Supreme Court Wants BCCI to Pay Service Tax for Recording Matches
Supreme Court dismissed BCCI plea on paying service tax.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said the Indian cricket Board (BCCI) will have to pay service tax for recording cricket matches. The court also dismissed the BCCI plea against paying service tax
BCCI appealed in the Supreme Court against the Central Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) order directing BCCI to pay Rs 18 crore for recording matches for the period 2006-10
BCCI argued that it deployed cameras in the stadium and the cameraperson just records the matches and BCCI doesn't produce the programme. Hence, it can't be levied service tax.
BCCI lawyer during his arguments quoted an example that in a marriage parents employ a cameraperson for recording the marriage but parents can't be charged for service.
The Chief Justice, heading a two-judge Bench said, "BCCI is service provider. If this is not a service, then what else is? Whatever BCCI does is a service."
(With inputs from A Vaidyanathan)