Guidelines for Scrutiny of Service Tax Returns issued by CBEC

The CBEC has prescribed revised guidelines for detailed scrutiny of Service Tax Returns (ST-3 Returns) to be followed by the department with effect from 1^st August, 2015.

The prescribed guidelines provide for purpose and methodology of Preliminary Online Scrutiny, scope of Detailed Manual Scrutiny, criteria for Selection of Returns for detailed scrutiny and documentation procedures to be followed by the department. The circular mentions that the main focus of detailed scrutiny procedure would be on small assessees whose total tax paid for the financial year 2014-2015 is below Rs.50 lakhs.

All the assessees should now be much more cautious and aware while filing service tax returns since you may be subjected to detailed scrutiny by the service tax department even if you are small service provider and not covered under audit procedures of the department.

This is for your information