Seminar stresses service tax compliance

At a seminar organised on 'Management of Service Tax: Latest Amendments and Transportation', Central Excise Custom and Service Tax Chief Commissioner Anil Bhatnagar said assesses should come forward and pay their service tax in an honest and transparent manner without any fear of harassment.

The seminar was jointly organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and Institute of Chartered Accountant of India (ICAI), Lucknow.

Bhatnagar said to bring transparency in the system and make it assessee friendly, the 'inspector raj' under the service tax legislation had been done away with.

To reduce the transaction cost, he advised assesses to send their applications, for registration under service tax legislation, through mail only.

He added the objective of the department was to have a simple service tax regime to improve voluntary compliance. Regarding the complaints, to be filed with the Department, Bhatnagar said any service tax payer could contact the service tax commissioner or the chief commissioner himself in Lucknow.

Central Excise Joint Commissioner Anuj Kumar made a presentation on levying of service tax on goods transport agency and transportation of goods. RSM & Co Indirect Taxes Director Manu Verma highlighted levy of service tax on 15 new services through the Finance Act-2006.

The objective of the seminar was to discuss changes brought about by the Finance Act-2006 in the provisions of the service tax legislation and service tax rules-1994.