My CA has asked me to submit papers for filing of service tax returns for July to September 2012 now. Can you please tell me when to file the returns as I don’t want to pay any penalty? Please guide me on the rate of late payment and the due date? Nilam

The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has vide order no. 01/2013 dated March 6, 2013, extended the due date of filing service tax returns for July to September 2012 to April 30, 2013. This has been done as the Form ST-3 e-filing return utility was declared late. There will be no late payment penalty if the returns are filed on or before April 30. This has to be done through the automation of central excise and service tax (ACES) website only. It can be filed offline only by downloading the utility file, filling in requisite details and then uploading the same on the website.

Those assessees who are registered on or after July 1, 2012 under the service description ‘all taxable services other than in the Negative List’ or those who have amended their registration by adding the description ‘Other than in the Negative List’ are required to file amendments to their registration online by deleting the said description and adding relevant description(s) of Taxable Services available in the drop-down list in the online amendment form.

Effective April 1, 2011, the rate of interest for late payment is 18% per annum, but small service providers whose value of taxable service doesn’t exceed Rs60 lakh during the last fiscal or any of the financial year covered by the notice have been given a concession of 3%, that is an interest @ 15% p.a.

The due date for payment of taxes in case of individuals, a proprietary firm or partnership firm is 5th of the month immediately following the quarter in which the service is deemed to be provided as per rules if paid manually and 6th of the month immediately following the quarter in which the service is deemed to be provided as per rules if paid through internet banking.