Service tax on housekeeping services

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Deepti

Deepti (Querist)
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21 November 2012 is service tax on housekeeping services applicable to residential colony

@VaibhavJ

@VaibhavJ (Expert)
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21 November 2012 Hi

Housekeeping Services falls under Cleaning Services & Its applicable to only commercial entity.

See link for details:
http://www.servicetax.gov.in/st-profiles/cleaning-services.htm

Thanks//Vaibhav
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Deepti

Deepti (Querist)
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21 November 2012 is it applicable as per the latest changes made in service tax after negative list approach

Viral Vora

Viral Vora (Expert)
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21 November 2012 First of all it has to be seen whether housekeeping activities is of which nature ?.

If it is through some commercial concerns then yes it is applicable. Relevant provisions of man power supply will be applicable.

If it is through some persons deployed individually by owners then it will not attract service tax.

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Deepti

Deepti (Querist)
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21 November 2012 it is housekeeping services at bpcl staff colony sports club

Asha Kanta Sharma online

Asha Kanta Sharma online

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24 July 2025 Thanks for sharing the details!

Regarding **service tax on housekeeping services provided at a residential colony**, especially something like a **BPCL staff colony sports club**, here’s the clarity as per the service tax laws pre-GST (i.e., around 2012–2017):

### Applicability of Service Tax on Housekeeping Services in Residential Colonies

1. **Housekeeping Services** fall under **“Cleaning Services”** for service tax purposes.

2. Service tax on cleaning/housekeeping is **applicable only if the service is provided to a commercial entity** or a **business establishment**.

3. If housekeeping services are provided to a **residential colony or society** (which is generally a non-commercial entity), **service tax is usually not applicable**, **except** if the residential colony runs **commercial activities** (like a club, sports complex) as a business.

4. In the case of a **staff colony sports club**, which is an amenity run within the colony, **service tax may be applicable if the club is registered as a business entity or charges membership fees that classify it as a commercial activity**.

5. If the housekeeping services are provided through a commercial contractor (company or firm), service tax will apply on the amount charged by the contractor.

6. If the housekeeping services are provided by individuals employed directly by the colony or club (i.e., no contract with a commercial service provider), **service tax is generally not applicable**.

### Summary for BPCL staff colony sports club:

* If housekeeping is contracted out to a service provider (company/agency), service tax is likely applicable.
* If housekeeping is done by individuals employed directly (not through a commercial contractor), service tax may **not** be applicable.
* The status of the club as a commercial activity and the contract terms matter.

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Would you like me to check if there were any changes post-2012 or after the introduction of the negative list (service tax negative list was introduced in 2012)? Or how it stands under GST now?

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