What does online information and database access or retrieval services mean?
Online information and database access or retrieval services [OIDAR] means services whose delivery is mediated through the internet. The supply is essentially automated involving minimal human intervention and impossible without information technology.
On whom will this apply?
These are a few examples of electronic services from the service tax list which will be considered as
OIDAR-
Advertising on internet
Providing cloud services (Google Drive)
Provision of e-books, movie, music, software and other intangibles via internet (Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video)
Providing data or information, retrievable or otherwise, to any person, in electronic form through a computer network
Online gaming (Steam)
Web-based services providing trade statistics, legal and financial data, matrimonial services, social networking sites etc
Non-OIDAR services
Supplies of goods, where the order and processing is done electronically
Supplies of physical books, newsletters, newspapers or journals
Services of lawyers and financial consultants who advise clients through email
Booking services or tickets to entertainment events, hotel accommodation or car hire
Educational or professional courses, where the content is delivered by a teacher over the internet
Offline physical repair services of computer equipment
Repair of software, or of hardware, through the internet, from a remote location
Advertising services in newspapers, on posters and on television
Internet backbone services and internet access services (BSNL broadband)
NOTE:IT HAS ALSO BEEN CLARIFIED THAT USING THE INTERNET JUST TO COMMUNICATE OR FACILITATE OUTCOME OF SERVICE NEED DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN THAT A BUSINESS IS PROVIDING OIDAR SERVICES.