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2016 (9) TMI 191 - AT - Service TaxImport of services - taxability of services rendered by subsidiaries to the parent company – reverse charge mechanism - section 66A of Finance Act, 1994 - are branches and head offices separate entities so as to attract service tax on outflow by head office to branches? - Held that: - The proposition that the intent of section 66A in taxing the activity rendered by an overseas branch to its headquarters in India is limited to the local commercial or business activities of the head office is thereby confirmed. Consequently, mere existence as a branch for the overall promotion of the objectives of the primary establishment in India which is essentially an exporter of services does not render the transfer of financial resources to the branch taxable under section 66A. A branch, by its very nature, cannot survive without resources assigned by the head office. The business of the appellant assessee is such that credibility in the eyes of its overseas clients lies in the name and style of the appellant assessee. It cannot be substituted by any other entity. The activity of the head office and branch are thus inextricably enmeshed. Its employees are the employees of the organization itself. There is no independent existence of the overseas branch as a business. The economic survival of the branch is entirely dependent on finances provided by the head office. Its mortality is entirely contingent upon the will and pleasure of the head office. The transfer of funds by gross outflow or by netted inflow is, therefore, nothing but reimbursements and taxing of such reimbursement would amount to taxing of transfer of funds which is not contemplated by Finance Act, 1994 – demand of tax and interest set aside – imposition of penalties on appellant and other officers set aside – appeal allowed – decided in favor of appellant.
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