Step 1. Visit www.aces.gov.in and select download. Step 2. A new page will appear, there click on "click on to Download Utilities". There after, again a new page will appear.Now under Service Tax, download ST3 Return Excel Utility. Step 3. Save the zip file in any folder of the local computer and then eatract xls file from zip file using WInzip utility. Step 4. The EXCEL file consists of two sheets viz. “Instruction” and “Return”. It is advised that before filing return go through the instruction carefully. “Return” sheet is the only working sheet in which data to be entered. Step 5. In order to enter, validate and generate XML file, it is necessary to enable macros in return preparation utility. Step 6. Read ‘‘Steps for filing ST3 return” of the instruction to enter and validate all the pages of the Return correctly.

**PROCEDURE TO FILE SERVICE TAX RETURN** There are two methods of filling the return electronically, namely: Online filing of data in service tax return and then submit it. Offline filing of data using excel utility and then upload it. Firstly login into ACES account Under RET menu click on ‘fill’ option of ‘fill ST-3′ sub-menu i.e. RET Menu Fill ST-3 Fill. Premises code and address will appear Click on the hyper link to prepare ST 3 return After filing the return correctly Click on the ‘SAVE’ Button appearing on last page and confirmation page of ST-3 will appear To submit return press the submit button After successful submission confirmation will appear with unique number. For offline method just download the form in xml file and fill it and upload on the website Thanks

Hello Rohit, Presently the filling of service tax return is mandatory to be e_filled. Steps to e_file service tax return are as follow: **Step 1.** Visit www.aces.gov.in and select download. **Step 2.** A new page will appear, there click on "click on to Download Utilities". There after, again a new page will appear.Now under Service Tax, download ST3 Return Excel Utility. **Step 3.** Save the zip file in any folder of the local computer and then eatract xls file from zip file using WInzip utility. **Step 4.** The EXCEL file consists of two sheets viz. “Instruction” and “Return”. It is advised that before filing return go through the instruction carefully. “Return” sheet is the only working sheet in which data to be entered. **Step 5.** In order to enter, validate and generate XML file, it is necessary to enable macros in return preparation utility. **Step 6.** Read ‘‘Steps for filing ST3 return” of the instruction to enter and validate all the pages of the Return correctly. **Step 7.** Once all the fields of the sheet have been filled up, clicking on “Validate Return and Submit” will validate entire sheet and generate XML file if data is found OK. **Step 8.** After generating XML file, the system will prompt for name and location of the file to be saved. The name format of the XML file generated will be: RegistrationNumber_Date_Time.xml . **Do not try to change the filename.** **Step 9.** For uploading XML file into ACES Application, login to ACES with Username & Password. **Step 10.** Access Ret----->e-filing-------->upload to upload generated xml file of ST3 return. **Step 11.** On upload screen, fill in all the required fields like financial year, Return for the period etc. Click on‘browse’ to select xml file and save for uploading. **Step 12.** After uploading, the Application will validate the data. If the data are found to be correct, the XML file will be successfully uploaded. In case the data is found to be incorrect, Application will reject the XML file at the time of uploading itself. After validating the data, application will process the XML file and upload into ACES database. Regards Bharat Makhija