Payment of Service Tax on accrual basis

Service tax is paid on billing basis or accrual basis since the Point Of Taxation Rules 2011 has been introduced. It is mandatory for all service provider to pay service tax on accrual basis since July 2011 except professional. 

The purpose of this amendment is that the payment of service tax is linked to receipt of payment for the service, which is at odds with regime in force in Central Excise and VAT laws implemented by the states. In both Central Excise and VAT, tax payment is required on accrual basis - upon manufacture and clearance of goods in the former and issue of invoice in the latter. In neither case is the tax payment linked actual receipt of payment for the goods. The GST regime is likely to follow this practice and it is necessary to align the service tax regime with it so that transition to GST will be smooth. The change in the point of payment of tax will also simplify accounting for the taxpayers.