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TMI BlogService Tax paid after March 1, 2013 but before enactment of VCES on May 10, 2013 – Should be considered as paid under VCESX X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... Service Tax paid after March 1, 2013 but before enactment of VCES on May 10, 2013 – Should be considered as paid under VCES - By: - Bimal jain - Service Tax - Dated:- 8-5-2014 - - Dear Professional Colleague , Service Tax paid after March 1, 2013 but before enactment of VCES on May 10, 2013 Should be considered as paid under VCES We are sharing with you an important judgment of the Ho ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... n ble Gujarat High Court in the case of Sadguru Construction Co. Vs. Union of India [2014 (5) TMI 219 - GUJARAT HIGH COURT ] on the following issue: Issue: Whether the amount paid after March 1, 2013 but before enactment of VCES on May 10, 2013 can be excluded from declaration filed under the Service Tax Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme, 2013 ( VCES or the Scheme ) ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ? Facts Background: Sadguru Construction Co. ( the Petitioners ) is a partnership firm engaged in the business of construction. On March 8, 2013, the preventive officers of the Service Tax Department conducted inquiry at the premises of the Petitioners regarding the Petitioners' unpaid service tax dues. The Petitioners deposited Rs. 35.51 lakhs with the Department between March ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... 9, 2013 and April 15, 2013. On July 14, 2013 the Petitioners deposited further amount with the Department such that total deposit with the Department became Rs. 47.79 lakhs. Thereafter, the Petitioners declared tax dues of Rs. 43.61 lakhs on August 24, 2013 (revised to Rs. 45.76 lakhs on December 30, 2013) under VCES . The Petitioners included Rs. 35.51 lakhs paid to the Department between Ma ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... rch 9, 2013 and April 15, 2013 in the declaration filed under VCES . The Department contended that the amount which was deposited before enactment of the Scheme i.e. before May 10, 2013 cannot be included in the declaration under VCES. The Designated Authority vide its Impugned Order dated December 31, 2012 acknowledged the declaration of the Petitioners only to the extent of tax dues of Rs ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... .10,24,656/- i.e. amount deposited by the petitioners after enactment of the Scheme. The Impugned Order was issued on the basis of clarification contained in the Circular 170/5/2013-ST dated August 8, 2013 ( the Circular ) which provides that amount paid by applicant from March 1, 2013 till the date of enactment of the Scheme i.e. May 10, 2013 will not be covered under VCES . Hence, the Pe ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... titioners filed a writ petition before the Hon ble Gujarat High Court. Held: The Hon ble Gujarat High Court held that if the contention of the Department is accepted that any tax dues which is deposited before May 10, 2013 cannot form part of the tax dues under the Scheme, then, it will mutilate the definition of term tax dues contained in Section 105(1)(e) of the Finance Act, 2013 ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... . Further, the argument of the Department cannot be accepted on the basis of the clarifications contained in the Circular as it cannot override the statutory provisions contained in the Scheme. Furthermore, the Hon ble High Court held that if the intention of the legislature was to exclude any service tax deposited before framing of the Scheme, the same could have been provided in the Statute. ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... However, the legislature only excluded the declaration of such taxes which were already paid by March 1, 2013. Accordingly, the Hon ble High Court observed that two conditions were essential for a valid declaration i.e. The proceedings for declaration or recovery of the tax dues should not be pending on March 1, 2013; and The taxes should not have been deposited before March 1, 2013. ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... Since, the Petitioners fulfilled both the conditions, the declaration filed by the Petitioners was valid and the Hon ble Gujarat High Court quashed the order of the Designated Authority. Hope the information will assist you in your Professional endeavours. In case of any query/ information, please do not hesitate to write back to us. Thanks Best Regards Bimal Jain FCA, FCS, LLB, B ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... .Com (Hons) Flat No. 34B, Ground Floor, Pocket-1, Mayur Vihar, Phase I, Delhi 110091 Desktel: +91-11-22757595/42427056 Mobile: +91 9810604563 Email: bimaljain at the rate of hotmail.com Website: www.a2ztaxcorp.com Disclaimer: The contents of this document are solely for informational purpose. It does not constitute professional advice or recommendation of firm. N ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... either the authors nor firm and its affiliates accepts any liabilities for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of any information in this document nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Readers are advised to consult the professional for understanding applicability of this newsletter in the respective scenarios. While due care has been taken in preparing this document, the exi ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... stence of mistakes and omissions herein is not ruled out. No part of this document should be distributed or copied (except for personal, non-commercial use) without our written permission. - - Scholarly articles for knowledge sharing authors experts professionals Tax Management India - taxmanagementindia - taxmanagement - taxmanagementindia.com - TMI - TaxTMI - TMITax ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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