CBEC Extends Last Date for filing ST-3 Return
FOR the last couple of weeks, we have been getting frantic mails and calls from perturbed assessees who were worried that they were not able to file the ST-3 returns as the ACES was not working. They were worried that they would be punished for the fault of the Government. We tried to reassure them that the Board would do something before the last date and they need not worry, but many feared they would be penalised. We brought the anxiety of the assessee to the notice of the Board.
Yesterday, the Board issued an order extending the date of filing the return for the period 1st April 2012 to 30th June 2012, from 25th October to 25th November 2012.
The order issued by the Board in terms of the powers conferred by rule 7(4) of the Service Tax Rules, 1994 lists the circumstances of special nature necessitating the extension as follows -
a) ACES will start releasing the return in Form ST3 in a quarterly format, shortly before the due date of 25th October, 2012.
b) This will result in all the assesses attempting to file their returns in a short time period, which may result in problems in the computer network and delay and inconvenience to the assesses.
Let us hope ACES will be put in PLACE(S) by that time.
CBEC Order No. 3/2012 in F.No.137/99/2011-Service Tax, Dated: October 15, 2012