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Home e-Newsletters Index Year 2012 August Day 10 - Friday

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TMI Tax Updates - e-Newsletter
August 10, 2012

Case Laws in this Newsletter:

Income Tax Customs Corporate Laws FEMA Service Tax Central Excise



Articles

1. EMPLOYERS FACE CHALLENGE ON SERVICE TAX FRONT.

   By: Dr. Sanjiv Agarwal

Summary: Under the revised service tax regime effective from July 1, 2012, services not on the negative list are taxable unless exempt. Employee services to employers during employment are exempt from service tax, but services exchanged for salary reductions are taxable. Independent directors are also liable for service tax on remuneration. The government's broad interpretation of "service" includes director remuneration and partner salaries, potentially affecting corporate governance and partnerships. Facilities provided at no charge remain untaxed, but concessional services within salary packages are taxable. Employers must consider both income and service tax when drafting employment contracts.

2. SECTION 11 OF CENTRAL EXCISE ACT DOES NOT FOIST ANY LIABILITY ON THE LEGAL HEIRS OF DECEASED ASSESSEE

   By: DR.MARIAPPAN GOVINDARAJAN

Summary: The article discusses legal interpretations of Section 11 and Section 11A of the Central Excise Act, focusing on the liability of legal heirs for unpaid duties of a deceased assessee. Cases such as 'Collector of Central Excise & Customs V. Leelamma George' and 'Commissioner of Central Excise, Bangalore V. Press Fab Precision Components Private Limited' illustrate that the Act does not impose liability on legal heirs for duties owed by the deceased. The High Court concluded that legal heirs are not responsible for duties unless they continue the business and comply with statutory requirements. The court dismissed the appeal, reinforcing that unused CENVAT credit cannot be claimed from legal heirs.

3. TAXATION OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES AS DECLARED SERVICE .

   By: Dr. Sanjiv Agarwal

Summary: Construction activities are classified as declared services under service tax law, encompassing construction of complexes, buildings, or civil structures, unless the entire payment is received post-issuance of a completion certificate by a competent authority. Competent authorities include government bodies or registered professionals like architects or engineers. Construction includes additions, alterations, replacements, or remodeling. Exemptions exist for certain government-related projects and specific structures. Prior to July 1, 2010, service tax on residential complex construction was not applicable. Post this date, tax applies unless the entire consideration is paid after construction completion. Refunds for incorrectly collected taxes require proper documentation.


News

1. Rs. 4,72,894 Crore Outstanding Farm Loans by PSBs.

Summary: The outstanding farm loans by Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in India reached Rs. 472,894 crore by March 2012, up from Rs. 419,346 crore in March 2011. The Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme (ADWDRS) of 2008 alleviated farmers' debt burdens, benefiting 3.45 crore farmers with Rs. 52,275.55 crore released. Since 2006-07, the Interest Subvention Scheme has provided short-term crop loans at 7% interest, with additional subventions for timely repayment. By 2011-12, this subvention increased to 3%, also extending benefits to small farmers post-harvest. Nearly 48.6% of farmer households were reported indebted, according to a 2005 NSSO report.

2. New Services in Banks’ Priority Area.

Summary: The Reserve Bank of India has updated its Priority Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines, maintaining the overall target at 40%. Agricultural lending targets remain at 13.5% for direct and 4.5% for indirect lending. Key changes include loans up to Rs. 1 crore for Micro and Small Enterprises, housing loans up to Rs. 25 lakh in metropolitan areas, and educational loans up to Rs. 10 lakh domestically. Loans for renewable energy, distressed farmers, and economically weaker sections are also prioritized. Foreign banks with 20 or more branches will align with domestic banks' targets over five years, while those with fewer branches have a 32% target without sub-targets.

3. Over 74.50 Lakh Women Self Help Groups.

Summary: As of March 31, 2011, there were 74,61,946 Self Help Groups (SHGs) in India, with approximately 80% being women-led. To support these groups, NABARD conducts Micro Enterprise Development Programs (MEDP) for skill development and livelihood enhancement. In 2011-12, 1,914 MEDPs were held for 56,292 members. NABARD also provides grants for setting up Rural Marts to market products from SHGs and rural artisans, with 465 marts supported by Rs. 490.34 lakh in grants as of March 31, 2012. This information was disclosed by the Minister of State for Finance in the Rajya Sabha.

4. Policy for Unclaimed Fund.

Summary: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported unclaimed funds in the insurance sector totaling Rs. 3,037.46 crore and Rs. 425.89 crore in fixed deposits as of 2012. The Employees Provident Fund Organization has no unclaimed funds, but Rs. 22,636.57 crore is in inoperative accounts. The government has not created a policy for these funds. IRDA advised insurers not to appropriate unclaimed sums, and a proposed Banking Laws Amendment Bill suggests creating a Depositor Education and Awareness Fund for unclaimed fixed deposits. Inoperative provident fund accounts can only be used for member settlements.

5. Guidelines for Basel-III Capital Requirement Norms.

Summary: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued final guidelines for implementing Basel III Capital Regulations in India on May 2, 2012. These regulations will be introduced gradually to minimize negative impacts on bank growth and lending. The capital required by Indian banks under Basel III will depend on factors such as economic growth, risk-weighted assets, bank profitability, non-performing assets, capital market growth, and investor confidence. This information was provided by the Minister of State for Finance in response to a query in the Rajya Sabha.

6. CCI Investigating Anti - Competitive Practices by Car Makers.

Summary: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is investigating allegations of anti-competitive practices by certain car manufacturers. The investigation follows information received under section 19 (1) (a) of the Competition Act, 2002. As a quasi-judicial body, the CCI is conducting this investigation to determine appropriate actions in accordance with the Competition Act. This update was provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in response to a written question in the Lok Sabha.

7. National Competition Policy.

Summary: The draft National Competition Policy is currently under consultation in India, aiming to incorporate competition principles into various government economic policies. The policy seeks to enhance the benefits of competition across sectors. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is tasked with eliminating practices that negatively impact competition, promoting fair competition, protecting consumer interests, and ensuring trade freedom. The CCI is actively working to fulfill these objectives, as reported by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in a response to a query in the Lok Sabha.

8. Finance Minister Says Quick Estimates of IIP for June 2012 are Disappointing; Calls for Focus on the Critical Sectors, Removal of Bottlenecks and for Fillip to Production.

Summary: The Finance Minister expressed disappointment over the Quick Estimates of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for June 2012, highlighting a decline in the manufacturing sector, particularly in capital goods and consumer non-durables. He emphasized the need to focus on critical sectors, remove bottlenecks, and boost production through new investments in demand-creating industries. Despite the decline, there were positives in electricity generation, textiles, basic goods, consumer goods, and mining. The Minister stressed the importance of addressing supply-side constraints to enhance production in sectors like coal, mining, petroleum, power, transport, and ports.

9. Unfair Trade Practices.

Summary: The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) currently has no proposal to define the limits of acceptable advertising. As an adjudicatory body, CAT handles appeals against directions or decisions made by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) under the Competition Act, 2002, which includes addressing unfair trade practices. This information was provided by a representative from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in response to a written question in the Lok Sabha.

10. Multi- State Societies Registration Bill, 2012.

Summary: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is developing the Multi-State Societies Registration Bill, 2012, aimed at revising the Societies Registration Act, 1860. An Expert Group was formed in May 2011 to propose a Model Law and Framework for societies operating across multiple states. The group's initial report, submitted in July 2012, is available on the Ministry's website for public feedback until September 15, 2012. Public suggestions will be reviewed for the bill's development. This update was provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in response to a parliamentary question.

11. E-SERVICES.

Summary: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs in India has implemented the MCA21 project, an e-Governance initiative aimed at streamlining the incorporation and regulation of companies under the Companies Act through its portal, www.mca.gov.in. The ministry continually updates the portal to enhance productivity and services for stakeholders. Over the past three financial years (2009-2012), the project incurred a total expenditure of Rs.154.13 crore. This information was disclosed in the Lok Sabha by a government official in response to a query about the expansion of e-services and the budget allocation for the project.

12. Government Sets up Investment Tracking System.

Summary: The government has established an Investment Tracking System for projects with investments of Rs. 1000 crore and above. This system aims to monitor project implementation and address systemic issues. The National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council is responsible for tracking public sector projects, while the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, oversees private sector projects. This initiative was announced by a government official in response to a parliamentary question.

13. NABARD Scheme for Promoting Self Help Groups.

Summary: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) provides grant support to various organizations and individuals, including NGOs, regional and urban cooperative banks, and rural volunteers, to promote Self Help Groups (SHGs). The grant amounts vary by agency, with NGOs receiving the highest support. NABARD also funds training and skill development for SHG members. A specific scheme targets Women Self Help Groups (WSHG) in 150 districts affected by backwardness and extremism, aiming for sustainability and credit linkage. While 83% of the SHG-Bank Linkage Programme serves SC/ST and other backward groups, NABARD lacks a separate scheme for these communities.

14. Restructure of Loan to Textile Sector.

Summary: An assessment by BOB Capital Markets suggested that loans amounting to Rs.35,000 crore in the textile sector may require restructuring by banks. The Indian government has instructed Public Sector Banks to establish a dedicated window for evaluating restructuring proposals from eligible textile industry borrowers individually. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) concluded that no special regulatory measures are needed, allowing banks to offer a two-year moratorium on term loans and convert working capital into term loans with a 3-5 year repayment period. The restructuring aligns with existing RBI guidelines and imposes no financial burden on the government, with no specified timeline.

15. Directorate of Enforcement issues Show Cause Notices for Alleged Contravention of Foreign Excahnge Management Act (FEMA), 1999 .

Summary: The Directorate of Enforcement has issued Show Cause Notices to private companies and multinational corporations for alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, and registered money laundering offenses under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. In the years 2010-11 and 2011-12, there were 34 and 37 cases under FEMA and 31 and 23 cases under PMLA, respectively. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) handles applications for compounding procedural violations of FEMA, excluding certain sections. From July 2010 to June 2012, 628 applications were filed for compounding. Penalties are not adjusted for inflation.

16. IRDA Announces Uniform Framework for Reporting Asset Liability Management Policy.

Summary: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has introduced a uniform framework for reporting asset liability management (ALM) policies for life and non-life insurance companies. This framework requires each insurer to have a Board-approved ALM policy that addresses asset liability relationships, risk tolerance, risk and return requirements, solvency, and liquidity needs. The details of this framework are outlined in IRDA circulars issued on January 3, 2012. This announcement was made by a government official in response to a question in the Lok Sabha.

17. Performance of SEZs in Rajasthan.

Summary: Out of 12 notified Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Rajasthan, five are currently exporting. As of June 30, 2012, these SEZs have attracted investments totaling Rs. 970.16 crore and generated direct employment for 12,530 individuals. Export figures from these SEZs have shown significant growth over the years, rising from Rs. 326.34 crore in 2007-08 to Rs. 1,315.69 crore in 2011-12. By June 2012, exports reached Rs. 336.27 crore for the current financial year. While no specific export targets are set, SEZs are required to achieve positive Net Foreign Exchange earnings over five years, subject to monitoring and potential penalties.

18. Effect of Economic Recession on Import-Export Trade.

Summary: The Government of India has implemented measures to counter the adverse effects of an economic recession on import-export trade. A package was announced on June 5, 2012, following earlier strategies to double exports by 2013-14. Initiatives include incentives under schemes like the Focus Product Scheme and Vishesh Krishi and Gram Udyog Yojana. Export figures for various commodities from 2010-2013 show growth, with engineering goods, petroleum products, and gems and jewelry leading. These efforts aim to increase market share and diversify products and markets, as detailed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

19. Export-Import Trade with European Countries.

Summary: India's export-import trade with European countries from 2006 to 2012 showed a general increase in both exports and imports, measured in million USD. Exports rose from 28,903.44 million USD in 2006-07 to 57,706.83 million USD in 2011-12, while imports increased from 40,168.47 million USD to 91,504.32 million USD over the same period. Notably, there was a decline in both exports and imports in 2009-10. This data was presented by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

20. Decline in Sezs Contribution to Trade.

Summary: Exports from India's Special Economic Zones (SEZs) increased from Rs. 3,15,867.85 crore in 2010-11 to Rs. 3,64,477.73 crore in 2011-12, marking a 15.39% growth. In the first quarter of the current financial year, SEZ exports reached approximately Rs. 1,18,321.56 crore, a 64% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Over the past five years, SEZ exports have shown significant growth, with a notable increase in 2009-10 at 121%. This information was provided by a government official in a written response to the Rajya Sabha.

21. Review of Export Performance.

Summary: India's export performance showed an increase of 40.5% in 2010-11 and a provisional 21.3% in 2011-12, despite challenges from global and domestic factors. Global issues included the euro-zone crisis, near-recession in Europe, slow growth in industrialized nations, and rising crude oil prices. Domestically, inflation control measures led to slowed investment and growth, particularly in the industrial sector. The government responded by boosting investment in agriculture, supporting the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises sector, increasing infrastructure investment through public-private partnerships, and implementing financial sector reforms. This was reported by a government official in the Rajya Sabha.

22. Inflow of FDI.

Summary: According to the UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2012, developing economies received FDI inflows totaling $684,399 million in 2011, with India accounting for 4.6% or $31,554 million. This marked an increase from the $24,159 million received by India in 2010. Other significant recipients of FDI in 2011 included China with $123,985 million, Hong Kong with $83,156 million, and Brazil with $66,660 million. This data was provided by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

23. Increase in Trademarks Infringement Cases.

Summary: Trademark infringement cases are rising in India, with the Trademarks Act, 1999 allowing registered proprietors or authorized users to pursue civil or criminal actions against infringers. The Central Government does not maintain statistics on these infringements. The Trademark (Amendment) Act, 2010 facilitates Indian companies in registering trademarks in member countries of the Protocol through a single application and allows foreign companies to register trademarks in India within 18 months. The Trade Marks Registry's Head Office in Mumbai, or designated branches, will handle international applications. This update was provided by a government official in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

24. India’s Ranking in Most Attractive Destination for Retail Investment.

Summary: India has been ranked as the fifth most attractive destination for retail investment among 30 developing countries, according to a report by a US-based global management consulting firm. The report highlights India's high potential market status, with expected retail market growth of 15 to 20 percent over the next five years. This growth is attributed to strong macroeconomic conditions, including a 6 to 7 percent GDP rise, increased disposable incomes, and rapid urbanization. This information was provided by a government official in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

25. Consensus of States Over FDI in Multi Brand Retail Trade.

Summary: The Government of India's Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has reached out to state governments regarding foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail trade. Support for this initiative has been received from the governments of Delhi, Manipur, and the Union Territory of Daman Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Currently, FDI up to 100% is allowed in single-brand retail with government approval, but not in multi-brand retail. Data on single-brand retail operations at the state level is not maintained centrally. This information was shared by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry in a Rajya Sabha session.


Notifications

Companies Law

1. S.O. 1747(E) - dated 7-8-2012 - Co. Law

Product Group Classification .

Summary: The Government of India's Ministry of Corporate Affairs issued Notification No. S.O. 1747(E) on August 7, 2012, under the Companies Act, 1956. This notification mandates the use of specified Product or Activity Groups in Cost Audit and Compliance Reports filed by companies. These classifications are detailed in an annexure and cover a wide range of industries and products, from livestock to retail trade. The notification ensures standardized reporting across various sectors, aligning with specific rules such as the Companies (Cost Accounting Records) Rules, 2011, and other industry-specific rules. The annexure provides detailed codes and descriptions for each product or activity group.

2. G.S.R. 617(E) - dated 7-8-2012 - Co. Law

Amendment to the Companies (Fees on Applications) Rules, 1999 .

Summary: The Government of India, through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, issued a notification amending the Companies (Fees on Applications) Rules, 1999. This amendment, effective from August 7, 2012, introduces a new sub-rule (4) and Table-IV, detailing fees for delayed application filings with the Central Government under section 233B(2) of the Companies Act, 1956. The fee structure increases progressively based on the delay period: up to 30 days incurs twice the normal fee, 31-60 days four times, 61-90 days six times, and beyond 90 days, nine times the normal fee.

Customs

3. 73/2012 - dated 9-8-2012 - Cus (NT)

Appointment of Common Adjudicating Authority.

Summary: The Government of India, through the Ministry of Finance's Department of Revenue, has designated the Joint Commissioner or Additional Commissioner of Customs (Export) at Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House, Maharashtra, as the Common Adjudicating Authority. This authority will oversee adjudication duties previously managed by various customs officials in Maharashtra, Bhilwara, New Delhi, and Jaipur. The focus is on adjudicating matters related to a Show Cause Notice issued to a company and others by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in Jaipur. This appointment is under the powers granted by the Customs Act, 1962.

4. 72/2012 - dated 9-8-2012 - Cus (NT)

Appointment of Common Adjudicating Authority in respect of the Additional Commissioner of Customs(Export), Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House, Nhava Sheva, Post-Uran, District-Raigad, Maharashtra; and the Assistant / Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Export, ACC, Ahmedabad.

Summary: The Government of India, through the Ministry of Finance, has appointed a Common Adjudicating Authority to oversee customs-related adjudication for specific officials. The Joint Commissioner or Additional Commissioner of Customs (Export) at Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House in Maharashtra is designated to exercise authority over the Additional Commissioner of Customs (Export) at the same location and the Assistant/Deputy Commissioner of Customs (Export) in Ahmedabad. This appointment pertains to adjudicating matters related to a Show Cause Notice issued to a company by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in Jaipur.

5. 71/2012 - dated 9-8-2012 - Cus (NT)

Appointment of Common Adjudicating Authority in respect of the Joint Commissioner of Customs, ICD (GRFL), Sahnewal, Ludhiana; and the Additional Commissioner of Customs, ICD, Tughlaqabad, New Delhi.

Summary: The Government of India, through the Ministry of Finance, has appointed a Common Adjudicating Authority under Notification No. 71/2012-Customs (N.T.) dated August 9, 2012. The Joint Commissioner or Additional Commissioner of Customs at the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Sahnewal, Ludhiana, will serve as the adjudicating authority. This appointment is for adjudicating matters related to a Show Cause Notice involving a company and others, issued by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Ludhiana. The authority will exercise powers and duties for both the ICD in Sahnewal, Ludhiana, and ICD in Tughlaqabad, New Delhi.

6. 70/2012 - dated 9-8-2012 - Cus (NT)

Appointment of Common Adjudicating Authority.

Summary: Notification No. 70/2012-Customs (N.T.), dated August 9, 2012, issued by the Ministry of Finance, appoints a Joint Commissioner or Additional Commissioner of Customs in Ahmedabad as the Common Adjudicating Authority. This authority is designated to handle duties and powers related to adjudicating matters concerning a Show Cause Notice issued to a company and others. The notice was initially issued by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Zonal Unit, Ahmedabad. The appointed authority will oversee cases involving customs officials from Ahmedabad, Kandla, Chennai, and Nhava Sheva.

7. 69/2012 - dated 9-8-2012 - Cus (NT)

Appointment of Common Adjudicating Authority in respect of M/s SAP India Systems, Applications and Products in Data Processing Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai.

Summary: The Government of India, through the Ministry of Finance's Department of Revenue, has appointed the Commissioner (Adjudication) at the New Custom House, New Delhi, as the Common Adjudicating Authority. This appointment is to handle the adjudication of multiple Show Cause Notices issued by the Additional Commissioner of Customs at the CSI Airport, Mumbai, concerning M/s SAP India Systems, Applications and Products in Data Processing Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, and others. The notification lists various Show Cause Notices with specific reference numbers and dates, detailing the authorities responsible for issuing them.

8. 68/2012 - dated 8-8-2012 - Cus (NT)

Amends Notification No. 63/1994-Customs (N. T.) - Land Customs Stations and Routes for import and export of goods by land or inland water ways.

Summary: The Government of India has issued Notification No. 68/2012-Customs (N.T.) amending Notification No. 63/1994-Customs (N.T.) regarding land customs stations and routes for the import and export of goods by land or inland waterways. Specifically, this amendment adds a new entry to the existing table concerning the land frontier with Bangladesh. The new entry includes Hemnagar in North 24 Parganas District of West Bengal, detailing a route through Kolkata/Haldia to Khulna/Mongla/Naryanganj. This change is made under the authority of the Customs Act, 1962, by the Central Board of Excise and Customs.

Service Tax

9. 46/2012 - dated 7-8-2012 - ST

Service Tax (Third Amendment) Rules, 2012.

Summary: The Government of India issued Notification No. 46/2012 on August 7, 2012, amending the Service Tax Rules, 1994. The amendments include the insertion of a provision specifying that the recipient of services provided by a company director to the company is liable for service tax. Additionally, the term "security services" is defined to encompass services related to the security of property or persons, including investigation, detection, or verification activities. These amendments are effective from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

10. 45/2012 - dated 7-8-2012 - ST

Amends Notification No. 30/2012-Service Tax - Notification under sub-section (2) of section 68 - Reverse Charge.

Summary: The Government of India issued Notification No. 45/2012 to amend Notification No. 30/2012 regarding service tax under the Finance Act, 1994. The amendment includes the addition of a sub-clause specifying that services provided by a director to their company are subject to reverse charge, with a 100% tax liability on the company. Additionally, the amendment expands the scope of services to include "security services" alongside "manpower for any purpose." These changes are intended to clarify and expand the applicability of the reverse charge mechanism in the service tax regime.

11. 44/2012 - dated 7-8-2012 - ST

Amends Notification No. 25/2012-Service Tax - Mega exemption notification.

Summary: The Government of India, through the Ministry of Finance, has issued Notification No. 44/2012, amending Notification No. 25/2012-Service Tax, dated June 20, 2012. This amendment, effective from August 7, 2012, involves the removal of the word "bovine" from entry 33 of the original notification. This change is made under the authority of section 93 of the Finance Act, 1994, in the interest of public welfare. The original notification had not been amended prior to this change.

VAT - Delhi

12. F.5(54)/Policy-II/VAT/ 2011-12/451-463 - dated 7-8-2012 - DVAT

Regarding Republic of Niger in New Delhi.

Summary: The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi has issued a notification granting VAT exemption or refund for official purchases made by the Embassy of the Republic of Niger in New Delhi and personal purchases by its diplomats. This decision follows a request from the Ministry of External Affairs, India, based on reciprocity principles. The amendment to the Delhi Value Added Tax Act, 2004, adds a new entry for this exemption in the Sixth Schedule, specifying a minimum invoice value of Rs. 2500 for eligibility. The notification is issued by the Commissioner of Value Added Tax, Rajendra Kumar.

13. F.5(54)/Policy-II/VAT/ 2011-12/ 438-450 - dated 7-8-2012 - DVAT

Regarding Republic of Seychelles in New Delhi.

Summary: The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi has issued a notification amending the Delhi Value Added Tax Act, 2004, to provide VAT exemption or refund for official purchases by the Embassy of the Republic of Seychelles in New Delhi and personal purchases by its diplomats. This decision follows a request from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, based on reciprocity principles. The amendment, effective immediately, adds a new entry in the Sixth Schedule of the Act, specifying that the minimum invoice value eligible for a refund is Rs. 1500.


Highlights / Catch Notes

    Income Tax

  • Company's Foreign Travel and Medical Expenses for Managing Director Deemed Personal, Not Commercial Necessity.

    Case-Laws - HC : Expenditure on foreign travel and medical treatment of the Managing Director and his wife - in the absence of any obligation on the part of the company to meet the medical and traveling expenses, the payment made could not be treated as one of commercial expediency & was purely a personal one - HC

  • Section 43B: Only Actual Bonus Payments Deductible, Not Notional Ones, Says High Court Interpretation.

    Case-Laws - HC : Deduction u/s 43B - payment of bonus - u/s 43B only actual payment and not any notional or deemed payment that would be relevant for considering the deduction - HC

  • Tenant Maintenance Payments to DSL Not Taxable as Income from House Property for Assessee.

    Case-Laws - HC : Addition to the income under the head “income from house property” - amount paid by the tenants to DSL, another group company, towards maintenance charges is not taxable in the hands of assessee. - HC

  • Tax Officer Adds Unused Consumer Deposit Funds to Taxpayer's Total Income Calculation.

    Case-Laws - HC : Treatment of unutilized balance available in "consumer deposit account" - AO added the unutilized balance of such account to the total income of the assessee - HC

  • BIFR Rightfully Granted Relief u/s 72A Without Income Tax Officer's Evaluation; Decision Upheld as Correct.

    Case-Laws - HC : BIFR - relief flowing from Section 72A - it cannot be said that the BIFR fell into an error by directing the concession to be granted itself, rather than requiring the Income Tax Officer to examine this aspect of the concession - HC

  • CIT cannot revise banking company's deduction u/s 36(1)(viii) as Assessing Officer's interpretation is valid.

    Case-Laws - AT : Deduction u/s 36(1)(viii) - banking company - when one of the possible views has been taken by the Assessing Officer, the CIT cannot exercise his jurisdiction u/s 263 on that aspect of the matter. - AT

  • TDS Provisions u/s 194C: Consortium's Role in Contract Procurement Without Independent Execution Analyzed.

    Case-Laws - AT : Applicability of TDS provisions u/s 194C - the assessee is a CONSORTIUM - assessee are created to procure a contract and never to execute the same by themselves with the intention to earn income - AT

  • Company Directors' Guarantee Commission Approved as Allowable Expense for Income Tax Deduction.

    Case-Laws - AT : Guarantee commission paid to the Directors of the Company – whole of the guarantee commission shall be allowed - AT

  • Excise Duty Adjustments for Inventory Valuation Required u/s 145A of Income Tax Act for Accurate Tax Reporting.

    Case-Laws - AT : Adjustment of Excise Duty on purchase, sales and closing stock u/s 145A are required to be made - AT

  • Sponsorships for media coverage are business expenses, not donations, enhancing brand image and tax-deductible.

    Case-Laws - AT : Donation versus expenses - Whenever newspaper coverage or radio or TV coverage took place, the name of assessee would be mentioned as one of the sponsors, thus the expenditure is therefore clearly for the enhancement of the brand value and image of the company. - allowed as expense - AT

  • Family Property Used in Business Doesn't Automatically Belong to Firm, Even If Used by Legal Heirs.

    Case-Laws - AT : It is not possible to presume that the undivided family property becomes the property of the firm for the reason that some of the legal heirs have used the property to carry on the business of the firm constituted by them. - AT

  • Assessee Reinstates and Wins Deduction Claim u/s 80IB of Income Tax Act After Initial Withdrawal.

    Case-Laws - AT : Assessee has withdrawn its claim of deduction under Section 80IB, which was accompanied by revised return – assessee again claimed deduction - deduction allowed - AT

  • Deferred Sales Tax Remitted Not Taxable as Business Income, Clarifies Tax Law Interpretation.

    Case-Laws - AT : Remission of deferred sales tax liability - deferred sales tax liability will not be chargeable to tax as business income of the assessee - AT

  • Court Rules Article 15 of India-Japan DTAA Overrides Domestic Tax Laws on Foreign Income Taxation.

    Case-Laws - HC : Tax the salary of the assessee earned outside India - Reliance on the provisions of Article 15 of India Japan DTAA holding that the provisions of DTAA override the provisions of taxing statute - HC

  • Court Rules Rent-Free Accommodation from Employer is Taxable Benefit Under Income Tax Laws, With Conditions and Exemptions.

    Case-Laws - HC : Treatment to tax paid on the facility of rent free accommodation by the employer - taxable or exempt? - HC

  • High Court Examines Legitimacy of Share Capital u/s 68; Scrutiny on Unexplained Cash Credits and Entry Operators.

    Case-Laws - HC : Addition u/s 68 - unexplained amounts received towards Share Capital money - entry operators - HC

  • Portfolio Manager Fees Are Deductible for Income Tax, Whether Under "Business" or "Capital Gains" Categories.

    Case-Laws - AT : Fees paid to portfolio manager of Asset Management Company - should be allowable in computing income whether under the head “Business” or under the head “Capital gains"? - AT

  • Revised Tax Return Filed Late u/s 139(3) Deemed Invalid Due to Missed Deadline, Loss Not Recognized.

    Case-Laws - AT : Revised return - original return of income was filed within time - Revised return is a loss return which should have been filed within the time specified u/s 139(3) of the Act - loss return filed beyond the time limit prescribed u/s 139(3) of the Act was null and void - AT

  • Dispute Arises Over "P-money" Label: Assessing Officer Sees Undisclosed Income, Assessee Claims It's for Petrol Expenses.

    Case-Laws - AT : Undisclosed income - entry in the seized material wherein "P-money" was written - Assessing Officer is of the view that "P-money" stands for pocket money and treated it as undisclosed income of the assessee - According to the assessee "P-money" indicates money for petrol utilised for vehicles used by the assessee - AT

  • Customs

  • Amendment to Notification No. 63/1994-Customs (N.T.) enhances customs operations for smoother cross-border trade via land and waterways.

    Notifications : Amends Notification No. 63/1994-Customs (N. T.) - Land Customs Stations and Routes for import and export of goods by land or inland water ways. - Notification

  • Commissioner Upholds Valuation of Imported Used Digital Printers Lacking Chartered Engineer's Certificate from Load Port.

    Case-Laws - AT : Valuation of import of old/used digital multifunction print and copying machines. - goods were not accompanied by the Chartered Engineer's certificate from the load port - The valuation done by the adjudicating Commissioner is upheld. - AT

  • Drawings and Designs Under Heading 49.06 Qualify for Duty-Free Import Benefits, Impacting Customs Valuation in Project Imports.

    Case-Laws - AT : Project import - valuation - Drawings and designs are rightly classifiable under Heading No. 49.06 and the benefit of duty-free import under this Heading has to be extended to the goods in question - AT

  • High Court Orders Customs to Pay Interest and Costs for Frivolous Review Petition, Emphasizes Accountability in Legal Actions.

    Case-Laws - HC : Frivolous review petition - Interest and cost to be recovered from the commissioner of customs in the review petition and all officers responsible.- HC

  • Duty Free Import Authorization Benefits Valid if CENVAT Credit on Inputs Reversed Before Utilization, Even During DFIA Transfer.

    Case-Laws - HC : Benefit of Duty Free Import Authorization (DFAI) - if the cenvat credit availed on inputs is reversed before it is utilised, the benefits cannot be denied while transferring the DFIA. - HC

  • FEMA

  • High Court Clears Appellant of Violating Section 9(1)(b) FERA in Non-Resident Indian Flat Sale Case.

    Case-Laws - HC : Whether the appellant had violated Section 9(1)(b) of FERA - transaction to sell the flats to the two directors were non resident Indians - decided in favor of appellant - HC

  • Penalty Imposed for Aiding Violation of FEMA Section 9(1)(f)(i); Appellant Charged with Assisting Main Offender.

    Case-Laws - HC : Imposing a penalty - violation of provision of Section 9(1)(f)(i) of FEMA - charges levelled against the appellant to the effect that he had aided and abetted the main accused in violating the provisions of law - HC

  • Corporate Law

  • Businesses Alerted to New Product Group Classifications and Tax Updates Under Company Law, Compliance Urged

    Notifications : Product Group Classification . - Notification

  • Amendment to Companies (Fees on Applications) Rules, 1999: Updated Fee Structure for Company Law Applications Announced.

    Notifications : Amendment to the Companies (Fees on Applications) Rules, 1999 . - Notification

  • Service Tax

  • Service Provider Ineligible for Exemption After Availing CENVAT Credit on Capital Goods Under Notification 6/2005-ST.

    Case-Laws - AT : Small service provider -once the appellant avail CENVAT Credit on the capital goods, the benefit of exemption under Notification No. 6/2005-ST, would not be available - AT

  • Appellant Must Pay Service Tax on Solar System Installation Despite No Separate Charge to Dealers.

    Case-Laws - AT : Appellant are clearing the solar system through dealers - appellant are not charging installation charges separately, but for installation activity, they are liable to pay service tax - AT

  • Service Tax Exemption Expanded to Include All Animal Slaughtering, Not Just Bovine, per Amended Notification.

    Notifications : Slaughtering of any animals is now exempted from service tax - earlier only the slaughtering of bovine was exempt - see amended notification

  • Company Liable for Service Tax Under Reverse Charge for Director's Services, Not the Director.

    Notifications : Service provided by a director to Company - reverse charge system is applicable

  • Amendments to Notification No. 25/2012 alter Service Tax exemptions, updating tax framework to align with current economic policies.

    Notifications : Amends Notification No. 25/2012-Service Tax - Mega exemption notification. - Notification

  • Service Tax on Security Services Now Paid by Recipients Under Amended Reverse Charge Mechanism Notification.

    Notifications : Security services also brought within reverse charge system - see amended notification

  • Service Tax (Third Amendment) Rules, 2012: Streamlined Tax Collection, Updated Definitions, and Revised Penalty Structures for Better Compliance.

    Notifications : Service Tax (Third Amendment) Rules, 2012. - Notification

  • Central Excise

  • Revenue Challenges Refund Claim u/r 5; Refund Allowed Despite Exempt Product and Cenvat Credit Dispute.

    Case-Laws - AT : Claim of refund under Rule 5 - Revenue was of the view that since final product was exempted from excise duty they could not have exported the goods under bond and they could not have taken Cenvat credit on inputs used in the manufacture of such exempted goods. - Refund allowed. - AT

  • CENVAT Credit Applies to Stockbroker Services, Establishing Nexus with Manufacturing; Qualifies as 'Input Service' for Tax Credit.

    Case-Laws - AT : CENVAT credit on stockbroker's service - there is clear nexus between the stockbroker's service and the manufacture of the goods - service clearly fell within the ambit of 'input service' - AT

  • Cenvat Credit Rule 6(3) Lacks Clarity on Credit Reversal for Waste Generated in Sponge Iron Manufacturing Process.

    Case-Laws - AT : Reversal of Cenvt Credit - Rule 6(3) - generation of waste - fine was resulted while manufacture of Sponge Iron – Proportionality aspect not being dealt by Rule 6(3) of Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004 - AT

  • VAT

  • Seychelles Tax Update: Key Changes in VAT and Sales Tax for Transactions in New Delhi. Stay Informed.

    Notifications : Regarding Republic of Seychelles in New Delhi. - Notification

  • New Delhi Issues Notification on VAT and Sales Tax Updates for the Republic of Niger.

    Notifications : Regarding Republic of Niger in New Delhi. - Notification


Case Laws:

  • Income Tax

  • 2012 (8) TMI 241
  • 2012 (8) TMI 240
  • 2012 (8) TMI 239
  • 2012 (8) TMI 238
  • 2012 (8) TMI 237
  • 2012 (8) TMI 236
  • 2012 (8) TMI 235
  • 2012 (8) TMI 234
  • 2012 (8) TMI 233
  • 2012 (8) TMI 232
  • 2012 (8) TMI 231
  • 2012 (8) TMI 230
  • 2012 (8) TMI 229
  • 2012 (8) TMI 228
  • 2012 (8) TMI 227
  • 2012 (8) TMI 226
  • 2012 (8) TMI 225
  • 2012 (8) TMI 224
  • 2012 (8) TMI 223
  • 2012 (8) TMI 222
  • 2012 (8) TMI 221
  • 2012 (8) TMI 220
  • 2012 (8) TMI 219
  • 2012 (8) TMI 218
  • 2012 (8) TMI 217
  • 2012 (8) TMI 203
  • 2012 (8) TMI 202
  • 2012 (8) TMI 201
  • 2012 (8) TMI 200
  • 2012 (8) TMI 199
  • 2012 (8) TMI 198
  • 2012 (8) TMI 197
  • 2012 (8) TMI 196
  • 2012 (8) TMI 195
  • 2012 (8) TMI 194
  • 2012 (8) TMI 193
  • 2012 (8) TMI 192
  • 2012 (8) TMI 191
  • 2012 (8) TMI 190
  • 2012 (8) TMI 189
  • 2012 (8) TMI 188
  • 2012 (8) TMI 187
  • 2012 (8) TMI 186
  • 2012 (8) TMI 185
  • 2012 (8) TMI 184
  • 2012 (8) TMI 183
  • 2012 (8) TMI 182
  • 2012 (8) TMI 181
  • 2012 (8) TMI 180
  • 2012 (8) TMI 179
  • 2012 (8) TMI 178
  • Customs

  • 2012 (8) TMI 215
  • 2012 (8) TMI 214
  • 2012 (8) TMI 176
  • 2012 (8) TMI 175
  • Corporate Laws

  • 2012 (8) TMI 213
  • 2012 (8) TMI 174
  • FEMA

  • 2012 (8) TMI 216
  • 2012 (8) TMI 177
  • Service Tax

  • 2012 (8) TMI 245
  • 2012 (8) TMI 244
  • 2012 (8) TMI 243
  • 2012 (8) TMI 242
  • 2012 (8) TMI 207
  • 2012 (8) TMI 206
  • 2012 (8) TMI 205
  • 2012 (8) TMI 204
  • Central Excise

  • 2012 (8) TMI 212
  • 2012 (8) TMI 211
  • 2012 (8) TMI 210
  • 2012 (8) TMI 209
  • 2012 (8) TMI 208
  • 2012 (8) TMI 173
  • 2012 (8) TMI 172
  • 2012 (8) TMI 171
  • 2012 (8) TMI 170
 

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