The document summarizes changes introduced in the Finance Act 2016 related to service tax rates and exemptions. Key points include:
1) A new Krishi Kalyan Cess of 0.5% will be imposed on all taxable services, increasing the effective service tax rate to 15%.
2) Rates of service tax have been increased for various services such as transport, hotels, restaurants.
3) Education services have been removed from the negative list and will be taxed. All services provided by the government to business entities will be taxable.
4) Some exemptions have been withdrawn like those for services provided to arbitral tribunals, while exemptions have been provided for certain construction