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2023 (3) TMI 445 - AT - Service TaxShort payment of service tax - Construction of Residential Complex Service - non filing of periodical ST-3 returns - allegations against the assessee are that they were engaged in the construction of residential complexes, which became taxable on 16.06.2005, but they have taken registration with the Department only during June 2008 - HELD THAT:- The demand period in the impugned order covers the period from May 2006 to June 2010, ie under the category of ‘Construction of Residential Complex Service’ for the periods from May 2006 to September 2009 in respect of project namely, SIS Danube and under the category of ‘Works Contract’ for the period from March 2008 to September 2009 in respect of project namely, SIS Safaa and another Notice dated 06.04.2011 proposing to levy Service Tax under the category of Works Contract for SIS Safaa for the period from October 2009 to June 2010. Works Contract Service came under Service Tax levy with the introduction of section 65(105)(zzzza) in the Finance Act 1994 from 01/06/2007. The period covered under the demand for works contract as per the impugned order is post 01/06/2007 and hence the service rendered by the appellant is prima facie eligible for the levy of service tax - the co-ordinate Delhi Bench of the Tribunal in the case of M/S KRISHNA HOMES VERSUS CCE, BHOPAL AND CCE, BHOPAL VERSUS M/S RAJ HOMES [2014 (3) TMI 694 - CESTAT AHMEDABAD] has examined the liability of a builder/developer/promoter to pay service tax on the construction of residential complex for its customers. The Tribunal has taken notice of C.B.E.C. Circular No. 332/35/2006-TRU dated 01/08/2006 wherein it was clarified that where a builder/developer/promoter builds a residential complex engaging a contractor, the contractor shall be liable to pay service tax on the gross amount charged under construction of complex service and if no person is engaged by the builder/developer/promoter and who undertakes construction work on his own, the question of providing taxable service to any person by any other person does not arise and it would be in the nature of self service. Since the period where duty has been demanded in the impugned order is prior to 01/07/2010, no liability for paying tax either under ‘construction of complex service’ or ‘works contract’ would lie on the builder/developer/promoter during the period covered by the impugned order. Appeal allowed.
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