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2015 (11) TMI 219 - AT - Service TaxConstruction of Residential Complex Service - whether the appellant is liable to pay service tax in respect of the complex built for ITC - Invocation of extended period of limitation - Held that:- From the definition it is quite clear that if the complex is constructed by a person directly engaging any other person for design or planning or layout and such complex is intended for personal use as per the definition, service tax is not attracted. Personal use has been defined as permitting the complex for use as residence by another person on rent or without consideration. In this case what emerges is that ITC intended to provide the accommodation built to their own employees. Therefore it is covered by the definition of personal use in the explanation. If the land owner enters into a contract with a promoter/builder/developer who himself provided service of design, planning and construction and if the property is used for personal use then such activity would not be subject to service tax. It is quite clear that CBE&C also has clarified that in cases like this, service tax need not be paid by the builder/developer who has constructed the complex. If the builder/developer constructs the complex himself, there would be no liability of service tax at all. Further in this case it was different totally, the appellant, has engaged sub-contractors and therefore rightly all the sub-contractors have paid the service tax. In such a situation in our opinion, there is no liability on the appellant to pay the service tax. Appellant could have entertained a bonafide belief and therefore extended period could not have been invoked. CBE&C has issued a clarification in 2010 and appellants had written a letter in October 2008 to CBE&C seeking clarification wherein they had given the details of agreement also. If the Board takes a view after a period of two years just before the amendment and also if that view is applicable to the facts of this case before us, we cannot find fault with the appellant for entertaining such a belief that they are not liable to pay tax. Since the entire demand is beyond the normal period of limitation, the appellants succeed on the ground of limitation also. - Decided in favour of assessee.
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