The definition of residential complex excludes from service tax...

The definition of residential complex excludes from service tax levy, a complex constructed by directly engaging a person for design and planning, where the construction is intended for personal use as residence. Relying on Khurana Engineering, where services provided to the Government for residential complex were treated as for 'personal use', the Tribunal held that the construction services provided by the respondents to GSPHCL, SMC, and SUDA, being Government bodies, were for non-commercial purpose and outside service tax purview. The services were treated as provided to the Government, and the end-use of the residential complex by the Government was covered under the definition of 'personal use' in the residential complex service, hence not leviable to service tax. The department's appeals were dismissed as lacking merit.

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