Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
(Central Board of Excise & Customs)
Circular No. 117/11/2009 - ST
New Delhi, the 30th October 2009
Subject: Leviability of service tax on Tour operator service in connection with
Haj & Umrah pilgrimage – reg.
On a reference received by the Board the matter regarding leviability of service
tax on tour operator service in connection with Haj & Umrah Pilgrimage was
examined.
The amount charged to the pilgrims in India undertaking Haj and Umrah
pilgrimage, is for services provided by the Government of Saudi Arabia and the
tour takes place outside India. As per Rule 3 (1) (ii) of the Export of Services
Rules, 2005, (Circular No. 111/05/2009 – ST dated 24.02.2009), the service in
respect of tour operator is export if such service is performed outside India.
It is also provided therein that where such taxable service is partly performed
outside India, it shall be treated as performed outside India. Therefore, it is
clarified that service tax is not chargeable on the services provided in respect
of tour undertaken for carrying out Haj and Umrah Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia by
Indian pilgrims considering these as export of service, provided they fulfill
the other conditions of export as provided in Export of Service Rules.
Yours faithfully
(Himanshu Gupta)
Commissioner (Service Tax)
CBEC, New Delhi
F. NO. 137/50/2009 – CX. 4