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Home e-Newsletters Index Year 2014 June Day 19 - Thursday

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TMI Tax Updates - e-Newsletter
June 19, 2014

Case Laws in this Newsletter:

Income Tax Customs Service Tax Central Excise



Articles

1. Service Tax & VAT on Softwares & Software Licensing

   By: CA.Ankit Gulgulia

Summary: The article addresses the complexities of service tax and VAT on software and software licensing, highlighting the challenges due to the intangible nature of software. It discusses the distinction between canned (pre-packaged) and uncanned software, with canned software being considered goods and subject to sales tax. The article explores the controversies surrounding software licensing, particularly the simultaneous imposition of VAT and service tax, and examines judicial interpretations of the "transfer of right to use" goods. It also touches on various software transactions, emphasizing the need for clarity and due diligence in understanding indirect tax implications, and advocates for clearer laws to address these issues.

2. Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 - New Companies Act

   By: CSSwati Rawat

Summary: The Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, under Rule 8, mandate that every listed company and public company with a paid-up share capital of ten crore rupees or more must have whole-time key managerial personnel (KMP). Rule 8A extends this requirement to companies not covered under Rule 8, specifically those with a paid-up share capital of five crore rupees or more. This means unlisted public companies with capital between five and ten crore rupees must appoint a whole-time company secretary, although other KMPs are not required.

3. Preparedness of Central Excise duty IF imposed on Textiles - July 2014

   By: Madhukar N Hiregange

Summary: The article discusses the potential reimposition of central excise duty on the textile industry in the 2014 budget, following its previous imposition and withdrawal. It outlines the history of excise duty on textiles, noting exemptions and the impact on manufacturers and exporters. The article suggests that the government may consider taxing all textiles, branded products, or items above a certain cost to increase revenue. Potential impacts include increased apparel costs, the necessity for better documentation, and changes in manufacturing practices. It advises manufacturers to prepare for possible changes by managing stock and understanding exemption limits.

4. EMPLOYEE'S SERVICES ARE NOT TAXABLE

   By: Dr. Sanjiv Agarwal

Summary: The article discusses the tax implications of services provided by employees under the new service tax regime effective from July 1, 2012. It clarifies that services rendered by employees to employers during the course of employment are not subject to service tax. The determination of an employer-employee relationship is crucial and depends on various factors, including supervision, control, and the nature of duties. The article also highlights that not all directors or individuals receiving remuneration from a company are considered employees. The classification of remuneration under employment affects its tax treatment, emphasizing the importance of understanding the relationship dynamics.


News

1. Imposition of Minimum Export Price on Onion Export

Summary: An Inter-ministerial Committee, chaired by the Joint Secretary of the Department of Commerce, has set a Minimum Export Price (MEP) of USD 300 per metric ton for onions. This decision, made on June 13, 2014, aims to address rising onion prices observed in major production and consumption centers and metropolitan cities since early May 2014. By imposing the MEP, the committee seeks to stabilize domestic onion prices, ensuring adequate supply within the country while balancing the interests of farmers and consumers.

2. RBI Reference Rate for US $ and Euro

Summary: The Reserve Bank of India set the reference rate for the US dollar at Rs.60.1240 and for the Euro at Rs.81.4310 on June 18, 2014. The previous day's rates were Rs.60.3680 for the US dollar and Rs.81.8665 for the Euro. Consequently, the exchange rate for the British Pound was Rs.102.0004, and for 100 Japanese Yen, it was Rs.58.81 on June 18, 2014. The SDR-Rupee rate will be determined based on these reference rates.


Circulars / Instructions / Orders

FEMA

1. 145 - dated 18-6-2014

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets Reporting by Indian Companies – Revised format

Summary: The Reserve Bank of India has revised the format for the Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) reporting by Indian companies. All companies that have received or made Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) must submit the FLA return by July 15 each year. The revisions aim to align with international trade statistics standards. The updated form and related FAQs are available on the RBI website. These changes are in accordance with the Foreign Exchange Management Act regulations, specifically the Eighth Amendment Regulations, 2014. The circular is issued under sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Act.

Companies Law

2. 20/2014 - dated 17-6-2014

Clarification with regard to voting through electronic means -reg.

Summary: The circular addresses the implementation of electronic voting (e-voting) as per Section 108 of the Companies Act, 2013, and related rules. It highlights practical challenges faced by stakeholders and temporarily makes e-voting provisions non-mandatory until December 31, 2014. Clarifications include the prohibition of voting by show of hands when e-voting is applicable, the finality of e-votes despite physical meeting attendance, and the necessity of postal ballots for certain matters. It also clarifies that e-voting follows the "one share, one vote" principle, and outlines the applicability of rule 20 for companies opting for e-voting voluntarily.


Highlights / Catch Notes

    Income Tax

  • Court Upholds Rejection of Accounts u/s 145(3) for Tax Assessment; Dismisses Wastage Claim as Lacking Merit.

    Case-Laws - HC : Rejection of books of accounts u/s 145(3) - estimation of sale and income – there is no weight in the plea that the claim of wastage allowed to the assessee in the subsequent year be adopted - HC

  • Deduction Claim Approved: Exported Ready-to-Print Books Qualify as Customized Electronic Data u/s 10B of Income Tax Act.

    Case-Laws - AT : Assessee is entitled to claim deduction u/s 10B - the ready to print books exported in the form of a CD or e-mail are customised electronic data eligible for claiming benefit of deduction - AT

  • Assessee Eligible for Section 12AA Registration; Publishing Magazine Doesn't Disqualify Charitable Status u/s 2(15.

    Case-Laws - AT : Registration u/s 12AA – Charitable purpose u/s 2(15) - assessee cannot be deprived of registration u/s 12AA of the Act, merely on account of engaging itself in publication of a magazine - AT

  • Andhra Pradesh Government Grant Classified as Capital Receipt; Subsidy Calculation Method and Fund Allocation Details Irrelevant.

    Case-Laws - AT : Grant from Govt. of AP – Capital receipt or not - The method of determination of the quantum of subsidy will not matter, similarly the various heads under which the grants were actually spent is immaterial - AT

  • Court Rules 18% Interest Rate in Recovery Suits Cannot Be Presumed Accrued, Affecting Tax Liabilities Assessment.

    Case-Laws - AT : Accrual of interest - uncertainty - it cannot be presumed that the interest accrued to the assessee at the rate of 18% p.a. as claimed by the assessees in the suits filed for recovery of advances - AT

  • Additional Lease Premium for Hotel Construction Not Considered Rent; Not Tax Deductible u/s 194I of Income Tax Act.

    Case-Laws - AT : TDS u/s 194I - nature of payment of additional lease premium - Construction of the hotel beyond the specified period – it cannot be said to be not in the nature of rent and not exigible to deduction of tax at source u/s 194I - AT

  • Transport and Commission Expenses Disallowance Requires Proof of Illicit Payments to Saddam Hussain, Not Business Parties.

    Case-Laws - AT : Disallowance on transport and commission expenses – until and unless it is otherwise proved that the payment was an illicit payment to the Saddam Hussain regime and not to the parties it cannot be concluded that the payments are not made for the purpose of business of the assessee - AT

  • Vacant land transfer to developer for flats is a property exchange u/s 2(47)(i) of Income Tax Act.

    Case-Laws - AT : Joint development agreement - having handed over the possession of the vacant land to the developer on promise to be handed over four flats equivalent to 40% of the value of the property to be constructed, it was a clear case of transfer by exchange within the meaning of S.2(47)(i) - AT

  • Customs

  • Appellant's Failure to Prove Kerosene Sold to PDS Beneficiaries Results in Denied Exemption Benefits.

    Case-Laws - AT : Import of kerosene oil - Appellant has not produced any evidence in their support that the supply in excess of quota fixed under PDS, was sold by the dealers only to the ultimate beneficiary of the public distribution system. benefit of exemption Notifications is not available - AT

  • Confiscation of GPS Devices in India Under Customs Act 1962: Legal Distinction Between GPS Receivers and Transreceivers Crucial.

    Case-Laws - AT : Confiscation of goods - import of GPS and Modem - GPS receiver versus GPS Transreceiver - Law is clear that when the goods enter into India in contravention of law that becomes smuggled goods under section 2 (39) of Customs Act 1962 - AT

  • Fraudulent Waiver of Pre-Deposit in Customs and Tax Cases: Unfair Advantage Through Deception.

    Case-Laws - AT : Waiver of pre-deposit - Fraud is an act of deliberate deception of securing something by taking unfair advantage of another. It is a deception in order to gain by another's loss - AT

  • Service Tax

  • No Service Tax Liability on Business Support Services for Couriers Using Buses Before May 1, 2011.

    Case-Laws - AT : Business Support Services - Transportation of parcels, goods and operation of courier services in the buses of the appellant - there may not be any liability prior to 1.5.2011. - AT

  • Service Tax Not Applicable on Processing Tobacco Leaves for Clients; Classified as Agricultural Activity.

    Case-Laws - AT : Demand of service tax - processing of tobacco leaves - activity of processing of tobacco for and on behalf of the client relates to agriculture. - not taxable - AT

  • Appellant's Choice of Cenvat Credit for Exports Upheld; Law Allows Refund or Credit Options.

    Case-Laws - AT : Refund of Cenvat credit - export - department contended that appellant should have claimed refund of service tax instead of availing the Cenvat credit - two option having been extended to the assessee, it is his choice to avail any one such option. - AT

  • Central Excise

  • Interest Demand on Delayed Tea Duty Payment Under Finance Act 2003: Central Excise Act Provisions Not Applicable.

    Case-Laws - HC : Demand of interest on delayed payment of additional duty on TEA - levy u/s 157(1) of the Finance Act 2003 - provision of Central Excise Act, 1994 toward demand of interest are not applicable - HC

  • Refund Denied for Unjust Enrichment: Payments to Closed Units in 2006 Not Barred by Unjust Enrichment Rule.

    Case-Laws - AT : Denial of refund claim - Unjust enrichment - when a unit has been closed in the year 2006 and there is no activity going on, if any payment is made in that account, the question of bar of unjust enrichment does not arise at all. - AT

  • Duty Demand Issued: P.D. Pumps Denied Exemption for Not Being Primarily Water-Handling; Includes Flameproof and Non-Water Liquid Pumps.

    Case-Laws - AT : Duty demand - P.D. pumps - one of the pumps are flame proof and other is used for liquid other than water also - The pumps in question cannot be said to be primarily designed for handling water. - exemption denied - AT


Case Laws:

  • Income Tax

  • 2014 (6) TMI 509
  • 2014 (6) TMI 508
  • 2014 (6) TMI 507
  • 2014 (6) TMI 506
  • 2014 (6) TMI 505
  • 2014 (6) TMI 504
  • 2014 (6) TMI 503
  • 2014 (6) TMI 502
  • 2014 (6) TMI 501
  • 2014 (6) TMI 500
  • 2014 (6) TMI 499
  • 2014 (6) TMI 498
  • 2014 (6) TMI 497
  • 2014 (6) TMI 496
  • 2014 (6) TMI 495
  • 2014 (6) TMI 494
  • Customs

  • 2014 (6) TMI 512
  • 2014 (6) TMI 511
  • 2014 (6) TMI 510
  • Service Tax

  • 2014 (6) TMI 525
  • 2014 (6) TMI 524
  • 2014 (6) TMI 523
  • 2014 (6) TMI 522
  • 2014 (6) TMI 521
  • 2014 (6) TMI 517
  • Central Excise

  • 2014 (6) TMI 520
  • 2014 (6) TMI 519
  • 2014 (6) TMI 518
  • 2014 (6) TMI 516
  • 2014 (6) TMI 515
  • 2014 (6) TMI 514
  • 2014 (6) TMI 513
 

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