Clarification is required on the following issue -
Companies are required to pay service tax on Recovery of Telephone charges, Bus facility provided, canteen facility provided to their employees. Since this is coming under the category of Provision of service, can the Company claim exemption of ₹ 10 lacs for this payment.
Service tax exemption threshold may not apply to persons liable to tax, affecting employee-charge recoveries and registration obligations. Companies recovering charges for employee services face conflicting guidance: some responses advise the small-service-provider exemption may be claimed if its conditions are satisfied, while others state the threshold benefit is not available to a person liable to pay service tax. Separately, registration obligations may arise at a lower turnover threshold than the exemption ceiling, requiring providers to assess both exemption eligibility and registration/payment timing. (AI Summary)