Tribunal grants delay extension to appellant, allows cum-duty benefit, and modifies late fee.

The Tribunal granted condonation of delay to the appellant, a statutory body, for filing an appeal beyond the limitation period due to official procedures causing the delay. The appellant's request for cum-duty benefit for calculating Service Tax was accepted, and penalties under various sections of the Act were set aside. The late fee under Section 70 read with Rule 7 was modified to be payable for defaults after a specific date. The appeal was partially allowed, remanded for re-calculation of tax on a cum-duty basis, and the stay petition was disposed of accordingly.

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Issues:
Delay in filing the appeal for condonation - Cum-duty benefit for calculation of Service Tax - Contumacious conduct and penalty under various sections of the Act - Late fee under Section 70 read with Rule 7.

Analysis:
The appellant, a statutory body, filed an appeal beyond the limitation period due to official procedures causing delay. The appellant deposited the full amount of Service Tax before filing the appeal, seeking condonation of the delay to prevent irreparable loss. The Revenue opposed the prayer for condonation, but the Tribunal found it just to condone the delay in the interest of justice.

The appeal, filed in 2014, included a request for cum-duty benefit for calculating Service Tax and challenged the taxability of rent received, invoking the extended period of limitation. The appellant did not charge Service Tax from service receivers for renting immovable property. The appellant argued lack of knowledge and instructions from the Administrative Authority led to non-compliance with Service Tax requirements. The demand was based on information provided to the Revenue, with no deliberate default or contumacious conduct. The Tribunal agreed to allow the cum-duty benefit for Service Tax calculation and set aside penalties under sections 76, 77, and 78 of the Act. The late fee under Section 70 read with Rule 7 was modified, making it payable for defaults after 27th May 2011 when the Revenue initiated an inquiry. The appeal was partially allowed, remanding it to the adjudicating Authority for re-calculation of tax on a cum-duty basis, with the stay petition also disposed of accordingly.

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