FICCI approaches FM on service tax demand
Termed liable for service tax has prompted two apex industry associations FICCI and CII to come together and the former has approached government for exemption from the levy.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Termed liable for service tax has prompted two apex industry associations FICCI and CII to come together and the former has approached government for exemption from the levy.
"I have spoken with Finance Minister P Chidambaram personally, to put this question whether chambers are liable to pay tax.
"To this, he said very clearly, that chambers are non-profit making entities", Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Amit Mitra told reporters.
The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has served a show cause notice demanding Rs 33 crore as service tax from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). From FICCI and other chambers it has sought details on membership fee.
Mitra said he has also spoken to top brass of CII, who have informed him that they have also taken up the issue with the Finance Minister.
Asked why business chambers should not pay service tax, Mitra said FICCI is registered under the Section 25 of the Companies Act and was not liable to pay tax. An entity registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act is treated as a non-profit organisation and is free from the tax liabilities.
Mitra said FICCI works not only for industry but also for the larger national interest. "Our primary work is for policy change...this is not for the industry (alone). FICCI had worked earlier for national independence. There was no money made in that", he said.
In the post-91 era, the chamber worked for liberalisation of the economy, he said.
"I have spoken with Finance Minister P Chidambaram personally, to put this question whether chambers are liable to pay tax.
"To this, he said very clearly, that chambers are non-profit making entities", Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Amit Mitra told reporters.
The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has served a show cause notice demanding Rs 33 crore as service tax from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). From FICCI and other chambers it has sought details on membership fee.
Mitra said he has also spoken to top brass of CII, who have informed him that they have also taken up the issue with the Finance Minister.
Asked why business chambers should not pay service tax, Mitra said FICCI is registered under the Section 25 of the Companies Act and was not liable to pay tax. An entity registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act is treated as a non-profit organisation and is free from the tax liabilities.
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Mitra said FICCI works not only for industry but also for the larger national interest. "Our primary work is for policy change...this is not for the industry (alone). FICCI had worked earlier for national independence. There was no money made in that", he said.
In the post-91 era, the chamber worked for liberalisation of the economy, he said.
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