<h1>Service Tax Defaulters: Declare Dues by December 31, 2013, for Penalty Waiver Under VCES Scheme.</h1> The Service Tax Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme (VCES), effective from May 10, 2013, aims to enhance voluntary compliance and expand the service tax base. It offers a waiver of interest, penalties, and other consequences for eligible service tax defaulters who declare their dues from October 2007 to December 2012 by December 31, 2013, and pay at least 50% by that date. The remaining dues are to be settled by June 30, 2014, without interest, with any unpaid amounts by then accruing interest until December 31, 2014. The scheme is being promoted through various media and local initiatives.