Dear Manan V. Pandya,
Query No.1.: -
If your total turnover during previous financial year is ₹ 400 lakhs or less you will be treated as SSI Unit. If you have established a new factory then you will be treated as SSI unit if the total turnover during the current financial year is not likely to exceed ₹ 400 lakhs.
Query No.2: -
As per Para 2 of Notification No. 8/2003-CE dated 1.3.2003 as amended (i) a manufacturer has the option not to avail the exemption contained in this notification and instead pay the normal rate of duty on the goods cleared by him. Such option shall be exercised before effecting his first clearances at the normal rate of duty. Such option shall not be withdrawn during the remaining part of the financial year; (ii) while exercising the option under condition (i), the manufacturer shall inform in writing to the Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise or the Deputy Commissioner of Central Excise with a copy to the Superintendent of Central Excise giving the following particulars, namely:-
(a) name and address of the manufacturer;
(b) location/locations of factory/factories;
(c) description of inputs used in manufacture of specified goods ;
(d) description of specified goods produced;
(e) date from which option under this notification has been exercised;
(f) aggregate value of clearances of specified goods (excluding the value of clearances referred to in paragraph 3 of this notification) till the date of exercising the option;
Therefore if you opt for payment of duty on the excisable goods cleared by you you can credit of duty paid on inputs/capital goods and service tax paid on input services availed by you. However, if you opt for availing SSI exemption from 1st April of the next financial year the credit available in your book of accounts on 31st March of the previous financial year will lapse.
Query No.3: -
Question paying interest arises only if pay duty beyond the prescribed date. The prescribed date is 5 of the month following the quarter to which the duty payable relates. If you pay duty in electronic mode, that is, through net banking the due date is 6th of the month following the quarter to which the duty payable relates. For SSI unit duty is payable every quarter and not every month. Penalty is leviable only when you violate provisions of Central Excise Act, 1944 or the rules made thereunder. Rate of interest at present is 18%.