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Home e-Newsletters Index Year 2013 September Day 27 - Friday

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TMI Tax Updates - e-Newsletter
September 27, 2013

Case Laws in this Newsletter:

Income Tax Customs Corporate Laws Service Tax Central Excise CST, VAT & Sales Tax Indian Laws



Articles

1. No Recovery proceedings if applied for payment of defaulted Service Tax under VCES, 2013

   By: Bimal jain

Summary: The Service Tax Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme, 2013 (VCES) aims to assist defaulters in paying overdue service taxes. However, potential applicants are hesitant due to enforcement actions by the Department. The Allahabad High Court ruled in favor of a petitioner who applied under VCES, stating that recovery proceedings cannot continue until the application is resolved. The petitioner, who admitted tax liability and applied under VCES, argued against a garnishee order issued without considering their application. The court emphasized that allowing recovery actions could undermine the scheme's purpose of facilitating tax compliance.

2. PC BALM----Rubbing salt on taxpayers' wounds

   By: Harish Chander Bhatia

Summary: The article criticizes the Indian government's handling of tax audit report (TAR) filing deadlines, highlighting the perceived inefficiencies and lack of preparedness by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). The author argues that the changes, including the abrupt shift to electronic filing and inconsistent communication, have caused undue stress on tax professionals and taxpayers. The extension of the electronic filing deadline to October 31, 2013, is seen as a face-saving measure rather than genuine assistance. The article also questions the rationale behind requiring duplicate submissions and criticizes the department's alleged rigidity and lack of foresight.

3. THE NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT, 2013 – PART I

   By: DR.MARIAPPAN GOVINDARAJAN

Summary: The National Food Security Act, 2013 aims to provide food and nutritional security by ensuring access to adequate quality food at affordable prices across India. It categorizes households into priority and those under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, offering subsidized food grains. Pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children up to 14 years are entitled to nutritional support. The Act mandates reforms in the Public Distribution System, emphasizing transparency and efficiency. Central and State Governments have specific obligations to ensure food supply and manage distribution systems. The Act also focuses on empowering women and addressing the needs of vulnerable groups in remote areas.


News

1. Government Approves Fifteen (15) Proposals of Foreign Direct Investment Amounting to About Rs. 2000.49 Crore

Summary: The Central Government has approved 15 foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals totaling approximately Rs. 2000.49 crore, based on recommendations from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). Notable approvals include investments in retail, pharmaceuticals, and engineering sectors. Two significant proposals, involving M/s IDFC Trustee Company Ltd. and M/s Mylan Inc. USA, amounting to Rs. 10668 crore, have been forwarded for Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs consideration. Ten proposals were deferred, three rejected, three advised to access the automatic route, and two were withdrawn. One proposal remains in abeyance, pending further review.

2. STC Achieves Trading Profit of Rs. 119 Crore During 2012-13

Summary: The State Trading Corporation of India Limited (STC) reported a trading profit of Rs. 119 crore for the fiscal year 2012-13. During its 57th Annual General Meeting, the Chairman highlighted exports totaling Rs. 1563 crore, marking a significant increase compared to the previous three years. The import turnover reached Rs. 17,015 crore. STC plans to diversify its imports, moving beyond agricultural products to include coal, non-urea fertilizers, copper, and medical and engineering equipment. The meeting was attended by key directors from the Department of Commerce and STC.

3. Anand Sharma to meet Mozambican Prime Minister Alberto Vaquina Coal, Energy High on Agenda

Summary: The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry from India is visiting Mozambique to meet with the Prime Minister and Trade Minister to discuss strengthening political and economic ties. Key topics include coal exports, mining, and the Duty Free Tariff Preference Scheme for Least Developed Countries, which aims to enhance Mozambican exports to India. The meetings will also address trade promotion activities and the exploration of natural gas reserves. India is a significant investor in Mozambique, with bilateral trade increasing, notably in coal exports. A keynote address will be delivered to further economic partnerships between the two nations.

4. Unlisted Indian Companies Allowed on A Pilot Basis for A Period of Two Years to List and Raise Capital abroad without the Requirement of Prior or Subsequent Listing in India

Summary: Unlisted companies incorporated in India are now permitted to list and raise capital abroad without needing prior or subsequent listing in India. This initiative, approved by the Union Finance Minister, will be on a pilot basis for two years. Companies can list only on exchanges in IOSCO/FATF compliant jurisdictions or those with SEBI agreements. They must comply with SEBI's disclosure requirements and the FDI Policy. Raised capital can be used for overseas operations or debt retirement. Unused funds must be remitted back to India within 15 days. Relevant notifications will be issued by the Ministry of Finance, DIPP, and RBI.

5. Joint Statement issued After the Sixth China-India Financial Dialogue at Beijing;

Summary: The Sixth China-India Financial Dialogue in Beijing focused on enhancing communication and coordination on macro-economic policies and international economic issues. Both countries acknowledged the fragile global economic recovery and emphasized the need for international policy coordination, particularly within the G20 framework. China highlighted its stable economic situation and ongoing structural reforms, while India stressed its strong economic fundamentals and commitment to inclusive growth. The dialogue also addressed cooperation under multilateral frameworks like BRICS and international financial institutions, advocating for reforms and increased support for developing countries. Both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral financial cooperation and plan to hold the next dialogue in New Delhi in 2014.

6. RBI Reference Rate for US $ and Euro

Summary: The Reserve Bank of India set the reference rate for the US dollar at Rs. 61.8110 and for the Euro at Rs. 83.4200 on September 27, 2013. The previous day's rates were Rs. 62.2260 for the US dollar and Rs. 84.1073 for the Euro. The exchange rates for the British Pound and Japanese Yen against the Rupee on September 27, 2013, were 99.4972 and 62.66 respectively, compared to 100.0594 and 62.84 on September 26, 2013. The SDR-Rupee rate will be determined based on the reference rate.

7. Managing Director of M/S Kitty Steels Ltd., Hyderabad

Summary: The Managing Director of M/S Kitty Steels Ltd., Hyderabad, was sentenced to three months of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs. 5000 for each of two offences under Sections 276B and 276C of the Income Tax Act. The Special Judge for Economic Offences in Nampally, Hyderabad, determined that the company had deducted tax at source from salaries, dividends, and contractor payments but failed to deposit these taxes with the Central Government on time. Additionally, the company did not issue the required TDS certificates. The court concluded that there was a willful attempt to evade tax payment.


Notifications

Central Excise

1. 12/2013 - dated 27-9-2013 - CE (NT)

Amendment in Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004

Summary: The Government of India has amended the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004, effective from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. The amendment modifies sub-rule (5A) of rule 3, specifying the conditions under which manufacturers or service providers must repay CENVAT credit when capital goods are removed after use. For computers and peripherals, the repayment is calculated on a quarterly basis with varying percentages over five years. For other capital goods, a flat rate of 2.5% per quarter applies. If capital goods are cleared as waste or scrap, the duty payable is based on the transaction value.

Customs

2. 46/2013 - dated 26-9-2013 - Cus

Amending Customs Notifications to implement the "Option to close cases of default in Export Obligation" notified by DGFT

Summary: The Government of India has amended several customs notifications to implement an option for closing cases of default in export obligations. These amendments stipulate that when an importer defaults on export obligations and pays the duty to regularize the default, the interest paid should not exceed the duty amount. This measure is applicable if the regularization aligns with the Public Notice issued by the Ministry of Commerce on August 12, 2013. The amendments apply to various notifications dating from 1992 to 2008, aiming to facilitate compliance and reduce financial burdens on importers.

Income Tax

3. 78/2013 - dated 25-9-2013 - IT

EXEMPTIONS - STATUTORY BODY/AUTHORITY/BOARD/COMMISSION - NOTIFIED BODY OR AUTHORITY - MEGHALAYA STATE AIDS CONTROL SOCIETY

Summary: The Central Government, under clause (46) of section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, has notified the Meghalaya State AIDS Control Society as exempt from income tax for specific income. This exemption applies to grants-in-aid received from the Government of India for financial years 2011-12, 2012-13, and extends to 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16. The exemption is contingent upon the Society not engaging in commercial activities, maintaining the specified income nature, and filing income returns as per section 139(4C)(g) of the Act. Grants must be used according to existing rules and regulations.

SEZ

4. S.O. 2899 (E) - dated 6-9-2013 - SEZ

Set up a sector specific SEZ for Information Technology/Information Technology enabled services at Manikonda Village, Rajendra Nagar Mandal, Ranga Reddy District in the state of Andhra Pradesh

Summary: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued a notification regarding the expansion of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Information Technology/Information Technology enabled services at Manikonda Village, Rajendra Nagar Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Andhra Pradesh. Initially covering 11.77 hectares, the SEZ, proposed by a private company, will now include an additional 0.66 hectares, bringing the total area to 12.43 hectares. This expansion is subject to the final adjudication of a legal case pending before the Supreme Court of India.


Circulars / Instructions / Orders

FEMA

1. 55 - dated 26-9-2013

Deferred Payment Protocols dated April 30, 1981 and December 23, 1985 between Government of India and erstwhile USSR

Summary: The circular addresses Category-I Authorised Dealer banks regarding the revision of the Rupee value for the Special Currency Basket related to Deferred Payment Protocols between the Government of India and the former USSR. Initially set at Rs.90.052266 on September 4, 2013, the value was revised to Rs.86.903352 effective September 13, 2013. Banks are instructed to inform relevant parties of this change. The directions are issued under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, and do not affect any other legal permissions or approvals required.


Highlights / Catch Notes

    Income Tax

  • High Court Remands Tax Case; AO Must Fairly Assess Revised Return u/ss 139(5), 10(35), and 10(33).

    Case-Laws - HC : Revised return u/s 139(5) - Exemption u/s 10(35)/ 10(33) - AO must not take advantage of ignorance of the assessee as to his rights - The matter was remanded to the AO to consider the case on merits and decide accordingly - HC

  • High Court Rules Section 40A(3) Does Not Disallow Cash Payments to Kachcha Arahtiya in Commission Agency Business.

    Case-Laws - HC : Disallowance on the ground of section 40A(3) of the Income Tax Act – Cash payment in excess of Rs. 20,000 to Arahtiya - kachcha Arahtiya - purchases were made in the present case in commission agency business from the farmers - no disallowance - HC

  • Assessing Officer Must Correct Excess Capital Loss in Year Claimed, Not During Set-Off Year.

    Case-Laws - HC : Excessive carry-forward loss – If the A.O. was of the opinion that the capital loss has been determined in excess wrongly, then he should have taken action to determine the correct loss in the relevant year where such loss has been claimed and determined and he should not have reduced such loss in which only set off was claimed - HC

  • Income Tax Block Assessment Time Limit Begins from Search Conclusion Date: February 3, 1999.

    Case-Laws - HC : Block assessment - Time limit for completion of the block assessment will have to be reckoned from 3-2-1999 on which date the search was concluded against the appellant. - HC

  • High Court rules satisfaction requirement u/s 158BD unnecessary when same officer initiates and assesses in tax cases.

    Case-Laws - HC : Block assessment - satisfaction u/s 158BD - Mandatory requirement of satisfaction of Assessing officer is not required, when the assessing officer who initiated proceedings and the assessing officer who made the assessment, is the same person - HC

  • Trust's Office Rent for President Approved; Exemption u/s 11 Upheld, No Violation of Tax Provisions Found.

    Case-Laws - HC : Exemption under Section 11 - personal benefit - Office premises of the President was taken by the trust on reasonable rent - section 13(3) - By keeping the office in the same building where they are residing, the activities can be looked after without making any expenditure on conveyance - benefit of exemption allowed - HC

  • Customs

  • Court to Decide if Areca Nuts Duty Follows DGFT May 2013 or Customs August 2013 Notification for Provisional Assessment.

    Case-Laws - HC : Assessment of Provisional Duty - CIF value of Areca Nuts - Whether the provisional duty was to be assessed on the basis of the tariff value fixed in by the DGFT Notification dated 13th May, 2013 or on the basis of the Customs Notification dated 29th August, 2013 - HC

  • Customs Authorities Cannot Challenge BMW Import Under EPCG License Based on Homologation Conditions, Confiscation Unjustified.

    Case-Laws - AT : Import of vehicle (BMW) under EPCG licence issued by DGFT – license issued by DGFT for import of particular model of car by homologus condition under not. no. 34/04 cannot be questioned by custom authorities – confiscation not justified - AT

  • Partial Stay Granted in Case Over Exemption Denial for Exceeding Vitamin Proportion in Prawn Feed Per SION Norms.

    Case-Laws - AT : Exemption denied on the ground of non- fulfilment of conditions that proportion of vitamin pre-mixes or vitamins of prawn feed, by weight, shall not exceed the standard input output norms (SION) - stay granted partly - AT

  • Service Tax

  • Appeal Dismissed for Non-Compliance with Section 35F Pre-Deposit Requirement under Central Excise Act, 1944.

    Case-Laws - AT : There was failure of pre-deposit and consequently in view of the provisions of Section 35F of the Central Excise Act, 1944, the order of Commissioner (Appeals) dismissing the appeal is impeccable and warrants no interference in the present appeal. - AT

  • Appellate Order Quashed: Commissioner's Error in Delay Computation from Dispatch Date; Case Remitted for Fresh Review.

    Case-Laws - AT : Condonation of delay -The process of reasoning adopted by the Commissioner for computing the period of delay from the date of despatch is perverse - appellate order quashed and remit the appeal to the Commissioner (Appeals) for denovo determination - AT

  • Court Rules Only Commission Counts in Stock Broking Service Valuation; Other Receipts Excluded; Stay Granted.

    Case-Laws - AT : Valuation - Stock broking services and banking and financial servicee - No receipt other than commission or brokerage made by a stock broker is intended to be brought to the ambit of assessable value of service provided by stock broker - stay granted - AT

  • Appealing Tribunal's Order Doesn't Pause Decision; Non-Compliance May Lead to Contempt for Commissioner.

    Case-Laws - AT : Mere filing of appeal against the order of the Tribunal does not result in stay of the order passed by the Tribunal. It does not empower the Commissioner to ignore the order of the Tribunal - contempt proceedings against the commission to be initiated - AT

  • Central Excise

  • Petitioner awarded interest on refund delayed over nine years; interest period from February 2001 to August 2010.

    Case-Laws - HC : Interest on delayed amount - Refund claim - delay in granting refund of more than 9 years - The petitioner will be entitled for interest for the period 10th February, 2001 (which is three months from the date of application) to 20th August, 2010, the date on which the amount was refund - HC

  • Assessee Eligible for CENVAT Credit on Post-Removal Input Services in Manufacturing Business.

    Case-Laws - AT : CENVAT Credit - input services - services were performed after the place of removal – Assessee was entitled to avail input service credit on the services availed by them in the course of their business of manufacturing - AT

  • Appellate Tribunal Confirms Order; No Errors Found, Waiver Denied After Comprehensive Review of Records and Circumstances.

    Case-Laws - HC : When no factual or legal infirmity had been found in the order by the appellant and even in proceedings no case for interference with the order was made out particularly when the Appellate Tribunal had, after going through the complete record and attending circumstances, come to a firm finding that it was not a case of complete waiver - HC

  • CENVAT Credit Valid for Goods Cleared at 'Nil' Duty Using SFIS Certificate; Not Considered Exempt Under Notification 34/2006-C.E.

    Case-Laws - AT : CENVAT credit - Cleared excisable goods - whether debit Against Served from India Scheme (SFIS) certificate, at ‘nil’ rate of duty availing exemption under Notification 34/2006-C.E would made the goods exempted goods - held no - AT

  • Job Worker Not Liable for Duty Demand on Re-Rolled Products Under Notification 214/86; Demand Deemed Unsustainable.

    Case-Laws - AT : Job work - declaration under form 57F(4) - goods manufactured by job worker under notification no. 214/86 was cleared by the appellants at NIL rate of duty - Since duty demand has been made on re-rolled products and the appellant is not a manufacturer of the same, the demand is not sustainable - AT

  • Stay Granted in Case on Cenvat Credit for Returned Goods u/r 16; Appellant Reverses Credit Taken.

    Case-Laws - AT : Cenvat credit on returned goods - Rule 16 - it is not the case herein that the appellant has not reversed the Cenvat credit taken - stay granted - AT

  • VAT

  • High Court Upholds Constitutionality of U.P. Entry Tax Clause on Market Value, Dismisses Writ Petition Challenging It.

    Case-Laws - HC : Constitutionality of provisions - determination of entry tax - Clause (iv) of the proviso to Section 2 (h) of U.P. Tax on Entry of Goods into Local Areas Act, 2007 - Tax on market value - writ petition dismissed - HC

  • Supreme Court Upholds VAT on Sale of Goods in Flat Construction Agreements; Taxation Deemed Constitutional.

    Case-Laws - SC : Taxing sale of goods – Works Contract - Whether taxing sale of goods in an agreement for sale of flat which is to be constructed by the developer/promoter is permissible under the Constitution - Held yes - SC


Case Laws:

  • Income Tax

  • 2013 (9) TMI 879
  • 2013 (9) TMI 878
  • 2013 (9) TMI 877
  • 2013 (9) TMI 876
  • 2013 (9) TMI 875
  • 2013 (9) TMI 874
  • 2013 (9) TMI 873
  • 2013 (9) TMI 872
  • 2013 (9) TMI 871
  • 2013 (9) TMI 870
  • 2013 (9) TMI 869
  • Customs

  • 2013 (9) TMI 859
  • 2013 (9) TMI 858
  • 2013 (9) TMI 857
  • 2013 (9) TMI 856
  • 2013 (9) TMI 855
  • 2013 (9) TMI 854
  • 2013 (9) TMI 851
  • Corporate Laws

  • 2013 (9) TMI 850
  • Service Tax

  • 2013 (9) TMI 867
  • 2013 (9) TMI 866
  • 2013 (9) TMI 865
  • 2013 (9) TMI 864
  • 2013 (9) TMI 863
  • 2013 (9) TMI 862
  • 2013 (9) TMI 861
  • 2013 (9) TMI 860
  • Central Excise

  • 2013 (9) TMI 849
  • 2013 (9) TMI 848
  • 2013 (9) TMI 847
  • 2013 (9) TMI 846
  • 2013 (9) TMI 845
  • 2013 (9) TMI 844
  • 2013 (9) TMI 842
  • 2013 (9) TMI 841
  • 2013 (9) TMI 840
  • 2013 (9) TMI 839
  • CST, VAT & Sales Tax

  • 2013 (9) TMI 868
  • 2013 (9) TMI 853
  • Indian Laws

  • 2013 (9) TMI 852
  • 2013 (9) TMI 843
 

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