Tribunal reduces penalty under Finance Act, upholds service tax & interest. Appellant pays reduced penalty.

The Tribunal set aside the equal amount of penalty under section 78 of the Finance Act, allowing the appellant to pay a reduced penalty of 25% of the service tax demand. The confirmation of service tax and interest was upheld. However, the penalty under section 70 was maintained, with the appellant directed to pay the balance of Rs. 6,000 for delayed returns. The appeal was partly allowed with specified modifications and consequential reliefs.

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Issues:
Challenge to imposition of penalty under section 78 and section 70 of the Finance Act, 1994.

Analysis:
The appellant contested the penalty imposed under section 78 of the Finance Act and the penalty for late filing of returns under section 70. The Commissioner (Appeals) upheld the confirmation of service tax but set aside the penalty under section 77(2) of the Finance Act. The appellant argued that they had paid the service tax liability, interest, and a portion of the penalty before the Order-in-Original. They claimed they were entitled to a reduced penalty of 25% of the service tax demand, which was not offered by the adjudicating authority or the Commissioner (Appeals). The appellant requested a waiver of the equal amount of penalty imposed. The appellant also disputed the late fee imposed under section 70, stating that only 3 ST-3 returns were filed late, while the department alleged 6 returns were delayed.

The Tribunal noted that the appellant had not been given the option of reduced penalty as provided under section 78. The appellant had paid a portion of the penalty before the Order-in-Original and had paid the reduced penalty of 25% within a month of the order. Citing precedents, the Tribunal held that the equal amount of penalty imposed was unjustified and set it aside. However, regarding the late fee under section 70, the Tribunal found the department's argument more convincing. Despite the appellant's claim of only 3 delayed returns, the Tribunal upheld the late fee for 6 delayed returns and ordered the appellant to pay the balance of Rs. 6,000.

In conclusion, the Tribunal set aside the equal amount of penalty under section 78, granting the benefit of paying the reduced penalty of 25% of the service tax demand. The confirmation of service tax and interest was maintained. The penalty under section 70 was upheld, and the appellant was directed to pay the balance of Rs. 6,000 under that section. The appeal was partly allowed with the mentioned modifications and consequential reliefs, if any.

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