Mandatory E-filing of Central Excise Returns in ACES

[CBEC Circular No. 955 dated 15^th September 2011]

It has been decided to make it mandatory for the assessees to submit the prescribed Central Excise Returns electronically w.e.f. 1st day of October, 2011. In this regard, the Central Excise (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2011 has been issued vide Notification No. 21/2011-CE (NT) dated 14.09.2011, amending Rule 12 and Rule 17 of the Central Excise Rules, 2002. Similarly, the CENVAT Credit (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2011 has been issued vide Notification No.22/2011-CE (NT) dated 14.09.2011, amending Rule 9A of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004. The above mentioned changes will come into effect on 01.10.2011.

2. The following amendments have been made in Central Excise Rules, 2002 and CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004:

(i) ER-1 Return, filed under Rule 12(1) of the Central Excise Rules, 2002, will have to be electronically filed irrespective of the duty paid in the preceding financial year.

(ii) ER-2 Return, filed by 100% EOUs under Rule 17 of the Central Excise Rules, 2002, will be required to be filed electronically irrespective of the duty paid in the preceding financial year.

(iii) ER-3 Return, filed under the provisos to Rule 12(1) of the Central Excise Rules, 2002, will be required to be filed by the concerned assessees including SSI units electronically irrespective of the duty paid in the preceding financial year.

(iv) ER-4 Return (Annual Financial Information Statement), filed under Rule 12(2) (a) of the Central Excise Rules, 2002 will continue to be filed electronically by the assessees who are not exempted from filing such statement by a notification.

(v) ER-5 and ER-6 Returns, pertaining to principal inputs filed under Rule

9A of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004, will continue to be electronically filed by the assessees who are not exempted from filing such declaration/return by a notification.

(vi) ER-7 (Annual Installed Capacity Statement) filed under Rule 12(2A) (a) of the Central Excise Rules, 2002, has to be filed by all assessees electronically.

(vii) ER-8 Return, to be filed under the proviso to Rule 12(1) of the Central Excise Rules, 2002, by assessees availing the exemption under Notification No.1/2011-CE dated 01.03.2011 has to be filed electronically.

3. As a large number of assessees may be required to file Central Excise Returns electronically as a result of the above changes, it is requested that they may be provided all assistance so as to help them in adopting the new procedure.

4. Field Formations and Trade may also be informed suitably.

F.No.201/10/2011-CX.6