Service tax applicability on industrial canteen

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Sumit (Querist)
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27 March 2016 Can someone let me know about service Tax applicability on canteen situated in a manufacturing industry? The canteen is run by a outdoor caterer. Workers purchase the coupons from caterer @Rs.7.00 per plate and the caterer charge balance Rs. 15.00 from the industry. Total cost per plate is Rs. 22.00. Thus the industry is charging nothing from the workers.

Now my question is what is the ethical practice being followed by the such industries pertaining to service tax applicability?

Those who are practically dealing such cases are requested to share their views.

CA. B.SRINIVASULU

CA. B.SRINIVASULU (Expert)
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27 March 2016 Industrial canteens are exempted from service tax.

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Sumit

Sumit (Querist)
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04 April 2016 can someone else share their views?

Aashok Kumar Sharma

Aashok Kumar Sharma (Expert)
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24 July 2025 Yes, you’re right — service tax is generally not applicable on industrial canteen services.

Here’s a quick summary:

Industrial canteen services provided by an outdoor caterer to the employees of a manufacturing industry are exempt from service tax under the Mega Exemption Notification (Notification No. 25/2012-ST and subsequent updates).

The reasoning is that these canteen services are considered welfare services to the employees and not commercial catering to the public.

Even if the canteen is run by an external caterer, as long as it’s exclusively for the industry’s workers and not open to outsiders, service tax exemption applies.

The pricing structure where workers pay a nominal amount and the industry subsidizes the rest does not affect the exemption.

Ethical/Best Practice:

Industry should maintain proper documentation that the canteen services are for employees only.

Keep contracts/agreements with the outdoor caterer clearly indicating the nature of services.

Avoid any commercial catering to outsiders through the canteen.

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