Service Tax Audit

OVERVIEW

If you own a business, the annual audit can sometimes feel like a time-consuming and expensive process that only benefits the statutory authorities. We make sure all your onerous reporting requirements are met as painlessly as possible- keeping banks, creditors, finance providers, and even the inland revenue, happy.

But more than that – we aim to offer you the kind of business advice that could help you to run your company efficiently and cost-effectively.We also offer expert corporate tax planning advice, to make sure you’re as tax-efficient as possible.

Audit

Auditing Firms Delhi can test your performance against industry standards, even against your direct competitors. We’ll review your accounts department and the control measures you currently use, recommending ways to improve. We might discover that your competitors are receiving payment more quickly than you, your stock levels might be higher than the industry norm, or perhaps your company takes longer than average to complete orders and sell finished work. Or there may be ways to improve your cashflow using some careful tax planning.

Our audit is special because of the people who do it – we only recruit the best, and they’re not afraid to get their hands dirty if it means they really get to understand your business. We train all our staff to anticipate client needs, communicate clearly and take ownership of their work. And because we draw on the experience of our senior partners across all disciplines, we take every opportunity to help your business grow.

There’s no such thing as ‘just another audit client’ at Neeraj Bhagat & Co. you’re a growing enterprise, and your growth is the focus of our business. So don’t be afraid of your audit – use it.

Are you looking for bad credit debt consolidation loans, to consolidate poor credit or other debt then consolidating your debt into one of our cheap loans with lower monthly repayments!

We provide following Audit Services

• Internal Audit Services / Concurrent Audit Services
• Management Audit Services
• Operations and Efficiency Audit Services
• Special Investigative Audit Services
• Due Diligence Review
• Costing and Accounting System Design and Review
• Compilation of final accounts as per accounting standards of US GAAP
• Internal Audits

Internal Audit is an independent appraisal function established within an organization to examine and evaluate its activities as a service to the organization. It is an independent, objectives assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization’s operations. It helps organization to accomplish objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and government process.

1. Scope and Objectives of Internal Audit

As per AAS-6, Internal Control System refers to all the policies and procedures adopted by the management of the entity to assist in achieving management’s objectives ensuring the orderly conduct of the business, the accuracy and completeness of accounting records, the timely preparation of financial information, safeguarding of assets of enterprises and detection of fraud and errors in a timely manner. The internal audit function constitutes a separate component of internal control with the objective of determining whether other internal controls are well designed and properly evaluated.

The Scope and Objectives of internal audit vary widely and are dependent upon the size and structure of the entity and the management’s requirements. The internal audit normally operates in one or more of the following areas:

(a)Review of accounting system and related internal controls: Although the establishment of an adequate accounting system and related internal controls is the responsibility of the management. However it is must that they are reviewed from time to time to ensure that they are operating effectively and recommend any improvement thereto;

 

(b) Examination of Management of financial and operating information : It includes the review of the means used to identify, measure, classify and report such information and specific inquiry into individual items including tests of transaction;

 

(c) Examination of the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of operations including the financial controls of an organization: This will help the external auditor when it has an important bearing on the reliability of the financial records;

 

(d) Physical examination and verification: It includes the examination and verification of physical existence and condition of the tangible assets of the entity.

 

The objects of internal audit can be stated as follows:

(a) Verification of the accuracy and authenticity of the financial, accounting and statistical records.
(b) Ascertaining that accepted accounting policies and practices have been followed while preparing the financial accounts.
(c) The assets are purchased or disposed under proper authorization. Also ensuring that the access to assets is restricted to the authorized persons at the authorized times.
(d) Confirming that the liabilities are incurred for the legitimate activities of the organization.
(e) The internal checks system operating in the organization is sound and economical.
(f) Fraud and errors are prevented and detected.
(g) Reviewing overall operations of internal control system and if deviations or weakness are noted, the same are communicated to the appropriate authorities on timely basis. This will help in instituting corrective actions.

2. Internal Audit Framework

The operation of the internal audit function should comply with the following code:

• Formal Charter: The internal audit function should have formal charter, including terms of reference, which has been approved by board;
• Documentation of Reporting Structure: The reporting structure for internal audit should be clear and formally documented. The head of the internal audit function should have considerable seniority within the organization and the content of all internal audit report should be entirely at his discretion. The head of internal audit should report directly to the board audit committee and should also have access to the chairman of the board and the chairman of the board audit committee. Functionally the head of internal audit should report within the body to such person as the board decides and to the chief executive;
• Detailed Testing: In carrying out its ongoing work, the internal audit function should include detailed testing on all specific areas covered by the charter in order to ensure that the company is complying fully with all requirements and report its finding to the board audit committee.
• Competency: The internal audit function should be properly equipped with the necessary skills, including the ability to deal with non-financial aspects.
• Liasioning with external auditors: The internal audit function should liaise frequently with the external auditors so that the potential for co-operation between the two is maximized. The work carried out by these two can frequently be complementary and effectiveness can be increased through regular consultation. (For example, the external auditors could offer guidance on particular areas which the internal audit function might be reviewing. Conversely the internal audit function could provide the external auditor with company specific expertise to assist in the evaluation of the system being examined as part of the statutory audit)
• Audit committee and external auditors: The Board audit committee should make the external auditor aware of corporate governance issues outlined in this documents with which the state body is required to comply. The board audit committee should periodically consult with the external auditors regarding the operation of the internal audit function with particular reference to the staffing of the function, the audit work programmers being applied and the testing carried out in relation to the body’s complainence with the requirement set out in this documents.
• Reviewing: The internal audit function body should review compliance with procurement and disposal procedures as required by the board audit committee from time to time, and report to the board audit committee.

3. 
   Relationship between Internal and External Audit

As per AAS-7 on relying upon the work of an internal auditor, the external auditor should as a part of his audit evaluate the internal audit function to the extent he considers that it will be relevant in determining the nature, timing and extent of his audit procedures. The scope and objectives of an internal auditor are determined by the management while the external auditor has to carry out his functions under some statutory requirement Nevertheless, some of the means of achieving their respective objectives are often similar and thus, much of the work of internal auditor may be useful to the external auditor on determining the nature, timing and extend on the procedures. The external auditor should also evaluate the internal audit function to determine the extent of compliance of the substantive and compliance procedures. It is to be noted that the degree of independence an external auditor has it not with the internal auditor and hence, the report of external auditor is his sole responsibility and the fact that he has relied on the work of internal auditor does not in any way absolve him of his reporting responsibility.

Making Internal Audit Effective:

Once the external audit has decided to place reliance on the work of internal auditor, he should coordinate with him, i.e., he should ascertain the internal auditor’s tentative plan for the year ,discuss with him the areas of possible reliance, the extent of internal audit coverage, test methods, methods of sample selection of documentation and review.

Further, the external auditor should be granted access to the internal audit reports and be kept informed of any significant matter which comes to internal auditor’s attention. Similarly, the external auditor should ordinarily inform the internal auditor of any significant matters which may affect his work.

The External auditor should take into account the following factors in relying on the work of internal auditor:

(a) The adequacy of audit programs in relation to the scope of audit report.
(b) The planning of the work ,supervision and review of the documentation of the assistants;
(c) The availability of sufficient appropriate audit evidence.
(d) The appropriateness of conclusion reached and the report thereon.
(e) Any expectations or unusual matters disclosed by the internal audit.

4. 
   Internal Audit Function

 

1. The important aspects that may be considered by the external auditor while evaluating the internal audit function are as follow:

 

(a) Organization Status: The external auditor should consider any constraints or restrictions placed by the management as regards the reporting by the internal auditor;

 

(b) Scope of Function: The nature and depth of audit coverage should be ascertained by the external auditor along with whether the management acts upon the recommendations of the

                                     internal auditor;

(c) Technical Competence: Here the professional competence of the internal auditor should be evaluated;

(d) Due Professional Experience: The external auditor should ascertain whether the internal audit work has been properly planned, supervised, review and documented.

2. To facilitate the accumulation of the information necessary for the proper review and evaluation of internal controls, the auditor can use one of the following to help him to know, assimilate

    and evaluate the same

:

(a) Narrative Record: This is a complete and exhaustive description of the system as found in operation by the auditor. Actual testing and observation and necessary before such a record can be developed. It may be recommended in cases where no formal control system is in operation and would be more suited to small business. Further, it allows flexibility and can be adapted to any type of enterprise. The narrative record help in the comprehending the system operation, identify the weakness of the system and incorporating the necessary changes in the system.

 

(b) Check List: This is a series of introduction or question which a member of auditing staff must follow to answer. When he completes the instruction he must initial the space against each instruction or question. For example, the following check list pertains to the purchase function of a company:

• Is purchasing the exclusive responsibilities of purchase department?
• Is purchase made on the basis of a written order? If yes, whether the purchase form standardized?
• Are purchases also made on behalf of employees, director etc?
• Is special approval necessary where any purchase is not based on the lowest quoted price?
• Is there any special authorization needed for variation in the terms of a purchase order?
• Are the copies of purchase order also sent to the accounts department and other store department?

 

3. Internal Control Questionnaire:This is a comprehensive series of question concerning internal controls. This is the most widely used form for collecting information about the existence, operational efficiency of internal control in an organization. The auditor may prepare a standard questionnaire to be used with suitable modification in the case of all audit engagements or he may prepare a fresh one for each audit engagement. The question should be designed that answer can be provided by a mere ticking of the words, “yes” or “no” or “ not applicable” .Questionnaires are generally favored in case of audit of large enterprises because a considerable amount of time is saved for the auditor by eliminating the need for preparing a program for each engagement.

 

4. Flow Chart:It is a graphic presentation of each part of company’s system of internal control. A flow chart is considered to be the most concise way of recording the auditor’s review of the system of the system. It minimizes the time involved in getting narrative explanation and gives bird’s eye view of the system.

It is to be noted all of the above mentioned techniques to evaluated internal controls can be effective only if the auditor has an understanding of the client’s business.

Why opt Internal Audit Services?

• Our skilled professional auditors adopt a risk-based approach focusing on the objectives and constraints of our clients to achieve those objectives.
• Our services have been developed for the consistent executive ordinances in all internal audit practices throughout the world.
• We go further of traditional basics and added tangible value.
• We work to build the internal audit throughout a convenient and productive tool in today’s Corporate Governance Committee environment.
• We are providing expertise to implement the audit work in specialized areas such as fraud investigations, monitoring of projects, implementation of systems, revenue assurance, IT etc.
• Our experts team also serve clients in various industries like Manufacturing, Financial Services, Telecommunications, Information Technology, Healthcare, Media & Entertainment and Consumer Business.
• Our internal audit services can assist both you and your counsel do precisely that with a comprehensive and disciplined approach that gives practical solutions, not strong reports.
• Our specialists and services are focused on value creation and offers you the vision and foresight throughout the enterprise as a whole, to address the future head on.

Service Tax Audit in India –

Director General of Audit, has published services tax audit manual, 2010, . As per the guidance, taxpayers whose annual service tax payment (including cash and cenvat) has had by Rs 30 million or more in the preceding financial year may be subjected to mandatory audit each year. It is preferable that audit of all such units is done by using computer assisted audit program (CAAP) techniques. The frequently of audit for other taxpayers would be as per following norms:.

2. Taxpayers with service tax payment above Rs 30 million (cash+ cenvat) (mandatory units) to be audited every year.
   ii. Taxpayer with service tax payment between Rs 10 million and Rs 30 million (cash+ cenvat) to be audited once every two years.
   iii. Taxpayers with service tax payment between 2.5 million and 10 million (cash + cenvat) to be audited once every five year.
   iv. Taxpayers with service tax payment up to 2.5 million (cash + cenvat) 2% of taxpayers to be audited every year.

The audit selection guidelines, therefore would apply to the non-mandatory taxpayers, forming part of discretionary workload. These taxpayers should be selected on the basis of assessment of risk potential to the revenue. This process, which is an essential feature of audit selection, is known as Risk Assessment. It involves the ranking of taxpayers according to quantitative indicators of risk known as a “risk parameter”. It is also suggested that the taxpayers whose returns were selected for detailed scrutiny, the taxpayers who have been selected for audit, may not be taken up for detailed scrutiny of their ST-3 returns during that year.

FOCUS OF AUDIT IN SERVICE TAX-BOOKS/RECORDS

The focus of audit in service tax matters is again to be seen from the revenue’s point of view. The objective is to find out whether there has been proper and appropriate payment of service tax by an assessee.

BOOKS AND RECORDS FOR SERVICES TAX PURPOSES

The Finance Act, 1994 or the Services Tax Rules, 1994 do not prescribe any set of books or records to be maintained by the service tax assessees. The assessees are free to maintained their own books/accounts. In fact rule 5 of the services tax rules, 1994 provides that the records including computerized data as maintained by an assessees in accordance with the various laws in force from time to time shall be acceptable to the Department. Accordingly, service tax assessees who are joint stock companies governed by the provisions of Companies Act, 2013 will maintain books/ accounts as prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013. Assessees who are registered under the Co-operative Societies Act or under the Societies Registration Act will maintain books/records under the respective rules/regulations framed under the laws governing the assessees. Similarly, assesses who are registered as Trust will maintain books/accounts as required of them under the law governing the trust, if any. Assessees who are receiving foreign contributions will maintain books/records specially required of them as prescribed under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act /rules framed there under. Similarly sole traders and partnership firms will maintain accounts/books as required under the income tax /sales tax acts including work contracts and also as required under the Tax Audit rules under the Income Tax Act 1961 besides records under other tax laws and special statutes such as Insurance Laws, Banking Laws and Rules and Regulations framed there under. Normally service tax assessees maintain the following records:

1. a) Invoice/bills showing the service charges/job work charges
   b) Bank accounts
   c) Purchase/Sales accounts
   d) Petty cash account
   e) Debit/Credit notes
   f) Party’s ledger-debtors and creditors
   g) Commission account
   h) Accounts based on various expenses under different heads
   i) Tender documents
   j) Running bills accounts in the case of works contract
   k) Challans and other documents evidencing transport of goods by land, rail, air and connected documents such as L/R/, R/R, airway bill, bill of entry etc.
   l) Trial Balance
   m) Balance sheet along with schedules there under
   n) Bills raised for services rendered
   o) Contracts/agreements for various purposes such as for civil construction, manpower, supply, technical know-how/transfer, job work non-compete agreements etc.
   p) MOUs
   q) Purchase orders
   r) Works orders

The above are only illustrative and not exhaustive.

Now that over all services except those in the negative list and those services specifically exempted otherwise are brought under services tax net the books/records maintained by the service provider will vary depending upon the peculiarities of a particular service provider. For example, the records maintained by an air travel agent will be slightly different from the records maintained by consulting engineers or a maintenance/repairs services provider or similarly the record maintained by the insurance company providing life/general insurance will be different from the records maintained by consignment agent of goods. In fact, in the case of such service providers such as stock brokers, life insurance companies, general insurance companies etc. there are special statutes governing their set up and operation and under these statutes they are required to maintain certain special type of records.

Form the service tax point of view, for the purpose of audit every type of records is essential and relevant so as to ascertain whether value of taxable service has been correctly arrived at and tax has been paid properly in addition to finding out whether any taxable services has escaped from the levy. The service tax authorities are empowered to call for any books/records or other evidence which may be germane to ascertaining the fact whether the service tax liability has been properly and appropriately discharged or not?

AUDIT UNDER NEGATIVE LIST BASED TAXATION

2011. a) Every assessee has to understand that the terms “service” has been defined for the first time to mean any activity done for any consideration. It will also include service portion in the execution of works contacts pertaining to movable or immovable goods. It will not include actionable claims or any transaction in money. Similarly, service, rendered by a government, services rendered by constitutional authority/body, Member of Parliament, members of legislative assembly and services provided by an employee to the employer pursuant to a contractual employment are not within the scope of services. However, where a person works as an independent contractor where the relationship is one of contract for service, service tax will be attracted eg., a manpower supply services provider will be under contract for service and not contract of service. Similarly an AMC provider who is acting as an independent contractor will be providing service under contract for service. These are liable to service tax.
      b) All declared services under sections 66E of the finance Act,1994 (chapter V) will attract service tax.
      c) Mega exemption notification has to be studied carefully to ensure that an assesses is entitled to the benefits of the exemption.
      d) Where partial exemption from value given in respect of certain services vide notification no 26/2012-ST dated 20-6-2012 the assesses should avail such partial exemption as per the notification including fulfilling of conditions prescribed therein.
      e) Wherever reverse charge method of taxation has been prescribed vide notification no. 30/2012-ST dated 20-6-2012, service recipient has also to take care to pay service tax on the portion of the service for which he is liable to pay service to the government.
      f) Service tax is payable on accrual basis with effect from 1-4-2011. Since there can be difference between the date of invoice, date of rendering the service and date of receipt of payment for the service. However, w.e.f 1-4-2011 receipt basis of taxation has been allowed by way of option to individuals and partnership firm if the aggregate value of services provided is Rs 50 lakhs or less in a financial year. Point of taxation rules has been introduced to define at what point of time service is deemed to be rendered. Understanding of these rules is very important because if there is any delay in payment by not properly appreciating these rules, interest will have to be paid.
      g) Similarly, place of provision of service rules has been notified for the purpose of
      deciding the place where the service is rendered. These rules are relevant for determining the following:
      i) In which jurisdiction the service provider is required to be registered.
      ii) Whether the service is rendered outside India or in India and if the service is rendered outside the territory of India it is not taxable as per rules.
      iii) In the case of provision of services to SEZ unit the place of provision of service rules will apply and accordingly if the of provision of service is in the SEZ unit it will not be taxed.
      iv) For determining whether in a given case service is exported or not.
      Therefore a very clear understanding of the Place of Provision of Services Rules is necessary.
2012. h) Every taxable service has to be properly valued according to the valuation rules notified for this purpose. Now, there are elaborate rules prescribed for valuation
      in respect of various types of services.
      These rules have to be properly understood and appreciated.
      i) Classification/ descriptions of service has to be properly understood because:
      — It is the description or classification of service which determines whether reverse charge method of taxation is applicable or not in a given case.
      — Whether benefit of any exemption granted can be availed or not depends upon on description/classification of service.
      — Whether partial exemption from value can be availed or not depends upon description/classification of service.
      j) Payment of service tax is to be done quarterly in the case of individual, sole trading concern and partnership firms.
      k) Returns have to be filled on time indicating correct particulars therein.
      l) Proper records have to be maintained by the assessees so that the same can be produced during inspection, audit so as to justify the assessees stand.
      m) All confirmed payment of service tax has either to be paid or shall be agitated in appeal proceedings.

If there are any mistakes apparent on record in any order passed by any authority the same has to be rectified by making an application in that behalf.

Thus service tax assesses have to have a good grasp of the provision of service tax law contained in the Act/Rules notification issued by the Government. Circular issued by the Board also help in understanding the department’s view on a particular aspect though circular are binding on the departmental officers and not binding on the assessees. A fair knowledge of the law has laid down in various Tribunal Rules, High Court and Supreme Court will also help in proper compliance with the law and giving explanation during the audit by the officers attached to the department.

Preparedness of assesses for service tax audit

All service tax assesses should tend to be well prepared for facing the audit by ensuring the following:-

2004. a) Keeping their books/records up to date and tidy with supporting documents.
      b) Ensuring that they are registered for all taxable services being provided by them whether in their capacity as service provider or in their capacity as service receiver.
      c) Where service tax registration has not been obtained for any category of service the same should be applied for and the existing registrations should be got amended suitably.
      d) Whether service provider has ceased to provide any service he should have applied for cancelling of service tax registration.
      e) Proper records must be maintained for various invoices issued for service tax purposes.
      f) Generally service tax invoices should be running on serial number for the whole year and only one series of invoice should be maintained normally.
      g) Proof of deposit of service tax in the form of challan generated on the computer or deposited in the bank must be kept properly on the file.
      h) All service tax has to be properly prepared and filed and kept on record.
      i) A review of all transaction other than goods must be undertaken to see whether any of those transaction attracts service tax. Normally activities on which excise duty or VAT has been paid do not attract service tax.
      j) All payment made under foreign exchange should be scrutinized to see whether any payment related to service received form non-resident in which case reverse charge method of taxation will be applicable.
      k) All receipt of foreign exchange may be scrutinized to see whether any receipt is for service rendered to non-resident which are normally not taxable being treated as export of service.
      l) In the case of works contract proper valuation has to be done as per rules.
      m) All debit/credit notes issued must be examined to see to service tax implication flowing therefore.
      n) CENVAT credit records should be kept up to date.
      o) CENVAT credit should be taken only on eligible inputs/eligible input services and eligible capital goods.
      p) Utilization of services tax credit must be in accordance with the CENVAT credit rules 2004.

Generally well before the commencement of the audit by the department a thorough review has to be undertaken by the assesses to get well prepared to meet the queries that may be raised by the audit team by focusing inter alia on the above aspects. The list above is not exhaustive but only illustrative.

AUDIT OF DECLARED SERVICES

Declared service is one which is covered by section 66E. The object is to remove any confusion or doubts with regards to the taxability of these services.

VALUATION OF BUNDLED SERVICES

The concept of bundled services has been introduced simultaneously with the introduction of Negative list based taxation with effect from 1-7-2012. Bundled service has been defined in the Explanation to Section 66F of the Finance Act, 1994 (chapter V) to mean the bundle of provision of various services wherein an element of one service is combined with the element or elements of provision of any other service or services.

AUDIT OF MEGA EXEMPTIONS FROM SERVICE TAX

Mega Exemption form tax has been granted under Notification No.25/2012-ST,dated 20-6-2012,under the Negative List based service taxation scheme. Various tax exemptions have been compendiously collated under one Notification No. 25/2012 ST,dated 20-6-2012 which is popularly known as Mega Exemption in view of the size of the notification being very big and large. The Mega Exemption notification covers a variety of services. Some of these services are also subject to certain conditions.

Audit of Small Scale Exemption facility

Availing of Small Scale Exemption up to Rs. 1 million under Notification No.33/2012-ST,dated 20-6-2012

Audit will look into the following aspects while examining the records of assesses claiming Small Scale Exemption:-

1. a) Whether aggregate value of services have not exceeded Rs. 1 million in the financial year preceding the financial year?
   b) Whether the service provider is/is not providing the service under brand name or trade name of another person?
   c) Whether the person liable to pay service tax under reverse charge method is not availing the benefit of exemption?
   d) Whether the service provider has opted not to avail exemption, and if so, whether he has refrained from withdrawing from that option during the financial year?
   e) Whether during the period of availing exemption the service provider has not availed CENVAT credit of the service tax paid on any input services?
   f) Whether service provider has not availed credit on capital goods received in the premises during the period when he was availing SSI exemption?
   g) Whether the CENVAT credit availed by the service provider was only in respect the period after crossing the SSI exemption limit or not?
   h) In case the service providers opts to avail exemption in succeeding financial year
   (having chosen to pay service tax in the preceding financial year so):-
   Whether while exercising such option to avail exemption he has paid an amount equal to CENVAT credit taken by him in respect of any inputs lying in stock or process on the date on which he opts to availing such exemption?
   ii. Whether he reversed the balance CENVAT credit if any in his books.
   Whether the exemption which has been availed by the service provider covers the taxable services provided from more than one premises from where the service are provided and the values have been aggregated and such aggregate value does not exceed Rs. 1 million in the preceding financial year? Aggregate value for this purpose refers to total value of services charged in the first consecutive invoices issued during the financial year but does not include value charged towards wholly exempted service.

In many cases, it is found that small scale service providers are not aware of the scope of the small scale exemption under Notification No. 33/2012-ST, dated 20-6-2012 and they commit mistakes/error out of ignorance or deliberately by-

1. a) Not properly disclosing the value of the taxable services:
   b) By not aggregating the value of taxable services provided from different premises:
   c) By availing exemption separately or each category of service provided by them;
   d) By suppressing the facts of providing service under other brand name;
   e) By availing credit in the succeeding financial year even where the value of taxable services provided in the preceding financial year exceeds Rs. 1 million ;
   f) Sometimes, the person claiming the service under reverse charge method also avails wrongly small scale exemption which is not permissible.

Audit will look into all the above aspects.

AUDIT OF SERVICES UNDER REVERSE CHARGE METHOD

Reverse charge method of taxation refers to a situation where the service recipient has been made liable to pay service tax to the government in respect of services received by him. At present in terms of Notification No. 30/2012ST, dated 20-6-2012, w.e.f. 1-7-2012, 11 categories of services has been notified for the purpose of reverse charge method of taxation.

Accordingly the taxable services:-

(I)
i. Provided or agreed to be provided by an insurance agent to any person carrying on the insurance business;
ii. Provided or agreed to be provided by a goods transport agency in respect of transportation of goods by road, where the person liable to pay freight is,-
(a) any factory registered under or governed by the Factories Act, 1948;
(b) any society registered under the Societies Registration Act,1860 (21 of 1860) or under any other law for the time being in force in any part of India;
(c) any co-operative society established by or under any law;
(d) any dealer of excisable goods, who is registered under the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944) or the rules made there under;
(e) any body corporate established, by or under any law; or
(f) any partnership firm whether registered or not under any law including association of persons;
iii. Provided or agreed to be provided by way of sponsorship to anybody corporate or partnership firm located in the taxable territory;
(iv) Provided or agreed to be provided by,-
A. An arbitral tribunal, or
B. An individual advocate or a firm of advocates by way of support services, or
C. Government or local authority by way of support servicers excluding,-
(1) renting or immovable property, and
(2) services specified in sub-clauses (i),(ii) and (iii) of clause (a) of section 66D of the Finance Act, 1994,
To any business entity located in the taxable territory;
(v) provided or agreed to be provided by way or renting of a motor vehicle designed to carry passengers to any person who is not in the similar line of business or supply of manpower for any purpose or service portion in execution of works contract by any individual, Hindu Undivided Family or partnership firm, whether registered or not, including association of persons, located in the taxable territory to a business entity registered as body corporate, located in the taxable territory;
(B) provided or agreed to be provided by any person which is located in a non-taxable territory and received by any person located in the taxable territory.

(II)The extend of service tax payable thereon by the person who provides the service and the person who receives the service for the taxable services specified (I) above shall be specified in the following table, namely:-

S. No.	Description of a service	Percentage of service tax payable by the person providing service	Percentage of service tax payable by the person receiving the service
1.	In respect of services provided or agreed to be provided by an insurance agent to any person carrying on insurance business	Nil	100%
2.	In respect of services provided or agreed to be provided by a goods transport agency in respect of transportation of goods by road	Nil	100%
3.	In respect of services provided or agreed to be provided by way or sponsorship	Nil	100%
4.	In respect of services provided or agreed to be provided by an arbitral tribunal	Nil	100%
5.	In respect of services provided or a agreed to be provided by individual advocate or a firm of advocates by way of legal services	Nil	100%
6.	In respect of services provided or agreed to be provided by Government or local authority by way of support services excluding,-(1)renting of immovable property, and (2) services specified in sub-clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of clause (a) of section 66D of the Finance Act,1994	Nil	100%
7.	(a)In respect of services provided or agreed to be provided by way of renting of a motor vehicle designed to carry passengers on abated value to any person who is not engaged in the similar line of business (b)In respect of services provided or agreed to be provided by way of renting of a motor vehicle designed to carry passengers on non-abated value to any person who is not engaged in the similar line of business	Nil50%	100%50%
8.	In respect of services provided or agreed to by provided by way of supply of manpower for any purpose	25%	75%
9.	In respect of services provided or agreed to be provided in service portion in execution of works contract	50%	50%
10.	In respect of any taxable services provided or agreed to be provided by any person who is located in a non-taxable territory and received by any person located in the taxable territory	Nil	100%

 

Explanation I : The person who pays or is liable to pay freight for the transportation of goods by road in goods carriage, located in the taxable territory shall be treated as the person who receives the service for the purpose of this notification.

Explanation II : In works contract services, where both service provider and service recipient is the persons liable to pay tax, the service recipient has the option of choosing the valuation method as per choice, independent of valuation method adopted by the provider of service .

Focus of Audit in respect of reverse charge method prescribed for certain services

While undertaking the audit, the audit teams will see/examine-

1. a) Whether the recipient of service has registered for the service in respect of which he is liable under reverse charge method will also be looked into ?
   b) List of services which are covered by reverse charge method from the records of the assessee.
   c) Look into the documents pertaining to those services such as invoices raised by the service provider, any tender, agreement or work order in the case on any contract pertaining to construction work or AMC services,
   d) Study whether the assessee has correctly discharged the service tax under reverse charge method to the extent indicated in the notification.
   e) Examine whether certain services that otherwise attract reverse charge method have escaped tax under reverse charge method.
   f) Whether the correct percentage of tax to be paid by service receiver has been discharged by the assessee or not?
   g) In the case of renting of motor vehicles different percentages have been prescribed for discharge of service tax under reverse charge method and whether the correct percentage of service tax has been paid or not.
   h) Proof of payment of service tax under reverse charge method with reference to challan, particulars given in the return etc. may be verified.
   i) In the case of works contract, it will be examined as to whether the contract pertains to original work or it pertains to movable or immovable property or any other service other than the above because service tax to be paid is on different percentages of value namely, 40%, 60% and 70% under the Service Tax Valuation Rules.
   j) In the case of services provided by Non-resident , the detailed documentary evidence will be called for – such as Contracts, E-Mails, Bank advice of remittance of foreign exchange, entries in the books of account etc.

AUDIT OF PLACE OF PROVISION OF SERVICE

For the first time, coinciding with the introduction of Negative List based scheme of taxation, Government has notified Place of Provision of Service Rules vide. Notification No.28/2012-ST,dated 20-6-2012. This consists of 14 Rules in all.

Thus the Audit team will closely examine—

Firstly, as to whether the services have been provided in India and If used whether tax has been paid or not?
Secondly, in respect of certain services for which payment has been received in convertible foreign exchange, the audit team will examine whether the service in the instant case has been provided outside India and constitute export?
Thirdly, whether the service provider has claimed any exemption in respect of services provided in SEZ Zone or to a SEZ Unit in its location, whether the service has been so actually provided there at the SEZ/SEZ unit?
Fourthly, whether in respect of certain services provided in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, the Rule prescribed have been applied correctly or not by the assessee so as to justify the tax not having been paid thereon?
Fifthly, whether in respect of import of service, tax has been paid in India under the reverse charge method because in the case of import, place of provision of Service is India.
Every assessee, therefore needs to be well prepared to answer the Audit queries pertaining to the place of provision of services.

Service Tax Auditors in Delhi, Mumbai and Gurgaon

We provide our esteemed services for Service Tax Audit in India by fulfilling the demands of different sectors and we are capable of undertake our clients with Service Tax Audit under section 44AB. Such audits assure that the evaluated Tax Service according to the law complies with the provisions of the Finance Act, 1994 Chapter ‘V’ and the rules made there under with. It is an indirect tax run by the Central Excise Department.