Rule 7C - Amount to be paid for delay in furnishing the prescribed return

Penalty for late return submission: tiered fixed and daily charges apply, capped and waivable where tax payable is nil.

Where a prescribed return is filed late a tiered penalty applies: fixed charges for initial delay periods and a daily incremental charge for continued delay, with the total capped by statute. The Central Excise officer may reduce or waive the charge if gross service tax payable is nil and reasons for non filing are satisfactory. Payment of the prescribed amount for delay terminates related proceedings. A separate rule imposes a daily charge for late filing of the annual return, subject to a specified maximum.