Denial of CENVAT credit for expenses incurred at unregistered ...

Technical testing firm wins CENVAT credit case; Revenue can't deny credit for samples collected at unregistered branches.

Case Laws     Service Tax

November 22, 2024

Denial of CENVAT credit for expenses incurred at unregistered branches and the demand raised by revenue authorities. The key points are: The appellant undertakes technical testing and analysis services on blood samples obtained during human trials. The final analysis report is prepared at the Ahmedabad office, although samples are collected from unregistered branches. The Tribunal held that CENVAT credit cannot be denied merely because samples are collected from unregistered branches, as the entire activity is accounted for and carried out from the registered Ahmedabad office. Centralized registration is not a prerequisite for availing CENVAT credit; the criteria is that the input service should be used for providing output service and service tax should be paid. As all activities are ultimately attributed to the Ahmedabad office, availment of CENVAT credit there is valid. The demand based on the difference between taxable income in profit and loss account and taxable value declared in ST-3 returns is unsustainable unless revenue establishes the nature of service for the difference. The appellant provided reconciliation and paid service tax on excess amount. Demands based on alleged totaling mistakes and short payment of service tax are unsustainable as the appellant provided explanations and evidence of correct payment. The demand based on debit notes issued by Wockhardt Ltd. is unsustainable.

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