7C. Amount to be paid for delay in furnishing the prescribed return.-

(1) Where the return prescribed under rule 7 is furnished after the date prescribed for submission of such return, the person liable to furnish the said return shall pay to the credit of the Central Government, for the period of delay of-

(i) fifteen days from the date prescribed for submission of such return, an amount of five hundred rupees;

(ii) beyond fifteen days but not later than thirty days from the date prescribed for submission of such return, an amount of one thousand rupees; and

(iii) beyond thirty days from the date prescribed for submission of such return an amount of one thousand rupees plus one hundred rupees for every day from the thirty first day till the date of furnishing the said return:

(2) Where the annual return referred to in sub-rule (3A) of rule 7 is filed by the assessee after the due date, the assessee shall pay to the credit of the Central Government, an amount calculated at the rate of one hundred rupees per day for the period of delay in filing of such return, subject to a maximum of twenty thousand rupees.Inserted vide Notification 19/2016-Service Tax.

Provided that the total amount payable in terms of this rule, for delayed submission of return, shall not exceed the amount specified in section 70 of the Act:

Provided further that where the assessee has paid the amount as prescribed under this rule for delayed submission of return, the proceedings, if any, in respect of such delayed submission of return shall be deemed to be concluded.

[Provided also that where the gross amount of service tax payable is nil, the Central Excise officer may, on being satisfied that there is sufficient reason for not filing the return, reduce or waive the penalty].

Explanation .- It is hereby declared that any pending proceedings under section 77 for delayed submission or non-submission of return that has been initiated before the date on which the Finance Bill, 2007 receives the assent of the President, shall also be deemed to be concluded if the amount specified for delay in furnishing the return is paid by the assessee within sixty days from the date of assent to the said Finance Bill.