I am directed to invite your attention to Section 88 of the Finance Act, 1997 which, inter-alia provides for levy of service tax on the services rendered by outdoor caterers and pandal or shamiana contractors. It has been decided to bring the above services under the service tax net with effect from 1st August, 1997. Notification Nos. 28/97-ST to 35/97, all dated the 25th July 1997 have been issued in this regard (copies enclosed).
Service Tax – Appointment of Central Excise Officers for the purpose of assessment and collection of service tax – regarding
Circular No. 755-Income Tax The Finance Act, 1997 has introduced a Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme, 1997. In regard to the Scheme a number of queries have been received from the public about the scope of the scheme and the procedure to be followed. The Board has considered the same and decided to
Explanation-For the purposes of this notification, the expression “rural areas” mean the area comprised in any village, and includes the area comprised in any town, the population of which does not exceed twenty thousand or such other figure as the Central Government may specify from time to time.
Provided that the said exemption shall apply only in cases where the pandal or shamiana contractor also provides catering services, that is, supply of food and the bill issued for this purpose indicates that it is inclusive of charges for catering service.
In exercise of the powers conferred by 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 exempts taxable services provided by an outdoor caterer from the service tax leviable on the gross amount charged from the client in relation to catering service provided on a railway train to the client by such caterer.
In exercise of the powers conferred by 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 exempts the taxable service provided by an outdoor caterer from the service tax leviable on the gross amount charged from the client for services in relation to catering by such caterer if such caterer is located within the premises of any academic institution or medical establishment and is providing such services only within such premises.
Provided tat the said exemption shall apply only if the outdoor caterer providing catering services is located within the premises of any office, factory or similar establishments and is providing such services only within such premises.
In exercise of the powers conferred by 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 exempts taxable service provided by an outdoor caterer from so much of the service tax liviable on such caterer, as is in excess of the amount of service tax calculated on fifty per cent. Of the gross amount charged from the client by such caterer for the services provided in relation to catering.
G.S.R.416(E).-In exercise of the powers conferred by section (1) read with sub-section (2) of section 94 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Service Tax Rules, 1994, namely.
