Breaking; Service of Senior Advocates to Individuals and Business Entities up to 10L turn over exempted from Service Tax [Read Notifications]

Ministry of Finance has issued a notification exempting services provided by a Senior Advocate by way of legal services to any person other than a business entity; or a business entity with a turnover up to rupees ten lakh in the preceding financial year. By way of another notification it is made it clear that tax is to be paid by the recipient of service and if the senior advocate is engaged by another lawyer, the Service Tax is to be paid by the litigant.

“in relation to service provided or agreed to be provided by a senior advocate by way of representational services before any court, tribunal or authority, directly or indirectly, to any business entity located in the taxable territory, including where contract for provision of such service has been entered through another advocate or a firm of advocates, and the senior advocate is providing such services, the recipient of such services, which is the business entity who is litigant, applicant, or petitioner, as the case may be” states the notification

The Government of India has issued three notifications relating to Service Tax to lawyers on 6th June, 2016. Notification 34/2016 seeks to amend notification No. 30/2012-Service Tax dated 20th June, 2012, so as to prescribe extent of payment of service tax by a business entity as a recipient of services provided by senior advocates. Notification 35/2016 seeks to amend Service Tax Rules, 1994 so as to specify the business entity as the person liable to service tax in respect of services provided by senior advocates. Notification 35/2016 seeks to amend notification No. 25/2012 - Service Tax, dated the 20th June, 2012, so as to exempt the legal services provided by senior advocates to a business entity with a turnover up to rupees ten lakh in the preceding financial year.

Read the notifications here.