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Home e-Newsletters Index Year 2013 July Day 10 - Wednesday

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TMI Tax Updates - e-Newsletter
July 10, 2013

Case Laws in this Newsletter:

Income Tax Customs Service Tax Central Excise CST, VAT & Sales Tax Wealth tax



Articles

1. Section 115J, 115JA and 115JB may be ultravirse the Constitution of India and the Income-tax Act,1961 - a study with reference to some very weekly prepared and contested cases about validity of provision for tax on book profit / minimum alternate tax (MAT) and some suggestions for tax payers and government both

   By: DEVKUMAR KOTHARI

Summary: Sections 115J, 115JA, and 115JB of the Income-tax Act, 1961, concerning Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) on book profits, are argued to be potentially unconstitutional. The author critiques the preparation and arguments in cases challenging these sections, suggesting they were inadequately contested. The author posits that MAT does not constitute a tax on "income" as per the Constitution, leading to discrimination among companies due to varying accounting policies. The article suggests uniform accounting standards for MAT and encourages companies to challenge these provisions with thorough preparation. The courts have dismissed previous petitions, referencing the National Thermal Power Corporation case.

2. REDEMPTION FINE – A PENALTY?

   By: DR.MARIAPPAN GOVINDARAJAN

Summary: Redemption fine is a financial option provided by authorities to individuals whose goods are confiscated, allowing them to pay a fine instead of losing the goods permanently. This is governed by Section 125 of the Customs Act, 1962, and similar provisions in excise rules. The Supreme Court clarified that redemption fines and penalties serve different purposes; fines are related to goods, while penalties target individuals for violations. The Department's instructions state that redemption fines are not penalties, but both should be considered together for appeal purposes. If redemption fines alone exceed monetary limits, disputes can proceed to higher courts.


News

1. RBI Reference Rate for US $ and Euro

Summary: The Reserve Bank of India set the reference rate for the US dollar at Rs. 60.1330 and for the Euro at Rs. 76.8915 on July 10, 2013. The previous day's rates were Rs. 60.0745 for the US dollar and Rs. 77.4330 for the Euro. Additionally, the exchange rates for the British Pound and Japanese Yen against the Rupee were reported as Rs. 89.5200 for 1 GBP and Rs. 59.76 for 100 JPY on July 10, 2013. The SDR-Rupee rate will be determined based on these reference rates.

2. FROM THE DESK OF CHAIRPERSON, CBDT

Summary: The Chairperson of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) will not be available for meetings with members of the Income Tax department on Friday, July 12, 2013, and Monday, July 15, 2013. This announcement is intended to inform relevant parties of the unavailability on these specific dates.

3. Commerce Minister Arrives in USA on Four-Day Official Tour

Summary: The Commerce Minister is on a four-day official visit to the United States from July 10 to 13, 2013. The visit includes delivering the keynote address at the US India Business Council's Leadership Summit and participating in a roundtable with the National Association of Manufacturers. The minister will also address the US-India CEOs Forum Meeting in Washington. Meetings with business leaders from Walmart and eBay are scheduled to discuss foreign direct investment in India's retail and e-commerce sectors. Additionally, the minister will meet with US officials, including the Secretary of State and the Commerce Secretary.

4. Direct Tax Collection for June Quarter

Summary: Gross direct tax collection in the April-June quarter of the fiscal year 2013-14 increased by 11.52% to Rs. 1,23,993 crore, compared to Rs. 1,11,183 crore in the same period the previous year. Corporate tax collection rose by 7.82% to Rs. 76,115 crore, while personal income tax collection increased by 18.53% to Rs. 46,903 crore. The net direct tax collection grew by 6.44% to Rs. 89,705 crore. Securities Transaction Tax collection was Rs. 926 crore, and Wealth Tax saw a 50% growth, reaching Rs. 48 crore.


Notifications

Income Tax

1. 52/2013 - dated 5-7-2013 - IT

Amount received in the form of grants-in-aid from the Central Government - Gujarat State AIDS Control Society

Summary: The Central Government, under clause (46) of section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, has notified the Gujarat State AIDS Control Society regarding income received as grants-in-aid from the Central Government. This notification applies retrospectively for financial years 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 and prospectively for 2013-2014 to 2015-2016. The applicability is contingent upon the Society not engaging in commercial activities, maintaining consistent activities and income nature, and filing income returns per Section 139(4C)(g) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.


Circulars / Instructions / Orders

VAT - Delhi

1. VAT AUDIT/HQ/2013-14/ 2601-2608 - dated 9-7-2013

Regarding file audit report in Form-AR-1

Summary: The circular from the Department of Trade and Taxes, VAT Audit Branch, clarifies the audit process for dealers with a gross turnover exceeding Rs. 10 crore for the fiscal year 2012-13. It states that audits may commence after November 15, 2013, following the submission of Form AR-1. If the auditor's report in Form AR-1 is satisfactory and the dealer has deposited the required tax, further audit for the 2012-13 period may not be necessary. This directive was issued with the approval of the Commissioner, VAT, and distributed to relevant department officials for implementation.

Income Tax

2. Instruction No. 05/2013 - dated 8-7-2013

Return of Income - Credit of TDS U/s 199 to an assessee when the tax Deducted has been Deposited With Revenue By Deductor - Direction of Hon'ble Delhi HC in the case 'COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION Versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS. IN WP(C) 2659/2012 & WP(C) 5443/2012'dated 14/03/2013

Summary: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) issued Instruction No. 5/2013 following the Delhi High Court's directive in the case concerning TDS credit mismatches. The court mandated that when an assessee presents a TDS certificate showing tax deductions, the Assessing Officer must verify if the deductor deposited the tax with the government. If verified, the credit must be granted to the assessee. The Assessing Officer may also verify with the relevant TDS officer or require the deductor to correct any discrepancies. This instruction aims to ensure compliance and proper processing of income tax returns.

FEMA

3. 08/2013-14 - dated 1-7-2013

Master Circular on Remittance Facilities for Non-Resident Indians / Persons of Indian Origin / Foreign Nationals

Summary: The Master Circular consolidates regulations for remittance facilities available to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and foreign nationals under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. It covers remittance of income, assets, and salary, with specific provisions for students and repatriation of property sale proceeds. The Circular outlines conditions under which remittances can be made, including tax compliance and documentary evidence requirements. It also specifies that these facilities are not available to citizens of certain countries. The Circular is valid for one year and will be updated annually.

4. 07/2013-14 - dated 1-7-2013

Master Circular on Establishment of Liaison / Branch / Project Offices in India by Foreign Entities

Summary: The Master Circular outlines the regulations for foreign entities establishing Liaison, Branch, or Project Offices in India under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. It consolidates existing guidelines and specifies the criteria for approval, including business sectors, financial track record, and net worth requirements. The Circular details permissible activities for each office type, reporting obligations, and the process for closure. It also addresses the establishment of offices in Special Economic Zones and the conditions under which foreign companies can acquire property in India. The Circular is valid for one year, after which it will be updated.

5. 10/2013-14 - dated 1-7-2013

Master Circular on Memorandum of Instructions governing money changing activities

Summary: The Master Circular on Memorandum of Instructions governs money-changing activities, consolidating existing guidelines for Authorised Money Changers (AMCs) under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. It outlines procedures for licensing, branch authorizations, agent appointments, and license renewals, emphasizing compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) regulations. The circular mandates operational instructions, reporting requirements, and criteria for directors' suitability. It also details the revocation of licenses and the responsibilities of AMCs in maintaining records and cooperating with audits and inspections. This circular is valid until July 1, 2014, after which it will be updated.

6. 11/2013-14 - dated 1-7-2013

Master Circular on Direct Investment by Residents in Joint Venture (JV) / Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS) Abroad

Summary: The Master Circular consolidates guidelines for direct investments by residents in Joint Ventures (JV) and Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (WOS) abroad under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. It outlines permissible transactions, prohibitions, and general permissions, detailing automatic and approval routes for investments. The circular specifies conditions for investments in various sectors, including financial services, and provides procedural instructions for Authorized Dealer banks. It also addresses issues like share pledging, hedging, and disinvestment. The circular is valid for one year, after which it will be updated.

7. 14/2013-14 - dated 1-7-2013

Master Circular on Exports of Goods and Services

Summary: The Master Circular on Exports of Goods and Services consolidates guidelines under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) 1999, detailing procedures for exporting goods and services from India. It outlines the manner of receipt and payment, realization and repatriation of export proceeds, and operational guidelines for authorized dealer banks. The circular covers various aspects such as foreign currency accounts, advance payments, consignment exports, and setting up offices abroad. It includes provisions for handling export claims, invoicing software exports, and managing overdue bills. The circular, with a sunset clause of one year, is set to be updated annually.

8. 13/2013-14 - dated 1-7-2013

Master Circular on Import of Goods and Services

Summary: The Master Circular on Import of Goods and Services, issued by the Reserve Bank of India, consolidates existing guidelines under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) for imports into India. It outlines the responsibilities of Category-I Authorised Dealer Banks, including adherence to foreign trade policies, compliance with banking procedures, and ensuring evidence of import. The circular covers various aspects such as advance remittances, import licenses, settlement timelines, and specific guidelines for importing goods like gold, platinum, and diamonds. The circular is subject to annual review and will be replaced by an updated version on July 1, 2014.

9. 04/2013-14 - dated 1-7-2013

Master Circular on Acquisition and Transfer of Immovable Property in India by NRIs/PIOs/Foreign Nationals of Non-Indian Origin

Summary: The Master Circular issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) outlines the regulations for the acquisition and transfer of immovable property in India by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and foreign nationals of non-Indian origin. Governed by the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, the circular details the conditions under which these groups can purchase, transfer, and repatriate property. It specifies the types of properties that can be acquired, payment methods, and the necessity for government clearance in certain cases. The circular includes a sunset clause, expiring on July 1, 2014, to be replaced by an updated version.

10. 02/2013-14 - dated 1-7-2013

Master Circular on Non-Resident Ordinary Rupee (NRO) Account

Summary: The Master Circular on Non-Resident Ordinary Rupee (NRO) Accounts consolidates existing guidelines for managing NRO accounts, governed by the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. It outlines eligibility criteria, permissible credits and debits, types of accounts, and joint account regulations. The circular also addresses remittance of assets, loans, and overdrafts, and details procedures for changing residential status and account operations by power of attorney holders. Restrictions apply to certain nationalities for remittance of sale proceeds. The circular includes provisions for foreign nationals visiting India and reporting requirements for accounts opened by individuals of Bangladesh nationality. It is effective until July 1, 2014.

DGFT

11. 17(RE: 2013)/2009-2014 - dated 9-7-2013

Notifies a new SION A-3643

Summary: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has issued Public Notice No. 17(RE: 2013)/2009-2014, dated July 9, 2013, notifying a new Standard Input Output Norm (SION) A-3643 under the Chemicals and Allied Products category. This pertains to the export of "Fatty Alcohol (Cetyl, Stearyl, Ceto-Stearyl)." The specified export quantity is 1 kg, with the import items allowed being 1.16 kg of Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD) and 0.005 kg of Copper Chromite Catalyst. This notice is issued under the Foreign Trade Policy 2009-2014 and the Handbook of Procedure (Vol. I).

12. 16 (RE: 2013)/2009-2014 - dated 9-7-2013

Modification of SION A-1442

Summary: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has modified SION A-1442 concerning the export product "Ortho Tertiary Butyl Cyclohexyl Acetate and or Ortho Tertiary Butyl Cyclohexyl Acetate Super." The changes include the addition of two new input materials and a reduction in the quantity of two existing inputs. The export product's name has been expanded to include both variations. The specified import quantities per kilogram of the export product are 0.80 kg of Ortho Tertiary Butyl Phenol, 0.575 kg of Acetic Anhydride, 0.000015 kg of 5% Ruthenium on Carbon Catalyst, and 0.330 kg of Methanol.


Highlights / Catch Notes

    Income Tax

  • High Court Condones Co-operative Society's Delay in Filing Revised Tax Return Due to KCS Act Obligations.

    Case-Laws - HC : Condonation of delay in filing revised return - delay cannot be attributed to the petitioner since being a co-operative society is bound by the provisions of KCS Act - delay condoned - HC

  • High Court Quashes Reassessment Notice Due to Assessing Officer's Year-Long Delay in Providing Necessary Reasons.

    Case-Laws - HC : Re-asssessement - Though the reasons were very much available with the Assessing Officer, he consumed nearly one year in supplying the same leaving less than four weeks before the assessment was to become time-barred. - Notice quashed - HC

  • Short-term capital gains from depreciable assets not classified as business income; impacts tax treatment.

    Case-Laws - HC : Short term capital gain on sale of depreciable assets is not profits and gains of any business or profession - HC

  • Section 32(2)(iii): Unabsorbed Depreciation Cannot Offset Short-Term Capital Gains from Sale of Depreciable Assets.

    Case-Laws - HC : Benefit u/s 32(2)(iii) - Carried forward unabsorbed depreciation cannot be set off with short-term capital gain arising from sale of depreciaible assets - HC

  • Assessment Reopened: AO to Examine Trust's Compliance with Income Tax Act Sections 11 and 13 for Tax Exemption.

    Case-Laws - HC : Reopening of assessment – AO has not examined; the question whether the Trust fulfilled the condition laid down in Section 11 and 13 and whether the income earned from the business is exempt from Tax - reopening justified - HC

  • Notional Interest on Debentures Not Income Until Realization is Certain; Anticipated Losses Accounted Early on Uncertainty.

    Case-Laws - AT : Notional interest on debentures - the incomes are not taken into account till the point of time that there is a reasonable degree of certainty of its realization, while all anticipated losses are taken into account as soon as there is a possibility, howsoever uncertain, of such losses being incurred. - AT

  • Assessments Valid as Individual; No Association of Persons (AOP) or Warrant Involved in Proceedings.

    Case-Laws - AT : Neither any AOP was existing nor any warrant was issued in the name of AOP - the assessments have been properly done in the capacity of individuals. - AT

  • Assessing Officer's Lack of Opinion Makes DVO Reference Unwarranted u/s 55A(a) Conditions.

    Case-Laws - AT : Referring to the DVO u/s 55A - conditions as enumerated in clause (a) of section 55A are also not satisfied in the present case as AO has not formed any opinion - reference is unwarranted - AT

  • Service Tax

  • Refund Claim for Unutilized CENVAT Credit Remanded for Further Examination Due to Lack of Clarity on Service Connections.

    Case-Laws - AT : Refund – unutilized CENVAT credit – no attempt was made to determine the exact nature of the output services exported, nor to determine the nexus between the input services and the output services - matter remanded back. - AT

  • Appellant Challenges Service Tax on Mithi River Work, Claims It's a Nalla, Not Dredging u/s 65(36)(a).

    Case-Laws - AT : Dredging Service - Section 65(36)(a) - appellant’s main contention is that the work done by them in respect of the the Mithi River is not a River but a Nalla - demand confirmed - AT

  • Section 83A Broadens Authority: Not Limited to Penalties, Expands Scope in Determining Service Tax Liabilities.

    Case-Laws - AT : Power to determine service tax liability u/s 83A - the said section cannot be interpreted in a narrow sense to restrict the power to imposition of penalty alone- section 83A does not read as “only penalty” or “solely penalty” - AT

  • Commissioner of Central Excise (Appeals) is a Central Excise Officer u/s 2(b); no reappointment needed for Mumbai.

    Case-Laws - AT : Jurisdiction of Commissioner - - As per section 2(b) of the Central Excise Act CCE (Appeals) is also Central Excise Officer - no need to appoint CST, Mumbai as a Central Excise Officer all over again - AT

  • Central Excise

  • CENVAT Credit Denied for Claiming Without Receiving or Using Raw Materials: Appellant's Appeal Rejected.

    Case-Laws - AT : Wrong availment of CENVAT credit without receipt of raw materials and their use by Appellant - cenvat credit denied - AT

  • Court Rules CENVAT Credit Cannot Be Denied Once Duty is Discharged; Prima Facie Case Favors Assessee.

    Case-Laws - AT : Stay Application – Once the duty was duly discharged and accepted by the department, CENVAT Credit cannot be denied on the input Silico Manganese - prima facie case is in favor of assessee - AT

  • Cenvat Credit Confirmed for Goods Under Chapter-X Procedure; Not Classified as Exempted Goods.

    Case-Laws - AT : Cenvat Credit - Exempted goods - Chapter-X procedure cannot be termed as exempted goods. - cenvat credit allowed - AT


Case Laws:

  • Income Tax

  • 2013 (7) TMI 233
  • 2013 (7) TMI 232
  • 2013 (7) TMI 231
  • 2013 (7) TMI 230
  • 2013 (7) TMI 229
  • 2013 (7) TMI 228
  • 2013 (7) TMI 227
  • 2013 (7) TMI 226
  • 2013 (7) TMI 225
  • 2013 (7) TMI 224
  • 2013 (7) TMI 223
  • 2013 (7) TMI 222
  • 2013 (7) TMI 221
  • 2013 (7) TMI 220
  • 2013 (7) TMI 219
  • Customs

  • 2013 (7) TMI 218
  • 2013 (7) TMI 217
  • Service Tax

  • 2013 (7) TMI 240
  • 2013 (7) TMI 237
  • 2013 (7) TMI 236
  • 2013 (7) TMI 235
  • 2013 (7) TMI 234
  • Central Excise

  • 2013 (7) TMI 241
  • 2013 (7) TMI 216
  • 2013 (7) TMI 215
  • 2013 (7) TMI 214
  • 2013 (7) TMI 213
  • 2013 (7) TMI 212
  • 2013 (7) TMI 211
  • CST, VAT & Sales Tax

  • 2013 (7) TMI 238
  • Wealth tax

  • 2013 (7) TMI 239
 

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