Notification no. 09/2015 dated 1.3.2015 specifies “resident firm” as class of persons for the purposes of the said sub-clause.

Explanation. - For the purposes of this notification,-

(a) “firm” shall have the meaning assigned to it in section 4 of the Indian Partnership Act, 1932 (9 of 1932) , and includes-

(i) the limited liability partnership as defined in clause (n) of sub-section (1) of the section 2 of the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 (6 of 2009); or

(ii) limited liability partnership which has no company as its partner; or

(iii) the sole proprietorship; or

(iv) One Person Company.

(b) (i) “sole proprietorship” means an individual who engages himself in an activity as defined in sub-clause (a) of section 96A of the Finance Act, 1994.

(ii) “One Person Company” means as defined in clause (62) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013).

(c) “resident” shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (42) of section 2 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961) in so far as it applies to a resident firm.

Resident firm classification for advance ruling expands eligible applicants under service tax advance ruling framework. Notification declares resident firm as a class of persons eligible for advance rulings under section 96A of the Finance Act, 1994 for service tax. It defines 'firm' to include partnerships under the Indian Partnership Act, limited liability partnerships (including those without a company partner), sole proprietorships, and One Person Companies, and links the term 'resident' to the meaning in the Income-tax Act as applicable to a resident firm.