Service Tax on Escort Services
By Clara
An escorted Netizen
Little knowing the damage caused, National dailies have no qualms in carrying advertisement of various Escort services provided by someone called Nancy, Gabrina , Julie, Nikita, Tyra , Celina, Mallika , Nicky, Laila & the like. These Escort services are available round the clock and the payments are to be made either by Cash (any currency) or by Credit Cards. Even online payments are accepted by these “service providers” who promise 100% satisfaction & service that would refresh one's body & soul! Importantly, if the client prefers a Russian or Spanish or an Australian escort, these service providers would be more than happy to provide the same, albeit for a small “raise” in the service rates.
A quick visit to these “active” websites after googling would reveal that these providers accept “donations” & the rates of which shoot up from 15K for a two hour service to 30K for an overnight one. Okay, let me clarify – “K” stands for Rs.1000 /- you morons!
Considering that the national dailies and afternoon tabloids publish such advertisements with photographs of scantily clad models and there being no objection either from the Moral Police or the Advertising Standards Council of India or for that matter any Women's organization, it can be presumed that the services being offered are perfectly legal and not at all tainted ones as you were probably imaging.
If this be so, since in these escort services, there is a client and a service provider, it would be prudent for the Central government to bring them within the ambit of Service Tax starting this year.
After all, Service Tax does not necessarily require providing a “ tangible service ”.
Nonetheless, if these service providers do not pay Service Tax, either the Central Government can bring in an Amnesty Scheme or allow the Central Excise authorities to carry out “provisional attachment” of property.
We Indians have grown up – Chak De!