Marriage is a business- Service Tax

Others 1183 views 3 replies

Rajesh Kumar

Advocate- Tax

7811 Points Posted on 06 April 2009

Recently the Service Tax Commissionerate has realised that Marriage is a business, and hence concluded that online match making services are taxable under the head "business auxiliary services". Summons has been issued to various online match makers to pay service tax. If marriage is a business, why summon only online match makers- on this logic even offline match makers are also providing "business auxiliary services". And what about Brahmin Pandit- Can he be booked for Business Support service. The department must be thinking.

Frivolous notices is a good tool to harass people, instil uncertainty in the taxation system and extort corrupt money from innocent persons. We need legal provisions where frivolous notice issuer department is punished with exemplary cost, when notice is found frivolous. Unless that is happen, such frivolous notices wil keep on flying.

Replies (3)

CMA KNVV Sri Vidya - Sri Kanth

C.A.Final (New) ICWAI FINAL (New)

11269 Points Posted on 06 April 2009

thanks for sharing sir

Madhukar N Hiregange

Chartered Accountant

39039 Points Posted on 07 April 2009

Louis L amour an old western writer ( used to write on the wild west) used to say that there is no dearth of good people but normally the voice is not loud. Congratulations on your bold suggestion.

Rajesh Kumar

Advocate- Tax

7811 Points Posted on 07 April 2009

Dear Madhukar,

I know you through your scholarly papers published in print and n web. Here also i read your post with all my mind as your posts are always well thought out and full of wisdom. Thanks for your kind comments.

Regarding your comments "voice is not loud", you are right. But from my side I have always spoken very loudly and clearly. Some of my papers in ELT (dont have citations off hand)- have always expressed the views of fairness and justice. Some of the papers are,

-Assessee's Right against delay

-Right to consult and advocate during interrogation

- Admissibility of recorded statement

-Let us kill all the lawyers

-Salary, corruption and accountability

-CESTAT responsibility for its judgment

On these papers i have always raised the issues, loudly-clearly-and logically. I feel the business & industrial community, who is generating wealth and income for the nation is always treated shabbily.

I express myself, for what i think to be just and fair. But real initiative has to come from business community itslef, which is lacking. Till that happen, such injustices will continue.