TIOL-DDT 73 · Monday, 14 March 2005 · story 3 of 3

Is FICCI a club, liable to pay Service Tax?

What the FM did not tell them! The FM had a comfortable meeting with the members of the FICCI after the budget, but the wise Minister did not tell them that he has brought their famous organisation under the Service Tax net. As per the proposed amendment to the Act, Taxable Service will include

(zzze) to its members, by any club or association in relation to provision of services, facilities or advantages for a subscription or any other amount;

"club or association" means any person or body of persons providing services, facilities or advantages, for a subscription or any other amount, to its members, but does not include—

(i) any body established or constituted by or under any law for the time being in force; or

(ii) any person or body of persons engaged in the activities of trade unions, promotion of agriculture, horticulture or animal husbandry; or

(iii) any person or body of persons engaged in any activity having objectives which are in the nature of public service and are of a charitable, religious or political nature; or

(iv) any person or body of persons associated with press or media;

Now Let us see whether FICCI fits the bill.

Sl. No.

Conditions

Does FICCI satisfy the condition?

1

It should be either of these

A person

Legal person, may be

Body of persons

Certainly YES

2

Providing any of these to its members

Service

Doubtful?

Facilities

YES

Advantages

YES

3

For either of these

A subscription

YES

Any other amount

YES

4

Exclusions

Established under or by any law

Not established by or under any law not excluded

engaged in any activity having objectives which are in the nature of public service and are of a charitable, religious or political nature

Not a charitable, religious or political organisation not excluded

persons engaged in any activity having objectives which are in the nature of public service and are of a charitable, religious or political nature

not excluded

person or body of persons associated with press or media

not excluded

So FICCI and all such organisations will be taxed after the Finance Bill is enacted.

Until Tomorrow with more of DDT

Have a Nice Day

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