Filing of Combined Annual Return for 2015-16 Due on 30.11.2016 is not Required

[CBEC Circular No. 1050 dated 8^th November 2016]

Sub: Combined Annual Return Form for Central Excise and Service Tax.

Kind attention is invited to Notification No. 8/2016-CE(N.T.) (SI.NO.5) dated 01.03.2016 and Notification No.13/2016-CE(N.T.) (Sl.NO.9) dated 01.03.2016 vide which Rule 12 of Central Excise Rules, 2002 and Rule 9A of CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004, respectively, were amended to replace the existing Central Excise Forms ER-4 to ER-7 with an Annual Return form. On the service tax side, vide Notification No. 19/2016-ST dated 01/03/2016, Rule 7of the Service Tax Rules, 1994 was amended to prescribe an annual return. In terms of Rule 12 of Central Excise Rules, 2002 and Rule 7 of the Service Tax Rules, 1994, the format of the Annual Return, which was required to be filed by 30^th day of November, was to be specified by the Board by notification.

2. In view of impending implementation of Goods & Services Tax (GST) it has been decided that, the aforesaid Annual Return shall not be required to be filed for the year 2015-16, which is due to be filed by 30.11.2016. After implementation of GST, Annual Return for non-GST goods only may be required. A final view on the same would be taken after due consultation with the trade.

3. Trade may be suitably informed that the aforesaid Combined Annual Return for 2015-16 is not required to be filed. Difficulties, if any, in the implementation of above Circular may be brought to the notice of the Board.

F. No, 207/05/2014-CX.6