ADJUDICATION & APPEALS IN SERVICE TAX & CENTRAL EXCISE

1. Sagar Shah ADJUDICATION & APPEALSIN SERVICE TAX & CENTRAL EXCISE

2. CONTENT:

3. CONTENT:

4. ASSESSMENT OF TAXES • Self Assessment Era. • Checks and controls measures to check evasion and ensure compliance: • Department audits (EA-2000) on regular interval where the records of the assessee are audited on sample basis • CERA Audit • Investigation based on intelligence by department officers • Investigation by the DGCEI (Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence) • Investigation by the DRI (Directorate of Revenue Intelligence)

5. EA-2000 AUDIT OF THE RECORDS OF ASSESSEE BY DEPT • Regular audit by the department officers (EA-2000 audit) • Separate Audit Commissionerate • Selection of assessee’s: • Based on certain criteria and risk involved based on risk evolution method prescribed by Director General of Audit(Ref. Circular No. 995/2/2015-CX) • Conducted at Commissionerate level of the assessee’s registered within the Commissionerate • General Constitution of the audit team • Superintendent/Assistant Commissioner, Inspector

6. EA-2000 AUDIT OF THE RECORDS OF ASSESSEE BY DEPT contd. • Allotment of audit to the various audit teams • At Commissionerate level • Based on certain criteria's like industry, territorial jurisdiction etc. • Powers and limitations • To call for the records and documents • To visit the premises and verify the records • Cannot go beyond the information available in the records • Cannot verify the records of the assessee who is not supposed to be audited

7. EA-2000 AUDIT OF THE RECORDS OF ASSESSEE BY DEPT contd. • Process of conducting the audit • Desk review (review of the available records based on the documents available with the department and public domain, however practically the information is sought from the assessee’s in the prescribed format • Primary understanding of the business and risk areas • Visit of the premises of the manufacturer or service provider • Discussion with the assessee and understanding the processes • Primary finding of the issues and seeking clarification from the officials of the assessee on the issues pointed out during the audit • If not convinced with the clarification given by the assessee then issue the draft audit report wherein the issue with respect to the non-compliance, duty evasion may be highlighted

8. EA-2000 AUDIT OF THE RECORDS OF ASSESSEE BY DEPT contd. • Process of conducting the audit contd. • The discussion of the draft audit report in the internal committee of the department headed by the Commissioner/Principal Commissioner • Acceptance of the audit paragraph or closing of the audit paragraph • Issue of final audit report with directions to close the issue or issue the show cause notice for recovery of tax, interest or penalty as the case may be.

9. AUDIT OF THE RECORDS OF ASSESSEE BY CENTRAL EXCISE REVENUE AUDIT (CERA Audit) • What? • Audit of the government functioning by the Comptroller and Auditor General • To check whether there are proper checks to control the evasion of the tax • Power to call for the records of the assessee and ask for the records • The observations are issued to the jurisdictional Commissionerate for taking necessary action • Generally SCN is issued on the points raised by CERA

10. Is Audit by department a legal action • Recently the Delhi High Court in the case of Mega cabs (2016 TIOL 1061 )held that Rule 5A (2) of the STR is ultra vires the FA, 1994 and accordingly neither the department nor the CAG has power to conduct any departmental audit. • It held that the term “verify” cannot be construed as “audit” and accordingly quashed all circulars and letters in relation to conduct of audit. • Earlier this rule was amended in 2007 after the Delhi High Courts judgement in the case of Travellite. This case is pending in the SC. • What would be the situation of current audits going on and those which are to be started? Would the ratio be applicable to Maharastra as well and can this also be made applicable to Excise?

11. Investigation by Preventive wing/anti evasion wing of CBEC • What? • Anti-evasion wing of the CBEC • Jurisdiction? • At Commissionerate level • Powers • Summon for the documents and information and additional documents if required • Search the premises of the assessee and seize the documents relevant for the investigation if required • All the seized documents are required to be returned to the assessee after completion of investigation • Seize the goods which are liable for duty but no duty has been paid

12. Investigation by Preventive wing/anti evasion wing of CBEC • Powers • Summon the relevant officers/person to render the statement with respect to the relevant issues • Power to release the seized goods on provisional basis under bond along with 25% surety by officer who is normally competent to adjudicate the matter • To issue the SCN/direct the jurisdictional officer to issue the SCN

13. DGCEI Investigation • What? • Anti-evasion wing of the CBEC • Jurisdiction? • All over India • Powers • To call for the records of the assessee • To search the premises • To seize the records and goods liable for confiscation • To record the statement of the concerned officers • To issue the SCN

14. DRI Investigation • What? • Anti-evasion wing of the CBEC to investigate the customs matters (particularly smuggling, import and export of prohibited items etc.) • Jurisdiction? • All over India • Powers • To call for the records of the assessee • To search the premises • To seize the records and goods liable for confiscation • To record the statement of the concerned officers • To issue the SCN

15. AFTER COMPLETION OF INVESTIGATION

16. ISSUANCE OF SCN • Who can issue and adjudicate the SCN? • SCN should be issued by the office who has power to adjudicate (circular dated 01 Oct 2003) • Power to adjudicate is divided among officers considering the amount of duty involved as follows:

17. ISSUANCE OF SCN contd. • General purposes for which the SCN can be issued? • For recovery of tax not paid or short paid along with interest and penalty • For demand of penalty when tax is already paid • For recovery of the refund amount erroneously sanctioned • When the department intends to reject the refund claim found to be incomplete in particulars or not supported by required documents (circular dated 04 April 1990) • Content of SCN: • Detailed provision of law allegedly violated • Asking why action should not be initiated under relevant provision? • The documents relied upon in the SCN are required to be supplied with SCN • Corrigendum/addendum to SCN

18. ISSUANCE OF SCN contd. • Time limit to serve the SCN • To be computed from relevant date as defined in the respective act • One year in case of excise and customs and 18 months in case of service tax • 5 years in cases involving fraud or collusion, or willful mis-statement or suppression of facts or contravention of any of any of the provisions with intent to evade payment of tax • Time limit in case security bond is executed - dispute continues • For subsequent period, the service of statement of demand should be construed as the service of SCN

19. ISSUE OF SCN: WHAT NEXT? “Time to hurry and take decision”

20. NEW PENALTY PROVISIONS – LITIGATION CAN BE AVOIDED • The benefit of the reduced penalty is available only if the amount of reduced penalty is also paid with the 30 days from the date of receipt of SCN • Assessee also has option to get the waiver of the SCN in case the amounts as mentioned above are paid and intimated in writing with request to close the proceedings (Dept Instruction F. No. 137/46/2015-S.T., dated 18-8-2015)

21. FILING OF REPLY TO SCN AND ADJUDICATION • Flow and content of reply • Allegations, Facts, Grounds, Prayer • The style of drafting varies from person to person • All the documents in support of the defence points raised are to be enclosed • If the statement recorded are relied upon in SCN which are contradictory then these are required to be retracted by way of filing of affidavit to else the statement may be considered as the evidence • When to file reply? – strategic decision • Adjudication of SCN • Giving the decision on the particular issue raised vide SCN based on the legal provisions and the defence points put forth in the reply by the assessee

22. PROCESS OF ADJUDICATION OF SCN • Principle of natural justice to be followed • The personal hearing before passing the order is necessary • Adjournments: grounds and maximum number of adjournments • Who can appear? • Relative or regular employee of the Noticee • Legal practitioner who is entitled to practice in civil courts of law • Practicing CA, CWA, CS • Letter of authority and Vakaltnama • Letter of authority in case of CA, CWA, CS which should be on non judicial stamp paper of Rs. 500 or Rs. 100 (Decision awaited) • Vakalatnama in case of legal practitioner should be affixed with court fee stamp of Rs. 10

23. POWERS OF ADJUDICATING AUTHORITY • Power of Adjudicating Authority • To grant adjournment • To allow cross examination of the witness whose statements are relied upon • To ask for the additional documents and information required to decide the issue • To transfer the matter to call book where on the same issue the decision of the higher authority is awaited • To pass the order which should be: • Speaking order, discussing the defense points raised and the reason for not agreeing with the grounds of reply should be passed • Deciding the issue in dispute based on the allegations of the SCN only • Order outside the scope of the SCN are void • Signed, dated • Material changes in the order cannot be made by way of corrigendum/addendum (circular dated 16 December 1999)

24. ORDER WITHOUT ISSUE OF SCN • SCN pre-requisite in all cases where duty, interest or penalty is demanded and any order prejudicial to the assessee is intended • In other cases SCN may not be issued and direct order can be passed such as: • Denial of registration of Central Excise • Permission to clear the goods which cannot be used for manufacture finished goods from private bonded warehouse • Permission to store the finished goods outside the premises of factory without payment of duty • SVB Order etc.

25. ORDER: WHAT NEXT? • Study of the order • Take the commercials into consideration and decide whether the order has to be appealed? • Taking the benefit of the 25% of penalty • Taking benefit of 25% penalty option as insurance and filing of appeal

26. APPEAL AND CONSEQUENCES OF NON FILING OF APPEAL • An appealis a process for requesting a formal change to an official decision. • Any Personaggrieved whether the assessee or department can file the appeal • Appeal lies with the higher authority than the authority who passed the order. • Consequences of non filing of the appeal • Order attains finality • Recovery proceedings would be initiated • The order is considered to be accepted and subsequently the contradictory stand may not be possible

27. APPEAL: IF THE ORDER IS PASSED BY THE OFFICER BELOW THE RANK OF THE COMMISSIONER • Appeal will lie with the Commissioner (Appeals) • To be filed within 60 days from the date of receipt of the order in case of appeal by assessee • In prescribed format Different format for the department and different for the assessee’s • No appeal filing fees • Mandatory pre-deposit (7.5% of the duty demanded or penalty confirmed) • Mode of payment of the mandatory pre-deposit • Subsequent refund of the amount already paid as pre-deposit along with interest • Appeal drafting: Form filing, facts, grounds, prayer

28. APPEAL: IF ORDER PASSED BY THE COMMISSIONER OR COMMISSIONER (APPEALS) • Appeal will lie before CESTAT • To be filed within 3 months from the date of receipt of the order. • In prescribed format, different formats for the assessee’s and department • Appeal filing fees: Rs. 1,000/5,000/10,000 • Mandatory pre-deposit. Mode of payment of the mandatory pre-deposit • Subsequent refund of the amount already paid as pre-deposit • Discretion to reject the appeal below prescribed limit i.e. Rs. 2 Lakhs if the issue involved is not in relation to classification of goods and valuation • Exception: In certain cases of the appeal will not lie to CESTAT but the revision application has to be filed with Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance e.g.loss of goods in transit, rebate of duty of excise on goods exported, export of goods without payment of duty, drawback

29. WHO CAN SIGN THE APPEAL PAPERS • Who can sign the appeal papers in case of appeal preferred by an assessee: • In case individual: individual himself or the person authorized by him • In case of HUF, Karta and in his absence any other adult member of the family • In case of company, the principal authority thereof • In case of other associations, the member or principal officer • In case of fir, any of its partners • In case of any other person, that person or the person authorized to act in his behalf

30. PROCEDURE TO BE BY THE APPELLATE AUTHORITIES: • Natural justice i.e. opportunity of hearing and intimation to the other party • Submission of the case laws, additional documents, additional submissions • Production of additional evidences is allowed only in following cases: • Where the original authority refused to consider the same • The appellant was prevented from producing these evidences • Ex parte order was passed • No additional evidence should be admitted unless the reasons for admission are given by the Appellant and recorded in the order • No recovery during pendency of appeal

31. Power of Commissioner (Appeals) • To grant adjournments • To allow the production of additional evidence • To condone the delay in filing of the appeal upto 30 days • To remand the matter back to the original adjudicating authority-Dispute continues • No Monitory limit to file the appeal (Recently the issue was discussed and by CBEC, but no change recommended) • Power to rectify own orders only in case of Service Tax

32. POWER OF CESTAT • To grant adjournments • To condone the delay in filing of the appeal • To remand back the matter • To rectify its own order • To grant early hearing • To refuse to admit the appeal involving stake below Rs. 2 Lacks in case appeal filed by the assessee

33. DEPARTMENT APPEAL • Internal mechanism to review the order and then the decision with respect to file the appeal is taken • Based on the decision of the committee of reviewing the order, department shall file the appeal • Cross Objection in the matter of appeal filed by the department to be filed within 45 days from the date receipt of the notice that the appeal has been preferred • No fee payable at the time of filing of cross objection • Delay in filing of cross objection • Same order may be challenged by the assessee and department simultaneously

34. VARIOUS MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS TO BE FILED BEFORE CESTAT • Miscellaneous application for condonation of delay • Miscellaneous application for early hearing of matter • Miscellaneous application for rectification of mistake within six months from date of order • Miscellaneous application for restoration of appeal • Miscellaneous application for withdrawal of appeal • Miscellaneous application for production of additional evidence

35. OTHER PROCEDURE AT CESTAT • Dress code for representing the matter • Constitution of bench • Submission of paper book • Additional submission • Open court hearing • Mention of the appeal: requirement and process

37. APPLICATION TO SETTLEMENT COMMISSION • Who can apply? • Who has filed the returns showing production, clearance and paid the tax, If the commission is satisfied that the circumstances existed for non filing of appeal existed then is may allow the application • SCN issued • Amount of additional tax accepted paid along with interest • Amount of additional liability exceeds Rs. 3 Lakhs • Which cases can be applied to settlement? • Any proceeding for levy, assessment and collection of tax pending before an adjudicating authority on the date on which the application was made • Not allowed in cases where the matter is pending before the adjudicating authority because of the remand back proceedings

38. APPLICATION TO SETTLEMENT COMMISSION contd. • Bindingness of the decision • Whether the decision can be appealed? - No • Whether the Settlement Commission can remand the matter back? • The rejection of the application by the settlement commission

39. ADVANCE RULING contd. • Advance Ruling: Determination of question of law or fats regarding the taxability of the activity proposed to be undertaken • Who can apply? • A non resident setting up joint venture in India • A resident setting up joint venture in India with non resident • Wholly owned subsidiary of company of which holding company is foreign company • Joint venture in India • Resident company, resident firm as notified • Time to time notification in this regard issued and currently any person can sought the advance ruling

40. ADVANCE RULING • For what application can be made? • Classification of goods proposed to be manufactured or imported, taxability of activity proposed to be carried, availability of the exemption notification, admissibility of the CENVAT Credit etc. • Bindingness of the decision • Binding on the applicant and the jurisdictional central excise authorities • Not bending on the other parties and even to department in case of other assessee’s • Binding till the time the law is not changed • Whether the decision can be appealed? • Time limit to pronounce advance ruling: 90 days from the date of application

41. Thank You!!!