Page 150 - GSTL_2nd April 2020_Vol 35_Part 1
P. 150

52                            GST LAW TIMES                      [ Vol. 35
                                     at the Union level and at the levels of the States concerned, that foreign invest-
                                     ments, apart from domestic investments, are also highly needed for our econo-
                                     my, subject to the regulatory framework projected by laws. In cases like this, a
                                     foreign entity like the principal company in this case, would like to have preci-
                                     sion and certainty about tax liability so that they can accordingly modulate their
                                     future outlook and  it goes without saying that the executive  authorities con-
                                     cerned including the taxation authorities will have to take the correct perspective
                                     and in accordance with the legislative policy framed as per the wisdom of the
                                     Parliament and the State Legislatures to ensure that there is certainty and preci-
                                     sion in taxation liability, etc. so that the domestic investors as well as foreign in-
                                     vestors, will get more incentive to continue and increase their level of activities,
                                     for the overall better development and growth of our economy.
                                            25.  With these observations and directions, the  above Writ Petition
                                     (Civil) stands finally disposed of.

                                                                     _______


                                                    2020 (35) G.S.T.L. 52 (Telangana)
                                           IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT
                                                                  HYDERABAD
                                                    M.S. Ramachandra Rao and K. Lakshman, JJ.
                                                         VASUDHA BOMMIREDDY
                                                                      Versus
                                               ASSISTANT COMMR. OF S.T., HYDERABAD
                                                  Writ Petition No. 5980 of 2017, decided on 20-12-2019
                                            Refund - Limitation - Service Tax paid under mistake of law - If peti-
                                     tioners not liable to pay ‘Service Tax’ on transaction of purchase of constructed
                                     area along with goods apart from undivided share of land, such payment not
                                     to amount to payment of Service Tax at all - Department also could not have
                                     demanded payment  of same -  Merely because payment made  by petitioner,
                                     same not to partake character of ‘Service Tax’ and Department cannot retain
                                     amount - Section 11B of Central Excise Act, 1944 as applicable to Service Tax
                                     vide Section 83 of Finance Act, 1994. [paras 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]
                                            Refund claim - Service Tax paid under mistake of law - Rejection of
                                     claim for non-furnishing of any document to prove actual deposit of said Ser-
                                     vice Tax amount with Central Government  -  HELD : Petitioner were never
                                     asked to produce such material - Service Tax registration number of vendor
                                     provided by petitioner - Nothing prevented Department from verifying
                                     whether payment made on 19-6-2014, passed on by vendor to Central Govern-
                                     ment by verifying Service Tax Returns filed by vendor - Also, proof of pay-
                                     ment of Service Tax by  vendor collected from petitioner  to Central Govern-
                                     ment, in  relation  to property sold filed  with writ petition  -  Therefore, said
                                     ground in impugned  order also  cannot  be accepted -  Section  11B of  Central
                                     Excise Act, 1944 as applicable to Service Tax vide Section 83 of Finance Act,
                                     1994. [paras 20, 21, 22]

                                                          GST LAW TIMES      2nd April 2020      214
   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   155