Failure to Furnish Return by Assessee who has taken ST registration cannot be said non deliberate

It was  contended by the appellants that they were not aware that they had to pay service tax. Though it was a fact that they have taken service tax registration, they never disclosed the nature of services rendered nor they furnished ST-3 returns, which was mandatory for a person providing taxable services. The question naturally arises that if they were not aware that they had to pay service tax, why should they take a service tax registration. We are of the opinion that non-furnishing of information or non-filing of returns resulted in non-payment of service tax and this action on the part of appellants tantamount to deliberate non-compliance with the provisions. In other words, this is only implying suppression of facts with an intent to evade payment of service tax. Therefore, the extended period, under Section 73(1) is rightly invoked by the Revenue.

IN THE CESTAT, WEST ZONAL BENCH, AHMEDABAD

LOK PRIYA TRAVELS

Versus

COMMISSIONER OF SERVICE TAX, AHMEDABAD

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