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Home e-Newsletters Index Year 2012 August Day 4 - Saturday

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TMI Tax Updates - e-Newsletter
August 4, 2012

Case Laws in this Newsletter:

Income Tax Customs Corporate Laws Service Tax Central Excise



Articles

1. NOTHING IN THE COMPANIES ACT PROHIBITS THE SWAPPING OR INTERCHANGE OF NAME OF COPMANY IN AN ARRANGEMENT.

   By: DR.MARIAPPAN GOVINDARAJAN

Summary: The Bombay High Court reviewed a scheme of arrangement and demerger between two companies, involving the transfer of a fertilizer undertaking. The scheme, approved by the companies' boards and stock exchanges, faced objections regarding a proposed name swap between the companies. The Regional Director and a minority shareholder objected, citing potential confusion and procedural issues. The court found no statutory prohibition against the name swap, emphasizing compliance with legal procedures for name changes. The scheme was sanctioned, clarifying that the Registrar of Companies retains authority over name changes, subject to statutory compliance.

2. GENERAL ANTI AVOIDANCE RULE.

   By: DR.MARIAPPAN GOVINDARAJAN

Summary: The Finance Act, 2012 introduced Chapter X-A into the Income Tax Act, 1961, establishing the General Anti Avoidance Rule (GAAR) effective from April 1, 2012. This rule, covering Sections 95 to 102, targets arrangements primarily aimed at tax benefits, which may be deemed impermissible if they involve non-arm's length dealings, misuse of tax provisions, lack commercial substance, or are not for bona fide purposes. The rule allows tax authorities to disregard or recharacterize such arrangements, treating connected persons as one entity and ignoring accommodating parties. It aims to prevent tax avoidance through artificial transactions and ensure tax compliance.


News

1. India Sri Lanka to Double trade to USD 10 billion by 2015 Anand Sharma Inaugurates India show in Colombo Assures Sri Lanka of Preferential Access to Indian Market

Summary: India and Sri Lanka aim to double their trade turnover to USD 10 billion by 2015, as announced by India's Commerce Minister during the inauguration of The India Show in Colombo. India plans to assist Sri Lanka in establishing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for engineering, automobile components, and pharmaceuticals, promoting exports and skill training. A Joint Task Force will be set up to oversee the implementation. The Minister emphasized India's commitment to Sri Lanka's development without seeking reciprocity in trade, ensuring preferential access to the Indian market. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) discussions will resume to enhance economic engagement.

2. Anand Sharma Urges AWDC and Indian Diamond Facilities to Strengthen Linkages India-Belgium Bilaterla trade Touches USD 17.75 billion

Summary: The Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry urged the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) to strengthen ties with Indian diamond facilities, focusing on grading, research, certification, and training. Discussions with the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the dominance of gems and jewelry in bilateral trade, accounting for nearly 70%. Both countries identified health, life sciences, agro-processing, vocational training, and advanced engineering as key cooperation areas. Belgium offered expertise in water treatment and energy sectors for India's National Manufacturing and Investment Zones. Bilateral trade reached USD 17.75 billion in 2011, up from USD 12.3 billion in 2010, despite global financial challenges.

3. First India - Sri Lanka CEOs Forum Meeting to be held in Colombo on August 4

Summary: The first India-Sri Lanka CEOs Forum meeting will be held in Colombo on August 4, 2012, to enhance trade and investment between the two countries. The Forum, initiated by the Indian Prime Minister and Sri Lankan President, aims to develop a roadmap for economic cooperation. Co-chaired by prominent business leaders from both nations, the meeting will include top industry representatives and government officials. Bilateral trade reached USD 4 billion in 2010-11, with potential to double in three years. Discussions will focus on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement covering trade, services, economic cooperation, and investment. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will manage the Forum's secretariat.

4. India Signs Tax Information Exchange Agreement with Monaco

Summary: India and Monaco have signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA), marking India's ninth such agreement. The TIEA is based on international standards of transparency and mandates that exchanged information be relevant to the enforcement of domestic tax laws. The agreement ensures confidentiality, allowing disclosure only to specified tax authorities or with consent for broader sharing. It includes provisions for sharing banking and ownership information and permits tax examinations abroad. The agreement facilitates immediate information exchange upon its entry into force, enhancing cooperation between the two countries in tax matters.


Notifications

DGFT

1. 09 (RE – 2012)/2009-2014 - dated 1-8-2012 - FTP

Ban on export of edible oil in branded consumer packs.

Summary: The Government of India has issued a notification prohibiting the export of edible oils in branded consumer packs, effective immediately. This amendment affects the previous allowance for exporting such oils in packs up to 5 kg within a 10,000-ton ceiling from November 1, 2011, to October 31, 2012. The transitional arrangements under the Foreign Trade Policy 2009-2014 will not apply, except for consignments handed over to customs before midnight on August 1, 2012. This decision overrides previous notifications and aims to regulate the export of edible oils more strictly.


Circulars / Instructions / Orders

Income Tax

1. 06/2012 - dated 3-8-2012

Relaxation from compulsory e-filing of return of income for assessment year 2012-13 - for representative assessees of non-residents and in the case of private discretionary trusts –regarding.

Summary: The Central Board of Direct Taxes has issued a circular providing relaxation from mandatory electronic filing of income tax returns for the assessment year 2012-13. This applies to agents of non-residents and private discretionary trusts whose total income exceeds ten lakh rupees. Agents of non-residents face challenges due to multiple agents or multiple non-residents being represented, which the e-filing system cannot accommodate. Similarly, private discretionary trusts filing returns as individuals encounter issues with the e-filing software. Consequently, it is not compulsory for these entities to file returns electronically for the specified assessment year.

FEMA

2. Press Note No.3 (2012 Series) - dated 1-8-2012

Review of the Foreign Direct Investment policy - permitting investments from Pakistan.

Summary: The Government of India has revised its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy to allow investments from Pakistani citizens or entities incorporated in Pakistan. Previously, such investments were not permitted. Under the new policy, investments from Pakistan are allowed through the Government route in all sectors except defense, space, and atomic energy. This amendment to the FDI policy, effective from April 10, 2012, aligns with the existing provisions for investments from Bangladesh, which also require Government approval. The decision is effective immediately as of August 1, 2012.

Companies Law

3. 20/2012 - dated 1-8-2012

Investor Education and protection Fund(uploading of information regarding unpaid and unclaimed amount lying with companies) Rules 2012

Summary: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs issued a circular clarifying the filing requirements for companies regarding unpaid and unclaimed amounts, as per the Investor Education and Protection Fund Rules 2012. Companies must submit a single Form 5 INV annually, detailing unpaid or unclaimed amounts as of the date of their Annual General Meeting. Some companies erroneously filed multiple forms for the year 2010-11. These companies must resubmit a single Form 5 INV with investor details in an Excel template by August 31, 2012. Companies that have not yet filed must also complete this process by the same deadline.


Highlights / Catch Notes

    Income Tax

  • E-filing exemption granted for 2012-13 income tax returns for representative assessees of non-residents and private trusts.

    Circulars : Relaxation from compulsory e-filing of return of income for assessment year 2012-13 - for representative assessees of non-residents and in the case of private discretionary trusts –regarding. - Circular

  • Taxpayer's Derivative Trading Loss Can Offset Short-Term Capital Gains in Same Year per Section Rules.

    Case-Laws - AT : Transactions in derivatives - loss suffered by the assessee during derivative trading should be allowed as short term capital loss and the same can be set off against the short term capital gain during the year - AT

  • Court Rules Sales Acceptance Confirms Validity of Purchases; Profit Suppression Claims on Bogus Purchases Rejected.

    Case-Laws - AT : Suppression of profit of bogus purchases - held that:- when the sales have been accepted, there is no question of disputing the purchases because no sales could be made without purchases. - AT

  • Compounding Fee Deduction u/s 37(1) of Income Tax Act Questioned; Penal Nature Debated and Remanded for Review.

    Case-Laws - AT : Deduction u/s 37(1) - Payment of compounding fee in lieu of an offence - whether or not penal in nature - After analyzing and referring various case laws matter remanded back to CIT(A) with the directions - AT

  • AO Rightly Initiates Reassessment with Notice u/s 148, No Scrutiny Assessment Possible.

    Case-Laws - AT : When no scrutiny assessment could have been completed in this case, AO is perfectly justified to invoke reassessment proceeding by issuance of notice under section 148 of the Act. - AT

  • CIT(A) Validly Assumed Jurisdiction u/s 264; Assessing Officer Overlooked Clause (f) of Explanation 1, Section 115JB.

    Case-Laws - AT : Justification of CIT(A) assuming jurisdiction u/s.264 - No infirmity into the order passed by CIT as is evident from the records that AO has not applied his mind whether clause (f) of the Explanation 1 of Section 115JB was applicable or not - AT

  • Assessee disputes accountant's error on Capital Account entries for immovable property gifts.

    Case-Laws - AT : Addition in respect of gifts of immovable properties - assessee submitted that mistake of the accountant as journal entries were wrongly made to the credit side of the Capital Account - AT

  • Allocation of Expenses Between DTA and EOU Essential for Section 10B Benefits and Reassessment u/ss 147 and 143(3.

    Case-Laws - AT : Allocation of expenses between the DTA and EOU unit - expenses are to be charged to the EOU also in order to compute the benefit u/s 10B - Re assessment made u/s 147 r.w.s. 143(3) - AT

  • Mumbai Rent Control Act Limits Annual Property Valuation per Income Tax Act Section 23(1)(a) to Standard Rent Levels.

    Case-Laws - AT : Addition on account of annual letting value of the house property - the Rent Control Act is applicable in Mumbai thus the annual valuation u/s 23(1)(a) cannot exceed the standard rent under the Rent Control act. - AT

  • Income Tax Authority Bound by Commercial Tax's Stock Valuation; Assessing Officer Can't Reassess Accepted Value.

    Case-Laws - AT : Excess stock - difference in value of stock assessed by sales authority and income tax authority - return accepted by the Commercial Tax Department is binding on the I.T. authorities and the A.O. has no jurisdiction to go beyond the value of the closing stock declared by the assessee and accepted by the Commercial Tax Department - AT

  • Deduction Denied: Section 80IB Requires Independent Formation of Industrial Undertaking, Not Reconstructed or Split Business.

    Case-Laws - AT : Denial of claim of deduction u/s 80IB - the “industrial undertaking” should not be formed by “splitting up” or “re-construction” of a business already in existence - AT

  • Taxpayer Shielded from Prolonged Scrutiny Due to Delayed Action by Tax Authorities u/s 158BD.

    Case-Laws - AT : Block assessment - action u/s.158BD - period of limitation - if the Authorities failed to utilize and communicate such information on time, then the Assessee could not be penalized and kept in the loop of the Authorities for such a long period of 7 (seven) years - AT

  • Customs

  • CBEC Circular Allows Export Oriented Units to Supply Goods to Other EOUs or STP Units with Valid Licenses.

    Case-Laws - AT : According to CBEC Circular No. 49/2000-Cus dated 22.5.2000 that EOU trading units were allowed to supply the goods to other EOU/STP units against valid advance license or specific customs entitlements - AT

  • Confiscated Left-Hand Drive Vehicle for License Violation; Warehousing Permitted Under Chapter 87 Explanatory Note.

    Case-Laws - AT : Imported vehicle has been confiscated for violation of licence on the ground that vehicle is Left Hand Drive and is not permissible under the explanatory note to Chapter 87 - warehousing of the goods allowed - AT

  • DGFT

  • DGFT bans export of edible oil in branded consumer packs to stabilize domestic supply and prices.

    Notifications : Ban on export of edible oil in branded consumer packs. - Notification

  • FEMA

  • India Revises FDI Policy to Allow Investments from Pakistan; Changes Notified Under FEMA Guidelines.

    Circulars : Review of the Foreign Direct Investment policy - permitting investments from Pakistan. - FDI GUIDELINES

  • Corporate Law

  • Companies Must Disclose Unpaid Claims Under Investor Education and Protection Fund Rules, 2012 to Boost Transparency and Trust.

    Circulars : Investor Education and protection Fund(uploading of information regarding unpaid and unclaimed amount lying with companies) Rules 2012 - Circular

  • Court Can Dissolve Company if Official Liquidator Can't Continue Winding-Up Due to Lack of Funds or Other Reasons.

    Case-Laws - HC : When the Official Liquidator cannot proceed with the winding up of the Company for want of funds or for any other reason, the Court can make an order dissolving the Company - HC

  • Service Tax

  • Finance Arrangement Deemed Business Auxiliary Services for Service Tax Purposes in Recent Decision.

    Case-Laws - AT : Services provided was to arrange finance - it is settled that the appellant's activities shall fall within the category of BAS - AT

  • Cenvat Credit Unavailable for Input Services in Trading Activities for Service Tax Credit Purposes.

    Case-Laws - AT : Cenvat credit – Input service - Service Tax credit in respect of input service attributable to trading activities is not available. - AT


Case Laws:

  • Income Tax

  • 2012 (8) TMI 70
  • 2012 (8) TMI 69
  • 2012 (8) TMI 68
  • 2012 (8) TMI 67
  • 2012 (8) TMI 66
  • 2012 (8) TMI 65
  • 2012 (8) TMI 64
  • 2012 (8) TMI 63
  • 2012 (8) TMI 62
  • 2012 (8) TMI 61
  • 2012 (8) TMI 60
  • 2012 (8) TMI 59
  • 2012 (8) TMI 58
  • 2012 (8) TMI 57
  • 2012 (8) TMI 44
  • 2012 (8) TMI 43
  • 2012 (8) TMI 42
  • 2012 (8) TMI 41
  • 2012 (8) TMI 40
  • 2012 (8) TMI 39
  • 2012 (8) TMI 38
  • 2012 (8) TMI 37
  • 2012 (8) TMI 36
  • 2012 (8) TMI 35
  • 2012 (8) TMI 34
  • 2012 (8) TMI 33
  • 2012 (8) TMI 32
  • 2012 (8) TMI 31
  • 2012 (8) TMI 30
  • Customs

  • 2012 (8) TMI 56
  • 2012 (8) TMI 55
  • 2012 (8) TMI 29
  • 2012 (8) TMI 28
  • Corporate Laws

  • 2012 (8) TMI 54
  • 2012 (8) TMI 27
  • Service Tax

  • 2012 (8) TMI 74
  • 2012 (8) TMI 73
  • 2012 (8) TMI 72
  • 2012 (8) TMI 71
  • 2012 (8) TMI 49
  • 2012 (8) TMI 48
  • 2012 (8) TMI 47
  • 2012 (8) TMI 46
  • 2012 (8) TMI 45
  • Central Excise

  • 2012 (8) TMI 53
  • 2012 (8) TMI 52
  • 2012 (8) TMI 51
  • 2012 (8) TMI 50
  • 2012 (8) TMI 26
  • 2012 (8) TMI 25
  • 2012 (8) TMI 24
  • 2012 (8) TMI 23
 

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