<h1>Supreme Court Confirms Parliament's Power to Impose Service Tax on Chartered Accountants, Cost Accountants, and Architects.</h1> The Supreme Court upheld Parliament's authority to levy service tax on practicing chartered accountants, cost accountants, and architects, dismissing a challenge by the All India Federation of Tax Practitioners. The court ruled that such tax falls under Entry 97 of List I of the Constitution's Seventh Schedule, a Union subject, rather than Entry 60 of List II, a state subject. The decision clarified that service tax applies to specific professional activities, distinguishing it from professional tax, which is based on status and paid regardless of service provision. The ruling followed a similar decision by the Bombay High Court.