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Home e-Newsletters Index Year 2013 August Day 8 - Thursday

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TMI Tax Updates - e-Newsletter
August 8, 2013

Case Laws in this Newsletter:

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



Articles

1. Reimbursement of expenses not to form part of taxable value for Service Tax

   By: Bimal jain

Summary: The Madras High Court ruled that reimbursable expenses should not be included in the taxable value for service tax purposes in the case involving a Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) service provider. The court found that expenses reimbursed by the principal, such as freight and labor, do not constitute remuneration or commission and should not be taxed as such. This decision aligns with the view that Rule 5(1) of the Service Tax Valuation Rules, which includes such expenses in taxable value, is beyond the scope of the Finance Act. Service providers are advised to comply with Rule 5(2) to exclude such expenses from taxable value.


News

1. Online Application of RTI

Summary: The Government of India has launched an online portal for filing Right to Information (RTI) applications, accessible to Indian citizens both domestically and abroad. Applications can be submitted through the portal at www.rtionline.gov.in, with fees payable via the State Bank of India's payment gateway using internet banking or Master/Visa debit and credit cards. Currently, this service is available for 37 ministries and departments. The announcement was made by a government minister in response to a parliamentary question.

2. India signs DTAC Protocol with Morocco

Summary: India and Morocco have signed a Protocol amending their Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) in New Delhi. The agreement, based on international standards, facilitates the exchange of information, including banking details, between the tax authorities of both nations. It mandates that each country must gather and provide requested information, even if it is not needed for their own domestic tax purposes. This Protocol aims to enhance mutual cooperation and transparency in tax matters between the two countries.

3. CCI imposes penalty of Rs . 6.25 crores on 11 Shoe Companies

Summary: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has fined 11 companies a total of Rs. 625.43 lakhs for violating the Competition Act, 2002, in a case involving a tender for polyester blended duck ankle boots with rubber soles. The case, initiated by the Director General-Supplies Disposal, alleged bid rigging and market allocation among the suppliers. CCI found the companies guilty of collusive bidding, price fixing, and market sharing, imposing penalties based on 5% of their average turnover from 2008-2011. The companies are required to pay the penalties within 60 days and cease anti-competitive practices.

4. SPMCIL Organizes Workshop on Customer Satisfaction

Summary: Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd. (SPMCIL) held a workshop on customer satisfaction at India Security Press, Nashik, following a customer satisfaction survey conducted by Genesis Management and Market Research. The event, attended by representatives from all units and the corporate office, was inaugurated by the Chairman and Managing Director of SPMCIL. He emphasized the importance of innovation and efficiency for sustainable growth and highlighted SPMCIL's achievements, including improved financial performance, Miniratna Category-I status, debt-free status, and modernization efforts to enhance self-reliance in security product production.

5. RBI Board meets in Mumbai

Summary: The Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India convened in Mumbai, chaired by the Governor, with key directors and deputy governors present. The meeting reviewed economic conditions, challenges, and policy responses, including the Draft Annual Report for 2012-13. Separately, a State Level Bankers' Committee meeting discussed financial inclusion, Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, and training for banking correspondents. The RBI Governor emphasized the need to lower barriers to banking access. State officials were alerted to unauthorized financial activities, stressing the need for state surveillance to protect investors.

6. RBI transfers surplus profit to Government of India

Summary: The Reserve Bank of India's Central Board approved the transfer of surplus profit to the Government of India, amounting to Rs. 330.10 billion for the year ending June 30, 2013. This marks an increase from the previous year's transfer of Rs. 160.10 billion for the year ending June 30, 2012.

7. RBI Reference Rate for US $ and Euro

Summary: The Reserve Bank of India set the reference rate for the US dollar at Rs. 61.1150 and for the Euro at Rs. 81.5420 on August 8, 2013. The previous day's rates were Rs. 61.3940 for the US dollar and Rs. 81.6990 for the Euro. The exchange rates for the British Pound and Japanese Yen against the Rupee were 94.7710 and 63.44 respectively on August 8, 2013, compared to 94.1723 and 63.22 on August 7, 2013. The SDR-Rupee rate is determined based on this reference rate.

8. RBI Study on Impact of Real Interest Rate on Growth and Investment

Summary: A Reserve Bank of India study examined the impact of real interest rates on growth and investment, concluding that while lower real rates can boost these areas, tolerating higher inflation to achieve this is not viable as it can negatively affect growth. The study highlighted that real interest rates are crucial for macroeconomic growth and investment, despite nominal rates being significant for firm-level planning. It noted that declining marginal productivity of capital and pressures on firms' internal rates of return necessitate significant interest rate reductions to stimulate investment. Empirical data indicated that a 100 basis point increase in real interest rates could reduce investment rates by 50 basis points and GDP growth by 20 basis points.

9. Meeting of the FSDC Sub Committee, Mumbai, August 07, 2013

Summary: A meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) Sub Committee in Mumbai, chaired by the Reserve Bank of India's Governor, addressed several key financial stability issues. Attendees included high-ranking officials from various financial regulatory bodies. The committee expressed concern over the declining asset quality of public sector banks and discussed corrective measures. It also considered proposals for banks selling insurance products from multiple companies and emphasized the need for inter-agency coordination on collective investment schemes. Additionally, the committee reviewed the impact of international regulations on India and discussed strategies for financial inclusion, literacy, and inter-regulatory coordination.


Circulars / Instructions / Orders

VAT - Delhi

1. 12/2013-14 - dated 7-8-2013

Tax Deposit and Return Filing by newly registered dealers.

Summary: The Department of Trade and Taxes in Delhi has addressed an issue with Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) issued to newly registered dealers in April 2013. The problem has been resolved, and new TINs have been distributed. These dealers must promptly deposit their due taxes and file their returns for the first quarter of 2013-14 within seven days of receiving their new TINs, as per rule 28(3) of the Delhi Value Added Tax Rules, 2005. This directive has been approved by the Commissioner of Value Added Tax and communicated to relevant parties for implementation.

2. 09/2013-14 - dated 6-8-2013

Clarification on DP-1

Summary: Dealers who submitted Form DP-1 without listing purchased commodities in the pre-revised version now have the option to edit and update the form with details of purchased commodities. They can also amend the list of commodities for sale; otherwise, previously submitted items will be considered as intended for sale. The deadline for making these edits is August 26, 2013. This directive has been issued with the approval of the Commissioner of Value Added Tax and is intended for relevant officials and departments within the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

3. 10/2013-14 - dated 6-8-2013

Filing of online DVAT-48 returns for the First Quarter of 2013-14.

Summary: The Department of Trade and Taxes, Government of NCT of Delhi, issued a circular modifying the deadline for filing online DVAT-48 returns for the first quarter of 2013-14. The new deadlines are set for August 29, 2013, for online submissions and August 31, 2013, for submitting hard copies along with Form DVAT-43. The circular retains all other provisions from the previous Circular No. 8 of 2013-14. This update is communicated to relevant officials and stakeholders within the department for necessary action and dissemination.

4. 11/2013-14 - dated 6-8-2013

Filing of online returns for the First Quarter of 2013-14.

Summary: The Department of Trade and Taxes, Government of NCT of Delhi, issued a circular modifying the deadline for filing online VAT returns for the first quarter of 2013-14. The new deadlines for dealers, including composition dealers, are set for August 29, 2013, for online submissions and August 31, 2013, for hard copy submissions. This change partially modifies a previous circular, while all other provisions remain unchanged. The circular is distributed to relevant officials and departments for implementation and uploaded on the department's website.

Service Tax

5. 170/5 /2013-ST - dated 8-8-2013

The Service Tax Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme - clarifications regarding.

Summary: The Service Tax Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme (VCES) effective from May 10, 2013, addresses issues regarding its scope and applicability. Clarifications include: communications seeking general information do not invoke section 106(2)(a); separate registrations imply distinct eligibility for VCES; service tax paid with irregular CENVAT credit is considered unpaid; declarations can be made despite inquiries post-March 1, 2013; defaults prior to October 2007 do not affect eligibility for later periods; and no appeal mechanism exists for rejected declarations. Declarants must pay at least 50% of tax dues by December 31, 2013, to benefit from the scheme.

FEMA

6. 19 - dated 7-8-2013

Non-Resident Deposits - Comprehensive Single Return (NRD-CSR): Submission under XBRL

Summary: The Reserve Bank has decided to transition the Non-Resident Deposits - Comprehensive Single Return (NRD-CSR) reporting to the eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) platform starting October 1, 2013. This shift aims to improve data quality, security, and processing efficiency. Banks are required to submit NRD-CSR data using XBRL from October 2013, with the current email-based system remaining in place until September 2013. The RBI will provide templates, user credentials, and a test environment for banks to prepare for this transition. Training and support will be offered to ensure a smooth implementation.

DGFT

7. 21 (RE: 2013)/2009-2014 - dated 8-8-2013

Notification of New SION Number A-3644.

Summary: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has issued a public notice introducing a new Standard Input Output Norm (SION) number A-3644 for the export product "Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (Active Matter 69% min.)" under the Chemicals and Allied Products Group. The notification specifies the input materials and their quantities allowed for producing 1 kg of the export product. The inputs include Palm Kernel Fatty Acid Distillate (0.49 kg), Copper Chromite Catalyst (0.004 kg), Ethylene Oxide (0.170 kg), Caustic Soda Flakes (0.06 kg), and Sulphur (0.06 kg).

Customs

8. 30/2013 - dated 5-8-2013

Provisional release of export - goods detained for investigation -reg.

Summary: The circular addresses the issue of prolonged detention of export goods by customs authorities, emphasizing the need for compliance with existing instructions for provisional release. It references a previous circular from 2011, which aimed to expedite the clearance of detained goods to prevent port congestion and delays in fulfilling export orders. The circular reiterates that export goods should not be unnecessarily held unless prohibited by law and mandates that any detention beyond three days be reported to the Commissioner of Customs. It stresses the importance of facilitating genuine exports and warns of consequences for non-compliance.


Highlights / Catch Notes

    Income Tax

  • Assessing Officer to Reissue Order on Section 40(b) Deduction Attempt to Include Deloitte as Indirect Partner in Firm.

    Case-Laws - AT : Deduction u/s 40(b) - assessee was indirectly trying to bring in M/s Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Mumbai, another firm, which was already a participating firm, as its partner, circumventing the limit of maximum 20 members. - AO to pass fresh ordder - AT

  • Assessees must justify unexplained credits u/s 68 of the Income Tax Act with evidence or risk confirmed additions.

    Case-Laws - HC : Unexplained credits - additions u/s 68 - onus to prove - When an explanation is called for from the assessee, he or she must take care to substantiate her explanation by such supporting evidence as may be in his or her power to produce. - additions confirmed - HC

  • High Court Rules Secured Debt Takes Priority Over Income Tax Dues under Income Tax Act, 1961.

    Case-Laws - HC : Whether realization of income-tax dues from the assesses under the Income Tax Act, 1961 will have priority over the secured debt in terms of the State Financial Corporations Act, 1951 - Held no - HC

  • Income from Purchasing Goods in India for Export Not Taxable u/ss 5(2) and 9 of Income Tax Act.

    Case-Laws - HC : Income u/s 5(2) - Once the entire operations are confined to the purchase of goods in India for the purpose of export, the income derived therefrom shall not be deemed to accrue or arise in India and it shall not be deemed to be an income under Section 9 of the Act - HC

  • Profit Rate Computation Based on Past History; Additions Deleted Due to Consistent Assessment Year Facts.

    Case-Laws - HC : Method of computing profit rate - assessee's past history was available and there was no material difference in the facts pertaining to the relevant assessment year and the past history year - additions deleted - HC

  • Court Evaluates Section 158BD Notice Validity After Search Against Petitioner's Husband; Legal Conditions Must Be Met First.

    Case-Laws - HC : Validity of notice u/s 158BD - Search operation done against petitioner's husband - The conditions precedent for invoking the provisions of section 158BD, are required to be satisfied before the provisions of the said Chapter are applied in relation to any person other than the person whose premises had been searched - HC

  • Depreciation on Nursing Home Sterilization Facilities and Operation Theatre Classified as Plant and Machinery for Tax.

    Case-Laws - HC : Depreciation - nursing home is equipped to enable the sterilisation of surgical instruments and bandages to be carried on which cover 250 sq. ft. and that nursing home is also equipped with an operation theatre - depreciation should be allowed as plant and machinery - HC

  • Taxpayer's Rural Land Sale Not a 'Capital Asset' Per Income Tax Act Section 2(14)(iii); No Capital Gains Tax.

    Case-Laws - AT : Agricultural land sold by the assessee is not a 'capital asset' since it is in rural area within the meaning of section 2(14)(iii), the impugned receipt cannot be brought to tax as capital gain by invoking section 54B. - AT

  • Dispute Resolution Panel Must Provide Clear Reasons for Decisions u/s 144C of the Income Tax Act.

    Case-Laws - AT : Transfer pricing adjustment - when a quasi Judicial Authority like the DRP deals with lis u/s 144C then it is obligatory on its part to ascribe cogent and germane reasons as reasons are the heart and soul of the matter and facilitate the appreciation of the order when the order is called in question either before a superior forum or an Appellate forum. - AT

  • Court Rules Forward Contract Cancellation Loss as Business Loss, Not Speculation, for Non-Foreign Exchange Dealer Assessee.

    Case-Laws - AT : Forward contract cancellation loss - whether be treated as business loss or speculation loss - the assessee was not a dealer in foreign exchange. - the export contracts entered into by the assessee for export in some cases failed. - allowed as business loss - AT

  • Guidelines for Selecting Tax Scrutiny Cases for FY 2013-2014 Focus on High-Value Transactions and Income Discrepancies.

    Circulars : Procedure and criteria for selection of scrutiny cases under compulsory manual during the financial-year 2013-2014

  • Customs

  • Importer Expenses Excluded from Customs Valuation if Not Part of Foreign Buyer Transaction.

    Case-Laws - AT : Valuation of Goods - expenditure incurred by the importer if not a consideration between the buyer situated abroad and the importer - not required to be included in the assessable value. - AT

  • Court Grants Stay on Confiscation of Goods Despite Export Prohibition Due to Genuine Belief of Legality by Parties.

    Case-Laws - AT : Confiscation of goods – export of prohibited goods - stay application - even if the goods were prohibited the customs authorities as well as the appellants genuinely believed that the same was not prohibited - stay granted - AT

  • Commissioner Authorized to Assess Advance Bill of Entry Requests in Customs Adjudication Process.

    Case-Laws - AT : Adjudication of Advance Bill of Entry - Commissioner can assessed the Advance Bill of Entry as prayed by the assesse in accordance with law - AT

  • Wealth-tax

  • Construction Not Complete? Urban Land Tax Still Applies, No Exception for Partly Built Properties.

    Case-Laws - HC : Nature of the asset - If the construction was partly completed or the building is under construction, in that case the exception engrafted in the definition of the words “urban land“ does not get attracted - In that event the urban land or undivided interest of the assesse continues to be open for taxation within the category of urban land - HC

  • Service Tax

  • Sugarcane Harvesting and Transport Not Taxable Under Manpower Supply Services.

    Case-Laws - AT : Service of manpower supply - cutting/harvesting of sugarcane and transportation of the same from the farmers' fields to the sugar factory – work are per tonnage of sugarcane supply, both for harvesting as well as transportation. - not taxable as manpower supply services - AT

  • Refund Denied: Services Claimed by Assessee Not Eligible u/s 65(105)(zzb) of Finance Act, 1994.

    Case-Laws - AT : As per notification No. 17/2009-ST, specific category of services of service provided under section 65(105)(zzb) of the Finance Act, 1994 are only eligible for refund. The category of services claimed as refund by assessee is not eligible for refund - AT

  • Foreign Agent's Services Classified as Business Support Service; Tax Demand Deemed Sustainable for Assessee's Business Activities.

    Case-Laws - AT : Nature of service rendered by foreign agent - import of service - Prima facie demand of tax under Business Support Service was sustainable – foreign agents were providing services to the assesse in relation to the assesse’s business and the different activities would be covered in inclusive portion of the definition - AT

  • High Court Confirms GTA Service Recipients Can Claim CENVAT Credits u/r 2(p) of CENVAT Credit Rules.

    Case-Laws - HC : Service Tax on GTA under reverse charge - while Rule 2(l) and 2(p) cover two classes of persons, the recipient of GTA services, by virtue of the Explanation to Rule 2(p) of the CENVAT Credit Rules, as a provider of output service, was entitled to all benefits that a person providing input service would be entitled to in the matter of CENVAT credit adjustment - HC

  • Central Excise

  • Court Rules: Asset Sale Doesn't Equal Business Transfer; Appellant Not Successor to Defaulter's Business.

    Case-Laws - AT : Recovery of duty from the successor of the defaulter - Though assets were sold, sale of assets by itself would not be transfer of business in whole or in part. - appellant is not successors in business or trade of Vaishnavi - AT

  • Appellant's Fraudulent Cenvat Credit Claims Exposed: Fake Invoices and Dubious Copper Wire Transport via Tata Sumo.

    Case-Laws - AT : Cenvat credit - fake invoices - Unbeleivable that huge quantity of winding wire of copper has been shown to be transported through passenger vehicle Tata Sumo in single day from Delhi to Jaipur - these activities had been fraudulently undertaken by the appellant - AT

  • High Court Confirms Rebate Claim Validity; Filing Date u/s 11B Upheld Despite Initial Document Return.

    Case-Laws - HC : Period of filing of rebate claim under Section 11B - Even though certain documents filed along with the rebate claim application had been returned to the petitioner, it cannot be said that the rebate claim application had not been filed on 5-11-2007. - date of shipment was made only on 23-12-2008 - rebate allowed - HC

  • High Court Upholds CESTAT Decision: No Limitation Period for Refund Claims Under Protest in Section 11B Cases.

    Case-Laws - HC : Period of limitation of refund claim under section 11B of the Central Excise Act – Payment made herein is also deemed to be under protest and no limitation is applicable and the claim is maintainable and is rightly decided by the CESTAT - HC

  • Rule 21 of Central Excise Rules: Duty Waiver for Destroyed Goods Requires Reversal of CENVAT Credit on Inputs.

    Case-Laws - CGOVT : Remission of duty under Rule 21 of the Central Excise Rules, 2002 - In case of breakage/destruction of final product, remission can be claimed under Rule 21 of Central Excise Rules, 2002, but the remission is granted subject to condition of reversal of CENVAT credit availed on the inputs - CGOVT

  • Clarification Circulars Apply Retroactively: New Circulars Clarify Previous Ones for Consistent Interpretation.

    Case-Laws - CGOVT : When any circular is issued clarifying the provision of any previous circular, the same is applicable retrospectively. - CGOVT


Case Laws:

  • Income Tax

  • 2013 (8) TMI 222
  • 2013 (8) TMI 197
  • 2013 (8) TMI 196
  • 2013 (8) TMI 195
  • 2013 (8) TMI 194
  • 2013 (8) TMI 193
  • 2013 (8) TMI 192
  • 2013 (8) TMI 191
  • 2013 (8) TMI 190
  • 2013 (8) TMI 189
  • 2013 (8) TMI 188
  • 2013 (8) TMI 187
  • 2013 (8) TMI 186
  • 2013 (8) TMI 185
  • 2013 (8) TMI 184
  • Customs

  • 2013 (8) TMI 214
  • 2013 (8) TMI 213
  • 2013 (8) TMI 211
  • 2013 (8) TMI 210
  • 2013 (8) TMI 209
  • Service Tax

  • 2013 (8) TMI 219
  • 2013 (8) TMI 218
  • 2013 (8) TMI 217
  • 2013 (8) TMI 216
  • 2013 (8) TMI 215
  • Central Excise

  • 2013 (8) TMI 212
  • 2013 (8) TMI 208
  • 2013 (8) TMI 207
  • 2013 (8) TMI 206
  • 2013 (8) TMI 205
  • 2013 (8) TMI 204
  • 2013 (8) TMI 203
  • 2013 (8) TMI 202
  • 2013 (8) TMI 201
  • 2013 (8) TMI 200
  • 2013 (8) TMI 199
  • 2013 (8) TMI 198
  • CST, VAT & Sales Tax

  • 2013 (8) TMI 220
  • Wealth tax

  • 2013 (8) TMI 221
 

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