2024 (8) TMI 1335 - AT - Service Tax

Works contract services exempt from service tax until May 31, 2007, demands dropped after verification

RKEC Projects Ltd Versus Commissioner of Central Tax Visakhapatnam-I

CESTAT Hyderabad disposed of an appeal involving service tax classification disputes. The tribunal held that no service tax was payable for works contract ... Classification of services - Management, Maintenance & Repair Service or Works Contract Service (WCS) - appellant were providing services and were also using their own goods - short payment of service tax - denial of Cenvat Credit - GTA Services - penalties. Classification of services - Management, Maintenance & Repair Service or Works Contract Service (WCS) - appellant were providing services and were also using their own goods - HELD THAT:- There are force in the Appellant’s argument that no Service Tax was payable for the period till 31.05.2007 as held in catena of decisions. The Adjudicating Authority is required to verify the documentary evidence to the effect that the services would fall under the category of Works Contract service and once he is satisfied, the demands till 31.05.2007 should be dropped. In case of MMRS, the Appellant has also pleaded that even under this category, they would be eligible for tax exemption if the service is provided to Government. The Adjudicating Authority should give opportunity to the Appellant to make their submissions on this count also. Short payment of service tax - HELD THAT:- The Appellant submits that Rs.24,26,857/- along with interest of Rs.9,34,164/- has already been paid by them and appropriated by the Adjudicating Authority while passing the impugned order. In respect of the balance Rs.6,36,381/-, their pleading towards services being provided under Works Contract service for the period till 31.05.2007 is to be verified by the Adjudicating Authority and if it is found so, the demand has to be dropped. Denial of Cenvat Credit - HELD THAT:- The Adjudicating Authority should consider all the documents together and pass his Order accordingly. In respect of denial of Cenvat Credit of Rs.39,47,390/-, the Appellant has admitted that they are not in a position to provide any documentary evidence, whatsoever, for an amount of Rs.9,16,391/-. Therefore, the Appellant is directed to pay this amount along with interest thereon. The Appellant is directed to produce photo copies of the invoices in respect of the balance Cenvat Credit along with other corroborative evidence in the form of ledgers for having received the stocks and using the same for provision of taxable services. The Adjudicating Authority to pass considered decision after going through the documentary evidence placed before him. GTA Services - HELD THAT:- The Appellant’s pleading is that out of demand of Rs.9,77,011/-, they have already paid Rs.8,06,767/-. The Appellant is required to pay interest on this amount and also provide evidence as to why the balance amount is not payable. The Adjudicating Authority to consider these facts and if any further amount is required to be paid for which the Appellant has not provided proper evidence, the balance amount towards GTA services should be recovered from the Appellant along with interest. Penalties - HELD THAT:- To a great extent, the Appellant has been able to prove that if the service happens to be falling under Works Contract service; that too prior to 31.05.2007, no Service Tax is required to be paid. Further, in many cases they have paid the Service Tax with or without interest. The Adjudicating Authority to consider the factual details and impose the penalty as per the statutory provisions. Appeal disposed off. Issues Involved:1. Classification of services under 'Management, Maintenance & Repair Service' (MMRS) or 'Works Contract Service' (WCS).2. Classification of services under 'Construction of Industrial Complex Service' (CICS) or WCS.3. Short payments and their admissibility.4. Denial of Cenvat Credit on capital goods.5. Denial of Cenvat Credit on inputs.6. Payment and classification of GTA services.7. Imposition of penalties.Issue-wise Detailed Analysis:1. Classification under MMRS or WCS:The Appellant contended that the services provided under MMRS were actually composite contracts involving both goods and services, thus qualifying as Works Contract Service. They argued that no Service Tax was payable on such contracts until 31.05.2007. The Tribunal acknowledged this argument, noting that the Appellant should be given an opportunity to prove that their services fall under WCS. The Adjudicating Authority is required to verify the documentary evidence and, if satisfied, drop the demands for the period till 31.05.2007.2. Classification under CICS or WCS:For services categorized under CICS, the Appellant argued that these were also in the nature of Works Contract and thus not liable for Service Tax for the period before 31.05.2007. The Tribunal found merit in this argument, directing the Adjudicating Authority to verify the documentary evidence and, if the services are indeed WCS, to drop the demands for the relevant period.3. Short Payments:The Appellant admitted to short payments amounting to Rs.24,26,857/- plus interest of Rs.9,34,164/-, which was appropriated by the Adjudicating Authority. For the remaining Rs.6,36,381/-, the Appellant argued it was for services under WCS provided before 01.06.2007. The Tribunal directed the Adjudicating Authority to verify this claim and drop the demand if found valid.4. Denial of Cenvat Credit on Capital Goods:The Appellant challenged the denial of Cenvat Credit of Rs.20,84,616/- on the grounds that the capital goods were used for both taxable and exempted services. They produced a CA Certificate as evidence. The Tribunal directed the Adjudicating Authority to consider this documentary evidence and re-evaluate the denial of credit.5. Denial of Cenvat Credit on Inputs:The Appellant faced denial of Cenvat Credit amounting to Rs.39,47,390/-. They admitted inability to produce original invoices for Rs.9,16,391/- and agreed to pay this amount with interest. For the balance, they offered to provide photocopies of invoices and corroborative evidence. The Tribunal instructed the Adjudicating Authority to review this evidence and make a considered decision.6. Payment and Classification of GTA Services:The Appellant claimed to have paid Rs.8,06,767/- out of the total demand of Rs.9,77,011/- for GTA services and was willing to pay interest. The Tribunal directed the Adjudicating Authority to verify the evidence and recover any balance amount if the Appellant fails to justify the non-payment.7. Imposition of Penalties:The Tribunal noted that the Appellant had proven that many services fell under WCS and were not taxable before 31.05.2007. Given the payments already made, the Tribunal directed the Adjudicating Authority to consider these facts and impose penalties according to statutory provisions.Conclusion:The appeal was disposed of with directions to the Adjudicating Authority to reassess the classification of services, verify documentary evidence, and reconsider the denial of Cenvat Credit and imposition of penalties based on the Tribunal's observations.