Service Tax 1994
78. Penalty for Suppressing Value of Taxable Service.
If the Central Excise Officer in the course of
any proceedings under this Chapter is satisfied that any person has, with
intent to evade payment of service tax, suppressed or concealed the value of
taxable service or has furnished inaccurate value of such taxable service, he
may direct that such person shall pay by way of penalty, in addition to service
tax and interest, if any, payable by him, a sum which shall not be less than,
but which shall not exceed twice, the amount of service tax sought to be evaded
by reason of suppression or concealment of the value of taxable service or the
furnishing of inaccurate value of such taxable service :
Provided that if the value of taxable service
(as determined by the Central Excise Officer on assessment) in respect of which
value has been suppressed or concealed or inaccurate value has been furnished
exceeds a sum of twenty-five thousand rupees, the Central Excise Officer shall
not issue any direction for payment by way of penalty without the previous
approval of the Commissioner Central Excise.