Refund of service tax admissible only for services specified in the notification.

PJ/CASE LAW/2015-16/2782

Case:-SHREE AGENCIES PVT. LTD. VERSUS COMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISE, JAIPUR-I

Citation:-2015 (37) S.T.R. 494 (Tri. – Del)

Brief Facts:-The appellant filed refund claim of Rs. 51,873/- in terms of notification No. 41/2007-S.T., dated 6-10-2007. This refund was claimed on the ground that this amount of service tax was paid in relation to the export of goods. The said claim was rejected by the adjudicating authority on the ground that none of the service in respect of which the refund has been claimed are covered for the purpose of refund under Notification No. 40/2007-S.T or Notification No. 41/2007-S.T.

Appellant contentions:-The appellants have contended that terminal handling charges at port which amounted to Rs. 49,893/-, marine insurance which amounted to Rs. 918/- and railway freight and handling charges from ICD which amounted to Rs. 1063/- [ total 51,873] were very much in relation to export of goods and therefore refund is admissible.

Respondent contentions:-The respondent reiterated the findings of the lower adjudicating authority.

Reasoning of Judgment:-The hon’ble High Court has considered the appellants' contentions. They find that the said notifications allowed refund of Service Tax in relation to only those services which are listed therein and which were received in relation to export of goods. The services in respect of which the appellants have claimed the impugned refund are not listed in either of the two notifications. The appellants have not been able to give any evidence that the refund claimed by them is in respect of services which are listed in these notifications. It needs to be mentioned here that it being a case of refund, the onus is on the appellants to show that they are eligible for refund and evidently the appellants have failed to discharge that onus. Thus, court do not find any merit in the appeal and the same is therefore rejected.

Decision:-Appeal rejected.

Comment:-The gist of the case is that the refund of service tax is allowable only for those services which are listed in the notification No. 41/2007-S.T. As terminal handling services, marine insurance etc are not listed in this notification, refund of service tax paid on them could not be availed by the assessee. This case pertains to old notification but now, as per the new notification no, 41/2012-ST, refund of service tax is admissible for specified services availed beyond the place of removal. There are no services specified in the new notification but exceptions have been given for which refund will not be granted.

Prepared By:- Anas Kachaliya

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PJ/CASE LAW/2015-16/2782

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