CBEC notifies guidelines of amnesty scheme

Under the scheme, amnesty would be available after payment of 50 per cent of the service tax amount involved. The penalty and interest would be waived.

In a case where only interest and penalty is disputed, amnesty under the Scheme would be available on payment of 25 per cent of the interest payable plus 25 per cent of the maximum prescribed penalty leviable (but not more than service tax amount involved).

The Scheme covers service tax arrears pending as on March 1, 2008 and the scheme is valid during July 1 to September 30, 2008.

However, cases involving non-payment of service tax after having collected the same from customers are not included in the Scheme.

The order passed under the scheme would be conclusive and would not be subjected to any appeal. Any pending appeal in the matter will stand withdrawn.

In such cases where the declarant has pursued a petition in a court of law, he will have to withdraw the petition for availing benefit of this scheme.