Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Excise and Customs
Tax Research Unit
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Circular No. 176/2/2014 - ST
New Delhi, dated the 20th January, 2014
To,
Chief Commissioners of Central Excise and Customs (All),
Director General (Service Tax), Director General (Systems),
Director General (Central Excise Intelligence), Director General (Audit),
Commissioners of Service Tax (All),
Commissioners of Central Excise (All),
Commissioners of Central Excise and Customs (All)
Madam/Sir,
Subject: Clarification regarding issue of Discharge Certificate under VCES and
availment of CENVAT credit - regarding.
Trade and Industry has sought clarification as to whether the first installment
of tax dues paid under Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme (VCES), 2013
would be available as Cenvat Credit immediately after payment or Cenvat credit
can be availed only after payment of tax dues in full and receipt of
Acknowledgement of Discharge in form VCES-3.
- The issue has been examined. As per VCES, under Section 108 (2) of the
Finance Act, 2013, a declaration made under Section 107 (1) shall become
conclusive only upon issuance of acknowledgement of discharge under Section 107
(7). Further, in terms of Rule 7 of the Service Tax VCES Rules 2013, the
acknowledgement of discharge in form VCES-3 shall be issued within a period of 7
working days from the date of furnishing of details of payment of tax dues in
full along with interest, if any, by the declarant.
- It would be in the interest of VCES declarants to make payment of the entire
service tax dues at the earliest and obtain the discharge certificate within 7
days of furnishing the details of payment. As already clarified in the answer to
question No.22 of FAQ issued by CBEC dated 08.08.2013, eligibility of CENVAT
credit would be governed by the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004.
- Chief Commissioners are also advised that upon payment of the tax dues in
full, along with interest, if any, they should ensure that discharge certificate
is issued promptly and not later than the stipulated period of seven days.
Yours sincerely,
(S. Jayaprahasam)
Technical Officer, TRU
Tel: 011-2309 2037
F. No. B1/19/2013-TRU (Pt)