Dear Vedika,
First you have analyze the exact nature of the service based on the nature of service received along with the available document/ Agreement.
Secondly if it is in the nature of Sponsorship service check whether RCM is applicable. (Since you have not mentioned the status of the Service Provider & Service Receiver)
(A) If the service is Advertisement Agency service:
- Write a reply letter to the department to substantiate the service is in the nature of Advertisement Agency Service.
- If department accepts the same it is advisable to get it in writing for the same.
- After that pay remaining due to the service provider.
- There will be no liability on service receiver under RCM.
(B) If it is Sponsorship Service subject to applicability of RCM:
- First you have to discuss with the service provider to know the reason for charging the service tax in the invoice when there is liability on the Service Receiver to pay 100% of service tax liability under RCM for the said service.
- Under RCM for Sponsorship Service, Service receiver has to pay 100% of service tax liability without utilizing the CENVAT credit.
- When there is liability to pay service tax is on the service receiver than there will be no exception from such liability simply because that he has paid service tax to the service provider.
- Service recipient paying the service tax under RCM may take the CENVAT credit of service tax paid by him.
- However you can recover the service tax portion paid to service provider on the amount already paid by you along with the proper/corrected invoice.
Thanks & Regards,
CA Chandrashekar L