Tariff values for edible oils, brass scrap and poppy seeds notified as customs valuation benchmarks for imports.
CBEC notification dated December 31, 2008 fixes per-metric-tonne tariff values for specified edible oils (noting most edible-oil values unchanged), brass scrap (all grades) and poppy seeds, to be used as benchmark values for customs valuation and import duty assessment for the listed tariff items.

Export refund period extended and refund scope broadened to include mandated testing, C&F, and commission agent services.
Extension of refund claim period to six months from the quarter-end and an expanded refund scope: testing and analysis services mandated by domestic law may obtain refunds without buyer agreements; clearing and forwarding agent services related to exports are covered; refunds apply to goods exported under drawback; and the benefit for services by commission agents located outside India has been increased. Changes implemented via notifications and a circular amending Notification No. 41/2007-ST.

Indirect tax revenue collection shows mixed monthly performance with notable year to date growth in service tax.
Provisional collections show month wise and year to date movements in indirect tax receipts: November 2008 Customs and Central Excise figures produced a month on month decline in combined receipts but a positive cumulative growth, with Central Excise data excluding cess not administered by the Department of Revenue. Service Tax provisional collections for October 2008 recorded both a significant monthly increase and strong year to date growth relative to the prior year.

Tariff values for edible oils, brass scrap and poppy seeds notified; most edible oils remain unchanged under customs valuation notice.
Notification No.131/2008-Customs (N.T.) notifies tariff values in US dollars per metric tonne for specified imports-enumerating unit values for various edible oils, brass scrap (all grades) and poppy seeds-and states that the listed edible oil values are unchanged, providing the administrative pricing schedule for customs valuation and duty assessment.

Service tax refund procedures expedited: streamlined claims, wider exporter eligibility, and compliance checks to speed refunds.
CBEC has directed field officers to pay validated service tax refund claims for services used in export within 30 days. Exporters not registered with central excise may file a refund claim with the excise authority having jurisdiction over their factory, which will issue a service tax code to facilitate refund processing. Independent random checks are required for compliance verification and significant refunds may be subject to post-refund audit.

Input service eligibility: employee rent a cab for factory transport qualifies as supportive service for Cenvat credit.
The inclusive definition of Input Service embraces services used "in relation to" manufacture and a wide range of business activities that promote efficiency; employee transportation by rent a cab, as an indirect support to production and a business-promoting facility, qualifies as an input service eligible for Cenvat Credit.

Cenvat credit on CHA services: services up to the place of removal qualify as input service credit.
Where sales are on FOB/CIF basis, the place of removal is the load port, and the definition of input service includes services rendered for outward transportation up to the place of removal and services used for clearance of final products; accordingly CHA services facilitating clearance to the load port fall within input services and are eligible for Cenvat credit, with reliance placed on an administrative circular interpreting input service scope.

Uniform luxury tax proposed to harmonise hotel levies and reduce tour package taxation, improving tourism competitiveness.
The government is weighing fiscal measures to boost tourism: abolish the service tax on tour packages, seek a uniform luxury tax across states, reduce development charges for expanding hotel capacity, and shift certain taxes to apply on actual negotiated tariffs rather than published rates. These measures aim to lower the layered tax burden-service tax, luxury tax and fringe benefit tax-embedded in room and package prices, restore competitiveness after demand shocks, and will require Centre-state consultation because luxury tax is a state subject.

Fiscal stimulus expands public expenditure and tax relief to sustain credit flow and support exports and MSMEs.
The Government announced monetary measures to ensure bank liquidity and credit supply via reduced reserve requirements, lower policy rates, SLR flexibility and liberalised external borrowings, together with fiscal stimulus through increased plan expenditure authorisation, a temporary across the board 4% cut in ad valorem Cenvat for most products, targeted export supports including interest subvention and enhanced refunds and guarantees, housing refinance facilities and bank packages for home loans, expanded MSME refinance and credit guarantee provisions, and IIFCL authorisation to raise tax free bonds for infrastructure refinancing.

Tariff reductions and export tax adjustments expand duty cuts and refund eligibility for exporters and power inputs.
Revision reduces primary ad valorem excise rates and lowers composite/ad hoc specific excise components for specified goods; exempts imported naphtha for power generation from basic customs duty temporarily and withdraws or reduces export duties on iron ore; expands service tax refund to include clearing and forwarding services, raises the threshold for foreign commission agent service refunds, and permits simultaneous drawback and service tax refund claims. All amendments are effected by notifications and are effective immediately.