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Friday, March 30, 2012

Loan against Only Gold can not be more then 60 percent of Value

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RBI/2011-12/467
DNBS.CC.PD.No.265/03.10.01/2011-12

Lending Against Security of Single Product – Gold Jewellery
It is observed that NBFCs that are predominantly engaged in lending against the collateral of gold jewellery have recorded significant growth in recent years both in terms of size of their balance sheet and physical presence. This in turn, has led to their increased dependence on public funds including bank finance and non-convertible debentures issued to retail investors.
2. Given the rapid pace of their business growth and the nature of their business model, which has inherent concentration risk and is exposed to adverse movement of gold prices, as a prudential measure, it has been decided that all NBFCs shall
i. hereafter maintain a Loan-to-Value(LTV) ratio not exceeding 60 percent for loans granted against the collateral of gold jewellery and
ii. disclose in their balance sheet the percentage of such loans to their total assets.
3. NBFCs primarily engaged in lending against gold jewellery (such loans comprising 50 percent or more of their financial assets) shall maintain a minimum Tier l capital of 12 percent by April 01, 2014.
4. NBFCs should not grant any advance against bullion / primary gold and gold coins.

ATM is a computer equipment depreciation allowable at 60%

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INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI
ITA No.3606 /Mum/2011 -Assessment Year: 2008-09
Saraswat Infotech Ltd. Vs. ACIT
Date of pronouncement: 14.3.2012

AR invited our attention to the observations of the revenue authorities, wherein, they had observed that the ATMs were just cash dispenser and projector and not a computer aided peripheral. The A.R. has placed certain photographs alongwith short descriptions as to how the ATM functions. From the short descriptions, it can be seen that ATM functions entirely through the functions of a computer. The AR thus invited our attention to the written submission, wherein, the AR pleaded before the revenue authorities that ATM cannot function without the help of a computer and is certainly an important computer peripheral for banking industry. The AR thus took us through the decision of Delhi ITAT in the case of DCIT vs. Global Trust Bank (ITA No.474/D/09), wherein, the coordinate Bench has held the ATM was a computer equipment and thus allowed depreciation at 60%.

Terrace Letting Income is income from house property

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INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI
ITA no. 784, 785 & 786/Mum./2010
(A.Ys : 2000-01, 2001-02 & 2002-03)
M/s. Mahalaxmi Sheela Premises CHS Ltd.
v/s
Income Tax Officer
Date of Order – 30.8.2011

In the appeal for assessment year 2000-01, the sole issue raised by the assessee is, whether the income received by the assessee on lease of a portion of terrace of the building and a wall of the building to one Mrs. Sudha Vora, for the purpose of fixing of hoarding, neon sign, etc., is assessable under the head “Income From Business or Profession” or under the head “Income From Other Sources”. The Assessing Officer assessed the income under the head “Income From Other Sources” on the ground that the amount received by the assessee is not for letting of a building or terrace or any land appurtenant thereto but on account of allowing to display the advertisement of neon sign, illuminated hoarding, of a size of 60′ x 20′ on the terrace and also illuminated hoarding of size of 20′ x 50′ on a vertical wall of the building are facing Padder Road.
On Appeal ITAT held that that the letting out of terrace has to be assessed under the head “Income From House Property” as against “Income From Other Sources” assessed by the Assessing Officer and also allow deduction provided under section 24 of the Act. High Court has confirmed the order of ITAT .

Amended provisions of S.194I related to TDS for the purpose of S. 40(a)(ia) applicable from AY 2007-08

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INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, DELHI
ITA No.774/Del/2011 - Assessment Year: 2006-07
Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax
Vs.
M/s Global One India Pvt.Ltd.

When the CBDT itself has clarified that the amended provisions of Section 194I relating to deduction of tax at source for the purpose of Section 40(a)(ia) would be applicable for AY 2007-08, the Assessing Officer was not justified in making the disallowance. We also find that similar issue came up before the learned CIT (A) in AY 2005-06 wherein he accepted the assessee’s contention. Though in AY 2005-06, the Revenue filed the appeal against the order of CIT (A) on this point, but the ground relating to deletion of disallowance of circuit charges by the CIT (A) was not raised before the ITAT. Thus, the Revenue has accepted the order of the CIT (A) on this point for AY 2005-06. In such circumstances, we do not find any justification for interfering with the order of the learned CIT (A) in the year under consideration wherein he has followed the order of his predecessor for AY 2005-06 which is accepted by the Revenue. In view of the above, we do not find any merit in the appeal of the Revenue.

SEBI Review of Regulatory Compliance and Periodic Reporting

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CIRCULAR No. CIR/MIRSD/ 4/2012 March 29, 2012
All Bankers to an Issue registered with SEBI
Sir / Madam,
Sub: Review of Regulatory Compliance and Periodic Reporting
1. Bankers to an Issue (BTIs) are required to furnish periodical reports on quarterly and annual basis in electronic form in the prescribed format in terms of SEBI Circulars No. RBT(G I Series) Circular No. 1(95-96)) dated April 21, 1995, BTI Circular No. 3(1 999-2000) dated July 09, 1999, and Cir No. MIRSD/DPS-2/BTI/Cir¬15/2008 dated May 06, 2008.
2. In order to strengthen the compliance mechanism and role of the Boards of BTIs, it has been decided to review the norms and format for periodic reporting. The revised format as given in the annexure includes the status of regulatory compliance and investor grievances redressal.
3. The Board of directors of BTI shall, henceforth, review the report and record its observations on (i) the deficiencies and non-compliances, and (ii) corrective measures initiated to avoid such instances in future.
4. Accordingly, in supercession of the circulars mentioned in Para 1, with effect from half year ending March 2012, the Compliance Officer of the BTI shall send the report in the revised format in excel format to SEBI at bti@sebi.gov.in on half yearly basis within three months of the expiry of the half year.
5. Further, according to Circular no. CIR/MIRSD/11/2011 dated June 20, 2011, BTIs are required to report the changes in their status or constitution. The same information has now been incorporated in the revised format.
This circular is issued in exercise of powers conferred under Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market.
The circular is available on SEBI website (www.sebi.gov.in) under the categories “Legal Framework” and “Circulars”.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

IF applicant has taxable income in India he is required to file tax return and tax need to be withhold on payment to him -AAR

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The payment received / receivable by the applicant in connection with IVTC Services are taxable as FTS under section 9(1)(vii) of the Act. The exception provided under section 9(1)(vii)(b) of the Act is not available to the applicant.
The payments received / receivable in connection with the cost incurred and recovery of administrative cost for and on behalf of X India are chargeable to tax as FTS under section 9(1)(vii) of the Act.
As the applicant has tax presence in India, X India / Indian customers are required to withhold taxes under section 195 of the Act at the rate in force mentioned in the Finance Act for the relevant year on the payment made / proposed to be made to the applicant.
As the applicant has taxable income in India, it is required to file tax return under the provision of section 139 of the Act.

I-T department will not act like a policeman, DTC to to be made operational by 2013 -FM

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The government on Sunday said it has no vindictive intention in retrospectively amending tax laws and has no plans to re-open a large number of old cases, while assuring India Inc that the I-T department will not act like a “policeman”.
“I can assure the industry that there is no intention of opening plethora of the old cases on this plea or that plea because that is simply not permissible (under the laws),” he said while replying to a question at CII meet here.
On industry apprehensions over amendment to the Income Tax Act, as proposed in the budget, that many tax cases could be reopened, Mukherjee said “to that my answer is no”.
“This amendment has been made not with any vindictive or with asserting any particular point of view. This is absolute requirement of the law.
” … But at the same time, I shall have to protect myself. I am not holding my money. I am custodian of the money given by 120 crore people through taxation,” he added.
Responding to concerns expressed by industrialist Rahul Bajaj that arrest provisions in GAAR ( General Anti-Avoidance Rule) could be misused, Mukherjee said: “We shall have to be careful and we shall have to take note of it because job of the I-T department is not that of the policeman.”
He further added: “We are concerned with the realisation of taxes, not to sit on the judgement whether it is a crime or not, but that is a different issue.”
————
Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said the Direct Tax Code (DTC) would be made operational by next year.
Speaking at the post-budget interactive session organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI), Mukherjee said, “To mop up additional resource mobilisation and to give a credibility to the fiscal consolidation target it was needed to give a signal but apart from that in my budget speech I have explained it in details. That I am aiming to reach DTC, because the standing committee report was available to me only on March 6, therefore I have to operationalise it next year.”
He further said that in the indirect tax regime, he was moving towards Goods and Service Tax (GST) for which it was important to align the excise duty and the service tax along with the state Value Added Tax (VAT).
“In the indirect taxes I am moving towards GST, in my interactions with the empowered committee of state finance ministers on several occasions, one thing is emerging is that we have to align the tax rates. At the centre and at the state level we will have to align the tax rates of the excise duty and service taxes.”
“And after this alignment we will have to align the state rates keeping in view the state VAT (Value Added Tax). The ultimate objective of which is that the tax rate should not go beyond. Therefore the tax proposals are to be made keeping this approach in view,” he added.
The DTC is said to replace the existing Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. It is expected to remove most of the categories of exempted income like Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs), Equity Mutual Funds (ELSS), Term deposits, NSC (National Savings certificates), Long term infrastructures bonds, house loan principal repayment, stamp duty and registration fees on purchase of house property will loose tax benefits.
The GST on the other hand, is a value added tax, which will replace all indirect taxes levied on goods and services by the Central and State governments. It is aimed at being comprehensive for most goods and services with few tax exemption.
However, the issue of compensation to the states for the reduction in the central sales tax still remain as a major bone of contention between the Centre and states, a point that is yet to gain consensus in order to implement the GST.

Service Tax Rates wef 1st April, 2012

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One of the highpoints of the finance Bill, 2012 is restoration of Service Tax rate at the highest point of 12 per cent once again after nearly a break of around two years. Along with this general hike in rate to 12 per cent, there is increase in specific rates for some services as well.
1) (Change Applicable to All services): The rate of service tax is being increased from ten per cent to twelve per cent with effect from 01/04/2012. In another words from the 1st April, 2012 service tax rate will be 12.36% instead of present 10.3%.
2) (Banking or Other Financial Services) Service in relation to purchase and sale of foreign currency including money changing;
The Sub-rule (7B) of Rule 6 of Service Tax Rules, 1994 has been amended vide Notification No. 3/2012-ST dated 17th March, 2012, and according to the amended provision, the person liable to pay service tax in relation to purchase or sale of foreign currency, including money changing, provided by a foreign exchange broker, including an authorized dealer in foreign exchange broker, including an atuhorised dealer in foreign exchange or an authorized money changer, (Section 65(105) (zm) and (zzk) of the Finance Act 1994), shall have the option to pay an amount at the rate towards discharge of his service tax liability instead of paying service tax at the rate specified in section 66 of the Finance Act 1994, which is 12.36% of the gross value, namely:
(a) 0.12 percent (0.1 per cent before 1st April, 2012) of the gross amount of currency exchanged for an amount upto rupees 100,000 subject to the minimum amount of rupees 30 (Rs. 25/- before 1st April, 2012); and
(b) rupees 120 (Rs. 100/- before 1st April, 2012) and 0.06 (0.05 per cent before 1st April, 2012) percent of the gross amount of currency exchanged for an amount of rupees exceeding rupees 100,000 and upto rupees 10,000,000; and
(c) rupees 660 (Rs. 550/- before 1st April, 2012) and 0.012 (0.01 per cent before 1st April, 2012) per cent of the gross amount of currency exchanged for an amount of rupees exceeding 10,00,000, subject to maximum amount of rupees 6000:
provided that the person providing the service shall exercise such option for a financial year and such option shall not be withdrawn during the remaining part of that financial year.
3) (Service of Promotion, Marketing or Organizing of Games of Chance Including Lottery) Service of promotion, marketing, organizing or in any manner assisting in organizing lottery;
The Sub-rule (7C) of Rule 6 of Service Tax Rules, 1994 has been amended vide Notification No. 3/2012-ST dated 17th March, 2012, and according to the amended provision, the distributor or selling agent, liable to pay service tax for the taxable service of promotion, marketing, organising or in any other manner assisting in organising lottery, shall have the option to pay an amount at the rate specified in column (2) of the Table given below, subject to the conditions specified in the corresponding entry in column (3) of the said Table, instead of paying service tax at 12.36% of the taxable value:
Table
Sl. No.
Rate
Condition
(1)
(2)
(3)
1.
Rs 7000/- (Rs. 6000/- before 1st April, 2012) on every Rs 10 Lakh (or part of Rs 10 Lakh) of aggregate face value of lottery tickets printed by the organising State for a drawIf the lottery or lottery scheme is one where the guaranteed prize payout is more than 80%
2.
Rs 11000/-(Rs. 9000/- before 1st April, 2012) on every Rs 10 Lakh (or part of Rs 10 Lakh) of aggregate face value of lottery tickets printed by the organising State for a drawIf the lottery or lottery scheme is one where the guaranteed prize payout is less than 80%
4) (Works contract service): Rule 3 (1) of the Works Contract (Composition Scheme for Payment of Service Tax) Rules, 2007 has been amended vide the Notification No. 10/2012-ST dated 17th March, 2012 and according to amended provision the person who opt to discharge his service tax liability on the works contract service provided or to be provided, instead of paying service tax at the rate 12.36% of the gross value, will have to pay an amount equivalent 4.8 per cent (4 per cent before 1st April, 2012) of the gross amount charged for the works contract.
5) Rate of reversal of cenvat credit under rule 6(3)(i).
Rule 6(3)(i) of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004 has been amended vide the Notification No. Notification No. 18/2012 – Central Excise (N.T.) dated 17th March, 2012 and according to the amended provision, the manufacturer of goods or the provider of output service, opting not to maintain separate accounts, shall pay an amount equal to Six percent of (5 per cent before 1st April, 2012) value of the exempted goods and exempted services.
6) (Life insurance service): Where the entire premium is not towards risk cover, the first year’s premium shall be taxed at the rate of three per cent. while subsequent premia shall attract tax at the rate of 1.5 per cent. Availment of full cenvat credit is being allowed.
An insurer carrying on life insurance business shall have the option to pay tax:
(i) On the gross premium charged from a policy holder reduced by the amount allocated for investment, or savings on behalf of policy holder, if such amount is intimated to the policy holder at the time of providing of service
(ii) The first year’s premium shall be taxed at the rate of three per cent, while subsequent premia shall attract tax at the rate of 1.5 per cent. (Before 1st April, 2012 1.5 per cent for every year). Availment of full cenvat credit is being allowed.
7) (Air Passenger Transport Service):- The dual rate structure of maximum service tax of Rupees 150 and Rupees 750 in case of economy class travel for domestic and international journey by air is being replaced by an ad valorem rate of twelve per cent (w.e.f. 1st April, 2012 12.3 per cent) vide the Notification No. 06/2012-ST dated 17th March, 2012 which supersessed the Notification No. 26/2010, dated 22nd June, 2010. Further the Notification also an abatement of sixty per cent subject to the condition that no credit on inputs and capital goods is taken under the provisions of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004.

All about Payment of Gratuity Act 1972 in brief

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The Payment of Gratuity Act 1972:- Gratuity is a voluntary Payment made by the employer to the employee in recognition of continuous, meritorious services and sincere efforts by the employee towards the organization.It is governed under the Payment of Gratuity Act 1972.It is an Act to provide for a scheme for the payment of gratuity to employees engaged in factories, mines, Oilfields, plantations, ports, railway companies, and shops or other establishments.
Applicability:-As per the Gratuity Act, the scheme for the payment of gratuity is available to:
  • Employees engaged in factories, mines, oilfields, plantations, ports, railway companies, shops or other establishments and for matters connected therewith or incidental with.
  • Every shop or establishment within the meaning of any law for the time being in force in relation to shops and establishments in a State, in which ten or more persons are employed, or were employed, on any day of the preceding twelve months;
  • Such other establishments or class of establishments, in which ten or more employees are employed, or were employed, on any day of the preceding twelve months, as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf.
Employee :-The term “employee” is defined in Section 2(e) of the Act as any person (other than an apprentice) who is employed for wages, whether the terms of such employment are express or implied, in any kind of work, manual or otherwise, in or in connection with the work of a factory, mine, oilfield, plantation, port, railway company, shop or other establishment to which this Act applies, but does not include any such person who holds a post under the Central Government or a State Government and is governed by any other Act or by any rules providing for payment of gratuity;’.
Gratuity Entitlement :-Gratuity is payable to an employee (nominee – in case of death of employee) who has rendered continuous service of five years or more on his termination of employment, superannuation, retirement or resignation. Completion of continuous service of five years is not necessary where the termination of employment is due to death or disablement due to accident or disease.
Exceptions:-Forfeiture of gratuity amount wholly or partially or to the extent of Damage /loss in case of an employee whose service has been terminated for:
  • Any act, willful omission or negligence causing any damage or loss to, or destruction of, property belonging to the employer; or
  • Act of riotous or disorderly conduct or any other act of violence on part of employee; or
  • Any act which constitutes an of­fence involving moral turpitude, in the course of his employment.
Nomination:-In case of death, the gratuity is payable to any of the following persons:
  • Nominee
  • Heirs (in absence of nomination)
  • In case nominee/ heir is a minor, such amount will be deposited with the controlling authority who shall invest the same for the benefit of such minor in such bank or other financial institution, as may be prescribed, until such minor attains majority.
The Gratuity limit has been raised from 3.5 lakhs to 10 lakhs:-There has been amendment in the Payment of Gratuity Act 1972, following proposal of Labor and Employment Ministry, demands from trade unions and others to remove the ceiling or increase the maximum payable amount, which was fixed in 1997. It shall come into force on 24 May 2010 as per the Notification in the Official Gazette.
Maximum Limit :-The Gratuity limit as per Section 4(3) has been raised from 3.5 lakhs to 10 lakhs. This will give advantage to both private and public sector employees. According to this new amendment, the maximum gratuity exemption as per IT Act also increases to Rs. 10,00,000.
Determination of Gratuity Amount
  • For every completed year of service or part thereof in excess of six months, the employer shall pay gratuity to an employee at the rate of fifteen days’ wages based on the rate of wages last drawn by the employee concerned.
  • The Gratuity calculation is done as per the last average remuneration drawn and time in years served by an employee.
  • The amount of gratuity payable to an employee shall not exceed Rs. 10,00,000 (increased from Rs. 3,50,000).
  • In order to compute the gratuity payable in case of employees em­ployed in seasonal establishments, daily wages, or piece rated employ­ees. Computation will be as per the provision of the Act.
  • It can be formulated as follows: Basic + DA (Wages Last drawn)* 15days 126 * number of years of continuous service (six months or less to be ignored and more than six months to be counted as full year)
TIME LIMIT / FORMS FOR APPLICATION TO BE MADE TO EMPLOYER
Sr.ParticularsFormTimelineCompliance by
1.NominationF30 days after completing 1 year serviceEmployee
2.Application for Gratuity
  • on gratuity be- coming payable to the employee
I30 days from the date of gratuity becoming pay-ableEmployee
  • on gratuity be- coming payable to the nominee
J30 days from the date of gratuity becoming pay-ableNominee
  • on gratuity be- coming payable to heir
K1 year from the date of gratuity becoming pay-ableLegal Heir

TDS, Advance Tax & SA Challan Status on Mobile

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SMS BASED SERVICE FOR CHALLAN STATUS
National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) provides CIN (Challan Identification Number) based view of direct tax challans to taxpayers to know the status of challan on its web-site. In addition to the above facility, NSDL has launched a Short Message Service (SMS) based facility to know the status of its challans. The procedure for availing this facility is as under:
  1. The tax payer can send an SMS to 575758 with a message containing the word CSI followed by a space and CIN provided by the respective Bank at the time of making the Direct tax payment.
  2. The CIN should be separated by comma (,).
  3. Challan Identification Number (CIN) consists of details such as BSR Code of Collecting Branch (seven digit) , Challan Tender Date (DDMMYYYY) and Challan Serial No (length less than or equal to 5 digit) and Amount.
  4. The amount is an optional field. If the amount is entered by the tax payer he would get the confirmation whether amount entered is matched or otherwise as per NSDL database.
For e.g., if the tax payer input “CSI 0510001,11032009,5,5000″ where in “0510001″ is the BSR code of the collecting branch,
“11032009″ is the Challan tender date, “5″ is the Challan serial number and “5000 is the amount paid by the taxpayer.
The tax payer will get the information against which TAN/PAN the payment has been accounted with the confirmation whether amount entered is matched or not. (This is an illustrative challan identification number, actual CIN should be provided in the SMS).
There will be special charges for these SMS. These charges may vary from one mobile service-provider to another. The charge structure can be obtained from the concerned service-provider. The status of the CIN based view will continue to be available from NSDL-TIN web-site www.tin-nsdl.com or NSDL Call Centre at 020-27218080 or Aykar Sampark Kendra at 0124- 2438000.

If tax effect less than Rs.1 lakh Department should not file appeal before Tribunal

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The Tribunal found that in view of Instructions issued by the CBDT where the tax effect is less than Re. 1 lakh. The Department should not file an appeal before the Tribunal. In the present case the tax effect is less than Re. 1 lakh. Under the circumstances, the Tribunal did not entertain the appeal. The Revenue, feeling aggrieved by the decision of the Tribunal, has come up before us under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961. It is contended by learned counsel for the Revenue that the Tribunal is a fact finding authority and should have adjudicated the matter on merits. We are of the view that the issue raised by the Revenue is not at all substantial and the amount in dispute is quite insignificant, considering that the case is one of a block assessment. There is no justification for the Income Tax Department to go on burdening the Tribunal, the Court with every case right up to the end. Apart from burdening the Tribunal and Courts, it also causes avoidable expenses to the Assessee. It is common knowledge that the Assessee has to pay for legal fees and merely because the Income Tax Department has got unlimited resources, there is no justification that every case should be dragged on.
INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, DELHI
ITA No.2022/Del./2011 -Assessment Year: 1998-99
JCIT Vs. M/s Video Electronics Pvt. Ltd.
ORDER
PER U.B.S. Bedi, J.M.
This appeal of the Revenue is filed against the order of Ld. CIT(A)-XX, New Delhi dated 01.12.2010 relevant to asstt. year 1998-99 by not confirming the order passed by the Assessing Officer u/s 154 and by allowing the claim of the assessee u/s 32AB of the I.T. Act, 1961.
2. The tax effect in this case is found to be less than Rs.3 lac, the limit prescribed under Instruction No. 3/2011 dated 09.02.2011 and when Ld.CIT(DR) was apprised of this fact, she could not controvert the same and she was also unable to show that the case of the department falls in any of the exceptions carved out in the said instructions and Ld. Counsel for the assessee Shri Gurjeet Singh, Chartered Accountant submitted a copy of income-tax computation form in respect of assessee, wherein the taxable income has been shown at Rs.8,30,224/- and pleaded for dismissal of the appeal on low tax effect as same is less than the limit prescribed.
3. We have heard both the sides and considered the material on record and find that the tax effect in this case is undisputedly less than the limit prescribed by Instruction No. 3/2011 and department has not been able to place material to show that its case falls in the exceptions provided in the said instructions of CBDT and issue is also found to be covered by various ITAT decisions including that of ITAT Delhi Bench in case of Shri Vikram Bhatnagar ITA No. 60/D/2002, order dated 10.3.2006.
4. Further Hon’ble Bombay High Court in the case of Pithwa Engg. Works (276 ITR 519), have observed as under:-
“One fails to understand how the Revenue can contend that so far as new cases are concerned, the circular issued by the Board is binding on them and in compliance with the said instructions, they do not file references if the tax effect is less than Rs. 2 lakhs. But the same approach is not adopted with respect to the old referred cases even if the tax effect is less than Rs. 2 lakh. In our view, there is no logic behind this approach. This court can very well take judicial notice of the fact that by passage of time money value has gone down, the cost of litigation expenses has gone up, the assessees on the file of the Departments have increased; consequently, the burden on the department also increased to a tremendous extent. The corridors of the superior courts are choked with huge pendency of cases. In this view of the matter, the Board has rightly taken a decision not to file references if the tax effect is less than Rs. 2 lakhs. The same policy for old matters needs to be adopted by the Department. In our view, the Board’s circular dated March, 27, 2000 is very much applicable even to the old references which are still undecided. The Department is not justified in proceeding with the old references wherein the tax impact is minimal. Thus, there is no justification to proceed with decades old references having negligible tax effect.”
5. It is also seen that recently the Hon’ble jurisdictional High Court vide their order dated 1.8.2007 in ITA No. 683/2007 in the case of CIT v. Manish Bhambri has upheld the order of Tribunal vide which the appeal filed by the revenue was refused to be entertained because of low tax effect. The said order of Hon’ble jurisdictional High Court is reproduced below for the sake of convenience:-
“The Revenue is aggrieved by an order dated 8th August, 2006 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench ‘D’ in IT(SS) No. 513/Del/2003 relevant for the block period 1st April, 1990 to 14th February, 2001.
The question that arose before the Assessing Officer was with regard to certain deposits in the bank account of the Assessee and since the amounts were not explained, tax was levied. In appeal, the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) accepted the view canvassed by the Assessee and held that the explanation given by him was acceptable and, in any case, the Assessee cannot be expected to recollect each and every entry made in the bank. It may be mentioned that the amount in dispute is Rs. 30,000/- for the assessment year 1999-2000, and Rs. 83,000/- for the assessment year 2001-2002. It may also be mentioned that for the Assessment year 1999- 2000, the Assessing Officer has already accepted the explanation with regard to a gift of Rs. 60,000/-
Against the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), an appeal was filed before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal. The Tribunal found that in view of Instructions issued by the CBDT where the tax effect is less than Re. 1 lakh. The Department should not file an appeal before the Tribunal. In the present case the tax effect is less than Re. 1 lakh. Under the circumstances, the Tribunal did not entertain the appeal.
The Revenue, feeling aggrieved by the decision of the Tribunal, has come up before us under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961. It is contended by learned counsel for the Revenue that the Tribunal is a fact finding authority and should have adjudicated the matter on merits. We are of the view that the issue raised by the Revenue is not at all substantial and the amount in dispute is quite insignificant, considering that the case is one of a block assessment. There is no justification for the Income Tax Department to go on burdening the Tribunal, the Court with every case right up to the end. Apart from burdening the Tribunal and Courts, it also causes avoidable expenses to the Assessee. It is common knowledge that the Assessee has to pay for legal fees and merely because the Income Tax Department has got unlimited resources, there is no justification that every case should be dragged on.
Under the circumstances, we are of the view that the Tribunal was justified in refusing to entertain the appeal because of the insignificant amount involved in the matter. No substantial question of law arises. We, therefore, dismiss this appeal.”
6. Since, tax effect is less than the limit prescribed, so in view of the instructions and precedents of courts as cited above including that of Delhi High Court, the appeal is held to be not maintainable, as such, is dismissed.
7. As a result, the appeal of the department stands dismissed.
Order pronounced soon after the conclusion of hearing on 15.03.2012.

Govt may modify GAAR if required

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Amidst fears that FIIs may be taxed for short-term capital gains in stock markets, the government today said it will examine and modify the General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR) if required. “I will examine and modify GAAR as and when required. This is essential for anti-avoidance,” Mukherjee said in Parliament today.
In his budget for 2012-13, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had said that the government wanted to introduce GAAR in order to “counter aggressive tax avoidance schemes, while ensuring that it is used only in appropriate cases, by enabling a review by a GAAR panel”.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman U K Sinha had said yesterday the government “is going to have a new look at tax avoidance, so they are going to work in that way”.
The fear of GAAR had spooked stock markets which tanked 2 per cent yesterday on concerns that all short-term capital gains made by FII and P-Note investments would be taxed. The Sensex, however, recovered today rising over 200 points.
Meanwhile, Finance Ministry sources seeking to allay fears that Participatory Notes — an instrument through which FIIs unregistered with Sebi invest in stock markets — said that the I-T department will have to first prove the intention of avoidance before making GAAR applicable.
“GAAR is not created to target any class of financial instruments. The onus of proving tax avoidance lies mainly with the government and partially on the assessee,” sources said.
“All benefits which a person is entitled in a DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement) treaty can be overruled or denied if GAAR is invoked,” sources said.
Provisions of GAAR will be applicable from April 1 and not with retrospective effect.

Education Loan – Eligibility Criteria for interest subsidy

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Interest Subsidy on Education Loan
Ministry of Human Resource Development has formulated an Interest Subsidy Scheme to provide full interest subsidy during the period of moratorium on educational loans taken by students belonging to economically weaker sections from scheduled banks under the Model Educational Loan Scheme of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) for pursuing any of the approved courses of studies in technical and professional streams from recognized institutions in India.
Students whose parental income is less than Rs. 4.5 lakhs per annum and are enrolled in recognized technical & professional courses, after class twelfth, in India are eligible under the scheme. Educational loans of such students disbursed from 1st April 2009, irrespective of date of sanction are eligible for interest subsidy.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

IRDA Notification on Daily Declaration of NAV

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CIRCULAR No. IRDA/F&I/CIR/INV/69/03/2012, dated 26-3-2012
Ref: 1. Circular No. 32/IRDA/Actl/Dec-2005, dt. 21.12.2005 (Clauses 10.2 & 10.7)
2. Circular No. 55/IRDA/Actl/ULIP-G/2007-08, dt. 17.03.2008
3. Circular No.01/IRDA/Actl/Cir/Apr-08, dt. 04.04.2008
4. Communication from Member (Actuary) through e-mail dt. 31.12.2009
5. Circular No. IRDA/F&I/CIR/INV/173/08/2011, dt. 29.07.2011
Under Clause 4 of the reference first cited, Life Insurance Companies are required to compute and declare NAV on a daily basis as per the provisions of Circulars 1, 2 and 3 referred to above. In 2009, a one time relaxation was provided vide communication at SI. No. 4 above.
2. It is hereby clarified that the communication at SI. No. 4 above had only a limited application. In the above circumstances, the instructions issued in circulars 1 and 2 above and reiterated in circulars at 3 and 5 above are to be strictly complied with.
3. A certificate to this effect issued by the concurrent auditor shall be filed with the IRDA that the NAV is computed and declared for each “Segregated fund” on a day-to-day basis. This certificate shall be filed on or before 30th Mar, 2012.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Budget Highlights – Direct Tax

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The key Direct Tax proposals are as follows:

·          Tax proposals for 2012-13 mark progress in the direction of movement towards DTC and GST.
·          DTC rates proposed to be introduced for personal income tax.
·          Exemption limit for the general category of individual taxpayers proposed to be enhanced from ` 1,80,000 to ` 2,00,000 giving tax relief of ` 2,000.
·          Proposal to allow deduction of upto ` 5,000 for preventive health checkup.
·          Senior citizens not having income from business proposed to be exempted from payment of advance tax.
·          To provide low cost funds to stressed infrastructure sectors, rate of withholding tax on interest payment on ECBs proposed to be reduced from 20% to 5% for 3years for certain sectors.
·          Restriction on Venture Capital Funds to invest only in 9 specified sectors proposed to be removed.
·          Proposal to continue to allow repatriation of dividends from foreign subsidiaries of Indian companies at a lower tax rate of 15% upto 31.3.2013.
·          Investment link deduction of capital expenditure for certain businesses proposed to be provided at the enhanced rate of 150%.
·          New sectors to be added for the purposes of investment linked deduction.
·          Proposal to extend weighted deduction of 200% for R&D expenditure in an in-house facility for a further period of 5 years beyond March 31, 2012.
·          Proposal to extend the sunset date for setting up power sector undertakings by one year for claiming 100% deduction of profits for 10 years.
·          Turnover limit for compulsory tax audit of account and presumptive taxation of SMEs to be raised from  ` 60 lakhs to  ` 1 crore.
·          Exemption from Capital Gains tax on sale of residential property, if sale consideration is used for subscription in equity of a manufacturing SME for purchase of new plant and machinery.
·          Proposal to provide weighted deduction at 150% of expenditure incurred on skill development in manufacturing sector.
·          Reduction in securities transaction tax by 20% on cash delivery transactions.
·          Proposal to extend the levy of Alternate Minimum Tax to all persons, other than companies, claiming profit linked deductions.
·          Proposal to introduce General Anti Avoidance Rule to counter aggressive tax avoidance scheme.
·          Measures proposed to deter the generation and use of unaccounted money.
·         Upper limit of 20% tax proposed to be raised from ` 8 lakh to 10 lakh.
·         Proposal to allow individual tax payers, a deduction of upto ` 10,000 for interest from  savings bank accounts.


Thursday, March 15, 2012

Website is intangible Asset and not software

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INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, DELHI
I.T. A. No.3916/Del/2009 – Assessment Year : 2004-05
Makemytrip (India) Pvt. Ltd. Vs. Deputy Commissioner of Income-tax

Assessee’s claim that travel website should be treated as software (and hence website development cost is eligible for 60% depreciation) is not justified. By approaching travel website of assessee, customers/people can approach assessee and conduct business; therefore, website as such cannot be treated as software; it would fall under definition of intangible asset on which depreciation @ 25% is allowable.

w Income Tax e-filing call center functional from today with Helpline

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New e-filing call center will start working from 15th March 2012. For any query related to online filing of Income Tax Returns, please call 080-25186960 between 9am to 6 pm on all working days.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

CENVAT Credit (Second Amendment) Rules, 2012 to substitue Rule 12AA of CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004

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Notification No. 3/2012-CENTRAL EXCISE (N.T.) Dated: March 12, 2012
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 37 of the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004, namely:-
1. (1) These rules may be called the CENVAT Credit (Second Amendment) Rules, 2012.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. In the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004, for rule 12AA the following rule shall be substituted, namely:-
“12AAA: Power to impose restrictions in certain types of cases.- Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules, where the Central Government, having regard to the extent of misuse of CENVAT credit, nature and type of such misuse and such other factors as may be relevant, is of the opinion that in order to prevent the misuse of the provisions of CENVAT credit as specified in these rules, it is necessary in the public interest to provide for certain measures including restrictions on a manufacturer, first stage and second stage dealer or an exporter, may by a notification in the Official Gazette, specify the nature of restrictions including restrictions on utilization of CENVAT credit and suspension of registration in case of a dealer and type of facilities to be withdrawn and procedure for issue of such order by an officer authorized by the Board”.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

S.80IB deduction not available in absence of Factory License

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CIT Vs. Jolly Polymer, Gujarat High Court
Assessee claimed deduction u/s Sec 80IB for AY 2005- 06. The AO noticed that though the auditor has certified that manufacturing activity had commenced in March 2004, Factory license was obtained only in May 2005. He contended that without such license, the assessee could not have commenced the manufacturing activity before April 1st 2004, which was the precondition to avail Sec 80IB benefit. He therefore, disallowed the deduction u/s 80IB claimed by the assessee.
On the other hand, the assessee con-tended that it had complied with all the conditions in Sec 80IB inasmuch as the unit was set up before April 1st 2004 and had also commenced manufacturing activity before this date. The assessee claimed that Sec 80IB nowhere provides that obtaining Factory License is a prerequisite to avail deduction, and to read such additional requirement into the section would not be permissible in law.
On appeal, ITAT accepting assessee’s contentions, held that only those conditions actually specified in Section 80IB of the Act were required to be fulfilled by the assessee while claiming such deductions. Accordingly, ITAT allowed the deduction as claimed by assessee.
A Division bench of Gujarat HC, re-versing the ITAT ruling, held that in the absence of Factory License, it could not be said that the assessee had com¬plied with all the preconditions for availing Sec 80IB benefit. Thus, HC disallowed the assessee’s claim for deduction. HC observed that though it was true that proviso to sub-section(4) requires the assessee to begin to manufacture or produce articles or things on or before April 1st 2004, such commencement of manufacturing activity could not be dehors the legal requirements.
HC, on perusal of Factories Act and Rules there under, observed that use of any premises as factory without a valid license was prohibited. Thus, running a factory without a valid license was not only prohibited but also a penal offence. HC observed that “the requirements contained in the proviso to Sub-section(4)of Section 80IB of the Act so as to require that commencement of the industrial activity must be lawful and any manufacturing activity which is fundamentally unlawful or prohibited by law and against public pol-icy, would not be covered by said pro-vision.”
HC also observed that outside of the Income Tax Act, there may be large number of requirements for the factory owner to be fulfilled and mere breach of some technical provision or a requirement would not ipso facto disqualify an assessee from claiming deduction under Section 80IB of the Act. However, Factory License was the basic requirements of setting up of a factory without which legally it would not be permissible to set up a factory and to commence manufacturing activity.
Accordingly, HC held that the benefit of Sec 80IB was not available where the assessee had not applied for Factory License before April 1st 2004. How¬ever, HC also clarified that in other cases where the assessee had applied for Factory License before April 1st 2004 but was granted the same later, deduction shall be allowable and such cases shall be treated as mere technical default.

No reduction in WDV of fixed assets upon waiver of bank loan

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DCIT Vs. Adya Oil & Chemicals Ltd , ITAT Mum­bai

The assessee had borrowed a term loan from IDBI and a working capital loan from State Bank of Hyderabad. Since the assessee was unable to re-pay the loans, both the banks entered into a one-time settlement with the assessee for full and final settlement of the loans and part of the loan amount was waived off. During AY 2006-07, the AO contended that the loans were availed for the purpose of business and, therefore, remission of the loan liability was a benefit by way of extinguishment of liability. The AO therefore held that waiver of the loans constituted income of the assessee by virtue of Sec 28(iv) read with Sec 41(1) of the Act.
Sec 28(iv) deals with ‘the value of any benefit or perquisite, whether convertible into money or not, arising from business or the exercise of a profession’ which is taxable as income from business. Sec 41(1) deals with cases where any allowance or deduction has been obtained on remission or cessation of liability, then the value of such benefit would be deemed to be profits of the business. The AO further contended that the WDV of the asset acquired by way of such loan would be reduced to the extent of the waiver of the loan amount, as the provisions of Explanation (10) to Sec 43(1).
The assessee argued that the loans were obtained from a financial institution and a bank and were repayable with interest as per the terms of the loan arrangement. The loans were not in the nature of subsidy, grant or reimbursement and hence explanation (10) to Sec 43(1) of the Act would not be applicable.
Mumbai Bench of ITAT observed that the term loan from IDBI was borrowed by the assessee for the purpose of acquiring a capital asset. Accordingly, ITAT held that the waiver of loan from IDBI was a capital receipt and not taxable u/s 28(iv) or 41(1). ITAT observed that the remission or reduction of liability, which is created on capital account, cannot to our mind result in a revenue receipt making it taxable u/s 28(iv) or 41(1) of the Act and that the waiver of such term loan does not constitute business and the waiver can not be held as income u/s.28(iv) or cessation of liability u/s 41(1).
Accordingly to ITAT, waiver of loan under one time settlement not to be reduced from WDV of capital assets; Waiver not in the nature of subsidy, grant or reimbursement, hence Explanation 10 to Sec 43(1) not applicable.