tax refund scheme

The government is considering expanding the scope of the existing tax refund scheme to include exports sectors that have been hit by demand slowdown in the developed markets. The finance ministry is soon likely to issue a notification in this regard. The government will also not lower the existing tax credit rates till the time these sectors show improvement, a government official. Full Article

The three services qualifying for service tax refund are courier services, goods transport agency services availed for transport of export goods from the ‘place of removal’ (mainly factory gate) to actual place of export i.e inland container depot (ICD)/airport/port and transportation services in containers by rail from the ‘place of removal’ to ICD/airport/port. Full Article

The three major ad valorem rates of Central Excise duty viz. 14%, 12% and 8% applicable to non-petroleum products have been reduced by 4 percentage points each. The revised rates will be 10%, 8% and 4% respectively. Full Article

The Income Tax Department is planning to extend the Refund Banker Scheme to the entire country as a move aimed at expediting refund of excess tax. The scheme, launched in Delhi and Patna in March this year, was later extended to Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai. It will now be extended to the entire country for the non-corporate category of taxpayers. This will facilitate quick and correct issue of refunds, an income tax official said. Full Article