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Home e-Newsletters Index Year 2013 June Day 14 - Friday

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TMI Tax Updates - e-Newsletter
June 14, 2013

Case Laws in this Newsletter:

Income Tax Customs Corporate Laws Service Tax Central Excise CST, VAT & Sales Tax



Articles

1. SERVICE TAX ON SUPPLY OF FREE SERVICES AND GOODS

   By: Dr. Sanjiv Agarwal

Summary: The Service Tax (Determination of Value) Rules, 2006, under Rule 3, address how to determine the value of taxable services when consideration is not wholly monetary or not ascertainable. Service tax applies only when there is some form of consideration, as defined in Section 67. Free services or goods, without consideration, are not subject to service tax. Amendments in Notification No. 24/2012-ST clarify that the taxable value includes the fair market value of goods and services supplied, consistent with legislative intent. However, it is argued that rules cannot override the Act, which states no consideration means no service tax.


News

1. MMTC Ofs for Divestment of 9.33% Paid up Equity of the Government of India Shareholding Done; Issue Overscribed by 1.55 Times; Government Expects to Realize Proceeds of Rs. 567.90 Crores.

Summary: The Minerals and Metal Trading Corporation (MMTC) conducted an Offer for Sale (OFS) to divest 9.33% of the Government of India's equity shareholding. The issue, listed on both BSE and NSE, was oversubscribed by 1.55 times, with an indicative price of Rs. 60.86 per share. The government anticipates proceeds of Rs. 567.90 crores. Participation included 65% from insurance companies, 21% from banks, and 14% from retail investors. The divestment aimed to meet public shareholding requirements under the Securities Contract Regulations. Merchant bankers involved were Avendus Capital, IDBI Capital, and IDFC Ltd.

2. Exchange Rate of Foreign Currency Relating to Imported and Export Goods Notified

Summary: The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has amended the exchange rate notification for foreign currency concerning imported and exported goods under the Customs Act, 1962. Specifically, the amendment pertains to the rate of exchange for the Danish Kroner. For imported goods, the rate is set at 10.55 Indian Rupees per unit, while for exported goods, it is 10.25 Indian Rupees per unit. This update modifies the previous notification issued by the Ministry of Finance on June 6, 2013.

3. Restructuring of India’s Domestic and External Policies needed for Effective Partnership between India and China: RBI’s Project Research Study

Summary: A Reserve Bank of India study highlights the need for restructuring India's domestic and external policies to enhance its partnership with China. The research, conducted by an external expert, examines the trade relationship between the two nations, noting India's significant trade deficit with China. Key findings include the potential for regionalism to boost trade, India's importation of uncompetitive Chinese products, and the impact of the Yuan's value on Indian exports. The study suggests India could benefit from engaging with China if approached cautiously, ensuring India's long-term interests are safeguarded. The RBI aims to promote policy-oriented research through such studies.

4. Mid-Quarter Review of Monetary Policy 2013-2014 : To be released at 11.00 a.m. on RBI Website on June 17, 2013

Summary: The Reserve Bank of India is set to release the Mid-Quarter Review of the Monetary Policy for the fiscal year 2013-2014 on June 17, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. This review will be disseminated through a press release and made available on the RBI's official website.

5. Prime Minister sets up a Project Monitoring Group to Track Large Investment Projects

Summary: The Prime Minister has established a Project Monitoring Group to expedite stalled investment projects in both public and private sectors by addressing implementation bottlenecks. A special cell will be created within the Cabinet Secretariat to oversee these projects, with priority given to those already funded significantly. The Finance Ministry identified 215 such projects with substantial bank funding, facing delays due to regulatory and state-level impediments. The initiative aims to streamline coordination between various ministries and state governments to ensure timely project completion. An online tracking system has been developed for projects exceeding Rs. 1000 crore to enhance transparency and efficiency.

6. Revised Corrigendum to the Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production and Use-Based Index for the Month of April, 2013 (BASE 2004-05=100)

Summary: The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for April 2013 has been revised due to an error in the Electricity Sector's production data. The corrected index for electricity is now 159.1, raising the General Index to 167.8, a 2.3% increase from April 2012. Sector indices for April 2013 are 121.0 for Mining, 177.8 for Manufacturing, and 159.1 for Electricity, with growth rates of -3.0%, 2.8%, and 4.2% respectively. Use-based growth rates show increases of 2.1% in Basic goods, 1.0% in Capital goods, and 2.4% in Intermediate goods. Consumer durables fell by 8.3%, while non-durables rose by 12.3%, leading to an overall Consumer goods growth of 2.8%.

7. Modification in Delegation of powers for approval and appraisal of National Highways projects

Summary: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has revised the delegation of powers for the appraisal and approval of National Highways projects to streamline the process. Projects over Rs. 500 crore will be appraised by a committee led by the Secretary of Expenditure or the Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee and approved by the CCEA. Projects below Rs. 500 crore will be appraised by the Standing Finance Committee chaired by the Secretary of Road Transport Highways, with approval from the Minister of Road Transport Highways. This change aims to expedite the approval process while maintaining due diligence, especially for projects costing between Rs. 300 crore and Rs. 500 crore.

8. Corrigendum to the Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production and Use-Based Index for the Month of April, 2013 (Base 2004-05=100)

Summary: The Index of Industrial Production for April 2013 was revised due to incorrect electricity sector data. The corrected index for electricity is now 159.1, raising the overall index to 167.8, a 2.2% increase from April 2012. Sector indices for April 2013 are 121.0 for Mining, 177.8 for Manufacturing, and 159.1 for Electricity, with respective growth rates of -3.0%, 2.8%, and 3.4%. Use-based growth rates show 2.0% for Basic goods, 1.0% for Capital goods, and 2.4% for Intermediate goods. Consumer durables decreased by 8.3%, while non-durables grew by 12.3%, resulting in an overall Consumer goods growth of 2.8%.


Notifications

Customs

1. 61/2013 - dated 13-6-2013 - Cus (NT)

Rate of exchange of conversion of each of the foreign currency with effect from June 14, 2013

Summary: The Government of India's Ministry of Finance, through the Central Board of Excise and Customs, issued Notification No. 61/2013-Customs (N.T.) on June 13, 2013. This notification amends a previous notification (No. 59/2013-CUSTOMS) concerning the exchange rates for foreign currencies under the Customs Act, 1962. Effective from June 14, 2013, the exchange rate for the Danish Kroner is set at 10.55 Indian Rupees for imported goods and 10.25 Indian Rupees for export goods.

DGFT

2. 19 (RE-2013) /2009-2014 - dated 12-6-2013 - FTP

Export of Cut & Polished Diamonds for Certification/ Grading &Re-import

Summary: The Government of India has amended paragraph 4A.2.1 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2009-2014 to include two additional authorized laboratories for the certification and grading of cut and polished diamonds of 0.25 carats and above. The newly added laboratories are the International Gemological Institute (IGI) in Antwerp, Belgium, and Hong Kong. This amendment is made under the authority of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, and aims to expand the options for certification and grading services for diamond exporters.

Income Tax

3. 43/2013 - dated 12-6-2013 - IT

U/s 90 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 - Double Taxation Agreement - Agreement for Exchange of Information to Taxes with Foreign Countries - Principality of Monaco

Summary: The Government of India and the Government of Monaco signed an agreement on July 31, 2012, to facilitate the exchange of tax-related information. This agreement, effective from March 27, 2013, under Section 90 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, aims to assist in tax administration and enforcement by sharing relevant information. It covers taxes imposed by both governments and includes provisions for confidentiality, jurisdiction, and mutual assistance upon request. The agreement allows for the exchange of information regardless of the residency of the person involved and outlines procedures for handling requests, costs, and potential declines.


Circulars / Instructions / Orders

FEMA

1. 111 - dated 12-6-2013

Foreign investment in India by SEBI registered Long term investors in Government dated Securities

Summary: The circular informs Category-I Authorized Dealer banks about changes in foreign investment limits in Indian government securities. Previously set at USD 25 billion, the limit for foreign institutional investors and long-term investors is now increased to USD 30 billion, with an additional USD 5 billion specifically for SEBI-registered long-term investors such as Sovereign Wealth Funds, Multilateral Agencies, Pension/Insurance/Endowment Funds, and Foreign Central Banks. Existing investment conditions remain unchanged, and further operational guidelines will be issued by SEBI. The circular is issued under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.

2. 110 - dated 12-6-2013

Foreign Direct Investment – Reporting of issue / transfer of Shares to/by a FVCI

Summary: The circular addresses the reporting requirements for Foreign Venture Capital Investors (FVCIs) acquiring shares in Indian companies under the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) scheme. It clarifies that such investments should be reported using forms FC-GPR or FC-TRS, as applicable, to avoid double reporting. If the investment falls under Schedule 6, no FC-GPR/FC-TRS reporting is necessary, and it will be handled by the custodian bank. The Reserve Bank of India has amended regulations to streamline this process, and authorized dealer banks are instructed to inform their clients accordingly. The circular is issued under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.


Highlights / Catch Notes

    Income Tax

  • High Court: Reassessment Notice u/s 148 Must Accurately State Jurisdictional Facts, Not Just a Typo.

    Case-Laws - HC : Reassessment - notice u/s 148 - recording of satisfaction - The omission to state a jurisdictional fact cannot by any stretch of imagination be regarded as a typographical error. - HC

  • High Court Rules: No Reduction of Exempted Income from Book Profit u/s 115JB for MAT Calculation.

    Case-Laws - HC : Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) u/s 115JB - interpretation - reduction of exempted income u/s 80-IB from book profit u/s 115JB - not allowed - HC

  • Section 271D Penalty Contested: Loans Taken Pre-Partnership, Section 269SS Inapplicable Due to Agricultural Status.

    Case-Laws - HC : Penalty u/s 271D - The loans were prior to the date of becoming a partner of the assessee-firm. - Both the lender and borrower are agriculturists - section 269SS is not appliable - HC

  • Assessing Officer Lacks Authority to Inquire Into Previous Years' Credits on Balance Sheet.

    Case-Laws - HC : Since the credits appearing in the balance sheet did not relate to or were not availed in the previous year but was old balance of earlier years, no enquiry could have been validly undertaken by the AO regarding these credits. - HC

  • Court Rules Partner Statements Alone Can't Justify Firm's Assessment; Such Decisions May Be Overturned.

    Case-Laws - SC : Addition - solely on basis of statement of any partner, addition made in assessment of assessee (firm) are liable to be set aside - SC

  • Customs

  • High Court Confirms DFIA License Validity Unaffected by Post-Issuance Policy Changes; Ensures Flexibility in Imports Under SION.

    Case-Laws - HC : DFIA license - transferability - benefits of flexibility to import the alternative input/product mentioned in the SION - change of policy after issuance of licence will have no consequence - HC

  • Detention Orders Violating Prescribed Procedures Are Invalid and Must Be Nullified.

    Case-Laws - HC : Preventive detention - when a detention order does not meet the prescribed parameters and fails to comply with the procedural requirements, the order stands vitiated and has to be struck down. - HC

  • Corporate Law

  • Court Rules Winding-Up Petition Unjustified Due to Trustee's Lack of Authorization, Protects Functioning Company from Premature Closure.

    Case-Laws - HC : Winding up petition - , it will be too harsh to order winding up of a running company, merely on the petition by trustee, filed without proper authorisation. - HC

  • Service Tax

  • Service Tax on Residential Construction Advances Not Retroactive: 2010 Amendment Clarifies Pre-Amendment Assessments.

    Case-Laws - AT : Construction of residential complexes - Levy of ST on Advance received - the explanation inserted by Finance Act, 2010 cannot be have retrospective effect - AT


Case Laws:

  • Income Tax

  • 2013 (6) TMI 314
  • 2013 (6) TMI 313
  • 2013 (6) TMI 312
  • 2013 (6) TMI 311
  • 2013 (6) TMI 310
  • 2013 (6) TMI 309
  • 2013 (6) TMI 308
  • 2013 (6) TMI 307
  • 2013 (6) TMI 306
  • 2013 (6) TMI 305
  • 2013 (6) TMI 304
  • Customs

  • 2013 (6) TMI 303
  • 2013 (6) TMI 302
  • Corporate Laws

  • 2013 (6) TMI 301
  • Service Tax

  • 2013 (6) TMI 318
  • 2013 (6) TMI 317
  • 2013 (6) TMI 316
  • 2013 (6) TMI 315
  • Central Excise

  • 2013 (6) TMI 300
  • 2013 (6) TMI 299
  • 2013 (6) TMI 298
  • 2013 (6) TMI 297
  • 2013 (6) TMI 296
  • CST, VAT & Sales Tax

  • 2013 (6) TMI 319
 

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