26 June 2013
You must get service tax number for availing various benefits of refunds available to service providers on export of services.Other than that you can also get other export benefits.
26 June 2013
As per service tax laws you need to get service tax registration only when your service provided in domestic territory is more than Rs. 9 Lakhs.
22 July 2013
hi.. can u plz tell me if a company pay more than Rs 10 lacs to a unregistered person as commission on sell of land and that service provider is an unregistered person not charging any service tax then what is the liability of the company??? thanks
03 August 2025
Hereโs a clear summary on Service Tax registration and export of services based on your query:
1. Is Service Tax registration necessary for export of services? If you provide only export of services and no taxable service in India, then registration under Service Tax is NOT mandatory, irrespective of turnover.
If you provide taxable services in India and turnover (including exports) exceeds Rs. 9 lakh (threshold as per older Service Tax law), then registration is mandatory.
So, for pure export service providers without domestic taxable services, no mandatory registration.
2. Why should you get registered even if not mandatory? To avail benefits like refund or rebate of service tax paid on inputs (input service credit/refund).
To comply with other export-related benefits under law.
Registration enables you to file returns and claim refunds.
3. If you do not want to claim any benefits (like refund or rebate), is registration compulsory? No, registration is not compulsory if your only service is export of services and turnover is below threshold.
4. Regarding TDS and commission payment to unregistered service provider If a company pays commission over Rs. 10 lakh to an unregistered service provider, and the service provider is not charging service tax, then:
Company is liable to pay service tax under Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM).
The company must pay service tax on commission paid, and cannot claim input credit.
The unregistered service provider is liable to get registered and pay service tax (if above threshold).
Summary Table Situation Service Tax Registration Required? Remarks Only export services, no domestic taxable services No (registration not mandatory) Registration optional for claiming refund benefits Domestic taxable services > Rs. 9L Yes Registration mandatory Company paying commission to unregistered person Company liable under Reverse Charge Company must pay service tax on behalf of unregistered service provider