The Union Budget 2012 has proposed multiple changes in Service Tax. One of the important aspects of burden of tax liability under Reverse Charge concept has also been proposed to be replaced from existing provisions. Applicability of New Reverse Charge Mechanism -According to Notification No 15/2012-ST dated 17.03.2012, which supersedes notification no. 36/2004-ST dated 31.12.2004, the proposed Reverse Charge Mechanism will be made applicable from the date on which Section 66B of the Finance Act,1994 comes into force i.e. 1-7-2012.
The Central Government vide Notification No. 19/2012-ST dated 05.06.2012 has announced Date of Introduction of new regime of most awaited Negative List approach in Service Tax, which will apply w.e.f. 01.07.2012 i.e. service tax would be applicable on all services except those mentioned either in the Negative List or in the Mega Exemption vide Notification No. 12/2012-ST dated 17.03.2012.
The Central Government by exercising the power conferred by clause (i) of sub-section (2) of section 94 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994) has made the Service Tax (Compounding of Offences) Rules, 2012 (herein after referred as the Compounding of offences Rules, 2012) published by Notification No.17/2012-ST, dated 29.05.2012.
Please note that Hon’ble President has given her assent to the Finance Bill, 2012 and got enacted as Finance Act(No 23 of 2012) on May 28,2012. We have summarized various statutory provisions have been made applicable w.e.f. 28-05-2012.
CENTRAL Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has issued clarification vides Circular No. 158/9/ 2012–ST dated. 8th May, 2012 on the rate of service tax applicable wherein invoices were raised before 1st April 2012 and the payments shall be after 1st April 2012 in case of the 8 specified services provided by individuals or proprietary firms or partnership firms, to which Rule 7 of Point of Taxation Rules 2011 was applicable and services on which tax is paid under reverse charge under section 68(2) of the Finance Act.
The current Section 44AB of the IT Act has been challenged by the Appellant on behalf of the Income Tax Practitioners. The Appellant contends that the Income Tax Practitioners should be entitled to be authorized representatives and that they are excluded for auditing accounts which violates their Fundamental Rights, specifically Article 14 and 19 of the Constitution.
