Chartered Accountant
Bookmark and Share
click here to subscribe our newsletter
 
 
Corporate News *   CBIC issues draft rules for Customs valuation *  Top Headlines: Threshold for Benami deals, green bond investors, and more *  Govt aims 1-hour clearance for goods at all ports *  Exporters Allowed To Use RoDTEP, RoSCTL Scrips To Pay Customs Duty, Transfer Them; Rules Amended *  Millions of labourers to be affected by brick producers’ strike over hike in GST, coal rates *  Inauguration of ‘kendriya GST parisar’ *  Transporter can seek Release of Conveyance alone, not Goods under GST Act: Madras HC *  GST: Quoting of DIN Mandatory for Responding to Notice, Govt Modifies Portal *  Firms can soon file claims for GST credits of ?400 cr *  CBIC issues modalities for filing transitional credit under GST. *  Mumbai: Man creates 36 fake GST firms, arrested for input tax credit fraud of Rs 23 cr *  Report to restructure Commerce Ministry under study; idea is to set up trade promotion body: Goyal *  Firms can soon file claims for GST credits of ?400 cr *  Gambling Alert! Govt May Levy Up To 28% GST; UP, Bengal Back Move *  EPFO backs raising retirement age to ease pressure on pension funds *  India Moving Up Power Scale, Set to Become Third Largest Economy By 2030 *  Airfares Get Expensive: What Changes for Flyers From Today? *  IRCTC Latest News: Passengers to Pay More For Cancelling Confirmed Rail Tickets Soon. *  IBC prevails over Customs Act, says Supreme Court. *  As GST enters sixth year, a time for evaluation and reassessment *  There’s GST on daily essentials as Centre needs money to buy MLAs: Arvind Kejriwal *  Now, GST on cancellation of confirmed train tickets, hotel bookings *  GST kitty for top States could rise 20% in FY23, says Crisil *  French customs officials seize another cargo vessel over Russia sanctions *  TradeLens builds on Asia momentum with Pakistan Customs deal *  Hike tax on tobacco, reduce affordability & increase revenue: Civil society organizations to GST council *  Bihar: ?10 crore tax evasion on tobacco products detected in raids *  Centre failed on GST, COVID; would it be anti-national? Rajan on Infosys row *  Service Tax not Chargeable on Income Tax TDS portion paid by recipient: CESTAT grants relief to TVS *  Foreign portfolio investors make net investment of Rs 7575cr in Sep so far
Subject News *  Run-up to Budget: Monetary threshold for GST offences may rise to Rs 25 cr *   GST (Tax) E-invoice Must For Businesses With Over Rs 5 Crore Annual Turnover *   Both Central GST and excise duty can be imposed on tobacco, rules Karnataka high court *   CBIC Issues Clarification On Extended Timelines For GST Compliance *   CBIC Issues Clarification On Extended Timelines For GST Compliance *  Budget 2023- 9.6 crore gas connections *  GST: Tamil Nadu Issues Instructions for Assessment and Adjudication Proceedings *  GST: CBIC Extends Last Date for filing of ITC *  GST collection in September surpasses Rs 1.4 lakh crore for straight seventh time *  Dollar smuggling case: Customs chargesheet names M Sivasankar as key conspirator. *  Hike in GST rates fuels inflation *  Assam: CBI arrests GST commissioner in Guwahati *  GST fraud worth ?824cr by 15 insurance Cos detected *  India proposes 15% customs duties on 22 items imported from UK *  Decriminalising certain offences under GST on cards *  Surge in GST collections more due to higher inflation: India Ratings *  MNRE Notifies BCD and Hike in GST Rates as ‘Change in Law’ Events But With a Condition | Mercom India *   Solar projects awarded before customs duty change allowed cost pass-through *  Rajasthan High Court Dismisses Writ Petitions Challenging Levy Of GST On Royalty *   GST revenue in September likely at Rs 1.45 lakh crore *  Govt working on decriminalising certain offences under GST, lower compounding charge *  Building an institution like GST Council takes time, trashing is easy: Sitharaman *  GST collections in Sept may touch ?1.5 lakh crore *  KTR asks Centre to withdraw GST on handlooms *  After Gameskraft, More Online Gaming Startups To Receive GST Tax Claims *  Madras HC: AAR Application Filed Under VAT Does Not Survive After GST Enactment *  Threshold for criminal offences under GST law may be raised *  Bengaluru: Gaming company faces biggest GST notice of Rs 21,000 crore *  CBIC clarifies Classification of Cranes for GST, Customs Duty *  Customs seize gold hidden in bicycle in Kerala airport  

Comments

Publish Date: 23 Sep, 2009
Print   |    |  Comment

EC & SHEC on DTA Sale by EOU-Bright Future at the cost of poor past

 

EC & SHEC ON DTA SALE BY EOU – BRIGHT FUTURE AT THE COST OF POOR PAST

By CA. Pradeep Jain  & CA. Preeti Parihar

INTRODUCTION:-

“Ask five economists and you'll get five different explanations? Six if one went to Harvard.” The quote given by Edgar R. Fiedler fits pin to point to the “Cenvat credit scheme of the 100% EOUs” prescribed under Rule 3(7)(a) of the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004. Since implementation stage, it has been a matter of litigation. This article presents the tale of Cenvat Credit in respect of DTA clearance by an EOU since emergence till date...

A BRIEF INTRO TO AN EOU:-

100% Export Oriented Units (EOUs) are being promoted with a view of increasing the valuable foreign exchange. Being facilitated with a number of amnesties and packages, EOUs are not considered as part of India for the purpose of levy of Central Excise Duty. In other words, sale to EOU is deemed as export and purchase from EOU is deemed as import. As the name itself indicates, its entire production is meant for export. However, it can sell a part of its production in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA), i.e. within India subject to certain conditions.

DUTY PAYABLE BY AN EOU ON DTA CLEARANCE:-

As per proviso to section 3 of Central Excise Act, 1944, while affecting the DTA clearance, an EOU is required to pay excise duty equivalent to aggregate of duties of customs payable at the time of import of these goods. The duty calculation is explained as follows:-

 

PARTICULARS

AMOUNT

Assessable Value (a)  

100.000

Custom Duty @ 10% (b)    

  10.000          

CVD (8% of 110/-) (c)                                         

8.800

2% Education Cess on CVD (d) *                                                        

0.176

1% Secondary and Higher Education Cess on CVD (e) *

0.088

2% Education Cess on aggregate of Custom Duties [b+c+d+e] (f) *  

0.3813

1% She Cess on aggregate of Custom Duties (g) *                          

0.1907

                                         Total (h)

119.636

4% SAD ** [4% of h] (i)

0

Total value of goods cleared on DTA (j)

119.636

Total Excise duty as per proviso to Section 3 of the Central Excise Act, 1944 [h-a] (k)

19.636

2% Education Cess on Excise duty (l) *

0.393

1% Secondary and Higher Education Cess on Excise duty (m) *

0.197

 

* EC & SHEC are levied thrice in the entire calculation.

** 4% SAD is payable in lieu of VAT. In most of the cases, it is NIL as while affecting the domestic sale, VAT is payable by the EOU.

CENVAT CREDIT ON DTA CLEARANCE BY AN EOU:-

The Cenvat scheme for 100% EOU was brought into effect vide Notification No. 06/2006-CE (NT) Dated 20/3/2006. Rule 3(7)(a) of the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004 prescribed formula for taking the credit on invoices raised by a 100% EOU on DTA clearance. This rule [as existed just prior to latest amendment done in this rule vide Notification No.22/2009-Central Excise (N.T.) dt 7.9.2009] had coverage on the following:-

Ø                 The rule applied on inputs or capital goods produced or manufactured, by an EOU, EHTP or STP (other than a unit which pays excise duty levied under section 3 of the Excise Act read with serial numbers 3,5, 6 and 7 of notification No. 23/2003-Central Excise, dated the 31st March, 2003) and sold in domestic tariff area;

Ø                 The formula read as follows – Assessable value, i.e., X * [(1+BCD/200) * (CVD/100)]”. The amount so calculated comes near about equivalent to CVD;

Ø                 The formula is applicable only if the EOU pays excise duty under section 3 of the Excise Act read with serial number 2 of the notification no. 23/2003-CE dated 31.3.2003;

Ø                 What if the duty is not paid under serial no. 2 of the notification no. 23/2003-CE dated 31.3.2003;

Ø                 This rule does not speaks anything about the credit in respect of EC and SHEC.

Since its implementation, the formula for taking Cenvat Credit has been changed a no. of times before its elimination vide the recent notification no. 22/2009-Central Excise (N.T.) dt 7.9.2009. But no amendment therein was done regarding the credit of Education Cess and SHE Cess. Till 7.9.2009, this rule was dumb about the allowability of Cenvat credit of EC and SHEC. In law, silence speaks much. As such, there were ‘n’ no. of interpretations that were taken by the various manufacturers.

INTERPRETATIONS OF CENVAT CREDIT ON EC AND SHEC – REVENUE VS ASSESSEES:-

Since no formula was prescribed, the departmental authorities were of the opinion that credit of EC and SHEC is not allowed at all. However, this interpretation is not feasible looking to the intention of framing the Cenvat scheme by the lawmakers. Let’s recall the calculation given here above of duty paid by an EOU - the EC and SHEC is paid thrice – firstly on CVD; secondly on aggregate of all custom duties (hereinafter referred as Custom EC and SHEC) and lastly both these cesses are levied on aggregate of all duties, i.e. Excise duty for an EOU (hereinafter referred as final EC and SHEC)

Since there was nothing prescribed about Cenvat Credit in respect of EC and SHEC, different assessees had different opinions – some took credit of EC and SHEC on CVD, some availed credit of final EC and SHEC and some going still further availed credit of all the three.

The conflict in the interpretations taken by the Revenue and the assessees brought the matter before the appellate authorities.

JUDICIAL RULINGS:-

*                 Hyundai Motor India Ltd. vs Commissioner of C.Ex., Chennai [2007 (220) E.L.T. 162 (Tri. – Chennai)]:-

This decision is completely in favour of assessees. It says a completely different thing – since the duty paid by a 100% EOU is simply a duty of Excise under Section 3 of Central Excise Act, 1944. Only quantum of duty is prescribed as aggregate of duties of customs. Going by this analogy, hon’ble Chennai Tribunal has allowed the credit of entire duty paid by EOU. Similar views have been taken in the following cases:-

Ø      India Japan Lighting Ltd. vs CCE, Chennai [2004 (064) RLT 0166 (CESTAT-Che.)]

Ø     Pepsico India Holdings Ltd. vs Commissioner of C. Ex., Mumbai-II [2001 (130) E.L.T. 951 (Tri. - Mumbai)].

If we consider these decisions honestly, it is ample clear that if total duty paid by EOU is allowed as credit to the purchaser, there was no need of prescribing a different system for calculation of duty for duty paid on DTA clearance. In such cases, the goods from EOU will always be cheaper and would grab the market of the indigenous manufacturers who manufacture goods by using heavy duty paid inputs while the inputs used by the EOU are duty free. This is not logical also and of course, not the intention of the law makers.

Anyhow, these decisions are generally allowing the Cenvat Credit as a whole but not talks specifically about the Cenvat credit in respect of EC and SHEC.

 

*     M/s Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Central Excise, Pune-I [2008-TIOL-625-CESTAT-MUM]:-

 Firstly, the silence of law was broken by Mumbai Tribunal. In this case, it was held that the amount calculated as per formula prescribed will be credit of Excise duty. And credit of EC and SHEC will be allowed in addition to this amount. This decision cleared only one ambiguity that the credit of EC and SHEC will be allowed but which EC and SHEC was not answered by the hon’ble Tribunal.

*     Sarla Performance Fibers Ltd. vs The Commissioner of Central Excise and Customs [2008-TIOL-516-HC-Mum-CX]:-

This decision does not say anything about the Cenvat Credit in respect of EC and SHEC paid by an EOU, yet played an important role in this matter. In this decision, hon’ble Mumbai High Court has held that an EOU is not required to pay the final EC and SHEC, i.e. those levied third time on the excise duty. It was somewhat in favour of Revenue as it denied the credit of the final EC and SHEC by saying that since the hon’ble High Court has held that it is not required to pay EC and SHEC third time, the question of allowing Cenvat Credit of the same does not arise at all.

As such, there are divergent decisions of taking the Cenvat Credit on the invoices raised by the EOU on DTA clearance. But all these disputes have been brought to an end by amendment in rule 3(7)(a) of the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004 vide notification no. 22/2009-Central Excise (N.T.) dt 7.9.2009.

Notification no. 22/2009-Central Excise (N.T.) dt 7.9.2009:-

This is the latest amendment in the rule 3(7)(a) of the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004. This notification adds proviso to this rule which prescribes a clear and unambiguous language which says that:-

Ø                 The amendment is meant for the EOUs/EHTP/STP units paying excise duty leviable under section 3 of the Excise Act read with serial number 2 of the notification no. 23/2003-Central Excise, dated 31st March, 2003;

Ø                 The amendment seeks to provide credit of CVD, SAD and final EC and SHEC;

 

But is this amendment going to settle all the issues that were matter of litigation prior to this amendment?

IMPLICATIONS OF THE AMENDMENT:-

 

*                 This amendment has specifically prescribed that out of all the duties paid by the EOU, the credit of CVD, SAD and final EC and SHEC will be allowed. One good thing that it would not create ambiguity in future as the language is clear and unambiguous. One bad thing that this amendment would mean that prior to this, credit of EC and SHEC was not allowed. This is a ball in the hands of Revenue and as such there are chances of deciding the pending matters against the assessees on the grounds that this amendment is applicable w.e.f. 7.9.2009, prior to which date, there was no clause of allowing Cenvat Credit on the Education Cess and Secondary and Higher Education Cess.

 

*                 Going further, this amendment says that credit of SAD will also be allowed. But during import SAD is payable in lieu of VAT. Since the EOUs clearing goods in Domestic Tariff Area pays VAT, there is no question of allowing credit of the same. However, this amendment is done perhaps to affirm the decision of hon’ble Delhi Tribunal in the case of M/s Moser Baer India Ltd Vs CCE, Noida [2009-TIOL-1058-CESTAT-DEL-LB] wherein it was held that EOUs are liable to pay SAD for DTA clearance if its sale is exempt from Sales Tax/VAT. So, in order to avoid any further litigation in this regard, this amendment is a preventive one. In other words, this amendment has a limited scope. Anyhow if SAD is paid by the EOU on DTA clearance, the buyer will be able to take the credit of the same.

 

*                 Clause ‘e’ to para 6.8 of the Foreign Trade Policy prescribes that the sales beyond DTA sale entitlement will be effected on payment of full duties. This amendment is silent about the credit to be taken in such cases. Will the credit of CVD, EC and SHEC and SAD will be allowed or will it continue the litigation that “entire amount of duty paid is Cenvatable”. Perhaps ‘yes’; because there is no specific provision to deal with such cases. Reiterating once more, this is not the intention of the law makers and still an amendment is required to prescribe the Cenvat scheme in such cases where EOU affects DTA clearance on payment of full duties. This is also required in case the duty is not paid under serial no. 2 of the notification no. 23/2003-CE dated 31.3.2003 because the rule 3(7)(a) of the  Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004 does not prescribe anything about it.

 

Still more, is this amendment in contradiction to decision of hon’ble Mumbai High Court  in case of Sarla Performance Fibers Ltd. vs The Commissioner of Central Excise and Customs as discussed hereinabove which says that EC and SHEC is not payable the third time. Will this amendment take away the effect of cases already decided on line of this decision or will it still generate new modes of litigation.

CONCLUSION:-

The amendment had to be retrospective in nature, rather it is prospective. The main implication of deciding the pending cases against the genuine assessees will be the worst one. Once again, the innocent assessees would suffer because of incomplete framing. An amendment settles old issues but gives rise to new litigations. This is what a law is all about...

*****

Department News


Query

 
PRADEEP JAIN, F.C.A.

Head Office : -

Address :
"SUGYAN", H - 29, SHASTRI NAGAR, JODHPUR (RAJ.) - 342003

Phone No. :
0291 - 2439496, 0291 - 3258496

Mobile No. :
09314722236

Fax No. :0291 - 2439496


Branch Office : -

Address:
1008, 10th FLOOR, SUKH SAGAR COMPLEX,
NEAR FORTUNE LANDMARK HOTEL, USMANPURA,
ASHRAM ROAD, AHMEDABAD-380013

Phone No. :
079-32999496, 27560043

Mobile No. :
093777659496, 09377649496

E-mail :pradeep@capradeepjain.com