1. The Offline Excel utility for filing half-yearly Service Tax return (ST 3) for the period 1st October, 2012 to 31st March, 2013 is now available in ACES. The same can be downloaded from https://acesdownload.nic.in/. It can also be accessed from 'DOWNLOADS' section of ACES website,www.aces.gov.in. The online version of the same will be made available shortly and the exact date will be intimated on ACES website. All assessees are advised to carefully read the 'Instructions' given in a separate sheet in the ST-3 offline excel utility before filling up the details.
2. New user-friendly features in the Oct. 2012 - Mar. 2013 ST-3 Return:
A. Previously, the assessees were able to view the filed returns using the option, 'View Original ST3'. This facility has been enhanced with a new feature by displaying in the return, the list of error codes (with corresponding error messages). This will help the assessees to know about the errors so that they can exercise the option of filing Revised return by rectifying the errors. This facility will be made available shortly and the exact date will be intimated on ACES website.
B. As soon as the return uploaded by the assessee is accepted or rejected by the system, a system-generated message will be e-mailed to the assessee. The assessee can rectify the errors and file the corrected return.
3. Assessees who got registration on or after 01.07.2012 with 'All Taxable Services - Other than in the Negative List' or those who have amended their Registration by adding the descripttion 'Other than in the Negative List', are required to file amendment to their Registration online and give the relevant descripttion(s) of Taxable Service(s) available in the drop-down list in the online amendment form.
4. As per CBEC Order No. 3/2013 - Service Tax dt. 23-4-2013, the last date of submission of the ST-3 return for the period, Oct. 2012 - Mar. 2013 has been extended up to 31st August, 2013. To avoid congestion and inconvenience in the last minute, all assessees are hereby advised to start e-filing the returns immediately and not to wait till the last date.
5. The status of the XML file of ST-3 return uploaded by the assessee can be ascertained after one business day of uploading the return by accessing 'RET > e-filing > view XML status'.
6. Revised ST-3 return can be filed within a period of 90 days from the date of filing the original return.
7. In case of any difficulty in accessing the ACES Application or in using the ST-3 offline utility, the assessees can seek help of the ACES Service Desk by sending e-mail to aces.servicedesk @ icegate.gov.i
8. It is advised that assessees may first go through FAQs before approaching Service Desk. It is further suggested that for general/
a) Name of the entity & Registration No.
b) Jurisdiction (Commissionerate, Division & Range)
c) Contact Person?s name, Phone number & Mobile Number
d) Full descripttion of the problem
e) Date & Time of encountering the issue
f) Please attach relevant screen shots / Navigation paths, if any.
9. Please note that ACES Service Desk handles issues/difficulties pertaining to ACES Software Application only. For any information or clarifications regarding Central Excise/Service Tax law & procedures, you are advised to contact your jurisdictional Central Excise / Service Tax Office.
10. Those assessees of Service Tax who may not have requisite IT infrastructure/resources can seek the assistance from ACES Certified Facilitation Centres (CFCs) set up by eligible Members of ICAI/ICAI/ICSI, holding valid Certificates of Practice.
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