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2019 (7) TMI 908 - HC - Service TaxReversal of CENVAT Credit - providing of taxable as well as exempt service - maintenance of separate records for providing taxable service and exempted service - procedures to be followed under the provisions of Rule 6(3) of the CCR, 2004 when failed to maintain separate records for taxable and exempted services - Rule 2(1) of Cenvat Credit Rules 2004 pertaining to “input service” not taken into cognizance - HELD THAT:- With effect from 13.4.2016, Explanation 3 was amended specifically dealing with a situation as in the present case, where a deeming fiction was created that for the purposes of Rule 6 of the Rules, exempted services as defined in clause (e) of rule 2 shall include an activity, which is not a service as defined in section 65B(44) of the Finance Act, 1994 provided that such activity has used inputs or input services. However, there was no such stipulation prior to 13.4.2016 in law and prima facie, such situation was not to be treated as exempted service and did not attract the mischief created under rule 6 of the Rules. Therefore, for the period prior to 13.4.2016, the situation would be governed by rule 3 of the Rules for availing Cenvat Credit till such time i.e. till the time rule 6 was specifically made applicable by virtue of the deeming fiction created. As per rule 3 of the Rules, Cenvat credit of service tax paid on input services used to provide output service, is eligible. In the facts of present case, it is evident that the respondent has started taking only proportionate credit after receipt of completion certificate which was after due intimation to the revenue department and also certified by independent CA. Therefore, rule 6 of the Rules in toto cannot apply prior to 13.4.2016 to the facts of the case since sale of immovable property is not exempt service at all. Thus, in the light of the provisions of Rule 3 of the Rules, respondent cannot avail full Cenvat credit on input services received after obtaining completion certificate. Hence, the respondent cannot be expected to pay an amount equal to 8%/10% of sale price of immovable property after obtaining such completion certificate where no service tax is paid as if it is sale of immovable property since Rule 6 of the Rules perse does not apply to the present case until 13.4.2016 at all - Even after 13.4.2016, since the respondent had availed only proportionate credit, the respondent was not legally required to pay 8%/10% amount under rule 6(3) of the Rules, since it can be said to have maintained separate accounts as required under rule 6(2) of the Rules. Cenvat credit availed in respect of input service is not required to be paid back under any circumstances and therefore, the respondent was not legally required to reverse any credit which was availed by them during the period 2010 till obtaining completion certificate i.e. during the period when output service was wholly taxable in their hands, merely because later on, some portion of the property was converted into immovable property on account of receipt of completion certificate and on which no service tax would be paid in future - Tribunal therefore, rightly held that once the respondent are not required to reverse any credit availed by them on valid input services availed during the period 2010 till obtaining of completion certificate, the said amounts reversed by them under protest cannot be retained by the revenue authorities and have to be refunded to the respondent. Appeal dismissed - decided against Revenue.
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