
• The following details shall be required for filling of ST-3:
• Amount received for the taxable service provided
• Amount received for the non-taxable service provided
• Amount received in advance for the taxable/non-taxable service to be provided
• Details of the abatement claimed if any
• Gross amount billed for taxable service
• Gross amount billed for non-taxable service
• Amounts paid by way of Joint/Reverse Chg
• The details of CENVAT credit availed
• The details of the CENVAT utilized for the payment
• Detail of Cenvat Credit reversible under Rule 6 of CCR.
• Payment by cash in GAR-7

D IFFERENT W ORKSHEETS T O BE FILLED UNDER EXCEL UTILITY
• Payable Services: Separate worksheet for each kind of services provided. Required to show the value of taxable services received as well as invoiced.
• Advance payment: Any advance payment made under Rule
6(1A) of STR. Detail of GAR/TR6 challan to be given.
• Paid Services: Details of ST paid through cenvat Credit, cash or adjustment against advance paid earlier.
• Challan Services: Details of challn through which ST is paid.
• Cenvat: Should be filled up properly showing credit taken on input, input services and capital goods. Similarly, credit utilised for payment of ST, cesses, clearance of goods as such and reversal under Rule 6(3) of CCR.
• Distributor: Distribution of credit by ISD.
• Self Assessment Memorandum.: Name, date and place of assessee.

S PECIFIC ISSUES IN FILING OF RETURN
• Adjustment of tax paid where services not provided either partially or fully [Rule 6(4) of STR]
• Adjustment of excess payment of tax made.
• Reversal of Cenvat Credit under Rule 6 of CCR.

A DJUSTMENT OF T AX
• Adjustment permissible in following cases o Invoice issued/payment received - service to be provided - Not provided - either wholly or partially for any reason, o The amount of invoice is renegotiated due to deficient provision of service, or any terms contained in a contract
• Excess tax may be adjusted subject to conditions: o Refunded the payment or part thereof; or o issued a credit note - value of the service not so provided
• Adjusted against the subsequent payments

E XCESS PAYMENT ADJUSTMENT
• Any excess amount paid towards a month or quarter, he may adjust such excess amount paid by him against his service tax liability for the succeeding month or quarter, as the case may be
• Condition - the excess amount paid is on account of reasons not involving interpretation of law, taxability, valuation or applicability of any exemption notification. (earlier limit of 2 lakh)
• Source Document details to be filled up for adjustment of advance tax paid. There is separate column in Challan worksheet. Reference may be given of earlier return, date and challan through which excess tax was paid.

R EVERSAL UNDER RULE 6 OF CENVAT CREDIT RULES
• Cenvat credit on input and input service attributable to provision of exempted services to be reversed.
• Option under Rule 6: o Maintenance of separate account for input and input services used in exempted and taxable services o Reversal of 6% of the value of exempted services o Reversal based on proportionate formula o Trading activity also considered as exempted services.
• Option to be exercised need to be intimated to department. Cannot be changed during FY.
• Reversal to be shown separately in the Return.

L ATE FILING FEE FOR DELAYED FILING
• Quantum of late fling fee o Up to 15 days Rs. 500/o 15 – 30 days Rs. 1000/o Above 30 days Rs. 1000/- + 100/day maximum Rs.
20,000/-
• In case of gross amount payable is nil, AC/DC can reduce or waive the above fees
• Sec. 77 (2) general penalty Rs. 10K. (eg. no return filed)

B UDGET PROPOSAL FOR REGISTRATION FORM AND RETURN
• New simplified form for common registration of excise and service tax placed for public comment.
• Similarly, new simplified one page common return with
Central Excise : to be called Excise & Service Tax Return
(EST for short) is introduced.
• Cycle for payment of service tax and filing of return proposed to be coincide as follows:
Assessee
All Assessee having turnover of Rs. 25 lacs or more during previous FY
New assessee other than individual and firms
Individual and firm having turnover of less than 25 lacs during previous FY
Individual and firm registering for first time
Period
Monthly
Monthly
Quarterly
Quarterly

N EW ACCOUNTING CODE FOR PAYMENT OF SERVICE TAX
• Circular No. 161/12/2012-ST, Dated: July 6, 2012 issued providing for accounting code for payment of service tax.
• a new Minor Head - ‘All taxable Services’ has been allotted under the Major Head “0044-Service Tax
Name of
Service
All Taxable
Services
Tax Collection Other receipt Penalties
00441089 00441090 00441093
Deduct refunds
00441094
• Service specific accounting code continue to operate for period prior to July 1,2012
• Cesses to be paid under old accounting codes.

R EFUND OF SERVICE TAX
• Refund of excise duty on inputs and service tax paid on the input services used for export of service can be claimed as per Rule 5 of Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004 read with Notification No. 27/2012-
CE (NT) dated 18.06.12.
• Refund amount = Export t/o (goods + services)*Net CC
Total turnover
– Export of service is as per Rule 6A of the Service Tax Rules, 1994
– Export Turnover of goods, Export turnover of services and total turnover are defined in the Rule itself
– Net CC = CC on inputs and input services.
• Conditions, Limitations and other safeguards are given in the Notification 27/2012.

R EFUND C ONT ..,
• Refund Claim shall be on quarterly basis- one claim for one quarter.
• Amount claimed as refund shall be debited to CENVAT Credit account at the time of making the refund claim.
• If subsequently, refund is granted for lower amount, the SP can avail the difference amount as credit
• Refund to be applied vide Form A to AC/DC in whose jurisdiction the premises of output service provider is situated (from where export is taken place)
• The time limit for filing the Form A is before the expiry of time specified in Section 11B of the Central Excise Act that is one year.
• One year from the date of payment to the input service vendor
(conservative mode).

R EFUND C ONT .,
• Refund claim should be signed by:
– Individual or Proprietor
– Karta - HUF
– Partner – Partnership Firm
– Person authorised by BOD – Limited Company
– Person authorised to file refund claim – any other case
• Refund claim to be accompanied by the CA certificate (statutory or any other) certifying the correctness of refund claimed – Form given in the Annexure – I to the Notification 27/2012 – CE (NT).
• AC/DC may ask further docs and info for processing the refund claim.

R EBATE OF S ERVICE T AX
• Rebate of service tax paid on the input services and excise duty paid on the inputs can be claimed as per Rule 6A of the Service
Tax Rules, 1994 read with Notification No. 39/2012 – ST dated
20.06.12
• Conditions:
– Service has to be exported as per Rule 6A of STR, 94
– duty on inputs, ST on input services has to be paid to the vendors
– Claim greater than Rs. 1000/-
– No Cenvat Credit to be availed for the amount for which
Rebate is claimed

R EBATE C ONTD .,
• Procedure:
– Declaration to be filed with AC/DC before the export of service stating the amount of inputs and input services actually required for export of service (description, quantity, value, rate of duty, amount of service tax)
– AC/DC shall verify the declaration filed, if necessary call for relevant info or inputs for verification and accept the declaration if he is satisfied that there is no likelihood of evasion of duty/service tax
• Filing of Rebate Claim:
– Claim to be made to AC/DC vide Form ASTR-1

REBATE C ONTD .,
– Claim to be accompanied by:
• Invoices for Inputs and Input Services
• Documentary evidence for receipt of CFE and payment details of input and input service vendors
• Declaration that such service has been exported in terms of Rule 6A along with documentary evidence.
• AC/DC shall grant the rebate if he is satisfied that the rebate claim is in order.

R EFUND O F ST - SEZ
• Unit located in SEZ or developer of SEZ is exempted from the whole of service tax leviable thereon subject to conditions specified in Notification No. 40/2012- ST dated 20.06.12
• Exemption of Service tax either by way:
– Ab-intio – if wholly consumed within SEZ
• Rule 4 – Performance based services
• Rule 5 – Immovable Property based services
• Other Rules – if exclusive SEZ operations
– Refund – If not wholly consumed within SEZ
• Formula for determining the refund amount and the terms involved are defined in the Notification.

R EFUND – SEZ C ONTD .,
• Conditions:
– List of specified services for AO – UAC approval
– For ab-intio exemption – Form A-1 to be filed by the Unit or developer – verified by specified officer of SEZ. Unit or developer shall also certify that they are not having other business outside SEZ in the same Form
– Should pay the input service tax to the vendors
– No Cenvat Credit shall be claimed of the refund amount
– No refund for the services wholly consumed outside SEZ
• Procedure:
– If regd under CE- Claim to be filed with AC/DC – Form A-2
– If not regd under CE- File declaration with AC/DC in Form A-3
– AC/DC shall allot STC after 7 days of filing of Form A-3

R EFUND – SEZ C ONTD .,
• Claim shall be made within one year from the end of the month in which payment to the input service vendor is made or AC/DC shall extend the period
• Docs to be filed along with Refund claim:
– Form A-1
– Invoices of input services along with proof of payment
– Declaration that services are used for AO
• AC/DC may grant the refund if he is satisfied

T HANK Y OU harsha@hiregange.com