Small service provider exemption restricts CENVAT credit and excludes branded and reverse charge services when claimed. Exemption relieves providers whose aggregate value of taxable services in a financial year is below the notified threshold from service tax, excluding services provided under another person's brand or trade name and services subject to reverse charge; providers may opt out for the year. CENVAT credit cannot be availed on input services or capital goods during exemption, credit may be taken only after starting to pay service tax, providers must pay an amount equivalent to credit on inputs in stock when availing exemption, and any unutilised balance credit shall lapse; values from all premises are aggregated for the threshold test.