Tax Management India. Com
Law and Practice  :  Digital eBook
Research is most exciting & rewarding
  TMI - Tax Management India. Com
Follow us:
  Facebook   Twitter   Linkedin   Telegram
Tax Updates - TMI e-Newsletters

Home e-Newsletters Index Year 2014 November Day 26 - Wednesday

TMI e-Newsletters FAQ
You need to Subscribe a package.

Newsletter: Where Service Meets Reader Approval.

TMI Tax Updates - e-Newsletter
November 26, 2014

Case Laws in this Newsletter:

Income Tax Customs Service Tax Central Excise



Articles

1. BEST JUDGMENT ASSESSMENT IN SERVICE TAX

   By: Dr. Sanjiv Agarwal

Summary: Best Judgment Assessment under Section 72 of the Finance Act allows a Central Excise Officer to determine service tax liability when a taxpayer fails to file a return or assess tax accurately. Reintroduced in 2008, this assessment requires the officer to consider all relevant evidence and provide the taxpayer an opportunity to be heard before issuing a written order. The assessment aims to be fair, relying on available evidence rather than arbitrary guesses. It is not an ex parte order unless the taxpayer fails to provide necessary records, in which case the officer uses other available data to make the assessment.


News

1. India and United States Joint Statement on the Trade Policy Forum

Summary: The Minister of Commerce and Industry of India and the U.S. Trade Representative met in New Delhi for the eighth ministerial-level meeting of the India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum. They discussed enhancing bilateral trade and investment to promote economic growth and job creation. Key topics included agriculture, services, manufacturing investment, and intellectual property. Both countries agreed to establish a technical dialogue on agricultural trade, increase engagement on services and investment issues, and promote a business-friendly environment for manufacturing. They also emphasized cooperation in intellectual property and healthcare access. The meeting concluded with plans for continued collaboration and a future meeting in the U.S. in 2015.

2. Expert Committee Constituted to Review E-Forms in order to Simplify Procedures for Stakeholders Under the Companies Act

Summary: An Expert Committee has been established by the government to review and simplify e-forms and the filing process under the Companies Act, 2013. The Committee's tasks include reviewing the current e-forms, suggesting simplifications, and addressing challenges faced by stakeholders. The Committee is expected to submit its report within two months. This initiative was announced by the Minister of Corporate Affairs in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

3. Implementation of New Accounting Standards

Summary: The Indian Accounting Standards (Ind-AS), aligned with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), will be available for voluntary adoption starting in the financial year 2015-16 and will become mandatory from 2016-17. The implementation will initially exclude banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies, which may be included later. The specific companies required to comply with these standards are being determined and will be announced alongside the Ind-AS. This information was provided by the Minister of Corporate Affairs in a written response to the Rajya Sabha.

4. Merger of Financial Technology (FTIL) and National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL)

Summary: The government has released a Draft Order for the merger of National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL) with Financial Technology (FTIL) under Section 396 of the Companies Act, 1956, citing essential public interest. Stakeholders have been given two months to submit objections or suggestions regarding this Draft Order. A final order will be issued after considering these inputs. This information was provided by the Minister of Corporate Affairs in a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

5. RBI Reference Rate for US $

Summary: The Reserve Bank of India set the reference rate for the US Dollar at Rs. 61.9195 on November 25, 2014, up from Rs. 61.7798 the previous day. Based on this, the exchange rates for the Euro, British Pound, and Japanese Yen against the Rupee were updated. On November 25, 2014, 1 Euro equaled Rs. 76.9288, 1 British Pound equaled Rs. 97.1207, and 100 Japanese Yen equaled Rs. 52.52. The Special Drawing Rights (SDR) to Rupee rate will also be determined using this reference rate.

6. Quarterly Report on Public Debt Management for the Quarter July to September 2014 Released; Government Issued Dated Securities Worth ₹ 1,54,000 Crore During the Quarter Taking The Gross Borrowings to ₹ 3,52,000 Crore

Summary: The quarterly report on public debt management for July to September 2014 highlights that the Indian government issued dated securities worth Rs. 1,54,000 crore, increasing gross borrowings to Rs. 3,52,000 crore for the first half of FY 2014-15. Net market borrowing was higher compared to the previous year. The government repurchased Rs. 18,805 crore in securities to redeem stocks prematurely. A new 10-year benchmark security was issued, and the weighted average maturity of securities increased. Bond yields moderated due to fiscal reassurances and other economic factors. Internal debt comprised 91.7% of public debt, with marketable securities accounting for 83.9%. Rollover risk remains low.


Circulars / Instructions / Orders

Income Tax

1. F.NO.500/15/2011-SO/FTD-II - dated 22-11-2014

Corrigendum - Order No.15/FT&TR/2014, DATED 21-11-2014.

Summary: In Order No. 15/FT&TR/2014 dated November 21, 2014, a correction is made regarding the Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) in Ahmedabad. Specifically, in the table at Serial No. 11, the reference to the Member of the Panel as CIT-4, Pune should be corrected to CIT-4, Ahmedabad. All other details of the original order remain unchanged.

FEMA

2. 41 - dated 25-11-2014

Routing of funds raised abroad to India

Summary: The circular addresses the routing of funds raised abroad to India, emphasizing compliance with the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. It highlights that some Indian companies are obtaining debt funds through overseas entities at rates exceeding FEMA's regulatory ceiling and channeling these funds into Indian operations. The circular clarifies that Indian companies and their banks cannot issue guarantees, create liabilities, or offer security for such borrowings unless permitted by regulations. Funds raised abroad cannot be used in India without specific permissions. Non-compliance may lead to penalties under FEMA. Banks are instructed to inform their clients of these regulations.

Central Excise

3. F. No. B1/6/2013-TRU - dated 25-11-2014

Procedure of service tax refund/exemption to SEZ-reg.

Summary: The circular addresses the procedure for service tax refund or exemption for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units and developers. It clarifies that SEZ entities can route their applications and quarterly statements through the SEZ's specified officer rather than directly approaching the Jurisdictional Service Tax authority. This approach aims to streamline the process and ensure proper accounting and compliance verification. The notification No. 12/2013 allows for this routing without imposing any restrictions. Field formations are instructed not to object to such routing requests.


Highlights / Catch Notes

    Income Tax

  • Deferred Sales Tax Loan Preponement Not Taxable u/s 41(1) of Income Tax Act: Considered Capital Receipt.

    Case-Laws - AT : Preponement of deferred sales tax loan chargeable u/s 41(1) or not – deferred sales tax liability is capital receipt not taxable - AT

  • Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) Sets Subcontractor's Net Profit Rate at 4% Due to Expected Lower Margins.

    Case-Laws - AT : The net profit is ranging from 5.19% to 6.15%, definitely there will be lower profit in the case of sub contractor i.e. the assessee and hence, the CIT(A) has rightly estimated the net profit rate at 4% - AT

  • Clarification in Section 194C: Only the payer must deduct tax at source, not just anyone liable to pay.

    Case-Laws - AT : TDS - Section 194C requires the person responsible for paying the money and it does not requires to deduct tax by the person who is liable to make money - AT

  • Service Tax

  • Appellants Seek Complete Waiver of Pre-Deposit for CENVAT Credit on Consulting Engineer Services, Supported by Strong Preliminary Case.

    Case-Laws - AT : Waiver of pre deposit - CENVAT Credit - consulting engineer service - Credit taken on strength of debit notes - Appellants have a prima facie made out a good case for complete waiver of pre-deposit - AT

  • Clarification on Domestic Reverse Charge: Tax on Commission Retained is Not Import of Services if Both Parties are in India.

    Case-Laws - AT : Levy of tax on commission retained by other person - Reverse charge mechanism -both the service provider and service recipient are situated in India and therefore there is no import of service involved. - AT

  • CENVAT Credit Ineligibility for Tippers and Dumpers on Excise Duty Prior to Amendment Confirmed.

    Case-Laws - AT : CENVAT Credit - Availment of credit on tippers and dumpers - Central Excise duty paid on dumpers and tippers is not eligible to be availed as CENVAT Credit before amendment - AT

  • Central Excise

  • Appellants' request triggers provisional assessment; interest payable from due date to payment date.

    Case-Laws - AT : Demand of interest - provisional assessment was ordered at the request of the appellants and it was made clear that appellants would be required to pay the interest from the due date to the date of payment - AT

  • Company Granted Cenvat Credit for Capital Goods in Power Plant Supplying Electricity for In-House Manufacturing Since 2005.

    Case-Laws - AT : It is proper to allow Cenvat credit to M/s. SISCOL from October, 2005 on capital goods used in setting up Power Plant for generation of electricity, which was captively consumed within the factory of M/s. SISCOL for manufacturing of their final product - AT


Case Laws:

  • Income Tax

  • 2014 (11) TMI 773
  • 2014 (11) TMI 772
  • 2014 (11) TMI 771
  • 2014 (11) TMI 770
  • 2014 (11) TMI 769
  • 2014 (11) TMI 768
  • 2014 (11) TMI 767
  • 2014 (11) TMI 766
  • 2014 (11) TMI 765
  • 2014 (11) TMI 764
  • 2014 (11) TMI 763
  • 2014 (11) TMI 762
  • 2014 (11) TMI 761
  • 2014 (11) TMI 760
  • 2014 (11) TMI 759
  • Customs

  • 2014 (11) TMI 787
  • 2014 (11) TMI 786
  • 2014 (11) TMI 785
  • 2014 (11) TMI 784
  • Service Tax

  • 2014 (11) TMI 795
  • 2014 (11) TMI 794
  • 2014 (11) TMI 793
  • 2014 (11) TMI 792
  • 2014 (11) TMI 791
  • 2014 (11) TMI 790
  • 2014 (11) TMI 789
  • 2014 (11) TMI 788
  • Central Excise

  • 2014 (11) TMI 783
  • 2014 (11) TMI 782
  • 2014 (11) TMI 781
  • 2014 (11) TMI 780
  • 2014 (11) TMI 779
  • 2014 (11) TMI 778
  • 2014 (11) TMI 777
  • 2014 (11) TMI 776
  • 2014 (11) TMI 775
  • 2014 (11) TMI 774
 

Quick Updates:Latest Updates