Airport Authority deemed liable for service tax on entrance fees collected; court directs verification of payments

The court held that the respondent, despite the Airport Authority providing services, was deemed the service provider and thus liable for service tax on entrance fees collected from visitors. The respondent's role as an agent under the license agreement determined their liability based on the amount charged for services. The court directed verification of the respondent's service tax payment claim and the Airport Authority's payments. The respondent's dispute with the Airport Authority over service tax collection was deemed separate from the current proceedings, requiring independent resolution.

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Issues:
1. Liability for service tax on services provided in an Airport.
2. Determining the service provider for service tax payment.
3. Verification of service tax payment by Airport Authority.
4. Dispute regarding service tax collection between respondent and Airport Authority.

Analysis:
1. The appeal challenged the Tribunal's decision on the liability for service tax under Section 65(105)(zzm) of the Finance Act, 1994, related to services provided in an Airport. The respondent, under a license agreement with Calicut Airport Authority Ltd., collected entrance fees from visitors. The Department issued a notice for service tax, which was confirmed by the first appellate authority. The Tribunal ruled that only the Airport Authority provided services, absolving the respondent. The Department appealed this decision, leading to the current judgment.

2. The key question was whether the respondent or the Airport Authority was liable to pay service tax for services provided to visitors paying entrance fees. The respondent's counsel argued that the Airport Authority provided the services, making them the service provider. However, the Department's Standing Counsel contended that the respondent, through the license, became the service provider by allowing visitors to enjoy services for a fee. The judgment emphasized that the gross amount charged for services provided, in this case, the admission ticket fee, determined the service tax liability. Despite the Airport Authority rendering the services, the respondent, acting as an agent under the license agreement, was deemed the service provider, thus liable for service tax.

3. While no evidence showed the Airport Authority paid service tax for the period in question, the respondent claimed they had paid based on a clarification from the Central Board. The court directed the original authority to verify this claim and the Airport Authority's service tax payments for the relevant period. If confirmed, the respondent would be exempt from liability; otherwise, they would be responsible for the service tax as determined earlier.

4. The respondent mentioned willingness to collect service tax, but the Airport Authority prohibited it until a specified date. Subsequently, the respondent complied with collecting and remitting service tax. The court noted that the dispute between the respondent and the Airport Company was beyond the current proceedings, suggesting the respondent seek appropriate resolution independently.

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