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ARTICLE · 11 NOVEMBER 2015

Swachh Bharat Cess @0.5% Imposed On All Taxable Services

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The Central Government has not notified CENVAT Credit eligibility of such Cess under the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004. Therefore, as of now, no CENVAT Credit can be availed for the Cess paid.

IndiaTax
Dinesh Agrawal
Dinesh Agrawal
Mayank Jain
Mayank Jain
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In Union Budget 2015, presented earlier this year, it had been proposed that a Swachh Bharat Cess (Cess) would be imposed on all or any taxable services to finance and promote the "Clean India" initiative announced by the Central Government. The "Clean India" initiative was announced by the Central Government to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019.

Notification levying Cess

Through Notification Nos. 21/2015-ST & 22/2015-ST, both dated 6 November 2015, the Central Government has imposed the Cess @ 0.5% on the taxable value of all taxable services with effect from 15 November 2015.

Comment

The present rate of service tax is 14% on the taxable value. Effective 15 November 2015, the rate of service tax inclusive of such Cess would be 14.5%. Principles laid down for determining the Point of Taxation and consequently, the rate of tax would equally apply to this imposition.

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