Reverse Charge Mechanism by Bimal Jain Tax Expert

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. Difference between Notification no. 15/2012-ST dated 17.3.2012 & Notification no. 36/2004-ST dated 31.12.2004 Under the erstwhile Notification no. 36/2004-ST, the following services were notified telecommunication service, general insurance business, insurance auxiliary services, services provided from abroad, goods transport agency services, sponsorship services. But, under new notification no. 15/2012-ST, telecommunication service, services provided from abroad and insurance auxiliary services have not been mentioned. However, for the purpose of import of services, separate Rule namely "Place of Provision of Services Rules, 2012" have been framed & put in the public domain for suggestions & feedback from all stakeholders of Trade & Industry. Further, Rule 7 of the Point of Taxation Rules, 2011 is amended, which state that Point of taxation is date of payment in respect of the persons required to pay tax as recipients of service under the rules made in this regard in respect of services notified under sub-section (2) of section 68 of the Finance Act, 1994. Furthermore, it is provided that, where the payment is not made within a period of six months of the date of invoice, the point of taxation shall be determined as if this rule does not exist i.e. Point of taxation would earliest of date of invoice or date of service, which will result in dispute of interest that may be demanded by the Service tax dept. This issue is under debate since the day of implementation of the Point of Taxation Rules, 2011. Further, there are following three services where in both the service provider i.e. Individual or HUF or Proprietary or partnership firm or AOP or LLP and the service receiver i.e. Body Corporate, liable to pay service tax to the extent of % as are mentioned in their respective column:. Sl. No 1 Description of Service Service Recipient (Body Corporate) Service Provider (Individual, Firm, LLP)

Hiring of Motor vehicles designed to carry passenger

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(a)with abatement (b)without abatement 100% 40% 2 Supply of manpower for any purpose Works contract service 75% NIL 60% 25%

50%

50%

Furthermore, please refer details and applicability of new reverse charge mechanism in case of all the services as mentioned in the table below:Description service of a Service provider Service receiver Percentage of service tax payable by the person providing service Nil Percentage of service tax payable by the person receiving the service 100

Insurance Services in respect of services provided or agreed to be provided by an insurance agent to any person carrying on insurance business GTA in respect of services provided or agreed to be provided by a goods transport agency in respect of transportation of goods by road Sponsorship in respect of services provided or agreed to be provided by way of sponsorship Arbitral Tribunal in respect of services provided or agreed to be

Insurance agent

Business man carrying on insurance business

Goods transport agency

Consignor or Consignee is specified person

Nil

100

Any person

Body corporate or partnership firm Business entity

Nil

100

Arbitral tribunal

Nil

100

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provided by an arbitral tribunal Advocate Services in respect of services provided or agreed to be provided by individual advocate Support Service in respect of services provided or agreed to be provided by way of support service by Government or local authority Service provided from Non-Taxable Territory to Taxable Territory in respect of any taxable services provided or agreed to be provided by any person who is located in a non-taxable territory and received by any person located in the taxable territory

Individual advocate

Business entity

Nil

100

Government

Business entity

Nil

100

Any person

Any person

Nil

100

Various other Query & Answer:-

Whether Cenvat Credit available of Service Tax paid by Service recipient under Reverse charge: Yes, Service Recipient is allowed to take the credit of the service tax paid by him under reverse charge method on the basis of Challan as being specified under Rule 9(1)(e) of the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004 provided the same is input service to him. In case where both Service Provider & Service Recipient is liable to pay service tax in following cases:-

Hiring of Motor vehicles designed to carry passenger, benefit Analysis needs to be made by Assessee while claiming abatement as cenvat credit will not be available in terms of Notification no. 13/2012-ST dated. 17-3-2012. Supply of Man power services, the service recipient can take credit of the service tax paid by him and payable by the service provider as charged by service provider on his invoice. Further, the Service Provider will take credit

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of those inputs and input services which are availed by him in course of providing these taxable services.

Works Contract Service is already a complicated issue and valuation of Works contract is amended vide Notification no. 24/2012-ST dated 06-062012:

To pay service tax on actual service portion of works contract

services i.e. Gross Consideration less value of goods & VAT/Sales tax thereon from the gross value.

Composition Method: To pay service tax at composite rate

Pay Service Tax on 40% value of original work Pay Service Tax on 70% value of maintenance or repair or reconditioning or restoration or servicing of any goods Pay Service Tax on 60% value of all other works contract

Point of Taxation for Service tax liability under Reverse Charge Mechanism: Point of taxation is normally the date of payment but, if payment is not made within 6 months from date of invoice then Point of taxation would be date of invoice, which will results in demand of service tax from the month in which invoice is raised. Hence, there might be demand of interest by the Service tax dept on late payment of service tax. Further, it would be pertinent to note that payment of service tax beyond 6 months under reverse charge would not be available as Cenvat credit though it is inputs service for the Service Recipient. Whether small scale exemption of Rs. 10 Lakhs would be available under Reverse Charge Mechanism: No, this will not be available for liability to be paid by Service Recipient under Reverse Charge Mechanism in terms of Notification no. 06/2005-ST dated 01-03-2005. Further, the Service Provider may avail small scale exemption of Rs. 10 Lakhs.

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