The message from ACES Administrator dated 26-3-2013

Service Tax Return (ST 3) for the period 1st July-30th September, 2012 is now available in a modified format for e-filing in ACES. Only offline version is available and there is no online version.

The utility needs to be downloaded afresh from 'DOWNLOADS' section of ACES website, www.aces.gov.in or after logging in, under the navigational path RET-> e-Filing -> Download eFiling Utility.

Before filling-in the Return, please go through the FAQs available under HELP Section of ACES Website under the navigational path: https://www.aces.gov.in > Help > Frequently Asked Questions > Returns > ST 3 Return for July-September, 2012.

The last date of e-filing of this return is 15th April, 2013. After uploading the return to ACES, the status of the return can be checked under RET-> e-Filing -> View XML Status and the filed return can be viewed under 'View Original ST3' and 'View ST3' options in the RET module of ACES after a few days (the exact date to be announced later).

Those assessees who are registered on or after 01.07.2012 and the service description is 'All Taxable Services - Other than in the Negative List' or those assessees who have amended their Registration by adding the description 'Other than in the Negative List', are required to file amendment to their Registration online by deleting the said description and adding the relevant description(s) of Taxable Services available in the dropdown list in the online Amendment Form. Only after doing so, these assessees will be able to file their return for the period July, 2012 onwards.

The exact date of the availability of the ST 3 return in ACES for the period October, 2012 - March, 2013 will be announced later. Please visit ACES website for more details.

Please note that the last date of payment of Central Excise Duties and Service Tax, payable for the month and quarter ending March is 31st March, 2013.


Regards,
ACES Administrator

Service Tax e filing: offline ST 3 utility released; taxpayers must update registration to enable filing by the deadline. The modified Service Tax Return (ST 3) for July-September 2012 is available as an offline e filing utility on ACES and must be downloaded from the Downloads section or via RET -> e Filing -> Download eFiling Utility; consult the FAQs under Help before filing. After upload, return status can be checked under RET -> e Filing -> View XML Status and viewed later via 'View Original ST3'/'View ST3'. Registrants added on or after 01.07.2012 labeled 'All Taxable Services - Other than in the Negative List' must amend registration online to select specific services before filing ST 3 for July 2012 onwards.