26 July 2025
Great question! Hereโs a clear explanation about why services provided in **Jammu & Kashmir (J\&K)** were exempt from Service Tax until recently, along with legal background and references:
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### Why services in J\&K were not liable to Service Tax?
1. **Legal Basis:**
* Section 64 of the **Finance Act, 1994** (Chapter V) specifically **excludes the State of Jammu and Kashmir** from the applicability of Service Tax. * The exact wording from Section 64(1):
> "This Chapter extends to the whole of India **except the State of Jammu and Kashmir**."
2. **Historical Context:**
* J\&K had a **separate Constitution** under Article 370 (now abrogated in 2019), granting it special status. * Laws enacted by the Parliament of India **did not automatically apply** to J\&K unless adopted by the J\&K State Assembly. * Therefore, Central indirect taxes like Service Tax were not applicable in J\&K by default.
3. **Implication:**
* **Services provided within J\&K by a service provider having business place in J\&K were not liable to Service Tax.** * However, if the service provider was outside J\&K and provided services to a recipient in J\&K, then service tax might be applicable because the place of business of service provider determines taxability.
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### What about service providers outside J\&K providing services to J\&K?
* The **place of provision of service** rules apply. * If the service provider is located outside J\&K and services are provided to a location in J\&K, service tax was generally applicable because the provider's business location is outside J\&K. * This interpretation aligns with Circulars and clarifications issued by the Service Tax Department.
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### Important references and case laws:
* **Finance Act, 1994 - Section 64** * **Circular No. 102/8/2010-ST dated 31 March 2010** clarifies taxability aspects in J\&K. * **Supreme Court ruling in State of J\&K vs. Union of India (1976)** (earlier constitutional case) explaining special status. * Various Service Tax Tribunal rulings where taxability depended on place of service provider vs. place of service recipient.
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### Post abrogation of Article 370 (from Aug 2019):
* J\&K is now fully integrated into India. * Finance Act provisions, including Service Tax (now GST), are **fully applicable in J\&K**. * Service tax regime itself was subsumed by GST from July 2017.
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If you want, I can help you find specific rulings or more detailed circulars on this. Would you like that?