• What are the challans for the payment of Excise & Service Tax?
• Where can one obtain these Challans?
• What is Challan Identification Number (CIN) and what is its relevance?
• How will the acknowledgement stamp bearing the CIN look like?
• What should I do if I have misplaced my acknowledgement counterfoil?
• What would happen if I loose the paper token issued by the bank?

What are the challans for the payment of Excise Service Tax?
Ans. A common challan No.TR 6 is to be used for payment of Excise (White colour) and Service tax (Yellow colour) Each challan has a taxpayer counterfoil at the bottom which will be returned to you by the bank after duly stamping it with a Challan Identification Number (CIN).

Where can one obtain these Challans?
Ans. Soft copies of these challans are available at Central Board of Excise and Customs website Challans are also available with private vendors.

What is Challan Identification Number (CIN) and what is its relevance?
Ans. Challan Identification Number (CIN) has three parts

• Seven digit BSR code of the bank branch where tax is deposited
• Date of Deposit (DD/MM/YY) of tax
• Serial Number of Challan

CIN is stamped on the acknowledgement receipt to uniquely identify the tax payment. CIN has to be quoted in the return of income as a proof of payment. CIN is also to be quoted in any further enquiry. Therefore, you must ensure that CIN (comprising the above three parts) is stamped on the Challan by the bank. If not, immediately contact the bank manager and insist on CIN.
The Reserve Bank of India has already passed an order dated April 1, 2004 making it compulsory for all tax collecting branches of banks to use a rubber stamp acknowledgement that carries CIN. A separate CIN is given for each challan deposited. If the Bank Manager is unable to resolve the issue, you should address your grievance to the Bank's Regional Manager and the Regional Office of Reserve Bank of India for redressal.

How will the acknowledgement stamp bearing the CIN look like?
Ans. The Acknowledgement stamp of the bank will contain the following information:

• Bank Branch Name
• BSR (7 digit)
• Deposit Date (DDMMYY)
• Serial No.

What should I do if I have misplaced my acknowledgement counterfoil?
Ans. Kindly approach the bank where you have deposited the tax and request them to issue you a certificate which contains your payment particulars including CIN.