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DECLARATION OF SIGNIFICANT BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP IN A COMPANY

1. BACKGROUND

1.1
Section 90 of the Companies Act, 2013 (Act), when enacted from 01.04.2014,
provided for investigation of beneficial ownership of shares in certain cases.
This section corresponded to section 187D of the Companies Act, 1956.This
original section is replaced by a new section by the Companies (Amendment) Act,
2017 effective 13.06.2018. This new section provides that every individual or
trust having significant beneficial ownership of shares in a company (private
or public) has to file a declaration for such holding in the manner prescribed
in the Rules.

 

1.2
By a Notification dated 13.06.2018, the Companies (Significant Beneficial
Owners) Rules, 2018 were notified. These Rules came into force on 13.06.2018.
There were a lot of ambiguities about some of the provisions in these Rules.
Therefore, they were not made operative and have been amended by a Notification
dated 8.02.2019. Accordingly, the Companies (Significant Beneficial Owners)
Amendment Rules, 2019 have now come into force from 8.02.2019.

 

1.3
Section 90 has been further amended by the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance,
2018 effective 02.11.2018. Section 90 and the above Rules contain provisions
which require certain individuals having significant beneficial ownership in
shares of a company to make a declaration in the prescribed form. In this
article some of the important provisions relating to declaration of significant
beneficial ownership in a company are discussed.

 

2. DECLARATION OF BENFICIAL INTEREST IN ANY SHARE

2.1
Section 89 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides for declaration to be filed by a
shareholder in respect of beneficial interest in any shares of a company
(whether public or private). Under this section, if a shareholder of a company
has no beneficial interest in the shares of a company held by him / her, such
shareholder has to file with the company a declaration in Form No. MGT-4 giving
particulars of the beneficial owners of the shares within 30 days of acquiring
these shares. A similar declaration is also required to be filed with the
company within 30 days whenever there is a change in the particulars of the
beneficial owners. Similarly, the person having beneficial ownership in shares
of a company held in the name of any other person is required to file a
declaration in Form No. MGT-5 within 30 days of acquiring such beneficial
interest. On receipt of the above declarations, the company is required to make
a note of such declarations in the Register of Members and file Form No. MGT-6
within 30 days with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) with the prescribed filing
fees.

 

2.2 If there is default in filing the above
declarations by the shareholder or the beneficial owner of shares within time,
section 89(5) provides for levy of a fine up to Rs. 50,000. For continuing
default further fine up to
Rs. 1,000 for each day can be levied. Similarly, for default in filing Form.
No. MGT-6 in time by the company a fine will be levied on the company and every
officer in default. In this case the minimum fine will be Rs. 500 subject to
maximum of Rs. 1,000. Further, in case of continuing default by the company, a
further fine up to Rs. 1,000 per day will be levied on the company and on the
officers in default.

 

2.3 Further, if the beneficial owner does not make
the declaration u/s. 89, he / she or any person claiming through him / her
shall not be entitled to claim any right in respect of such shares. Section 89
is amended by the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017, effective from 13.06.2018.
According to this amendment, it is provided that for the purposes of sections
89 and 90, beneficial interest in a share includes, directly or indirectly,
through any contract, arrangement or otherwise, the right or entitlement of a
person or persons to (a) exercise any or all of the rights attached to such
shares, or (b) receive or participate in any dividend or other distribution in
respect of such shares.

 

3. SIGNIFICANT BENEFICIAL OWNER

3.1 The
term “Significant Beneficial Owner” is defined in section 90(1) of the Act as
under:

(i)  This
term applies to – every individual, who acting alone or together, or through
one or more persons or trust (including a foreign trust and persons resident
outside India);

(ii)  Such
person holds beneficial interest of not less than 25%, or such other
percentage, as may be prescribed (at present the Rules prescribe 10%), in the
shares of the company;

(iii) Such person may have right to exercise or may be actually
exercising significant influence or control as defined in section 2(27) of the
Act.

 

3.2
In order to further understand who is a “Significant Beneficial Owner” we have
to refer to the Companies (Significant Beneficial Owners) Amendment Rules,
2019. This term is defined in Rule 2(h) to mean as under:

 

An individual referred to in section
90(1), who acting alone or together, or through one or more persons or trust,
possesses one or more of the following rights or entitlements in the company:

 

(i)  Holds
indirectly or together with any direct holdings not less than 10% of (a)
shares, (b) voting rights in the shares, or (c) right to receive or participate
in the total distributable dividend or any other distribution in a financial
year;

(ii)  Has
right to exercise or actively exercises significant influence or control in any
manner other than through direct holdings alone. For this purpose “Significant
Influence” is defined in Rule 2(i) to mean the power to participate, directly
or indirectly, in the financial and operating policy decisions of the company
but not control or joint control of those policies. The term “Control” includes
the right to appoint majority of the directors or to control the management or
policy decisions exercisable by a person or persons acting individually or in
concert, directly or indirectly, including by virtue of shareholding or
management rights or shareholders agreements or voting agreements or in any
other “manner”;

(iii) If an individual does not hold any right or entitlement as stated in
para 3.2(i), indirectly, he shall not be considered to be a significant
beneficial owner.

 

3.3
(i) An individual shall be considered to hold a right or entitlement, as stated
in Para 3.2(i), directly, if he / she (a) holds the shares in the company in
his own right, or (b) holds or acquires a beneficial interest in the shares of
the company as provided in section 89(2) and has made the declaration required
to be made u/s. 89;

(ii)  From
the above, it is evident that the provisions of section 90 are applicable to a
person only if he / she holds shares in the company indirectly. If he / she
holds such shares directly only, he / she has to make the declaration u/s. 89
only and not u/s. 90.

 

3.4
Explanation III to Rule 2(4) states that an individual shall be considered to
be holding a right or entitlement
in the shares of a company indirectly if he / she satisfies any of the following
criteria in respect of the member of the company:

 

(i)  Where the member of the company is a body
corporate (whether Indian or foreign), other than an LLP, and the individual
(a) holds majority stake in that member, or (b) holds majority state in the
ultimate holding company (whether Indian or foreign) of that member;

(ii)  Where the member of the company is an HUF
(through karta) then the individual who is the karta of the HUF.
This will mean that if the individual is only a member of an HUF (and not its karta),
he / she will not be considered to have indirect interest in the company;

(iii) Where the member of the company is a
partnership entity (including an LLP) and the individual is (a) a partner, (b)
holds majority stake in the body corporate which is a partner of the
partnership entity, or (c) holds majority stake in the ultimate holding company
of the above body corporate;

(iv) Where the member of the company is a trust
(through its Trustee) and the individual is (a) a Trustee in the case of a Discretionary
Trust or a Charitable Trust, (b) a beneficiary in the case of a Specific Trust,
or (c) Author or settlor in the case of a Revocable Trust. This will mean that
a settlor of an Irrevocable Trust or a beneficiary of a Discretionary Trust
will not be considered as holding indirect interest in the shares held by a
Trust;

(v) Where the member of the company is (a) A pooled
Investment Vehicle, or (b) An entity controlled by the pooled Investment
Vehicle based in Member State of the Financial Action Task Force on Money
Laundering and the Regulator of the Securities Market in such Member State is a
member of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions, and the
individual in relation to the pooled Investment Vehicle is (A) a general partner,
(B) an Investment Manager, or (C) a Chief Executive  Officer, where the Investment Manager is a
body corporate or a partnership entity. It may be noted that if the pooled
Investment Vehicle is based in a jurisdiction which does not fulfil the above
requirements, the provisions of items (i) to (iv) above will apply.

(vi) Explanation VI clarifies that any financial
instruments in the form of (a) Global Depository Receipts, (b) Compulsorily
Convertible Preference Shares, or (c) Compulsorily Convertible Debentures will
be treated as shares in the company and all the above provisions will apply to
such instruments;

(vii)
It may be noted that for the above purpose the expression “Majority Stake” is
defined in Rule 2(1)(d) to mean (a) holding more than 50% of the equity share
capital in the body corporate, (b) holding more that 50% of the voting rights
in the body corporate, or (c) having the right to receive or participate in
more than 50% of the distributable dividend or any other distribution by the
body corporate;

(viii) It may be noted that the
above provisions do not apply to the shares of the company held by the
following entities:

 

(a) The
Authority constituted u/s. 125(5), i.e., Investor Education and Protection
Fund;

(b) The
Holding Company, provided that the details of such holding company are reported
in Form No. BEN-2;

(c) The
Central Government, State Government or any Local Authority;

(d) The
Company, Body Corporate or the entity controlled by the Central Government,
State Governments or partly by Central and partly by a State Government or
Governments;

(e) SEBI-registered Investment Vehicles, Mutual
Funds, Alternative Investment Funds, Real Estate Investment Trust,
Infrastructure Investment Trusts, regulated by SEBI;

(f)  Investment
Vehicles regulated by RBI, IRDA or Pension Fund Regulatory and Development
Authority.

 

From the above discussions it is
evident that each individual will have to study the provisions of section 90
and the Rules carefully to determine whether he / she along with any other person
is holding directly and indirectly 10% or more of the specified rights or
entitlements in the shares or financial instruments such as CCPS or CCDS of the
company. This is an onerous exercise depending on the facts of each case.

 

4. DECLARATION OF SIGNIFICANT BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

4.1
Section 90(1) further provides that the person who has significant ownership in
shares of a company should file with the company the prescribed Form No. BEN-1,
specifying the nature of his / her interest and such other particulars as
provided in the Rules. This Form is to be filed within the prescribed time
limit as under:

 

(i)  In
respect of significant beneficial ownership existing on 08.02.2019, within 90
days from the commencement of the Rules, i.e., by 07.05.2019;

(ii)  If
the significant beneficial ownership is obtained after 08.02.2019, but before
07.05.2019, the Form should be filed within 30 days after 07.05.2019.

(iii) In all other cases within 30 days of acquiring significant
beneficial ownership or changes therein.

 

4.2
Every company has to maintain a Register of Significant Beneficial Ownership in
Form No. BEN-3 as prescribed by the Rules. This Register will be open to
inspection by every member on payment of the prescribed fees.

 

4.3 Upon
receipt of such declaration in Form BEN-1 from the person who has significant
beneficial ownership in shares, the company has to file Form No. BEN-2 with the
ROC with the prescribed fees within 30 days of the receipt of such declaration.

 

4.4
If such declaration is not received by a company, it has to give a notice in
Form No. BEN-4 to the person (whether a member of the company or not) if the
company has knowledge or has reasonable cause to believe that such person:

 

(i)  Is
a significant beneficial owner of the company;

(ii)  Is
having knowledge of the identify of a significant beneficial owner or another
person who is likely to have such knowledge; or

(iii) Has been a significant beneficial owner of the company at any time
during the three years immediately preceding the date on which the notice is
issued.

 

On receipt of this notice from the
company, such person has to give the required information to the company within
30 days of the date of the notice.

 

4.5 If no information is received by
the company from the above person or the information given by such person is
not satisfactory, the company has to apply to the National Company Law Tribunal
(NCLT) within 15 days. By this application the company can apply for directions
from NCLT that the shares in question shall be subject to restrictions,
including:

 

(i)  Restrictions
on transfer of interest attached to such shares;

(ii)  Suspension
of the right to receive dividend or any other distribution in relation to such
shares;

(iii) Suspension of voting rights in relation to such shares;

(iv) Any
other restriction on all or any of the rights attached to such shares.

 

4.6
NCLT has to give notice to all concerned parties and after hearing them pass
appropriate order within 60 days or such extended period as may be prescribed.
On receipt of the order of the NCLT, the company or the aggrieved person may
apply for modification / relaxation of the restrictions within one year from
the date of such order. If no such application is made within one year, the
shares will be transferred to the Authority appointed u/s. 125(5) of the Act
for administration of the Investor Education and Protection Fund.

 

5. PUNISHMENT FOR CONTRAVENTION OF SECTION 90

Section 90(10) to 90(12) provides
for punishment for contravention of provisions of section 90 as under:

 

(i)  If
a person required to file declaration u/s. 90(1) does not file the same he
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year
or with fine of Rs. 1 lakh which may extend to Rs. 10 lakhs, or with both. For
continuing default, there will be a further fine up to Rs. 1,000 per day till
the default continues;

(ii)  If a company required to maintain the Register
u/s. 90(2) and to file information with the ROC u/s. 90(4) fails to do so in
time or denies inspection of relevant records, the company and every officer
who is in default shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than
Rs. 10 lakhs and may extend to Rs. 50 lakhs. In case of continuing default a
further fine up to Rs. 1,000- per day will be levied for the period of the
default;

(iii) If any person wilfully furnishes any false or incorrect information
or suppresses any material information of which he / she is aware in the
declaration filed u/s. 90, he / she shall be liable to action u/s.  447 of the Act (i.e., Punishment for Fraud).

 

6. IMPACT OF THE ABOVE PROVISIONS

Some practical issues arise from the
above provisions relating to declaration of Significant Beneficial Ownership of
shares in a company. As stated earlier, the above declaration is to be made by
the individual who has indirect beneficial interest in the shares of a company
held by any other person. Further, section 90 and the applicable Rules provide
that the company has to maintain certain records and file the declaration with
the ROC. Non-compliance with the provisions of the section and the Rules invite
stringent penalties. In view of the above, some of the practical issues are
discussed below:

(i)  If
Mr. X holds 5% of equity shares in XYZ Pvt. Ltd., but he has no beneficial
interest in such shares. Mr. M is the beneficial owner of these shares. In this
case, section 89 is applicable. Mr. X will have to file declaration in Form No.
MGT-4 within a period of 30 days from the date on which his / her name is
entered in the Register of Members of such company and Mr. M will have to file
declaration in Form No. MGT-5 with the company within 30 days after acquiring
such beneficial interest in the shares of the company. The company will have to
file the declaration with the ROC in Form No. MGT-6 within 30 days of receipt
of the Forms MGT-4 and MGT-5;           

(ii)  PB
Pvt. Ltd. is holding 8% of the equity shares of XYZ Ltd. and Mr. P is holding
4% of the equity shares in XYZ Ltd. Mr. P is also holding 51% of equity shares
of PB Pvt. Ltd. In this case, Mr. P will be deemed to be holding significant
beneficial ownership in shares of XYZ Ltd., as he is indirectly holding
interest in 8% equity shares (through PB Pvt. Ltd) and directly holding 4% of
equity shares. In this case, Mr. P will have to file declaration in Form No.
BEN-1 with XYZ Ltd.;

(iii) AB Pvt. Ltd. is holding 15% of equity shares of XYZ Ltd. Mr. A is
holding 55% of equity shares in AB Pvt. Ltd. In this case, Mr. A will be
considered as holding Significant Beneficial Ownership of more than 10% of
equity shares of XYZ Ltd. This is because Mr. A will be considered to have 15%
indirect ownership of shares of XYZ Ltd. through AB Pvt. Ltd. Therefore, Mr. A
will have to file declaration in Form No. BEN-1;

(iv) ABC
(HUF), through its karta Mr. B, is the owner of 12% equity shares of XYZ
Ltd. In this case, Mr. B will be considered as indirect owner of these shares
and he will have to file declaration in Form No. BEN-1. No other member of the
HUF has to file this declaration;

(v) Mrs.
N is a Trustee of NPS Trust. There are two beneficiaries of the trust who have
equal share. Mrs. N in her capacity of Trustee is holding 20% equity shares in
ABC Ltd. In this case, each beneficiary will be deemed to have significant
beneficial ownership in shares of ABC Ltd. Therefore, each beneficiary will
have to file declaration in Form No. BEN-1. If the trust is a discretionary
Trust, the above declaration is to be filed by the Trustee only. If the trust
is a revocable Trust, such declaration is to be filed only by the Settlor of
the Trust.

(vi) JDS
LLP is holding 25% equity shares of ABC Ltd. Mr. J, Mr. D, Mr. S and JDS Pvt.
Ltd are partners of JDS LLP. In this case Mr. J, Mr. D and Mr. S will be deemed
to be significant beneficial owners of the shares and each of them will have to
file a declaration in Form No.BEN-1. There is one Mr. R who holds 60% of equity
shares of JDS Pvt. Ltd. (one of the partners of JDS LLP).Therefore, Mr. R will
also be considered as a Significant Beneficial Owner of shares of ABC Ltd. and
he will also be required to file declaration in Form No. BEN-1.

(vii) There are the following
members in PR Ltd.:

(a)

CD Pvt. Ltd

2%

(b)

ABC (HUF) (Through Karta)

4%

(c)

PDS LLP

3%

(d)

DC (Trust) (Discretionary Trust)

5%

(e)

XYZ & Co. (Partnership Firm) (through its partner A)

8%

(f)

Others

78%

 

 

——-

 

TOTAL

100%

 

 

====

 

Mr. A holds 55% equity shares in CD
Pvt. Ltd. He is the karta of ABC (HUF). He is also a partner of PDS LLP.
and XYZ Co. and a Trustee of DC Trust. All these entities together own 22% of
equity shares in PR Ltd. Therefore, Mr. A will be treated as having Significant
Beneficial Ownership of more than 10% of equity shares of PR Ltd. and he will
have to file declaration in Form No. BEN-1.

 

7. TO SUM UP

From the analysis of the above provisions of
section 90 and the applicable Rules, it will be noticed that an onerous duty is
cast on individuals who hold indirect, together with or without direct,
interest of 10% or more in the equity shares of a company. Therefore, all
individuals who are having investments in shares of companies directly or
indirectly will have to study these provisions and file declaration in Form No.
BEN-1 within the prescribed time limit. It appears that these provisions are
made to locate persons who hold control in a company through benami
holdings. That is the reason why stringent penalties are provided in sections
89 and 90 for non-compliance by the individuals, the company and its defaulting
officers. Let us hope that these provisions will curb some unethical practices
which are at present adopted by certain individuals and companies for
exercising control over and to influence certain corporate decisions.

TDS UNDER SECTION 194A ON PAYMENT OF ‘INTEREST’ UNDER MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIM

ISSUE FOR CONSIDERATION

Under the Motor Vehicles
Act, 1988 (MVA), a liability has been cast on the owner of the motor vehicle or
the insurer to pay compensation in the case of death or permanent disablement
due to a motor vehicle accident. This compensation is payable to the legal
heirs in case of death and to the victim in case of permanent disablement. For
the purposes of adjudicating upon claims for compensation in respect of motor
accidents, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunals (MACTs) have been established.
The MVA further provides that in case of death the claim may be preferred by
all or any of the legal representatives of the deceased. The quantum of
compensation is decided by taking into consideration the nature of injury in
case of an injured person and the age, monthly income and dependency in death
cases. The MVA contains the 2nd Schedule for compensation in fatal accidents
and injury cases claims. While awarding general damages in case of death, the
funeral expenses, loss of consortium, loss of estate and medical expenses are
also the factors that are considered.

 

The claims under the MVA may involve delay which may be due
to late filing of the compensation claim, investigation, adjudication of claim
and various other factors. A provision is made u/s. 171 of the MVA to
compensate the injured or his legal heir for the delay, which reads as under:

 

“Section 171. Award of interest where any claim is
allowed.

Where any Claims Tribunal allows a claim for compensation
made under this Act, such Tribunal may direct that in addition to the amount of
compensation, simple interest shall also be paid at such rate and from such
date not earlier than the date of making the claim as it may specify in this
behalf.”

 

CBDT circular No. 8 of 2011 requires deduction of income tax
at source on payment of the award amount and interest on deposit made under
orders of the court in motor accident claims cases. The issue has arisen before
courts as to whether tax is deductible at source u/s. 194A on such interest
awarded by the MACTs u/s. 171 of the MVA for delay.

 

While the Allahabad, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and Haryana
High Courts have held that such payment is not income by way of interest as
defined in section 2(28A) and no tax is deductible at source u/s. 194A, the
Patna and Madras High Courts have taken a contrary view, holding that such
payment is interest on which tax is deductible at source u/s. 194A.

 

THE ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO. LTD. CASE

The issue first arose before the Allahabad High Court in the
case of CIT vs. Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. 27 taxmann.com 28.

 

In this case, the
assessee, an insurance company, paid compensation and interest thereon under
the MVA to claimants without complying with the provisions of section 194A. The
assessing authority took a view that the assessee had failed to deduct income
tax on the amount of interest u/s. 194A and held that it was accordingly liable
to deposit the amount of short deduction of tax u/s. 201(1) along with interest
u/s. 201(1A) for a period of five assessment years. According to the assessing
officer, debt incurred included claims and interest on such claims was clearly
covered u/s. 2(28A). His reasoning was as below:

 

1. Interest paid under the MVA was a revenue receipt like
interest received on delayed payment of compensation under the Land Acquisition
Act. Since section 194A applied to interest on compensation under the Land
Acquisition Act, it also applied in respect of interest on compensation under
the MVA.

2. The interest element in a total award was different from
compensation. However, interest on such compensation was on account of delayed
payment of such compensation, and therefore it was clearly an income in the
hands of the recipient, taxable under the Income-tax Act.

3. The interest element
was different from compensation as provided in section 171 of the MVA  as that section provided that the tribunal
might direct that in addition to the amount of compensation, simple interest
should also be paid.

4. There was no exemption u/s. 194A for TDS on interest
payment by insurance companies on MACT awards.

5. The actual payer of interest was the insurance company and
the responsibility to deduct tax lay squarely on it. The provisions of section
204(iii) were very clear that the person responsible for payment meant “in the
case of credit or as the case may be, payment of any other sum chargeable under
the provisions of this Act, the payer himself, or, if the payer is a company,
the company itself including the principal officer thereof.”

6. Payment awarded under the MVA was identical to the award
under the Land Acquisition Act. Tax was deducted u/s. 194A on interest paid or
credited for late payment of compensation under the Land Acquisition Act.
Therefore, section 194A was also applicable in respect of interest paid or
credited on delayed payment of compensation under the MVA.

7. Interest under the MVA was similar to interest paid under
the Income-tax Act, as both arose by operation of law. The nature of payment
mentioned in both the Acts was “interest”. TDS on interest payment under the
Income-tax Act was not deductible in view of the specific exemption u/s. 194A(3)(viii).
Since there was no similar exemption for interest payment under the MVA, the
provisions of section 194A applied to these payments.

 

The Commissioner (Appeals) dismissed the appeal of the
assessee, confirming the action of the assessing authority and holding that the
interest payment awarded u/s. 171 of the MVA was nothing but interest, subject
to the provisions of section 194A.

 

In the second appeal before the tribunal, the Agra Tribunal
decided the issue in favour of the assessee, following its own earlier
decisions in the cases of Divisional Manager, New India Insurance Co.
Ltd., Agra vs. ITO [ITA Nos. 317 to 321/Agra/2003]
, which, in turn, had
followed the decision of the Delhi Tribunal in the case of Oriental
Insurance Co. Ltd. vs. ITO dated 27.9.2004
, and in Oriental
Insurance Company Ltd. vs. ITO [ITA Nos. 276 & 280/Agra/2003 dated
31.1.2005]
.

 

It was argued before the Allahabad High Court on behalf of
the Revenue that it was the responsibility of the payer of interest to deduct
tax on such payment of interest, because section 2(28A) clearly envisaged that
interest meant interest payable in any manner in respect of moneys borrowed or
debt incurred (including a deposit, claim or other similar right / obligation)
and includes any service fee or other charges in respect of the money borrowed
or debt incurred, or in respect of any credit facility which had not been
utilised. It was argued that the Tribunal had not referred to the decision of
the Supreme Court in the case of Bikram Singh vs. Land Acquisition
Collector 224 ITR 551
, in which it had been held that interest paid on
the delayed payment of compensation was a revenue receipt eligible to tax u/s.
4 of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

 

On behalf of the Revenue, reliance was placed upon the following
decisions:

 

a) The Karnataka High Court in the case of CIT vs.
United Insurance Co. Ltd. 325 ITR 231
, where the court held that
interest paid above Rs. 50,000 was to be split and spread over the period from
the date interest was directed to be paid till its payment.

b) The Karnataka High Court in the case of Registrar
University of Agricultural Science vs. Fakiragowda 324 ITR 239
where
interest received on belated payment of compensation for acquisition of land
was held to be a revenue receipt chargeable to income tax on which tax was
deductible at source.

c) The Supreme Court, in the case of T.N.K. Govindaraju
Chetty vs. CIT 66 ITR 465
, in the context of interest on compensation
awarded for acquisition of land, held that if the source of the obligation
imposed by the statute to pay interest arose because the claimant was kept out
of his money, the interest received was chargeable to tax as income.

d) The Supreme Court, in the case of K.S. Krishna Rao
vs. CIT 181 ITR 408
, where interest paid on compensation awarded for
compulsory acquisition of land u/s. 28 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 was
held to be in the nature of income and not capital.

 

On behalf of the assessee, it was argued before the Allahabad
High Court that:

 

1. The interest paid on the award of compensation was not
interest as understood in general parlance and it was not an income of the
claimant.

2. The compensation
awarded by the MACT to the claimants was a capital receipt in the hands of the
recipients, not taxable under any provision of the Income-tax Act. Since the
award was not taxable in the hands of the recipient, it was not an income but
was a capital receipt.

3. Interest paid by the insurance company u/s. 171 of the MVA
was not interest as contemplated u/s. 194A, because interest that was contented
under that section was an income taxable in the hands of the recipient, whereas
interest received by the recipient u/s. 171 of the MVA was a capital receipt in
the hands of the recipient, being nothing but an enhanced compensation on account
of delay in the payment of compensation.

 

The Allahabad High Court referred to the definition of
interest u/s. 2(28A), which reads as under:

 

“ ‘interest’ means interest payable in any manner in
respect of any moneys borrowed or debt incurred (including a deposit, claim or
other similar right or obligation) and includes any service fee or other charge
in respect of the moneys borrowed or debt incurred or in respect of any credit
facility which has not been utilised.”

 

After referring to the language of section 194A, the
Allahabad High Court referred to the CBDT circular 24 of 1976 (105 ITR
24)
, where the concept of interest had been explained. It also referred
to clause (ix) of section 194A(3), which had been inserted by the Finance Act,
2003 with effect from 1st June, 2003, which read as under:

 

“to such income credited or paid by way of interest on the
compensation amount awarded by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal where the
amount of such income or, as the case may be, the aggregate of the amount of
such income credited or paid during the financial year does not exceed Rs.
50,000.”

 

The Allahabad High Court referred to the following decisions:

 

1. The Punjab and Haryana High Court in the case of CIT
vs. Chiranji Lal Multani Mal Rai Bahadur (P) Ltd. 179 ITR 157
, where it
had been held that interest awarded by the court for loss suffered on account
of deprivation of property amounted to compensation and was not taxable.

2. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Ghaziabad
Development Authority vs. Dr. N.K. Gupta 258 ITR 337
, where it had been
held that if proper infrastructure facilities had not been provided to a person
who was provided with a flat and was therefore entitled to refund of the amount
paid by him along with interest at 18%, the paying authority was not entitled
to deduct income tax on the amount of interest, as it was not interest as
defined in section 2(28A), but was compensation or damages for delay in
construction or handing over possession of the property, consequential loss to
the complainant by way of escalation in the price of property, and also on
account of distress and disappointment faced by him.

3. The Himachal Pradesh High Court in the case of CIT
vs. H.P. Housing Board 340 ITR 388
, where the High Court had held that
payment for delayed construction of house was not payment of interest but was
payment of damages to compensate the claimant for the delay in the construction
of the house and the harassment caused to him.

4. The Supreme Court, in the case of CIT vs. Govind
Choudhury & Sons 203 ITR 881
, had held that when there were
disputes with the state government with regard to payments under the contracts,
receipt of certain amount under the arbitration award and the interest for
delay in payment of amounts due to it, such interest was attributable to and
incidental to the business carried on by it. It was also held that interest
awarded could not be separated from the other amounts granted under the awards
and could not be taxed under the head “income from other sources”.

5. The Bombay High Court decision in the case of Islamic
Investment Co. vs. Union of India 265 ITR 254
, where it had been held
that there was no provision under the Income-tax Act or under the Code of Civil
Procedure to show that from the amount of interest payable under a decree, tax
was deductible from the decretal amount on the ground that it was an interest
component on which tax was liable to be deducted at source.

 

The Allahabad High Court also referred to the decisions of
the Delhi High Court in the case of CIT vs. Cargill Global Trading (P)
Ltd. 335 ITR 94
and CIT vs. Sahib Chits (Delhi) (P) Ltd. 328 ITR
342
, which had analysed the meaning of the term “interest”.

 

The Allahabad High Court observed that most of the rulings
relied upon by the Revenue related to interest paid on delayed payment of
compensation awarded under the Land Acquisition Act. According to the Allahabad
High Court, an award under the Land Acquisition Act and an award under the MVA
could not be equated for the simple reason that in land acquisition cases the
payment was made regarding the price of the land and on such price the
provisions of capital gains tax were attracted. On the other hand, in motor
accident claims, the payment was made to the legal representatives of the
deceased for loss of life of their bread-earner, the recipients of awards being
poor and illiterate persons who did not even come within the ambit of the
Income-tax Act, and the amount of compensation under the MVA also did not come
within the definition of “income”.

 

According to the Allahabad High Court, the term “interest” as
defined in section 2(28A) had to be strictly construed. The necessary
ingredient was that it should be in respect of any money borrowed or debt
incurred. The award under the MVA was neither money borrowed by the insurance
company nor debt incurred by the insurance company. The word “claim” in section
2(28A) should also be regarding a deposit or other similar right or obligation.

 

The Allahabad High Court observed that the intention of the
legislature was that if the assessee had received any interest in respect of
moneys borrowed or debt incurred, including a deposit, claim or other similar
right or obligation, or any service fee or other charge in respect of moneys
borrowed or debt incurred had been received, then certainly it would come
within the definition of interest. The word “claim” used in the definition may
relate to claims under contractual liability, but certainly did not cover
claims under a statutory liability, the claim under the MVA regarding
compensation for death or injury being a statutory liability.

 

Further, the Allahabad High Court referred to the insertion
of clause (ix) to section 194A(3), stating that it showed that prior to 1st
June, 2003 the legislature had no intention to charge any tax on interest
received as compensation under the MVA. According to the High Court, there was
therefore no justification to cast a liability to deduct TDS on interest paid
on compensation under the MVA prior to 1st June, 2003.

 

The Allahabad High Court also noted that u/s. 194A(1), tax
was deductible at source if a person was responsible for paying to a resident
any income by way of interest other than interest on securities. In the opinion
of the Allahabad High Court, the award of compensation under motor accident
claims could not be regarded as income, being compensation to the legal heirs
for the loss of life of their bread-earner. Therefore, interest on such award
also could not be termed as income to the legal heirs of the deceased or the
victim himself.

 

It was noted by the Allahabad High Court that an award under
the MVA was like a decree of the court, which would not come within the
definition of income referred to in section 194A(1) read with section 2(28A) of
the Income-tax Act. According to the court, proceedings regarding claims under
the MVA were in the nature of garnishee proceedings, where the MACT had a right
to attach the judgement debt payable by the insurance company. Even in the
award, there was no direction of any court that before paying the award the
insurance company was required to deduct tax at source. As held by the Supreme
Court in the case of All India Reporter Ltd. vs. Ramachandra D. Datar 41
ITR 446
, if no provision had been made in the decree for deduction of
tax before paying the debt, the insurance company could not deduct the tax at
source from the amount payable to the legal heirs of the deceased.

 

The Allahabad High Court
observed that the different High Courts in the cases of Chiranji Lal
Multani Mal Rai Bahadur (P) Ltd. (supra), Dr. N.K. Gupta (supra), H.P. Housing
Board (supra)
and Sahib Chits (Delhi) (P) Ltd. (supra),
held that if interest was awarded by the court for loss suffered on account of
deprivation of property or paid for breach of contract by means of damages or
was not paid in respect of any debt incurred or money borrowed, it would not
attract the provisions of section 2(28A) read with section 194A(1). The
Allahabad High Court, therefore, held that interest paid on compensation under motor
accident claims awards was not liable to income tax.

 

A similar view has been taken by the Himachal Pradesh High
Court in the case of Court on Its Own Motion vs. H.P. State Co-operative
Bank Ltd. 228 Taxmann 151
, where the High Court quashed the CBDT circular
No. 8 of 2011 which required deduction of income tax on award amount and
interest accrued on deposit made under orders of the court in motor accident
claims cases, and in the case of National Insurance Co. Ltd. vs. Indra
Devi 100 taxmann.com 160
, and by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in
the case of New India Assurance Co. Ltd. vs. Sudesh Chawla 80 taxmann.com
331.

 

THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CO. LTD. CASE

The issue again came up before the Patna High Court in the
case of National Insurance Co. Ltd. vs. ACIT 59 taxmann.com 269.

 

In this case, the District Judge gave an award to the
claimant under the MVA of Rs. 3,70,000 plus interest at 6% per annum from the
date of filing of the claim. The amount was to be paid within two months of the
passing of the order, failing which the further direction was to pay interest
at 9% per annum from the date of the order till the date of final payment. The
insurance company deducted and deposited TDS of Rs. 24,715 u/s. 194A while
making the payment of the amount of the award. The claimant objected to the
deduction of TDS by filing a petition before the District Judge. The District
Judge held that the deduction of Rs. 24,175 by way of TDS was not sustainable
and directed the insurance company to disburse the amount to the claimant
without TDS. The insurance company filed a writ petition in the High Court
against this order of the District Judge for seeking permission to deduct tax
at source on payment of the interest on compensation.

 

Before the Patna High Court, on behalf of the insurance
company, reliance was placed upon the relevant provisions of the Income-tax Act
in support of the stand that the insurance company was under a statutory
liability u/s. 194A of the Act to have made deduction of the amount of TDS
while making payment by way of interest on the compensation amount awarded by
the MACT. The total interest component under the award came to a little over
Rs. 1,20,000, and therefore, the insurance company was bound under the Act to
make deduction of TDS while making payment; accordingly, an amount of Rs.
24,175 was to be deducted as TDS.

 

Reliance was also placed upon a decision of the Patna High
Court in C.W.J.C. No. 5352 of 2013, National Insurance Co. Ltd. vs. CIT,
where the court had held as under:

 

“It appears that the Tribunal below has ignored the
statutory duty conferred upon the insurer under section 194 (1) (sic) of the
Income-tax Act. Under the said provision, the insurer is obliged to deduct tax
at source from the amount of interest paid by the insurer to the claimant. The
said amount has to be deposited with the Government of India as the income tax
deducted at source. The Tribunal below has grossly erred in directing the
insurer to pay the said sum to the claimant.”

 

Reliance was further placed upon a decision of the Madras
High Court in the case of New India Assurance Co. Ltd. vs. Mani 270 ITR
394
, in which it had been held as follows:

 

“A plain reading of section 194A of the IT Act would
indicate that the insurance company is bound to deduct the income tax amount on
interest, treating it as a revenue, if the amount paid during the financial
year exceeds Rs. 50,000. In this case, admittedly, when the compensation amount
has been deposited during the financial year, including interest, the interest amount
alone exceeded Rs. 50,000 and therefore the insurance company has no other
option except to deduct the income tax at source for the interest amount
exceeding Rs. 50,000, failing which they may have to face the consequences,
such as prosecution, even. In this view alone, when the execution petition was
filed for the realisation of the award amount, deducting the income tax at
source for the interest, since it exceeded Rs. 50,000, on the basis of the
above said provision, the balance alone had been deposited, for which the court
cannot find fault.”

 

It was highlighted that the Madras High Court in the said
case had relied upon the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Bikram
Singh vs. Land Acquisition Collector 224 ITR 551
, where the Supreme
Court had held that interest received on delayed payment of compensation under
the Land Acquisition Act was a revenue receipt eligible to income tax. It was
explained that the Madras High Court in the said case had further held that the
trial court had not considered the actual effect of the amendment to section
194A, which came into effect from 1st June, 2003. The Madras High
Court observed that if the claimant was not liable to pay tax, his remedy was
to approach the department concerned for refund of the amount. According to the
Madras High Court, the executing court did not have the power to direct the
insurance company not to deduct the amount and pay the entire amount, thereby
compelling the insurance company to commit an illegal act, violating the statutory
provisions.

 

The Patna High Court examined the provisions of sections
194A(1) and (3)(ix) of the Income-tax Act. According to the Patna High Court,
it was evident from the above provisions that any person responsible for paying
any income by way of interest (other than the interest on securities) was
obliged to deduct income tax thereon. The only exception was in case of income
paid by way of interest on compensation amount awarded by MACT, where the
amount of such income or the aggregate of the amounts of such income credited
or paid during the financial year did not exceed Rs. 50,000. The court was
therefore of the view that if the interest component of the payment to be made
during the financial year on the basis of award of the MACT exceeded Rs. 50,000,
then the person making the payment was obliged to deduct TDS while making
payment.

 

The Patna High Court further held that while exercising his
jurisdiction with regard to execution of the award, the District Judge had to
be conscious of the fact that any such payment would be subjected to statutory
provisions. Since there was a clear provision under the Income-tax Act with
regard to TDS, the District Judge could not have held to the contrary. The only
remedy for the claimant under such circumstances was to approach the assessing
officer u/s. 197 for a certificate for a lower rate of TDS or non-deduction of
TDS, or alternatively to approach the tax authorities for refund of the amount
in case no tax was due or payable by the claimant.

 

The Patna High Court therefore allowed the writ petition of
the company and set aside the order of the District Judge.

 

OBSERVATIONS

Section194A requires a person responsible for payment of
interest to deduct tax at source in the circumstances specified therein. Clause
(ix), inserted with effect from  1st
June, 2003 in section 194A(3) exempted income credited or paid by way of
interest on the compensation amount awarded by the MACT where the amount of
such income or the aggregate of the amounts of such income credited or paid
during the financial year did not exceed Rs. 50,000. This clause (ix) has been
substituted by clauses (ix) and (ixa) with effect from  1st June, 2015. The new clause
(ix) altogether exempts income credited by way of interest on the compensation
amount awarded by the MACT from the liability to deduct tax at source u/s.
194A, while clause (ixa) continues to provide for exemption to income paid by
way of interest on compensation amount awarded by the MACT where the amount of
such income or the aggregate of the amounts of such income paid during the
financial year does not exceed Rs. 50,000. In effect, therefore, no TDS is
deductible on interest on such compensation which is merely credited but not
paid, or on payment of interest where the amount of interest paid during the
financial year does not exceed Rs. 50,000. The issue of applicability of TDS
therefore is really relevant only to cases where there is payment of such
interest exceeding Rs. 50,000 during the year and that, too, when it was not
preceded by the credit thereof.

 

Section 2(28A) defines the term “interest” in a manner that
includes the interest payable in any manner in respect of any moneys borrowed
or debt incurred. In a motor claim award, there is obviously no borrowing of
monies. Is there any debt incurred? The “incurring” of the debt, if at
all,  may arise only on grant of the
award. Before the award of the claim, there is really no debt that can be said
to have been incurred in favour of the person receiving compensation. In fact,
till such time as a claim is awarded there is no certainty about the
eligibility to the claim, leave alone the quantum of the claim. In our
considered view, no part of the amount awarded as compensation under the MVA
till the date of award could be considered as in the nature of interest. The
amount so awarded till the time it is awarded cannot be construed as interest
even where it includes the payment of “interest” u/s. 171 of the MVA for the
reason that such “interest” cannot be construed as “‘interest” within the meaning
of section 2(28A) of the Act and as a consequence cannot be subjected to TDS
u/s. 194A of the Act.

 

If one looks at the award of “interest” u/s. 171 of the MVA,
typically in most cases, such interest is a part of the amount of compensation
awarded and is not attributable to the late payment of the compensation, but is
for the reasons mentioned in section 171 and at the best relates to the period
ending with the date of award. This “interest” u/s. 171 for the period up to
the date of award, would not fit in within the definition of interest u/s.
2(28A). Interest for the period after the date of award, if related to the
delayed payment of the awarded compensation, would fall within the definition
of interest, being interest payable in respect of debt incurred. It would only
be the interest for the period after the date of award which would be liable to
TDS u/s. 194A of the Income-tax Act provided, of course, that the amount being
paid is exceeding Rs. 50, 000 and was not otherwise credited to the payee’s
account before the payment.

 

Looked at differently, the interest up to the date of award
would also partake of the same character as the compensation awarded, being
damages for a personal loss, and would therefore not be regarded as an income
at all, opening a new possibility of contending that the provisions of section
194A may not apply to a case where the payment otherwise is not taxable in the
hands of the recipient.

 

In cases where the payment of the awarded compensation is
delayed, the ultimate amount of payment to be made may include interest for the
post-award period. In such a case, the ultimate amount will have to be
bifurcated into two parts, one towards compensation including interest for the
pre-award period, and the other being interest which may be subjected to TDS.
This need for bifurcation of interest into pre-award interest and post-award
interest, and the character of each, is supported by the decision of the
Supreme Court in the case of CIT vs. Ghanshyam (HUF) 315 ITR 1,
where the Supreme Court held as under in the context of interest on
compensation under the Land Acquisition Act:

 

“To sum up, interest is different from compensation.
However, interest paid on the excess amount under section 28 of the 1894 Act
depends upon a claim by the person whose land is acquired whereas interest
under section 34 is for delay in making payment. This vital difference needs to
be kept in mind in deciding this matter. Interest under section 28 is part of
the amount of compensation whereas interest under section 34 is only for delay
in making payment after the compensation amount is determined. Interest under
section 28 is a part of enhanced value of the land which is not the case in the
matter of payment of interest under section 34.”

 

One of the side questions is whether such interest included
in MACT compensation awarded under the MVA is chargeable to tax at all? There
is no doubt that the amount of compensation awarded is for the loss of a
personal nature and is therefore a capital receipt of a personal nature, which
is not chargeable to tax at all. The payment, though labelled “interest” u/s.
171 of the MVA, bears the same character of such compensation inasmuch as it
has no relation to the dent or the period and is nothing but a compensation to
an injured person determined on due consideration of the relevant factors,
including for the period during the date of injury to the date of award.

 

The mere fact that such income credited by way of interest on
MACT compensation awards is subjected to the provisions of section 194A and the
payer is required to deduct tax at source does not necessarily mean that such
amounts are otherwise chargeable to tax. It is important to note that section
194A, in any case, refers to a person responsible for paying to a resident “any
income” by way of interest and demands compliance only where the payment is in
the nature of income. As interpreted by the Allahabad High Court and the other
courts, such income would mean income which is chargeable to tax. If the
interest is not chargeable to tax, then the question of deduction of TDS u/s.
194A does not arise.

 

The question of chargeability to tax of such income has also
been recently considered by the Rajasthan High Court in case of Sarda
Pareek vs. ACIT 104 taxmann.com 76,
where the High Court took the view
that on a plain reading of section 2(28A), though the original amount of MACT
compensation is not income but capital, the interest on the capital
(compensation) is liable to tax. The Supreme Court has admitted the special
leave petition against this order of the Rajasthan High Court in 104
taxmann.com 77
. In the case of New India Assurance Company Ltd.
vs. Mani (supra)
the Madras High Court held that the interest awarded
as a part of the compensation was income chargeable to tax; however, in a later
decision in the case of Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport
Corpn. (Salem) Ltd. vs. Chinnadurai, 385 ITR 656
, the High Court took a
contrary view and held that such interest awarded did not fall under the term
“income” as defined under the Income-tax Act. An SLP is admitted by the Supreme
Court against this decision, too. Therefore, clearly the issue of chargeability
of even the post-award interest to income tax is still a matter of dispute.

 

As observed by the Allahabad High Court, the one significant
difference between the compensation under the Land Acquisition Act and under
the MVA is that the compensation under the Land Acquisition Act may be
chargeable to tax under the head capital gains, whereas the compensation under the
MVA is not chargeable to tax at all.

 

One has to also keep in mind the provisions of section
145A(b), as applicable from assessment year 2010-11 to assessment year 2016-17,
which provided that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
section 145, interest received by an assessee on compensation or on enhanced
compensation, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the income of the year
in which it is received. With effect from assessment year 2017-18, an identical
provision is found u/s. 145B(1). However, the provisions of section 145A and
section 145B merely deal with how the income is to be computed and in which
year it is to be taxed, and do not deal with the issue of whether a particular
item of interest is chargeable to income tax or not. Therefore, these
provisions would apply only to interest on compensation which is otherwise
chargeable to income tax, and would not be applicable to interest which is not
so chargeable.

 

One also needs to refer to the provisions of section
56(2)(viii), which provides for chargeability under the head “income from other
sources” of interest received on compensation or on enhanced compensation
referred to in section 145A(b). Again, this provision merely prescribes the
head of income under which such interest would fall, provided such interest
income is chargeable to tax. It does not necessarily mean that the interest in
question is in the nature of income in the first place.

This is further clear from the fact that section 2(24), which
contains the definition of income, specifically includes receipts under various
clauses of section 56(2), such as clauses (v), (vi), (vii), (viia) and (x) –
gifts and deemed gifts, (viib) – excess premium received by a company for
shares, (ix) – forfeited advance for transfer of capital asset, and (xi) –
compensation in connection with termination or modification of terms of
employment for ensuring that such receipts so specified are treated as an
“income” for the purposes of the Act. In contrast, receipt of the nature
specified under clause (viii) of section 56(2) is not included in section 2(24)
indicating that such interest on compensation is not deemed always to be an
income.

 

One Mr. Amit Sahni has recently knocked the doors of the
Delhi High Court by filing a writ petition seeking quashing of the provision
which mandates deduction of tax on the interest on compensation awarded under
the MVA. The court, vide order dated 16th April, 2019, has directed
the CBDT to pass a reasoned order latest by 30th June, 2019 in
response to the representation made by the petitioner in this regard.

 

The better view, therefore, seems to be that of the
Allahabad, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and Haryana High Courts, that no tax is
deductible in respect of interest awarded u/s. 171 of the Motor Vehicles Act,
even if such interest exceeds Rs. 50,000, unless such interest is (i)
attributable to the delay in payment of the awarded compensation and (ii)
pertains to the period after the date of the award and is (iii) calculated
w.r.t. the amount of the compensation awarded. This view is unaffected by the
fact of the insertion of clause (x) in section 194A(3), w.e.f. 1st
June, 2003 and the substitution thereof w.e.f. 
1st June, 2015.

 

Given this position, and since the issue involves TDS, which
is merely a procedural requirement, one hopes that the CBDT will come out with
a clarification explaining that the provisions of section 194A have a
restricted application to the cases involving payment of interest for the delay
in payment of awarded compensation, so that neither the insurance companies nor
the poor claimants have to unnecessarily suffer through unwarranted tax
deduction or litigation in this regard.

CHANGING RISK LANDSCAPE FOR AUDIT PROFESSION, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON NFRA AND OTHER RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Mr. N.P. Sarda, Past President of the ICAI and a
well-known teacher to many in the profession, delivered a remarkable speech at
the BCAS on 9th January, 2019. BCAJ received requests from many
members to publish some of the key points of that talk. We are publishing this
summary just in time before the audit season for unlisted entities commences. A
summary cannot convey the full import of his presentation but we hope this
piece will enable the professionals to get a bird’s-eye view of the changing
landscape of the audit profession. We would recommend that you also watch the
two-hour-long talk on the BCAS You Tube channel.

 

In the last couple of years, the frequency and scale of
frauds revealed to stakeholders and the public at large has been astonishing.
Many would have thought that post-Satyam scandal lessons were learnt and proper
governance practices put in place. However, with irregularities at Punjab
National Bank (PNB), Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services
(IL&FS), amongst others, coming to the fore, the burning questions about
loopholes in the system, accountability, risk management, etc., are again up
for debate in the corporate world.

 

In the aftermath of the scams, the National Financial
Reporting Authority (NFRA) was formed to tighten the regulatory aspects and
monitor the quality of audit. This led to issues such as overriding powers of
the NFRA over the ICAI, questioning auditors about the professional work, etc.
In this article, we provide various aspects of this development, the issues
therein and their impact. The following broad headings cover the key aspects
dwelt upon by Mr. Sarda.

 

INCREASING RISKS AND CHALLENGES

Economic and regulatory changes are taking place at a rapid
pace. We have witnessed substantive reforms, viz., the Companies Act, 2013, Ind
AS and Auditing standards that are aligned with International frameworks,
Income Computation and Disclosure Standards and Corporate Governance
requirements to enhance transparency and certainty. In the wake of these
developments across various regulations and rising incidents of frauds, the
risks and challenges in auditing are also increasing. This is on account of the
following:

 

  •   Increasing size and spread of business
    entities and groups (locations,  subsidiaries, geographies, SPVs, number of
    transactions, frauds
    );
  •    Multiple investments and special purpose
    entities;
  •    Multiplicity of inter-entity transactions and
    transfer of funds;
  • Rise in the volume and amount of transactions
    and of frauds;
  •    Complex nature of business transactions (complex
    instruments and contracts
    );
  •    Rapid changes and volatility (what took a
    decade now takes less than a year
    );
  •    Need for valuation and making provisions
    (towards pending demands and litigations) based on estimates at year end;
  •    Stress on fair value (subjective concept) as
    against historical cost;
  •    Increasing
    component of intangible assets and challenges in valuing them (wide variation
    in methodologies; valuation may not be valid over a period of time);
  •    Various risk factors such as market risk,
    credit risk, risk due to emerging technologies;
  •    Failure of business entities / industries;
  •    Technology tools in audit becoming a priority
    – checking controls / processes designed through computers, integration of
    different business softwares of an organisation, use of data analytics;
  •    Lack of practice of reconciliation,
    confirmations and certifications of ledger balances (through internal and
    external sources);
  •    Various checks and balances built for proper
    governance and prevention of frauds (such as concurrent audits, inspections by
    regulators, Audit Committee, Risk Management Committee, whistle-blower policy)
    may fail due to neglect or oversight and ineffectiveness of respective roles,
    leaving the statutory auditor to face all the criticism and blame;
  •    Need for investigations and forensic audit
    for a wide range of frauds involving falsification or fabrication of documents
    and records, frauds by collusion, management override of controls, frauds
    perpetrated by management;
  •    Society expects the auditor to unearth all
    frauds, while the auditors believe that such expectations are unrealistic and,
    therefore, the gaps in expectations, promises and actual performance. Though
    the primary responsibility of discovering frauds lies with the governance and
    management teams, the auditors will have to upgrade their standard of
    performance to detect all the material frauds by designing suitable audit
    programmes and procedures;
  •    Every time a scam is reported, instant
    judgements are passed in media as to why auditors did not report them. Without
    proper examination of the factual situation, audit documentation, etc. (were
    any financial statements during the period of fraud certified by the auditor,
    was it bona fide error or gross negligence, was it a planned collusion?)
    there is presumption of audit failure;
  •   Other risks like unrecorded and unusual
    transactions, significant related party transactions, doubts about going
    concern assumption, revenue recognition issues, off balance sheet items;
  •    Temptation and pressure to show improved
    results vis-à-vis last quarter, lack of emphasis on long-term
    sustainability;
  •    Frauds disguised through fraudulent reporting
    and misappropriation of assets.

 

SPECIFIC INSTANCES OF FRAUDS, SCAMS AND FAILURES

There have been several
financial scams causing distress, including with famous and reputed corporates.
The list of ten biggest corporate frauds includes Enron, World Com, sub-prime
mortgage crisis, Satyam Computers, Daewoo, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, AIG,
Phor-Mor, Bernie Madoff and Barlow Clowes. The findings reveal that these were
management-driven frauds wherein fraudulent financial reporting was resorted
to, in order to cover misappropriation of assets or a deteriorating financial
position. This requires increased professional scepticism from audit.

Let us look at some instances of fraud and the modus
operandi
followed:

1. The Harshad Mehta fraud – bank funds used to finance stock
exchange transactions using portfolio management;

2. Sub-prime mortgage crisis – the model of giving loans
solely on mortgage of immovable properties, without any requirement of
repayment of loan by borrowers
, failed as the values of the mortgaged
properties declined;

3. Satyam Computers – this involved manipulation of computer
systems, generation of fake invoices, overstating figures of revenue, profits,
bank balances. To cover up, forged bank statements, deposit receipts and
confirmations were produced by the management;

4. Kingfisher Airlines – the consortium of public sector
banks lent huge amounts of money to the airlines as part of a restructuring
exercise, after the loan account was classified as a non-performing asset.
This was questioned in the backdrop of the situation wherein the company was
reporting huge losses, the absence of adequate collateral securities, etc. The
loan funds were diverted out of India through financial transactions;

5. PNB – Letter of Undertaking to secure overseas credit from
other lenders was issued without cash margin through SWIFT system that was
not linked with Core Banking Solution
. Due to this loophole, the
undertakings issued remained outside the books and, thus, remained undetected;

6. IL&FS – short-term borrowings were used for financing
long-term projects resulting in liquidity crisis. Due to long recovery
period from large infrastructure projects, it defaulted in repayment of
short-term loans
(asset-liability mismatch).

 

NFRA

To ensure greater reliability of financial statements,
section 132 of the Companies Act, 2013 introduced the provisions relating to
NFRA. These were notified on 13th November, 2018.

 

Applicability

The classes of companies and body corporates governed by NFRA
(Rule 3) include:

(a) Companies whose
securities are listed on stock exchange in / outside India

(b) Unlisted public
companies

– paid up capital not less
than Rs. 500 crores

– annual turnover not less
than Rs. 1,000 crores

– loans, debentures,
deposits not less than Rs. 500 crores

(monetary thresholds – as
on 31st March of the preceding year)

(c) Insurance, banking,
electricity companies, etc.

(d) A subsidiary or
associate company outside India having income or net worth exceeding 20% of the
consolidated income or net worth of the Indian company.

 

Functions

The main functions of NFRA (Companies Act read with NFRA
Rules, 2018) are:

 

a. Make recommendations on Accounting and Auditing Policies
and Standards (after receiving recommendations from the ICAI);

b. Monitor and enforce compliance with Accounting Standards:

– may review financial statements of company / body corporate

– may require them to produce further information /
explanation

– may require presence of officers of company / body
corporate and its auditor

– based on inquiry, any fraud above Rs. 1 crore will be
reported to government;

c. Monitor and enforce compliance with Auditing Standards:

– may review working papers and audit communications

– may evaluate sufficiency of the quality control system and
manner of documentation

– may perform other testing of audit supervisory and quality
control procedures

– may require an auditor to report on its governance
practices and internal processes designed to promote audit quality and reduce
risk

d. Oversee the quality of service of the profession
associated with ensuring compliance with such standards and suggest measures
for improvement in quality of service; may refer cases to Quality Review Board
constituted under the Chartered Accountants’ Act and call for information, and
/ or a report from them;

e. Maintenance of details of auditors of companies specified
in Rule 3;

f. Promote awareness on compliance of accounting and auditing
standards;

g. Co-operate with national and international organisations
of independent audit regulators.

 

Powers

NFRA is entrusted with powers to investigate either suo
motu
or on a reference made to it by the Central Government (for prescribed
class of companies) into matters of professional or other misconduct (as
defined in the Chartered Accountants Act). As per the Supreme Court decision in
the case of Gurvinder Singh, other misconduct will include any act that brings
disrepute to the profession, whether or not related to his professional work
and not necessarily done in his capacity as a CA. It is also provided that
where NFRA has initiated the investigation, no other institute or body can
initiate or continue any proceedings in such matters.

 

Where professional or other misconduct is proved, the
consequences are two-fold:

 

a. Penalty: For individuals – Rs. 1 lakh, may extend to 5
times the fees

For firms – Rs. 10 lakhs, may extend to 10 times the fees

b. Debarring the member or the firm from practice for a
minimum period of 6 months, not exceeding 10 years, applicable even to company
/ body corporate not governed by Rule 3.

 

NEED OF NFRA – ARGUMENTS

Several perceptions had led to the constitution of the NFRA.
We have analysed them below with valid arguments:

 

1. Frauds like Satyam and PNB – the disciplinary
mechanism of the ICAI being a creation of its own members, is ‘not independent’

The ICAI functions under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs,
the disciplinary procedure is laid down in the Act itself and government
nominees are present in every proceeding. As against the earlier practice of
involvement of Council members twice (at stages of prima facie and final
decision), after amendment to the Chartered Accountants Act in 2006, the
Director of Discipline (not a member of the Council) reports cases to the Board
of Discipline (Schedule I cases) and the Disciplinary Committee (Schedule II
cases). The government nominees are present in all the 3 bodies.

 

No allegation of bias has ever been raised – that the process
is not carried out judiciously. Rather than creating a separate body, the NFRA,
the government can appoint more nominees in the disciplinary mechanism of the
ICAI.

 

No other institute or body has taken such strict disciplinary
action against its own members as has been done by the ICAI. This is evidenced
by the fact that in the Satyam case various members have been debarred for
life, while in the PNB case the ICAI started suo motu action, without a
formal complaint. As for the member, such disciplinary proceedings are a
punishment in itself and result in loss of reputation. The ICAI has made
tremendous efforts to formulate and spread knowledge of compliance with standards
as part of CPE. QRB, FRRB and Peer Review are some other mechanisms that have
been working effectively.

 

2. Delay in disciplinary proceedings of ICAI

While this was true earlier, through amendments to the
Chartered Accountants Act in 2006, appointment of multiple Directors of
Discipline or Disciplinary Committees was allowed in order to avoid delays.

 

During the process, requests for adjournments and stay (for
proceedings ongoing with other regulatory authorities or Courts) caused delays
as this is a judicial process. Against this, the NFRA rules provide for a
summary procedure within 90 days where an opportunity for personal hearing may
or may not be given. It is important to strike a balance between the two
extremes – that the opportunity granted for hearing may be misused, but a
contrary stand can be harsh on the member.

 

3. With amounts and frequency of corporate and bank
frauds rising, the authorities had to take drastic action

It is assumed that all problems will be solved once NFRA sets
in. However, what kind of action is envisaged under it? Prevention and
detection of fraud is a very large area. NFRA provisions don’t address the
aspect of prevention of fraud; they are restricted to limited areas of action
against statutory auditors for gross misstatement in financial statements on
account of non-compliance of accounting and / or auditing standards. The
consideration is that there was something wrong in the accounting and auditing
standards and that was the reason of misconduct by the members.

 

It is presumed that if action is taken against the member,
frauds will not take place. But there are no steps for the detection of fraud
until certification of the financial statements by the auditor (exception fraud
noticed during search, later reported to government). The functions of NFRA do
not include aspects of deterrent action on perpetrators of fraud and / or other
checks and balances for prevention of fraud. In short, the focus of NFRA is
on the police and not on the thief!

 

4. Non-detection of
fraud by an auditor considered as fraudulent act and a case of professional
misconduct. Strict regulation could reduce such instances

In the backdrop of failure
to report frauds, fingers are pointed at auditors with allegations that the
auditors colluded with management and it is an intentional act involving gross
negligence. However, it is not prudent to draw any conclusion without examining
the facts. It could be a bona fide omission (not part of audit sample
selection), or an error of judgement, or that the time available to auditor was
not commensurate with the volume of business. May be, the skills of the auditor
have not kept up with those of the fraudster! The presumption that
non-detection of fraud is a fraudulent act or is professional negligence / misconduct
and that frauds can be reduced by a strict regulation like NFRA is far-fetched.

 

Importantly, enough stress has to be placed on relevant
internal controls, internal checks and balances required in the management and
governance of large entities. If they are not adequate, the statutory audit, on
its own and on a standalone basis, will not be effective. If negative
presumptions about the role of auditors continue, then new talent may hesitate
to enter the auditing profession.

 

NFRA AND OTHER REGULATORS – A TUSSLE

The question arises whether
it was necessary to have a separate disciplinary mechanism when ICAI already
has one. The ICAI had urged the Central Government against setting up the NFRA
(a legal fight is not possible because the ICAI functions under the Ministry of
Corporate Affairs). This, in fact, is the legal opinion of Mr. Mukul Rohatgi,
former Attorney General, that the NFRA encroaches on the powers of the ICAI.
Under the Constitution, if any institution has specific powers (ICAI in this case
regarding disciplinary mechanism), other institutions cannot have the same
mandate.

 

In a case filed before the
Delhi High Court by the Chartered Accountants’ Association, the Court has
granted stay on initiation of disciplinary action by NFRA. The final verdict is
pending on the matter of SEBI debarring PwC for 2 years (stay by the Supreme
Court).

 

The overlap and conflict between NFRA and other bodies gives
rise to the following issues:

 

1. Where NFRA has not initiated the proceedings, can ICAI do
it (different language in Act and Rules)?

2. Whether NFRA’s jurisdiction would apply to every act of
misconduct of a chartered accountant, or only relating to financial statements?

3. Would NFRA apply to the auditor of every branch of all
banks?

4. If an auditor is debarred by NFRA, the impact will extend
to his every audit appointment including for companies not covered by Rule 3.

5. There is no provision in the NFRA rules for complaints by
any stakeholder against Rule 3 companies. It is restricted to cases referred by
government or suo motu action. Even ICAI would not have jurisdiction to
address such complaints.

 

While the guilty must be punished, it is equally important
that innocents are not harassed.

 

ROLE OF ICAI POST-NFRA

The ICAI will make recommendations on Accounting and Auditing
Standards to NFRA. The role of Quality Review Board to oversee the quality of
audit service rendered would continue. Towards this, an effective role can be
played by having efficient structure and process of inspection. The aspect of
improving and strengthening the expertise and quality of work of internal
auditors, experts in designing and implementing internal controls, computer
controls, etc. also needs be seen.

 

There is no change in
jurisdiction and powers of ICAI over auditors, other than those of Rule 3
entities. The ICAI ought to regulate over matters not governed and administered
by NFRA provisions, as discussed above.

 

ACTION FOR AUDITORS

The change in the regulatory environment and expectations
demands that auditors develop and deliver high-quality service to reinforce the
relevance of audit. The skill sets and manner of executing audit need to
evolve. We have highlighted below the perspective for the auditors about what
they need to do.

a. Focus on upgrading
professional skills (including industry specialisation);

b. Audit firms to devise
and implement quality controls and best practices;

c. Appropriate audit
planning considering industry, client, nature of business, controls in place,
systems and procedures, accounting policies followed;

d. Undertake risk
assessment on the basis of evaluation of internal controls and computer
controls;

e. Design audit procedures
based on findings of risk assessment (e.g. special procedures may be required
for unusual transactions and evaluation of uncertainties and estimates;

f. Apply audit techniques
including computer-aided tools;

g. Develop expertise on
Accounting and Auditing Standards and strictly adhere to them;

h. Have a trained and
talented audit team for execution;

i. Stress on detailed
documentation
;

j. Exercise
professional scepticism
;

k. Quality control in
Audit Firms
;

l. Consultation with other
experts, wherever required;

m. Constructive
discussions and communication with management and with those charged with
governance on internal controls, risk management and provide valuable insights;

n. Giving value-added
insights;

o. Appropriate reporting
of Key Audit Matters.

 

CONCLUDING REMARKS

The success of NFRA would depend upon the constitution of its
members, the experts appointed, their expertise and approach, its finance and
infrastructure, the effectiveness of coordination with ICAI in respect of
Accounting and Auditing Standards and assistance of the Quality Review Board.

 

Risks are becoming the focal point. The
responsibilities of the auditor are increasing. With public sentiment turning
negative and some lowering of confidence in the independent auditor’s work,
there is a fear that professionals may stay away from the audit domain.

UNIFIER IN CHIEF

The twenty
third day of May, 2019, saw a historic event unfold. Prime Minister Narendra
Modi showed his ability to convert hope into confidence, a rare feat in recent
Indian electoral history, and that, too, through sheer performance. This vote
of trust I hope will result in transforming the governance machinery which can
be trusted as much as the trust in a person.

 

Industrialist Anand Mahindra’s tweet hit the nail
on the head: “Size of the country (Land mass + population) X Size of the
Economy X Size of the election mandate = Leader’s Power Quotient. By the
measure of this crude formula, @narendramodi is about to become the most
powerful, democratically-elected leader in the world today…”

 

The power of
the people comes across through this mandate. Many of the 350 million people
earning Rs. 33 / day refused the promise (rather a bribe to vote) of Rs. 72,000 / year
and instead voted for leadership. It is quite clear that people have voted for
trust, integrity and decisiveness that are critical for the future of India.
Past governments, through doles and freebies, had turned people into beggars.
Rarely would you find a country where segments of society wish to get
classified as backward to seek some government entitlement. Obviously, giving
doles was the strategy of ‘deception’ of past rulers – to get votes, cover up
non-performance and continue to divide the society. This vote is a long-overdue
moment where people chose decisive, strong, trustworthy and goal-oriented
leadership. Moreover, this happened in spite of the strongly negative,
concocted and vicious atmosphere created by media and politicians.

 

There is little doubt that allegations of
corruption at high places during the last five years have been reduced to
nothing. Money and tangible government benefits reaching people are provable. A
taxi driver was telling me that he went to his village 500 km. away to vote for
Modi. Another from near Varanasi told me about dramatic changes he saw in his
village. I have been to Varanasi before 2014 and the oldest living holy city
had turned into an unpleasant place. I went there in 2018 and saw the change.
People saw that the tone at the top also translated into actual delivery.

It is
important to note who and what got defeated. Dynasts – all across – people rejected
family-owned party systems and the entitled vote-seekers who didn’t show vision
or performance and only sought power and power alone. The 21-party
power-seeking group who couldn’t give any alternative narrative (couldn’t even
give a PM face) except projecting a monster out of Modi, were rejected. The
second set of losers is Communists – the Tukde Tukde gang, the
breaking-India forces – they got ‘Azadi’ from being in the Lok Sabha! The third
set of losers is in the media – I have never seen such consistent, slimy and
vulgar stooping down. Bias without basis, propping a disproportionate one-sided
view, pelting negativity and uttering utter lies. It was shocking to see the
likes of TIME magazine and NY Times also roped into this.

 

The vote was
a buy-in for the Modi story of New India. His Articulation and Eloquence, Will
and Work, Intention and Execution, balance between Idealism and Realism, and
above all demonstrable love for the nation came across loud and clear. And so
the ‘Chowkidar’ did turn out to be a ‘Chor’ – he stole the hearts of people and
even the votes which opponents may have got if they had remained sincere and
discreet.

 

The vote is a unifying one. People seem to have overcome decades of divisions
and seem to have voted for leadership and cohesion. I hope this will see a
beginning of end of divisions and divisiveness and people seeing themselves as
Indians above all. Perhaps the winners will understand that poverty alleviation
does not need division- based benefits. For this change to come, the citizens
will have to assimilate what the victor meant when he said (and I paraphrase): There
will remain only two jaatis (segments) in the country – The poor who
want to come out of poverty and (the second will be) those who want to bring
the poor out of poverty. This is the dream we should carry.

 

Raman Jokhakar

Editor

CAESAR’S WIFE SHOULD BE ABOVE SUSPICION

BACKGROUND

On 30th April,
2019, SEBI passed orders in the matter of the National Stock Exchange. The
principal issue was the alleged preferential access accorded to some parties to
the stock market order mechanism whereby they could profit and also allegedly
giving them preference over other investors, brokers, etc. Further, there are
two other orders passed by SEBI that deserve consideration. They effectively
exhibit SEBI’s new approach to widen the scope of the liability of persons
associated with the capital market, especially of those connected with listed
companies such as directors, auditors, key executives, etc.

 

These two orders deal with
the alleged abuse of position by some people close to NSE whereby they profited
from certain data preferentially and exclusively obtained from NSE which was
used to develop products that were sold in the market. Worse, the implication
that appears to be brought out is that these products enabled the users to
profit at the cost of other investors.

 

The orders make stringent
adverse comments and issue directions against the two groups of investors. The
first group comprises those who were close to the NSE and which closeness was
used to obtain and use NSE data exclusively. The second group consists of the
exchange itself and its two key officials at the relevant time. SEBI found that
the officials did not carry out the required diligence expected of them. The
adverse directions are fairly stringent and harsh and if they acquire finality,
have the potential to harm careers and reputations, especially of the involved
key persons.

 

However, on appeal to SAT,
the operation of these orders has been stayed as regards some of the key
management persons. Despite the fact that the issues are in appeal because of
the new approach of SEBI, we are reviewing these decisions because a very
interesting approach has been taken in relation to the duties and liabilities
of key management persons. The orders have wider implications and in a manner
are cautionary for several groups who may be in a similar situation; they are,
independent directors, non-executive directors, promoter directors and other
entities associated with the capital markets. These entities often enter into
profitable associations with their companies. Key and even mid-level executives
should examine these transactions. A fairly broad level of performance is
expected from these persons, which are far beyond the literal requirements of
the law. For the purposes of this academic analysis, the statements in the SEBI
orders are taken to be true, though, on facts / law, it is possible that they
may be reversed.

 

THE ALLEGATIONS

SEBI alleged, in the first
order, that there were 5 persons (4 individuals and 1 company) close to the
NSE. This closeness arose primarily because of the closeness of one person over
a long period of time and who, it is stated, was very influential and respected
in NSE. SEBI alleged that he used his position to get certain contracts in
favour of a company associated with his extended relatives. It was alleged that
under this arrangement certain data of NSE was preferentially / exclusively
given to this company. This data was used to develop software products that
could be sold to market operators whereby they could profit and also perhaps
have an edge over other operators in the market. In view of these facts,
allegations of having violated several provisions of Securities Laws, including
those relating to fraud and unfair trade practices, were made.

 

In the second order, based
broadly on the same facts, SEBI has alleged that NSE and its two top officials
failed to exercise due diligence in relation to such contracts, especially
where the parties involved were close to the exchange.

 

THE DEFENCES OFFERED

SEBI relied on certain
emails exchanged between some of the persons covered by the order. According to
SEBI the emails record confidential information which was preferentially given
by NSE. The parties responded that the emails were being taken out of context.

 

The parties also generally
and specifically denied any wrong-doing, particularly relating to profiting
unduly from such information, and also contended that the software products did
not harm the interests of other investors.

 

NSE and its officials also
denied any wrong-doing. They, inter alia, stated that the contracts were
of such size and nature that they do not deserve close attention of the top
officials of the Exchange. They stated that the alleged effects of the
contracts were effectively inconsequential. Further, the contracts did receive
the attention and diligence they deserved.

 

CONCLUSIONS OF SEBI

SEBI rejected these
defences and described how the parties were very close to the Exchange and thus
influenced NSE’s decision-making process. Further, SEBI

 

  • brought out and emphasised the personal
    relations between some of the parties;
  • it particularly highlighted that the manner
    in which the information was provided was exclusive and hence irregular;
  • concluded that proper safeguards were not put
    in place for protecting the data from being shared;
  • SEBI also pointed out that mere disclosure by
    a party that it is interested in a contract is not sufficient and not a
    substitute for diligence by NSE’s key personnel.

 

ORDERS PASSED

Two orders have been
passed. These debar the individuals from, inter alia, holding positions
in prescribed entities. NSE has been issued several directions relating to
strengthening of its internal systems. Further, SEBI has directed legal action
against specified individuals and companies for abuse of the data, etc. As
stated above, on appeal, the operation of SEBI’s orders has been stayed.

 

IMPLICATIONS FOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS,
OTHER DIRECTORS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS OF VARIOUS ENTITIES ASSOCIATED WITH
CAPITAL MARKETS, AUDITORS, ETC.

The orders deal with certain
specific facts and also relate to the case of a stock exchange that has certain
duties to the market. However, the principles involved also have relevance to
other entities, for example, independent directors, executive and non-executive
directors, CFOs, key personnel such as company secretaries, lawyers, auditors,
etc.

 

It is very common, for
example, to have contracts and arrangements with directors and / or persons
connected with them. There are requirements under law whereby directors and key
management personnel have to disclose their interest in the contracts and
arrangements with the company. There are also provisions relating to
related-party transactions. However, the orders suggest that complying with
even such broad and comprehensive requirements may not be enough. As a matter
of fact, where such connection exists, arrangements with persons close to the
company ought to require a higher degree of diligence on the part of the
company, its CEO, etc. If it is found later that the contracts bestowed undue
favour or better terms than others or there is non-compliance of law, lack of
action against the party, etc., then the company, its officials and the parties
involved could face scrutiny and possibly action from SEBI.

 

The orders also deal with
confidential and valuable information about the company and the safeguards the
company and the parties who have access to the information would have to take
to ensure that there is no abuse. Conceptually, this is similar to unpublished
price-sensitive information for which there are extensive regulations relating
to insider trading. Abuse of such information may result in loss to the company
and / or loss to investors or may impact the credibility of entities in the
markets.

 

The fact that top
executives (both former Managing Directors) have been debarred from holding
office for a period of three years (though these actions have been stayed by an
appellate order) is another area of concern. The contracts in question were,
relatively speaking, of small amounts in the context of the size of NSE. There
is, I submit, validity in their defence that such contracts are largely handled
at the functional level. However this defence was not accepted.

 

SEBI has expressed that
even if the contracts are small in value, if they are with parties close to the
company, then the contracts / arrangements need a closer watch at a senior
level; because issues, especially those related to confidential data, could
have wider ramifications if abused. Hence, I now perceive that key management
executives will henceforth be expected to look at and monitor closely contracts
with persons close to the company. SEBI has alleged that NSE did not take due
action for violation because the parties who violated the contracts were close
to and influential in NSE.



The other point to
emphasise is that the usual concepts and definition of “persons interested in
contracts” have been given a broader interpretation. Hence, mere disclosure of
interest or even complying with the procedural / approval requirements may not
be enough. Further, even if a person involved is not deemed to have interest as
defined in law or is not a related party as defined in law, the management will
have to demonstrate that due “care and diligence” was carried out at the time
of entering into a contract / arrangement with such person/s.

 

To conclude, the adage Caesar’s wife should be above
suspicion
applies today even more than ever
.

ORDINANCE FOR CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETIES

INTRODUCTION

The Maharashtra Government has introduced the Maharashtra
Ordinance No. IX of 2019 dated 09.03.2019 to amend the Maharashtra Co-operative
Societies Act, 1960 (“the Act”). This Ordinance would remain in
force for a period of six months, i.e., up to 8th September, 2019
after which it would lapse unless the Government comes out with an Amendment
Act or renews the Ordinance. A new Chapter, XIII-B, consisting of section 154B
to 154B-29, has been inserted in the Act specifically dealing with co-operative
housing societies.

 

One of the complaints against the Act was that it was geared
more towards general co-operative societies and did not have special provisions
for co-operative housing societies. That issue is sought to be addressed by
this new Chapter. While the Ordinance has made several amendments to the Act,
it has introduced key changes to the concepts of membership of a co-operative
society. This article examines some of the amendments made by the Ordinance in
relation to membership of a co-operative housing society.

 

NEW CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP

The Ordinance has introduced new categories of membership in
a co-operative housing society. A “Member” has been defined to mean:

 

(a) a person joining in an application for the registration
of a housing society; or

(b) a person duly admitted to membership of a society after
its registration;

(c) an Associate or a Joint or a Provisional Member.

 

Thus, an Associate Member has now also been classified as a
Member. A Joint Member has also been categorised as a Member. Further, a new
category of membership called Provisional Member has been introduced. A house
construction co-operative housing society; tenant ownership housing society;
tenant co-partnership housing society; co-operative society; house mortgage
co-operative societies; premises co-operative societies, etc., are all included
in the definition of a housing society.

 

An “Associate Member” has been defined to mean any of the
specified ten relations of a Member; these are the husband, wife,
father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law,
nephew or niece of a person duly admitted to membership of a housing society.
For this purpose, there must be a written recommendation of a Member for the
Associate Member to exercise his rights and duties. Further, an Associate
Member’s name would not appear in the Share Certificate issued by the society
to the Member. Hence, it is evident from this definition that only one of the ten
relatives can be inducted as an Associate Member. It is worth noting that the
Ordinance has some drafting errors in the definition of Associate Member in the
English text. However, on a reading of the Marathi version the position becomes
clearer.

 

A “Joint Member”, on the other hand, has been defined to mean
a person who either joins in an application for the registration of a housing
society or a person who is duly admitted to membership after its registration.
The Joint Member holds share, right, title and interest in the flat jointly but
whose name does not stand first in the share certificate. Thus, a Joint Member
would not be the first name holder in the share certificate but would be the
second or third name holder. Thus, the difference between an Associate Member
and a Joint Member is as follows:

 

The Act defines an Associate Member as a member who holds
jointly a share in the society but whose name does not appear first in the
share certificate. Thus, this existing definition in the Act (applicable for
co-operative societies) is a combination of the definitions for Associate and
Joint Members introduced by the Ordinance which would now be applicable for
co-operative housing societies. Further, this existing definition treats any
person as an Associate Member, whereas as per the Ordinance only ten specified
relatives can be Associate Members. The existing definition under the Act would
apply to general co-operative societies while the definitions introduced by the
Ordinance would apply only for co-operative housing societies. Thus, there
would be two separate definitions.

 

The society may admit any person as an Associate, Joint or
Provisional Member. However, this has to be read in the context of the
definition of the term Associate Member which states that only the specified
relatives of a Member can be admitted as Associate Members.

 

VOTING RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

A Member of a society shall have one vote in its affairs and
the right to vote shall be exercised personally. It is now expressly provided
that an Associate Member shall have right to vote but can do so only with the
prior written consent of the main Member.

 

In case of Joint Member, the person whose name stands first
in the share certificate has the right to vote. In his absence, the person
whose name stands second, and in the absence of both, the person whose name
stands third shall have the right to vote. However, this is provided that such
Joint Member is present at the General Body Meeting and he is not a minor.

 

Based on the above, the differences between an Associate and
a Joint Member can be enumerated as follows:

Associate Member

Joint Member

Only one of ten
specified relatives can be treated as an Associate Member

Any person can be made a
Joint Member

An Associate Member’s
name cannot be entered in the share certificate issued by the Society

A Joint Member’s name is
entered in the share certificate issued by the Society

An Associate Member can
vote only with the prior written permission of the Member. It does not state
that this can be done only if the main Member is absent. Hence, an Associate
Member can vote even if the main Member is present provided he has got his
prior written consent

A Joint Member can vote
only if the main Member is absent. 
Thus, if the main Member is present, a Joint Member cannot vote even
with the prior written permission of the main Member

 

PROVISIONAL MEMBER

One of the perennial issues
in the case of a housing society has been that of the role that a nomination
plays in the case of the demise of a Member. A nomination continues only up to
and till such time as the Will is executed. No sooner is the Will executed,
than it takes precedence over the nomination. A nomination does not confer any
permanent right upon the nominee nor does it create any legal right in his
favour. Nomination transfers no beneficial interest to the nominee. A nominee
is for all purposes a trustee of the property. He cannot claim precedence over
the legatees mentioned in the Will and take the bequests which the legatees are
entitled to under the Will. In spite of this very clear position in law,
several cases have reached the High Courts and even the Supreme Court. The
following are some of the important judicial precedents on this issue:

 

(1) The Bombay High Court in the case of Om Siddharaj
Co-operative Housing Society Limited vs. The State of Maharashtra & Others,
1998 (4) Bombay Cases, 506,
has observed as follows in the context of a
nomination made in respect of a flat in a co-operative housing society:

 

“…If a person is
nominated in accordance with the rules, the society is obliged to transfer the
share and interest of the deceased member to such nominee. It is no part of the
business of the society in that case to find out the relation of the nominee
with the deceased Member or to ascertain and find out the heir or legal
representatives of the deceased Member. It is only if there is no nomination in
favour of any person that the share and interest of the deceased Member has to
be transferred to such person as may appear to the committee or the society to
be the heir or legal representative of the deceased Member.”

 

(2)  Again, in the case of Gopal Vishnu
Ghatnekar vs. Madhukar Vishnu Ghatnekar, 1981 BCR, 1010
, the Bombay
High Court has observed as follows in the context of a nomination made in
respect of a flat in a co-operative housing society:

 

“…It is very clear on the
plain reading of the Section that the intention of the Section is to provide
for who has to deal with the society on the death of a Member and not to create
a new rule of succession. The purpose of the nomination is to make certain the
person with whom the society has to deal and not to create interest in the
nominee to the exclusion of those who in law will be entitled to the estate.
The purpose is to avoid confusion in case there are disputes between the heirs
and legal representatives and to obviate the necessity of obtaining legal
representation and to avoid uncertainties as to with whom the society should
deal to get proper discharge. Though in law the society has no power to
determine as to who are the heirs or legal representatives, with a view to
obviate similar difficulty and confusion, the Section confers on the society
the right to determine who is the heir or legal representative of a deceased
Member and provides for transfer of the shares and interest of the deceased
Member’s property to such heir or legal representative.

 

Nevertheless, the persons
entitled to the estate of the deceased do not lose their right to the same…
the provision for transferring a share and interest to a nominee or to the heir
or legal representative as will be decided by the society is only meant to
provide for the interregnum between the death and the full administration of
the estate and not for the purpose of conferring any permanent right on such a
person to a property forming part of the estate of the deceased. The idea of
having this Section is to provide for a proper discharge to the society without
involving the society into unnecessary litigation which may take place as a result
of dispute between the heirs’ uncertainty as to who are the heirs or legal
representatives…

 

It is only as between the society and the nominee or heir or
legal representative that the relationship of the society and its Member are
created and this relationship continues and subsists only till the estate is
administered either by the person entitled to administer the same or by the
Court or the rights of the heirs or persons entitled to the estate are decided
in the court of law. Thereafter, the society will be bound to follow such
decision… To repeat, a society has a right to admit a nominee of a deceased
Member or an heir or legal representative of a deceased Member as chosen by the
society as the Member.”

 

(3) A single judge of the
Bombay High Court in Ramdas Shivram Sattur vs. Rameshchandra Popatlal
Shah 2009(4) Mh LJ 551
has held that a nominee has no right of
disposition of property since he is not an absolute owner. It held that the law
does not provide for a special Rule of Succession altering the Rule of
Succession laid down under the personal law.

 

(4) The position of a
nominee in a flat in a co-operative housing society was also analysed by the
Supreme Court in Indrani Wahi vs. Registrar of Co-operative Societies, CA
No. 4646 of 2006(SC)
.This decision was rendered in the context of the
West Bengal Co-operative Societies Act, 1983.The Supreme Court held that there
can be no doubt that the holding of a valid nomination does not ipso facto
result in the transfer of title in the flat in favour of the nominee. However,
consequent upon a valid nomination having been made, the nominee would be
entitled to possession of the flat. Further, the issue of title had to be left
open to be adjudicated upon between the contesting parties. It further held that
there can be no doubt that where a Member of a co-operative society nominates a
person, the co-operative society is mandated to transfer all the share or
interest of such Member in the name of the nominee.

 

It is also essential to
note that the rights of others on account of an inheritance or succession are a
subservient right. Only if a Member had not exercised the right of nomination,
then and then alone, the existing share or interest of the Member would devolve
by way of succession or inheritance. It clarified that transfer of share or
interest, based on a nomination in favour of the nominee, was with reference to
the co-operative society concerned and was binding on the said society. The
co-operative society had no option whatsoever, except to transfer the
membership in the name of the nominee but that would have no relevance to the
issue of title between the inheritors or successors to the property of the
deceased. The Court finally concluded that it was open to the other members of
the family of the deceased to pursue their case of succession or inheritance in
consonance with the law.

 

Taking a cue from these
cases, the Ordinance seeks to make certain changes to the Act. It has
introduced the concept of a Provisional Member. This is defined to mean a person
who is duly admitted as a Member of a society temporarily after the death
of a Member on the basis of nomination till the admission of
legal heir or heirs as the Member of the society in place of the deceased
Member. The salient features of Provisional Membership are as follows:

 

a)
It is temporary in nature;

b)  It comes into force only once the main Member
dies;

c)  It can apply on the basis of a valid
nomination;

d)  It would continue only till the legal heirs of
the deceased Member are admitted as members of the society. This could be by
way of a Will or an intestate succession.

 

Thus, the Ordinance seeks to clarify the legal position which
has been expounded by various Court judgements, i.e., the Provisional Member
would only be a stop-gap arrangement between the date of death and the
execution of the estate of the deceased. However, it proceeds on one incorrect
assumption. It states that such membership will last till such time as the
legal heirs of the deceased Member are made members. What happens in case of a
Will where the Member has bequeathed his right in favour of a beneficiary who
is not his legal heir? A legal heir is not defined under any Act. It is a term
of general description. The Law Lexicon by Ramanatha Aiyar (4th
Edition) defines it as including only next of kin or relatives by blood. It is
known that a person can make even a stranger a beneficiary under his Will. In
such an event, a strict reading of the Ordinance suggests that the Provisional
Membership would also continue since the legal heirs of the deceased have not
been taken on record.

 

However, that would be an absurd construction since once the
Will is executed, it is the beneficiary under the Will who should become the
Member. Hence, it is submitted that this definition needs redrafting. The
position has been correctly stated in the proviso to section 154B-13
also introduced by the Ordinance. This correctly states that the society shall
admit a nominee as a Provisional Member after the death of a Member till the
legal heirs or person who is entitled to the flat and shares in accordance with
succession law or under Will or testamentary document are admitted as Member in
place of such deceased Member. Hence, this recognises the fact that a person
other than legal heirs can also be added as a Member.

 

The Ordinance also provides for the contingency of what
happens if there is no nomination. In such cases, the society must admit such
person as Provisional Member as may appear to the Managing Committee to be the heir
/ legal representative of the deceased Member. It further states that a
Provisional Member shall have right to vote.

 

PROCEDURE ON THE DEATH OF A
MEMBER

Normally, in the case of a housing society, any transfer of
share or interest of a Member is not effective unless the dues of the society
have been paid and the transferee applies and acquires membership of the
co-operative housing society. However, this provision does not apply to the
transfer of a Member’s interest to his heir or to his nominee.

 

The Ordinance introduces
section 154B-11 which states that on the death of a Member of a society, the
society is required to transfer the share, right, title and interest in the
property of the deceased Member in the society to any person on the basis of:

 

  • Testamentary documents, i.e., a Will;
  • Succession certificate / legal heirship
    certificate – in case of intestate succession;
  • Document of family arrangement executed by
    the persons who are entitled to inherit the property of the deceased Member; or
  • Nominees.

 

This is the first time that
a document of family arrangement has been given statutory recognition. The
amendment equates a Memorandum of Family Arrangement to be at par with a
testamentary or intestamentary succession document. Scores of Supreme Court
judgements, such as Ram Charan Das vs. Girja Nandini Devi (1955) 2 SCWR
837; Tek Bahadur Bhujil vs. Debi Singh Bhujil, (1966) 2 SCJ 290; K. V.
Narayanan vs. K. V. Ranganadhan, AIR 1976 SC 1715,
etc., have held that
a family arrangement does not amount to a transfer and hence there is no need
for registration of a Family Settlement MOU. In spite of this, in several cases
the Registration Authorities are reluctant to mutate the rights in the Property
Card or the Record of Rights based on an unregistered Family Settlement MOU. In
several cases, even co-operative societies do not agree to transfer the share
certificates based on the Family Settlement MOU unless it is registered and
stamped.

 

The Ordinance now provides that the society must transfer the
flat based on a Document of Family Arrangement executed by the persons who are
entitled to inherit the property of the deceased Member. However, this has
restricted the transfer only to those persons who are entitled to inherit the
property of the deceased. For instance, in the case of an intestate Hindu male,
his Class I heirs, Class II heirs, agnates and cognates are entitled to inherit
his property. Thus, a document signed between any of these relatives should be
covered under this provision.

 

CONCLUSION

The Ordinance has made
significant changes for co-operative housing societies especially in the area
of Membership. The concept of Provisional Member is also a welcome amendment.
However, one feels that the Ordinance has been drafted in a hurry resulting in
some drafting errors. It would be desirable that these are rectified when the
Amendment Bill is tabled by the Government.

Sections 2(28A), 10(23G), 36(1)(viia)(c) and 36(1)(viii) – Exemption u/s. 10(23G) – Assessee providing long-term finance for infrastructure projects and facilities – Exemption of interest – Definition of “interest” – Borrowers liable to pay “liquidated damages” at 2.10% in case of default in redemption or payment of interest and other moneys on due dates, for period of default – Liquidated damages fall within purview of word “interest” – Assessee entitled to exemption

21

Infrastructure Development Finance
Co. Ltd. vs. ACIT; 412 ITR 115 (Mad)

Date of order: 1st March,
2019

A.Y.: 2002-03

 

Sections
2(28A), 10(23G), 36(1)(viia)(c) and 36(1)(viii) – Exemption u/s. 10(23G) –
Assessee providing long-term finance for infrastructure projects and facilities
– Exemption of interest – Definition of “interest” – Borrowers liable to pay
“liquidated damages” at 2.10% in case of default in redemption or payment of
interest and other moneys on due dates, for period of default – Liquidated
damages fall within purview of word “interest” – Assessee entitled to exemption

 

Business
expenditure – Provision for bad and doubtful debts – Deduction u/s. 36(1)(viii)
and section 36(1)(viia)(c) to be allowed independently

 

The
assessee provided long-term finance to enterprises which developed, maintained
and operated infrastructure projects and facilities. For the A.Y. 2002-03 the
assessee claimed exemption u/s. 10(23G) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect
of the interest earned by it from the long-term finance provided and the
liquidated damages received from the borrowers on account of default on their
part in making payments according to the terms of the loan agreements. The
assessee also claimed deductions u/s. 36(1)(viia)(c) and independently u/s.
36(1)(viii) in respect of provision made for bad and doubtful debts.

 

The A.O. rejected the claim for exemption u/s.
10(23G) on the ground that the amounts earned by the assessee did not
constitute “interest” as defined u/s. 2(28A). He further held that the claim
for deduction u/s. 36(1)(viia)(c) was allowable only after reducing from the
assessee’s income, the deduction allowable u/s. 36(1)(viii) and that deduction
could not be granted independent of each provision.

 

The Commissioner (Appeals) and the Tribunal
affirmed the order of the A.O.

 

On appeal by the assessee, the Madras High Court
reversed the decision of the Tribunal and held as under:

 

“i)   The
liquidated damages earned by the assessee were admittedly on account of
defaults committed by the borrowers. According to the terms of the agreement
with the borrowers, in case of default in redemption or payment of interest and
all other money (except liquidated damages) on their respective due dates,
liquidated damages at the rate of 2.10% per annum were levied and payable by
the borrowers for the period of default. Though the term “liquidated damages”
was used in the agreement, it actually signified the interest claimed by the
assessee. This term “interest” would come within the word “charge” as provided
under the definition of interest.

 

ii)   It was
an admitted fact that the assessee fell within the definition of a “specified
entity” and it carried on “eligible business” as provided u/s. 36(1)(viii).
Clauses (i) to (ix) of section 36(1) did not imply that those deductions
depended on one another. If an assessee was entitled to the benefit under
clause (i) of section 36(1), he could not be deprived of the benefits of the
other clauses. This is how the provision was arrayed. The computation of amount
of deduction under both these clauses had to be independently made without
reducing the total income by deduction u/s. 36(1)(viii).

 

iii)   Accordingly,
both the questions of law are answered in favour of the appellant assessee.”

Return of income – Delay of 1232 days in filing return – Condonation of delay – Assessee – NRI filed an application for condonation of delay of 1232 days in filing return on ground she was not in a position to file her returns on time due to severe financial crisis in United States of America and injuries sustained by her in an accident, enclosing a medical report in support of claim – Said application was rejected by CBDT on ground that medical certificate did not support case of assessee and that assessee had professional advisor available to her and, thus, required returns ought to have been filed within stipulated period – Though there was some lapse on part of assessee, that by itself would not be a factor to turn out plea for filing of return, when explanation offered was acceptable and genuine hardship was established – Delay to be condoned

26.  Smt. Dr. Sudha Krishnaswamy vs. CCIT; [2018]
92 taxmann.com 306 (Karn):

Date of order: 27th
March, 2018

A. Ys.: 2010-11 to 2012-13

Sections 119 and 139 of I. T.
Act 1961

 

Return of income – Delay of
1232 days in filing return – Condonation of delay – Assessee – NRI filed an
application for condonation of delay of 1232 days in filing return on ground
she was not in a position to file her returns on time due to severe financial
crisis in United States of America and injuries sustained by her in an
accident, enclosing a medical report in support of claim – Said application was
rejected by CBDT on ground that medical certificate did not support case of
assessee and that assessee had professional advisor available to her and, thus,
required returns ought to have been filed within stipulated period – Though there
was some lapse on part of assessee, that by itself would not be a factor to
turn out plea for filing of return, when explanation offered was acceptable and
genuine hardship was established – Delay to be condoned

 

The assessee, a non-resident,
had filed a petition for condonation of delay u/s. 119(2)(b) of the Income-tax
Act, 1961 before Commissioner of Income Tax. She contended that she sold one
vacant site and being non-resident, purchaser of property had deducted income
tax as per provisions of section 195, which had resulted in a refund for A. Y.
2012-13. As regards A. Ys. 2010-11 and 2011-12, it was submitted that she had
no taxable income and claimed that entire refund was relating to TDS from
interest and bank deposits. Accordingly, she requested to condone delay on
ground that she was not in a position to file her returns on time due to severe
financial crisis in United States of America and injuries sustained by her in
an accident, enclosing a medical report in support of the claim and direct
Assessing Officer to accept returns for aforesaid 3 years and process return of
income on merits and issue refund orders. Said application was rejected on
ground that assessee had professional advisor available to her and required returns
ought to have been filed within a stipulated period and, accordingly, rejected
the application relating to the three assessment years in question. The
assessee filed writ petitions challenging the orders of the Commissioner.

The Karnataka High Court allowed
the writ petitions and held as under:

 

“i)  It is not the case of the assessee that she is avoiding any
scrutiny of the returns. On the other hand, it is the case of the assessee that
she is entitled for refund, being a non-resident owing to the recession at U.S.
and the accidental injuries suffered, no returns were filed within the period
prescribed. In the circumstances, it cannot be held that the
assessee-petitioner has obtained any undue advantage of the delay in filing the
income tax returns.

 

ii)   It is trite law that rendering substantial justice shall be
paramount consideration of the Courts as well as the Authorities rather than
rejecting on hyper-technicalities. It may be true that there was some lapse on
the part of assessee, that itself would not be a factor to turn out the plea
for filing of the return, when the explanation offered was acceptable and
genuine hardship was established. Sufficient cause shown by the petitioner for
condoning the delay is acceptable and the same cannot be rejected out-rightly
on technicalities.

 

iii)  Considering the overall circumstances, the delay of 1232 days in
filing the returns for the relevant assessment years in question is condoned
subject to denial of interest for the delayed period if found to be entitled
for refund.”

Recovery of tax – Provisional attachment – Certain transactions to be void – Powers of TRO – Petitioner purchased a property belonging to a deceased person through his legal representative – Same was declared void as it was under attachment proceedings for recovery of tax dues of said deceased person – Petitioner contended that he was a bona fide purchaser of property for adequate consideration and was not aware of attachment of property for recovery of tax of its owner – TRO could not declare a transaction of transfer as null and void u/s. 281 and if department wanted to have transactions of transfer nullified u/s. 281, it must go to civil court under rule 11(6) of Second Schedule to have transfer declared void u/s. 281

25.  Agasthiya Holdings (P.) Ltd. vs. CIT; [2018]
93 taxmann.com 81 (Mad):

Date of Order: 13th April,
2018

Section 281 r.w.s. 222 and
rule 11 of second schedule of I. T. Act 1961

 

Recovery of tax – Provisional
attachment – Certain transactions to be void – Powers of TRO – Petitioner
purchased a property belonging to a deceased person through his legal
representative – Same was declared void as it was under attachment proceedings
for recovery of tax dues of said deceased person – Petitioner contended that he
was a bona fide purchaser of property for adequate consideration and was
not aware of attachment of property for recovery of tax of its owner – TRO
could not declare a transaction of transfer as null and void u/s. 281 and if
department wanted to have transactions of transfer nullified u/s. 281, it must
go to civil court under rule 11(6) of Second Schedule to have transfer declared
void u/s. 281

 

The appellant/writ petitioner
company, engaged in real estate business, purchased a property through the
legal representatives of one deceased ‘PJ’. Before purchasing property the
petitioner got legal opinion from its Advocate and also by verifying the
encumbrances through encumbrance certificate which showed no encumbrance. After
a search of original assessee’s house after two years, four months and two
days, the Revenue found about the sale of the said property in favour of the
petitioner and registration on the file of the Joint Sub-Registrar, Tuticorin.
The Tax Recovery Officer, Tuticorin held that the legal representatives of the
original assessee had illegally transferred the attached property in favour of
the appellant.

 

On appeal before the
Commissioner (Appeal), the assessee contended that the Tax Recovery Officer had
acted outside his jurisdiction Madurai. The Commissioner (Appeals), noted that
on a perusal of the Assessing Officer’s and the Tax Recovery Officer’s report
and other evidence, the attachment of the said property was made on 18/12/1987
and it was duly intimated to the Sub-Registrar’s Office by the Tax Recovery
Officer on 28/09/2007 and it was served on 03/10/2007 and only after the said
information, the transfer of property had taken place and in the light of the
rule 16(1)(2) of the Second Schedule, the defaulter or his legal representative
not competent to alienate any property except with the permission of the Tax
Recovery Officer and since the Tax Recovery Officer had acted within his
jurisdiction in the light of the said rule, the representation/petition
submitted by them was to be rejected and accordingly, the same was rejected on
the ground of no merits. On appeal, the Tribunal also upheld the order of the
Commissioner (Appeals).

 

The petitioner filed appeal as
well as writ petition challenging the order. The petitioner contended that it
was for the department to move the civil court to declare the transaction in
the form of sale in their favour u/s. 281 as null and void. It further claimed
that assessee was the bona fide purchasers for value and consideration without
any notice of pre-encumbrance and therefore, the property was liable to be
released from attachment.

 

The Madras High Court allowed
the writ petition and held as under:

 

“i)  The Tax Recovery Officer, Tuticorin, had sent a communication to
the legal representatives of the original assessee by pointing out that they
had illegally transferred the attached property, which was, as per proceedings
dated 18/12/1987, attached on 06/01/1988 in favour of the appellant in writ
appeal in W.A. (MD) No. 1186 of 2017/writ petitioner and they are calling upon
to show cause as to why the illegal transaction made by them should not be
declared as null and void as per rule 16(1) of the Second Schedule.



ii)   The appellant/writ petitioner submitted a representation to the
Commissioner, Madurai, narrating the events that had happened and claimed that
they are innocent and bona fide purchasers for valid and consideration
without any notice of prior encumbrance and therefore, prayed for appropriate
direction to direct the Assessing Officer to drop any further proceedings
pertaining to the said property and raise the attachment and also enclosed the
supporting documents.

 

iii)  The Commissioner, Madurai, has taken into consideration the said
representation and noted that on a perusal of the Assessing Officer’s and the
Tax Recovery Officer’s report and other evidence, the attachment of the said
property was made on 18/12/1987 and it was duly intimated to the
Sub-Registrar’s Office by the Tax Recovery Officer on 28/09/2007 and it was
served on 03/10/2007 and only after the said information, the transfer of
property had taken place and in the light of the rule 16(1)(2) of the Second Schedule,
the defaulter or his legal representative is not competent to alienate any
property except with the permission of the Tax Recovery Officer and since the
Tax Recovery Officer has acted within his jurisdiction in the light of the said
rule, the representation/petition submitted by them is to be rejected and
accordingly, the same is rejected on the ground of no merits.

 

iv)  As already pointed out, the Tax Recovery Officer has noted that the
property has been illegally transferred by way of a registered sale deed dated
18/06/2008 and since it has been sold after service of the demand notice, it
has to be declared as null and void as per the provisions of the Income-tax
Act.

 

v)   The facts projected would also lead to the incidental question as
to whether the sale by the legal representatives of the deceased in favour of
the appellant/writ petitioner was done with a view to defraud the revenue. It
is the categorical case of the appellant/writ petitioner that before purchasing
the property, they got the legal opinion and also obtained encumbrance
certificates and any entries therein have not declared any succeeding
encumbrance including the attachment of the said property by the Income Tax
Department.

 

vi)  Now, coming to the facts of the case, the order of attachment was
made on 18/12/1987 and as per the additional affidavit of the second appellant,
dated 12/12/2011, filed in writ petition, the intimation was sent to the Joint
Sub-Registrar, Tuticorin, on 28/09/2007 and it was acknowledged by him on
03/10/2007 and notice for settling a sale proclamation u/s. 53 of the Second
Schedule of the Income-tax Act was served on the legal heirs of the original
assessee as such the sale of the property to the writ petitioner was to be held
as null and void on 09/08/2011 which was the subject matter of challenge in the
writ petition.

 

vii) In the light of the ratio laid down by the Supreme Court of India in
TRO vs. Gangadhar Vishwanath Ranade [1998] 100 Taxman 236, it is not
open to the Tax Recovery Officer to declare the said sale as null and void. The
above said decision also held that ‘the Tax Recovery Officer is required to
examine whether the possession of the third party is of a claimant in his own
right or in trust for the assessee or on account of the assessee. If he comes
to a conclusion that the transferee is in possession in his or her own right,
he will have to raise the attachment. If the department desires to have the
transaction of transfer declared void u/s. 281, the department being in the
position of a creditor, will have to file a suit for a declaration that the
transaction of transfer is void u/s. 281.’

 

viii)      In the light of the ratio laid down in the
above cited decision, it is not open to the Tax Recovery Officer to declare the
said transfer/alienation as null and void as per the provisions of the
Income-tax Act. It is also brought to the knowledge of this Court by the
appellant/writ petitioner that he also sought information under the Right to
Information Act, from the Public Information Officer – the Joint Sub-Registrar,
Tuticorin, as to the order of attachment by the Income Tax Officer in respect
of the property concerned. The said official informed that no such document is
available on file. Therefore, this Court is of the considered view that it is for
the Income Tax Department, to file a suit to hold the transaction declared as
null and void as per the ratio laid down by the Supreme Court of India
Gangadhar Vishwanath Ranade case (supra).

 

ix)  The writ petition is partly allowed and the order of the Judge in
granting liberty to the writ petitioner to move the Tax Recovery Officer under
rule 11 of the Second Schedule seeking adjudication of his claim is set aside
and the revenue is granted liberty to file a civil suit to declare the sale
transaction/sale deed in favour of the writ petitioner as null and void.”

Offences and prosecution – Principal Officer – Assessee was a Non-Executive Chairman of Board of Directors of company based in Delhi/NCR region – AO passed an order u/s. 2(35) with respect to TDS default of company treating assessee as Principal Officer of company and launched prosecution proceedings against the assessee u/s. 276B – Where there was no material to establish that assessee was in-charge of day-to-day affairs, management, and administration of his company, AO could not have named him as Principal Officer and accordingly he could not have been prosecuted u/s. 276B for TDS default committed by his company

24.  Kalanithi Maran vs.
UOI; [2018] 92 taxmann.com 308 (Mad): Date of Order:
28th March, 2018: F. Ys. 
2013-14 and 2014-15

Sections 2(35) and 276B of I.
T. Act, 1961

 

Offences and prosecution –
Principal Officer – Assessee was a Non-Executive Chairman of Board of Directors
of company based in Delhi/NCR region – AO passed an order u/s. 2(35) with
respect to TDS default of company treating assessee as Principal Officer of
company and launched prosecution proceedings against the assessee u/s. 276B –
Where there was no material to establish that assessee was in-charge of
day-to-day affairs, management, and administration of his company, AO could not
have named him as Principal Officer and accordingly he could not have been
prosecuted u/s. 276B for TDS default committed by his company

 

The assessee was a
Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of company Spice Jet Limited
based in Delhi /NCR region. The company was engaged in the business of
operation of scheduled low cost air transport services under the brand name
‘Spice Jet’. The assessee was residing and carrying on business at Chennai and
was not receiving any remuneration whatsoever from the company. The assessee
was full time Executive Chairman of Sun TV Network Ltd., which is a public
limited company, from which he drew remuneration as per the provisions of the
Companies Act. There was failure on part of Spice Jet Limited to deposit tax
deducted at source from amounts paid/payable to third parties for F.Ys. 2013-14
to 2014-15. The Assessing Officer passed an order dated 03/11/2014 u/s. 2(35)
of the Income-tax Act, 1961 with respect to TDS default of Spice Jet to the
tune of Rs. 90 crore treating the assessee as the Principal Officer of the
Company within the meaning of section 2(35). By the impugned order, while
naming the assessee as the Principal officer, the Assessing Officer also held
that the assessee was liable for prosecution u/s. 276B for the Tax Deducted at
Source default committed by the company. The assesse filed writ petition
chalanging the said order of the Assessing Officer.

 

The Madras High Court allowed
the writ petition and held as under:

 

“i)  The assessee was a Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Company. Admittedly, the corporate office of the company is at Delhi. It
is not in dispute that the assessee is residing at Chennai and the impugned order
dated 03/11/2014 naming the assessee as the Principal Officer was served on the
assessee at Chennai at his residential address. It is also pertinent to note
that the show-cause notice dated 01/9/2014 was served on the assessee at his
residential address at Chennai. When the assessee had taken a stand that he is
not involved in the day-to-day affairs of the company and was also not drawing
any salary from the company, it cannot be stated that the assessee cannot file
the writ petition at the place where he received the show-cause notice as well
as the impugned order.

 

ii)   In the instant case, admittedly the assessee is challenging the
order treating him as the Principal Officer, which was received by him at
Chennai and was brought to his knowledge only at Chennai. Though the authority
is at Delhi, it is clear that part of cause of action had arisen at Chennai. As
per article 226(2) of the Constitution of India, the writ petition is
maintainable before a High Court within which the cause of action wholly or in
part, arises for the exercise of such power, notwithstanding that the seat of
such Government or authority or the residence of such person is not within
those territories. That apart, though the company’s registered corporate office
is at Delhi and the TAN number is at Delhi assessment, the assessee in this
writ petition has not challenged the assessment order, but, has challenged only
the impugned order naming him as the Principal Officer. In these circumstances,
this Court has jurisdiction to entertain the writ petition.

 

iii)  U/s. 2(35)(b), the Assessing Officer can serve notice only to
persons who are connected with the management or administration of the company
to treat them as Principal Officer. Section 278B clearly states that it shall
not render any such person liable to any punishment, if he proves that offence
was committed without his knowledge.

 

iv)  In the instant case, the assessee has stated that he was not
involved in the day-to-day affairs of the company and that he is only a
Non-Executive Chairman and not involved in the management and administration of
the company. Whereas, the Managing Director, himself has specifically stated
that he is the person in-charge of the day-to-day affairs of the company.

 

v)   The Assessing Officer, while passing the impugned order naming the
assessee as the Principal Officer, has not given any reason for rejecting the
contention of the Managing Director. When the Managing Director himself has
stated that he is the person who is in-charge of the day-to-day affairs of the
management and administration of the company and that the petitioner is not so,
the Assessing Officer without any reason has named the assessee as the
Principal Officer. Merely because the assessee is the Non-Executive Chairman,
it cannot be stated that he is in-charge of the day-to-day affairs, management
and administration of the company. The Assessing Officer should have given the
reasons for not accepting the case of the Managing Director as well as the
assessee in their respective reply. The conclusion of the Assessing Officer
that the assessee being a Chairman and major decisions are taken in the company
under his administration is not supported by any material evidence or any
legally sustainable reasons.

 

vi)  It is clear that the assessee was not involved in the management,
administration and the day-to-day affairs of the company, therefore, the
assessee cannot be treated as Principal Officer. In these circumstances, the
impugned order dated 03/11/2014 is liable to be set aside. Accordingly, the
same is set aside. The writ petition is allowed.”

Export oriented undertaking (Manufacture) – Exemption u/s. 10B – Assessee firm was engaged in mining and export of iron ore – It outsourced work of processing of iron ore to another company which operated plant and machinery outside custom bonded area – Assessee’s claim for exemption u/s. 10B was rejected by AO – Tribunal took a view that mere processing of iron ore in a plant and machinery located outside customs bonded area would not disentitle assessee from claiming exemption u/s. 10B where iron ore was excavated from mining area belonging to an export oriented unit – Accordingly, Tribunal allowed assessee’s claim – No substantial question of law arose

23.  Pr. CIT vs.
Lakshminarayana Mining Co.;
[2018] 93 taxmann.com 142 (Karn):

Date of Order: 6th
April, 2018

A. Ys.: 2009-10 to 2011-12

Section 10B of I. T. Act, 1961

 

Export oriented undertaking
(Manufacture) – Exemption u/s. 10B – Assessee firm was engaged in mining and
export of iron ore – It outsourced work of processing of iron ore to another
company which operated plant and machinery outside custom bonded area –
Assessee’s claim for exemption u/s. 10B was rejected by AO – Tribunal took a
view that mere processing of iron ore in a plant and machinery located outside
customs bonded area would not disentitle assessee from claiming exemption u/s.
10B where iron ore was excavated from mining area belonging to an export
oriented unit – Accordingly, Tribunal allowed assessee’s claim – No substantial
question of law arose

 

The assessee was a firm in the
business of mining and export of iron ore. It had entered into an operation and
maintenance agreement with NAPC Ltd., which operated the plants and machineries
installed in the Export Oriented Unit (hereinafter referred to as ‘EOU’) and
non-EOU both belonging to the assessee-firm. The EOU had started production on
23/09/2006 and accordingly deduction u/s. 10B of the Income-tax Act, 1961 on
the profits derived from the production of iron ore from the EOU was claimed.
The Assessing Officer disallowed the claim for deduction u/s. 10B with respect
to production of iron ore said to have been outsourced by the EOU to the
non-EOU and restricted the claim to the profits derived by the EOU from its
production.

 

The Commissioner (Appeals)
confirmed the order of the Assessing Authority holding that the claim for
deduction u/s.10B was not allowable in respect of production of non-EOU. The
Tribunal held that customs bonding was not a condition precedent for granting
exemption u/s. 10B. It was thus concluded that mere processing of the iron ore
in a plant and machinery located outside customs bonded area  would 
not  disentitle  the 
assessee  from  deduction u/s.10B where the iron ore was
excavated from the mining area belonging to an export oriented unit. The
Tribunal allowed the assesee’s claim.

 

On appeal by the Revenue, the
Karnataka High Court upheld the decision of the Tribunal and held as under:

 

“i)  In the instant appeal, primary contention advanced by the revenue
is to the effect that profits that have been derived by the assessee must be
pursuant to excavation and processing activity of the assessee in a customs
bonded area. It is further contended that as the ‘production’ has not been
carried out in the EOU and, contribution to the finished product by the
assessee being almost absent, deduction u/s. 10B cannot be permitted.

 

ii)   Insofar as factual aspects are concerned, the authorities have
clearly held that there has been outsourcing of processing of iron ore to
evidence which the profit and loss account and the ledger account for the
relevant year have been relied upon. The assertions to the contrary by the
revenue warrants no acceptance.

 

iii)  As regards the contention that the processing by ‘SESA plant’ which
is a plant situated outside the customs bonded area and disentitles the
assessee from claiming deduction u/s. 10B is concerned, the same can be
answered as follows:

 

(a) The processing of the iron ore in a plant belonging to the assessee
being in the nature of job work is not prohibited and forms an integral part of
the activity of the EOU;

 

(b) The mere fact that the ‘SESA Plant’ is situated outside the bonded
area is of no legal significance as the benefit of customs bonding is only for
the limited purpose of granting benefit as regards customs and excise duty. The
entitlement of deduction under the Act is to be looked into independently and
said benefit would stand or fall on the applicability of section 10B.

 

iv)  The judgement in the case of CIT vs. Caritor (India) (P.) Ltd.
[2015] 55 taxmann.com 473/230 Taxman 411/[2014] 369 ITR 463 though arises in
the context of deduction u/s. 10A which is different from deduction u/s. 10B
insofar as section 10A provides for the location of the unit in the ‘Special
Economic Zone’ such locational restriction is absent in case of section 10B,
however, the principle that benefit of customs and excise duty is independent
of the entitlement of deduction under the Act is applicable in the instant case
also. From the discussion above, it is held that no substantial question of law
arises for consideration.”

Educational institution – Exemption u/s. 10(23C)(vi) – Where assessee society was set up with object of imparting education and it had entered into franchise agreements with satellite schools and also used gains arising out of these agreements in form of franchisee fees for furtherance of educational purposes, it fulfilled requirements to qualify for exemption u/s. 10(23C)(vi)

22.  DIT (Exemption) vs. Delhi Public School
Society; 403 ITR 49 (Del); [2018] 92 taxmann.com 132 (Del): Date of Order: 3th
April, 2018

A. Y.: 2008-09

Sections 2(15), 10(23C) and 11
of I. T. Act, 1961

 

Educational institution –
Exemption u/s. 10(23C)(vi) – Where assessee society was set up with object of
imparting education and it had entered into franchise agreements with satellite
schools and also used gains arising out of these agreements in form of franchisee
fees for furtherance of educational purposes, it fulfilled requirements to
qualify for exemption u/s. 10(23C)(vi)

 

The assessee a society
registered with the Registrar of Societies, Delhi had established 11 schools
and had also permitted societies/organisations/trusts with similar objects to
open schools under the name of ‘Delhi Public School’, in and outside India. As
on date, 120 schools were functioning under that name in and outside India. The
main objective of assessee society was to establish progressive schools or
other educational institutions in Delhi or outside Delhi, open to all without
any distinction of race or creed or caste or special status with a view to
impart sound and liberal education to boys and girls during their impressionable
years. The assessee had been enjoying exemption, in respect of its income u/s.
10(22) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 since A. Y. 1977-78 till A. Y. 2007-08. In
view of the change in law, section 10(22) was substituted by section 10(23C)(vi)
with effect from 01/04/1999, the assessee applied in (Form 56D) requesting for
approval of exemption, u/s. 10(23C)(vi) on 16/04/2007 for A. Y. 2008-09
onwards. The Additional Director of Income Tax, by order dated 30/04/2008,
rejected the assessee’s application u/s. 10(23C)(vi) seeking exemption,
on the grounds that, inter alia, the franchisee fee received by it from
the satellite schools in lieu of its name, logo and motto amounts to a
‘business activity’ with a profit motive and no separate books of account were
maintained by assessee for business activity as required u/s. 11(4A). The
assessee filed writ petition challenging the order.

 

The Delhi High Court allowed
the writ petition and held as under:

 

“i)  There is a multitude of authorities that have surveyed and analysed
the exemption permitted u/s. 10(23C)(vi), which broadly conclude that if the
educational institution merely acquires a profit surplus from running its
institution, that alone would not belie its larger education purpose. For
instance, in Queen’s Educational Society vs. CIT [2015] 372 ITR 699/231
Taxman 286/55 taxmann.com 255 (SC),
the Supreme Court focused on the
requirements that were germane to qualify for exemption under the erstwhile
section 10(22) and the subsequent section 10(23C)(vi), namely that: the
activities of the educational institution should be incidental to the
attainment of its objectives and separate books of account should be maintained
by it in respect of such business; primarily to highlight that even if an
educational institution indulges in a profit making activity, that does not
necessarily subsume the larger educational/charitable purpose of the
organisation. The determining test to qualify for exemption u/s. 10(23C)(vi),
hence, lies in the final motivation on which the institution functions,
regardless of what extraneous profit it may accrue in the pursuit of the same.

 

ii)   This critical test therefore has a conspicuous qualitative value;
the objectives of the organisation are to be determined not merely by the
memorandum of objectives of the institution, but, also from the design of how
the profits are being directed and utilised and if such application of profits
uphold the ‘charitable purpose’ of the organisation (as postulated in section
2(15)) or if the objectives are marred by a profit making motive that emerges
more as a business activity rather than an educational purpose. Section
10(23C)(vi) while guiding the manner of this determination also,
provides a certain amount of discretion to the authority assessing the
compliance to these conditions for ascertaining whether the requirements of the
provision are met with. Such scrutiny is to be carried out every year,
irrespective of any preceding pattern in the assessment of the previous years.

 

iii)  As can be seen from the present income tax
appeals, the prescribed authority has examined the assessee’s application for
exemption u/s. 10(23C)(vi) in light of the recent audits of the assessee’s
accounts. Although assessee society, in the earlier years had been granted
exemption u/s. 10(23C)(vi), that itself does not cause for a res judicata
principle, as examination of the assessee’s audited accounts may be done afresh
by the prescribed authority, corresponding to the specific assessment year, as
prescribed in the second proviso to section 10(23C)(vi).

 

iv)  Despite this stipulation, the prescribed
authority will still have to apply the determinative test of assessing whether
the business is incidental to the attainment of the objectives of the entity
and whether separate books of account are being maintained in respect of such
business, even if the profits received by the assessee as such increase
exponentially, if the assessee qualifies this test, they will still be eligible
for exemption u/s. 10(23C)(vi).

 

v)   In light of the decisive test for determining eligibility for
exemption u/s. 10(23C)(vi), it is apparent that the assertion of the
DGIT that the assessee’s activities including charging a franchisee fee could
not be regarded as a charitable activity within the meaning of section 2(15),
and thus, inapplicable for exemption u/s. 10(23C)(vi), has not been
adequately substantiated, despite examination of the assessee’s audited
accounts. The DGIT asserted that the assessee is carrying out a business
activity for profit motives by entering into franchise agreements, whereby, it
has opened and is running around 120 schools, and that these charges were
received by the assessee for using the name of Delhi Public School by the
satellite schools in and outside India and no separate books of account were
maintained by the assessee for the business activity as required under section
11(4A). This is prima facie not correct, because the assessee has
maintained, accounts audited in detail for financial years 2000-2001, 2003-04,
2004-05 and 2005-06. That aspect has been found by the Tribunal for those
assessment years. Such accounts have been maintained in compliance to what is
required under the seventh proviso to section 10(23C)(vi) and section
11(4A).

 

vi)  Furthermore, the memorandum of association of assessee society, as
well as the joint venture agreements entered into by assessee society with the
satellite schools validate the motive of an educational purpose that the
assessee aims through its business activities and substantiate its contentions
in that regard. On review of the assessee’s audited accounts, it can be
observed that the surpluses accrued by assessee society are being fed back into
the maintenance and management of the assessee schools themselves. This,
reaffirms the assessee’s argument that the usage of the gains arising out of
its agreements are incidental to its educational purpose outlined by its
objective of the assessee.

 

vii) The authorities also reiterate that a mere incurrence of (surplus)
profit does not automatically presuppose a business activity that invalidates
the exemption under section 10(23C)(vi); the same has to be tested on
whether such profits are being utilised within the meaning of the larger
charitable purpose as defined in section 2(15) or not. On scrutiny, it can be
observed that the
accounts
marked the heading ‘Secretary’s Account’, detail the heads of income and
expenditure that cater to the various requirements of running and maintaining
the satellite schools. Thus, arguendo if it were held that the objected
activity were indeed commercial in nature, nevertheless, the realisation of
profit by the assessee is through an activity incidental to the dominant
educational purpose that its memorandum of association sets out, and is in turn
being channelled back into the maintenance and management of the same schools,
thus, fulfilling the objectives the assessee has set out in its memorandum of
objectives.

viii)      In view of the above analysis, it is concluded that the
assessee fulfilled the requirements u/s. 10(23C)(vi) to qualify for
exemption; assessee society is maintaining its eleven schools and the 120
satellite schools in furtherance of the education joint venture agreements with
an educational purpose that also qualifies as a ‘charitable purpose’ within the
meaning of section 2(15) and is not in contravention of section 11(4A).

 

ix)  It is felt by this court that section 10(23C)(vi) ought to
be interpreted meticulously, on a case-to-case basis. This is because, the
larger objective of an educational/charitable purpose of the institution and
its manifestation can only be subjectively adjudged; for instance, in the present
situation, the balance sheets of the assessee demonstrate how the profits are
utilised for the growth and maintenance of the very schools they are accrued
from, thus, subscribing to a charitable motive. However, the educational
institutions may take more creative steps to qualify their objectives as an
‘educational purpose’ that is more universal than the individual objectives set
out in the memoranda of objectives of such institutions. For instance, a
percentage of profits earned from a business activity indulged in by such an
educational institution may be mandated towards fructifying the implementation
the provisions of the Right to Education Act, 2009, particularly, to create a
more sensitive learning environment for children with disabilities in implementation
of the provisions in the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities,
Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, or have a system to
analyse the ratio of inflow of money over progressive assessment years as
opposed to how much of this money is channelled back into the growth and
maintenance of such educational purpose, in order to put in place a visible
system of accountability. This is an observation, to ensure that the purpose
for which section 10(23C)(vi) was introduced, is adequately fulfilled and not
disadvantageously circumvented by vested parties.

 

x)   For the foregoing reasons, the writ petition has to succeed.
Accordingly, the assessee’s writ petition is allowed.”

Company – Recovery of tax from director – Notice to directors – Condition precedent – Furnishing of particulars to directors of steps taken to recover dues from company and failure thereof – Condition not satisfied – Order u/s. 179(1) set aside

21.  Madhavi Ketkar vs. ACIT; 403 ITR 157 (Bom);
Date of Order:  5th January,
2018

A. Ys.: 2006-07 to 2011-12

Section 179(1) of ITA 1961;
Art. 226 of Constitution of India

 

Company – Recovery of tax from
director – Notice to directors – Condition precedent – Furnishing of
particulars to directors of steps taken to recover dues from company and
failure thereof – Condition not satisfied – Order u/s. 179(1) set aside

 

The   petitioner  
was   a   director  
of   a   company.  
For A. Ys. 2006-07 to 2011-12, the
Assessing Officer of the company passed an order u/s. 179(1) of the Income-tax
Act, 1961 against the petitioner for recovery of the tax dues of the company.
The petitioner filed a writ petition in the High Court and challenged the
order. The petitioner contended that section 179(1) conferred jurisdiction on
the authority to proceed against the directors of a private limited company to
recover the tax dues from the directors only where the tax dues could not be
recovered from the company and that no effort was made by the authorities to
recover the tax dues from the defaulting company.

 

The Bombay High Court allowed
the writ petition, quashed the order passed u/s. 179(1) of the Act, and held as
under:

 

“i)  The notice issued u/s. 179(1) to the directors of a private limited
company must indicate, albeit briefly, the steps taken by the Department to
recover the tax dues from the company and failure thereof. Where the notice
does not indicate this and the directors raise objections of jurisdiction on
the above account, they must be informed of the basis of the Assessing Officer
exercising the jurisdiction and the directors response, if any, should be
considered in the order passed u/s. 179(1).

 

ii)   The Department acquired or got jurisdiction to proceed against the
directors of a private limited company, only after it had failed to recover the
dues from the company. It was a condition precedent for the Assessing Officer
to exercise jurisdiction u/s. 179(1) against the director of the company. The
jurisdictional requirement was not satisfied by a mere statement in the order
that recovery proceedings had been conducted against the defaulting company but
it had failed to recover its dues. Such a statement should be supported by
mentioning briefly the types of efforts made and the results.

 

iii)  The notice u/s. 179(1) did not indicate or give any particulars in
respect of the steps taken by the Department to recover the tax dues of the
defaulting company and failure thereof. In the letter sent in response to the
notice, questioning the jurisdiction of the Department, the petitioner had
sought details of the steps taken by the Department and had pointed out that
the defaulting company had assets of over Rs. 100 crores.

 

iv)  Admittedly, no particulars of steps taken to recover the dues from
the defaulting company were communicated to the petitioner nor indicated in the
order. At no time had the petitioner been given a chance to meet the
Department’s case that it had taken steps to recover the amount from the
defaulting company so as to meet the jurisdictional condition precedent before
passing an order u/s. 179(1).

 

v)   The order was set aside since the condition precedent was not
satisfied. However, the attachment order would be continued till the passing of
a final order by the Assessing Officer u/s. 179(1)”

                  

Co-operative society – Special deduction u/s. 80P – No deduction where banking business is carried on – No evidence of banking business – Mere inclusion of name originally and object in bye-laws of society not conclusive – Assessee entitled to special deduction u/s. 80P

20.  ELURU Co-operative House Mortgage Society
Ltd. vs. ITO; 403 ITR 172 (T&AP)

Date of Order: 13th
September, 2017

A. Ys.: 2007-08, 2008-09 and
2009-10

Section 80P of ITA 1961

 

Co-operative society – Special
deduction u/s. 80P – No deduction where banking business is carried on – No
evidence of banking business – Mere inclusion of name originally and object in
bye-laws of society not conclusive – Assessee entitled to special deduction u/s.
80P

 

The assessee was a
co-operative society, established in the year 1963. Originally, the assessee
was registered as the Eluru Co-operative House Mortgage Bank Ltd. But the
Reserve Bank of India as well as the Co-operative Department of the State
refused to accord permission to the assessee to carry on the business of
banking under that name. Therefore the word “Bank” was deleted from the name of
the assessee w.e.f. 19/02/2009. The assessee claimed that it was not a bank
within the meaning of section 80P(4) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

 

For the A.Ys. 2007-08, 2008-09
and 2009-10, the assessee filed returns of income declaring “nil” income
claiming deduction u/s. 80P(2), on the ground that it was running on the
principle of mutuality, dealing only with its own members. The Assessing
Officer rejected the claim for deduction.

 

The Tribunal upheld the
disallowance.

 

On appeal by the assessee, the
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh High Court reversed the decision of the Tribunal
and held as under:

 

“i)  The entitlement of an assessee to the benefit of deduction u/s.
80P(2) does not depend upon either the name of the assessee or the objects for
which the assessee was established. The entitlement to deduction under the
provision would depend upon the actual carrying on of the business activity,
viz., banking. The fact that all co-operative banks would necessarily be
co-operative societies cannot lead to the presumption that all co-operative
societies are also co-operative banks. There are different types of co-operative
societies, many of whom may not be transacting any banking business.

 

ii)   Without reference to a single transaction that the assessee had
with any non-member, the Tribunal upheld the findings of the Assessing Officer
merely on the basis of the name of the assessee and one of the objects clauses
in the bye-laws of the assessee. Therefore, the finding of the Tribunal was
obviously perverse and such a finding could not have been recorded on the basis
of the material available on record.

 

iii)  The assessee was entitled to the special deduction u/s. 80P for the
A. Ys. 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10.”

 

Business – Adventure in nature of trade – Assessee holding immovable property from 1965 – Agreement for developing property in 1994, supplementary agreement in 1997 and memorandum of understanding in 2002 – Transaction not an adventure in nature of trade – Gains from sale of flats not assessable as business income

19.  Pr. CIT vs. Rungta Properties Pvt. Ltd.; 403
ITR 234 (Cal); Date of Order: 8th May, 2017

A. Ys.: 2003-04, 2004-05 and
2006-07

Section 28 of ITA 1961

 

Business – Adventure in nature
of trade – Assessee holding immovable property from 1965 – Agreement for
developing property in 1994, supplementary agreement in 1997 and memorandum of
understanding in 2002 – Transaction not an adventure in nature of trade – Gains
from sale of flats not assessable as business income

 

The
assessee was holding immovable property since the year 1965. It entered into a
development agreement dated 28/01/1994 in relation to the property with another
company TRAL. The development agreement was followed by a supplementary
agreement dated 19/02/1997 and a memorandum of understanding dated 18/09/2002.
The arrangement between the assessee and TRAL was that a new structure was to
come up in place of the existing one at the cost of the developer and the
assessee was to get 49.29% of the developed property along with an undivided
share of the land in the same proportion, the rest going to the developer. The
Assessing Officer held that the transaction was an adventure in the nature of
trade and the income arising thereon is business income as against the claim of
the assessee that it is a capital gain.

 

The Commissioner (Appeals) and
the Tribunal reversed the decision of the Assessing Officer and allowed the
claim of the assessee.

 

In appeal by the Revenue, the
Calcutta High Court upheld the decision of the Tribunal and held as under:

 

“i)  The assessee’s arrangement with the developer was not a joint
venture agreement and there was no profit or loss sharing arrangement. In the
absence of any evidence that the assessee undertook the business of property
development, the object clause in the memorandum could not be treated to be the
determining factor to conclude that this was a part of the assessee’s regular
business.

 

ii)   On the same reasoning, reference to property in the corporate name
of the assessee could not make the assessee a property development company.

 

iii)  The Tribunal as well as the Commissioner (Appeals) had concurrently
found that the transactions of sale of flats did not constitute an adventure in
the nature of trade. The finding was justified.”

TDS On Provision For Expenses Made At Year-End

Issue for Consideration

Many
of the provisions casting obligation to deduct tax at source (‘TDS’) under
Chapter XVII-B require tax  deduction at
the time of credit of the specified income or sum to the account of the payee
or at the time of payment, whichever is earlier.

 

Each
of the relevant provisions of TDS, by way of a deeming fiction, under an
Explanation, provide  that when the
income or sum is credited to any account by any name in the books of account of
the person liable to pay it, such crediting shall be deemed to be credit of
such income or sum to the account of the payee and the provisions of the
relevant section shall apply accordingly[1].

 

 

A
question often arises as to whether tax is required to be deducted at the time
of making provision, in the books of account, 
for several expenses at the end of the accounting year under the
mercantile system of accounting.  While
a  view has been taken in some cases that
tax is not required to be deducted at source where the payee is not
identifiable,  there has arisen one more  controversy even in respect of ad-hoc or
interim provisions made, in respect of liability payable to identified payees
in future. The issue that has arisen is, whether crediting the amount to the
provision account, in such cases,  be
deemed to be credit to the account of the concerned payee attracting the
liability to TDS. The incidental issue also arises as to whether the reversal
of such provision in the subsequent period has any bearing in determining
applicability of TDS. Conflicting decisions have been rendered by the Bangalore
bench of Tribunal on this subject.


[1] 
Refer to Explanations to Section 193, 
Section 194A, Section 194C, 
Section 194H,  Section 194-I,  Section 194J.


IBM
INDIA (P) LTD.’S CASE

The
issue first came up before the Bangalore bench of the Tribunal in the case of IBM
India (P) Ltd vs. ITO 154 ITD 497.

 

In this case, pertaining to assessment years 2005-06 to
2009-10, the assessee,  a wholly owned
subsidiary of a U.S. based company, was following the mercantile system of
accounting. As a part of the global group accounting policy, the assessee had
to quantify its expenses every quarter, within 3 days of the end of each
quarter. The assessee made a provision in the books of account for expenses, on
such quantification,  in respect of which
service/work had been provided/performed by the vendors in the relevant quarter  but for which the invoices had not been
furnished or in respect of which the payments had not fallen due, recognising
the liability incurred. On the basis of scientific methodology, the assessee
estimated such expenses and created a provision for such expenses every quarter
within 3 days of the end of the quarter. At the time of creation of provision,
in this manner, it was not possible for the assessee to identify parties, or if
parties were identified, to arrive at the exact sum on which TDS was to be
deducted.

 

The
expenses were debited to the profit and loss account and the provisions were
credited to a provision account, and not to the vendor accounts, as those had
not fallen due for payment. In the subsequent financial year, the provision
entries were reversed and on receipt of invoices in respect of the respective
expenses, the same were recorded as liabilities due to the respective parties,
at which point of time taxes were deducted 
at source. The provision so made was disallowed by the assessee itself
in terms of section 40(a)(i) and 40(a)(ia) while filing its return of income.

 

According
to the Assessing Officer, in respect of the provision so created by the
assessee in the books of account, tax was deductible at source and the assessee
by not deducting the tax has been in default and was liable to deposit the tax
and also for interest and penalty. In response to the show cause notice issued
u/s. 201(1) & 201(1A), the assessee submitted that invoices were not
received in respect of the underlying expenses, and therefore there was neither
accrual of expenditure nor was the payee identified, as the amount was not
credited to the account of the payee, but to a suspense account. There was no
accrual of expenditure in accordance with the mercantile system of accounting,
and therefore there was no obligation on its part to deduct tax at source. The
assessee took a stand that, though  the
relevant provisions of law in Chapter XVII-B, did provide for the situation
where  an amount was credited to a
“Suspense Account”, there should be a legal liability to pay, and the
payee should be known, and only then the obligation to deduct tax at source
arose. The Assessee also submitted that the provision entries were reversed in
the subsequent financial year(s) and necessary taxes were withheld at source at
the time of actual payment (when legal liability to pay arose and the identity
of the party was known).

 

The
Assessing Officer rejected the assessee’s arguments on the grounds that:

 

1.  The
assessee did not explain as to how the expenses had been quantified;

 

2.  When
no invoices were received, the booking of such expenses in the accounts and
claiming them as expenditure of the previous year was erroneous; and

 

3.  The
procedure followed by the assessee, of reversing the entries and recording the liability
in its books of account when invoices were received, was contrary to the
accounting policy, because once expenditure was booked in the profit and loss
account, it could not be reversed;

 

4.  There
was no clarification as to whether tax 
was deducted on the whole of the provisional entries, so as to allow the
amount that was disallowed  u/s.
40(a)(ia), in the year in which tax  was
deducted and paid ;

 

5.  The
procedure followed by the assessee might 
have led to the allowing of the expenditure one year prior to the
incurring of the actual expenses;

 

6.  The
details of the TDS made on such provisions made at the end of the year was also
provided by the assessee on sample basis, contending that the number of entries
were huge and hence could not be provided in full within a limited period;
giving rise to non-verification of deductions claimed.

 

The Assessing Officer treated the assessee
as an assessee in default for  the taxes
not deducted at source, in respect of provision for expenses made in the books
of account, and also levied consequential interest.

 

The orders passed u/s. 201(1) and 201(1A)
were upheld by the CIT (A) for the following reasons:

 

1.  Under
mercantile system of accounting, accrual of liability for any expenditure was
not dependent on receipt of invoice from the person to whom payment for
expenditure had to be made. The accounting practice followed by the assessee
was contrary to the mercantile system of accounting.

 

2.  The
claim of the assessee that it created provision in the books of account on an
estimated basis in some cases, on a historical basis in one set of cases  and by using some sort of arithmetical or
geometric progression in other cases, was not acceptable. The assessee had not
established its plea with concrete evidence. The assessee had full knowledge of
what was due to its vendors, sub-contractors, commission agents etc. Therefore,
there was no necessity to create provisions.

 

3.  The
argument regarding chargeability to tax in the hands of the payee or the time
at which the payee recognised income in respect of the payment received from
the assessee was irrelevant.

 

Before the Tribunal, the assessee
contended that:

 

1.  When
payee was not identified there could  be
no charge u/s. 4(1) and therefore there could 
be no obligation to deduct tax at source;

 

2.  The
returns of TDS to be filed under the Income Tax Rules, 1962 contemplated
furnishing of names of payees.



3.  Judicial
decisions recognise that there could be no TDS obligation in the absence of
payee.

 

4.  If there was no income chargeable to tax in
the hands of the payee, there could  be
no TDS obligation. TDS obligations arose only when there was
“Income”. TDS obligations did not arise on the basis of mere payment,
without there being income and corresponding liability of the person receiving
payment from the assessee to pay tax.

 

5.  The
Assessee relied on CBDT Circular No. 3/2010 dated 2.3.2010, issued in the
context of the provisions of section 194A of the Act dealing with TDS
obligation of banks at the time of provision of monthly interest liability
under the Core Banking Solution software, where the CBDT had clarified that TDS
was not applicable at the time of such monthly provisioning.

 

6.  Reliance
was also placed by the assessee on the Delhi High Court decision in the case of
UCO Bank vs. Union of India [2014] 369 ITR 335, where the Delhi High
Court had held that no tax was deductible on deposits kept by the Registrar
General of the High Court, since the ultimate payee was not known.

 

The Revenue argued that:

 

1.  The
assessee on its own had disallowed the expenditure in question u/s. 40(a)(i)
& 40(a)(ia). Such disallowance arose only when there existed a liability to
deduct tax at source in terms of Chapter-XVII-B of the Act. The assessee having
on its own disallowed expenditure u/s. 40(a)(i) & 40(a)(ia), could not
later on  turn around and say that there
was no obligation to deduct tax at source.

 

2.  The
assessee did not account for expenditure on accrual basis but on receipt of
invoice  which could not  be the point of time at which accrual of
expenditure could  be said to have
happened. The system of accounting followed by the assessee was not in tune
with the mercantile system of accounting.

 

3.  When
the assessee credited suspense account for payments due to various persons,
such credit itself was treated as credit to the account of the payee by a
deeming fiction in the various provisions of Income tax Act. The assessee could
not therefore say that the payee was not identified. Even in such a situation,
the assessee had to comply with the TDS provisions.

 

4.  The
method of accounting followed by the Assessee resulted in postponement of time
at which tax had to be remitted to the credit of the Government. It  could be seen from the fact that the
assessee, in some cases, was liable to charge of interest u/s. 201(1A) for
about 84 months. The question whether the Assessee was indulging in a
deliberate exercise in this regard was irrelevant. The fact that the revenue
was put to loss by reason of the system of accounting followed by the assessee
and the fact that otherwise the money should have reached the coffers of the
revenue much earlier, was sufficient to uphold the levy of interest u/s.
201(1A) of the Act.

 

5.  When
the Assessee argued that the payees were not identified, it was not open to the
assessee to also contend that there was no accrual of income in the hands of
the payee or that the payment was not chargeable to tax in the hands of the
payee in India.

 

6.  The
CBDT circular No. 3/2010 was in the context of banks crediting interest on
fixed deposits of customers. The decisions rendered by the judicial forums
based on those circulars were  not
relevant, as they were relevant only in the case of Banks and could not be
pressed into service in other cases, such as the case of the Assessee.

 

The Tribunal deleted the demand for
payment of taxes raised u/s. 201(1) as the tax that was deducted  subsequently when the actual liability was
booked, was paid. However, it upheld the applicability of the provisions of TDS
at the time of making provision and the obligation to deduct tax thereon and
accordingly,  levy of interest u/s.
201(1A) on account of delay  on the part
of the assessee in complying with the TDS provisions. On the facts of the case,
the Tribunal noted that the assessee was fully aware of the payee, but
postponed credit to its account for want of receipt of invoice. Proceeding on
the basis that payees were known to the assessee, regarding applicability of
TDS on provision, the Tribunal held as under:

 

1.  Once
the assessee had offered disallowance in respect of provision u/s. 40(a)(i) and
40(a)(ia), it was not possible to argue that there was no liability to deduct
tax at source on the same provision. The disability u/s. 40(a)(i) &
40(a)(ia), and the liability u/s. 201(1) could not be different and they arose
out of the same default;

 

2.  The
liability to deduct tax at source existed when the amount in question was
credited to a “Suspense Account” or any other account by whatever
name called, which would also include a “Provision” created in the
books of account;

 

3.  Since
the assessee had not established with concrete evidence that provision was made
on an estimated basis, it had full knowledge of amounts payable to vendors,
sub-contractors, commission agents, etc., and there was no necessity to
create a provision;

 

4.  The
statutory provisions clearly envisaged collection at source de hors the
charge u/s. 4(1).

 

5.  The
argument that TDS provisions operated on income and not on payment, in the
facts and circumstances of the  case, was
erroneous. Section 194C & 194J used the expression “sum” and not
“income”. Further, section 194H & 194-I did not use the expression
“chargeable to tax”.

 

6.  The
Tribunal further held the decision of the Bangalore bench in the case of DCIT
vs. Telco Construction Equipment Co. Ltd. ITA No. 478/Bang/2012
to be sub
silentio
, and, therefore, not binding. The Delhi High Court decision in the
case of UCO Bank (supra)  was also
distinguished on the ground that the assessee was fully aware of the payee in
the case before the Tribunal.

 

The Tribunal therefore confirmed the levy
of interest u/s. 201(1A).

 

BOSCH
LTD.’S CASE

The issue again came up before the
Bangalore bench of the Tribunal in the case of Bosch Ltd vs. ITO
TS-116-ITAT-2016.

 

This was a case relating to assessment
year 2012-13. The facts of this case were almost identical to the facts of
IBM’s case. The assessee was a company engaged in the business of manufacture
and sale of injection equipments, auto electric items, portable electric power tools, etc.

 

In respect of expenses amounting to  Rs.1,96,84,115, a provision was created by
the company in its books and the same was disallowed under the provisions of section
40(a)(i)(ia) in computation of total income filed for the assessment year
2012-13. Out of Rs.1,96,84,115, no invoices were received for an amount of
Rs.1,79,36,713 and the said  amount was
reversed in the beginning of the next accounting year. The assessee contended
that no tax was required to be deducted in respect of such amount for which no
invoices were received.

 

The contention of the assessee was not
accepted by the Assessing Officer by holding that the system of accounting
followed by the assessee was faulty and did not enable any verification. He
held that since the assessee company was following mercantile system of
accounting, tax should have been deducted on the provisions made. Accordingly,
the Assessing  Officer held that the
assessee to be an ‘assessee in default’ u/s. 201(1) of the IT Act and demanded
tax  and interest thereon.

 

The CIT (A) confirmed the action of the
Assessing Officer by holding that suo-moto disallowance under the
provisions of section 40(a)(ia) did not absolve the assessee from its
responsibility of deducting tax at source. However, the CIT (A) directed the
Assessing  Officer to exclude those
amounts in respect of which TDS had been made on the dates on which invoices
had been raised. 

 

Before the Tribunal, the assessee
submitted that, as regards the expenses for which the service provider or
vendor had not raised any invoices nor were they acknowledged by the assessee
company, it made a provision for such expenses on a scientific basis and such
provision was debited to its P&L account, in conformity with the provisions
of Accounting Standard 29- Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent
Assets (AS 29) issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
(ICAI). Such provision, which was mandatory as per AS 29, was reversed in the
beginning of the next accounting year.

 

It was argued that:

 

a.  No
income had accrued to the payees and a mere provision was made in the books of
account at the year end. The very fact that the provision was reversed in the
beginning of the next accounting year showed that no income had accrued to the
payee and therefore, there was no liability to deduct TDS on the basis of mere
provision.



b.  The
payees as well as the exact amount payable to them were not identifiable and
therefore, there was no liability to deduct tax at source.

 

c.  The
existence/accrual of income in the hands of payee was a pre-condition to fasten
the liability of TDS in the hands of the payer;

 

d.  The
provisions of section 195 stipulated that the payer had to deduct tax at source
at an earlier point of time, either at the time of crediting to the payee’s
account or at the time of payment of income to the payee. The phrase “whichever
is earlier” would mean that both the events i.e crediting the amount to the
account of payee and payment to the assessee must necessarily occur. Therefore,
when there was no payment made the question of deducting TDS at the time of
crediting did not arise.

 

Reliance was also placed on the CBDT’s
Instruction No.1215 (F.No.385/61/78 IT(B) dated 08-11-1978.

 

On behalf of the revenue, it was argued
that on a plain reading of section 195, the liability to deduct tax at source
had arisen the moment the amount was credited in the books of account,
irrespective of fact whether the amount was paid or not. It was  further submitted that the provision of
taxing statutes should be construed strictly so that there was no place for any
inference.

 

The Tribunal took a view that the liability
to deduct tax at source arose only when there was accrual of income in the
hands of the payee. It relied upon the decision of Supreme Court in the case of
GE India Technology Centre P. Ltd. vs. CIT 327 ITR 456. According to the
Tribunal, the fact that the provisions made at the year-end were reversed in
the beginning of the next accounting year showed that there was no income
accrued. The Tribunal observed that mere entries in the books of account did
not establish the accrual of income in the hands of the payee, as held by the
Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT vs. Shoorji Vallabhdas & Co. 46
ITR 144.

 

The Tribunal
accordingly concluded that there was no liability in the hands of the assessee
company to deduct tax at source, merely on the provisions made at the year end.

 

This order of the
Tribunal has been followed by the Bangalore bench of the Tribunal in the case
of TE Connectivity India Pvt Ltd vs. ITO (ITA 3/Bang/2015 dated 25.5.2016).

 

OBSERVATIONS

The objective  of inserting the Explanation has been stated
in Circular No. 3/2010 dated 2-3-2010. The relevant portion of this circular is
reproduced below:

 

Explanation to section 194A was introduced
with effect from 1-4-1987 by the Finance Act, 1987 to plug the loophole of
avoiding deduction of tax at source by crediting interest in the books of
account under accounting heads ‘interest payable account’ or ‘suspense account’
instead of to the depositor’s/payee’s account. (emphasis added)

 

It is gathered  from the above that, the Explanation applies
where   the interest (or any other amount
to which other provisions of TDS applies) is otherwise required to be credited
to the payee’s account and in order to avoid deduction of tax at source, it has
been credited to some other account, and not to the payee’s account.

 

A provision for an expense, by its very
nature, can not, in accountancy, be credited to any particular payee’s account;
it is rather to be credited to the Provision Account. The sum which cannot be
credited to the payee’s account as per the accounting principles cannot be
brought within the purview of Explanation so as to  deem to have been credited to the payee’s
account. The possibility to have credited a sum to the payee’s account should
first exist in order to invoke the Explanation. There is a stronger case for
non application of the  Explanation  in cases where the payee is not known in
comparision to the  cases where the payee
is known. Mere non-receipt of an invoice by the assessee cannot result in
claiming that the amount has not accrued to the service provider, particularly
when the contractual terms are also known to the assessee. The TDS provisions
in the later circumstances may be construed to have been avoided or  defeated by crediting an expenditure   to a provision account, instead of to the
payee’s account.

 

One view that the Explanation is intended
to apply only when the liability to pay that amount has become due is on
account of the language of the Explanation itself. The relevant provision of
section 194C [earlier it was present in the form of an Explanation II to s/s.
(2) but re-enacted as s/s. (2) with effect from 1-10-2009] is reproduced below:

 

Where any sum referred to in sub-section
(1) is credited to any account, whether called “Suspense account” or
by any other name, in the books of account of the
person liable to
pay such income
,
such crediting shall be deemed to be credit of such income to the account of
the payee and the provisions of this section shall apply accordingly. (emphasis
added)

 

The words used in the Explanation are
“person liable to pay such income” in contrast to the “person responsible for
paying” as used in the main provision. Therefore, as per this view, the person
should have become liable to pay the income on which tax is required to be withheld
in order to get covered by the Explanation. 
This view perhaps has a better appeal in cases of section 195 which
bases the obligation on ‘chargeability’ in the hands of the payee.
However, this view may not hold water, when one appreciates that the term
“liable to pay such income” merely qualifies the person who is required to
deduct tax, and not the point of time of deduction of tax. 

 

As far as disallowance u/s. 40(a)(ia) is
concerned, offering disallowance u/s. 40(a)(ia) cannot absolve the assessee
from his liability u/s. 201(1). Both the provisions, one for disallowance u/s.
40(a)(i) or 40(a)(ia) and the other for treatment of  the assessee as an assessee in default can
co-exist. The Second Proviso to section 40(a)(ia) envisages such a possibility whereby
the assessee can be proceeded against under the provisions of section 201,
apart from disallowing the relevant expenditure on account of his default in
complying with the TDS provisions.

 

But then, the incidental issue would be as
to whether the provision created in the books of account, for which a view is
taken that tax is not deductible on it, can be subjected  to the disallowance provisions of section
40(a)(i) or 40(a)(ia) or not. These provisions of section 40(a) apply to any sum payable
and on which tax is deductible at source under Chapter XVII-B. It is not the
case that the tax is not deductible at all from the provisions for expenses. It
is only the point of time at which tax is required to be deducted that is in
dispute. Therefore, it would be difficult to take a view that  the claim based on such provisions cannot be
disallowed u/s. 40(a)(i) or 40(a)(ia) merely because tax is not deductible at
present but in future. Otherwise, it would result into granting of deduction in
the year of making provision and making disallowance provision otiose in the
subsequent year in the absence of any claim for its deduction. However,
difficulties would certainly arise in a case where the provision is made for
liability towards unidentified payees. In such case, neither payee is known nor
his residential status is known.

 

One may however take notice of the
decision of the Mumbai Tribunal in the case of Pranik Shipping &
Services Ltd. vs. ACIT [2012] 135 ITD 233
wherein a view was taken that the
provision of section 40(a) would not apply in cases where the expenditure in
question was claimed in the return of income but was neither credited to the
account of payee nor provided for in the books.

 

If one looks at the plain reading of the
tax deduction sections, they require tax deduction at source on payment of any
income of specified nature (except in case of section 194C, which requires
payment of any sum). The chargeability to tax of such income is not a
prerequisite, except in case of section 195, which specifically requires such
sum to be chargeable to tax. Therefore, one can distinguish the provisions of
section 195 from the other tax deduction provisions, which do not specify that
such amounts have to be chargeable to tax. The reliance by the Tribunal on GE
Technology Centre’s decision (supra) in Bosch’s case,
in relation to 
section 195, may be a good law and may be debatable for provisions other
than section 195.    

 

The assessees are advised, in the interest of
mitigating litigation to deduct tax at source 
in cases where the services are rendered and the payee is known, even
while making the provisions for expenses on an estimated basis or otherwise.

Section 92B and section 271AA of the Act –Penalty cannot be levied for failure to disclose share issue transaction in Form 3CEB filed before the 2012 amendment to the definition of international transaction.

13.
[2018] 93 taxmann.com 87 (Delhi)

ITO vs.
Nihon Parkerizing (India) (P.) Ltd.

ITA No. :
6409/Del/2015

A.Y:
2011-12

Date of
Order: 10th April, 2018

 

Section 92B and section 271AA of the Act –Penalty cannot
be levied for failure to disclose share issue transaction in Form 3CEB filed
before the 2012 amendment to the definition of international transaction.

 

Facts

Taxpayer, an Indian company, had received certain sum as
share capital from its associated enterprise (AE) during FY 2010-11. Taxpayer
furnished the transfer pricing report in Form 3CEB disclosing other
international transactions u/s. 92E. However, Taxpayer did not report the share capital transaction in
Form 3CEB.

 

AO contended that due to retrospective amendment to
section 92B in the year 2012, share issue transaction qualifies as an
international transaction with retrospective effect. AO imposed penalty for
non-disclosure of the transaction of share capital issue in the Form 3CEB.
Taxpayer argued that the amendment to the definition of international
transaction was made by the Finance Act 2012 with retrospective effect, whereas
the report in Form 3CEB was filed by the Taxpayer much before the enactment of
the amendment. Taxpayer contended that as on the date of filing Form 3CEB,
there was no requirement to report the share issue transaction and hence
penalty cannot be levied.

 

Aggrieved by the order of AO, taxpayer appealed before
CIT(A). The CIT(A) deleted the penalty holding that that as on the date of
filing of Form 3CEB by the Taxpayer, there was no requirement to report the
share issue transaction and hence, no penalty was leviable. Aggrieved, AO
appealed before the Tribunal.

 

Held

Section 92B of the Act was amended
by the Finance Act 2012 with retrospective effect from 01st April
2002 to cover capital financing, including any type of long-term or short-term
borrowing, lending or guarantee, purchase of sale of marketable securities or
any type of advance, payments or deferred payments or receivable or any other
debt arising during the course of the business as international transaction.

 

However, Form 3CEB disclosing
international transactions for the relevant year was filed by the Taxpayer
prior to such amendment and at that time the Taxpayer was not aware that there
would be retrospective amendment wherein the transaction of issue of shares
would be required to be reported in Form 3CEB.

 

It is an established law that, for
imposition of penalty, the law in force at the time of filing Form 3CEB would
be applicable.

It is true that issue of share
capital is an international transaction. However, as on the date of filing of
Form 3CEB in the above year, Taxpayer was not required to disclose the said
transaction. Since the law was later amended, though, with retrospective
effect, the issue had no clarity prior to amendment. Thus, there was a
reasonable cause for not disclosing the share capital issue as an international
transaction in the Form 3CEB by the Taxpayer and hence, penalty is to be
deleted.
 

5 Section 133A – Returned income as against declared income during survey accepted.

5.  Amod Shivlal Shah vs. ACIT

Members:  G.S. Pannu (A. M.) and Pawan Singh (J. M.)

ITA No.: 795/MUM/2015  

A.Y.: 2006-07                                                                                               

Dated: 23rd  February, 2018

Counsel for Assessee /
Revenue:  Dr. K. Shivaram &  Rahul Hakani / Rajesh Kumar Yadav

 

Section
133A – Returned income as against declared income during survey accepted.

 

FACTS

The
assessee was engaged in carrying out business activity as a builder and
developer. On 12.03.2007, a survey action u/s. 133A was carried out at the
business premises of the assessee. At the time of survey, it was noted that the
return of income for the assessment year under consideration as well as for
Assessment Years 2004-05 and 2005-06 were not filed. It was found that the
development work of residential building situated at Bandra, Mumbai was
complete in view of the Occupancy Certificate issued by the Municipal
Corporation on 31.10.2005. In the statement recorded, the assessee declared the
income of Rs. 1 crore based on the work-in-progress declared for Assessment
Year 2003-04 and in the answer at the time of survey, the working thereof was
also enumerated. 

 

Subsequently,
the assessee filed a return of income for assessment year 2006-07 on 29.03.2007
declaring an income of Rs.25.36 lakh, which was accompanied by the audited
Balance-sheet and the Profit & Loss Account.  The response of the assessee was that
subsequent to the survey, it compiled its accounts, which were got audited
and   it  
 showed    that   
the    estimation     made      
at  Rs.1 crore was incorrect.
During the course of assessment, assessee also furnished the reconciliation
between income declared during survey and the returned income.  In sum and substance, the stand of the
assessee was that the income declared at the time of survey was a rough
estimate, whereas the return of income was on the basis of audited accounts
compiled with reference to the corresponding evidences, material, etc.

 

The
AO did not accept the explanation furnished as according to him, the
declaration made at the time of survey was binding on the assessee and the same
could not be retracted. The CIT(A) also affirmed the addition made by the
AO. 

 

Before
the Tribunal, the revenue supported the orders of the lower authorities and
relied upon the decision of the Mumbai Tribunal in the case of Hiralal
Maganlal and Co. vs. DCIT, (2005) 97 TTJ Mum 377
.  

 

HELD

The
Tribunal noted that the income declared during the survey was entirely based on
the estimation of the value of the WIP as appearing on 31.03.2003 and the
expenses estimated for Assessment Years 2004-05 to 2006-07.  Thus, the income offered at the time of
survey was on an estimate basis.  The
Tribunal also noted that the assessee had explained the basis on which the
income was drawn-up at the time of filing of return and the reasons for the
difference between the income offered at the time of survey and that declared
in the return of income. 

 

To
a question, whether the AO was justified in making the addition merely for the
reason that assessee had offered a higher amount of income at the time of
survey – the Tribunal relied to the decision of the Supreme Court in the case
of Pullangode Rubber Produce Co. Ltd. vs. State of Kerala & Anr. (91 ITR
18)
where the court had observed that the admission made on an anterior
date, which was not based on correct state of facts, was not conclusive to hold
the issue against the assessee. 

 

According
to the Tribunal, the stand of the assessee was much more convincing since the
original declaration itself was not based on any books of account or supporting
documents, but was merely an estimate, whereas the return of income had been
filed on the basis of audited accounts and the principal areas of differences,
namely, the amount of sale proceeds and the expenditure were duly supported by
relevant documents.

 

As
regards reliance placed by the revenue on the decision of the Tribunal in the
case of Hiralal Maganlal and Co., the Tribunal noted that the said decision was
dealing with a statement recorded u/s. 132(4) of the Act at the time of search,
whereas the present case was dealing with a statement recorded u/s. 133A of the
Act at the time of survey.  The Tribunal
pointed out that the Supreme Court in the case of CIT vs. S. Khader Khan
Sons, 352 ITR 480
had upheld the judgment of the Madras High Court in the
case reported in 300 ITR 157, wherein the difference between sections 133A and
132(4) of the Act was noted and it was held that the statement u/s. 133A of the
Act would not have any evidentiary value. The Tribunal also referred to the
CBDT Circular no. 286/2/2003 (Inv.) II dated 10.03.2003, wherein it has been
observed that the assessments ought not to be based merely on the confession
obtained at the time of search and seizure and survey operations, but should be
based on the evidences/material gathered during the course of search/survey
operations or thereafter, while framing the relevant assessments. 

 

Accordingly,
the Tribunal set-aside the order of the CIT(A) and directed the AO to delete
the addition.

Section 115JB – For computing book profits u/s. 115JB, no adjustment can be made in respect of depreciation provided at a rate higher than that prescribed under Schedule XIV of Companies Act provided the assessee shows how and on what basis the specified period and the higher rate of depreciation was arrived at.

9. [2018] 93 taxmann.com 215
(Chennai)

Indus Finance Corporation Ltd
vs. DCIT

ITA No. : 1348/Chennai/2017

A.Y.: 2012-13  

Dated: 03rd May,
2018

 

Section 115JB – For computing book profits u/s. 115JB, no
adjustment can be made in respect of depreciation provided at a rate higher
than that prescribed under Schedule XIV of Companies Act provided the assessee
shows how and on what basis the specified period and the higher rate of
depreciation was arrived at.

           

FACTS

The
assessee, engaged in the business of providing non-banking financial services,
charged depreciation on wind mills at 80% as against 5.28% prescribed under
Schedule XIV of the Companies Act, 1956. The notes to the accounts mentioned
that depreciation on wind mill has been provided at the rates prescribed by the
Income-tax Act. For the purposes of computing book profits u/s. 115JB of the Act, the Assessing Officer (AO) sought to disallow the amount
of depreciation in excess of the amount computed by applying the rate
prescribed by Schedule XIV of the Companies Act, 1956. In the course of
assessment proceedings, it was submitted by the assessee that the rate of
depreciation given in Schedule XIV of the Companies Act was only the minimum
rate that had to be charged and the assessee was at a liberty to claim excess
depreciation when situation warranted. The AO, not being satisfied with the
contention of the assessee computed book profits by allowing depreciation on windmills
at the rate prescribed in Schedule XIV of the Companies Act, 1956.

Aggrieved,
the assessee preferred an appeal to the CIT(A) who confirmed the action of the
AO.

 

Aggrieved,
the assessee preferred an appeal to the Tribunal where on behalf of the assessee
it was contended that the wind mills had not performed to the level expected
and therefore assessee was constrained to charge depreciation, above the rate
prescribed under Companies Act and reliance was placed on the decision of
co-ordinate bench in the case of DCIT vs. Indowind Energy Ltd, (ITA
No.1854/2015, dated 25.10.2016)
.

 

HELD   

The
Tribunal noted that the assessee can, at its option, choose to provide
depreciation at a rate higher than that prescribed under Schedule of the
Companies Act.  However, in doing so, the
assessee must justify that the depreciation so computed, is in accordance with
section 205(2)(b) of the Companies Act which provides that depreciation can be
provided by dividing ninety-five per cent of the original cost thereof to the
company by the specified period in respect of such asset. It observed that
except for the note in the annual accounts, nothing was brought on record to
show how and on what basis the specified period and the higher rate of
depreciation was arrived by the assessee. In absence of justification by the
assessee on the basis of depreciation arrived by it, the Tribunal held that,
for the purposes of computing book profits u/s. 115JB, lower authorities were
justified in allowing depreciation based on the rates prescribed in the
Schedule. The Tribunal distinguished the decision relied upon by the assessee
by holding that the said decision was based on realistic facts.

Section 37(1) – Premium paid on keyman insurance policy, under which in the event of death of the directors assured sum had to be received by the assessee, is allowable expenditure u/s. 37(1) of the Act.

8. [2018] 93 taxmann.com 188
(Mumbai)

Arcadia Share & Stock
Brokers (P.) Ltd. vs. ACIT

ITA Nos. : 5854 &
5855/Mum/2016

A.Ys.: 2011-12 &
2012-13 

Dated: 25th April,
2018

 

Section
37(1) – Premium paid on keyman insurance policy, under which in the event of
death of the directors assured sum had to be received by the assessee, is
allowable expenditure u/s. 37(1) of the Act.

 

FACTS

The
assessee, a private limited company, engaged in the business of share and stock
broking, claimed deduction on account of premium paid towards keyman insurance
policy taken in the name of two of its directors. In course of assessment
proceedings, the Assessing Officer (AO) called upon the assessee to furnish
necessary details. After verifying the details furnished by the assessee and
referring to the characteristic of keyman insurance, the AO called upon the
assessee to justify the deduction claimed. The assessment order stated that the
assessee submitted some literatures of keyman insurance policy, but did not
furnish any document to prove that the policies taken are keyman insurance
policy. The AO held the premium paid to be on life insurance policy and not on
keyman insurance policy. Accordingly, he held that the premium paid by the
assessee cannot be allowed as business expenditure and disallowed the amount of
premia paid. 

 

Aggrieved,
the assessee filed an appeal to the CIT(A) who confirmed the action of the AO.

 

Aggrieved,
the assessee preferred an appeal to the Tribunal.

 

HELD

The
Tribunal noted that the assessee had claimed deduction of the premium paid in
respect of such Insurance policy in assessment years 2005-06, 2006-07 and
2007-08. While completing assessments for these years
u/s. 143(3) of the Act, the AO after examining assessee’s claim, allowed
deduction in respect of premium paid. The Tribunal held that when it is a fact
on record that the Insurance policies are continuing from the year 2004 and in
the preceding assessment years assessee’s claim of deduction in respect of
premium paid have been allowed by the AO in scrutiny assessments, in the
absence of any material change in facts the deduction claimed in respect of
premium paid cannot be disallowed in the impugned assessment year, as the rule
of consistency must be applied.  

 

It
observed that except stating that in the preceding assessment years the AO has
not properly examined the issue no material change was pointed which could have
influenced the AO to take a different view in the impugned assessment year
departing from the view taken in the preceding assessment years.

 

The
Tribunal noted that the keyman insurance policies were taken in the name of
directors in pursuance to resolution dated 24th February 2004 of
board of directors and the sum assured under the insurance policy as per the
terms and conditions will come back to the assessee on the death of policy
holders. Accordingly, the Tribunal allowed assessee’s claim of deduction of
premium paid in both the assessment years.

 

The appeals filed by
the assessee were allowed.

Section 254 (2) : Appellate Tribunal – Rectification of mistakes – Issue is debatable in view of contradictory judgements–order cannot be rectified

12. Procter & Gamble Home
Products Pvt. Ltd. vs. ITAT & Others. [Writ Petition no. 2738 of 2017 dated
: 09th March, 2018 (Bombay High Court)]. 

[Procter & Gamble Home
Products Pvt. Ltd. vs. DCIT [ MA  order
dt. 28/7/2017 (reversed) ; arising out of ITA No. 3531/Mum/2014; Bench : K ;
AY:   Dated 06th June, 2016 ;
Mum.  ITAT ]]

 

Section 254 (2) : Appellate
Tribunal – Rectification of mistakes – Issue is debatable in view of
contradictory judgements–order cannot be rectified

 

The
assessee had entered into an agreement with its sister concern for sharing of
certain common facilities and not for renting of the premises in favour of the
sister concern. However, the AO treated the amount received by assessee as
income from house property. The provision in the agreement for charge at Rs.90
per sq.ft. for the built-up area occupied from time to time was, in terms of the
understanding of the party, not implemented. Instead, as intended by the
parties all along, the cost of common facilities shared by the companies was
pooled and borne by the parties in the ratio of respective net sales. In terms
of this arrangement, the assessee in fact had paid Rs.7.63 crore to the said
sister concern such amount being net of the recoveries from such sister concern
in respect of its share of common expenses, full break-up of which was
furnished by the assessee during the assessment proceedings. Therefore, there
was no scope for arriving at any other artificial rent or any other amount
received/receivable by the assessee under the agreement. The impugned amount
considered taxable in the hands of the assessee has not been considered by the A.O
as an allowable expense in the hands of the sister concern in its assessment,
thereby resulting into double taxation of the said amount.

 

The Tribunal allowed the
Revenue appeal u/s.  254(1) of the Act by
holding that the amount received by it as rent/ compensation from its sister
concern for utilisation of a part of its premises is to be classified as ‘income
from other sources
‘. This was after negative the alternate contention of
the assessee that rent/ compensation should be classifiable under the head ‘business
income
‘ as also Revenue’s contention that it is classifiable under the head
income from the house property‘. The Tribunal did by following the
order of its coordinate bench (on identical facts) in the case of M/s. Procter
& Gamble Hygiene & Healthcare Ltd., (sister concern) for the Assessment
Years 1996-97 to 2000-01. In all the aforesaid cases, on identical facts it has
been held that the rent/compensation received has to be taxed under the head ‘income
from other sources’.

 

The Revenue had filed
Miscellaneous Application, seeking to rectify the order dated 6th June,
2016. This essentially on the following grounds:(a) the order dated 6th June,
2016 was passed without considering the written submission which were filed on
behalf of the Revenue; and (b) the order dated 6th June, 2016 had
erred in relying upon   the   orders  
passed  in the sister concern case
for AY: 1996-97 to 2000-01 to allow the appeal.

 

This was in view of the fact
that all of them proceeded on a fundamentally wrong basis namely – that the
issue stands concluded by an order passed by the Tribunal for AY: 1995-96 in
respect of the sister concern. This was not so as in fact, as it did not
consider the claim of the Revenue that rent/ compensation is chargeable to tax
under the head ‘income from the house property‘ while holding it to the
taxable as ‘income from other sources‘.

 

The MA  order of the Tribunal dated 28th July,
2017 does recall its order dated 6th June, 2016 only on the second
ground that the reliance by the Tribunal on its earlier order in respect of the
sister concern was not correct. As those orders in turn it relied upon an
earlier order for A.Y 1995-96 of the Tribunal which did not have any occasion
to deal with submission regarding the classification of  the rent/compensation under the head ‘income
from house property’.

 

Being aggrieved, the assessee
filed an Writ petition to the High Court challenging the order passed in MA .
The High Court observed that the order of the Tribunal dated 6th June,
2016 while allowing Petitioner’s appeal, had relied upon the sister concern’s
order passed by the Tribunal in respect of A.Y 1996-97 to 2000-01. Admittedly,
all the orders of the Petitioner’s sister concern relied upon by the order
dated 6th June, 2016 had an issue with regard to the classification of
rent/compensation being received on letting of property under the head ‘income
from the house property’
or ‘income from other sources’. Therefore, it
followed the same. The order of the Tribunal in respect of its sister concern
for A.Y. 1995-96 was also before the Tribunal while passing the order dated 6th
June, 2016. Therefore, the rectification application of the Revenue calls
upon the Court to reappreciate its understanding of the order passed by the
Tribunal in the case of its sister concern for A.Y 1996-97 to 2000-01. This was
on the ground that the earlier orders did not correctly understand/ interpret the
order passed by the Tribunal in respect of A.Y 1995-96 in the case of
Petitioner’s sister concern. This itself would in effect amount to Review.
Therefore, outside the scope of rectification. Besides, it seeks to sit in
appeal over order passed by its Coordinate Bench for Assessment Years 1996-97
to 2000-01. This was not permissible. Moreover, the Revenue has filed appeals
in the sister concern case for the A.Y. 1996-97 to 2000-01 u/s. 260A of the Act
to this Court. The question raised therein is on the issue of appropriate
classification of the rent/ compensation under the head ‘income from the
other sources
‘ or under the head ‘income from the house property‘.
The aforesaid appeals have been admitted and are awaiting consideration for
final disposal. Till such time, as the orders of the Tribunal of its Coordinate
Bench in respect of the A.Y 1996-97 to 2000-01 are set aside or are stayed
pending the final disposal, its ratio would, prima facie, continue to be
binding. Therefore, even if the Revenue seek to contend to the contrary it
would be a debatable issue. This cannot be a subject matter of rectification.
Therefore, MA order dated 28th July, 2017 of the Tribunal to the
extent it allowed the Revenue’s application for rectification of the order
dated 6th June, 2016 of the Tribunal was set aside. Accordingly, Petition was
allowed.
 

Section 43A : Foreign exchange fluctuation : on loan liability being notional as no actual payment was made – section 43A of the Act as amended w.e.f. 1st April, 2003 – would not require any adjustment in the cost of the fixed assets.

11. Pr.CIT vs.  Spicer India Ltd. [ Income tax Appeal no.
1129 of 2015 dated: 18th April, 2018 (Bombay High Court)].  [Affirmed DCIT vs. Spicer India Ltd. [ITA No.
1886/PN/2013; AY: 2003-04;   Dated: 20th
October, 2014 ; Pune.  ITAT]

 

Section
43A : Foreign exchange fluctuation : on loan liability being notional as no
actual payment was made –  section 43A of
the Act as amended w.e.f. 1st April, 2003 – would not require any
adjustment in the cost of the fixed assets.

 

The assessee is engaged in
manufacturing of axles and propeller shafts and assemblies. On 31st
March, 2006, the assessment was completed u/s. 143(3) of the Act for the
A.Y.2003-04. Thereafter, the A.O reopened the assessment for the subject AY on
the ground that gain on foreign exchange conversion of loan liabilities, would
require corresponding change in the value of the fixed assets. This not having
been done, has resulted in the assessee claiming excess depreciation.

 

Consequent to the above
reopening, the A.O passed an order u/s. 
143(3) of the Act r.w.s 147 of the Act, adding the excess depreciation
which has been disallowed to the assessee’s income.

 

Being aggrieved, the assessee
filed an appeal to the CIT(A). The CIT(A) 
observed that section 43A of the Act deals with the increase or
reduction in the liability of the assessee as expressed in India currency on
account of changes in the rate of exchange of currency. Section 43A of the Act
has been amended w.e.f. 01.04.2013 i.e. from A.Y. 2003-04 to prescribe that the
adjustment of foreign currency fluctuations in respect of foreign currency
borrowings taken for acquiring fixed assets is to be made to the cost or the
WDV of fixed assets only at the time of making payment i.e. on cash basis and
not on accrual basis for the purposes of income tax. In the present case, the
impugned gain on foreign currency fluctuations is a notional gain in as much as
it has resulted on account of translation of foreign loan liability at the end
of the year on accrual basis.

 

The foreign exchange gain is
not as a result of actual payment made by the assessee. Therefore, the
aforesaid gain cannot be adjusted towards the cost of the fixed assets.
Accordingly, there is no justification for the A.O to have reduced the
depreciation allowance corresponding to the aforesaid exchange gains.

 

The Revenue being aggrieved, filed an appeal before the Tribunal.
The Tribunal by the dismissed the Revenue’s appeal by inter alia holding
on merits that in view of amended section 43A of the Act, the gain / loss in
the foreign exchange fluctuation on loan liability being notional as no actual
payment was made, section 43A of the Act as amended w.e.f. 1st
April, 2003 would not require any adjustment in the cost of the fixed assets.
This is so as no actual payment has been made by the assessee during the
previous year relevant to the subject AY. Further, places reliance upon the
decision in Commissioner of Income Tax vs. Woodward Governor India P. India,
(2009) 312 ITR 254.

 

Being aggrieved, the Revenue
filed an appeal to the High Court. The High Court observed that no payment was
made during the previous year relevant to the subject AY.  The Apex Court in Woodward Governor India
P. India, (supra
) while dealing with the amended provisions of section 43A
of the Act has held that “…. with effect from 1st April, 2003 such
actual payment of the decreased/ enhanced liability is a condition precedent
for making adjustment in the carrying amount of the fixed asset.”

 

The aforesaid observation of
the Apex Court apply to the facts of the present case. Accordingly, the revenue
appeal was dismissed.

Section 147 : Reassessment – Reopening on basis of same set of facts – change of opinion – power not to correct mistakes – reassessment was held to be invalid [Section 148 ]

10.  Pr. CIT  vs. Century Textiles and Industries Ltd.

[ Income tax Appeal no 1367 of 2015 ; dated :
03rd April, 2018 (Bombay High Court)].  [Affirmed DCIT vs. Century Textiles and
Industries Ltd.   [ITA No.
2036/Mum/2013;  Dated:
22nd August, 2014 ; AY : 2007-08; 
Mum.  ITAT ]

 

Section 147 : Reassessment –
Reopening on basis of same set of facts – change of opinion – power not to
correct mistakes – reassessment was held to be invalid [Section 148 ]

 

Assessee is engaged in
manufacture of cotton piece goods, denim, yarn, caustic soda, salt, pulp and
paper, etc. The assessee had in its return of income claimed deduction
of Rs.33.67 crore u/s. 80IC of the Act in relation to its paper and pulp unit
on the basis of audit report in Form 10CCA.

 

During the scrutiny
proceedings, the A.O raised specific queries with regard to above claim u/s.
80IC of the Act which was responded. The A.O after considering the entire
material on record disallowed the assessee’s claim to the extent of Rs.11.49
crore out of total claim of Rs.33.67 crore u/s. 80IC of the Act while passing
assessment order u/s. 143(3).

 

Thereafter, a notice u/s. 148
of the Act was issued seeking to reopen assessment. Reasons in support of the
notice as communicated to the Assessee that “the income chargeable to tax to
the extent of Rs.4.99 crore has escaped assessment. Issue notice u/s. 148 for
A.Y.2007-08”

 

Assessee objected to the
reopening of the notice on the ground that the same amounts to change of
opinion and therefore without jurisdiction. However, the A.O rejected the
objection and proceeded to complete the assessment u/s. 143(3) r.w.s 147 of the
Act. The A.O disallowed the claim of deduction u/s. 80IC of the Act by further
amount of Rs.4.99 crore.

 

Being aggrieved, the assessee
carried the issue in appeal to the CIT(A). The CIT(A) rejected the assessee’s
appeal on the issue of reopening of assessment and confirmed the assessment
order.

 

Being aggrieved, the assessee
carried the issue in appeal to the ITAT. The Tribunal allowed the assessee’s
appeal, interalia holding that the assessee’s claim for deduction u/s.  80IC of the Act in respect of its paper and
pulp unit duly supported by audit report u/s. 10CCA of the Act was a subject
matter of enquiry by the A.O in the regular assessment proceedings. This is
evident from the fact that queries with regard to the claim of deduction
u/s.  80IC of the Act were specifically
raised by the A.O and the same were responded to by the assessee. Thus, the Tribunal
held that there was a view taken/opinion formed during the regular assessment
proceedings. Therefore, this is a case of change of opinion on the part of the
A.O in issuing notice and seeking to reopen assessment. The ITAT relied on the
decision of  Supreme Court in CIT vs.
Kelvinator of India Ltd. [2010] 320 ITR 561
that “reasons to believe” do
not empower the A.O to reopen an assessment when there is change in opinion.
Power to reopen assessment as observed by the Supreme Court is only a power to
reassess not to review the order already passed.

 

Being aggrieved, the revenue
carried the issue in appeal to the High Court. 
The Revenue in support of the appeal states that reopening notice was
not on account any change of opinion, as no opinion/view was taken in regular
assessment proceedings in respect of the receipts/income not derived directly
from the paper and pulp unit.

 

The Hon. High Court observed
that the reasons in support of the impugned notice is that during the regular
assessment proceedings on account of omission by the A.O the above income was
not excluded from the claim for deduction. This is different from non application
of mind to claim for deduction u/s. 80IC of the Act. As held by this Court in Hindustan
Lever vs. Wadkar (2004) 268 ITR 339
, the reasons in support of the
reopening notice has to be read as it is. No additions and/or inferences are
permissible. Moreover, the power u/s. 147/148 of the Act is not to be exercised
to correct mistakes made during the regular assessment proceedings. In the
above facts, the view taken by the 
Tribunal is a view in accordance with the decision of the Apex Court in
Kelvinator India (Supra)
.

 

The decision of this Court in
Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India [2013] 350 ITR  651 relied by the Dept. was distinquished. It
was also found as a fact in the above case of Export Credit Guarantee
Corporation of India (Supra
) that no query was raised during the course of
the regular assessment proceedings. Thus, the occasion for the A.O to apply his
mind to the claim by the assessee in that case, did not arise.  Accordingly, the revenue Appeal was
dismissed.

Section 68: Cash credits – Bogus loan – The proviso to section 68 inserted with effect from 01.04.2013, does not have retrospective effect – If the AO regards the loan as bogus, he has to assess the lender but cannot assess as unexplained cash credit

9.  Pr.CIT – vs.  Veedhata Tower Pvt. Ltd.

[Income tax Appeal no. 819 of 2015
dated: 17th April , 2018 (Bombay High Court)]. [Affirmed Veedhata
Tower Pvt. Ltd vs. I.T.O-9(3)(3) [ITA No.7070/Mum/2014;  Bench : H ; AY:  2010-11 ; Dated: 21st January,
2015 ; Mum.  ITAT]

 

Section 68: Cash credits –
Bogus loan – The proviso to section 68 inserted with effect from 01.04.2013,
does not have retrospective effect – If the AO regards the loan as bogus, he
has to assess the lender but cannot assess as unexplained cash credit 

 

The assessee had obtained a
loan from M/s. Lorraine Finance Pvt. Ltd (LFPL). The A.O. held that the
assessee was unable to establish the genuineness of the loan transaction
received in the name of LFPL nor able to prove the credit worthiness/the real
source of the fund. This led to the addition of the loan as unexplained cash
credit u/s. 68 of the Act.

 

In appeal, the view of the
A.O. was upheld by the CIT(A).

 

On further appeal, the
Tribunal while allowing the assessee’s appeal records on facts that, it is undisputed
that the loan was taken from LFPL. It is also undisputed that the lender had
confirmed giving of the loan through loan confirmations, personal appearance
and also attempted to explain the source of its funds. It also records the fact
that the sum of Rs.64.25 lakh had already been returned to LFPL through account
payee cheques and the balance outstanding was Rs.1 crore and 75 lakh. Besides,
it records that the source of source also stands explained by the fact that the
director of the creditor had accepted his giving a loan to the assessee’s
lender.

 

In view of the above fact, it
is the Revenue’s case that the source of source, the assessee is unable to
explain. The requirement of explaining the source of the source of receipts
came into the statute book by amendment to section 68 of the Act on 1st
April, 2013 i.e. effective from A.Y. 2013-14 onwards. Therefore, during the
subject assessment year, there was no requirement to explain the source of the
source. The Tribunal held that the assessee had discharged the onus placed upon
it u/s. 68 of the Act by filing confirmation letters, the Affidavits, the full
address and pan numbers of the creditors. Therefore, the Revenue had all the
details available with it to proceed against the persons whose source of funds
were alleged to be not genuine as held by the Apex Court in CIT vs. Lovely
Exports (P.) Ltd. [2009] 319 ITR (St.) 5 (SC)
.

 

Being aggrieved, the
revenue  filed an appeal to the High
Court. The grievance of the Revenue is that, even in the absence of the
amendment to section 68 of the Act, it is for the assessee to explain the
source of the source of the funds received by an assessee. It is submitted that
the assessee has not able to explain the source of the funds in the hands of
M/s. LFPL .

 

The High Court observed that
the Bombay Court in CIT vs. Gangadeep Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd, 394 ITR 680
has held that the proviso to section 68 of the Act has been introduced by the
Finance Act, 2012 w.e.f. 1st April, 2013 and therefore it would be
effective only from A.Y 2013-14 onwards and not for the earlier assessment
years. In the above decision, reliance was placed upon the decision of the Apex
Court in Lovely Exports (supra) in the context of the pre-amended
section 68 of the Act. In the above case, the Apex Court while dismissing the
Revenue’s Appeal from the Delhi High Court had observed that, where the Revenue
urges that the money has been received from bogus shareholders then it is for
the Revenue to proceed against them in accordance with law. This would not
entitle the Revenue to invoke section 68 of the Act while assessing the
assessee for not explaining the source of its source. In present case the
assessee had discharged the onus which is cast upon it in terms of the
pre-amended section 68 of the Act by filing the necessary confirmation letters
of the creditors, their Affidavits, their full address and their pan. In any
event, the question as proposed in law of the obligation to explain the source
of the source prior to 1st April, 2013, A.Y 2013-14, stands
concluded against the Revenue by the decision of this Court in Gangadeep
Infrastructure (supra)
. Accordingly, the 
revenue appeal is dismissed.

A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 70 dated May 19, 2016

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Money Transfer Service Scheme – Submission of statement/returns under XBRL

This circular states that all Authorized Persons, who are Indian Agents under Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS) have to submit the statement on quantum of remittances from the quarter ending June 2016 in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) system which can be accessed at https://secweb.rbi.org.in/orfsxbrl/.

A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 69[(1)/22(R)] dated May 12, 2016

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Notification No. FEMA 22 (R)/2016-RB dated March 31, 2016

Establishment of Branch Office (BO)/ Liaison Office (LO) / Project Office (PO) in India by foreign entities – procedural guidelines

This Notification repeals and replaces the earlier Notification No. FEMA 22/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000 pertaining to Foreign Exchange Management (Establishment in India of branch or office or other place of business) Regulations, 2000. 

A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 68[(1)/23(R)] dated May 12, 2016

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Notification No. FEMA 23 (R)/2015-RB dated January 12, 2016

Foreign Exchange Management (Exports of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2015

This Notification repeals and replaces the earlier Notification No. FEMA 23/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000 pertaining to Foreign Exchange Management (Export of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2000.

A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 67/2015- 16[(1)/23(R)] dated May 02, 2016

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Notification No. FEMA 5 (R)/2016-RB dated April 01, 2016

Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2016

This Notification repeals and replaces the earlier Notification No. FEMA 5/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000 pertaining to Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2000.

A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 66 dated April 28, 2016

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Opening and Maintenance of Rupee / Foreign Currency Vostro Accounts of Non- Resident Exchange Houses: Rupee Drawing Arrangement

Presently, Exchanges Houses are required to maintain a collateral equivalent to one day’s estimated drawings under Rupee Drawing Arrangement with respect to Vostro Accounts.

This circular has done away with the requirement of mandatorily maintaining a collateral by Exchange Houses under Rupee Drawing Arrangement with respect to Vostro Accounts. However, banks are free to frame their own policies and decide whether to request for a collateral or not from Exchange Houses.

A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 65 dated April 28, 2016

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Import of Goods: Import Data Processing and Monitoring System (IDPMS )

This circular states that an Import Data Processing and Monitoring System (IDPMS) on the lines of Export Data Processing and Monitoring System (EDPMS) is to be developed. For this purpose Customs will modify the Bill of Entry format and non-EDI (manual) ports will be upgraded to EDI Ports.

This circular also contains guidelines to be following once the IDPMS system becomes operational. The guidelines pertain to: –

1. Write off of import bills due to discounts, fluctuation in exchange rates, change in the amount of freight, insurance, quality issues; short shipment or destruction of goods by the port / Customs / health authorities, etc.

2. Extension of Time for settlement of import dues

3. Follow-up for Evidence of Import.

A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 64/2015-16 [(1)/13(R)] dated April 28, 2016

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Notification No. FEMA 13 (R)/2016-RB dated April 01, 2016

Foreign Exchange Management (Remittance of Assets) Regulations, 2016

This Notification repeals and replaces the earlier Notification No. FEMA 13/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000 pertaining to Foreign Exchange Management (Remittance of Assets) Regulations, 2000.

A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 63 dated April 21, 2016

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Foreign Investment in units issued by Real Estate Investment Trusts, Infrastructure Investment Trusts and Alternative Investment Funds governed by SEBI regulations

This circular now permits foreign investment (acquire, purchase, sell, transfer) in units of Investment Vehicles registered and regulated by SEBI or any other competent authority, subject to compliance with the applicable terms and conditions. For the purpose of investment under these Regulations: –

1. foreign investment in units of REITs registered and regulated under the SEBI (REITs) Regulations, 2014 will not be included in “real estate business”

2. Presently, an Investment Vehicle will mean: –

a. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) registered and regulated under the SEBI (REITs) Regulations 2014;

b. Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) registered and regulated under the SEBI (InvITs) Regulations, 2014;

c. Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) registered and regulated under the SEBI (AIFs) Regulations 2012.

3. Unit will mean beneficial interest of an investor in the Investment Vehicle and will include shares or partnership interests.

4. A person resident outside India will include a Registered Foreign Portfolio Investor (RFPI) and a Non-Resident Indian (NRI).

5. Payment for the units must be by way inward remittance or by debit to an NRE or an FCNR account.

SEBI Order Now Enables Investors To Recover Losses From Fraudsters In The Securities Markets

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Can the Securities and Exchange Board of India make a fraudster or other wrong doer in the securities markets compensate the wronged persons? The answer, generally, is that SEBI cannot do so. This question is important because the parties are normally required to approach other forums which could include courts, Consumer Protection Forums, etc. However, a recent order of SEBI, following an order by the Securities Appellate Tribunal, has opened the door to this aspect to a little extent. This order is significant for several reasons. SEBI is an expert body in the securities markets with fairly broad powers. It has a huge infrastructure at its command to investigate, adjudicate and punish. The groundwork for determining whether a person has committed such a fraud, etc. would be laid down by SEBI through such orders. SEBI also has, as we will see later, the powers to disgorge gains made by wrongdoers. In some cases, such as in the alleged scams in initial public offerings, SEBI even went the extra mile and made arrangements for distribution of these illegal gains to those at whose cost such gains were made. The next logical step ought be to allow such things on a general basis and perhaps even allow persons who have suffered losses to approach SEBI.

However, this has not happened mainly because of certain inherent limitations on SEBI under the law. SEBI is not an adjudicator of disputes. It would surely punish fraudsters. It may debar them from markets. It may make them pay penalty, though such penalty goes in government coffers and not to help those who lost monies. It may prosecute such persons too. It also orders parties who have illegally collected monies to refund them , with interest. However, an aggrieved person could not approach SEBI and require it to make a wrongdoer compensate the loss he had suffered. Indeed, till recently, it was a little uncertain whether SEBI had powers even to disgorge illegitimate gains. A clarificatory amendment was however made in 2014 to explicitly give such powers to SEBI.

However, compensating loss caused by fraudsters continued to remain out of SEBI’s legal powers. The investors were thus forced to approach the long drawn procedures in courts. An investor may get some satisfaction when such fraudsters are punished, but he still would remain short of his hard earned monies. However, thanks to persistent efforts of an investor who lost money to a company and its Promoters through fraud, there is a glimmer of hope that SEBI may be required to do broader justice in such matters. By a recent decision of SEBI, which indeed was following the directions of the Securities Appellate Tribunal (“SAT “), SEBI has acknowledged such responsibility. A final order is awaited, since calculation of ill-gotten monies is in progress. While it would be interesting to see the legal reasoning SEBI provides for passing such final order and also see its fate in appeals, if any, it would be worth to consider this decision.

SEBI’s decision

The decision was in case of the applicants Harishchandra and Ramkishori Gupta (“the Applicants”) in the matter of Vital Communications Limited (“Vital”)(SEBI Order dated 1st April 2016).

To summarise from the facts as narrated in the Order, Vital, a listed company, had made a preferential issue of equity shares to certain parties. SEBI found that a significant portion of the funding for such preferential issue was made by Vital itself. Many of the preferential allottees were also found to be connected to Vital/its Promoters. Thereafter, a spate of catchy advertisements were issued of proposed buyback of shares at a high price, preferential issue at even higher price, and for issue bonus shares. None of this actually took place in the manner described in the advertisements.However, along with such advertisements, certain preferential allottees sold a substantial quantity of shares. Effectively thus, the advertisements helped the parties to sell equity shares at a high price to unsuspecting investors. Since the ruling price then was much lower than the price that could be expected if the promises as per the advertisements had actually been carried out, investors rushed in and bought the shares. SEBI investigated and uncovered the facts and took action against the parties by debarring them, etc.

However, this left the investors with losses. The Applicants approached SEBI praying that their losses should be compensated. SEBI refused to do claiming that it had no powers under SEBI Act to order the company and/or its directors to compensate the Applicants. The Applicants filed an appeal to the SAT. SAT ordered that if SEBI found Vital guilty of fraud, “…it may consider directing the concerned entity or Vital to refund the actual amount spent by the applicants on purchasing the shares in question and with appropriate interest”.

SEBI undertook final investigation and did find wrongdoing and fraud. SEBI passed various directions against the parties. However, still, it did not pass orders providing for compensation to the investors who were duped into making investments. The Applicants once again appealed to SAT . SAT once again passed an order asking SEBI to do the needful. SEBI then passed an order that it will look into quantification of ill gotten gains and thereafter pass orders for disgorgement and restitution. It then thus finally gave a proper hearing to the Applicants on the issue of compensation. However, on review, SEBI found that its own orders/investigation had not made a proper calculation of the ill gotten gains by the Company/ Promoters. Accordingly, finally SEBI undertook vide this recent and latest order to determine the amount of ill gotten gains to take the matter to its next and final step of ordering such parties to return (i.e., effectively compensate) the gains made to the Applicants, who suffered losses. Interestingly, while the original fraudulent advertisement & sale of shares took place in 2002, it is only in 2016, after several petitions and appeals by the Applicants that SEBI has initiated action. It will still be some time before the amount of ill gotten gains would be calculated, then hopefully recovered from the parties and paid to the Applicants who have suffered losses.

Disgorgement – a history of uncertainties

Disgorgement, simply stated, is taking away ill-gotten gains from the wrong doer. A person may, for example, make gains from insider trading in violation of the applicable Regulations. SEBI may order such person to disgorge such gains and pay them over to SEBI. Till very recently, whether SEBI could, in law, order disgorgement was debated. However, the SEBI Act was amended vide the SEBI (Amendment) Act, 2014, with effect from 18th July 2013, specifically giving it power to disgorge gains made in violation of specified provisions of law. However, even these amendments expressly permit only disgorgement. The objective is only to ensure that the wrong doers do not keep their ill gotten gains. They do not specifically expressly provide for payment of these disgorged amounts to those who were at the losing end (though SEBI has passed some orders of such type). Further, it was still unclear law whether an investor can initiate such action. Now, this order creates a precedent that SEBI can undertake such exercise of disgorging such ill-gotten gains and then reimburse them to those whom they belonged.

Limitations

An important distinction to be made here is that this case is no precedent for investors being able to approach SEBI to get general disputes resolved and get the whole of their losses recovered. It only means that SEBI will disgorge gains made from acts/omissions in violation of specified securities laws. And that only such gains will go back to the hands of investors. The investors may have suffered a higher loss, but if its flow cannot be traced to the pockets of such wrong doers, then there may be nothing to recover to that extent. Thus, the investor may not get the whole of their losses compensated.

In any case, if SEBI cannot recover such monies as for example when the fraudsters do not have sufficient assets, the investors would still have lesser amounts to receive.

However, SEBI/SAT has ordered that interest shall also be disgorged and paid, irrespective of whether the fraudster had earned such interest or not. This, though an extension of the power of disgorgement, does give relief for the time element.

There is another type of situation where there may be fraud but the amount of gains made by the fraudster may not match with the losses of the investor. For example, a broker/adviser may give wrongful/fraudulent advice to gain commission fees. The investor may invest monies and then end up losing a large sum of money. However, disgorgement permits forfeiture of ill-gotten gains. In such a case would include only the brokerage/fees, which would be a small fraction of the loss. A purely contractual or similar dispute will not be covered. These continue to remain within the domain of civil courts, stock exchanges, etc.

Scope of disgorgement

As the amended Section 11B makes it clear, disgorgement is of all gains made from violations of SEBI Act and Regulations. Thus, gains made not just from fraud but from any violation of specified securities laws. Thus, even though the decision in this case related to a fraud, the principle would clearly extend to gains from any other violation of Securities Laws. And thus, those who suffer on account of violation of Securities Laws may get compensated.

Conclusion

A fresh, even if hesitant and incomplete, chapter has opened in the history of Securities Laws. While it is too early to draw final conclusions, investors now do have a better measure to recover their losses that is formal, speedier and effective. However, much depends on the final order, the manner in which losses are determined and recovered and also the legal reasoning SEBI adopts for such order. It will also have to be seen whether such orders are appealed against and what appellate Tribunal/ courts decide. The fact that the orders of SAT and SEBI both talk of restitution to be “considered in accordance with the provisions of the SEBI Act, 1992 …and the regulations framed thereunder” is also interesting since there could still be some legal uncertainties about the whole process

ETHICS, GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

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ACCOUNTABILITY

In ethics and governance, accountability is answerability, blameworthiness, liability and the expectation of accountgiving. As an aspect of governance, it has been central to discussions related to problems in the public sector, non-profit and private (corporate) and individual contexts Political accountability is the accountability of the government, civil servants and politicians to the public and to legislative bodies such as a congress or a parliament.

Within an organization, the principles and practices of ethical accountability aim to improve both the internal standard of individual and group conduct as well as external factors, such as sustainable economic and ecologic strategies. Also, ethical accountability plays a progressively important role in academic fields, such as laboratory experiments and field research.

Internal rules and norms as well as some independent commission are mechanisms to hold civil servants within the administration of government accountable. Within department or ministry, firstly, behavior is bound by rules and regulations; secondly, civil servants are subordinates in a hierarchy and accountable to superiors. Nonetheless, there are independent “watchdog” units to scrutinize and hold departments accountable; legitimacy of these commissions is built upon their independence, as it avoids any conflicts of interests. The accountability is defined as an element which is part of a unique responsibility and which represents an obligation of an actor to achieve the goal, or to perform the procedure of a task, and the justification that it is done to someone else, under threat of sanction.

RTI Clinic in June 2016: 2nd, 3rd, 4th Saturday, i.e. 11th, 18th and 25th, 11.00 to 13.00 at BCAS premises.

2 States: The Story of Mergers and Stamp Duty

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Introduction

Just when one thought that the burning issue of stamp duty on merger schemes has been settled once and for all, a Bombay High Court decision has stoked the fire some more! To refresh, the Supreme Court and several High Court decisions have held that the order of High Court u/s.394 of the Companies Act sanctioning an amalgamation was a conveyance within the meaning of the term conveyance and was liable to stamp duty. A Transfer under a merger is a voluntary act of parties and it has all the trappings of a Sale. The Scheme sanctioned by Court is an instrument and the State has power to levy duty on a merger. Even in States where there is no express provision levying duty as on a merger, Courts have held that stamp duty is payable as on a conveyance.

Recently, the Full Bench of the Bombay High Court in the case of  The Chief Controlling Revenue Authority vs. M/s. Reliance Industries Ltd, Civil Reference No. 1/2007 was faced with an interesting issue of stamp duty payable on an inter-state merger. In a case where a company registered in Gujarat merged with a company registered in Maharashtra would stamp duty be payable once or twice was the moot question?

Background to the Case

Reliance Petroleum Ltd, a Gujarat based company had merged into Reliance Industries Ltd, a Mumbai based company. The Stamp Acts of both Maharashtra and Gujarat had a specific provision levying duty on a Court Order sanctioning a Scheme of merger. In Maharashtra, the maximum duty on a Scheme of merger is Rs. 25 crore. Pursuant to the merger, Reliance Industries Ltd had paid a stamp duty of Rs. 10 crores in Gujarat and hence, paid only the balance of Rs. 15 crore in Maharashtra. Thus, it claimed that it was eligible for a set off of the duty paid in one State against the duty payable in another State. For this, it relied upon section 19 of the Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958 (“the Act”) which provides that where any instrument described in Schedule-I to the Act and relating to any property situate or to any matter or thing done or to be done in Maharashtra is executed out of Maharashtra subsequently such an instrument / its copy is received in Maharashtra the amount of duty chargeable on such instrument / its copy shall be the amount of duty chargeable under Schedule-I less the duty, if any, already paid in any other State. Thus, similar to a double tax avoidance agreement, a credit is available for the duty already paid. It may be recalled that under the Act, stamp duty is leviable on an every instrument(not a transaction) mentioned in Schedule I to the Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958 at rates mentioned in that Schedule – LIC vs. Dinannath mahade Tembhekar AIR 1976 Bom 395. If there is no instrument then there is no duty is the golden rule one must always keep in mind. An English decision in the case of The Commissioner of Inland Revenue vs. G. Anous & Co. (1891) Vol. XXIII Queen’s Bench Division 579 has held that held that the thing, which is made liable to stamp duty is the “instrument”. It is the “instrument” whereby any property upon the sale thereof is legally or equitably transferred and the taxation is confined only to the instrument whereby the property is transferred. This decision was cited by the Supreme Court in the case of Hindustan Lever Ltd vs. State of Maharashtra, (2004) 9 SCC 438. Hence, if no instrument is executed, there would not be any liability to stamp duty.

In Reliance’s case, the Revenue Department argued that it was the Court Order and not the Scheme which was liable for duty. Since there were two separate Court Orders, the duty paid on the Gujarat High Court’s Order was not eligible for set off against the duty payable on the Bombay High Court’s Order. These two Orders were not the same instrument and hence, no credit was available. On the other hand, the Company argued that it was the Scheme which was the instrument and not the Court Orders. Accordingly, since there was only one Scheme, a credit was available. Since both the transferor and the transferee company were required to secure sanctions separately, the Scheme and the Order of the Bombay High Court sanctioning the Scheme would not constitute an instrument or a conveyance, unless and until the Gujarat High Court had sanctioned the Scheme. This is because the Scheme would become effective and operative and the property would stand transferred and vested from the transferor to the transferee, only on the Gujarat High Court making the second order sanctioning the Scheme. In fact if the Gujarat High Court had not sanctioned the Scheme, the same would not have become operative and there would be no transfer or vesting of property in the transferee company. Accordingly on such sanction being granted by the Gujarat High Court, the parties were liable to pay stamp duty on the sanctioned scheme in Gujarat and then to pay stamp duty in Maharashtra subject to a rebate u/s. 19 for the duty already paid in Gujarat.

Court’s Order

The Bombay High Court upheld the stand of the Department and negated Reliance’s plea. It held that the duty is payable on a Court Order and not a Scheme. The Court relied upon the decision of the Supreme Court in Hindustan Lever vs. State of Maharashtra (2004) 9 SCC 438 which held that the transfer is effected by an order of the Court and the order of the Court sanctioning the scheme of amalgamation is an instrument which transfers the properties and would fall within the definition of section 2(l) of the Act, which includes every document by which any right or liability is transferred. In Hindustan Lever’s case, it was held that the point as to whether the stamp duty was leviable on the Court order sanctioning the scheme of amalgamation was considered at length in Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. vs. Inland Revenue Commissioners 1971 (1) All England Law Reports 135. There it was observed that the order of the court was liable to stamp duty as it resulted in transferring the property and that the order of the court which results in transfer of the property would be an instrument liable to be stamped. The Bombay High Court further held that it was the settled position of law that in terms of the Act, stamp duty is charged on ‘the instrument’ and not on ‘the transaction’ effected by ‘the instrument’.

The Bombay High Court Order dated 7.6.2002 which sanctioned the merger would be the instrument and that was executed in Mumbai, i.e., in Maharashtra. The instrument was chargeable to duty and not the transaction and therefore even if the Scheme may be the same, i.e., transaction being the same, if the Scheme was given effect by a document signed in the State of Maharashtra it was chargeable to duty as per the Act. As per the Act, the taxable event was the execution of the instrument and not the transaction. If a transaction was not supported by execution of an instrument, there could not be a liability to pay duty. Therefore, essentially the duty was leviable on the instrument and not the transaction. Although the Scheme may be same, the Order dated 7.6.2002 being a conveyance and it being an instrument signed in State of Maharashtra, the same was chargeable to duty so far as State of Maharashtra was concerned. It further held that although there were two orders of two different High Courts pertaining to the same Scheme they were independently different instruments and could not be said to be same document especially when the two orders of different High Courts were upon two different Petitions by two different companies. When the scheme of the Act was based on chargeability on an instrument and not on transaction, it was immaterial whether it was pertaining to one and the same transaction. The instrument, which effected the transfer, was the Order of the Court issued u/s. 394(1) that sanctioned the Scheme and not the Scheme of amalgamation itself. It accordingly held that the transfer would take effect from the date the Gujarat High Court passed an order sanctioning the Scheme. In other words, after the Gujarat High Court passed an order sanctioning the Scheme on account of the order of the Bombay Hon’ble Court, the transfer in issue took place. It negated the contention that only a document, which ‘created right or obligation’ alone constituted an ‘instrument’ since the definition of the term ‘instrument’ was an inclusive and not an exhaustive definition. Thus, the term ‘instrument’ also included a document, which merely recorded any right or liability.

It thus concluded that section 19 of the Act providing double-duty relief was not applicable. The Order of the Bombay High Court related to property situated within Maharashtra and was also passed in Maharashtra and hence, a fundamental requirement of section 19, i.e., the instrument must be executed outside the State, was not fulfilled. While paying duty on the Bombay High Court Order dated 7.6.2002 rebate cannot be claimed for the duty paid on Gujarat High Court’s Order by invoking section 19 of the Act.

Repercussions of the judgment

This judgment of the Bombay High Court will have several far reaching consequences on the spate of cross-country business restructuring. Emboldened by this decision, other States would also start demanding stamp duty on mergers involving companies from more than one state Companies would now have to factor an additional cost while considering mergers. The same would be the position in the case of a demerger. An interesting scenario arises if instead of a merger, one considers a slump sale of a business involving companies located in two states. In such an event if a conveyance is executed for any property, then there would only be one instrument. Here it is very clear that section 19 would apply and the duty paid in one state would be allowed as a set off in the other. Thus, depending upon the mode of restructuring the duty would vary. Is that a fair proposition? Also, while companies located in the same state would get away with a single point taxation, those in two or more states suffer an additional burden. Does this not throw up an arbitrage opportunity of having the registered offices of all companies party to the merger in the same state as opposed to having separate registered offices? Would that not lead to a larger loss of revenue for the state from which the office is shifted out as compared to the small gains it would have made from the stamp duty on merger. One wishes that the law is implemented and interpreted in a manner that does not encourage such manoeuvring.

Conclusion

One can only submit that the decision of the Bombay High Court needs a reconsideration otherwise the entire pace of mergers and demergers would be retarded in the Country. With mergers being neutral from an income tax as well as indirect tax perspective, stamp duty is the single biggest transaction cost. This decision would see a huge increase in the duty costs.

Writ – Power of attorney – A writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution can be filed by a power of attorney holder subject to certain safeguards [Constitution Of India – Art. 226]

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Syed Wasif Husain Rizvi vs. Hasan Raza Khan AIR2016All52 (HC)

The issue before the Full Bench of the Allahabad High Court was “Whether a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution can be filed by a power of attorney holder.” The High Court held that when a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution is instituted through a power of attorney holder, the holder of the power of attorney does not espouse a right or claim personal to him but acts as an agent of the donor of the instrument. The petition which is instituted, is always instituted in the name of the principal who is the donor of the power of attorney and through whom the donee acts as his agent. In other words, the petition which is instituted under Article, 226 of the Constitution is not by the power of attorney holder independently for himself but as an agent acting for and on behalf of the principal in whose name the writ proceedings are instituted before the Court. Hence, the issue was decided in the affirmative.

The High Court further emphasised the necessity of observing adequate safeguards where a writ petition is filed through the holder of a power of attorney. These safeguards should necessarily include the following:

(1) The power of attorney by which the donor authorises the donee, must be brought on the record and must be filed together with the petition/application;

(2) The affidavit which is executed by the holder of a power of attorney must contain a statement that the donor is alive and specify the reasons for the inability of the donor to remain present before the Court to swear the affidavit; and

(3) The donee must be confined to those acts which he is 15 authorised by the power of attorney to discharge.

Mohammedan Law – Will – Challenge – Limitation of three years starts from date author of Will expires – Bequest to heir is not valid unless consent of all other legal heirs is obtained. [Limitation Act Art 137 and Mohammedan Law – Rule 192].

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Smt Munawar Begum vs. Asif Ali and Ors. AIR 2016 (NOC) 259 (Cal)(HC).

Saira Begum, the mother of the appellant had executed Will in the year 1995. She expired on 18th January, 2003. The appellant filed the suit on 12th November, 2003 for cancellation of the Will. The short point was from which date limitation is to be counted i.e. from 1995 or from 18th January, 2003. There is no dispute that a Will is a legal declaration of the intention of the testatrix with respect to her property and takes effect after her death. A Will is a voluntary posthumous disposition of property. Since a Will takes effect after death, the argument that the appellant was aware of the same in the year 1995 is of no significance. In the instant case, the author of the Will, the mother, expired on 18th January, 2003. The right to sue begins to run from 18th January, 2003 and the period of limitation is three years. The suit was filed on 12th November, 2003. Therefore, it was held that the suit was filed within the period of limitation.

The other issue was regarding the validity of the Will, submission was though a Will under the Mohammedan Law, in order to be valid and enforceable in law, it has to fulfill certain conditions under Rule 192. In the instant case, however, the Will of Saira Begum, the mother of the appellant falls short of the requirements stipulated therein since the Appellant had not given consent. It was held that as far as the consent of the appellant is concerned, under Rule 192, a bequest to an heir is not valid unless the other heirs consent. It appears from the Will dated 28th September, 1995, which was registered subsequently in 1998, that the signature of the appellant, an heir, is absent. Therefore, as the consent of the appellant is missing, the Will or the testamentary disposition is invalid. Though it was emphasised on behalf of the respondent that the Will in question speaks that “I further declare voluntarily that I do not wish to give any part of my said property to my any other children or relatives and I make this Will with the consent of all my other children and without any objection from any of them”, the same is of little significance as though the Will contains the signature of other heirs, it does not bear the signature of the appellant. The said sentence in the Will, as noted, could have been of some significance if other heirs had not put their signature. Since the signature of the appellant was absent, it was held that the Will was not valid under Rule 192 and not binding on the appellant.

FIRM – Appointment of Arbitrator – Unregistered firm cannot enforce arbitration clause in a partnership deed. [Indian Partnership Act, 9132 – Section 69(3)].

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C.M. Makhija vs. Chairman South Eastern Coalfields Ltd. AIR 2016 CHHATTISGARH 63 (HC).

An application was filed in the High Court under section 11(6) of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 whereby the applicant sought to enforce an arbitral agreement and prayed for appointment of an Arbitrator. The application was objected to on the ground that the applicant was not a registered partnership firm having registration number from the Register of Firms & Societies and section 69 of the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, prohibits filing of a proceeding by an unregistered firm.

The High Court held that section 69, speaking generally, bars certain suits and proceedings as a consequence of non-registration of firms. Sub-section (1) prohibits the institution of a suit between partners inter se or between partners and the firm for the purpose of enforcing a right arising from a contract or right conferred by the Partnership Act unless the firm is registered and the person suing is or has been shown in the Register of Firms as a partner in the firm. Sub-section (2) similarly prohibits a suit by or on behalf of the firm against a third party for the purpose of enforcing rights arising from a contract unless the firm is registered and the person suing is or has been shown in the Register of Firms as a partner in the firm. In the third sub-section a claim of set-off which is in the nature of a counter-claim is barred as also the s/s. (3) takes within its sweep the word “other proceedings”. The words “other proceedings” in sub-section (3) whether should be construed as ejusdem generis with “a claim of set-off”, was subject of conflicting decisions. Finally, the conflict was resolved by the Supreme Court in the case of Jagdish Chandra Gupta vs. Kajaria Traders (India) Ltd. AIR 1964 SC 1882 wherein the Court held the rule ejusdem generis did not apply to an unregistered firm and unregistered firm could not enforce an arbitration clause in the partnership deed. Hence, the application for appointment of Arbitrator cannot be gone into for the bar created u/s. 69(3) of the Indian Partnership Act, 1932.

Fixed Deposits – Renewal of fixed deposits cannot be made in the name of different constituent other than original depositor. [Banking Regulation Act – Section 45ZB].

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The Canara Bank vs. Sheo Prakash Maskara AIR 2016 PATNA 58 (HC).

Father, mother and son had different Kamdhenu Deposits made in the year 1996. These deposits were cumulative deposits i.e. the interest accruing is ploughed back and upon maturity, the entire cumulative amount is paid. They were to mature for payment at the end of one year i.e. in 1997. None of the three parties approached the Bank for either renewal or encashment of the said deposit certificates, it lay with the Bank. In other words, the money remained with the Bank. For the first time in the year 2002, the parties approached the Bank for renewal of the deposit receipts. This time the Bank refused to renew the receipts with effect from the date of its original maturity, though they were agreeable to renew the same for the matured amount from the date when they applied for renewal in 2002. However, the head office of the Bank examined the matter and directed the Bank to renew the certificates in relation to the son with effect from the date of its maturity on rate of interest prevailing in that period, but when it came to father and mother the Bank took a stand that it will not give the same treatment.

The Division bench of the High Court held that there is no plausible explanation why in case of the son the Bank agreed to renew for five years retrospectively and grant interest at the then prevailing rates, but when it came to his father and mother why the Bank took a different stand. Therefore, the Court held that the direction of the learned single Judge which is virtually directing that same treatment has to be given to the parents cannot be faulted with, but there was a problem i.e. due to subsequent events. It is not in dispute that during pendency of the writ petition, mother had died on 13-10-2010. Thus, renewal could only be up to that period and not beyond that. There cannot be a renewal in name of a different constituent, than the original applicant, as that would be a fresh deposit. To accept or not to accept fresh deposit is Bank’s discretion and that would also depend upon the claimants upon death, establishing their rights in absence of nomination. Father died on 17-9-1998, and it is for the first time in 2002 that renewal was sought by one of the sons. There could be no renewal in his name. To that extent, we are of the view that after the death of father, the K.D.R. receipt could not be renewed as there is no proof of the fact that renewal or maturity claim was led by all the heirs completing all formalities. The Court further held that if all the heirs claim payment consequent to encashment, Bank would pay the same as per their joint claim in the shares they desire.

Daughters – Daughters in tribal areas in the State of Himachal Pradesh will inherit property in accordance with Hindu Succession Act 1956 and not as per custom and usage. [Hindu Succession Act, 1956 – Section 2(2), 4]

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Bahadur vs. Bratiya and ors AIR 2016 HIMACHAL PRADESH 58 (HC).

 A suit for declaration to the effect that father of plaintiff Rasalu was Gaddi, therefore, belonged to Scheduled Tribe community. The parties were governed by custom, according to which, the daughters do not inherit the property of their father

Sub-section (2) of section 2 of the Hindu Succession Act (the Act) reads as under:-

“(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in s/s. (1), nothing contained in this Act shall apply to the members of any Scheduled Tribe within the meaning of clause (255) of Article 366 of the Constitution unless the Central Government, by notification in the official Gazette, otherwise directs.”

The High Court held that in few of the judgments of the Senior Sub Judge and District Judge, it is held that in the community of Gaddi, property devolves only upon the sons and it does not devolve upon the daughters, but in few of the judgments, it is held that property amongst Gaddi community would devolve upon sons and daughters equally. There is no consistency in the judgments cited to prove the custom amongst the Gaddies that sons alone would inherit the property. The plaintiff had not even placed on record copy of Riwaj-i-aam to prove that there is a custom prevalent in the Gaddi community that after the death of male collateral, the property devolves upon sons only and not upon daughters. In the copy of Pariwar register produced by the plaintiff, expression “Rajput Gaddi” has been mentioned. It further strengthens the case of the defendants that parties were Rajput and not Gaddi.

Even if it is hypothetically held that the parties were Gaddi, still the plaintiff has failed to prove that there was any custom whereby the girls were excluded from succeeding to the property of their father. According to the plain language of section 4 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, any text, rule or interpretation of Hindu Law or any custom or usage as part of that law in force immediately before the commencement of the Act shall cease to have effect with respect to any matter for which provision is made in the Act. In view of this, though there is no conclusive evidence that the custom is prevailing in the Gaddi community that the daughters would have no rights in the property but even if it is hypothetically assumed that this custom does exist, the same would be in derogation of section 4 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956.

Adjustment of Debenture Premium against Securities Premium in Ind AS

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Background

On April 1, 2011 a company issued zero coupon Nonconvertible debentures (NCDs) of INR 100 payable on 31 March, 2021 at a premium amount of INR 116 which provides an 8% IRR to the holder of the instrument. At the time of issuance of the NCDs, Companies Act, 1956 (1956 Act) applied. At current date, the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 (2013 Act) have become applicable to the company.

The Company is covered under phase 1 of Ind AS roadmap notified under the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015 (as amended) and needs to start applying Ind AS from financial year beginning on or after 1 April 2016 with comparatives for the year ended 31 March 2016. Its date of transition to Ind AS will be 1 April 2015.

Section 78 of the 1956 Act ‘Application of premiums received on issue of securities’ states as below: “

(2) The securities premium account may, notwithstanding anything in s/s. (1), be applied by the company:

(a) In paying up unissued securities of the company to be issued to members of the company as fully paid bonus securities;

(b) In writing off the preliminary expenses of the company;

(c) In writing off the expenses of, or commission paid or discount allowed on, any issue of securities or debentures of the company; or

(d) In providing for the premium payable on the redemption of any redeemable preference securities or of any debentures of the company.”

Position taken by the Company under Indian GAAP For all periods including upto financial year ended 31 March 2016, the company is preparing its financial statements in accordance with Indian GAAP. With regard to Indian GAAP, the Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006, state as below:

“Accounting Standards, which are prescribed, are intended to be in conformity with the provisions of applicable laws. However, if due to subsequent amendments in the law, a particular accounting standard is found to be not in conformity with such law, the provisions of the said law will prevail and the financial statements shall be prepared in conformity with such law.”

The Company adjusted the entire premium payable on redemption i.e. INR 116 against the securities premium, in the year of issuance of NCDs, i.e. in year ended 31 March 2012. A corresponding premium liability of INR 116 was created.

From 1 April 2014, section 78 of the 1956 Act has been replaced by section 52 of the 2013 Act. Section 52 states as below: “

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in s/s. (1), the securities premium account may be applied by the company—

(a) Towards the issue of unissued shares of the company to the members of the company as fully paid bonus shares;

(b) In writing off the preliminary expenses of the company;

(c) In writing off the expenses of, or the commission paid or discount allowed on, any issue of shares or debentures of the company

(d) In providing for the premium payable on the redemption of any redeemable preference shares or of any debentures of the company; or

(e) For the purchase of its own shares or other securities u/s. 68.

(3) The securities premium account may, notwithstanding anything contained in subsections (1) and (2), be applied by such class of companies, as may be prescribed and whose financial statement comply with the accounting standards prescribed for such class of companies u/s. 133,—

(a) In paying up unissued equity shares of the company to be issued to members of the company as fully paid bonus shares; or

(b) In writing off the expenses of or the commission paid or discount allowed on any issue of equity shares of the company; or

(c) For the purchase of its own shares or other securities u/s. 68.”

Based on the above, under the 2013 Act, on a go forward basis, Ind AS companies cannot charge debenture redemption premium against securities premium account. However, the word ‘and’ in section 52(3) also highlighted above lends itself to another technical argument. One could read the provision as restricting the use of securities premium only when two conditions are fulfilled, ie, (a) the class of companies are prescribed and (b) that class of companies are those that comply with accounting standards under section 133. Since no class of companies are yet notified u/s. 52(3), the restriction on use of securities premium will not apply.

Query under Ind AS

Under Ind AS 109 Financial Instruments, NCD liability is measured at amortised cost. The application of this principle implies that premium liability is accrued over the life of NCDs using the amortized cost method under effective interest method and debiting profit and Loss (P&L). In accordance with Ind AS 101 First Time Adoption of Ind AS, an entity is required to apply Ind AS retrospectively while preparing its first Ind AS financial statements except for cases where Ind AS 101 provides specific exemptions/ exceptions. Ind AS 101 does not contain any exemption/ exception with regard to the application of effective interest rate accounting for financial assets or liabilities.

The amortized cost under Ind AS on transition date at 1 April 2015 will be INR 136 (original cost of INR 100 and premium accrued of INR 36). On a go forward basis also premium will be accrued at an IRR of 8% and the same will be charged to the P&L a/c.

Whether the Company needs to reverse premium payable on redemption of NC Ds previously charged to the securities premium INR 80 (INR 116 – INR 36). Consequently, will the debenture premium of INR 80 be charged to future Ind AS P&L using the effective interest method?

Author’s Response

The author makes the following key arguments to support non-reversal of premium payable on redemption of NCDs previously charged to securities premium:

1. With regard to Ind AS, the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015 states as follow: “Indian Accounting Standards, which are specified, are intended to be in conformity with the provisions of applicable laws. However, if due to subsequent amendments in the law, a particular Indian Accounting Standard is found to be not in conformity with such law, the provisions of the said law shall prevail and the financial statements shall be prepared in conformity with such law.”

In light of the underlined wordings, the intention of Ind AS rules should not be construed as requiring reversals of actions done in accordance with the applicable laws.

2. Ind ASs have been notified under the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015, which is a subordinate legislation. It cannot override provisions of the main legislation. The action of the company in debiting its securities premium account in the relevant financial year was in accordance with the provision of section 78 of the 1956 Act. As per section 6 of the General Clause (GC) Act, the repeal of an enactment will not affect anything validly done under the repealed enactment. Hence, to the extent that any acts are validly done under any repealed provision of the 1956 Act, such action will not be affected upon corresponding provision of the 2013 Act becoming applicable. Therefore the application of the 2013 Act does not impact position taken in the past.

3. While section 78 of the 1956 Act allows premium on redemption to be adjusted against the Securities Premium, it does not prescribe the timing of such adjustment. Hence, it is permissible to make upfront adjustment for the premium at any time during the tenure of the debentures. The Company adjusted the entire debenture premium of INR 116 against the securities premium account in year ended 31 March 2012 is in accordance with the law and completely justified.

4. The financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2012 were approved by the shareholders. On the basis of the shareholders’ approval and the extant law, the securities premium was utilised. Section 78 of the 1956 Act/ section 52 of the 2013 Act contain specific requirement concerning creation as well as utilisation of the securities premium. Once the company has charged premium payable on redemption, it effectively tantamount to utilisation of the securities premium. One may argue that once utilised, in accordance with the extant provisions of the main law the premium cannot be brought back to life merely because of an accounting requirement contained in a subordinate legislation.

5. The 2013 Act only recognizes premium received on shares as balances that may be credited to securities premium account. In the present case the securities premium account has already been reduced by the full debenture premium amount. Therefore credit back to the securities premium account pursuant to any reversal is not permitted under the 2013 Act.

6. As discussed earlier in the article one view is that debenture redemption premium can be adjusted against securities premium account in accordance with section 52(3) because no notification as required u/s. 52(3) has yet been issued. If this interpretation is taken, then Ind AS companies will be allowed to use securities premium account to adjust debenture premium till such time a notification is issued by the MCA.

Conclusion

The transition from Indian GAAP to Ind AS will not impact actions previously taken by the company under other provisions of the Act (section 78 of the 1956 Act in this case). The Company can carry forward the Indian GAAP accounting (done in accordance with a law) in Ind AS financial statements. The Company need not reverse premium payable on redemption of NCDs previously charged to the securities premium INR 80 (INR 116 – INR 36). Consequently, the debenture premium of INR 80 will not be charged to future Ind AS P&L. The Company should make appropriate disclosures as required by the applicable Ind AS and governing laws in the financial statements.

It may be noted that the author’s view in this article is not consistent with the clarifications provided by the Ind AS Transition Facilitation Group (ITFG). However, it may be noted that the views of the ITFG are not those of the ICAI and are not binding on the members of ICAI.

ITA NO.4028/Mum/2002 ADIT vs. J Ray Mc Dermott Eastern Hemisphere Ltd A.Y.: 1998-99, Date of Order: 6th May, 2016

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Article 5(2)(i), 5(2)(c) of India-Mauritius DTAA – no construction PE in India as duration of each project in India was less than 9 months; Activities of LO being solely of a preparatory or auxiliary character, falls within the exclusion in Article 5(3)(e).

Facts
The Taxpayer, a Mauritius company was a member of a global group of companies, was engaged in transportation, installation and construction of offshore platforms for mineral oil exploration in India. During the relevant year, the Taxpayer carried out only one project the duration of which was only three months.

The AO considered the work executed by the Taxpayer at different locations in terms of different contracts represented one project. Accordingly, the AO aggregated number of days for execution of all the contracts and held that it exceeded period of 9 months. The AO also included the number of days estimated to have been spent for supervisory activities before the actual commencement of construction work. Thus, the AO held that the Taxpayer had a PE in India under Article 5(2)(i) (Construction PE) of India-Mauritius DTAA . Further, relying on the report of a survey carried out u/s. 133A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (the Act), concluded that the LO premises of group company of the Taxpayer were used exclusively for the Taxpayer’s business and therefore the LO was a Fixed Place PE under Article 5(2)(c). Accordingly, the AO determined the taxable income of the PE and taxed it u/s. 44BB of the Act.

In appeal, CIT(A) held that while the Taxpayer did not have construction PE under Article 5(2)(i), it had Fixed Place PE since the LO was exclusively used for the projects of the Taxpayer in India.

The issues before the Tribunal were:

a) Whether independent activities of the Taxpayer under different contracts were to be aggregated for determining the 9-month threshold period under Article 5(2)(i) of India-Mauritius DTAA ?

b) Whether LO of group company of the Taxpayer constitute PE of the Taxpayer under Article 5(2)(c) of India-Mauritius DTAA ?

Held

As regards Construction PE

(i) In earlier year, the Tribunal after considering the language in Article 5(2)(i) had held that the permanence test for existence of a PE stands substituted by a duration test for building construction, construction or assembly project, or supervisory activity connected therewith. There is also a valid, and more holistic view of the matter, that this duration test does not really substitute permanence test but only limits the application of general principle of permanence test in as much as unless the activities of the specified nature cross the threshold time limit of nine months, even if there exists a PE under the general rule of Article 5(1), it will be outside the ambit of definition of PE by virtue of Article 5(2)(i).Plain reading of Article 5(2) (i) would show that, for the purpose of computing the threshold time limit, what is to be taken into account is activities of a foreign enterprise on a particular site or a particular project, or supervisory activity connected therewith on an independent and standalone basis.

(ii) As there is no specific mention about aggregating the number of days spent on various sites, projects, etc. each of the sites, projects, etc. is to be viewed on standalone basis. Thus the contention that all projects need to be aggregated for computing the threshold of 9 months is not valid.

(iii) In the relevant year Taxpayer carried on only one project and the duration of which did not exceed 9 months. Thus, the Taxpayer did not have a construction PE in India.

As regards LO as PE

(i) There was no material on record that the employees of the LO had reviewed engineering documents or had participated in discussions or approval of the designs. LO merely provided back office support in relation to projects in India. None of the documents showed that the employees of the LO negotiated or concluded contracts for the Taxpayer, or that substantive business was carried out from the LO. In absence of such material, the claim of the Taxpayer that its Project Office was merely a communication channel had to be accepted.

(ii) Since the main business of the Taxpayer was fabrication and installation of platforms, PE trigger can be examined only under Article 5(1)(i) Thus, the issue of determination of its ‘PE’ through any other clause does not arise unless and until any other activity is taken up by the Taxpayer which is having an independent identity or economic substance and yielding separate business profits

(iii) Thus, since the project of the Taxpayer did not have work duration of more than 9 months during the year, an activity of the maintenance of back-up cum support office ‘simpliciter’ will not constitute ‘PE’ in India.

[2016] 69 taxmann.com 106 (Mumbai – Trib.) DDIT vs. Savvis Communication Corporation A.Y. 2009-10, Date of order: 31st March, 2016

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Section 9 of the Act, Article 12 of India-USA DTAA – the payment for providing web hosting services (though involving use of scientific equipment) does not qualify as “consideration for the use of or right to use of, scientific equipment”; hence, not taxable either u/s. 9(1) (vi) or Article 12 of India-USA DTAA .

Facts
The Taxpayer, an American company, was engaged in providing information technology solutions, including web hosting services. During the relevant year, the Taxpayer had earned income from provision of managed hosting services to entities in India. The Taxpayer claimed that the income was not taxable in India in terms of Articles 12 and 7 of India-USA DTAA .

According to the AO, web hosting company provides space on a server (whether owned or leased) for use by client. The server is not owned by the client. The hosting contract is for limited period. Hence, the AO concluded that the payment received by the Taxpayer was for granting right to use scientific equipment and therefore, it was royalty in terms of Explanation 2(iva) to section 9(1) (vi) of the Act.

Held

The AO proceeded on the fallacy that when scientific equipment is used by the Taxpayer for rendering service, the receipt should be construed as receipt for use of scientific equipment.

If the Taxpayer receives income by allowing customer to use scientific equipment, it is taxable as royalty. However, use of scientific equipment by the Taxpayer, in the course of giving a service to the customer, is distinct from allowing the customer to use a scientific equipment.

The true test is: whether the consideration is for rendition of service (though involving use of scientific equipment), or whether the consideration is for use of equipment simplicitor by the Taxpayer. If it is former, consideration is not taxable and if it is latter, consideration is taxable as royalty for use of equipment.

If the person making payment does not have independent right to use equipment or have physical access to it, the payment cannot be said to be consideration for use of scientific equipment.

Accordingly, the receipt was not “consideration for the use of or right to use of, scientific equipment” which is a sine qua non for taxability under section 9(1)(vi) read with Explanation 2(iva) thereto.

[2016] 68 taxmann.com 305 (Mumbai – Trib.) DCIT vs. VJM Media (P) Ltd A.Y.: 2007-08, Date of Order: 13th April, 2016

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Article 12 of India-Singapore DTAA , Article 13 of India-UK DTAA – payment made to nonresidents for limited, restricted and one time use of photograph, not being for “use of copyright”, was not royalty in terms of DTAA .

Facts
The Taxpayer, an Indian company, was engaged in the business of publishing magazines. During the relevant year, the Taxpayer had made payments to non-residents (one located in Singapore and another located in UK) for procuring images and figures for publication in its magazines. The Taxpayer was downloading the images from the websites of the two non-residents and was required to make payment for each of such downloads. The Taxpayer had the right of one time use of the image in its own magazines.

Since the Taxpayer did not withhold tax from the payments, the AO invoked the provisions of section 40(a)(i) of the Act and disallowed the payment. In appeal, CIT(A) upheld the order of the AO.

Held

In terms of Article 12 of India-Singapore DTAA and Article 13 of India-UK DTAA, only payments made for use of copyright can be characterised as royalty. Further, the copyright should be only of any of the items mentioned therein.

Even if it is presumed that a photograph falls in one or more of the items mentioned, the tax authority is required to establish that the payment was for use of ‘copyright’ and not for ‘copyrighted article’.

In several judgments, it has been held that ‘copyright’ and ‘copyrighted article’ are two different things.

The Taxpayer was permitted only one time use of the photograph in the magazine but not permitted to edit the photograph, make copies for sale or to permit someone else to use the photograph. Thus, the Taxpayer was permitted to use the ‘Article’ and not the ‘copyright’. In absence of “use of copyright”, the payment cannot be regarded as royalty so as to trigger obligation to deduct tax at source.

Article 12 of India-Singapore DTAA , Article 13 of India-UK DTAA – payment made to nonresidents for limited, restricted and one time use of photograph, not being for “use of copyright”, was not royalty in terms of DTAA .

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Facts

The Taxpayer, an Indian company, was engaged in the business of publishing magazines. During the relevant year, the Taxpayer had made payments to non-residents (one located in Singapore and another located in UK) for procuring images and figures for publication in its magazines. The Taxpayer was downloading the images from the websites of the two non-residents and was required to make payment for each of such downloads. The Taxpayer had the right of one time use of the image in its own magazines. Since the Taxpayer did not withhold tax from the payments, the AO invoked the provisions of section 40(a)(i) of the Act and disallowed the payment. In appeal, CIT(A) upheld the order of the AO.

Held

  • In terms of Article 12 of India-Singapore DTAA and Article 13 of India-UK DTAA, only payments made for use of copyright can be characterised as royalty. Further, the copyright should be only of any of the items mentioned therein. ? E ven if it is presumed that a photograph falls in one or more of the items mentioned, the tax authority is required to establish that the payment was for use of ‘copyright’ and not for ‘copyrighted article’. ? I n several judgments, it has been held that ‘copyright’ and ‘copyrighted article’ are two different things. ? T he Taxpayer was permitted only one time use of the photograph in the magazine but not permitted to edit the photograph, make copies for sale or to permit someone else to use the photograph. Thus, the Taxpayer was permitted to use the ‘Article’ and not the ‘copyright’. In absence of “use of copyright”, the payment cannot be regarded as royalty so as to trigger obligation to deduct tax at source.

[2016] 68 taxmann.com 142 (Kolkata – Trib.) Gifford & Partners Ltd. vs. DDIT A.Ys.: 2005-06 and 2007-08, Date of Order: 6th April, 2016

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Section 9 of the Act; Article 13, 5 of India-UK DTAA – (i) as per amended section 9 of the Act, the payment made was FTS under section 9(1)(vii); (ii) since the exclusive ownership of the work prepared by Taxpayer was of I Co, technical knowledge, etc. were made available and hence, payment was taxable as FTS ; (iii) place provided to Taxpayer for limited and restrictive purpose could not constitute PE.

Facts
The Taxpayer, a UK company, was engaged in the business of providing consultancy services for execution of projects. An Indian company (“I Co”) engaged the Taxpayer for providing consultancy services for modernisation of its shipyard. The representatives of the Taxpayer visited the shipyard in India to study the existing design, plan and facilities. The collected data was sent to UK and the experts of the Taxpayer at UK prepared the project report containing plans, design, structural design, cost estimate, manner of implementation, etc.

While filing its return of income, the Taxpayer showed the profit from execution of contract as attributable to its PE in India. However, in course of assessment proceedings, the Taxpayer claimed that it did not have PE in India and also that amount received was not FTS as the services provided did not fulfil ‘make available’ condition in Article 13 of the India-UK DTAA. The AO, however, concluded that the Taxpayer had PE in India; the amount received was FTS in terms of Article 13. ;Further as the services were ‘effectively connected’ with the PE in India, the consideration for such services was taxable in India in terms of Article 7 read with article 13(6).

Held

As regards the Act

(i) The services provided by the Taxpayer being in nature of technical or consultancy services, the payment was in the nature of FTS and is deemed to accrue or arise in India in terms of section 9(1)(vii)(b)of the Act.

(ii) Having regard to the retrospective amendment to section 9, since the services were utilized in a business or profession carried on by payer in India, the payment was deemed to accrue or arise in India, irrespective of whether the non-resident had PE in India or whether the non-resident rendered services in India.

As regards India-UK DTAA

(ii) The agreement provided that all plans, drawings, specifications, designs, reports, etc. prepared by the Taxpayer shall become and remain the exclusive property of I Co. therefore technical knowledge, etc. were made available. Accordingly, payment was taxable as FTS even in terms of the treaty.

(iii) Further as the payer is a resident of India, such FTS arises in India and is taxable in India by virtue of Article 13 of the DTAA .

As regards constitution of PE

(i) It was noted that, I Co was contractually required to provide office space to the Taxpayer. However such space was used only for limited purpose of providing services under the contract and its usage was also subject to various restrictions. The Taxpayer did not carry on any other business in India.

(ii) Article 5(1) requires that to constitute a PE, business should be carried on through the fixed place. Carrying on of business would involve carrying on of any activity related to the business of the enterprise.

(iii) Since the Taxpayer could not carry on any other activity, the place provided by I Co for limited and restrictive use could not be said to be PE in India of the Taxpayer. Reliance in this regard was placed on the Special bench decision in the case of Motorola Inc [(2005) 95 ITD 269 (Delhi)] and Tribunal decision in the case of Airline Rotables Ltd [(2011)(44 SOT 368)(Mum)].

Non-resident: Fees for technical services- Section 9(1)(vii) Expl. 2 and 44BB(1)- A. Y. 2008-09- Geophysical services- Activity of two dimensional and three dimensional seismic survey carried on in connection with exploration of oil on land and off-shore- Consideration for services rendered cannot be construed as ”fees for technical services” Assessee was assessable u/s. 44BB(1) of the Act-

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PGS Exploration (Norway)AS; 383 ITR 178 (Del):

The assessee a company incorporated under the laws of Norway, was principally engaged in the business of providing geophysical services world wide. These services included the services of acquiring and processing two dimensional and three dimensional seismic data both on land and offshore. In the A. Y. 2008-09, the assessee opted to be taxed on presumptive basis u/s. 44BB(1) of the Act at the rate of 10% of the gross revenue. The Assessing Officer rejected the contention of the assessee that its income was liable to be taxed u/s. 44BB(1) of the Act and held that the services provided by the assessee were technical in nature and the consideration payable to the assessee for rendering services in terms of the contract was ”fees for technical services” within the scope of section 9(1)(vii) of the Act and that the tax on such income was to be computed u/s. 115A of the Act and not u/s. 44BB(1). The Tribunal upheld the decision of the Assessing Officer.

On appeal by the assessee, the Delhi High Court reversed the decision of the Tribunal and held as under:

“i) The Tribunal was not justified in holding that the activity of two dimensional and three dimensional seismic survey carried on by the assessee in connection with the exploration of oil was in the nature of “fees for technical services” in terms of Explanation 2 to section 9(1)(vii) of the Act.

ii) Since the A. Y. 2008-09 fell within the period from April 1, 2004 to April 1, 2011, the Income of the assessee to the extent it fell within the scope of section 44DA(1) of the Act and excluded from section 115A(1)(b) of the Act, would be computed in accordance with section 44BB(1) of the Act.”

Jobs not quotas: Expanding quotas will not address frustrations arising from jobless growth

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Gujarat’s announcement of a 10% quota for economically backward classes in education and government jobs represents a misdiagnosis of a pressing problem. The proposal is bound to be challenged legally as aggregate quotas will overshoot the permitted 50% mark. Moreover the agitating Patels, who the announcement sought to pacify, have dismissed it as “another lollipop from the BJP factory”.

The reality is that government cannot expand jobs fast enough to address contemporary society’s malaise: joblessness. Myriad agitations are only symptoms of the frustration among young Indians. If our demographic transition, where there is an ongoing surge in the working age population, is to translate into a dividend and not a nightmare, governments must address the challenge of joblessness. Over the last 15 years millions have moved out of agriculture, with only construction expanding noticeably to absorb the influx. Worryingly, manufacturing and services have not pulled their weight in job creation. For this, governments’ counterproductive policies must take the blame.

The nature of government intervention needs to be radically transformed. Right now, at both central and state levels, we are witnessing more government and less governance. In a complex world characterised by rapid changes in technology and trends, governments are not in a position to pick winners. Entrepreneurs are best placed to make these choices and governments need to get out of their way by removing barriers to economic activity. Simplification of regulations needs to be complemented by smarter regulation.

Enhancing the quality of public education, dismantling the licence raj shackling private education, skilling and physical infrastructure will help India grab opportunities. As wages in China increase, it opens the door for India’s export-led apparel industry and other labour-intensive industries, which can generate millions of jobs. A World Bank report, entitled “Stitches to Riches?” estimates that even a 10% increase in Chinese apparel prices can be leveraged to create at least 1.2 million jobs in the Indian apparel industry. This would be particularly good for women who are prolifically employed by the apparel industry, addressing India’s appalling gender inequities. But the government’s approach must be tailored to capitalise on available opportunities.

For example India’s ruinous labour laws, which create a new caste system whose Brahmins are organised labour and whose quasi-untouchables are roughly 93% of the labour force consigned to the informal sector, must be reformed to give a better chance to the rest. (Source: The Times of India dated 02.05.2016)

War for Ambedkar: Parties who celebrate his birth anniversary would do well to learn from his legacy

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The UN observed Bhim Rao ‘Babasaheb’ Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary on 13.04.2016 – showcasing the universal appeal of the principal architect of India’s Constitution, who fought caste injustice. Indeed, from being an icon solely of Dalit parties in yesteryear, Ambedkar’s legacy is enjoying a revival with political parties across India’s ideological spectrum fighting to appropriate it. And now, with inequality a rising concern and cause for political turmoil in Western countries, Ambedkar’s appeal has reached Western shores as well.

The continuing re-imagination of Ambedkar reflects as much on his immense contributions in defining the Indian republic as it does on the contemporary relevance of themes he became synonymous with: equality, social justice and rule of law. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to travel to Ambedkar’s birthplace in Mhow, MP tomorrow to observe Social Harmony Day. In a bid to steal Modi’s thunder Congress organised a big rally on Monday in Nagpur, the headquarters of RSS.

Ambedkar was a crusader against untouchability and the caste system, eventually embracing Buddhism in 1956. By putting up banners and posters of Ambedkar, BJP hopes to portray itself not only as a champion of social engineering, but also take advantage of the fading of Nehru’s lustre in post-liberalisation India. However, BJP’s Hindu-first agenda is contradicted by Ambedkar’s belief that caste hierarchies are an intrinsic part of Hinduism (that is why he converted to Buddhism). Likewise, Ambedkar resists appropriation by contemporary leftist causes as well. He disagreed with Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of self-governing villages as India’s foundation, viewing them instead as dens of inequality. He opposed insertion of the terms ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the preamble to the Constitution. He opposed Article 370 and was an ardent supporter of the Uniform Civil Code.

It’s welcome that political parties are debating Ambedkar today. What’s less welcome, however, is their attempt to project their own beliefs on to Ambedkar. He stood, for example, for the total annihilation of caste. Were he to witness today’s permanent and expanding regime of caste quotas, which all political parties appear to be agreed on, he could well be turning over in his grave. He was, above all, a modern thinker, a practitioner of pragmatic politics who refused to be bogged down by any particular ideology or religion. Leaders who invoke him today would do well to learn from that legacy.

(Source: Times of India dated 13.04.2016)

How to view success

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With a broad theme like six lenses that shape our perception of the leadership challenges encountered in work and family Six Lenses: Vignettes of Success, Career and Relationships ends up being a gripping narrative of life’s many shades, which can encourage readers to look at their lives and careers in a different light.

There are three reasons for this: one, the author’s mastery of the art of story-telling and his intellectual rigour that helps connects the dots. R Gopalakrishnan is a prolific writer but this one is clearly his best. Two, he has carefully avoided the predictability of countless management books that offer instant, pre-packaged wisdom on how to succeed in one’s career. And three, the book subtly revolves around management and philosophy with multiple references from religious texts and binds them all with several interesting anecdotes – the extraordinary lessons the author learnt from everyday experiences of people to which readers can relate. In the process, the author shows how, by altering our perceptions, people can better overcome the challenges they face at work and in family matters.

Mr Gopalakrishnan also draws from the Vedantic idea of myth and reality to conclude that the idea of reality does not exist and that all man sees is through his perception of the world around him. It’s like a visit to the optician for an eye test – on the support frame, there are lenses that can be rotated to improve vision during testing. The rotation of each lens changes the clarity and the view. There are many perspectives that the viewer can get and he or she has to select the view that best suits him or her. Like an optician who keeps turning the lenses till the patient can see clearly, people need to keep shifting the proverbial six lenses until they find and arrive at an awareness of their life’s purpose and fulfilment.

The six lenses (the book has a chapter each that corresponds to each of these lenses) are: Purpose (the deep-seated belief about life’s aim); Authenticity ( who you are, at the core); Courage (overcoming obstacles and inequity); Trust (encompasses virtues such as reliability, never letting anyone down, etc); Luck (people pretend they don’t believe in it except when it suits them) and Fulfilment (it is about enjoying what exists rather than cry about what might have been missed).

Universally, people define success in terms of what other people think of it. But the important lesson the book provides is that there is no universally accepted measure of success. But the paradox is that while all success doesn’t lead to fulfilment, all fulfilment leads to success. The delightful stories about “people like us” tell us how each of them sought success and fulfilment and are great examples of what happiness means – it’s a complex phenomenon called emotional well-being. Young readers may scoff at the author’s prognosis that happiness is tied to giving rather than taking, to volunteering and to donating, but they could gain some deep insights.

Though its inclusion as a lens may be considered unusual by many, Mr Gopalakrishnan is at his best in the chapter on “Luck”. Through countless examples, he has shown how good outcomes are dressed up by the corporate types as strategic strokes of genius while catastrophes are attributed to bad luck.

Overall, Six Lenses… is a great read, made richer by an author who has enough experience and knowledge to offer readers views on the choices and assumptions that people make, as also their outcomes.

(Source: Extracts from Book Review by Shyamal Majumdar of Six Lenses – Vignettes of Success, Career and Relationships by R. Gopalkrishnan in Business Standard dated 06.04.2016)

India cannot get carried away by current growth superiority : RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Raghuram Rajan clarified his remark that India was like a “one-eyed king in the land of the blind” and defended the thought process behind the remark that has attracted controversy.

Rajan, 53, also spoke of how “words are hung out to dry, as in a newspaper headline,” robbing them of context and opening them up to misinterpretation.

India cannot get carried away by its “current superiority in growth,” Rajan told an audience of students and bankers at the convocation of the National Institute of Bank Management in Pune.

“My intent in saying this (and it was an off-hand comment in an interview) was to signal that our outperformance was accentuated because world growth was weak,” said the RBI governor, whose choice of words had evoked the displeasure of some government ministers.

“But we in India are still hungry for more growth. I then explained that we are not yet at our potential but that we are at the cusp of a substantial pick-up in growth because of the reforms that are underway,” said Rajan.

He added that in a “news hungry” nation like India, the remarks had been seen as denigrating India’s success.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley had responded to Rajan’s “one-eyed king” remark by saying a growth rate of 7.5% would be a cause of celebration in any other country.

In an interview to financial news website Marketwatch on 17 April, Rajan, when asked about the popular notion that India was the “bright spot” in an otherwise gloomy global economy, said the country still has some way to go.

“Well, I think we’ve still to get to a place where we feel satisfied. We have this saying, ‘in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king’. We’re a little bit that way,” Rajan told the website.

On Wednesday, Rajan struck a note of caution.

“We cannot get carried away by our current superiority in growth for as soon as we start distributing future wealth as though we already have it, we stop doing what we are supposed to do to keep growing,” he said. “This movie has played too many times in the past for us not to know how it ends.”

Rajan noted that while India is compared to China in reference to economic growth rates, the Chinese economy is five times larger than India’s and the average Chinese citizen is four times richer than the average Indian.

The Indian economy is expected to grow 7.5% in 2016 compared to China’s 6.5%, according to forecasts released by the International Monetary Fund earlier this month.

“As a central banker who has to be pragmatic, I cannot get euphoric if India is the fastest growing large economy. Our current growth certainly reflects the hard work of the government and the people of the country, but we have to repeat this performance for the next 20 years before we can give every Indian a decent livelihood,” said Rajan. He said his remarks were not meant to disparage was has been done and is being done by governments.

“The central and state governments have been creating a platform for strong and sustainable growth, and I am confident the payoffs are on their way, but until we have stayed on this path for some time, I remain cautious.”

The media’s scrutiny of what Rajan called an off-the-cuffremark was a “teachable moment”, said the RBI governor, who is on leave from his teaching post at the University of Chicago.

The RBI governor questioned the manner in which every word spoken by public figures is “wrung out” for meaning. “When words are hung out to dry, as in a newspaper headline, it then becomes fair game for anyone who wants to fill in meaning to create mischief,” said Rajan, adding that if India is to have a reasonable public dialogue, words must be seen in context and not stripped of it. “That may, however, be a forlorn hope,” he said.

Rajan, in his speech titled ‘Words matter but so does intent,’ didn’t stop there. “This leads to the question—how much of our language is liable for misinterpretation? How forgiving should we be of a bad choice of words when the intent is clearly different?”

Rajan chose to make this point through examples.

He cited the famous words of Mahatma Gandhi who once said “an eye for an eye will make the whole world go blind.”One might take umbrage because the comment suggests that blindness is an inferior state of being, said Rajan. “Yet, Gandhiji’s comment was on the absurdity of the event and not a comment on blindness,” he noted.

“If we spend all our time watching our words and using inoffensive language…we will be dull and will not be able to communicate because no one will listen,” said Rajan. “For instance, an eye for an eye will only make the whole world go blind, could be replaced by—revenge reduces collective welfare,” quipped Rajan. “The latter is short and inoffensive but meaningless for most listeners who haven’t taken economics classes.”

Rajan concluded that all constituents have work to do to improve communication. Speakers have to be more careful with words and listeners should not look for insults where none may exist. (Source: Mint Newspaper dated 21.04.2016)

Three box strategy for success: Effective business leaders who see change when it’s coming tick all these three boxes

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Effective leadership is the high point in today’s competitive environment. It is imperative for leaders to have a sound plan for the future, a firm grip on the present and an understanding of the past. Without these, it is almost impossible to achieve and sustain success.

I have incorporated these elements within my framework for strategic innovation. I call it the Three Box Solution. This framework commences with an appreciation of time as a continuum.

Managing the present (Box 1) is the prime focus for most leaders today. With no revenue; without Box 1, business comes to a standstill. Therefore, the emphasis on the performance engine that generates revenue, is crucial. At the same time, attention to what one hopes to achieve tomorrow for the organisation (Box 3) is equally vital.

Without Box 3, there is no future. To implement Box 3, one has to discard some of the mindsets, practices, policies, and perhaps products or services that enabled both the leader and the company reach where they are today. Leaving behind the past (Box 2) completes the circle.

Among the three boxes, Box 2 is the most challenging. Good leaders are able to envisage an obsolete trend and implement changes to script a success story.

Following a particular trend or rationalising to keep elements that helped the organisation succeed in its journey, can take it only so far. Therefore, it is important to gauge futuristic goals, pick up the “weak signals” and act upon them to make the business and the organisation future ready.

Weak signals are emergent changes that appear on the horizon, sometimes so dim and distant as to be almost imperceptible. They could be changes in behaviour or demographics, technology, the economy—almost any activity related to humanity. Within the Three Box framework, they are the raw materials leaders can use to develop assumptions about what may happen in the future.

Weak signals are ubiquitous but, as mentioned above, sometimes are difficult to detect. Where do you find them? You can mine for signals by using a free-for-all approach, soliciting ideas from the public, for example. Or, you may choose to create a task force within your organisation, dedicated to identifying up-and-coming trends.

Another option is to look for individuals within your company who seem to have their eyes on the horizon. Often, these are younger individuals or people who have a reputation among co-workers for nonconformity. These mavericks see the world differently, tuning in to signals that others miss.

Effective leaders understand, however, that weak signals must be tested to determine whether they truly do foretell coming changes or are just noise. This is the third leadership behavior in which the Three Box framework is rooted. Experimentation resolves uncertainties and increases learning even as it reduces risk. Following is an example of how a humble candy became a global success story by picking up weak signals.

Innovative leaders realise the Three Box framework is an ongoing process, not a one-time project. They are always searching for and testing weak signals. They never cease building the future even as they ensure their organisations function at peak performance today. They are constantly vigilant for traps of the past. As a result, their companies are able to operate successfully and simultaneously within all three boxes. (Source: Extracts from Article written by Vijay Govindarajan in the Times of India dated 18.04.2016)

A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 71 dated May 19, 2016

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Rupee Drawing Arrangement – Submission of statement/returns under XBRL

This circular states that banks have to submit the statement E on total remittances from the quarter ending June 2016 in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) system which can be accessed at https://secweb. rbi.org.in/orfsxbrl/.

Article 13(4) of India-UK DTAA –Payments made for consultancy services cannot be termed as technical services merely because consultancy services has technical inputs-Merely because the recipient of a technical consultancy services learns something with each consultancy, it cannot be considered as satisfying the make available condition.

12.
[2018] 93 taxmann.com 20 (Ahd)

DCIT vs.
BioTech Vision Care (P) Ltd. 

ITA No. :
1388, 2766 & 3154 (AHD.) OF 2014

A.Y.s:
2009-10 to 2011-12

Date of
Order: 18th April, 2018

 

Article 13(4) of India-UK DTAA –Payments made for
consultancy services cannot be termed as technical services merely because
consultancy services has technical inputs-Merely because the recipient of a
technical consultancy services learns something with each consultancy, it
cannot be considered as satisfying the make available condition.

 

Facts

Taxpayer, an Indian entity, made payments to a UK based
company (FCo) for consultancy services in specified areas2. The Taxpayer contended that payment made
to UK Co for such services qualified as business income and in absence of a PE
of the Taxpayer in India, such income was not taxable in India. Thus, Taxpayer
made payments to FCo, without withholding taxes at source.

 

 

AO contended that the payments made to FCo were in the
nature of ‘FTS’ under Article 13 of the India-UK DTAA. Thus, the AO disallowed
the payments made to FCo u/s. 40(a)(i) for failure to withhold taxes on such
payments. Aggrieved, the Taxpayer appealed before CIT(A).

 

CIT(A) deleted the disallowance by holding that the
services rendered by FCo did not make available any technical knowledge, skill
or knowhow and hence it did not qualify as FTS under article 13 of India-UK
DTAA.

 

Aggrieved, the AO appealed before the Tribunal.

 

Held

As per the terms of service
agreement between the Taxpayer and FCo, FCo was obliged to provide technical
advices on phone/fax/ email as and when required. It also required FCo to
provide for consultancy services to the Taxpayer in the specified areas.

The make available condition in
the FTS article can be considered to be satisfied only when there is a transfer
of technology in the sense that recipient of service is enabled to provide the
same service on his own, without recourse to the original service provider.
Reliance in this regard was placed on the decision in the case of CESC Ltd.
vs. DCIT [(2003) 87 ITD TM 653 (Kol)]
.

Merely because the consultancy
services provided by FCo had technical inputs, such services do not become
technical services. Further, simply because the recipient of a technical
consultancy services learns something with each consultancy, there is no
transfer of technology in a manner that the recipient of service is enabled to
provide the same service without recourse to the service provider.

        Thus, consultancy services
rendered by FCo does not satisfy the make available condition and hence it does
not qualify as FTS under the India-UK DTAA.

[1] Exact scope of services availed is not
clear from the ruling.

Article 12 of India-USA DTAA; Section 9(1)(vii), 40(a)(i) of the Act – Rendering of service through deployment of personnel having requisite experience and skill which could not have been performed by service recipient on its own without recourse to the service provider, did not qualify as FIS under the India-USA DTAA.

11. (2018) 92 taxmann.com 407

ACIT vs.
Petronet LNG Ltd.

ITA No. :
865/Del/2011

A.Y.:
2006-07

Date of Order:
6th April, 2018

 

Article 12 of India-USA DTAA; Section 9(1)(vii), 40(a)(i)
of the Act – Rendering of service through deployment of personnel having
requisite experience and skill which could not have been performed by service
recipient on its own without recourse to the service provider, did not qualify
as FIS under the India-USA DTAA.

 

Facts

Taxpayer, an Indian company availed certain consultancy
services from a U.S. company (FCo). As part of the service agreement, FCo, was
required to evaluate different types of LNG vaporizers, recommend a suitable
form of vaporiser and study the benefits of various schemes for generating
power through utilisation of LNG study.

 

Taxpayer contended that the payments made to FCo were
covered by Article 23 (other income) of the DTAA and hence was taxable only in
the residence state i.e. US. AO however contended that the payment made by
Taxpayer was in the nature of fee for technical services (FTS) as defined u/s.
9(1)(vii) of the Act and accordingly, disallowed the payments made by the
Taxpayer for failure to withhold taxes on the same.

 

Aggrieved, the Taxpayer appealed before the CIT(A). The
CIT(A) deleted the disallowance. Aggrieved the AO appealed before the Tribunal.

 

Held

 Article 12(4) of the India-US
treaty provides for a restrictive meaning of ‘fee for included services (FIS) vis-a-vis
the meaning of FTS under the Act. Under the DTAA, FIS is defined to include
only those technical/consultancy services which are ancillary and subsidiary to
the application/enjoyment of right, property or information or which ‘make
available’ technical knowledge, skill, knowhow, process etc.

 As explained in the Memorandum of
Understanding entered into, between India and USA, technology is considered to
be ‘made available’ only when the person acquiring the service is able to apply
such technology on his own.

Services provided by FCo involved
use of technical knowledge or skill. Although mere rendering of services
involving technical knowledge, skill etc. could qualify as FTS under the
Act, it would not qualify as FIS under Article 12(4) of the DTAA.

The scope of services rendered by
FCo involved deployment of personnel having the requisite experience and skill
to perform the services. Having regard to the nature of services, it was not
possible for the Taxpayer to carry out such services in future on its own
without recourse to the service provider. Hence, services rendered by FCo did
not qualify as FIS under Article 12(4) of the India-US DTAA. The services were
not taxable in India and accordingly no disallowance is warranted for alleged
default of withholding tax.

[1] It is not clear why
taxpayer resorted to other income article rather than rely on the proposition
that non –FIS overseas services rendered by US Company does not trigger tax in
absence of PE.


Article 7(1) of India-USA DTAA; Section 9(1)(i), 40(a)(i), 195 of the Act –Support services obtained from an associate entity in USA under a service agreement- Services were rendered within India as well as from outside India – payments for services rendered from outside India not subject to withholding as there was no involvement of PE in India while rendering such services.

10.  TS-190-ITAT-2018(Mum)

DCIT vs. Transamerica Direct Marketing
Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

ITA No. : 1978/MUM/2015

A.Y. : 2010-11

Date of Order: 19th
March, 2018

 

Article
7(1) of India-USA DTAA; Section 9(1)(i), 40(a)(i), 195 of the Act –Support
services  obtained from an associate
entity in USA under a service agreement- Services were rendered within India as
well as from outside India – payments for services rendered from outside India
not subject to withholding as there was no involvement of PE in India while
rendering such services.

 

Taxpayer,
a resident company, is engaged in the business of direct marketing activities
as well as providing management, scientific, technical and advisory consultancy
services in India. It obtained bundle of support services such as information
support system, marketing and new business development, new product
development, actuarial services, accounting support services, internal audit
etc.
from its associated entity in U.S.A (FCo). The services were rendered
by FCo both from outside India as well as within India.

 

While
making payments for services, Taxpayer withheld taxes only on the amount
pertaining to services rendered within India on the basis that FCo had a
service PE w.r.t such activities and thus profits were taxable in India under
Article 7(1) of the India-US DTAA. However, no withholding was made on payments
made for services received from outside India on the basis that such services
could not be attributed to the Service PE of FCo in India and the payments were
also not in the nature of Fees for Included Services (FIS) as defined under the
treaty. Accordingly, such amounts were not claimed to be taxable in India.

 

The
AO disallowed the payments attributable to services rendered from outside India
on the basis that such services were also taxable in India since the recipient
(being beneficiary) of the services is located in India.

 

Aggrieved,
the Taxpayer appealed before CIT(A).

 

The
CIT(A) placed reliance on the decisions in cases of Ishikawajima-Harima
Heavy Industries Ltd. vs. DIT (228 ITR 408 (SC)), WNS North America Inc.(ITA
No. 8621/Mum/2010) and Morgan Stanley & Co. (292 ITR 416)
to conclude
that payments made for services, not in the nature of FIS, rendered by the FCo
from outside India were not taxable in India and hence no disallowance is
needed for alleged failure to withhold tax. Aggrieved, AO appealed before the
Tribunal.

 

Held

       As per beneficiary test laid down by AO,
if the service recipient is in India, the payments for such services are
taxable in India. However, such test is relevant for the purpose of evaluating
the taxability of ‘fees for technical services’ in the hands of non-resident
recipient u/s. 9(1)(vii) of the Act. Whereas, in this case, the amount paid to
FCo under the service agreement is in the nature of ‘business profits’ which is
taxable under Article 7 of DTAA.

Reliance placed by CIT(A) on the case of WNS
North America Inc.(ITA No. 8621/Mum/2010)
, later approved by Bombay HC, was
correct where on similar facts, Mumbai ITAT had held that the amount received
for services rendered outside India cannot be said to accrue or arise in India
or deem to accrue or arise in India. Even the existence of a service PE in
India would not impact the taxability of offsite services if there is no
involvement of the PE in rendering of such services.

Services rendered by the employees of FCo
deputed to India are attributable to the service PE in India. However, services
rendered by the employees from outside India, are not attributable to the PE in
India and thus, not liable to be taxed in India.

 



Provisions Of TDS Under Section 195 – An Update – Part I

In
view of increasing cross border transactions which Indian enterprises have with
the non-residents, section 195 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 [the Act] dealing
with deduction of tax at source from payments to non-residents has assumed huge
importance over the years. Many amendments have taken place in the section(s),
relevant rules and forms relating to deduction of tax at source from payments
to non-residents. In addition, due huge litigation in this regard, there have
been plethora of judicial pronouncements and cleavage of judicial opinions on
various contentious issues. In this series of articles, we are dealing with the
amended provisions as well as various important judicial pronouncements and
practical issues relating to TDS u/s. 195.

 

In
view of the vastness of the subject, plethora of issues, judicial
pronouncements and space limitations, at various places we have only referred
to relevant statutory provisions, CBDT Circulars and Instructions and judicial
pronouncements. For a better understanding of the issues, reader is advised to
study the same in detail.

 

1.
Overview of Relevant Provisions

 

1.1     Relevant sections

 

Section

Particulars

195(1)

Scope
and conditions of applicability

195(2)

Application
by the ‘payer’ to the Assessing Officer [AO]

195(3),
(4) & (5)

Application
by the ‘payee’ to the AO, validity of certificate issued by the AO, Powers of
CBDT to make rules by issuing Notifications re s/s. (3)

195(6)

Furnish
the information relating to the payment of any sum under s/s. (1)

195(7)

Power
of CBDT to specify class of persons or cases where application to AO u/s.
195(2) compulsory

195A

Grossing
up of tax

197

Certificate
for deduction at lower rate

206AA

Requirement
to furnish Permanent Account Number

90(2)

Application
of Act or Treaty, whichever more beneficial

90(4)

Tax
Residency Certificate

94A(5)

Special
Measures in respect of transactions with persons located in notified
jurisdictional area

 

 

1.2     Other TDS provisions for payments to
non-residents

Section

Applicable to

Rate

192

Payment
of Salary

Average
Rate

194B

Winnings
from lottery or crossword puzzle or card game and other game of any sort

Rate
in force

194BB

Winnings
from horse races

Rate
in force

194E

Payment
to non-resident sportsmen or sports associations

20%

194LB

Interest
to non-resident by an Infrastructure Debt fund

5%

194LBA
(2) & (3)

Income
[referred in section 115UA of the nature referred in section 10(23FC) and
10(23FCA)] from units of a business trust to its unit holders

5%
/rate in force

194LBB

Income
[other than referred in section 10(23FBB)]in respect of units of investment
fund

Rate
in force

194LC

Interest
to non-resident by an Indian company or a business trust under approved loan
agreements or on long term Infra Bonds approved by Central Govt.

5%

194LD

Interest
to FIIs or QFIs on rupees denominated bonds or Government security

5%

196B

Income
from units u/s. 115AB purchased in foreign currency or Long-term capital
gains [LTCG] arising from transfer of such units

10%

196C

Interest,
Dividends or LTCG from Foreign Currency bonds or shares referred in section
115AC

10%

196D

Interest,
Dividends or Capital Gains of FIIs from securities (Other than interest
covered by section 194LD) referred in section 115AD (1)(a)

20%

 

 

1.3     Relevant Rules and Forms

 

Rule

Particulars

26

Rate
of exchange for the purpose of deduction of tax at Source on income payable
in foreign currency

115

Rate
of exchange for conversion into rupees of income expressed in foreign
currency

21AB

Certificate
(Form 10F) for claiming relief under an agreement referred to in section 90
and 90A

28(1),
28AA, 28AB & 29

Application
and Certificate for deduction of tax at lower rates

29B

Application
for Certificate u/s.195(3) authorising receipt of interest and other sums
without deduction of tax

37BB

Furnishing
of Information for payment to a non-resident, not being a company, or to a
Foreign Company

37BC

Relaxation
from deduction of tax at higher rate u/s 206AA

Form

Particulars

15CA

Information
to be furnished for payment to a non-resident, not being a company, or to a
Foreign Company

15CB

Certificate
of an Accountant

13

Application
for a Certificate u/s. 197

15C
& 15D

Application
u/rule 29B by a Banking Company and by any other person

10F

Information
to be provided u/s. 90(5) or 90A(5)

27Q

Quarterly
statement of deduction of tax u/s. 200(3) in respect of payments (other than
salary) made to non-residents

 

 

2.
Section 195 (1)

 

Other
sums.

 

195. (1) Any person responsible for paying to a non-resident, not being a
company, or to a foreign company, any interest (not being interest referred to
in section 194LB or section 194LC or section 194LD) or any other sum
chargeable under the provisions of this Act
(not being income chargeable
under the head “Salaries”) shall, at
the time of credit
of such income to the account of the payee or at the time of payment thereof in cash
or by the issue of a cheque or draft or by any other mode, whichever is earlier, deduct income-tax
thereon at the rates in force:

 

Provided that ….

 

Provided
further

that no such deduction shall be made in respect of any dividends referred to in
section 115-O.

 

Explanation
1
.—For
the purposes of this section, where any interest or other sum as aforesaid is
credited to any account, whether called “Interest payable account”
or “Suspense account” or by any other name
, in the books of
account of the person liable to pay such income, such crediting shall be
deemed to be credit of such income
to the account of the payee and the
provisions of this section shall apply accordingly.

 

Explanation
2.
—For
the removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that the obligation to
comply with s/s. (1) and to make deduction thereunder applies and shall be
deemed to have always applied and extends and shall be deemed to have always
extended to all persons, resident or non-resident, whether or not the
non-resident person has—

 

(i) a
residence or place of business or business connection in India; or

 

(ii)        any
other presence in any manner whatsoever in India.”

2.1     Section 195(1) – Exclusions

 

The following are excluded from the scope
of section 195(1):

 

(i)  Interest
referred to in section 194LB or section 194LC or section 194LD.

(ii) Income
chargeable under the head “Salaries”.

(iii)       Dividends
referred to in section 115-O.

(iv)       Sum
not chargeable to tax in India.

 

a.  Non-chargeability
either due to Act or Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement [DTAA]. DTAA benefit
subject to obtaining TRC/Form 10F from the non-resident payee.

 

b.  Due
to scope of total income u/s. 5 or exemption u/s. 10.

 

c.  No
TDS on amounts exempt u/s. 10 – Hyderabad Industries Ltd. vs. ITO 188 ITR
749 (Kar).

 

d.  Income
from specified services such as online advertisement, digital advertising space
subject to Equalisation Levy (Chapter VIII of Finance Act 2016) – Exempt
u/s. 10(50).

 

(v) Section
172 – Profits of non-residents from Occasional Shipping Business

 

a.  CBDT
Cir. No. 723 dated 19.09.1995 – Payments to shipping agents of non-resident
ship owners – Provisions of section 172 apply and section 194C/195 will not
apply.

 

b.  CBDT
Cir. No. 732 dated 20.12.1995 – Annual No Objection Certificate u/s. 172 to be
issued by AO where Article 8 of DTAA applies – declaration that only
international traffic during period of validity of certificate.

 

c.  CIT
vs. V. S. Dempo & Co (P) Ltd. 381 ITR 303 (Bom)
– Section 195 not
applicable to shipping profits governed by section 172 and section 44B.

 

(vi)       Where
certificate is obtained by the payee u/s 197 for non-deduction of TDS and such
certificate is in force (not cancelled), then the payer cannot be treated as
assessee in default for non-deduction of TDS – CIT vs. Bovis Lend Lease
(I) Ltd. 241 Taxman 312 (SC).

2.2     Scope of section 195 (1) – Inclusions

 

(i)  Any
person
responsible for paying to a non-resident, not being a company or a
Foreign Company is covered in the scope of section 195(1). It includes all
taxable entities and there is no exclusion for individual/HUF.

 

(ii) The
term person includes a local authority. In CIT vs. Warner Hindustan
Limited 158 ITR 51 (AP),
the court while holding that the expression
“person” includes a Department of a foreign government like USAID held that “As
observed by us already the expression “person” is of wide connotation and it
includes, in our opinion, the Department of a foreign Government like USAID.
Learned counsel for the assessee invited our attention to a decision in Madras
Electric Supply Corporation Ltd. vs. Boar land (Inspector of Taxes) [1935] 27
ITR 612 (HL), to support the proposition that the expression “person” includes
Crown. We find that the above-referred decision supports the view that a
Government falls within the meaning of the expression “person”.”

 

(iii)       Section
195 includes residents as well as non-residents. Following the decision of the
Supreme Court in the case of Vodafone International Holdings BV vs. Union
of India 341 ITR 1 (SC)
, Explanation 2 has been
inserted by the
Finance Act, 2012 with retrospective effect from 1.4.1962, which clearly
provides that ‘For the removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that
the obligation to comply with sub-section (1) and to make deduction thereunder
applies and shall be deemed to have always applied and extends and shall be
deemed to have always extended to all persons, resident or non-resident,

whether or not the non-resident person has (i) a residence or place of business
or business connection in India; or (ii) any other presence in any manner
whatsoever in India.

 

(iv)       If
a person is treated as agent of a non-resident u/s.163, the same person cannot
be proceeded u/s. 201 at the same time for non-deduction of TDS on payment to
non-resident. CIT vs. Premier Tyres Ltd. 134 ITR 17 (Bom).

 

(v) The
term Non-Resident includes a Non-resident Indian. However, it does not include
a person who is Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident [RNOR]. It is important to
note that the term non-resident includes RNOR for the purposes of sections 92,
93 and 168 but  not for the purposes of
section 195.

 

(vi)       Residential
status of a person i.e. whether he is resident or non-resident based on the
physical presence test in India of more 182 days in the current year may not be
known till year end. A question arises as to in the initial months of a
financial year, how it has to be determined as to a person is non-resident or
not.

 

Whether earlier year’s residential status
can be adopted in such cases? The Authority for Advance Ruling [AAR] in the
case of Robert W. Smith vs. CIT 212 ITR 275 (AAR) and Monte Harris vs.
CIT 218 ITR 413 (AAR)
, for purposes of determining the residential
status of an applicant u/s. 245Q, held that it appears more practical and
reasonable for purposes of determining the residential status of an applicant
u/s. 245Q to look at the position in the earlier previous year, i.e., the
financial year immediately preceding the financial year in which the
application is made. In the Monte Harris’s case, the AAR observed as follows:

 

“An application may be presented soon
after the commencement of the financial year. It may also have to be disposed
of before the end of that financial year. In that event, both on the date of
the application as well as on the date on which the application is heard and
disposed of, it may not be possible in all cases to predict with reasonable
accuracy whether the stay of the applicant in India during that financial year
will exceed 182 days or not. In other words, it will be difficult to determine
the residential status of the applicant with reference to the previous year of
the date of application. The expression ‘previous year’ should be so construed
as to be applicable uniformly to all cases. It cannot be said that a previous
year should be taken as the financial year in which the application is made
provided the stay of the applicant up to the date of the application or the
estimated stay of the applicant in India in that financial year exceeds 182
days and that it should be the previous year preceding that financial year in
case it is not possible to determine the duration of the stay of the applicant
in India in the financial year in which the application is made. It appears
more practical and reasonable for purposes of determining the residential status
of an applicant under section 245Q to look at the position in the earlier
previous year, i.e., the financial year immediately preceding the financial
year in which the application is made. This is a period with reference to which
the residential status of the applicant in every case can be determined without
any ambiguity whatsoever. In the instant case, though the applicant was
resident in India in the financial year 1994-95 during which the application
had been made, he was non-resident in India during the immediately preceding
financial year, i.e., 1993-94. The applicant must, therefore, be treated as a
non-resident for the purposes of the instant application. The application was,
therefore, maintainable.”

 

It remains to be judicially tested as to
whether a similar stand can be taken for the purposes of section 195(1).

 

(vii) In respect of TDS from the payment
to an agent of a non-resident in the following cases it was held that the payer
is required to deduct tax at source:

   Narsee
Nagsee & Co. vs. CIT 35 ITR 134 (Bom).

   R.
Prakash [2014] 64 SOT 10 (Bang.)

 

However, in the case of Tecumseh Products
(I) Ltd. [2007] 13 SOT 489 (Hyd.), the ITAT, on the facts of the case, held
that the assessee was not liable to TDS as the primary responsibility for payment
of interest was of the Bank and not of the assessee, though later on the bank
may recover the amount of interest paid by it from the assessee. In this
regard, the ITAT held as follows:

 

“In the instant case, the question for
consideration was as to who was responsible for making payment of interest to
the non-resident bank. Admittedly, the interest was paid by Andhra Bank and not
by the assessee. The case of the department was that since the bank had paid
interest on behalf of the assessee as an agent, the assessee was responsible
for making deduction of tax before payment. It was not in dispute that in terms
of letter of credit, non-resident bank negotiated with the Andhra Bank for
payment of interest on late payment. When the supplier presented the letter of
credit and negotiated the same through non-resident bank in terms of letter of
credit, Andhra Bank was bound to pay interest in case of any late payment. The
Andhra Bank might recover the payment from the assessee, but the immediate
responsibility was that of Andhra Bank and not the assessee. The Legislature
has used the words “any person responsible for paying”. In instant
case, the responsibility was of Andhra Bank and not of the assessee. The
payment might have been made on behalf of the assessee but that did not take
away the responsibility of Andhra Bank from paying interest to the foreign
bank. Therefore, it might not be proper to say that the assessee failed to
deduct tax while paying interest to the foreign banker.”

(viii) The term ‘any person’ includes a
foreign company, whether it is resident in India or not. It also includes
Indian branch of foreign company.

a)  Section
195(3) and Rule 29B contains relevant provisions regarding grant of a
certificate by the AO authorising such a branch to receive interest or other
sum without TDS as long as the certificate is force.

 

b)  A
foreign company having a branch or office in India is also covered. ITO vs.
Intel Tech India P. Ltd. 32 SOT 227 (Bang)
.

 

However, it is to be noted that payments
to foreign branch of an Indian company is not covered under the provisions of
section 195.

 

c)  Payment
by a branch to HO/Other foreign branch.

 

There is a cleavage of judicial
pronouncements on the subject. However, in respect of payment of interest by
the PE of a foreign bank, the law has been amended by insertion of Explanation
to section 9(1)(v), which has been explained below.

 

i. TDS Required: CBDT
Circular 740 dtd 17.4.1996 – Branch of a foreign company is a separate entity
and hence payment of interest by branch to HO is taxable u/s. 115A subject to
provisions of applicable DTAA.

 

Dresdner Bank [2007] 108 ITD 375 (Mum.).

 

CBDT Circular No. 649 dated 31st
March 1993 providing for treatment of technical expenses when being remitted to
Head Office of a non-resident enterprise by its branch office in India requires
that the branch – permanent establishment – should ensure tax deduction at
source in such cases in accordance with the provisions of section 195 of the
Act.

 

ii.  TDS
Not Required:
In the following cases it was held that TDS u/s 195 is
not applicable.

 

ABN Amro Bank NV vs. CIT [2012] 343 ITR
81(Cal),

Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi Ltd vs. DIT 53
taxmann.com 105 (Cal),

 

Deutsche Bank AG vs. ADIT 65 SOT 175
(Mum),
and

Sumitomo Mitsui Bank Corpn vs. DDIT [2012]
136 ITD 66 (Mum)(SB).

 

iii. Amendment
vide Finance Act 2015 w.e.f 1.4.2016

 

Interest deemed to accrue or arise in
India u/s. 9(1)(v). Explanation inserted to section 9(1)(v) reads as follows:

 

“Explanation: for the purposes of this
clause,-

(a) it
is hereby declared that in the case of a non-resident, being
a person
engaged in the business of banking
, any interest payable by the
permanent establishment in India of such non-resident to the head office or any
permanent establishment or any other part of such non-resident outside India
shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India and shall be chargeable to tax in
addition to any income attributable to the permanent establishment in India and
the permanent establishment in India shall
be deemed to be a person
separate and independent of the non-resident person
of which it is a
permanent establishment and the provisions of the Act relating to computation
of total income,
determination of tax and collection and recovery
shall apply accordingly;”

 

Thus,

  The
aforesaid Explanation is applicable to non-resident engaged in business of
banking.

 

  Interest
payable by Indian PE to HO, any PE or any other part of such NON-RESIDENT
outside India deemed to accrue or arise in India.

 

  Chargeable
to tax in addition to any income attributable to PE in India.

 

  PE
in India deemed to be separate and independent of the NON-RESIDENT of which it
is a PE.

 

  Provisions
relating to computation of total income, determination of tax and collection
and recovery to apply accordingly.

 

2.3     Scope of section 195 (1) – Sum Chargeable
to Tax

 

(i)  Transmission
Corpn of AP Ltd. vs. CIT 239 ITR 587 (SC)

 

a)  Payment
to non-resident towards purchase of machinery and erection and commissioning
thereof.

 

b)  Assessee’s
contention – Section 195 applies only in respect of sums comprising of pure
income or profit.

c)  Held
that:                                                  

 

• TDS applicable not only to amount which
wholly bears income character but also to sums partially comprising of income.

• Obligation to deduct tax limited to
portion of the income chargeable to tax.

• Section 195 is for tentative deduction
of tax and by deducting tax, rights of the parties are not adversely affected.

 
Rights of parties safeguarded by sections 195(2), 195(3) and 197.

 
File application to AO – If no application filed, tax to be deducted.

 

(ii) GE
India Technology Centre (P.) Ltd. vs. CIT [2010] 193 Taxman 234 (SC)

 

The interpretation of the decision of SC
in the Transmission Corporation’s case (supra) was subject matter of litigation
in many cases and the issue once again came up for resolution before the
Supreme Court in this case. The SC held as under:

 

a)  The
moment there is a remittance out of India, it does not trigger section 195. The
payer is bound to deduct tax only if the sum is chargeable to tax in India read
with section 4, 5 and 9.

 

b)  Section
195 not only covers amounts which represents pure income payments, but also
covers composite payments which has an element of income embedded in them.

 

c)  However,
obligation to deduct TDS on such composite payments would be limited to the
appropriate proportion of income forming part of the gross sum.

 

d)  If
payer is fairly certain, then he can make his own determination as to whether
the tax is deductible at source and if so, what should be the amount thereof,
without approaching the AO.

 

(iii)       Instruction
No. 2 of 2014 dated 26-2-2014 directing that in a case where the assessee fails
to deduct tax u/s. 195 of the Act, the AO shall determine the appropriate proportion of the
sum chargeable to tax as mentioned in sub-section (1) of section 195 to
ascertain the tax liability on which the deductor shall be deemed to be an
assessee in default u/s. 201 of the Act, and the appropriate proportion of the
sum will depend on the facts and circumstances of each case taking into account
nature of remittances, income component therein or any other fact relevant to
determine such appropriate proportion.

 

(iv)       Tax
withholding from payment in kind / Exchange etc.

 

TDS u/s. 195 is required to be deducted.

 

a)  Kanchanganga
Sea Foods Ltd. vs. CIT 325 ITR 540 (SC).

 

b)  Biocon
Biopharmaceuticals (P) Ltd. vs. ITO 144 ITD 615 (Bang).

 

However, in the context of distribution of
prizes to customers wholly in kind (section 194B) and receipt of Certificate of
Development Rights against voluntarily surrender of the land by the landowner,
it has been held in the following cases that TDS provisions are not applicable:

 

c)  CIT
vs. Hindustan Lever Ltd. (2014) 264 CTR 93 (Kar)

 

d)  CIT(TDS)
vs. Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike (ITA No. 94 and 466 of 2015)(Kar).

 

(v) Payments
by one non-resident to another non-resident inside / outside India

 

a)  Asia
Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. vs. DCIT 85 ITD 478 (Del)
– Source of
Income in India, are covered by section 195.

 

b)  Vodafone
International Holding B.V. vs. UoI [2012] 17 taxmann.com 202 (SC).

 

(vi)       For
non-compliance by a non-resident of TDS provisions, section 201 not applicable
if recipient pays advance tax.

 

a)  AP
Power generation Corporation Ltd. vs. ACIT 105 ITD 423.

2.4     Sum Chargeable to Tax – TDS Guidelines

 

Situation

Consequences

Entire payment not chargeable to tax

Not
required to withhold tax.

 Entire payment subject to tax

Tax
should be withheld.

Part of payment subject to tax

Tax
should be withheld on the appropriate proportion of sum chargeable to tax

[CBDT Instruction No. 2/2014 dated 26 February 2014].

Part of payment subject to tax in India – Payer unable to
determine appropriate portion of the sum chargeable to tax

Apply
to AO for determination of TDS.

Payer believes that tax should be withheld but payee does not
agree

Approach
the AO for determination of TDS.

 

 

2.5     Chargeability to tax governed by provisions
of Act/DTAA

 

Nature of Income

Act (Apart from section 5, wherever applicable)

Treaty

Business/Profession

Section
9(1)(i) – Taxable if business connection in India

Article
5, 7 and 14 – Taxable if income is attributable to a Permanent Establishment
in India

Salary
Income

Section
9(1)(ii) – Taxable if services are rendered in India

Article
15 – Taxable if the employment is exercised in India (subject to short stay
exemption)

Dividend
Income

Section
9(1)(iv), section 115A – Taxable if paid by an Indian Company (At present
exempt)

Article
10 – Taxable if paid by an Indian Company

Interest
Income

Section
9(1)(v), section 115A – Taxable if deemed to arise in India

Article
11- Taxable if interest income arises in India

Royalties
/ FTS

Section
9(1)(vi), section 115A – Taxable if deemed to arise in India

Article
12 – Taxable if royalty/ FTS arises in India

Capital
Gains

Section
9(1)(i), section 45 – Taxable if situs of shares / property in India

Article
13 – Generally taxable if the situs of shares/ property in India.

 

 

 

As
per the provisions of section 90(2), provisions of the Act or DTAA, whichever
is beneficial, prevails.

 

2.6     Scope of section 195 (1) – Time of
deduction

 

(i)  Twin
conditions for attracting section 195

For
payer – credit or payment of income

  For
payee – Sum chargeable to tax in India

 

(ii) On
credit or payment, whichever is earlier

  CIT
vs. Toshoku Ltd. [1980] 125 ITR 525 (SC)
;

  United
Breweries Ltd. vs. ACIT [1995] 211 ITR 256 (Kar);

  Flakt
(India) Ltd. [2004] 139 Taxman 238 (AAR)
.

  Broadcom
India Research (P) Ltd. vs. DCIT [2015] 55 taxmann.com 456 (Bang.).

 

(iii)       Merely
on the basis of a book entry passed by the payer no income accrues to the
non-resident recipient

  ITO
vs. Pipavav Shipyard Ltd. Mumbai ITAT – [2014] 42 taxmann.com 159 (Mum-Trib)
.

 

(iv)       1st
Proviso to section 195(1) provides exception for interest payment by Government
or public sector bank or a public financial institution i.e. deduction shall be
made only at the time of payment thereof.

 

(v) TDS
from Royalties and FTS at the time of payment:

  DCIT
vs. Uhde Gmbh 54 TTJ 355 (Bom) [India-Germany DTAA]

  National
Organic Chemical Industries Ltd. vs. DCIT 96 TTJ 765 (Mum) [India-Switzerland
and India-USA DTAA]

(vi)       When
FEMA/RBI approval awaited,

  United
Breweries Ltd. vs. ACIT 211 ITR 256
– Liability at the time of credit in
the books even if approval received later on.

  ACIT
vs. Motor Industries Ltd. 249 ITR 141
– It was held that the assessee was
not liable to interest u/s. 201(1A) since it was not obliged to deduct tax at source in respect of
amounts credited in its books for period when agreement was not in force as
foreign collaborator would have got a right to enforce its right to receive
payment only on conclusion of said agreement, (which was pending for approval).

 

(vii) TDS liability u/s. 195 when
adjustment of amount payable to a non-resident against dues i.e. when no
payment no credit.

  J.
B. Boda & Co. (P.) Ltd. vs. CBDT 223 ITR 271

  An
adjustment of the amount payable to the non-resident or deduction thereof by
the non-resident from the amounts due to the resident-payer (of the income)
would fall to be considered under “any other mode”. Such adjustment
or deduction also is equivalent to actual payment. Commercial transactions very
often take place in the aforesaid manner and the provisions of section 195
cannot be sought to be defeated by contending that an adjustment or deduction
of the amounts payable to the non-resident cannot be considered as actual
payment. Raymond Ltd. [2003] 86 ITD 791 (Mum).

 

(viii)
Dividend is declared but not paid pending RBI approval, then the same accrues
in the year of payment Pfizer Corporation vs. CIT (2003) 259 ITR 391 (Bom).

 

(ix) If no income accrues to non-resident
although accounting entry incorporating a liability is passed,
no liability for TDS. United Breweries Ltd. vs. ACIT 211 ITR 256.

 

(x) Payee should be ascertainable. IDBI
vs. ITO 107 ITD 45 (Mum)
.

 

(xi) Time of Deduction from the point of
view of the payer and not payee. Relevant in cases where one of them maintain
the books on cash basis and the other on accrual basis – C. J. International
Hotels Ltd. vs ITO TDS 91 TTJ (Del) 318.

 

2.7     Section 195(1) – Rates in force

 

(i)   Section
2(37A)(iii) provides in respect of Rates in Force for the purposes of section
195.

 

(ii)  Circular
728 dtd. 30-10-1995 – Rate in force for remittance to countries with DTAA.

 

(iii) Circular
740 dtd. 17-04-1996 – Taxability of interest remitted by branches of banks to
HO situated abroad.

 

(iv) No
surcharge and education cess to be added to Treaty rates.

  DIC
Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. vs. ADIT IT 22 taxmann.com 310.

   Sunil
V. Motiani vs. ITO IT 33 taxmann.com 252
;

  DDIT
vs. Serum Institute of India Ltd. [2015] 56 taxmann.com 1 (Pune Trib.).

 

(v)  Section
44DA read with 115A – Special provision for computing income by way of
royalties etc. in case of non-residents.

 

(vi) Section
44B – Non-resident in shipping business (7.5% Deemed Profit Rate [DPR])

 

(vii)      Section
44BB – Non-resident’s business of prospecting etc. of mineral oil (10% DPR)

 

(viii)     Section
44BBB – Non-resident civil construction business in certain turnkey power
projects (10% DPR)

 

(ix) Presumptive
provisions (44B, 44BB, 44BBB etc) – Section 195 applicable. Frontier
Offshore Exploration (India) Ltd vs. DCIT 13 ITR (T) 168 (Chennai)
.

 

(x)  Section
294 of the Act provides that if on the 1st day of April in any
assessment year provision has not yet been made by a Central Act for the
charging of income-tax for that assessment year, the provision of the
Income-tax Act shall nevertheless have effect until such provision is so made
as if the provision in force in the preceding assessment year or the provision
proposed in the Bill then before Parliament, whichever is more favourable to
the assessee, were actually in force.

 

2.8     Section 195(1) – Sum Chargeable to
tax-Exchange Rate Applicable

 

(i)   Rule
26 provides for rate of exchange for the purpose of TDS on Income payable in
foreign currency

 

(ii)  TDS
to be deducted on income payable in foreign currency.

   Value
of rupee shall be SBI TT buying rate.

   on
the date on which tax is required to be deducted.

 

(iii) Where
rate of exchange on date of remittance differs from exchange rate on date of
credit, no TDS to be deducted on exchange rate difference. Sandvik Asia Ltd
vs. JCIT 49 SOT 554 (Pune).

 

3.  Section 94A
– Notified Jurisdictional Areas

 

(i)   Section
94A(5) – Special measures in respect of transactions with persons located in
notified jurisdictional area

 

‘(5) Notwithstanding
anything contained in any other provisions of this Act, where any person
located in a notified jurisdictional area
is entitled to receive any sum or
income or amount on which tax is deductible under Chapter XVII-B, the tax
shall be deducted at the highest of the following rates, namely:-

 

(a) at the rate or rates in force;

(b) at the rate specified in the relevant
provisions of this Act;

(c) at the rate of thirty
per cent
.’

 

(ii)  Notification
No. 86/2013 [F. NO. 504/05/2003-FTD-I]/SO 3307(E), Dated 1-11-2013
– Cyprus
Notified.

 

(iii) Validity
of the notification upheld by the High Court of Madras in T. Rajkumar vs.
Union of India [2016] 68 taxmann.com 182 (Madras).

 

(iv) The
notification of Cyprus u/s 94A as a notified jurisdictional area for lack of
effective exchange of information, has been rescinded with effect from
1.11.2013 [Notification No. 114/2016 dated 14.12.2016]
.

 

4.
Grossing up of tax (195A)

 

(i)
Section 195A – Income payable “net of tax”

 

“In
a case other than that referred to in sub-section (1A) of section 192, where
under an agreement or other arrangement, the tax chargeable on any income
referred to in the foregoing provisions of this Chapter is to be borne by
the person by whom the income is payable, then, for the purposes of deduction
of tax
under those provisions such income shall be increased to such
amount as would, after deduction of tax thereon
at the rates
in force
for the financial year in which such income is payable, be
equal to the net amount payable
under such agreement or arrangement.”

 

(ii)  TDS Certificate to be issued even in case of
Grossing up – Circular 785 dt. 24.11.1999.

 

(iii) Absence of the words “tax to
be borne by the payer” in case of net of tax payment contracts by conduct –
Grossing up required. CIT vs. Barium Chemicals Ltd. [1989] 175 ITR 243 (AP).



(iv)
Section 195A envisages multiple grossing-up. For eg. amount payable to
non-resident is 100 and TDS rate is 10%; Gross amount for TDS purpose would be
111.11 (100*100/90)

 

(v)
No multiple grossing-up in case of presumptive tax u/s. 44BB. CIT vs. ONGC
[2003] 264 ITR 340 (Uttaranchal)
.

 

(vi)
Exemption from grossing-up u/s.10(6BB) – Aircraft and aircraft engine lease
rentals.

 

(vii)
Section 192(1A) – Tax on non-monetary perquisite – Not covered by section 195A.

 

Conclusion

In
this part of the Article, we have attempted to highlight various issues
relating to section 195(1), 195A and section 90(4) relating to TDS from
payments to non-residents.

 

In
the subsequent parts of the Article, we will deal with the other parts of
section 195 and other aspects thereof.
 

Sales Return – Scope

Introduction

Under VAT laws, tax can be
levied on sale of ‘goods’.  Completed
sale is liable to tax. However, there may be a situation where the goods sold
are returned by the buyer. Since the transaction of sale is already complete,
even if subsequently there is sales return (which is also referred to as ‘goods
return’) the liability will still remain on the same. However, the legislature
gave some latitude by giving facility of deduction of sales return from taxable
turnover, if such return is within the stipulated time limit.

 

There are provisions under
Maharashtra Vat Act (MVAT Act) and Central Sales Tax Act (CST Act) explaining
that if the goods sold are returned back within six months from the date of
sale, then such return should be given deduction and no tax should be payable
on such goods return portion. If the return is beyond the prescribed period of
six months, then the deduction is not allowable and tax is payable on the full
sale value.

 

Sales
Return – Scope
     

The issue arises as to when
the goods returned are eligible for deduction as sales return? An important
judgement has come on the same from Hon. Bombay High Court. The judgement is in
case of Reliance Industries Ltd. vs. State of Maharashtra (50 GSTR 1)(Bom).
The facts in this case, as narrated by High Court are as under:

 

“3. In Writ Petition No. 2217
of 2015, the Petitioner is Reliance Industries Limited (for short
“RIL”) which is a public limited company inter alia engaged in
the manufacture of petrochemicals. Respondent No.1 is the State of Maharashtra,
through its Secretary, Ministry of Finance. Respondent No.2 is the MSTT
constituted under the BST Act. Respondent No.3 is Bharat Petroleum Corporation
Limited (for short “BPCL”) which is a public sector undertaking
engaged in the business of refining and selling petroleum products and who is
the supplier of Kerosene to RIL in the present dispute. Respondent No.4 is the
Commissioner of Sales Tax functioning and discharging his duties under the
provisions of the BST Act.

 

4. It is the case of RIL that
in or around 1992, RIL had established a petrochemical plant in Patalganga for
manufacturing Linear Alkyl Benzenes (“LAB”). RIL required N-Paraffin
as a raw material for the manufacture of LAB. According to RIL, Kerosene (also
known as Paraffin), is a mixture of Hydrocarbons in the range of C-8 to C-18.
Out of such mixture, the Hydrocarbons C-8 and C-9 are known as Light Paraffin.
Hydrocarbons from C-10 to C-13 are known as N-Paraffin (which is required by
RIL). The range of Hydrocarbons from C-14 to C-18 are known as Heavy Paraffin.
According to RIL, N-Paraffin itself is also Kerosene and is one of the many
constituents of Kerosene.

 

5. According to RIL,
N-Paraffin is easily obtained from kerosene by using a molecular sieve. This,
according to RIL, is only a physical activity not involving any chemical
reaction. The molecular sieve would absorb the N-Paraffin only and the rest of
the Kerosene would simply pass through the said Sieve. Subsequently, the
N-Paraffin is de-absorbed from the molecular Sieve.

 

6. According to RIL, BPCL is
having a refinery at Mahul for many years prior to 1992. One of the products
produced by BPCL in the said refinery is Kerosene. Kerosene is as such sold by
BPCL through the Public Distribution System (involving a dealer network) to its
final consumers.

 

7. Be that as it may, an exclusive
pipeline of approximately 56 kms was laid connecting the Mahul refinery and
Petitioner’s factory at Patalganga so as to ensure continuous and constant to
and fro movement of the requisite quantity of Kerosene from BPCL to RIL and
from RIL to BPCL, respectively. It is in these circumstances that RIL entered
into an agreement dated 24th August, 1992 with BPCL for procurement
of Superior Kerosene Oil. As this Kerosene was required for manufacturing of
LAB as Feed Stock (FS), it was described as KO (LABFS). A copy of this
agreement can be found at Exhibit “C” to the Writ Petition.

 

8. According to RIL, it was
agreed between itself and BPCL that Kerosene would be delivered to RIL. In
turn, RIL would consume the suitable quantity of Kerosene by taking out N-
Paraffin required by it and send the balance quantity of Kerosene back to BPCL
as a “return stream”. According to RIL, this agreement mandatorily
required the Petitioner (by way of “return stream”) to return the
quantity of Kerosene after extracting the N-Paraffin. According to RIL, this
agreement thus provided for supply of Kerosene solely for the purposes of
consuming the requisite quantity of kerosene. Thereafter, the balance quantity
of Kerosene was to be returned back to BPCL.

 

9. According to RIL, the
“return stream” is a common phrase used in the petroleum and
petrochemical industry both within India as also internationally. A petroleum
product would be sent by the refinery to a petrochemical complex. The
petrochemical complex would use/consume the required quantity of item and
return the balance petroleum product to the refinery as a “return
stream”.”

 

In a nutshell, the issue was
that BPCL has to supply kerosene namely KO (LABFS) to RIL. RIL to extract
n-paraffin from the said kerosene and the balance kerosene will be returned
back to BPCL. The issue was whether such return of kerosene by RIL to BPCL will
be purchase by BPCL from RIL or it will simply be a case of sales return by RIL
to BPCL.

 

There were a number of issues
involved in the case. There were arguments from the both the sides.

Hon. High Court considered
arguments from both the sides and also referred to the relevant provisions
under MVAT Act like definition of manufacture, resale, turnover of sale etc.
After having such reference, Hon. High Court observed about the merits of the
case as under:

 

“53. What can be discerned
from the aforesaid definitions and as even correctly submitted by Mr.
Venkatraman as well as Mr. Dada is that for there to be a sales return, the
goods originally supplied and the delivery of the return stream should be one
and the same goods. If the goods that are sought to be returned are a product
which is different from the one that was originally supplied, the same can
never be termed as a sales return.

 

54. In the facts of the
present case, we are clearly of the view that the product that was supplied by
BPCL to RIL in the first leg of the transaction was different from the return
stream that was supplied/returned by RIL to BPCL. As mentioned earlier, the
Kerosene that was supplied by BPCL to RIL was rich in N-Paraffin. It comprises
of Hydrocarbons C9 to C14. The Kerosene that was sought to be returned by RIL
to BPCL was after the extraction of N-Paraffin. In other words, Hydrocarbons C9
to C14 were specifically denuded from the Kerosene that was returned by RIL to
BPCL. In fact, it is not in dispute that the returned Kerosene is denuded by
more than 50% of N-Paraffin. The Kerosene that was supplied by BPCL also known
as SKO (LABFS) which contains N- Paraffins was viable for commercial extraction
of N-Paraffin whereas the product given by the RIL to BPCL after extracting the
N-Paraffin is not viable for extraction of N-Paraffin due to the fact that the
return stream does not contain the extractable quantity. At least to our mind,
therefore, it is clear that the product supplied by the BPCL to RIL is very
different from the product that is returned by RIL to BPCL. To put it in other
words, the Kerosene supplied by the BPCL to RIL is pre-processed and the
Kerosene returned by RIL to BPCL is a processed product and hence are two
different commercial products. It is true that even the returned Kerosene meets
the BIS standards to be termed and used as Kerosene, but that alone cannot be
the test to come to the conclusion that the product returned by RIL is one and
the same as was supplied by BPCL to RIL in the first leg of the transaction. It
is an admitted fact before us, at least across the bar, that the Kerosene
supplied by BPCL to RIL can be used for extraction of N Paraffins whereas the
Kerosene returned by RIL to BPCL cannot be used for the same purpose. The
process of extraction carried out by RIL is thus a manufacture within the
meaning of the said expression as defined in the BST Act and the kerosene is
therefore not returned to BPCL in the same form. In other words, BPCL cannot
use the Kerosene returned by RIL to be supplied to another Petrochemical plant
for extraction of N-Paraffin. This, to our mind, would clearly go to establish
that the Kerosene supplied by BPCL to RIL in the first leg of the transaction
and the product returned by RIL to BPCL in the second leg of the transaction,
at least for the purposes of sales tax, are two different products. It cannot
be disputed that the two products are different in character and use. This
being the case, it is quite clear that the return stream of Kerosene and which
was sought to be returned by RIL to BPCL can never be termed as a sales return
but in fact a sale by RIL to BPCL.”

 

Thus, Hon. High Court decided
the yard stick about scope of sales return. If the goods sold and returned are
not the same goods but different goods, then there is no scope for claim of
sales return.

 

Prospective
effect to the liability

One more issue which is
decided in this matter is about prospective effect to the adverse determination
order. Since the dealer was guided earlier by favorable determination order.
Hon. High Court held that even if it is now reversed, still the protection is
required to be given for past liability. The relevant observations of Hon. High
Court are as under:

 

“70. What is ex-facie
clear from reading the provisions of Section 52 is that the Commissioner, in
the given facts and circumstances of the case, certainly has the power to
exercise his discretion and give prospective effect to the DDQ order passed by
him u/s. 52(1). As correctly submitted by Mr. Venkatraman as well as Mr. Dada,
in the facts of the present case, since the DDQ order dated 11th
September, 2006 was passed in favour of the assessee, there was no occasion nor
any reason to request the Commissioner to grant prospective effect to his
order. The question of prospective effect would only arise when the order of
the Commissioner was reversed by the Tribunal vide the impugned order dated 20th
January, 2015. Further, it is not in dispute before us that it is for the first
time in the history of the Bombay Sales Tax Act that the     DDQ  order      passed   by  
the    Commissioner u/s. 52 (1) was challenged by
the State of Maharashtra before the MSTT. From the facts narrated in this
judgement, it is also clear that bonafide litigation between the parties
has gone on right from the year 1992 till 2015. Further, right from the
assessment years 1988-1989 till 2004-2005, the assessments have been allowed in
favour of the assessee, namely RIL on the basis that the return stream of
Kerosene was a “goods return”. If prospective effect is not given to
the order of the Tribunal it would effectively lead to a situation that all
past assessments would have to be reopened and which would be highly unfair and
prejudicial not only to RIL but also to BPCL.”

 

Conclusion        

The judgement has far reaching
effect in understanding the scope of sales return. It is also a guiding
judgement in respect of use of discretionary power of prospective effect in
determination proceedings. The dealers’ community may have good guidance from
the above judgement.

Interesting issues on Interest

Tax laws operate on three fundamental
impositions viz tax, interest and penalties. Each of these recoveries are
designed to meet specific objectives and interest has one striking peculiarity
i.e. it is not static and accumulates
over time.

 

In common parlance, interest is understood
as a compensation payable to the owner of funds for the usage of money borrowed
from such person. Black’s Law Dictionary defines interest, in the context of
usage of money, as a compensation allowed by law or fixed by parties for the use or forbearance of borrowed money. In
the context of tax laws, the Supreme Court in Associated Cement Co. Ltd. vs.
CTO (1981) 48 STC 466
has explained tax, interest and penalty as follows:

 

“Tax, interest and penalty are three
different concepts. Tax becomes payable by an assessee by virtue of the
charging provision in a taxing statute. Penalty ordinarily becomes payable when
it is found that an assessee has wilfully violated any of the provisions of the
taxing statute. Interest is ordinarily claimed from an assessee who has
withheld payment of any tax payable by him and it is always calculated at the prescribed
rate on the basis of the actual amount of tax withheld and the extent of delay
in paying it. It may not be wrong to say that such interest is compensatory in
character and not penal.”

 

The Supreme Court in Prathibha
Processors vs. Union of India (1996) 88 ELT 12 (SC)
has held that interest
is compensatory and its levy is mapped to the actual amount of tax withheld
and the extent of delay in payment of tax
from the due date. 

 

Settled
principles on interest under fiscal legislations

The well-settled principles of interest
under fiscal legislations have been summarised for guidance while interpreting
the GST scheme:

 

i.   Interest
provisions are part of the substantive law of the fiscal statute and cannot be
imposed by implication. The statute should specifically provide for the
circumstances leading to the imposition of interest.

 

ii.  Imposition
of interest is mandatory in nature and with no scope for any discretion.

 

iii. Reason
for delay (intentional/ unintentional etc.) in payment of tax is irrelevant
while deciding the imposition.

 

iv. Interest
should be calculated as per the law prevailing for the period under
consideration.

 

v.  Interest
need not be quantified in the assessment order.

 

vi. Interest
can be waived only by specific statutory provisions (say VCES scheme, etc).

 

vii.       Interest
would be applicable even if there is an interim stay of recovery by any Court.

 

viii.      Interest
cannot be demanded where the tax recovery itself has become time barred.

 

Overview
of provisions of interest under GST Law

The provisions of interest under the GST
laws can be categorised as follows – (a) interest on demands; and (b) interest
on refunds. Any interest computation is based on three variables and the GST
law is no different:

 

(a) Principal
– Tax unpaid

(b) Time
period – Period commencing from due date of tax payment to date of actual
payment

(c) Rate
– Rate of interest prescribed as a percentage

 

A) Interest
on tax demands

 

Interest provisions are contained in
Chapter-X : Payment of tax. The circumstances under which interest is
applicable under GST law are:

 

i.   General
Provision – Interest on delayed/ short payment of tax

 

Section 50(1) applies when a person fails
to pay the tax or any part thereof within the prescribed period. Interest would
be calculated on the principal (being the tax involved) at the rate notified by
the Government, not exceeding 18% per annum (N-13/2017 –Central Tax dt.
28.06.2017 prescribes a rate of 18% p.a). The delta of the following dates is
used for the determination of the time period for which interest applies:

 

(a) Due date for payment of tax (section 39):
Section 39 provides that tax shall be paid as per the monthly return within the
due date for the said return. Rule 61 requires that every registered person is
required to furnish the monthly return in form GSTR-3 by 20th of the
succeeding calendar month. The said rule inserted an additional return in Form
GSTR-3B w.e.f. 27.07.2017 in cases where the due date of filing GSTR-3 has been
extended. Notifications have been issued from time to time prescribing the due
date of GSTR-3B as the 20th day following the relevant tax period.
The said notification also contains a clause that requires the assessee to
discharge its liability of tax, interest and penalty within the due date for
GSTR-3B.

 

(b) Date of payment of tax (section 49): Tax
liabilities (either self-assessed or otherwise) of a taxable person are
recorded in the electronic liabilities ledger (ELL) of the taxable person on
filing the return.  Section 49 provides
for depositing amounts in Government accounts under various heads (major and
minor heads) which would be reported in the electronic cash ledger (ECL). The
amounts available in the electronic cash ledger or electronic credit ledger
(ECrL) would be debited and adjusted towards the outstanding liabilities in the
ELL. Section 49(7) & (8) states that the taxes of a tax period would be discharged
in a particular manner.

 

Therefore, the due date for payment of
taxes is sought to be fixed by the notification as 20th of the
succeeding calendar month. Prima-facie, any delay in payment of taxes
after this date would involve payment of interest @ 18% p.a. The assessee would
have to follow the system of reporting the taxes on the GSTN portal and then
discharge its liabilities in the ledger by filing the due return. This position
is subject to further discussion of the interplay between GSTR-3 and GSTR-3B
explained later.

 

ii.  Interest
on undue or excess claim of input tax credit or reduction of output tax

 

Similarly, section 50(1) also provides for
interest in cases of an undue or excess claim of input tax credit u/s. 42(8) or
an undue or excess reduction in output tax u/s. 43(8).

 

– Section 42 applies where GSTR-2
(statement of inward supplies) generates a mismatch report on account of
duplication, incorrect data, etc. amounting to excess claim of input tax
credit. Section 42(8) levies interest on the amount so added from the month of
availment of credit till the corresponding addition is made in the return.

 

– On similar lines, section 43 applies
where the GSTR – 1 (statement of outward supplies) generates
a mismatch report on account of duplication, incorrect data, etc. in
credit notes claimed towards reduction of turnover. Section 43(8) levies
interest from the date of claim of reduction till the corresponding addition is
made in the return. 

 

Time frame for matching – Rule 69 of the
CGST rules provides for matching of the input tax credit claims by the
Government. The said rules do not provide for an outer limit within which input
tax credit matching should be performed by the Government, though it empowers
the Commissioner to extend the date of matching in cases where the filing of
GSTR-1 and 2 are extended. Rule 71 states that the mismatch report would be
communicated to the tax payers on or before the last date of the month in which
the matching is carried out.

 

The said provisions were originally
intended at matching of input tax credit claims/ output tax reductions by the
end of the calendar month in which returns were filed which effectively
resulted in interest on the mismatch for a period of 1 month, in case of
duplicate claims, and 2 months in the case of erroneous claims. GSTN is yet to
conduct the matching of GSTR-2 and 2A. To the knowledge of the author, none of
the Commissioners have exercised this power of extension on the presumption
that matching is the prerogative of GST Council. In view of the decision of the
GST council to defer matching, this reporting of mismatch has not taken place yet.

 

While discussions over the mechanism of
matching of input tax credit claims are underway in the GST council meetings,
it is evident that this would be undertaken sooner or later[1]. In the
recently concluded GST Council Meeting, it has been decided that a single
return would be formed for GST compliance with the matching being performed at
the backend. The said return is announced to be operationalised on the GST
portal within 6 months.

 

Until then, it unfortunately implies that
a mismatch would be recoverable from the recipient and interest provisions
would be invoked for a period more than what was originally envisaged. To add
to this, the supplier may not be in a position to even rectify the mismatch
identified by the GSTN since the same may be beyond the month of September of
the following financial year.  The tax
payer may have to bear the brunt of interest for delays attributable to the
Government/ GSTN which may extend to more than one year (one should consider
filing a counter claim from GSTN for such delay!).

 

iii. Interest
on provisional assessment

 

Section 60 provides for provisional
assessment in cases where tax is not determinable by the tax payer/ assessing
authority. Section 60(4) imposes interest in respect of any additional tax
payable on closure of such assessment from its original due date to the actual
date of payment of tax, irrespective of the date of conclusion of the
provisional assessment. This issue has experienced intensive litigation under
the Excise law right upto the Supreme Court. With specific provisions under the
GST law, it seems clear that interest liability has to be determined from the
original due date and not from closure of provisional assessment.

 

iv. Waiver
of interest in case of incorrect classification of supply

 

Section 77(2) r/w 73/74 of the CGST law
implicitly provides for fresh payment of the appropriate tax in cases where a
taxable person has incorrectly classified an ‘intra-state supply’ as an ‘inter
state supply’. Conversely, IGST law would also be read in a similar manner in
view of section 20 of the said law. However, the section waives the interest
liability on account of the delay in payment of the appropriate tax. This is on
the premise that the tax payer has made the tax payment, albeit under an
incorrect tax type and should not be saddled with an interest liability. This
is the only provision under the statute which waives interest liability on
account of delayed payment of taxes.

 

v.  Other
cases of interest recovery

 

Other provisions of interest are as follows:

 

Reversal of input tax credit where the payment
of the inward supplies has not been made within 180 days from the date of issue
of invoice: interest is applicable from the date of availment of input tax
credit to the payment by way of reversal/ addition to output liability.

Recovery of irregular input tax credit
distributed by the Input Service Distributor to its recipients : recovery of
tax and interest would be from the recipient of the ISD credit in terms of
sections 73 and 74 of the GST law.

ITC reversals in respect of any exempted/
non-taxable activity is provisionally arrived at on a monthly basis and finally
adjusted at the year-end at an aggregate level : interest is applicable from 1st
April following the end of the financial year till the date of payment/
reversal of such excess credit.

Inputs or capital goods which are supplied to a
job worker without payment of tax and either not returned or supplied therefrom
within 1 year/ 3 years respectively – interest is applicable from the month in
which such goods were original removed to the date of actual payment.

Rectification of any under-reporting of tax in
view of an omission/ error in any subsequent return (section 39(9)) is liable
for interest.

Failure/ delay on the part of the deductor to
deposit the taxes deducted to the Government within the prescribed date is
liable for interest in the hands of the deductor.

Rectification of any under-reporting and taxes
collected at source by an e-commerce operator is subject to interest.

Interest is applicable in cases where payment
of tax is permitted to be made on instalment basis in terms of section 80.

Amount demanded by an anti-profiteering body in
cases where the benefit of taxes have not been duly passed on would also be
subject to interest provisions.

As an exception to the general rule of tax
liability, section 13(6) and 14(6) defers the time of supply in cases where the
value/consideration of a service is enhanced due to inclusion of interest, late
fee or penalty as part of the value of supply in terms of section 15(2)(d).
Consequently, the start point of calculation of interest stands deferred to the
date of its receipt.

Interest on taxes short paid or not paid are
liable for recovery whether or not the same is stated or quantified in the show
cause notice or assessment order

Interest computed under the GST law should be
rounded off to the nearest rupee

 

B) Interest
on delayed refunds due to an applicant

 

Section 56 grants interest on refunds due
to the applicant if the same has not been paid within sixty days from the date
of refund application. Interest is applicable from the expiry of sixty days to
the date of actual refund at the rate presently notified at 6% p.a.

 

In cases where the refund is ordered by an
adjudicating authority, appellate authority, court, etc. the assessee is
entitled to an interest of 9% p.a. for the aforesaid period.  It also applies to cases where the refund
sanctioning authority orders refund in its order but fails to issue the refund
cheque to the applicant along with the refund order. For the purpose of
computation of interest of 9% p.a., the period has to be reckoned from the date
of application filed consequent to the said order. In cases of appellate
relief, interest would be applicable from the date of payment of the taxes
against the aggrieved order and not from the date of the appellate order
(section 115).

In context of availing refund for
zero-rated supplies u/s. 54, an applicant is not entitled to claim interest in
case the authority fails to grant the provisional refund of 90% (Rule 91 of the CGST
Rules) of the claim of refund of input tax credit.

 

In the context of section 77 (incorrect
classification of supply), though there is a waiver for interest on delay in
payment of the correct tax type, there is no bar on claiming the interest on
refund of the incorrect taxes paid in cases of any delay in granting such
refund. 

 

Issues
in determination of interest

i.   What
is the actual due date of payment of tax? In other words, by deferring the due
date of GSTR-3, has the Government also inadvertently deferred the due date of
payment of tax?

 

Section 39(7) states that self-assessed
taxes are required to be paid within the due date of filing the return. The GST
scheme originally envisaged the filing of the return in GSTR-3 on a monthly
basis by 20th of the succeeding month. The Government has however
made multiple changes in the return filing procedures in order to address the
technical challenges in the GSTN portal. GSTR-3B was introduced as an
additional return until the portal was sufficiently equipped for filing GSTR-3[2].  A question arises on whether the due date of
return/ payment of tax should be understood as per the due date prescribed for GSTR-3B or GSTR-3? We may look at the said provisions in detail. 

 

Section 39(1) requires a return to be
filed on a calendar month basis by 20th of the succeeding month –
the return referred to in section 39(1) is a return of outward/ inward
supplies, input tax credit availed/reversed, tax payable/ paid and other
prescribed particulars. Strictly speaking, GSTR-3B is only an additional return
(recording summary figures) to that originally envisaged u/s. 39(1).  As the law stands today, tax payers would
eventually have to file the monthly return in Form GSTR-3. 

 

Can one take a stand that the due date
prescribed for tax payment is vis-à-vis the due date of GSTR-3 and not
GSTR-3B? The thrust of this stand hinges on whether GSTR-3 or 3B is the
‘return’ referred to in section
39(1)/ (7). The arguments in favour of GSTR-3 may be as follows:

 

GSTR-1, 2 are statements which are
auto-populated in the monthly return in form GSTR 3 and should be considered as
part of GSTR-3 itself (Instruction 2 & 4 of form GSTR-3). Section 39(1)
refers to a return of inward and outward supplies with other details such as
input tax credit availed, reversed etc. The said section thus envisages
a return detailing the inward and outward supplies and not merely a form
reporting aggregate amounts i.e. GSTR-3.

[1] State officers in
some states have started issuing scrutiny notices for verification of input tax
credit claims by exercising powers u/s. 61.


Strictly speaking, GSTR-3B is not a return
of inward or outward supplies
– attention should be placed on the
preposition ‘of’ which means that the return should be that which records
outward and inward supplies and not merely the turnover at an aggregate level.

The instructions in GSTR-3 and GSTR-3B conveys
that ECL, ECrl and ELL are updated only on filing the GSTR-3 and not GSTR-3B
(contrary to the functionalities of the GSTN portal) – legally speaking,
GSTR-3B is not a valid document to update the ELL/ ECrL and should not be
considered as the return u/s. 39(1) & (7).

Section 39 refers to ‘a’ return to be filed for
every calendar month i.e. a singular return. The rules seem to extend beyond
the requirement of a singular return for every calendar month since the filing
of GSTR-3B does not dispense with the requirement of filing GSTR 3.  Therefore, GSTR-3B is a document which is
clearly not envisaged in section 39.

GSTR-3B does not displace GSTR-3 as a return
for inward or outward supplies. The returns seem to parallelly exist and this
requirement exceeds the mandate of section 39(1) of filing a singular
return. 

GSTR-3B can at most be considered as a
provisional document subject to the final return in form GSTR-3. The entries in
the electronic ledgers are merely provisional entries to tide over the
difficulties posed by the common portal until GSTR-3 is fully functional.

CBEC circular (No. 7/7/2017-GST dt. 01.09.2017)
clarified that any error in GSTR-3B could be rectified while filing GSTR-1/2
and 3. GSTR-3 certainly enjoys a superior status compared to GSTR-3B, and being
so, the due date should be understood with reference to the said document and
not from an inferior document.

Form GSTR-3, 4, etc. are titled ‘Return’
whereas GSTR-3B does not hone such a title.

As it is well settled, where there are two
interpretations of law, the one which is beneficial to the tax payer should be
adopted.

 

Based on the above arguments, one may take
a view that the extension of GSTR-3 has also lead to the extension of the due
date of payment of tax. 

 

However, the said contention may fail if
one applies the purposive interpretation as against a literal interpretation of
law. The intention behind introduction of GSTR-3B was to facilitate the
Government to collect taxes on a monthly basis and overcome the technical
glitches in the common portal. Rule 61(5) term GSTR-3B as a ‘return’ to be
filed in cases where GSTR 3 is extended in special circumstances (also refer Circular
7/7/2017-GST dt. 01.09.2017 & Circular 26/26/2017-GST dt. 29.12.2017).
 The Circular mentions that any rectification
subsequent to filing the GSTR-3B should be accompanied by interest on delayed
payment, if any.  The notification
prescribing due dates of GSTR-3B also requires the tax payer to discharge its
taxes, interest and penalty within the said due dates.  Further, Government(s) would be deprived of
its revenue, if taxes are not paid in a timely manner.  The taxes which are collected by suppliers
are in the capacity of an agent of the Government and the Government never
intended the tax payer to collect taxes from the consumers and retain this sum
without any outer time limit. 

 

If the amounts are substantial, this would
certainly be a heated issue between the tax payer and the department and
warrant a resolution by the Courts. 

 

ii.  Whether
balance available in respective ECL / ECrL can be reduced for ascertaining
taxes unpaid? As a corollary, whether interest is applicable if utilisation
through the return filing mechanism is not undertaken on the common portal?

 

The overall scheme of reporting and
payment may give pointers on this question. 
Section 40 provides for a mechanism of reporting liabilities and payment
of tax through electronic ledgers. Three ledgers have been designed for this
purpose: ECL, ECrl & ELL. The said ledgers have been created separately for
each enactment and cross movement of cash/ funds is not permitted except
through the cross credit utilisation mechanism in section 49(5) of CGST/ SGST
law and 18 of IGST law:

 

ECL: Credited with bank remittances and used
for payment of tax, interest, penalties, fees.

ECrL : Credited with self-assessed input tax
credits and used for payment of tax.

ELL : Credited with return related and
non-related liabilities and is debited with payments from ECL / ECrL.  This ledger is updated only after filing the
statutory return (currently GSTR-3B).

 

Discharge of tax dues under the GST law
involves a two-step mechanism – (a) a bank payment (involving flow of funds)
into the cash ledgers and (b) an accounting adjustment (an appropriation of
such funds).  There have been many
instances where assesse has sufficient ECL/ ECrL balance to set-off the ELL but
has failed to file the GSTR-3B for one reason or another, due to which the
utilisation or discharge of liabilities reported/ due to be reported in the ELL
has not taken place. 

 

In such cases, an issue arises whether
interest is applicable on failure to discharge the ELL / non-filing of return
even-though the tax payer has paid the amounts into Government coffers?  Has the law made a distinction between
payment of taxes and discharge of tax liability?  Are they co-terminus or independent actions
to be performed by the tax payer? 
Whether the double entry accounting adjustment on filing the return
would have any revenue impact for Government? 
These questions would certainly come up to address the question of
interest applicability.

 

While logically, there seems to be no doubt
that the benefit of funds available in ECL/ ECrL should be given to the tax
payer and non-filing of returns should not entail any interest liability, one
should also give cognisance to the literal interpretation of the Statute.

 

Literal interpretation

 

Section 60(1) terms the credit into the
ECL as a deposit towards tax, interest, penalty, fee or any other sum
dues.  Section 60(3) states that ECL may
be used for payment of tax under the Act. Section 60(7) & 60(8) provide
that all liabilities would be recorded in the ELL and discharged in a
prescribed manner. Rule 85(3) states that all liabilities would be paid by
debiting the ECL/ ECrL as permissible. 

 

ECL in form PMT-05 maintains separate
account heads – minor head (such as Tax, interest, penalty, etc.) under
each tax type – major head (CGST/ SGST/ IGST) for deposits made into such
account. The law does not permit cross transfer of amounts reported in one
account major/ minor head into other account heads.  

 

If one examines the GSTN portal, filing of
GSTR-3B creates a credit entry in the ELL and a simultaneous debit in the ECL/
ECrL as the case may be, as discharge of taxes. The tax dues are said to be
discharged on filing the returns and corresponding utilisation of ECL / ECrL.  Therefore, interest seems to be prima-facie
applicable from the due date to the actual date of filing the return. 

In the view of the author, even if the
returns are not filed, deposits into the Government accounts should be
considered as payment of tax dues and benefit of such credits be granted for
ascertainment of the taxes unpaid u/s. 50(1). Following arguments can be taken
in support of this stand:

 

Section 50 (1) states that interest is
applicable on failure to pay the tax dues. 
The failure is with reference to the tax payment and not with reference
to utilisation of the ECL with the ELL (referred to as discharge of tax
liability).

Section 39(7) requires the assessee to pay the
taxes due as per such return before the due date of filing the return, i.e. the
act of payment should be one which can be performed ‘before’ filing the
return.  As stated above, the book
adjustment (credit in ECL and debit in ECrL) takes place only after filing the
return (refer instructions of form GSTR-3). Therefore, payment of taxes is distinct
from discharge of taxes. 

Moreover, the IT framework does not allow one
to file a return unless sufficient balance is available in the appropriate
ledgers. This implies that payment of taxes precedes the adjustment in
ELL.  Hence, bank payment in ECL should
be considered as a ‘payment’ u/s. 39(7).

Principally, interest is collected to
compensate the Government of its rightful revenue. Amounts credited to ECL are
funds received into respective Government accounts and it is free to utilise
this revenue for its functioning.

The amounts lying in the ECL are not under the
control of the assessee. One has to necessarily follow the procedures
prescribed in GSTR-3B/3 to claim the refund of any excess balance, implying
that the funds are available with the Government. 

Provisions of refund provide for interest @ 6%
if the Government delays in refund of the excess ECL balance also implying that
these funds are being used by the Government and under its control.

Amounts lying in ECL are akin to amounts lying
in PLA under Excise laws.  Where a
manufacturer delays in filing its excise return or carries excess balance in
its PLA, it was considered as amounts paid under the Excise law.

Similarly, amounts lying in ECrL represents
credit eligible to the assessee – Courts have held that input tax credit
permissible under law is as good as taxes paid. 
Though an assessee may not have filed the returns, the liability of such
assessee for a tax period would have to be computed after deduction of amounts
lying in ECrL.

 

In view of this, one can take a stand that
the Government has not incurred any loss of revenue and hence interest should
not apply where sufficient amounts are lying in the ECL/ ECrL.  The CBEC Circular No. 7/7/2017 (supra)
on the contrary states in para 11 & 12 that interest is applicable till the
date of debit in the ECL/ ECrL; i.e. until the return is filed and the
corresponding utilisation in the respective ledgers takes place.

 

Inter-Government Account Settlement

 

The flow of funds
between Government accounts are an important factor to ascertain whether the
rightful Government is enjoying funds. 
The settlement of accounts of Governments takes place at the back-end
based on the returns filed by the tax payers. 
‘Place of supply’ reported in the tax invoices identifies the Government
which is entitled to the revenue in an outward supply.  However, these details can be ascertained by
the Government only when accurate and complete returns are filed in GSTR-1, 2
& 3. 

 

Transfer of funds on cross utilisation of
input tax credit and settlement of accounts by the Governments are covered u/s.
53 of the respective CGST/ SGST Acts and Chapter VIII of the IGST Act
(comprising of section 17 and 18).  The
settlement of accounts between Governments can be categorised in two broad
types:

 

a)  Input
tax credit Settlement

 

Section 53 of the respective CGST/SGST Acts
provide that on utilisation of the credit of CGST/ SGST for payment of IGST,
corresponding amounts would be transferred from the Central Government/ State
Government account to the IGST account.

Section 18 of the IGST Act provides that on
utilisation of the credit of IGST for payment of CGST/ SGST, corresponding
amounts would be transferred by the Central Government to the Central
Government / State Government account.

Section 53 and 18 above, convey that cross
utilisation of credits lead to a transfer of funds between Government accounts
in the back end and the Government granting the set-off towards input tax
credit receive its share of revenue.  The
section also states that this cross utilisation takes place only at the time of
filing the return and to the extent of the amounts are reported in the
return.  Where a return is not filed or
the return filed is erroneous, the cross utilisation to the extent of the error
would not take place and the rightful Government would not receive this
revenue. 

 

b)  Cash
Settlement

 

Cash payments in the ECL takes place through
electronically generated challan in PMT 06. 
Major heads represents each statute under which the collection is being
made and funds cannot be cross-transferred to other major heads; Minor heads
represents the folios under which collection is being made (such as tax,
penalty, interest, etc.) and merely an accounting head of the respective
Government. 

CGST/ SGST-ECL ledgers represents funds
received by the respective Government and hence no further adjustment or
transfers are required. The funds in the ECL can be used for any payment including
tax, interest and penalties.

IGST-ECL ledger represents the amounts
collected by the Central Government and due to both Central Government and
State Governments as per prescribed formula. Section 17 of the IGST Act
provides for a mechanism of apportionment of IGST collected and settlement of
accounts. 

 

Legally speaking, revenues would accrue to
the State only once the return is filed and the appropriate utilisations are
made in the ECL/ ECrL and ELL.  In case
this is not done, revenues would remain un-appropriated and fall into an
apportionment formula.  To this extent,
there is every possibility that the Government has not received its rightful
share of revenue.  Governments may then
claim that on account of an incorrect return or an omission of filing a correct
return, it has been deprived of the rightful revenue. In that sense, the issue
is not really of the amount being paid and only offset entry not done.

 

During the last one year, there have been
multiple cases where amount were lying in the ECL/ ECrL, but the assessee was
unable to file the return or failed to file the return within the due date, due
to which the appropriate utilisations could not be made at the back-end by the
Government(s). A matrix of various possibilities has been tabulated and the
compensatory nature of interest can be put to test based on the interpretation
that unless the Government is deprived of funds, interest should not apply.

 

Sl
No.

Scenarios

ECL

ECrL

ELL

Funds
held by

Funds
due
to

Interest

Major
heads : I/C/S

 

1

Sufficient Input Balance
(without considering cross utilisation)

I –
NIL

C –
NIL

S –
NIL

I –
100

C –
100

S –
100

 

I –
100

C –
100

S –
100

 

Respective Govts.

Respective Govts.

NIL

2

Sufficient Input Balance
(considering cross utilisation)

I –
NIL

C –
NIL

S –
NIL

 

I –
300

C –
NIL

S –
NIL

 

I –
100

C –
100

S –
100

 

Central Govt.

State Govt.

May apply to the extent of
SGST component (sec. 53) since no ITC settlement in favour of State Govt.

2A

-do-

I –
NIL

C –
NIL

S –
NIL

I –
NIL

C –
200

S –
100

I –
100

C –
100

S –
100

Central Govt.

Central Govt.

Should not apply since no
loss of revenue to Govt.

2B

-do-

I –
NIL

C –
NIL

S –
NIL

 

I –
NIL

C –
100

S –
200

 

I –
100

C –
100

S –
100

 

State Govt.

Central Govt.

May apply to the extent of
IGST component since no ITC settlement in favour Central Govt.

3

Sufficient Cash Balance

I –
50

C –
50

S –
50

I –
50

C –
50

S –
50

I –
100

C –
100

S –
100

Respective Govts.

Respective Govts.

NIL

3A

Sufficient Cash Balance (but
different major head of same Government)

I –
100

C –
NIL

S –
50

I –
50

C –
50

S –
50

 

I –
100

C –
100

S –
100

 

Central Govt.

Central Govt.

Should not apply since no
loss of revenue to Central Govt.

3B

Sufficient Cash Balance (but
different Government)

I –
NIL

C –
50

S –
100

I –
50

C –
50

S –
50

I –
100

C –
100

S –
100

State Govt.

Central Govt.

May apply to extent of IGST
component since no ITC settlement in favour of Central Govt.

4

Cash Balance (but different
major head of same Government)

I –
150

C – NIL

S –
50

 

I –
50

C –
NIL

S –
50

 

I –
100

C –
100

S –
100

 

Central Govt.

Central Govt.

Should not apply since same
Govt.

4A

Sufficient Cash Balance (but
different Government)

I –
150

C –
50

S –
NIL

 

I –
50

C –
50

S –
NIL

 

I –
100

C –
100

S –
100

 

Central Govt.

State Govt.

Will apply on 50 SGST being
unpaid balance.  May apply to the
extent of 50 SGST component since no ITC settlement in favour of State Govt.

 

In certain cases, interest becomes
applicable and in certain cases, interest should not apply on the fundamental
principle of being compensatory in nature. The above table depicts the
conundrum which one would face if they have to convince a Court that interest
is not applicable per compensatory principles. Though an argument can certainly
be taken that the assesse should not be saddled with an interest merely because
Governments have not settled their accounts internally.

 

iii. Whether
blocked/ ineligible credit claimed in ECrL and remaining unutilised is subject
to interest at the time of its recovery?

Sections 16, 17 and 18 provide for the
mechanism for granting the benefit of input tax credit to an assessee.  Input tax credit eligible under these
sections can be availed by reporting the same in GSTR-2 (currently in GSTR-3B)
and these amounts are credited in the ECrL for further utilisation u/s. 49(4)/
49(5).  Under the input tax credit
scheme, eligibility, availment and utilisation have distinct meanings:
Eligibility addresses the qualification of an amount to be termed as input tax
credit; availment involves recording these eligible amounts in ECrL as input
tax credit and utilisation involves making tax payments by way of adjustment
with the output tax liability. Eligibility precedes availment and availment
precedes utilisation.

Section 73 and 74 provide for recovery of
input tax credit erroneously availed or utilised by the assessee.  The said section empowers tax officers to
recover the input tax credit at the stage of availment itself and the assessing
officer need not wait for the assessee to utilise the said input tax
credit.  Financially speaking, there is
no outflow of revenue from the Government when the assessee avails input tax
credit in its returns. The flow of funds only takes place when the said amounts
are utilised from the said ledger for discharge of liabilities recorded in the
ELL (refer discussion above). The question thus arises on whether interest is
applicable on incorrect availment of input tax credit?

 

Similar instances came up under the Cenvat
Credit regime.  Rule 14 of the Cenvat
Credit Rules (as existed during the period up to 2012) contained a provision
for recovery of Cenvat availed ‘or’ utilised. The Supreme Court in Union of
India vs. Ind-Swift Laboratories ltd 2011 (265) ELT (3) SC
held that
revenue is permitted to recover the unutilised Cenvat at the stage of availment
itself. It also held that revenue can impose interest in case of incorrect
availment of Cenvat even though such amounts have not been utilised by the
assessee. However, the High Court of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have held to
the contrary in spite of the decision of the Supreme Court. Subsequently, the
law was amended in 2012 to recover Cenvat and interest only after utilisation
of such Cenvat Credit. 

 

In the context of GST, section 73 and 74
direct recovery of Input tax credit at the stage of availment but interest is
applicable in terms of section 50(1).  A
question arises on whether availment of input tax credit in ECrL results in
failure of payment of tax to the Government? 

 

Input tax credit is a claim by the
assessee from the Government for taxes in respect of taxes paid to the
supplier. From a recipient’s perspective, it represents amounts due ‘from’ the
Government rather than due ‘to’ the Government. 
If this claim is rejected prior to its utilisation, there is no revenue
loss and hence it cannot be said that taxes are ‘unpaid’ to the
Government. 

 

Section 49(4) also states that amounts
lying in the ECrL may be used for payment of taxes. The utilisation of input
tax credit is an option to the tax payer and if the tax payer does not utilise
this amount, it continues as a balance but does not result in ‘taxes unpaid’.
Though recovery provisions may be initiated for incorrectly availed input tax
credit, interest on such incorrect availment cannot be imposed. 

 

From the point of view of settlement and
flow of funds, sections 53 of the CGST/ SGST law and 18 of IGST law require
payment of funds from Centre to State or vice-versa only when the cross
utilisation takes place from the ECrL to the ELL. Until such time the
Government in whose name the Credit stands retains the funds.  On these grounds, one can take a stand that
interest is not imposable on incorrect availment if the same is not
utilised. 

 

iv. Whether
interest applicable on payment made through ECrL but later credit held to be
wrongly availed (say blocked credit)?

 

Section 50 uses the phrase ‘tax unpaid’.  This is different from input tax credit
wrongly availed and/or utilised.  Though
mathematically speaking, a wrong input tax credit claim results in short
payment of taxes, recovery of short payment of taxes is different from recovery
of erroneous availment and utilisation of input tax credit.  To cite an example : short payment of taxes
are cases of under-valuation or lower rate, etc where the error is on the
calculation of output taxes while recovery of input tax credit takes place in
case of an error on the inward supplies to an assessee. This distinction is
highlighted in view of separate phraseology for recovery of input tax credit
wrongly availed and utilised and for short payment of taxes in section 73 and
74.  Explanation to section 132 specifically
clarifies that taxes unpaid also includes input tax credit wrongly
availed or utilised. However, the said explanation has been made applicable
only section 132 and not section 50. 

 

Under the Cenvat Credit regime, Rule 14 of
the Rules, made specific provisions for recovery of input tax credit wrongly
availed or refunded. Rule 14(ii) specifically enabled the tax authorities to
recover interest under the Excise/ Service tax law. Section 50 of the GST does
not seem to capture this situation and the recovery of interest in such
scenarios can certainly be challenged by the assessee.

 

 

v.  Whether
interest is applicable on early claim of input tax credit?

 

The above analogy would apply in such
cases and interest is not recoverable from the assessee. It may also be
interesting to note that in terms of second proviso to section 16(2), where an
assessee fails to make a payment on inward supplies within 180 days of the date
of invoice, the assessee is specifically required to repay the input tax credit
along with interest.  The specific
mention of recovery of interest in such cases makes it clear that section 50
does not capture cases of erroneous input tax credit claims.

 

vi. How
is interest to be computed in cases of mismatch?


Section 50(1) and (3) provides for imposition of interest in cases where
mismatch reports are generated. Mismatch could arise under various
circumstances:

Non-reporting of invoice by supplier itself
resulting in short payment of taxes.

Erroneous reporting of invoice (incorrect
details) by supplier but taxes have been paid (wholly or partly in cases where
value is short reported).

Duplicate reporting of invoice by recipient.

 

There seems to emerge some confusion while
reading the provisions of section 42/43 (mismatch reports) and section 50(1)
and 50(3).  Section 42/43 provide a tax
payer a minimum of two attempts to claim input tax credit in its return – in
case of an error in the first attempt, the tax payer would be liable for
interest @ 18% for the period of 2 months. 
However, if there is an error in the second or any subsequent attempt,
the tax payer would be liable for interest @ 24%.

 

In such cases, interest is imposed for the
period during which the mismatch continued. It is interesting to note that
interest is imposed on the recipient right from the date of availment even
though taxes are paid along with interest at supplier’s end (wherever
applicable). There may be instances where the liability of interest is thrust
upon the recipient even for delays or errors on the part of the supplier. While
it is just to claim interest in case of duplicate reporting of an invoice, in
other cases, the Government seems to be receiving the interest from both sides
of the transaction.

vii. Whether
transition credit claimed but later reversed through GSTR3B/GSTR-3 liable for
interest?

 

In the view of the author, though
transition credit is directly credited to the ECrL from the Transition returns,
the answer to this question would remain the same.  Interest would not apply till the time the same
has been utilised from the ECrL based on the principles of compensatory
levy.  Even in cases where the said
amount has been utilised, interest would not apply in the absence of a specific
provision of recovery of interest u/s. 50 on irregular input tax credit. 

 

An issue also arises whether incorrect
carry forward of transition credit also entails interest under the erstwhile
laws. The savings clause u/s. 174 places the liability of interest on such sums
until the recovery of such incorrect credit. However, the said provisions are
subject to any specific provision under the GST law. GST law does not contain
any specific provision for recovery of interest for incorrect credits in the
ECrL directly. 

 

Therefore, interest may be liable to be
paid under the erstwhile laws on account of the saving provisions, no further
interest should be recovered under the GST law. 
One may take a stand that where the recovery provisions are invoked
under the earlier law and sums due to the Government have been paid with interest
till date, the credit brought forward in the GST law should not be disturbed,
else it would result in double jeopardy to the tax payer. 

 

In summary, it
seems evident that the front end portal, back-end settlement mechanism and the
GST laws are at divergence in many instances. 
A simple concept of interest will surely throw up unexpected challenges
and we are entering an era where calculation of interest is turning into an
subject by itself. This primarily arises due to the hybrid GST mechanism of bringing
all the States on a common platform. 



It is important for the GST Council to
identify all possible permutations to ensure that interest is paid to the right
Government and should be equipped to answer questions on accountability &
propriety of Government funds. At 18%, the stakes are certainly going to be
high for the tax payer as well as the Government!!!
 

GST @ 1: TAXPAYER REACTIONS

GST was launched with much
fanfare at the midnight of 30th June 2017. Touted as the most
important tax reform since independence, the same immediately met with extreme
reactions on both sides. Some course corrections were also carried out in terms
of reduction in tax rates, extension of due dates, filings, suspension of many
of the complex provisions in the law and the like.

 

Nearly a year since its’
implementation, GST continues to be the talk of the town. Last week, I met a
friend and in casual discussions, I could sense an element of frustration. When
I asked for the reasons, he explained that the deluge of due dates, to a large
extent sponsored by GST, just keep him super-busy and the compliance costs had
increased drastically. During the discussions, another friend joined in and he
had a diametrically opposite version to offer. He was very happy with the
introduction of GST and saw it as an opportunity to streamline his business
processes.

 

These diametrically opposite
versions, coinciding with the anniversary of GST prompted BCAS to conduct a
survey on the taxpayers’ reactions towards the implementation of GST. The
BCAS survey on GST included a cross section of industry verticals with
constituents of differing scale and complexity of operations. This article
summarises the key takeaways from the said survey.
To ensure
confidentiality, as requested by many of the participants, the names are
avoided in this article and reference to the position and industry is provided.

 

Whether introduction of GST was a step in the right
direction?

The rollback of GST in Malaysia
was the backdrop of the above question in the survey. Surprisingly, not a
single participant responded in the negative. The jury was unanimous. The
country was fed up with a plethora of indirect taxes like sales tax, VAT,
excise duty, service tax, CST, octroi, etc. Therefore, the dual levy of GST,
implemented in a unified manner was hailed by all the participants. To quote
the response of the Global Tax Manager at a large software exports company,
“This kind of reform under Indirect Taxes was the need of the hour I
congratulate the policy makers for that.”

 

Has GST resulted in ease of doing business?

To the next question on
analysing the impact of GST on the ease of doing business, the mood amongst the
participants was that of cautious optimism. While most of the participants felt
that there was an improvement in the ease of doing business, they felt that the
extent of improvement could have been better. Perhaps the initial teething
troubles resulted in this hesitation in response. The response of the AVP-GST
at a large diversified listed company summarises this mood well, “Over a period
of time once streamlined then it (the ease of doing business) will improve.”

 

Has GST resulted in reduction of product costs and
prices?

On the question of the impact
of GST on product costs and pricing, again the jury’s view  generally was that the costs have reduced due
to lower cascading of taxes and free flow of input tax credit. However, certain
sectors did see an increase in costs due to working capital blockages and
related issues. To quote the response of the Finance Controller at a midsized
pharmaceutical manufacturer, “Working capital requirements have increased and
funds are blocked due to procedure and timelines of refunds for exporters.”

 

Is the GST tax rate optimal?

Again, most of the
participants were comfortable with the rate of tax and to that extent the
response was not surprising. An astutely managed fitment of rates coupled with
a course correction of rate on many items kept most of the people happy.
However, some pockets were affected. The tax manager at a large public sector
bank responded “W.r.t. Banking sector, GST has really not resulted in cost
efficiencies.  In fact tax outgo has
increased. Further, w.r.t. banking services, the GST rate could have been lower”.
Similarly, the Finance Controller at the pharmaceutical manufacturer felt that
instances of inverted rate structure could have been avoided.

 

Has GST resulted in increase in compliance costs?

On the question of increase in
compliance costs, the general response was that GST did result in increase in
compliance costs. The transaction level uploading and multiple return
obligations perhaps resulted in such increase in costs. The increase in
compliance costs was more felt by small and mid sized organisations. To quote
from the response of the AGM of a small diamond assortment company, “Yes, the
number of returns and details to be provided in return is considerably
increased resulting in additional costs.”

 

Does the structure of dual GST present an inherent
risk of divergence?

The multiplicity of enactments
and the autonomy provided by the Constitution to both the Centre as well as the
State prompted this question. As of now, all seems well. However, what would
happen once the period of assured compensation for revenue loss is over? Will
some States digress from the uniform GST Structure? In response to this
question, most of the participants felt that a reasonable political consensus
has been achieved on the front of GST and there should really be no reasons to
worry. However, the response of the AVP at a large diversified listed company
was different, “I fear risks in consensus between Centre and States going
forward once there is a coalition based Central Govt.”

 

Is the allocation of administrative jurisdiction
between Centre and States fair?

The dual GST structure with
allocation of tax administration between the Centre and the State Authorities
has been a unique experiment in the Indian context. In response to a question
in this regard, most participants could not respond since they did not have
first hand experience of interaction with the respective jurisdictions.
However, the response from the public sector bank suggested some discontent on
this front, “Assessees seem to be allocated between Centre and State
Authorities in a random manner. Proper communication has also not been sent
which has led to confusion among assessees.”

 

Are there challenges in the legal provisions
pertaining to GST?

In various technical sessions,
it is highlighted that the legal provisions of GST present inherent conflict
and could result in litigations. The spate of litigations in the High Courts
and the advance rulings revalidate this aspect. Interestingly, the responses of
the industry on this front appeared to be much more forgiving.

 

The industry seems to have
reconciled to the expanded definition of supply and taxation of branch
transfers. The General Manager at a large cement manufacturing company
summarises the response, “Earlier also Excise Duty was paid but it was a cost.”
In fact, the Global Tax Manager at a large software exports company sees this
provision as a positive provision. In response to a pointed question on whether
there are difficulties on account of this extended definition of supply, he
responded, “In fact its otherwise the tax on branch transfer allows the credit
chain to remain intact.” GST is an interesting tax, people want to pay the tax!

 

One common resentment on the
legal provisions pertained to taxation of advances. It was unanimously
criticised by most of the participants. Luckily as a part of course correction,
tax on advances pertaining to supply of goods was kept in abeyance. This
presents another set of challenges. To quote the AVP-GST at a large diversified
listed company, “Its (The obligation is) onerous as at the time of advance the
purpose is not known.”

 

The place of supply rules not
only determine the nature of the tax but also the Government which effectively
enjoys the tax. In that sense, these rules go to the core of the GST
Implementation. Most of the constituents were reasonably happy with the
drafting of the rules and did not foresee any major risk of interpretation on
this account. With the aggregate tax remaining the same, the approach of the
industry seemed to be to take as conservative a stand as possible. As one of
the respondents stated, “We are taking safe route.”

 

On the requirement of matching
of input tax credit, the opinion was fairly divided. While some felt that this
requirement was fine, others felts that this resulted in an onerous obligation.
Some suggested a middle route to substitute the invoice level matching to
vendor level matching. There was also a feeling that the restrictions in the
claim of credit should be done away with. To quote tax manager at a large
public sector bank, “Restrictions can be further rationalised. In Banking as it
is 50% ITC is reversed so the list of ineligible items should be further
reduced or done away with.” Similar responses were received to do away with
restriction on claim of credits for employee related costs.

 

Were you able to use the portal effectively during
non-peak days?

Even the uninitiated would
know by now that the IT System for implementing GST was not totally ready at
the time of implementation and is still a work in progress. In fact, most of
the backlash against the Government was around this aspect of the portal not
supporting a smooth transition into GST[1]. In this
context, the response to the above question was a bit surprising with many
participants suggesting that the portal was fine to use during non-peak days.
However, in case of errors like digital signatures not matching, browser
compatibility issues, etc., it appeared that the industry was left to find its’
own solutions. Most of the responses expressed dissatisfaction about the
response time from the helpdesk. In fact, the response from the public sector
bank was, “(Our issues are) Not yet resolved in spite of repeated follow up and
reminders with GST helpdesk.”

 

Did the nationwide rollout of eWay Bill System bring about
uniformity,  ease of doing business and
transportation?

The first phase of
implementation of eWay Bills resulted in the system crashing on the first day
itself, resulting in postponement of the implementation. Thereafter, the system
has been implemented across the nation. In this context, the above question was
posed and most of the respondents felt that the system did bring about a
uniformity and ease of doing business and transportation. Those from the
service sectors like banking were less impacted. However, an interesting point
of view was presented by the global tax manager at the software company, “when
invoice wise details are reported to GSTN there is no case for eway bills, it
needs to be scrapped.”

 

Did the outreach programs of the Government help in
transitioning to GST?

Last year, around this time
saw an unprecedented flurry of outreach programmes from the Government. To its’
credit, the Government did try quite a few things to educate the trade and
industry about this gigantic reform. “FAQs, sessions with business/ Chambers
helped” was the crisp response from one of the participants.

 

Learnings from the Survey

Any legal expert would agree
that the Dual GST Structure along with a half baked law representing an amalgam
of multiple earlier laws does not augur well and can present fundamental
challenges. Things got complicated with confusion on administrative aspects
like portal, eWay Bills and the like. Despite these issues, the responses from
the industry have been positive. While there are issues, which did come out in
the survey as well, on a holistic basis, the industry understands the saying
that one cannot miss the woods for the trees. To summarise in a single line,
“There is a big thumbs up for the GST reform implemented by the Government.”

Ind AS 115 – Revenue From Contracts With Customers

Identifying the customer

Ind AS 115 defines a customer as a
party that has contracted with an entity to obtain goods or services that are
an output of the entity’s ordinary activities in exchange for consideration.
Beyond that, Ind AS 115 does not contain any definition of a customer. In many
transactions, a customer is easily identifiable. However, in transactions
involving multiple parties, for example, in the credit card business, it may be
less clear which counterparties are customers of the entity. For some
arrangements, multiple parties could all be considered customers of the entity.
However, for other arrangements, only some of the parties involved are
considered as customers. The identification of the performance obligations in a
contract can also have a significant effect on the determination of which party
is the entity’s customer.

 

Identifying the customer becomes
very important under Ind AS 115, because depending on who and how many
customers are identified, it will determine, the performance obligations in a
contract, the presentation and accounting of sales incentives, determination
and presentation of negative revenue, etc. The example below shows how the
party considered to be the customer may differ, depending on the specific facts
and circumstances.

 

Example — Travel Agents

An entity provides internet-based
airline ticket booking services. In any transaction, there are three parties
involved, the airline is the principal, the entity is an agent, and the
end-customer who purchases the ticket on the entity’s website. The entity gets
its majority of the income from the airline, to whom it charges a commission
(say INR 500 per ticket). The entity also receives a small convenience fee from
the end-customer (INR 20). To attract customers, the entity provides a cash
back of INR 120 to each end-customer.

 

If the entity considers, the
airline and the end-customer as two customers in a transaction, it will
determine revenue to be INR 400 (500+20-120). On the other hand, if the entity
had not received any convenience fees from the end-customer, and reduced the
cash back to INR 100, the entity will determine revenue to be INR 500. The
entity will also present INR 100 paid to third parties (end-customers) as a
selling cost.

 

Consideration paid to Customers’ Customer

Consideration payable to a customer
includes cash amounts that an entity pays, or expects to pay, to the customer.
Such amounts are reduced from revenue. This requirement also applies to
payments made to other parties that purchase the entity’s goods or services
from the customer. In other words, consideration paid to customers’ customer is
also reduced from revenue. For example, if a lubricant entity pays a
consideration to mechanics that purchases lubricants from the entity’s customer
(distributor), that amount will be reduced from the revenue of the lubricant
entity.

 

In some cases, entities provide
cash or other incentives to end consumers that are neither their direct
customers nor purchase the entities’ goods or services within the distribution
chain. One such example is depicted below. In such cases, the entity will need
to identify whether the end consumer is the entity’s customer under Ind AS 115.
This assessment could require significant judgment. The management should also
consider whether a payment to an end consumer is contractually required
pursuant to the arrangement between the entity and its customer (e.g., the
merchant in the example below) in the transaction. If this is the case, the
payment to the end consumer is treated as consideration payable to a customer
as it is being made on the customer’s behalf.

 

Example – Consideration paid to other
than customers

An entity provides internet-based
airline ticket booking services. In any transaction, there are three parties
involved, the airline is the principal, the entity is an agent, and the
end-customer who purchases the ticket on the entity’s website. The entity gets
its income from the airline, to whom it charges a commission (say INR 500 per
ticket). To attract users, the entity provides a cash back of INR 100 to each
end-customer on its own (i.e. without any contractual requirement from the
airline company).

 

If the entity considers, the
airline and the end-customer as two customers in a transaction, it will
determine revenue to be INR 400 (500-100). On the other hand, if the entity
determines that the end-customer is not its customer (because convenience fee is
not charge to the end-customer), the entity will determine revenue to be INR
500 and present INR 100 paid to third parties (end-customers) as a selling
cost. In case, the cash back to end user is paid because of a contractual
requirement between the airline and the entity, then such cash back paid will
be deducted from revenue, even when it is concluded that the end-user is not a
customer.  This is because, the entity is
making a payment on behalf of the customer as per agreement.

 

Both examples in the article are economically
the same; however, they provide different accounting consequences, based on how
a customer is identified. In the second example, a convenience fee is not paid
to end-customer, and hence it is concluded that the end-customer is not the
customer of the entity.


BCAS MANAGING COMMITTEE 2018-19

In accordance with clause no.18 of the Memorandum of
Association of the Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society, as the names of
members who had filed their nomination for the Managing Committee for the year
2018-19 equalled to that of the number of posts, no election was necessary.

 

At the Special Committee Meeting held on 25th
May, 2018, in addition to the members elected unopposed, 6 other members have
been co-opted to the Managing Committee. The list of elected members and
co-opted members is as under:

President

CA. Sunil B.
Gabhawalla

Vice President

CA. Manish P.
Sampat

Hon. Joint
Secretary

CA. Abhay R.
Mehta

Hon. Joint
Secretary

CA. Mihir C.
Sheth

Treasurer

CA. Suhas S.
Paranjpe

Elected Member

CA. Anil D.
Doshi

Elected Member

CA. Bhavesh P.
Gandhi

Elected Member

CA. Chirag H.
Doshi

Elected Member

CA. Divya B.
Jokhakar

Elected Member

CA. Kinjal M.
Shah

Elected Member

CA. Mayur B.
Desai

Elected Member

CA. Rutvik R.
Sanghvi

Elected Member

CA. Samir L.
Kapadia

Co-opted  Member

CA. Anand
Bathiya

Co-opted  Member

CA. Ganesh
Rajgopalan

Co-opted  Member

CA. Mandar
Telang
                     

Co-opted  Member

CA. Pooja
Punjabi

Co-opted  Member

CA. Shreyas
Shah
                    

Co-opted  Member

CA. Zubin
Billimoria

Ex-Officio
Member

CA. Narayan
Pasari

Member (Editor
and Publisher-BCAJ)

CA. Raman H.
Jokhakar

The Committee will assume
office at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting

to
be held on
6th
July, 2018.

A TAXPAYER’S GST PRAYER

May GST Network never play

with you ‘shy’ ..

And GST Council hear your

desperate ‘ cry’..!

May all your returns go well

in time ….

Your nights are not spent

in ‘ try and sigh’…!

May E-way Bill never block

your way …!

And reverse charge finally

say ‘ Goodbye’…!

May anti profiteering officer

remain at bay …

And you are not accused of

eating the whole ‘pie’ ..!

May TDS , TCS not cause

you headache …

And ‘late fee’ flash never

stare you in the ‘eye’..!

May ‘ Good and Simple Tax’

bless your life ….

And the ‘terror of tax’ remain

a distant cry..!!

 

– Shailesh Sheth, Advocate –

VAT/GST: A FRIGHTENING BUT FASCINATING FUTUREWORLD….!

“Once a new technology rolls over you, if you’re not
part of the steamroller, you’re part of the road.”
Steward Brand

INTRODUCTION

Taxes are as old as civilization, so the ‘Value Added Tax’
(VAT), hardly 63 years old, may seem to be relatively
young in the history of tax. For India, that embraced this development in taxation over the last half-century. Limited
to fewer than 10 countries in the late 1960s, VAT/GST is a
‘Consumption Tax’ of choice of some 170 countries today.
Presently, all member countries of the Organization of
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),
except United States, have VAT systems in place [See
Graph 1]. Significantly, UAE and Saudi Arabia have also fundamental ‘Indirect Tax Reform’ in the form of ‘Goods
and Services Tax’ (GST) only in July, 2017, it may even
resemble a ‘New-born Baby’ that has just arrived in the
world from the mother’s womb!

[The words ‘VAT’ and ‘GST’ are used synonymously
in this article.]

GLOBAL SPREAD OF VAT

The spread of VAT has been the most important implemented VAT from January 1, 2018, whereas, other
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – Kuwait,
Qatar, Bahrain and Oman – are expected to levy VAT
from 2019.

In terms of revenue, VAT is now the largest source of
taxes on general consumption in OECD countries on
average. Revenues from VAT as a percentage of GDP
increased from 6.8% in 2012 to 7.0% in 2014 on average; and from 20.05% in 2012 to 20.07% in 2014 as a share of
total taxation. [See Graph 2].

INDIA’S ‘MIDNIGHT TRYST’ WITH GST

Finally, GST was launched from the Central Hall of Parliament
with much gaiety and fanfare in the midnight of June 30, 2017,
marking an opening of a new chapter in the indirect tax history
of the country. What was equally significant was the fact that
with the introduction of GST, a new era of ‘Cooperative
Federalism’ was perceived to have begun!

INDIAN GST – FAULT LINES BECOME VISIBLE

However, the fault lines inherent in the design and structure
of the country’s GST system soon became visible!
Exclusion of several key commodities from GST and
resultant distortion of credit chain, significant restrictions
placed on the entitlement of Input Tax Credit (ITC)
resulting into cascading effect of tax, multiple rates,
long list of exemptions, low threshold and ill-conceived
business processes are but only a few ills that plagued
the Indian GST design from its inception. The biggest
‘let-down’ turned out to be the GSTN Portal! Multiple and
complicated returns, cumbersome Return-filing process,
ill-conceived statutory requirements reflecting revenueoriented,
rigid and ‘i-don’t-trust-you’ attitude coupled with
hopelessly ill-prepared GSTN portal have ensured that
the GST implementation and compliance by ‘more-thanwilling’
taxpayers are anything but smooth! The poorly
drafted, hastily implemented and badly administered GST
laws have only added to the woes of the taxpayers. The
situation has reached such an impasse that the whole system appears to be running on extensions, promises
and assurances!

INDIAN GST DESIGN –WHAT LIES AHEAD?

GST has a potential and the intrinsic characteristics to be ‘a
blessing’ – instead of ‘a curse’ as being perceived by many
today – provided it is designed and structured intelligently
and diligently. The system should be supported by subsystems
such as minimalist number of rates; moderate tax
rate; minimum exemption; high exemption threshold; neatly
defined key expressions; minimal and clear classification;
simple valuation provisions; seamless credit chain; clean
and clutter-free business processes; robust, insightful and
forward-looking ‘dispute redressal machinery’ and many
more. Anything contrary to this would be a humungous
curse for the economy.

TO SUM UP…….

Demonetisation and GST have several common attributes.
The most striking one is the discourse of short-term pain
and long-term gain. However, the latter can be enjoyed
only if one does not succumb to the former. The objective
to plug the informal economy – mainly prevalent in MSME
Sector – into formal set-up may have benefits. But the cost
can outweigh the benefits if done forcefully through radical
reforms. Moreover, the decision to grow competitive should
be a matter of choice and not compulsion. Presently,
lower exemption threshold coupled with cumbersome
compliance can prove to be counter-productive and push
small businesses towards new ways of tax evasion, thereby
breeding corruption.

A mega reform like GST is nothing short of a paradigm
shift. Such reforms often gives rise to two broad categories
of inconveniences, foreseen and unforeseen. Presently,
most of the inconveniences were of ‘foreseen’ category
and could have been avoided. Nevertheless, now is not
the time to cry over ‘what it could have been?’ but, to
concentrate on ‘what it should be’.

It is, indeed, heartening to note that the benevolent and
responsive GST Council has pro-actively undertaken
mid-course corrections. Going by the decisions taken by
the Council in last three meetings, the Council appears
to be determined to ease the woes, particularly that of
compliance load, of the taxpayers and this itself should
‘smoothen the ruffled feathers’ of the taxpayers, at least,
for the time being!

CHANGING GLOBAL TAX HORIZON

Even while the GST Council faces the challenges of
finding ‘elusive design’ that may fit the bill and the right
matrix of the business processes and of building a solid
GST structure, the global tax landscape is going through a
period of fundamental change. The policy-makers and the
tax experts across the world are re-thinking how taxes are
or ought to be levied. Changes have been triggered by the
unimaginable advancement and rapid spread of technology,
digitalisation, new supply chains and an increased scrutiny
of multinational tax practices! These changes will certainly
have destabilising – if not, devastating – impact on the
taxation across the world including India and will inevitably
bring forth its own set of formidable challenges. Obviously,
these changes and challenges can be ignored by one
only at one’s own peril!

In the ensuing paragraphs, these technology-driven
changes and their likely impact on VAT system are briefly
discussed. But before that, it would be advantageous to
understand the meaning of ‘VAT’ and the core principles on
which the foundation of VAT rests.

VAT – MEANING AND ITS CORE PRINCIPLES

International Tax Dialogue, 2005 defines ‘VAT’ as ‘a broad
based tax levied at multiple stages of production (and
distribution) with – crucially – taxes on inputs credited
against taxes on output. That is, while sellers are required
to charge the tax on all their sales, they can also claim
a credit for taxes that they have been charged on their
inputs. The advantage is that revenue is secured by being
collected throughout the process of production (unlike a
retail sales tax) but without distorting production decisions
(as turnover tax does)’.

In November, 2015, OECD published its ‘International
VAT/GST Guidelines’ (Guidelines). The Guidelines are the culmination of nearly two decades of efforts to
provide internationally accepted standard for consumption
taxation of cross-border trade, particularly in services and
intangibles. The Guidelines aim at the uncertainty and risks
of double taxation and unintended non-taxation that result
from the inconsistencies in the application of VAT in crossborder
context.

The overarching purpose of a VAT is to impose a broadbased
tax on consumption, which is understood to
mean final consumption by households. A necessary
consequence of this fundamental proposition is that the
burden of the VAT should not rest on businesses.

The central design feature of a VAT, and the feature from
which it derives its name, is that tax is collected through
a staged process. This central design feature of the VAT,
coupled with the fundamental principle that the burden of the
tax should not rest on businesses, requires a mechanism
for relieving businesses of the burden of the VAT they pay
when they acquire goods, services or intangibles. There
are two principal approaches to implementing the staged
collection process of VAT, one is invoice-credit method
(which is a ‘transaction-based method’) and other is
subtraction method (which is ‘entity based method’).
Almost all VAT jurisdictions (including India) of the world
have adopted the invoice-credit method.

This basic design of the VAT with tax imposed at every
stage of the economic process, but with a credit for taxes on
purchases by all but the final consumer, gives the VAT “it’s
essential character in domestic trade as an economically
neutral tax”. As the introductory chapter to the Guidelines
explains:

“The full right to deduct input tax through the supply chain,
except by the final consumer, ensures the neutrality of the
tax, whatever the nature of the product, the structure of
the distribution chain, and the means used for its delivery
(e.g. retail stores, physical delivery, internet downloads).
As a result of the staged payment system, VAT thereby
“flows through the businesses” to tax supplies made to final
consumers”.

It is, thus, evident that the two core principles on which the
VAT system is based are:

◆ Neutrality principle

This is the core principle of VAT design. The Guidelines set
forth the following three specific precepts with respect to
‘basic neutrality principles’ of VAT:

• The burden of VAT themselves should not lie on taxable businesses except where explicitly provided for in
legislation;

• Businesses in similar situations carrying out similar
transactions should be subject to similar level of taxation;

• VAT rules should be framed in such a way that they are
not the primary influence on business decisions.

◆ Destination principle

This principle seeks to achieve neutrality in cross-border
trade.

The Guidelines provides: “For consumption tax purposes,
internationally traded services and intangibles should
be taxed according to the rules of the jurisdiction of
consumption.”

Keeping the above core principles of VAT system in mind,
let us now advert to certain key challenges facing the tax
system.

I. TAX CHALLENGES OF THE DIGITAL
ECONOMY

On March 16, 2018, OECD released ‘Tax Challenges
arising from Digitalisation – Interim Report 2018’. The
Interim Report is a follow-up to the work delivered by the
OECD in October 2015 under Action 1 of the Base Erosion
and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project, which was focused on
addressing the tax challenges of the digital economy.

The Report states that ‘Digitalisation is transforming many
aspects of our everyday lives, as well as at the macro-level
in terms of the way our economy and society is organized
and functions. The breadth and speed of change have
been often remarked upon, and this is also true when one
considers the implications of this digital transformation on
tax matters’. The Report acknowledges the far-reaching
implications of digitalisation and its disruptive effects,
beyond the international tax rules, on other elements of
the modern tax system, bringing forth opportunities and
challenges. From the design of the tax system through
to tax administration, relevant developments include
the rise of business models facilitating the growth of the
‘gig’ and ‘sharing’ economies as well as an increase in
other peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions, the development
of technologies such as block chain and growing data
collection and matching capacities.

Chapter 7 of the Report titled “Special feature – Beyond
the International Tax Rules” explores some of these
changes including Online platforms and their impact on
the formal and informal economy. There is no denying
the fact that global e-commerce is becoming increasingly
important. The rapid growth of multi-sided online platforms is attributed to digitilisation. The estimates suggests B2C
sales of US$ 2 trillion annually and is registering an annual
growth of 10 to 15 per cent. Based on an average VAT rate
of 15%, this represents US$ 200 billion in tax revenues!
(It may be noted that US operates a sales tax and has
not embraced VAT as yet). Currently, online shoppers are
tagged at 1.6 billion and are estimated to rise to 2.2 billion
in 2022. E-Commerce admittedly creates challenges for
administrations (VAT and Customs) in terms of collection
since non-taxation creates an unlevel playing field.

The Interim Report notes that the opportunities presented
by multi-sided platforms as regards taxation are two-fold:

i. Facilitate integration into the formal economy;

ii. Drive growth and increase revenues

The Report then identifies the following issues that must
be addressed in order to realise the benefits as well as to
address some of the challenges arising from the operation
of online platforms:

• Understanding the tax implications of the changing
nature of work

• Fostering innovation and ensuring equivalent tax
treatment with similar, existing activity

• Improving the effective taxation of activities facilitated
by online platforms

In sum, the digital economy has become increasingly
entwined with our physical world. The Indian digital
economy is expected to be worth about US$ 35 billion
and it is growing at a pace of 24-25 per cent a year. Given
the high disruption that digital economy has brought
about and its blistering growth rate, a few key questions
arise – how should the digital ecosystem be taxed? How
can governments earn revenue from services that span
borders, as some of the world’s most valuable enterprises
like Google, Facebook and Amazon spread their reach in
emerging markets like India? What share of their revenue
can the Indian Government look at taxing? Is Indian GST
system geared up to address the challenges and seize the
opportunities presented by digitisation?

II. BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND ITS
IMPACT ON THE TAXWORLD

In early 2016, construction workers in London unearthed
hundreds of Roman writing tablets, including some of the
earliest known examples of receipts and IOUs. The find
reminded all that, essentially, the way in which we record
the transactions has barely changed in 2000 years. But will
we say the same five or ten years from now?

‘Blockchain’ – a relatively obscure technology until only a few years ago – is about to make the step from the theoretical to
practical. When it does, it will fundamentally change the way
businesses, people and governments operate.

‘Blockchain’, to put it simply, is a ‘secure distributed
ledger that simultaneously records transactions on a
large number of computers in a network’. In this type
of secure, shared database, participants have their own
copies of the stored data. Strong cryptography ensures
that transactions can be initiated only by certified parties,
that changes are validated by participants collectively and
that the outputs of the system are immediate, accurate and
irrevocable.

BLOCKCHAIN AND INDIRECT TAX

Indirect taxes like VAT are ‘transaction-based taxes’ and
often follow chains of transactions and their tax liabilities.
Obligations are often “triggered” by key events that need
to be documented and recorded securely. These events
include the performance of a service or the delivery of
goods, the conclusion of a contract, the manufacture of
a product and by an act of importing or exporting goods
and services.

However, by and large, the indirect tax systems have
their foundations in physical transactions and trade. The
rise of the sharing economy, digital business and new
business models have caused many people to think about
the current tax systems. Blockchain has emerged at a
time when many in the tax world are speculating about
the efficacy and relevance of the current tax system in
the modern, digital era. While the financial and business
world is naturally excited about Blockchain, ‘Tax’ is one
area where this technology could have a profound impact.
Blockchain’s core attributes, namely, Transparency,
Control, Security, Real-time information and ability to detect
fraud and error mean that it has significant potential for use
in tax regime. Naturally, the tax administrations around the
world – including Indian tax administration – have started
considering the adoption of the Blockchain technology.

Some of the likely near-term uses of Blockchain that could
have an impact on indirect taxes are:

a. Blockchain regimes

VAT and customs administrations could create blockchains
for the transmission of tax data and payments between
taxpayers and government portals. These blockchains
could involve taxpayers in a single jurisdiction or they could
cross multiple jurisdictions.

b. Real-time compliance and reporting

Tax administrations around the globe are already
demanding real-time information from businesses in order
to assess and support their VAT liabilities and deductions.
Blockchain could greatly increase the speed, accuracy and
ease of collecting this data, thereby improving the quality
of VAT compliance while reducing the cost of compliance.

c. Tax Invoices

Tax invoice is the most critical VAT document. In a
Blockchain-based regime, it is likely that for a VAT invoice
to be valid, it will require a digital fingerprint, derived through
the VAT blockchain consensus process.

The fingerprint would immediately confirm that the block
under scrutiny is permanently linked to the previous and
subsequent blocks. The entire history of the commercial
chain (forward and backward from this transaction) could
be followed and scrutinised by a tax official in an office, by
a robot or by a customs officer at a border.

d. Customs documentation

Customs declarations and export controls depend on
various detailed and accurate information, often provided
by third parties. The veracity and reliability of this
information is vital.

Blockchain can enable the customs officer to verify, with
complete accuracy, various information and also the origin
and nature of the goods at every stage of the chain.

As this technology would allow them to verify every aspect
of a shipment with certainty, they could maintain supply
chain security with fewer officers who could target their
inspections more accurately.

e. Supporting refunds, reliefs and rebates and
combatting fraud

The use of immediately verifiable information
could allow taxpayers to support claims for VAT
deductions (or ITC) and customs rebates and reliefs.

Blockchain technology could also be useful in tracking if
and when VAT has been paid and in doing so, reduce VAT
fraud. Blockchain could also help to drive behavioural
change because of the risks and consequences of
non-compliance which may even lead to ‘permanent
exclusion’ from the blockchain network. In these ways, it
is likely that blockchain could help reduce the ‘tax gap’ to
some extent.

f. Smart audits

Using blockchain technology, indirect tax administrations
could carry out independent risk analysis facilitated by
artificial intelligence.

To sum up, Blockchain technology has tremendous
potential, not only to transform business, but also the tax
regimes across the world. Blockchain has the potential to
streamline and accelerate business processes, to improve
cybersecurity and to reduce or eliminate the role of trusted
intermediaries in industry after industry. The technology
has already many real-world applications and many more
applications are likely to be adopted in future.

III. 3D PRINTING AND ITS IMPACT ON
TAXATION

In 3D printing, we once again have a new technology that
could upend supply chains, business models, customer
relationships – entrepreneurship itself. 3D printing takes
mass distribution and innovation to the next level, while
realigning the very geography of work and trade.

Any significant technology that emerges impacts different
industries at different times, places and levels of disruption.
It also raises tax, legal and policy implications that can trip
up corporate leaders and global policymakers alike as they
are in full stride toward the future.

3D printing – a process of making solid objects from the
instructions in a digital file – has the potential to be every
bit as revolutionary as the PC was in the 1980s or even as
the factory production line was in the early 20th century. It
is also creating unprecedented opportunities to customise
products and reduce manufacturing costs.

But 3D printing also presents a minefield of challenges for
tax authorities around the world. This is because almost
all of the taxable value for a business selling product to
be 3D printed is contained within its intellectual property
(IP) – namely, the digital file’s ownership and authorisation
of its use, rather than in its manufacture, transport and
point of sale.

a. Disrupting long-standing business models

3D printing brings particularly complex global tax challenges
because it threatens to bypass long-standing protocols
used to set taxes on the movement of goods and supply
of services. 3D printing will absolutely disrupt the existing
model of taxation of goods and services grounded in the
physical movement of things or the provision of services.

The question ‘where value is created’ lies at the centre of
any discussion about the taxation of goods and services.
While VAT applies at the point of consumption, in some
taxing jurisdictions of the world, taxes are levied on raw
materials or intermediate stages where value is created,
such as in a factory and on shipment or warehousing.

3D printing disrupts these assumptions by transferring
manufacturing from factories to printing devices located
nearer the consumer, potentially even in their homes.

b. Intellectual Property takes centre stage

If consumers have 3D printers at home, much of the
taxable value may migrate there, where the supply chain
ends, greatly reducing the potential for supply chain taxes.

IP, as a matter of fact, sets the stage for any discussion
of 3D printing and taxation. Any 3D printing tax strategy
needs to consider that IP ownership and authorisation
will account for much more of a product’s value. With the
anticipated shrinkage in manufacturing, customer support
and sales personnel that will accompany this process, tax
authorities’ focus on IP is expected to intensify.

c. Transfer pricing and geographical challenges

Another tax challenge is the effect of 3D printing on
transfer pricing within multinational companies. Every time
a company changes its supply chain, it needs to change
how it shares costs related to taxable functions. If a local
distributor begins printing replacement parts, it could be
considered a factory, so the related transfer pricing would
change. Under current tax laws, it is unclear how or by how
much.

As we enter a new world of 3D printing, there are few
comparables in the current world of manufacturing.

d. Beware of double taxation

As production costs fall, 3D printing could also affect the
percentage of a product’s value that resides in any given
manufacturing location. In a 3D printing world, the value of
a product becomes more intangible than tangible.

So when tax authorities in different geographical locations
ask where the base of product’s profit is located and who
gets the right to tax it, they could come up with very different
answers, setting the stage for double taxation.

e. Global jurisdictional challenges

Business will also face location-sensitive tax questions
related to globally distributed manufacturing via 3D printing including permanent establishment (PE), exit taxes and
“substantial contribution” provisos.

f. 3D printed products can confound customs

Companies and governments often find themselves
contesting the value of imports, as products are shipped
across borders and through customs controls. Such crossborder
calculations could become a whole new equation,
as the increasing placement of 3D printers in local markets
changes global trade flows. While the raw materials or
components used in 3D printers may still cross borders the
old-fashioned way, more of a product’s value will be defined
by the digital blue prints that invisibly traverse the globe.

3D printing could also change the cross-border tax equation
for the value of raw materials and components. If the value
of raw material declines in relation to parts or products, it
could in turn affect customs duties.

The governments will then be looking to replace lost tax
revenue, and pressure could mount for a product’s digital
blue print to become the taxable item.

To sum up, 3D printing, yet another ‘disruptive technology’
will surely turn the business world upside down and the tax
profile of a business inside out!

IV. ROBOTS AND TAXATION

What happens if a new technology causes men to lose their
jobs in a short period of time, or what if most companies
simply no longer need many human workers? These
gloomy prospects loom large because of the advancement
and wide-scale spread of ‘robotic technology’.

Last year, Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft proposed a
tax on robots to fund government expenditure on cushioning
the potential dislocation of millions of workers by the
widespread introduction of robots, and to limit inequality.

However, the arguments ‘for’ and ‘against’ the ‘Robot Tax’
continue across the world and it is not intended to dwell
into the same here.

What one needs to clearly acknowledge is the fact that
we appear to be at a technological ‘tipping point’ in the
diffusion of robotic technology across commerce, industry,
professions and households. It could spread like wildfire.
This could unleash what the economist Joseph Schumpeter
apocalyptically described as a ‘gale of creative destruction’
and set into motion a ‘process of industrial mutation that
incessantly revolutionises the economic structure from
within, incessantly destroying the old one, incessantly
creating a new one’.

The pace of automation is accelerating. In 2015, global
expenditure on robotics rose to US$ 46 billion. Sales of
industrial robots are growing by around 13% a year,
meaning that the ‘birth rate’ of robots is practically doubling
every five years.

The widespread introduction of robots could substantially
reduce the government’s revenues, while simultaneously
creating an increased demand for its support for displaced
workers until they find alternative employment. The heated
debate on ‘whether to tax robots or not’ revolves around
this central issue. However, even while the issue is being
debated, it is imperative that as a first step in taxing robots,
the legislation clearly defines ‘what a robot is?’.

There is currently no clear or agreed definition of what
constitutes a ‘robot’. The term generally conjures up mental
images of mechanical men or even humanoids like the
laconic Terminator, as portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger
in films. But, in practice, it would be challenging to identify
robots by sight. As David Poole has noted, ‘A robot is not a
unit equal to a human. Most are not physical robots, they’re
software robots. It’s no different, really, to a spreadsheet!’.

Given the range and sophistication of robots likely to come
into development, the definition needs to be ‘form neutral’;
i.e. it should include all autonomous robots, bots and similar
smart AI machines. Any proposed definition should be
tested from not just from legal perspectives, but also from
economic, technological and constitutional approaches.

The government, obviously, has a range of possible tax
policy options which include:

• Taxing robots

• Increasing the corporation tax rate

• Lumpsum taxes

• Taxing forms on the imputed notional income of their
robots

• Robot levy

• Imposing a ‘payroll tax’ on computers

• Disallowing relief on the acquisition of robotic
technology

• Increasing the cost of robots

• Increasing the rate of VAT payable on value added by
robots.

To conclude, the governments will be required to urgently
develop a legislative definition and ethical-legal framework
for robots. They should also take steps to introduce
corporate reporting requirements on their deployment, to
gather information that would facilitate remedial action like
the introduction of new taxes. At present, a palpable lack of
leadership in facing up to the substantial risks posed by the rapid diffusion of robotic technologies is on display across
the governments of the world.

VAT: EMERGING GLOBAL TRENDS

Even while the various ‘disruptive technologies’ looming
large on the horizon gear up to wreak havoc with the tax
regimes across the globe, some clear trends or changes
are clearly visible or emerging in the global developments
of indirect taxation. These emerging trends sweeping the
indirect tax landscape are likely to define and reshape the
traditional design and structure of VAT system.
Given that over 60 years have elapsed since first VAT,
serious deliberations are on amongst the tax experts and
policymakers on the need to “reform this revolutionary ‘tax
reform’”, and the contours of such reforms, keeping a close
watch on the emerging global trends.
The discussion in the ensuing paragraphs briefly outlines
these emerging global trends in the field of VAT. The
discussion is based on two independent papers published
by two of the Big 4 Accounting firms. [For reference, see
‘Acknowledgements’]

EMERGING GLOBAL TRENDS IN INDIRECT
TAX

Recently, the Global Indirect Tax Leader at EY published
an article titled ‘Indirect Tax: Five Global Trends’ in the
Bloomberg BNA Indirect Taxes Journal. The article outlines
five key trends sweeping the global indirect tax landscape
which are :

1. VAT and GST rates are stabilizing, but remain high

Following the banking crisis of 2008, VAT and GST rates
increased globally. The average rate of indirect taxes
peaked at 21.5% in the EU and 19% in the OECD. Of
late, these increases have slowed down and may even be
reversing.

2. Reduced VAT and GST rates and exemptions are
making a come back

Related to the post-2008 trend of increased rates, many
countries have broadened their VAT or GST base by
removing exemptions and restricting reduced rates.
However, this trend also seems to be slowing and may be
reversing.

3. The global reach of VAT and GST expands

Globally, VAT and GST have rapidly replaced previousgeneration
single-stage retail sales taxes. Very few
countries do not have a VAT or GST.

4. Digital Tax Measures proliferate

Tax administrations are grappling with the problem of how
to tax cross-border e-commerce and electronic services,
such as, digital downloads, because untaxed online sales
distort competition and reduce tax receipts. Governments
have responded to the growth of digital commerce by
adapting tax laws and using technology to collect tax and
monitor tax information.

5. Tax administrations embrace technology

As well as finding new ways to tax the digital economy, tax
administrations are applying digital technology to administer
indirect taxes more effectively, imposing requirements such
as the electronic submission of VAT or GST declarations,
mandating the use of e-invoicing, and introducing new
reporting standards and real time collection.

While the above trends are, indeed, clearly visible in the
VAT/GST systems around the world, a detailed paper titled
“VAT: A pathway to 2025” published in International Tax
Review in November 2017 by Indirect Tax Team of KPMG
China, seeks to provide a different perspective and insight
in the emerging trends which are likely to sweep indirect
taxes beyond what one can already clearly see.

Starting with a quick snapshot of the ‘here and now’,
the article claims that there has never been a time when
there has been a greater certainty about the future global
direction of indirect taxes, at least over the next few years.
This claim is sought to be buttressed by three propositions:
First, VAT and GST rates throughout the world are at
an all-time high, and there is very little pressure being
brought to bear to either increase or decrease them.
Therefore, any global shift from ‘a rates perspective’ is
unlikely to be seismic, certainly as compared to what
took place globally in the period from 2008 to 2015.
Second, from 2016 through to 2018, we will have seen
several major economies throughout the world implement
a VAT or GST either for the first time or through the
expansion or rationalisation of their existing indirect tax
systems.

Third, in a global context, the period from 2015
through to 2019 (or thereabouts) will be remembered
for the proliferation of digital tax measures – whether
they are measures to tax the cross-border provision
of services that can occur digitally and without the
creation of a permanent establishment, or through a
new measure to tax the business-to-consumer (B2C)
importation of goods through e-commerce platforms.

However, the article asserts that while the OECD’s
recommendations were clearly designed with a view to
implementation in the EU, when applied to countries in
Asia Pacific region, they would be problematic, given
certain fundamental and structural weaknesses of the tax
systems of the countries of this region.

The article then poses a question – ‘Are there bigger
changes afoot with indirect taxes as we move into the
second quarter of the 21st century?’ With a clear intent
to prompt discussion and debate and add some colour
and controversy, while a pathway to 2025 is lighted, the
article posits three key indirect tax trends which are briefly
discussed below:

1. VAT and GST systems will more closely resemble
retail sales taxes

After adverting to the fundamental principles on which VAT
systems are intended to operate, the article states that
under this system, it is an implicit understanding that in a
typical supply chain when there is a flow of goods from say:
a. the manufacturer to the wholesaler;
b. the wholesaler to the retailer; and
c. then from the retailer to the end-consumer,

the only transaction that truly ‘matters’ from a VAT or
GST perspective in the sense that it raises the revenue to
which the tax is directed is transaction (c). The process of
collecting the tax and allowing input credits in transactions
(a) and (b) is merely an administrative mechanism to
reinforce the integrity of tax administration throughout the
wholesale supply chain.

However, from a tax adviser’s perspective, many of the
challenges which one confronts each day are focused on
the problems when the system breaks down in relation
to transactions (a) and (b) – that is, in ensuring the fiscal
neutrality of those transactions, leading to inefficiency,
non-competitiveness and tax cascading through the
supply chain.

The governments may therefore move from VAT system
into a tax system that more closely resembles a single
stage retail sales tax, mainly for three reasons:

First, technology will enable the settlement of tax obligations
between the supplier and the recipient instantaneously,
without the need for any real payment, crediting or refund.

Second, with a view to overcome the problems caused
by fraud – carousel or ‘missing trader’ fraud being the
most prominent -, the governments have resorted to the
reverse charge mechanism in place of VAT and more
recently, a number of EU countries have implemented,
or propose to implement ‘split payment’ methods for VAT
collection, whereby the recipient diverts the VAT included
in the purchase price directly to a bank account held for the
benefit of the tax authorities.

The fraud or evasion is often perpetrated in B2B transactions,
not B2C transactions. So, if there is a recognition already
that by taxing or crediting B2B transactions, the system is
prone to fraud or evasion, then, why do it?

Third, the concept of the supplier accounting for output tax
and recipient claiming input tax in B2B transactions will be
rendered superfluous. What one is left with is a retail sales
tax, that is, a single stage tax that applies to transactions
with end-consumers only.

The article, however, hastens to add that it is not necessarily
suggested that VAT or GST systems will be replaced as a
matter of form with retail sales taxes – rather, it is suggested
that VAT or GST systems will, as a matter of substance,
operate similarly to retail sales taxes.

2. Indirect Taxes to be managed almost exclusively
through technology

While growing automation of indirect tax determination
and administration process, both in government and
business, is clearly on display in last few years, the
technology developments in the broader economy itself will
mean that indirect taxes will be managed exclusively
through technology.

Indirect taxes are, by their very nature transaction-based
taxes. As more and more transactions occur in the digital
world, the logical outcome is that the indirect taxes
whose liabilities flow from these transactions will also be
managed and administered digitally. [See the discussion
on the ‘impact of technology on taxation’ in the preceding
paragraphs].

It is predicted that the role of the indirect tax adviser
will, therefore, be akin to the conductor of an orchestra
– not playing the instruments, but directing the
musicians and ensuring they keep time. The role of the
indirect tax adviser will be to maintain a watch over
the technology, testing the controls, and addressing
problems when they are detected.

The shift to automation will not simply be because the
technology will improve to help manage tax compliance,
but the tax itself will be adapted to fit the technology. The automation will be a function of two forces coming together
– technological advances to help manage tax compliance,
and developments in tax legislation to help the technology
apply in a more automated way.

3. The tax base for indirect taxes will be expanded in
ways not previously contemplated

It is stated that the principles which have, hitherto, defined
or shaped the indirect tax structure over the years may
not hold in 2025. The following developments which
have recently been enacted in China have been cited by
the article as leading a pathway for the rest of the world
to follow:

a. The pre-condition of being a ‘business’ or
‘entrepreneur’ for VAT/GST registration will no
longer apply

Virtually, all VAT systems (including GST system of India)
around the world have a pre-condition for registration and
VAT obligations that supplier is engaged in a business or
commercial or economic activity or is an entrepreneur.
China’s VAT system, by contrast, has no such precondition.
Instead, China’s VAT system imposes registration
and payment obligations on ‘units’ and then imposes
different obligations depending upon turnover thresholds.
The question that arises is whether a profit making
pursuit, coupled with a de minimis exclusion (where the
compliance costs would exceed the tax collected) is all
that is really needed as a precondition for imposing VAT
or GST liabilities. The private consumer/business divide
would then become redundant, in favour of a system that
more closely resembles what one already sees in China.

b. VAT/GST systems will even tax consumer-toconsumer
(C2C) transactions

Digital market places now facilitate trade between private
individuals. These developments in commerce are
commonly labelled as ‘sharing economy’, ‘crowd funding’,
‘crowd sourcing’, and ‘ride sharing’.

The central question is, why should the profit or gains
derived from these activities fall outside the VAT or GST
net? The bigger issue is that VAT or GST systems need to
be adapted to tax the value added, irrespective of whether
it is by a traditional business or a consumer sitting online.

In China, there is no real distinction drawn between
business and non-business activities.

c. Customs duty will need to find a new tax base

Customs duties are inherently narrow in their tax base in
that they typically apply only to goods, nor services. The
question is whether customs duty is at risk of a terminal
decline in its tax base unless changes are made. Is it
possible that customs duties will be expanded to services,
and if so, how would they be collected and administered?

d. VAT/GST will apply to financial services

The traditional reasons cited for not taxing financial services
under VAT or GST was the inability to apply the tax on a
transaction-by-transaction basis. However, that rationale
was conceived in an era when margins were the dominant
model rather than fee-based services.

Early steps to dismantle this were taken in places like
New Zealand (with GST imposed on insurance, through
a cash-based tax), in South Africa (with VAT on fee-based
services), in Australia (with the introduction of the reduced
ITC regime to remove the bias against outsourcing and
to achieve a broadly similar tax outcome to exemption),
in New Zealand again (with B2B zero rating) and more
recently, in China (with a broad-based VAT on financial
services with few exemptions).

The experiments in applying VAT to financial services are
shown to be largely working.

e. The tax base for VAT/GST will be expanded in other
areas too

Even the traditionally exempted areas such as healthcare
and education could potentially be taxed.

The challenge in this area is in balancing the desire for
good policy (which may support the removal of exemptions)
with the political realities of doing so (where taxing the
necessities of life may be seen as politically unpalatable in
some countries).

f. Taxes like a VAT/GST that are founded in
transactions or flows will continue to grow in
importance

The noticeable trend of a decline in the average global
corporate tax rate and increase in the average VAT/GST
rate may continue. In an era of unprecedented dislocation
and disruption to historical business models, what will
emerge is taxes that are imposed on ‘transactions’, or
on ‘cash flows’, and directed to the place where
‘consumption’ occurs.

While not predicting the demise of corporate taxes, it is
predicted that the corporate taxes will transmogrify until they more closely resemble the features of a VAT or GST.

FINAL THOUGHTS

After more than 60 years, VAT may now be at a turning
point in its life. At this juncture, the rapidly changing
climate poses serious challenges for the policymakers,
lawmakers, economists and the tax experts, including
the GST Council in India. The challenge lies in predicting
the intersection of two key developments – the first being
the profound changes we are witnessing to the economy
itself through technological developments that have been
labelled as the ‘fourth industrial revolution’; and the
second being an increasing reliance on indirect taxes
as they mature into a dominant form of taxation in the
21st century.

For Indian GST system, the frequent changes so far made
post-introduction of GST indicate that the government is
learning by its mistakes. In the words of Deng Xiaoping,
it is ‘crossing the river by feeling the stones’. But let
us not lose sight of the above formidable challenges that
lie over the taxation horizon even while we shape (or reshape)
our own GST design and structure! The GST
Council, led by the Union Finance Minister, seems to be
working only on the immediate challenges confronting the
system. However, the world is changing in the way and at
the speed which we cannot comprehend. What, therefore,
is required for the Council is to establish, even while fixing
the short-term challenges, a mechanism that starts working
on identifying the long-term challenges with the aim of
enabling the country’s tax systems to keep pace with the
seismic-level changes sweeping the taxation landscape.

“We must develop a comprehensive and globally
shared view of how technology is affecting our lives
and reshaping our economic, social, cultural, and
human environments. There has never been a time of
greater promise, or greater peril.”

Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman,
World Economic Forum

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

1. ASSOCHAM India and Deloitte (2015) – “Goods and
Services Tax (GST) in India – Taking stock and setting
expectations”

2. Banerjee Sudipto and Sonia Prasad – “Small
Businesses in the GST Regime”

3. Black Stefan – “Robots, technological change and
taxation” – Published on Tax Journal; September 14, 2017

4. Bulk Gijsbert, EY – “Indirect Tax: Five Global Trends”
– Published on International Tax Blog; April 13, 2017

5. Bulk Gijsbert and Barr Ros, EY (2017) – “How
blockchain could transform the world of indirect tax”

6. Charlet Alain and Owens Jaffrey – “An International
Perspective on VAT” – Tax Notes International, September
20, 2010; Vol.59, No.12

7. Charlet Alain and Buydens Stephane- “The OECD
International VAT/GST Guidelines: past and future
developments” – World Journal of VAT/GST Law; (2012)
Vol.1 Issue 2

8. EY (2017) – “In a world of 3D printing, how will you be
taxed?”

9. Flynn Channing, EY (2015) – “3D printing taxation –
Issues and impacts”

10. Hellerstein Walter, Professor Emeritus, University of
Georgia School of Law (October 2015) – “A Hitchhiker’s
Guide to the OECD’s International VAT/GST Guidelines”

11. Nicholson Kevin and Lynn Laetitia, PWC, UK – “How
blockchain technology could improve the tax system”

12. OECD – “Consumption Tax Trends (2016); VAT/GST
and Excise Rates, Trends and Administration Issues”

13. OECD/G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project –
“Tax Challenges Arising From Digitilisation – Interim Report
2018 (Inclusive Framework on BEPS)”

14. Owens Jeffrey, Piet Battiau, Alain Charlet – “VAT’s
next half century: Towards a single-rate system?”

15. O’Sullivan David, Consumption Taxes Unit, OECD
– “Global Developments in VAT/GST – Overview and
Outlook”

16. Poddar Satya and Ahmad Ehtisham – “GST Reforms
and Intergovernmental Considerations in India”.

17. Rao Govinda M. and Rao Kavita R., NIPFP (2005)
–“Trends and Issues in Tax Policy and Reform in India”

18. Rao Govinda M. – “GST Bill; First step, but with birth
defects” – Published in Financial Express, May 05, 2015

19. Shailendra Kumar, TIOL. “GST Roll-out with hiccups;
white paper on Future DESIGN warranted” – TIOL – COB
(WEB) – 561; July 06, 2017

20. Shailendra Kumar, TIOL- “Revamped GST calls
for change in Basic Design!” – TIOL-COB(WEB)- 583;
December 07, 2017

21. Shailendra Kumar, TIOL- “Rebooting of GST – A TIOL
word of caution for the Council” – TIOL-COB(WEB) -589;
January 18, 2018

22. Shailendra Kumar, TIOL – “Dear FM, Let’s not rush
into, India can ill-afford semi-cooked GST laws” – TIOLCOB(
WEB) -513; August 11, 2016

23. Steveni John and Smith Paul, PWC – “Blockchain –
will it revolutionise tax?” – July 01, 2016

24. Walker Jon – “Robot tax – A Summary of Arguments
“For” and “Against” – Last updated on October 14, 2017

25. Wolfers Lachlan, Shen Shirley, Wang John and
Jiang Aileen, KPMG China – “VAT: A pathway to 2025”
– Published on International Tax Review; November
28, 2017

VIEW AND COUNTERVIEW
GST – SHOULD TECHNOLOGY OVERRIDE THE LAW?

GST runs on technology platform.
Often technology and legal provisions are out of sync. Technology (GSTN)
prohibits actions that are specifically permitted by law. Often technology
seems to impede the letter and spirit of law and the tax payer is stranded.
Problems are many: Inability to claim credits if Place of Supply is different
than registered address, inability to upload an invoice where the customer is
wrongly tagged as SEZ Unit/Developer, issues of an erratic portal, mismatches
in Shipping Bill Numbers resulting in blockage of refunds to exporters, Forced
Utilization and Cross Utilization of Credit Balances before cash payment
settlement, Requirement to identify supplies to composition persons separately
in GSTR-3B…This third VIEW and COUNTERVIEW aims to inform the reader of multi
dimensional totality of an issue, and enable him to see a matter from a broad
horizon.

 

VIEW: Technology is
playing an Important Role in GST Implementation

 

Govind G. Goyal   

Chartered Accountant

 

In today’s
world, technology is playing plausible role in every sphere of our life. With
speedy internet access, technology has made it possible to accomplish many
things almost instantly. Technological developments in last few years have
changed the way we live our lives. Today, whether it is sharing of news, views,
pictures, messages, knowledge based discussion, buying, selling, travel,
entertainment, research, development, banking, investment, management, and administration
– most of our acts and deeds are guided or assisted by technology.

 

People, world
over, are using technology and so do the Governments. As far as GST is
concerned, such a mega reform in the field of indirect taxation would not have
been possible to implement without the use of well researched network of
Information Technology (IT).

 

Introduction
of GST, in India, is certainly a paradigm shift in the field of indirect taxes
which will necessarily change the manner in which the taxes were being administered.
Earlier the Centre as well as the States and Union Territories were having
their own laws and procedures for taxing goods and services whereby there were
multiple taxes, multiple compliances and so the multiple administrations
thereof. But, in GST, all those States, Union Territories as well as the Centre
have come together. Most of the taxes, which were levied separately, were
consolidated under the vision of ‘One Nation One Tax’. Although, legally
speaking there may be separate legislation for Centre and States, the
technological network has made it possible like ‘one registration’, ‘one
challan’, ‘one return’, etc.

 

India’s dual
GST system also ensures each stake holder (i.e. Centre, States and UTs)
receives their share of revenue in time. At the same time GST, being
destination based tax, it ensures that the tax amount travels simultaneously
with the movement of goods and/or services, as the case may be. The registered
tax payer (recipient of goods/services) has to be ensured every eligible input
tax credit of Central GST (CGST), State GST (SGST) or Integrated GST (IGST).
And there is Cess also on some of the commodities, which has to be accounted
separately. Migration of tax payers (under the earlier laws) to GST was a
tedious job. Nevertheless, all those tax payers (more than 64 lakh in number)
spread over various States and UTs could smoothly migrate to the new system,
thanks to the robust Information technology backbone. In addition, more than 44
lakh new tax payers (spread all over India) have opted for new registration
(July 17 to April 18). Each of these tax payers has been assigned one unique
GSTIN, which is valid for all the taxes i.e. CGST, SGST/UGST and IGST. There is
no separate number needed for Centre and State GST. Presently more than 10
million tax payers are liable to submit data of outward supplies, inward
supplies, tax payable and ITC, etc., through various returns and
formats. There are a large number of commodities and services, out of which
some are nil rated, while others are liable to tax at several different rates.
Some of the transactions are zero rated, while a few are liable for a
concessional rate of taxation. There are about 20 lakh taxpayers, who have
opted for ‘composition schemes’. Such tax payers are discharging their tax
liability differently than other registered tax payers. While dealing with
about 250 to 300 crore B2B invoices per month, one has to keep track of all
such kind of transactions so as to see that correct amount of tax is being paid
by the tax payer/s and instant credit thereof is granted as soon as the payment
is cleared through respective bank.       

 

The law
provides that GSTN (GST Network, which is presently managing IT network)
maintains three types of ledgers (or registers), for each tax payer, (1)
Liability Register – wherein tax payable on supplies made by the tax payer is
recorded (as per periodic data related to supplies uploaded by the tax payer)
(2) Credit Ledger – In which credit of ITC and utilisation thereof is recorded
and (3) Cash Register – wherein all payments made by the tax payer (through
bank challan) and utilisation thereof is recorded. All these ledgers/registers
are instantly updated and available for viewing by the tax payer. To avoid most
of the common mistakes, in preparation of challan for payment of taxes, a
system has been developed whereby a payment challan has to be created through
IT network of GST portal. The system has provided great relief to the tax
payers, bankers as well as the Government Departments.

 

GST IT Strategy:

The GSTN has
been assigned the role of facing taxpayers and these among other things include
filing of registration application, filing of return, creation of challan for
tax payment, settlement of IGST payment (like a clearing house), generation of
business intelligence and analytics. All statutory functions to be performed by
tax officials under GST like approval of registration, assessment, audit,
appeal, enforcement etc. remains with the respective tax departments.

 

Thus, GSTN has
the main responsibility of providing a robust IT infrastructure and related
services to the Central and State Governments, taxpayers and other
stakeholders, by integrating the common GST portal and connecting it to the
existing tax administration IT systems. The common GST Portal developed by GSTN
is functioning as the front-end of the overall GST IT eco-system. The back end
operations are being looked after by the IT systems of CBEC (Central Board of
Excise and Customs) and State Tax Departments.

 

Under GST, the
registration of taxpayers is common under Central and State GST and hence, one
place of filing application for the same i.e. the Common GST portal. The
application so received is being checked for its completeness by the GST
portal, which will also carry out validation of data like PAN from CBDT,
CIN/DIN from MCA and Aadhaar of promoters, if provided, from UIDAI. After
completion of validation, the registration application thereafter is shared
with respective central and state tax authorities. Query of tax authorities, if
any, and their final decision is communicated to GST portal which in turn
communicates the same to the taxpayer.

 

The Common GST
Portal, as explained in brief above, is the single interface for all taxpayers
from any part of the country. Only in case where a taxpayer is picked up for
scrutiny or audit, and such cases are expected to be small in number, he will
interface with the respective tax authority issuing the notice under the Act.
For all other cases, which is expected to be around 95%, the Common GST Portal
will be the only taxpayer interface.

 

As far as
filing of returns is concerned, under GST there is one common return for CGST,
SGST and IGST, eliminating the need to file separate tax returns with Central
and state GST authorities. Checking of claim of Input Tax Credit (ITC) is one
of the fundamental pillars of GST, for which data of Business to Business (B2B)
invoices have to be uploaded and matched. The Common GST Portal created and
managed by GSTN will do this matching on the basis of invoice level data filed
as part of return by all taxpayers. Similar exercise will be done for
inter-state supplies where goods or services will move from the state of origin
to the state of consumption and so will the taxes. The claim of IGST and its
utilisation will be settled based on returns filed at the Common GST portal.

 

Although,
there may have been initial hiccups due to various reasons, but learning from
past, adopting appropriate strategies, and constant improvement thereof is the
key to success. The fact remains that the IT network of GSTN, CBEC and that of
respective State Governments, together, are rendering plausible services to all
stake holders in the implementation of GST in our country.   

 

(Thanks to Shri Gajanan Khanande,
Deputy Commissioner of Goods and Services Tax, Maharashtra, for necessary
inputs.)

 

counterview:
Technology cannot override the provisions of Law

 

Sushil Solanki, IRS and
Drashti Sejpal

Chartered Accountants

 

One of the
important features of GST structure, adopted by the policy makers, is the IT
network which is the backbone for almost all the processes like registration,
return filing, tax payment, etc. On the face of it, it promises minimal
human intervention, giving the hope of a robust transparent system which should
have been welcomed by all the stakeholders.

After passing
of more than 10 months, the said hope has belied the expectations and there
have been a lot of hue and cry across the country about helplessness of the
taxpayers in handling the situation arising out of glitches or non-functioning
of the IT network.

 

Under the
authority of section 146 of the CGST Act, the Central Government has notified
vide Notification no. 4/2017- Central Tax, www.gst.gov.in, as the website
managed by Goods and Service Tax Network (GSTN).

 

While
operating the GSTN, the taxpayers have faced many situations whereunder, they
could not upload the information in the returns or even file the returns or
applications. Some of the illustrations are the following:

 

1) In many
cases TRAN-1 return was not uploaded even after it was ‘submitted’. It has
resulted in either not carrying forward the ITC balance available with the
taxpayer to the GST regime or mismatch between GSTR-3B and electronic credit
ledger. It also led to inability to file returns for subsequent months.
Exporters could not get refunds because of non-filing of returns.

 

2) In the case
of sale of imported bonded goods, the CBIC has clarified vide Circular No.
46/2017- Customs treating the said transaction liable to payment of IGST
irrespective of location of buyer (place of supply). Whenever sale was made to
customer within the same State, the said transactions were not accepted by GSTN
for payment of IGST as the system was classifying those transactions as
intra-state transaction liable to payment of CGST & SGST. The system was
behaving against the provisions of law. In future, GST Officer may allege
payment of wrong taxes and even wrong availment of credit by the buyers.

 

3) On
introduction of GST, all the existing taxpayers were migrated to GST. A large
number of them had stopped the business or decided to close the business, but
the GST portal did not have facility for cancellation of registration till
November 2017. This has led to imposition of penalties for non-filing of
returns. In one of the States, the GST officers have   issued  
the  best   judgement  
assessment  orders u/s. 62
treating the cases of non-filers and huge demands have been raised against them
because the system was not accepting their cancellation application and there
is no provision in the law to file manual applications.

 

4) Section 170
of the CGST Act requires rounding off the tax payable amount. On the other
hand, online GSTR-1 facility which calculates the tax payable amount
automatically does not round off the tax payment. It led to mismatch between
GSTR-3B and GSTR-1 return resulting in non-payment of refund to exporters.

 

There are many
such instances where GSTN portal was not supporting what the GST law has
provided for. The question, therefore, is whether GSTN portal can override the
provisions of law, thus taxpayers be made liable to suffer financial hardship
and penal consequences. The answer is definitely a big NO. Let us analyse this
with legal reasoning.

 

Section 146
and the Notification issued there under provides that, an electronic portal
would be notified by the Government for “facilitating” the processes like
registration, payment of tax, return filing and for carrying out functions and
purposes under the GST law. The existence of GSTN is only for facilitating the
functions and purposes of the GST law. Therefore, GSTN or the technology, which
is subservient to the law, can never override the provisions of law.

 

Even though,
to our knowledge, there is no judicial precedent available on the issue as to
whether technology would prevail over law or vice versa, but the courts
have consistently held that in the absence of any machinery provision to
implement a provision of law, the substantive law itself fails because of being
incapable of implementation.

 

The Supreme
Court has in the case of B. C. Srinavasa Shetty [1981 AIR 972], while
examining whether there arises capital gains liability on goodwill of a new
business, held that there cannot be a levy of tax without existence of a
machinery computation provision. A similar view has also been taken by the High
Court of Orissa in the case of Larsen and Toubro Limited [2008 12 VST 31
(Orissa)]
, which was later affirmed by the Supreme Court, wherein while
examining whether without a specific provision allowing reduction of the value
of land from the value of service, levy of tax on sale of under construction
flats by a builder is valid, the Court has held that charging provisions as
well as the machinery for its computation has to be provided in the Statute or
the rules framed under the Statute. The Act is unworkable in the absence of
necessary rules.

 

The Supreme
Court in the case of Govind Saran Ganga Saran (1985) 155 ITR 144, while
examining the validity of CST levy on cotton yarn where the law omitted to
prescribe the single point at which the levy could be imposed, observed that:

 

“The
components which enter into the concept of a tax are well known. The first
is the character of the imposition known by its nature which prescribes the
taxable event attracting the levy, the second is a clear indication of
the person on whom the levy is imposed and who is obliged to pay the tax, the third
is the rate at which the tax is imposed, and the fourth is the measure
or value to which the rate will be applied for computing the tax liability. If
those components are not clearly and definitely ascertainable, it is difficult
to say that the levy exists in point of law. Any uncertainty or vagueness in
the legislative scheme defining any of those components of the levy will be
fatal to its validity.”(emphasis supplied)

 

If we adopt
the reasoning given by the courts, it is crystal clear that if the law provides
for certain responsibility to be fulfilled by a taxpayer through a mechanism to
be put in place by Government or any other authority, the failure to provide
such mechanism will absolve the taxpayer from his responsibility and the
consequence thereof. The reason for such views taken by the courts is that in
the absence of any mechanism or facility which was to be provided by law, the
taxpayer cannot be made to suffer. In the case of GST, the non-availability of
certain facilities in the GST portal or inability of GSTN to permit entering of
certain details or filing of return cannot make the taxpayer to suffer its
consequences. The judicial pronouncements discussed above would definitely
support this view.

 

Because of
various glitches in the GSTN portal, a number of taxpayers have approached High
Courts. The courts, including Allahabad High Court (Continental Pvt. Ltd. and
others) and Bombay High Court (Abicore and Binjel Techno Weld Pvt. Ltd. and
others), have provided relief by allowing them to file manual TRAN-1 return or
to extend the deadline for filing of return/s.

The fact that
technology cannot override the provisions of law has also been admitted by the
Government vide CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) Circular
No. 39/13/2018-GST
, wherein an IT-Grievance Redressal Mechanism has been
put in place to redress the grievances raised by taxpayers with regards to the
failure to filing a return or form within the time limit prescribed in the law
due to IT related glitches. Para 5.2 of the said Circular clearly states that
the application for redressal has to be made for those glitches due to which
the due process as envisaged in the law could not be completed on the Common
Portal. The circular has also empowered the said committee to provide relief
for past cases.

 

It is,
therefore, quite clear that GSTN is merely an infrastructural tool which would
assist and facilitate the compliances to be done by a taxpayer and it cannot
override the provisions of the law.

 

I do realise
that there are possibilities of IT related glitches when a tax reform of this
magnitude for a vast country like India is introduced. It has happened in the
past while implementation of VAT in many States who also adopted technology
based systems.

 

But, what is
disheartening is that Government has taken considerable period of time to come
out with redressal mechanism. Moreover, the mechanism is very restrictive and
many of genuine grievances presented before the committee may be rejected on
the grounds that a problem relates to individual taxpayer and not large section
of taxpayer or it does not pertain to non-filing of return.

 

The Government
should have allowed all types of cases to be presented before the said
committee with an assurance that a time-bound solution would be provided. Alternatively,
taxpayer may be allowed to file manual returns or documents in order to help
him in claiming refund or allowing the credit to the buyer.

 

In fact,
making an omnibus provision in the GST law that no penal action including
interest liability would arise against any taxpayer or his customer due to
non-filing or wrong filing of returns etc. on account of IT glitches,
Government should keep in mind that handholding of taxpayers at the initial
stage of GST reform is one of their prime responsibilities.
 

GST@1: GOODNESS OF A SIMPLE TAX

If a tax was good and simple it would not be a tax. From the
Indian experience of past 70 years, calling a tax good and simple is mythical
and superfluous. If I had to paint a common taxpayer of pre GST regime in a
vivid visual description, I would choose to make him look like a duck stuck in
an oil spill. The first-year journey of GST left many people feeling like that
duck too. The difference between the two eras is that the oil spill is receding
fast and the promise of fresh waters is more conceivable. That I think is the
goodness of GST as I think of it on its first anniversary. 

 

Much water has flowed since the midnight of 30th
June 2017 – from rate changes, to law changes, to GSTN changes, to procedural
changes, to return changes, to timeline changes, to body clock changes (of GST
service providers). Amongst such changes, there is one change that cannot be
ignored: the change of opinion of taxpayers about GST. BCAS carried out a dip
stick survey of taxpayers. While many changes are necessary and expected, most
taxpayers remained positive, optimistic and pragmatic about GST.

 

India is known for its ‘unity in diversity’ and we have
evolved it in a way which grants something for everyone. The interpretation of
this axiom is such that everyone’s demand must be met! Call it states and
centre, rich and poor, forward and backward, farmer and trader and every other
binary. Law making also succumbed to that format. Nevertheless, we paid a price
of multiplicity, clutter, inefficiency, red tape, ambiguity, and all the
interplay between them. GST changed that in a big way. I would like to call it
Uniformity in Diversity in spite of all its shortcomings – a single umbrella to
fit everyone. 

 

Yesterday, I was returning through the Vashi bridge. On my
left, I saw the lonely and desolate board of Octroi check naka (remember the
‘good’ old days?). The entire complex was sealed with tall metal boards. Lines
of trucks waiting at ‘naka’ after ‘naka’ to be ‘checked’ flashed in my mind. As
I was driving – beyond the octroi post and through that thought, I realised
that in effect, the trucks were not halting, but our progress was. What seemed
like checking was actually choking our growth.

 

GSTN is painful when it so frequently does not work. The same
GSTN also remains the backbone and blood stream of GST law and especially its
future. GSTN brought together humongous spread of geographies and disjointed
tax regimes. With it, the promise of what is possible in the times to come.

 

My meeting in Vashi was with a French subsidiary. The group
CFO showed me an App that had Optical Character Recognition (OCR). France had
legally barred paper invoices/documents for companies last year. For expenses,
all he had to do was take a photo of the tax invoice through that app and up it
went into the company ERP. The app’s OCR read the vendor name, VAT number,
amount and even the description and it did all the rest from taking credit to
preserving the image for the company. Imagine, a paperless VAT in a country
that sold VAT stationery not too long ago. 

 

A week earlier, I met a trader in Pune. He told me a story
from those ‘good old days’ that were not too long ago. Their trade association,
he said once requested the state finance minister for a VAT / Sales Tax rate
reduction in return for some ‘greasing’.

 

Reading both these examples
together, the goodness of GST is simple – it holds colossal potential for
future – of making a tax that is both good and simple.

 

Raman Jokhakar

Editor

FORTHCOMING
EVENTS

COMMITTEE

EVENT NAME

DATE

VENUE

NATURE OF EVENT

June, 2018

Human Development and
Technology Initiatives Committee

The 11th Jal
Erach Dastur CA Annual Day
TARANG 2K18

Saturday, 9th June 2018

K C College

Student Annual Day

Human Development and Technology Initiatives Committee

Soulful Trip to Muni Seva
Ashram,
Baroda – Noble Social Cause

Thursday, 14th
& 15th June 2018

Dakor – Goraj, Muni Seva
Ashram, Baroda

Others Programme

Human Development and
Technology Initiatives Committee

POWER-UP SUMMIT

REIMAGINING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Saturday, June 16th,
2018

Orchid Hotel, Mumbai

Others Programme

Indirect Taxation
Committee

12th
Residential Study Course on GST

Thursday to Sunday 21st
June to 24th June 2018

Marriott Hotel, Kochi

RSC/House Full

Managing Committee

Lecture Meeting on “Transforming Mumbai –
Challenges and Opportunities” by Shri. Ajoy Mehta

(Hon. Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai)

Tuesday, 26th
June 2018

Walchand Hirachand Hall
IMC 4th Floor Churchgate,
Mumbai-400020

Lecture Meeting

July, 2018

Managing Committee

Lecture Meeting on

“Taxation of Transactions
in Securities”,
by CA. Pinakin Desai

Wednesday,
11th July 2018

Walchand Hirachand Hall IMC 4th Floor Churchgate,
Mumbai
-400020

Lecture Meeting

August, 2018

International Taxation Committee

International Tax &
Finance

Conference, 2018

Wednesday, 15th
August 2018 to Saturday, 18th August 2018

Narayani Heights,
Ahmedabad

ITF

STUDY CIRCLE

June, 2018

Human Development and
Technology Initiatives Committee

“Saptapadi of Family
Happiness”

Monday, 25th
June, 2018

BCAS Conference Hall, 7,
Jolly Bhavan No. 2, New Marine Lines, Mumbai-400020.

HRD Study Circle

 

BCAS – E-Learning Platform
(https://bcasonline.courseplay.co/)

Course Name E-Learning Platform

Name of the BCAS Committee

Date, Time and Venue

Course Fees (INR)**

Members

Non – Members

Three Days Workshop On
Advanced
Transfer Pricing

International Taxation
Committee

As per your convenience

5550/-

6350/-

Four Day Orientation
Course on Foreign          Exchange
Management Act (FEMA)

International Taxation
Committee

As per your convenience

7080/-

8260/-

Workshop on Provisions
& Issues – Export/ Import/ Deemed Export/ SEZ Supplies

Indirect Taxation
Committee

As per your convenience

1180/-

1475/-

7th
Residential Study Course On Ind As

Accounting & Auditing
Committee

As per your convenience

2360/-

2360/-

Full Day Seminar On
Estate Planning, Wills and Family Settlements

Corporate & Allied
Laws Committee

As per your convenience

1180/-

1180/-

Workshop on “Foreign Tax
Credit”

International Taxation
Committee

As per your convenience

1180/-

1475/-

BCAS Initiative –
Educational Series on GST

Indirect Taxation
Committee

As per your convenience

Free

Free

GST Training program for
Trade, Industry
and Profession

Indirect Taxation
Committee

As per your convenience

Free

Free

**Course Fee is inclusive of 18% GST.

 For more details, please contact Javed Siddique at 022
– 61377607 or email to events@bcasonline.org

Do Facebook Friendships Make Parties Co-Conspirators? – SEBI Passes Yet Another Order

SEBI has
passed yet another order
* holding
that being ‘friends’ on Facebook is ground enough to allege that the two
parties are connected and thus guilty for insider trading violations. Based on
this, SEBI has passed an interim order requiring such ‘connected person’ to
deposit the allegedly ill-gotten gains and also initiated proceedings for
debarment. About two years back, by an order dated 4th February
2016, SEBI had made a similar ruling that was discussed in this column.
However, in that case, the social media connection was not the sole connection.
Such orders raise several concerns since people are increasingly connected in
social media to friends, relatives and even strangers.

 

Summary
of some relevant provisions of law relating to insider trading

Insider
trading is believed to be rampant not just in India but also in other
countries. Proving that there was insider trading the guilty is a difficult
task. In India, it is also perceived that lack of adequate powers with SEBI to
determine “connections” between parties makes Regulators’ job a little more
difficult. Primarily, SEBI has to show that a person is connected with the
company or persons close to it. Further, it has to also show that unpublished
price sensitive information existed that was used to deal in shares and make
profit. In many cases, close insiders like executives, directors, etc. get
access to valuable price sensitive information and fall to temptation of easy
profits. Such cases are easier to investigate, compile sufficient and direct
evidence and punish the wrong doer.

 

However,
capital markets also attract sophisticated operators who use advanced tools and
techniques to avoid detection. Information can be increasingly shared in a
manner difficult to even detect, much less prove, more so with fast developing
technology, encryption, etc.

 

The SEBI
(Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 does use several deeming
provisions that help establish a basic case. Some of these presumptions can be
rebutted by showing facts to the contrary.

 

To determine
whether there was insider trading in such cases, certain facts/circumstances
would have to be established. Firstly, it would have to be shown that there was
price sensitive information relating to the company that was not yet made available
to the public. Then, it would have to be shown that the suspected person is
‘connected’ to the company or certain insiders. Several categories of persons
are deemed to be connected. Alternatively, if the suspect is an unconnected
person, then he should be shown to have received such information from the
company or a connected person or otherwise. Then it would have to be shown that
such person dealt in the securities of the company while such information was
not yet made public.

 

Proving
“connection”

As discussed
above, there are some categories of persons that are deemed to be connected.
Directors, employees, auditors, etc. are, for example, deemed to be
connected if their position enables them access to unpublished price sensitive
information (“UPSI”).

 

Then there
are persons who are in “frequent communication with its officers” which enables
them access to UPSI. And so on.

 

Proving
contractual connection of directors, auditors, etc. would be relatively
easy. Proving that their position enables them access to UPSI requires
compiling of relevant information such as their nature of duties, their
position in the company, the nature of information that was UPSI, etc.
This information can be compiled with the help of the company.

 

Difficulty
arises in proving connection of persons who are not so closely associated with
the company. It would have to be proved, for example, that he was in frequent
communication with the officers, etc. of the company. This may be
possible if SEBI is able to establish, for example, a pattern of communication
of such person with the officers, etc. Alternatively, it would have to
be shown that the person was in possession of such UPSI, which is often more
difficult, more considering that parties may use sophisticated
techniques/technology to communicate.

 

What
happened in the present case?

Before going
into the details of this case, it is emphasised that this is an interim order.
There are no final findings and the statements made therein are allegations,
though after a certain level of investigation and also inquiring and obtaining
information from the parties concerned.

 

SEBI found
that the Managing Director (“MD”) of the listed company in question had
acquired a significant quantity of shares of the company. These purchases were
made when certain price sensitive information existed but was not published. It
appears that SEBI also found that certain other persons had also dealt in the
shares of the company during this time and made significant profits.

 

The price
sensitive information concerned certain large contracts received by the
company. SEBI found that, during this period, the company had been awarded
large contracts of hiring of oil drilling rigs through a process of tender. The
process of tendering broadly involved certain stages. The first stage was
invitation of the bids and due submission of bids by the company. The second
stage was, in one case, revision of the bid to satisfy certain requirements. Thereafter,
the bids were opened and the top bidder (termed as L1) was declared. A formal
and final award of the order followed thereafter. SEBI held that declaration as
top bidder made it more or less certain that the contract would be awarded to
such person. Hence, SEBI decided that this was the time when price sensitive
information came into being. Till such information was formally published by
the company, the information remained UPSI and hence, insiders were barred from
dealing in the shares of the company.

 

It may be
added here that the contracts so awarded constituted a very significant portion
of the turnover of the company and hence, SEBI held that this information was
price sensitive. It also demonstrated that the price of the equity shares of
the company on stock exchanges increased when the information was made public.

 

The MD and
certain other persons were found to have purchased/dealt in the shares of the
company during this period.

 

Showing
that the MD was connected and dealt in the shares of the Company

SEBI held
that the MD was closely involved in the bidding process and indeed present at
the time when the bids were opened. The MD was thus held to be `an insider’.

 

It was then
shown that he had purchased shares of the company during this period and before
the information was made public. SEBI concluded that the MD had engaged in
insider trading.

 

Showing
that the other persons were connected and that they dealt in the shares of the
Company

SEBI found
that two other persons had dealt in the shares of the company during this same
period and made substantial profits. They had purchased shares of the company
before the UPSI was made public and sold the shares thereafter.

 

The
individual, Sujay Hamlai, was 50% owner of shares and director of a private
limited company, while his brother held the remaining 50% shares and was also
its director. Sujay and his company had dealt in the shares of the company.

 

When the MD
and these persons were asked whether they were connected to each other, their
reply, to paraphrase, was that they had no business connection but as
individuals they were socially acquainted.

 

SEBI checked
the Facebook profiles of such persons and found that the MD was ‘friends’ with
Sujay and his brother/spouse. Further, they had ‘liked’ each other’s photos
that were posted on this social media site. No other connection was found by
SEBI. However, SEBI held that this was sufficient for it to allege and hold for
the purposes of this order that they were connected and thus insiders.

 

Order
by SEBI

Having held
that the parties were insiders and that they had dealt in the shares of the
company while there was UPSI, it passed certain interim orders. It ordered them
to deposit in an escrow account the profits made with simple interest at 12%
per annum.

 

The interim
order also doubled up as a show cause notice, since, as mentioned earlier, the
findings of SEBI were meant to be allegations subject to reply/rebuttal by the
parties. Thus, the parties were asked to reply to these allegations and also
why adverse directions should not be passed against them. Such adverse
directions would be three. Firstly, the amount so deposited would be formally
disgorged/forfeited. Secondly, the parties may be debarred from accessing
capital market. Finally, the parties may be prohibited from dealing in
securities for a specified term.

 

Determination
of profits and total amount to be deposited

The
determination of profits is demonstrative of how working out of profits for
purposes of insider trading follows a particular method and hence worth a
review. SEBI first determined the purchase price of the shares by the parties.

 

In the MD’s
case, since he had not sold the shares. SEBI thus determined the closing price
of the equity shares immediately after the UPSI was made public. The
difference, the increase, was deemed to be the profit and the value of such
profit for the shares was held to be profits from insider trading.

 

Sujay and
his company had sold the shares some time after the UPSI was made public.
However, the method of determining profits from insider trading was the same as
for the MD. The difference between the closing price of the shares immediately
after the publishing of the UPSI and the purchase price was deemed to be the
profit from insider trading.

 

To such
profits, simple interest @ 12% per annum was added till the date of the Order.
Adjustment was also made for dividends received during this period.

The total
amount so arrived, being Rs. 175.58 lakhs for the MD, Rs. 18.20 lakhs for Sujay
and Rs. 47.86 lakhs for Sujay’s company, was ordered to be deposited in escrow
account pending final disposal of the proceedings. The parties were also
ordered not to alienate any of their assets till the amount was deposited.

 

Conclusion

It is seen
that in this case, the sole basis of alleging ‘connection’ between the MD and
Sujay/his company was their ‘connection’ on social media website Facebook.
There were of course other suspicious circumstances of timing of purchases by
Sujay, other factors listed in the order such as insignificant trades in other
shares, very recent opening of broker/demat account, etc. But the social
media connection seems to be the deciding factor.

 

Whatever may
be the final outcome in this particular case – whether in the final order of
SEBI after due reply by the parties and/or in appeal – some concerns come to
mind. SEBI uses social media activities and connections of parties to compile
information that it may be useful for its investigations in insider trading. It
is obvious that SEBI may do this also for other investigations where
connections are relevant such as price manipulations, frauds, takeovers, etc.
Even other authorities – regulators, police, etc. – would access social
media profiles of persons.

 

However, it is also common knowledge that more and
more people are on social media. There are also several other social media
websites apart from Facebook – viz., Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, etc.
Connections are made not necessarily with persons whom one may know but even
with persons who are totally strangers. One may thus have thousands of
‘connections’. Making a connection is often a mere clicking on the ‘following’
button or ‘send’ or ‘confirm’ friend request and the like. The objective may be
to interact with such persons for online discussions or even to plainly
‘follow’ for knowing their views. It is possible that persons may end up facing
investigation purely on account of the activities of persons whom one may be
having such thin connections. While orders like these may be taken as a lesson
of caution for all of us as to whom we get ‘connected’ with, considering the
reality of social media, it is submitted that SEBI and other
regulators/authorities should come out with reasonable guidelines as to how
such ‘connections’ are treated and what presumptions are drawn.

*Order dated 16th April 2018,
in the case of Deep Industries Limited



New Construction in Mumbai

Introduction

Real estate development is big
business in a metropolis such as Mumbai. However, what happens if all new real
estate development is abruptly halted by the High Court? A large part of the
economy would come to a grinding halt. However, this is what happened in Mumbai
on account of an Order passed by the Bombay High Court. The Order was passed to
tackle the growing problem of solid waste management in the City and the
inefficiency of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) in tackling
it. Nevertheless, it caused a great deal of issues and strife for the real
estate community. Now, a Supreme Court Order has given some respite from this.

 

Bombay
High Court’s Order

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
was filed before the Bombay High Court against the inefficient disposal of
solid waste arising during construction of real estate properties in the City
of Mumbai. Based on this, the Bombay High Court passed its Order in the case of
Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Pandurang Patil, CA No.
221/2013 Order dated 29.02.2016.
  

 

The Court observed that everyday
the MCGM was illegally dumping over 7,400 metric tonnes of solid waste at its
dumping sites in Mumbai. This figure was expected to significantly increase on
various counts, including the several buildings being constructed in the City.
This illegal dumping would cause increased pollution along with posing fire
hazards. On the other hand, there were a large number of constructions going on
in the city. In fact, the State Government had amended the Development Control
Regulations by providing for grant of more and more Floor Space Index (FSI).
Thus, the Court held that the State Government was encouraging unsustainable
growth.

 

Further, under earlier PILs, the
High Court had granted time to the MCGM to set up waste disposal and processing
facilities at the dumping grounds which time had also expired and nothing was
done by the MCGM. The Court held that something drastic needed to be done to
improve the situation, such as, to impose some restrictions on the unabated
development in the city. Moreover, it was the duty of the Court to ensure that
the provisions of the Environment Protection Act,1986 and the Municipal Solid
waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000 were implemented in as much as the
breach thereof would amount to depriving a large number of citizens of Mumbai a
fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution of India, which was, the
right to live in a pollution free environment.

 

Accordingly, the High Court
extended the time granted to the MCGM for installing waste processing
facilities till 30th June 2017. It noted that neither the said
Municipal Corporation nor the State Government had any solution whatsoever for
ensuring that the quantity of solid waste generated in the city should not
increase. Further, it was of the view, that the State Government was more
worried about the impact of imposing any restraint on the new constructions in
the city on the real estate industry. It felt that on one hand there was no
real possibility of any Authority complying with the Management of Solid Waste
Rules and on the other hand, the development by construction of buildings in
the city continued on a very large scale. There were also proposals for grant
of additional FSI by amending the Regulations. It therefore, was of the view
that, in case of certain development proposals, restrictions had to be imposed.
More so, because neither the State Government nor the Municipal Corporation has
bothered to make a scientific assessment of the impact of large scale
constructions going on in the city on the generation of the solid waste in the
city.

 

The Court was conscious of the fact
that in the city of Mumbai there were a large number of re-development projects
which were going on and the occupants of the existing premises might have
vacated their respective premises. Therefore, for the time being, it did not
impose any restrictions on the grant approval for proposals/applications for
the re-development projects including the construction of sale component
buildings under schemes sanctioned by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA).
However, it held that restrictions would have to be imposed on consideration of
fresh proposals/applications submitted for new construction of the buildings
for residential or commercial purposes.

 

Finally, the Bombay High Court
placed the following curbs on new development/construction in Mumbai:

 

(a) Development
permissions shall not be granted either by the MCGM or the State Government on
the applications/proposals submitted from 1st March 2016 for
construction of new buildings for residential or commercial use including
malls, hotels and restaurants. Such applications would be processed, but the
commencement certificate shall not be issued. However, this condition would not
apply to all the redevelopment projects and to the buildings proposed to be
constructed for hospitals or educational institutions. It would also not apply
to proposals for repairs/reconstruction of the existing buildings which do not
involve use of any additional FSI in addition to the FSI already consumed.

 

(b) Even
if there was an amendment of the Regulations made hereafter providing for grant
of additional FSI in the city, the benefit of the same shall not be extended to
the building proposals/ Applications for development permissions including for
the re-development projects submitted on or after 1st March 2016.

 

Supreme
Court’s Order

Aggrieved by this total ban on new
construction, the Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry approached the
Supreme Court by filing a Special Leave Petition. The Supreme Court gave its verdict
in Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry vs. Municipal Corporation of
Greater Mumbai, SLP(Civil) No. D23708/2017, Order dated 15th March
2018.

 

We make it clear that this order is
not intended to set aside or modify the aforesaid impugned judgement. We have
considered the matter only in order to explore the possibility of safe method
of permitting certain constructions in the city of Mumbai for a limited period
to pave the way for further orders that may be passed. We are satisfied that a
total prohibition, though selective, has serious ramifications on housing
sector which is of great significance in a city like Mumbai. It also has a
serious impact on the financial loans which have been obtained by the
developers and builders. Such a ban makes serious inroads into the rights of
citizens under Article 19, 21 and 300A of the Constitution of India. It might
be equally true that the activities and the neglect in disposing of the debris
invades the rights of other citizens under Article 21 etc. That issue is
left open for a proper determination.

 

The Supreme Court passed an Order
presenting the following solution:

 

(a) It
directed that any construction that was permitted hereafter for the purpose of
this order would be only after adequate safeguards were employed by the
builders for preventing dispersal of particles through the air. This would be
incorporated in the building permissions.

 

(b) According
to the MCGM, 10 sites had been located for bringing debris onto such specified
locations which require to be filled with earth. In another words, these sites
require land filling which will be done by this debris.

 

(c) The
MCGM would permit a builder to carry on construction on its site by imposing
the conditions in the permission, that the construction debris generated from
the site, would be transported and deposited in specific site inspected and
approved by the MCGM.

 

(d) The
Municipal Corporation shall specify such a site meant for deposit of
construction debris in the building permission. Any breach would entail the
cancellation of the building permission and the work would be stopped
immediately.

 

(e) The
Municipal Corporation would not permit any construction unless it has first
located a landfill site and has obtained ‘No Objection Certification’ or consent
of the land owner that such debris may be deposited on that particular site.
The Municipal Corporation shall incorporate in the permission the condition
that the construction was being permitted only if such construction debris was
deposited.

 

(f)  For
Small generators of Construction and Demolition Waste, the Waste would be
disposed of in accordance with the ‘Debris On-Call Scheme’ of the MCGM. 

 

(g)
For Large generators of Construction and Demolition Waste, the waste would be
disposed of as per the Waste/Debris Management Plan submitted by the
owner/developer at the time of applying for permissions and as approved by the
BMC.

 

(h) Builders
applying for permissions would have to give a Bank Guarantee of amount ranging
from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.50 lakh depending upon the size of the project and mode of
development, which bank guarantee shall remain in force solely for the purpose
of ensuing compliance of the Waste Management Plan/Debris Management Plan
approved by the MCGM, till the grant/issuance of the Occupation Certificate.

 

(i)  The
MCGM was instructed to submit a detailed report to the Supreme Court after the
expiry of 6 months from the date of the Order (i.e., 15th September
2018) and till such time the Supreme Court’s Order would remain in force. It
also ordered that no construction debris would be carried for disposal to the
Deonar and Mulund dumping sites.

 

Conclusion

While
the High Court’s Order may appear harsh, sometimes desperate situations call
for desperate measures. At the same time, it is laudable that instead of
adopting a very technical or legal approach, the Supreme Court has come out
with a workable solution. One only wishes that the MCGM and the State
Government come out with a concrete action plan to tackle this menace of solid
waste management!

A Chartered Route to International Anti-Corruption Laws

Corruption has been seen as an immoral and unethical practice since biblical times. But, while the Bible condemned corrupt practices, ironically Chanakya in his teachings considered corruption as a sign of positive ambition.1 However, there can be no doubt that in modern business and commerce, corruption has a devastating and crippling effect. According to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, India is ranked 76 out of 167 nations. These statistics do not help India’s image as a destination for ease of doing business.

The growth of anti-corruption law can be traced through a number of milestone events that have led to the current state of the law, which has most recently been expanded by the entry into force in December 2005 of the sweeping United Nations International Convention against Corruption (UNAC). Spurred on by a growing number of high-profile enforcement actions, investigative reporting and broad media coverage, ongoing scrutiny by non-governmental organisations and the appearance of a new cottage industry of anti-corruption compliance programmes in multinational corporations, anti-corruption law and practice is rapidly coming of age.

While countries have for long had laws to punish their own corrupt officials and those who pay them bribes, national laws prohibiting a country’s own citizens and corporations from bribing public officials of other nations are a new phenomenon, less than a generation old.

The US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) was the first anti-corruption law that rigorously pursued cross border bribery. For more than 25 years, the United States was the only country in the world that through the extra territorial reach of its FCPA, rigorously investigated bribes paid outside of its own borders.

It was surpassed by The UK Bribery Act enacted by the UK government in 2010 and is arguably the most radical extra-territorial anti-graft law to date. This law was put into place by the UK Parliament after a demand from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2007 that the UK offer some explanation for its failure to abide by its OECD Anti-Bribery Convention obligations.

The United Kingdom has in 2010 enacted the robust United Kingdom Bribery Act (UKBA), that has created a new anti-corruption compliance regime which is even more powerful than the FCPA in many respects. Failure to adhere to anti-bribery compliance obligations based on these and other new anti-corruption laws can result in substantial and potentially debilitating fines being imposed against companies and their aids.

Both legislation and the business response to anti-corruption are now intensifying. On 11th May 2016, The Law Society of England and Wales; The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners; The Law Society of Northern Ireland; The Law Society of Scotland; The International Federation of Accountants; The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants; The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy; The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland; Chartered Accountants Ireland, The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants; The Association of Taxation Technicians; The Association of International Accountants; The Chartered Institute of Taxation; The International Association of Book-Keepers; The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers; The Institute of Financial Accountants; UK200; The Association of Accounting Technicians issued the Anti-Corruption Statement by Professional Bodies – deploring corruption and the significant harm it causes. The statement acknowledges that criminals seek to abuse the services provided by Professional service providers such as Chartered Accountants to launder the proceeds of corruption and we are committed to ensuring the professionals are armed with the tools to thwart this abuse.2

Chartered accountants, either in business or in the profession, have to be well informed of the latest developments to ensure that they play a meaningful role in the prevention of corruption in the organisations which they serve.

THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1988 (POCA)

In India, the law relating to corruption is broadly governed by the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’) and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (‘POCA’). Apart from the risk of criminal prosecution under POCA, there is also the risk of being blacklisted, debarred and subject to investigation for anti-competitive practices.

Sections 8, 9 and 10 of the POCA are applicable to arrest the supply side of corruption namely: Taking gratification, in order, by corrupt or illegal means, to influence public servant (Sec.8), Taking gratification for exercise of personal influence with public servant (Sec.9), Punishment for abetment by public servant of offences defined in Section 8 or 9 (Sec.10). Section 11 criminalises various acts of public servants and middlemen seeking to influence public servants.

In the case of H. Naginchand Kincha vs. Superintendent of Police Central Bureau of Investigation 3, the Karnataka High Court has clearly held that the words occurring at section 8 of the Act “Whoever accepts or obtains, or agrees to accept, or attempts to obtain, from any person, for himself or for any other person, any gratification…………”

covers the persons other than the public servants contemplated by definition clause (c) of section 2 of the Act and that does not require much elaboration.4

Unlike laws in some other jurisdictions, POCA makes no distinction between an illegal gratification and a facilitation payment. A payment is legal or illegal. This treatment applies to other laws and regulations in India as well.

PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 2013–2011 TO 2016

After India ratified the United Nations Convention on Anti-Corruption, the Government of India initiated measures to amend POCA to bring it in line with international standards. Materially, these included –

a. Prosecuting private persons as well for offences, b. Providing time-limits for completing trials, c. Attachment of tainted property,

d. Prosecuting the act of offering a bribe.

In 2013, the Amendment Bill was introduced in Parliament, reviewed by the standing committee and Law commission of India.

One of the significant amendments proposed, to widen the scope of the Act beyond bribery of public servants, provides that irrespective of capacity in which the person performs services for or on behalf of the commercial organisation either as an agent, service provider, employee or subsidiary, the liability under POCA would follow. This places an organisation at considerable risk since illegal acts by employees even at the entry level can expose the organisation to prosecution.

The above proposed amendments are corroborated by the WhistleBlowers Protection Act, 2014 and section 177(9) of the Companies Act 2013 which provides for the establishment of a vigil mechanism for directors and employees to report genuine concerns in such manner as may be prescribed.

While the Companies Act, 2013 provides that companies should have a vigil mechanism, the Companies Act does not provide for consequences if a vigil mechanism is in place. In any event, companies may adopt measures provided in international documents like the UNCAC which provides for implementation of preventive anti-corruption policies and practices.

UNCAC provides for liability of legal persons. While commercial organisations and key officers should be prosecuted, there needs to be certainty and clarity in relation to the scope of such provisions. The UNAC further provides for the right of an aggrieved party to seek compensation/ damages for loss caused due to corrupt practices.

In light of the above, most commercial organisations may adopt measures provided in international documents and implement Anti-corruption compliance procedures which would not only be preventive in nature but would also assist in nailing the offender under law and fixing his liability. This would not only reduce the impact of the instance on the organisation by showing the bonafide of the organisation as a whole and bring to book corrupt individuals.

THE UNITEDSTATES FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT OF 1977 (FCPA)

For many years, the FCPA has been the world champion of ethical corporate behaviour on the part of companies registered in, or associated with, the United States (US). The combined determination of the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) requires big business to take rigorous measures to thwart corporate bribery, or face substantial penalties.

The FCPA, which is an US federal law, targets the payment of bribes by businesses linked to the US to foreign government officials. The FCPA’s anti-bribery provisions make it illegal to offer or provide money or anything of value to officials of foreign governments, or foreign political parties, with the intent of obtaining or retaining business. It also requires businesses to keep proper books and records. It also prohibits the payment of bribes indirectly through a third person. For these payments, coverage arises where the payment is made while knowing, that all or a part of the payment will be passed on to a foreign official.

Record penalties for corporate corruption were imposed against Siemens AG when the multi-national company settled FCPA charges with the Department of Justice, the Munich Public Prosecutor’s Office (i.e. in its home country Germany) and the SEC. These included multiple guilty pleas and $1.6 billion in fines and penalties, including $800 million in disgorgement of bribe-tainted profits to the US authorities. This case demonstrates how regulators in different jurisdictions are cooperating with each other more than ever. According to the DOJ, this was the largest monetary sanction ever imposed in an FCPA case.5

As is demonstrated by the Siemens settlement, there is no double-jeopardy defence for offenders, and the same set of facts can give rise to a multitude of prosecutions since the violations generally took place in subsidiaries in remote regions. This is an important factor for local companies, as many Indian corporates are expanding their business operations globally at a rapid rate. They will have to implement stern measures to manage the corruption risk and ensure that management in their remote subsidiaries avoid the payment of bribes or face the wrath of the not just the DOJ and SEC but also local judiciary.The DOJ signalled to companies that it would continue to book corporates on FCPA violations around the globe.

For violating anti-bribery provision, FCPA provides that;

  •     corporations and other business entities are subject to a fine of up to $2 million;

  •     Individuals, including officers, directors, stockholders, and agents of companies, are subject to a fine of up to

  •     $250,000 and imprisonment for up to five years.

For violating accounting provision of the FCPA6

  •     corporations and other business entities are subject to a fine of up to $25 million

  •    Individuals are subject to a fine of up to $5 million and imprisonment for up to 20 years.

Under the (US) Alternative Fines Act, courts may impose significantly higher fines than those provided by the FCPA—up to twice the benefit that the defendant obtained by making the corrupt payment, as long as the facts supporting the increased fines are included in the indictment and either proved to the jury beyond a reasonable doubt or admitted in a guilty plea proceeding.

The UK Bribery Act 2010

The Bribery Act 2010 expands its territorial applicability beyond the UK through section 6-Active bribery of a foreign official and section 7 Company failing to prevent bribery (corporate offense) (strict liability). Under section 11, the maximum penalties that can be imposed on an individual convicted of an offence u/s. 1, 2 or 6 is an unlimited fine and imprisonment for up to 10 years.

An organisation that can prove it has adequate procedures in place to prevent persons associated with it from bribing will have a defence to the Section 7 offence.

The guidance, provided u/s. 9 of the Act, will help commercial organisations of all sizes and sectors understand what sorts of procedures they can put in place to prevent bribery, as mentioned in section 7.

An organisation could also be liable where someone who performs services for it – like an employee, consultant or agent – pays a bribe specifically to get business, keep business, or gain a business advantage for the organisation. But the organisation will have a full defence for this particular offence, and can avoid prosecution, if the organisation can show it had adequate procedures in place to prevent bribery.

While under the Act there is no need for extensive written documentation or policies. organisations may have proportionate procedures through existing controls over company expenditure, accounting and commercial or agent/consultant contracts for example. In larger organisations, it will be important to ensure that management in charge of the day to day business is fully aware and committed to the objective of preventing bribery. In micro-businesses, it may be enough for simple oral reminders to keystaff about the organisation’s anti-bribery policies. In addition, although parties to a contract are of course free to agree whatever terms are appropriate, the Act does not require you to comply with the anti-bribery procedures of business partners in order to be able to rely on the defence.7

CONCLUSION

The principal problem in the modern corporation is mainly the separation of ownership and control in organisations, the managers have often different motives from the owners, the management often tries to find ways to conceal corrupt practices and/or any setbacks in the company’s performance. They postpone intimating the shareholders, or even to the board, waiting for things to improve. In these cases, transparency and full disclosure in financial reporting are often sacrificed.

Anti-corruption compliance is the new watch-phrase in global boardrooms, and chartered accountants have a responsibility to not only help organisations to develop meaningful and robust anti-corruption controls, but also to understand compliance obligations applicable to them and keep pace with any changes in the bribery risks and compliance mechanisms put in place by multi-national organisations. These mechanisms are intended to prevent the use of accounting practices to generate funds for bribery or to disguise bribery on a company’s books and records.

Violations of record-keeping requirements can provide a separate basis of liability for companies involved in foreign and domestic bribery. It is here that the Chartered Accountant would play an important role, of not just raising the red flag but refusing to sign the accounts until all questionable payments are explained to their satisfaction by the Company.

The role of Chartered Accountants (CAs) has been seen as promoting transparency and fairness. CAs are national-level watchdog. However, CAs are not specialised anti-corruption agencies: on the whole, they are not expressly charged with detecting or investigating corrupt activity, but they have expertise in auditing and reporting the facts. CAs have traditionally undertaken financial audits of organisations’ accounting procedures and financial statements, and compliance audits reviewing the legality of transactions made by the audited body, and it is this vigilance that is relied upon while bringing to task the bribe givers and takers.

Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, focuses on the legal definitions governing corruption, lacks the suggestive guidance of how best to implement in practice financial and other controls which would be effective to prevent corruption, and bring to light any questionable payments.It is through their detailed study of several financial systems adopted by their various clients that CA’s are equipped with the required information and can suggest best practices that may be incorporated by the Government in a Model anti-corruption vigilance mechanism which may serve as a guidance to various organisations, and a yard stick to assess the ethical quotient of any organisation.

1    Chanakya – His Teachings & Advice, Pundit Ashwani Sharma, Jaico Publishing House, 1998: In the forest, only those trees with curved trunks escape the woodcut-ter’s axe. The trees that stand straight and tall fall to the ground. This only illustrates that it is not too advisable to live in this world as an innocent, modest man.

2    ANTI-CORRUPTION STATEMENT BY PROFESSIONAL BODIES – ISSUED 11th MAY 2016; https://www.icaew.com/-/media/corporate/files/technical/legal-and-regulatory/business-crime-and-misconduct/anti-corruption-statement.ashx?la=en

3    http://judgmenthck.kar.nic.in/judgmentsdsp/bitstream/123456789/183651/1/CRL-RP1040-14-13-09-2017.pdf

4    http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com

5    U.S. v. Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, 2008 – Case No. 08-367.

6    Section 78(b) of the FCPA contains certain accounting provisions that are applicable only to issuers. These require issuers to make and keep accurate books and ac-counts as well as certain internal controls

7    https://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/legislation/bribery-act-2010

Section 92B of the Act – Accretion to brand value, resulting from use of brand name of foreign AE under technology use agreement; since that agreement was accepted as an arrangement at an arm’s length price, an aspect covered by that agreement did not result in a separate international transaction requiring benchmarking.

13. [2017] 81 taxmann.com 5 (Chennai – Trib)

Hyundai Motor India Ltd vs. DCIT

A.Ys.: 2009-10 to 2011-12,

Date of Order: 27th April, 2017

Facts

The Taxpayer was a fully owned subsidiary of a South Korean
automobile company (“FCo”). It was engaged in the business of manufacturing
cars in India. The Taxpayer and FCo had entered into agreement for use of
technology (“the agreement”). Under the agreement, the Taxpayer was mandated to
use the trademark owned by FCo (“the trademark”) on every vehicle manufactured
by it.

According to the TPO, by using the trademark, the Taxpayer
had significantly contributed to its development in Indian market and thereby
FCo had ‘benefited due to brand promotion activity carried out by the
Taxpayer’. Hence, The TPO opined that FCo should have compensated the Taxpayer
with arm’s length amount for the benefit acquired at the cost of the Taxpayer
which was deprived of developing its own brand name and logo.

The TPO took a view that the increase in brand value each
year could be attributed to every vehicle manufactured by all the group
companies. Since sales of the Taxpayer was 18.07 % of the global sales of FCo
group, 18.07% of the global appreciation in the brand value should be
attributed to the Taxpayer. This amount was quantified at Rs. 198.66 crore and
added to ALP of the Taxpayer.

The DRP confirmed the addition.

Held

Whether increase in brand value constitutes ‘international
transaction’? 

   The TPO has emphasised on the benefit
accruing to FCo from increased brand valuation as a result of the Taxpayer selling
cars in India, and not as a result of conscious brand promotion by the Taxpayer
such as, incurring of advertising, marketing and sales promotion expenses.

  According to the TPO, the trigger for the
impugned ALP adjustment is not the expense incurred by the Taxpayer, or any
efforts made by the Taxpayer, for brand building for FCo, but the mere fact of
the sale of cars made by the Taxpayer. Though the Taxpayer had not rendered any
services, it should be compensated for the increase in brand valuation, proportionate
to sale of cars by the Taxpayer vis-à-vis the global sale of cars of
that brand, as the increase in the brand valuation is, to that extent, due to
sale of cars by the Taxpayer.

  The difference is that while AMP is a
conscious effort, brand building by sales simplictor is a subliminal exercise
and by-product of the economic activity of selling the cars in India.

     Whether use of brand name was privilege or
obligation of the Taxpayer?

   FCo owns a valuable brand name which has
respect and credibility globally including in India. Hence, the use of brand
name owned by FCo is a privilege, a marketing compulsion and of direct and
substantial benefit to the Taxpayer.

Whether mere
use of brand name results in AEs?

   U/s. 92A(2)(g) of the Act, two enterprises
are deemed to be AEs if “the manufacture or processing of goods or
articles or business carried out by one enterprise is wholly dependent on the
use of know-how, patents, copyrights, trade-marks, licences, franchises or any
other business or commercial rights of similar nature, or any data,
documentation, drawing or specification relating to any patent, invention,
model, design, secret formula or process, of which the other enterprise is the
owner or in respect of which the other enterprise has exclusive rights”.

   Hence, there can never be a comparable
controlled price for the kind of transaction between the Taxpayer and FCo
because, the moment use of an intangible like brand name is involved, the
entities entering into the transactions will become AEs.

     Whether incidental benefit to AE could be
‘international transaction’?

   It is a fact that the use of brand name,
owned by FCo, in vehicles manufactured by the Taxpayer does amount to
incidental benefit to the AE of the Taxpayer since increased visibility to the
brand name does contribute to increase in its valuation.

  In terms of section 92B of the Act, an
international transaction includes a mutual agreement or arrangement between
two or more AEs for the allocation or apportionment of, or any contribution to,
any cost or expense incurred or to be incurred in connection with a benefit,
service or facility provided or to be provided to anyone or more of such
enterprises.

  This is not a case of allocation of,
apportionment of, or contribution to, any costs or expenses in connection with
a benefit, service or facility. There is no dealing in money in the present
case. Therefore, this limb of the definition is not relevant.

   In respect of intangible property, only
purchase, sale or lease of intangible property is covered within ‘international
transaction’. However, in this case there is no purchase, sale or lease of
intangibles.

  Even extended definition in Explanation
(i)(b) to section 92B(2), does not cover accretion to the value of intangibles.
Further, the TPO has also not raised the issue that the consideration paid for
the transactions under this agreement is not an arm’s length consideration.

–     Accretion in brand value due to use in
products of the Taxpayer cannot be treated as service either. A service should
be a conscious activity. A passive exercise cannot be a service. What is
benchmarked is not the accrual of ‘benefit’ but rendition of ‘service’. The
expressions ‘benefit’ and ‘service’ have different connotations, and what is
relevant, is ‘service’ and not the ‘benefit’. In this case, there is no
rendition of service.

   For determination of arm’s length price, mere
rendition of service is not sufficient; it should be intended to result in such
benefit for which an independent enterprise would pay. Thus, two aspects need
to be present – first, rendition of service and second, benefit accruing from
such service. In the present case, since the first condition is not satisfied,
there is no question of benchmarking the benefit.

   Unless a transaction affects profits, losses,
income or assets of both the enterprises, it cannot be an ‘international
transaction’. If the assets of one of the enterprises increase unilaterally,
without any active contribution by the other enterprise, such increase in
assets cannot amount to an ‘international transaction’.

  The Taxpayer has not incurred costs, nor has
it made conscious efforts, for accretion in value of brand owned by FCo. Such
accretion also does not have any impact on profit, losses, income or alteration
in assets of the Taxpayer. Therefore, it cannot result in an ‘international
transaction’ qua the Taxpayer.

It is not the case of the revenue
that there was any sale, purchase or lease of intangibles. Accretion to brand
value was a result of use of the brand name of foreign AE under the technology
use agreement which permitted as well as bound the Taxpayer to use the brand
name of FCo on the products manufactured by the Taxpayer. Since that agreement
had been accepted to be an arrangement at an arm’s length price, an aspect
covered by that agreement could not be subject matter of yet another
benchmarking exercise. Therefore, such accretion did not result in a separate
international transaction requiring benchmarking.

Sections 9, 172 of the Act; Article 9 of India-Denmark DTAA – since; director of shipping company was resident of Denmark; had been operating business wholly from Denmark; all important decisions were taken in Denmark; tax residency certificate issued by Denmark authorities showed shipping company as resident of Denmark, place of effective management and control of shipping company was in Denmark and accordingly, profits arising from operations of ships in international traffic were not taxable in India.

12. [2017] 80 taxmann.com 217 (Rajkot – Trib)

Pearl Logistics & Ex-IM Corporation vs. ITO

A.Ys. 2010-11 TO 2013-14,

Date of Order: 20th March, 2017

Facts

The Taxpayer was an agent of a Denmark based ship broker
(“DenCo”). DenCo was ‘disponent owner’ and another company (“FCo”) was
charterer of ship which carried cement to ports in India. Freight was payable
by FCo to DenCo.

The Taxpayer filed return of income under section 172(8) and
claimed that since DenCo was beneficiary of freight, it was entitled to benefit
of India- Denmark DTAA. Hence, DenCo was not liable to pay tax on fright in
India.

Held

   According to section 172, income of owner or
charterer which receives freight is chargeable to tax. In this case, freight is
received by DenCo which has also earned the freight. Hence, income of DenCo is
chargeable to tax in India.

   As per the tax residency certificate issued
by Danish tax authority, DenCo is resident of Denmark. Hence, DenCo can avail
of the benefit of India-Denmark DTAA.

  As per article 9 of India-Denmark DTAA,
profits derived from operation of ships in international traffic shall be
taxable only in the State where the ‘place of effective management’ of the
enterprise is situated.

  The Taxpayer has furnished several documents
showing that: the Director of DenCo was resident of Denmark; he was operating
business wholly from Denmark; all the important decisions were taken in the
meeting in Denmark. Therefore, the place of effective management and control of
DenCo was in Denmark.

–     DenCo was resident of Denmark and its ‘POEM’
was in Denmark. Therefore ‘head and brain’ of DenCo was situated in Denmark.
Accordingly, in terms of article 9 of India-Denmark DTAA, the profits derived
from operation of ship were not taxable in India.

Section 9 of the Act; Article 12 of India-USA DTAA – since professional fee paid to a US company for global biopharmaceutical strategic counselling and advisory services was for rendition of services and not for right to use information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience, it was not covered within definition of ‘royalty’ under article 12(3)(a) notwithstanding that in process of availing these services Taxpayer benefited from rich experience of service provider.

11.
[2017] 80 taxmann.com 275 (Ahmedabad – Trib)

Marck Biosciences Ltd. vs. ITO

A.Y.: 2009-10, Date of Order: 28th March, 2017

Facts

The Taxpayer was an Indian company. It paid professional fee
to a US company (“USCo”) for global biopharmaceutical strategic counselling and
advisory services, which comprised (a) business promotion; (b) marketing; (c)
publicity; and (d) financial advisory. In the agreement, the services were
termed as ‘Strategic and Financial Counselling Services”. According to the
Taxpayer, income embedded in professional fee paid for the said services was
not taxable in India in terms of India-USA DTAA. Hence, it did not withhold tax
from the said payment.

According to the AO, however, the rendition of services by
USCo constituted parting with the “information concerning industrial,
commercial and scientific experience”. Hence, the services rendered by
USCo were covered within the definition of “royalty” under Explanation 2 to
section 9(1)(vi) as also under article 12(3)(a) of India-USA DTAA.

Held

   The payments made by the Taxpayer were for
rendition of the services, which comprised (a) business promotion; (b)
marketing; (c) publicity; and (d) financial advisory. The payments were not for
use of any information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific
information’.

   The nature of payment should be characterized
from the activity in consideration of which the payment was made. The payment
was made for rendition of services and not for right to use any information
concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience that was in
possession of the service provider.

   The fact that in the process of availing
these services, the Taxpayer benefits from rich experience of the service
provider is wholly irrelevant. Accordingly, the impugned payment was not
covered within the definition of “royalty” under article 12(3)(a) of India-USA
DTAA.

Sections 9, 115A of the Act; Article 12 of India-Italy DTAA – on facts, since the new agreement executed by Indian company with foreign company had different terms from the earlier agreement, it could not be regarded as extension of old agreement; hence, royalty was taxable in terms of section 115A @10.5 per cent.

10. [2017] 80 taxmann.com 100 (Pune – Trib)

Piaggio & CSpA vs. DCIT

A.Ys.: 2010-11 and 2011-12,

Date of Order: 21st March, 2017

Facts

The Taxpayer was a company based in Italy. It was
manufacturing motorised two, three and four wheelers. It had a subsidiary in
India (“ICo”). The Taxpayer entered into agreement with ICo on 31-10-2003 for
grant of license of technology to manufacture three wheelers for goods
transportation in consideration for payment of royalty (“the old agreement”).
In terms of India-Italy DTAA, royalty was taxed @20 %.

Subsequently, on 1-8-2008, the Taxpayer and ICo entered into
another agreement (“the new agreement”). The Taxpayer offered the royalty
received in terms thereof for taxation @10.55 % as per section 115A of the Act.

According to the AO, the new agreement was merely an
extension of the old agreement. He, therefore, concluded that even in terms of
new agreement, royalty was chargeable to tax @20 %.

Held

   Comparison of the terms in the old agreement
and the new agreement showed one main material difference. While the old
agreement mentioned two specific models, the new agreement mentioned class of
vehicles. Pursuant to the new agreement, ICo launched different models which
became possible because of the new agreement.

  Another difference was that the old agreement
granted license only for sale in India, whereas the new agreement granted
license also for sale to any other country as may be agreed between the
Taxpayer and ICo.

On the expiry of the old agreement, the
Taxpayer and ICo had renegotiated certain terms which culminated into the new
agreement. Accordingly, the new agreement was not an extension of the old
agreement but an independent legally enforceable agreement.

  Therefore, the applicable tax rate on the
royalty income as per section 115A was 10 %.

Investment Opportunities in Cambodia: India’s Advantages Tax & Legal

1.      Introduction

1.1.    Cambodia’s economy grew with a GDP of 7.1%
in 2016 and expects growth of 7.3% for FY 2017-18. The expected growth in GDP
resulted rapid in development in various sectors, namely retail, technology,
e-commerce, infrastructure projects etc. Cambodia’s strategic location
in the heart of ASEAN between Vietnam, Thailand, Laos along with coastline
having an easy regional accessibility makes it an attractive investments
destination. By treating foreign investors and local investors equally it gives
an access to ASEAN’s 600-million-strong consumer market. The present foreign
policy allows a foreign investor to incorporate or establish with 100 % foreign
ownership an entity any kind. The only restrictions are in respect of land
ownership. Further, there are no restrictions on repatriation of money. 

2.      Structuring of entity

2.1     For establishing a business in Cambodia, a
Private Limited Company (“PLC”) is always advisable and to process the
incorporation, the Ministry of Commerce (“MoC”) is the regulatory authority and
it takes approximately 7 days, after the necessary documents are submitted for
incorporation. After obtaining the approval from MoC within 15 days, the
documents along with the certificate of incorporation must be submitted to
General Department of Taxation (“GDT”) to obtain Value Added Tax Certificate
(“VAT”) and Patent Tax Certificate (PTC) which can be obtained within 30 days
from the date of submission of documents. The Patent Tax Certificate is issued
for a specific business activities only and need to be renewed on an annual
basis.

3.      Taxation in Cambodia

3.1     The Law on Taxation (“LoT”) in Cambodia is
very simple. The only chargeable tax is the withholding tax and value added
tax, while there is no capital gain tax but tax on profits are applicable.

4.      Structure of entities

4.1     The following are the entities recommended
for doing business in Cambodia

a)  Private Limited Company

     The number of shareholders in the private
limited company ranges between 2 to 30 shareholders. The shares or securities
cannot be offered to the public but can only be offered to the shareholders,
family members and managers.

b)  Public Limited Company

     Unlike Private limited companies, it can
have more than 30 shareholders and the shares or securities can be offered to
the public. In Cambodia, only Public Limited Companies can conduct banking
business, insurance business or be a financial institution.

c)  Representative Office:

     An eligible foreign investor may establish
a Representative Office to facilitate the sourcing of local goods and services
and to collect information for its parent company.

d)  Branch Office:

     A Branch Office is an office opened by a
company for conducting a commercial activity. All activities of the Branch
office are like that of Representative office but in addition, it may purchase,
sell or conduct regular professional services or other operations engaged in
production or construction in the country.

e)  Subsidiary Company: 

     A subsidiary is a company that is
incorporated with either 100% or at least 51% percent of its capital being held
by a foreign company.

5.      Tax System in Cambodia:

5.1     Previously, the Cambodian tax system was
divided into three regimes: real regime, simplified regime and estimated
regime. Recently, all the three regimes have been merged into one regime called
the “Real Regime” and divided into three categories (a) Small Taxpayers (b)
Medium Taxpayers and (c) Large Taxpayers.

5.2     The following are the categories that are
sub categories under which an individual or an entity can be taxed.

   Tax on Salary

          An individual resident in Cambodia is
liable for tax on salary on both foreign as well as Cambodian source, while a
non-resident person is liable to the tax on salary only on Cambodian source.

   Withholding Tax (“WHT”)

          The general withholding tax shall be
determined as follows:

          Any resident taxpayer carrying on
business makes any payment to a resident taxpayer shall withhold 15% on
management, consulting, and similar services and royalties for intangibles and
interest in minerals, Income from movable and immovable 10%. Interest paid by a
domestic bank or saving institutions for fixed term 6% and non-fixed term 4%.

          Any
resident taxpayer to a non-resident taxpayer shall withhold, 14 % on interest,
royalties, rent, and other income connected with the use of property;
compensation for management or technical services and dividends.

6.      Fringe Benefits Tax(“FBT”)

          The employer is required to withhold
and pay tax at the rate of 20% of the total value of FB given to all the
employees.

7.      Value Added Tax (“VAT”)

7.1     VAT is only a charge on taxable supply i.e.
supplies of good for tangible property and supply of services for something of
value other than goods, land or money.

7.2     The rates of VAT are as follows:

i)   0% for any goods exported from the Kingdom of
Cambodia and services consumed outside Cambodia

ii)  10% is the standard rate which applies to all
supplies other than exports and non-taxable supplies.

8.      DTAA Singapore – Cambodia (yet to be
ratified):

8.1     On May 20, 2016, an agreement was entered
into between Government of Republic of Singapore and the Royal Government of
Cambodia for prevention of evasion of taxes on income and to avoid any resident
being taxed twice on the income earned. This agreement applies to taxation of a
resident of Cambodia, in respect to taxes on profit including Tax on Salary,
Withholding Tax, Additional Profit Tax on Dividend Distribution and Capital
Gains Tax, while in terms of Singapore applies to the Income Tax.

8.2    Resident (Art. 4)

          Under Article 4 of the DTAA,
“resident” means any person or individual or entity liable to pay tax based on
their domicile, place of incorporation, place of management, principal place of
business or any other activities of similar nature but
also includes State and any local authority or statutory body.

          The article further defines the term
“resident”, by prescribing the following conditions:

a)  only of the state where he has a permanent
home available; or

b)  If there is a permanent home in both the contracting
states, then it is to be determined based on personal and economic relations
are closer i.e. centre of vital interest; or

c)  In the absence of centre of vital interest,
then the place where he has a habitat abode; or

d)  If habitat abode of both the states, then to
be determined based on nationality; or

e)  If otherwise, then the competent authorities
of the contracting states shall settle by agreement mutually.

8.3    Permanent Establishment (Art. 5)

          The term Permanent Establishment “PE”
is defined under Article 5 includes place of management; branch; an office;
factory; workshop; warehouse; mine, an oil or gas well, a quarry or any other
place of extraction of natural resources; and (h) farm or plantation.

          The terms have been further elaborated
by including:

(a) Any activities that last for more than 6 months
in terms of a building site, a construction, assembly or installation project,
or supervisory activities in connection;

(b) Any activities that last for more than 183 days
within any period of twelve months about any furnishing of services, including
consultancy services, by an enterprise of a Contracting State through employees
or other personnel engaged by the enterprise for such purpose, but only if
activities for same or connected project within the other Contracting State;

(c) The carrying on of activities (including the
operation of substantial equipment) for more than 90 days in any twelve months’
period in the other Contracting State for the exploration or for exploitation
of natural resources.

          The Law on Taxation in Cambodia
defines PE under Article 3 (4).

8.4    Immovable Property (Art. 6)

          The term “immovable property”,
shall be defined under the law of the Contracting State in which the property i
is situated. But also, includes property accessory to immovable property,
livestock and equipment used in agriculture and forestry, but not include
ships, boats and aircrafts.

          In addition, any income earned by a
resident from immovable property including agriculture or forestry and applies
to income from the direct use, letting, or use in any other form of immovable
property situated in the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other
State.

          There is no specific provision under
the Law on Taxation for immovable property.

8.6    Dividends (Art. 10)

          The terms as defined under this
agreement means income from shares, mining shares, founders’ shares or other
rights, but does not include debt claims, participating in profits, as well as
income from other corporate rights and be taxed to a resident of other
contracting state. .

          If beneficial owner of the dividend is
a resident of other contracting state, then tax on dividend not to exceed 10%
of the gross amount.

          Under Cambodian law, there is Tax on
Profit and Article 3 (8) defines the term dividends. Recently a new regulation
with respect to dividend distribution from a resident taxpayer in Cambodia to
their non-resident shareholders.

8.7    Capital Gains (Art. 14)

          Any gains derived by the resident of
the Contracting State to be taxable:

a)  Alienation of Immovable property in other
contracting state taxable in other state unless it is related to the Permanent
Establishment of the enterprise situated or any independent personal service to
be taxed in other state.

b)  Alienation of ships or aircrafts or movable
property pertaining to such operation of ships or aircraft shall be taxable in
the state where it is alienated.

c)  Alienation of Shares of more than 50 % of
their value directly or indirectly from immovable property situated in other
state, to be taxable in the other state.

d)  Alienation of any other property other than
above, to be taxable in the contracting state of which the alienator is a
resident.

          Under Cambodian Law on Taxation, no
specific provisions but 0.1 % tax is to be paid on transfer of shares.

8.8    Associated Enterprise (Art. 9)

          The term “associated” means an
enterprise that participates directly or indirectly in the management, control
or capital of other enterprise or a person or individual directly or indirectly
in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of a Contracting State
and an enterprise of the other Contracting State,

          The term associated enterprise has not
been defined but the “related person” under Article 3(10) which includes
families or any enterprise which controls or is controlled or is under the
common ‘control’. The term control means ownership of 51% or more in value or
voting rights. Article 18 of the Law on Taxation (“LoT”) provides, subject to
certain conditions, a wide power to the General Department of Taxation (“GDT”)
in Cambodia to adjust the allocation of income and expenses between related
enterprises. According to the applicable law, two or more enterprises are under
common ownership, if a person owns 20% or more of the equity interests of each
enterprise. In the event, a parent company provides either services, a loan or
any other transaction that will result in remuneration from the owned company,
the GDT will usually verify that the so-called transactions are real.

8.9    Royalties (Art.12)

          The term ‘royalties’ means payments of
any kind received as a consideration for the use of, or the right to use, any
copyright of literary, artistic or scientific work including cinematograph
films, or films or tapes used for radio or television broadcasting, any patent,
trade mark, design or model, plan, secret formula or process, or for the use
of, or the right to use, industrial, commercial, or scientific equipment, or
for information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience.

          Any income arising in a Contracting
State, paid to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that
other State and be taxed in the contracting state as per the local laws, if the
beneficial owner is a resident of the other then the tax not to exceed 10% of
the gross amount.

          Otherwise, if the beneficial owner of
the royalties carries a business through a permanent establishment or has a
fixed place of business in the other contracting state in which the royalties
arise, the same is to be treated as an income earned from the connected PE or
fixed place.

          In case the amount of royalties
exceeds the amount that was agreed by the payer or beneficial owner, the amount
of tax shall not exceed 10 % of the gross amount. Any excess amount is to be
taxed as per the local laws in which the income accrued.

          There is no specific provision about
royalties, but as defined in the Intellectual Property Laws.

9.         DTAA
India – Singapore (1994) 209 ITR 1 (St)

9.1     Immovable properties (Art. 6)

          The term “immovable
property” shall mean the term as defined under the law of the contracting
state and shall also include property accessory to immovable property,
livestock and equipment used in agriculture and forestry, rights to which the provisions
of general law respecting landed property apply usufruct of immovable property
and rights to variable or fixed payments as consideration for the working of,
or the right to work, mineral deposits, sources and other natural resources.
Ships and aircraft shall not be regarded as immovable property. Income from the
direct use of or letting or any other form of use of immovable property is
taxed in the country where the property is located, including real-estate
enterprises.

9.2    Dividends (Art. 10)

          The term “dividends” means
income from shares or other rights not being debt-claims, participating in
profits, as well as income from other corporate rights of which the company
making the distribution is a resident. Any dividends paid to a recipient’s
country of residence from the other country to be taxed in the country
received. The dividend taxed in the source country is as follows:

a)       15% of the gross amount of the dividends
only while the tax rate reduced to 10 % of the gross amount the 25% of the
shares are owned by the recipient’s company.

b)       No dividend tax to be paid by Indian
resident shareholders who derive any profit from the Singapore or Malaysian
resident company in Singapore.

          The dividend income article does not
apply if the company paying is a resident or performs independent personal
services from a fixed base situated in the country and will be treated as
income of the permanent establishment.

Case Laws Referred:

1] Roop Rasyan Industries (P.) Ltd. vs. ACIT [2014] 150
ITD 193 (Mum.) (Trib.).

Dividend was not taxable in Singapore of which company paying
dividend was resident and, therefore, para 2 of article 10 of DTAA was not at
all relevant. Moreover, in terms of Article 10 of DTAA, dividend received by an
Indian company from a Singapore based company was subjected to tax at normal
rate of 30 %.

9.3    Capital gains (Art. 13)

          A resident of one contracting state
from the alienation of immovable property situated in other contracting state
to be taxed in that state. A resident with PE or fixed base in other
contracting state to be taxed for any gains derived from alienation of movable
property. Recently India and Singapore signed the third protocol on December
30, 2016 to amend the DTAA and the amendment is along the lines of India and
Mauritius DTAA that was also recently entered. The Protocol amends the
prevailing residence based tax regime under the Singapore Treaty and gives
India a source based right to tax capital gains which arise from the alienation
of shares of an Indian resident company owned by a Singapore tax resident.

(i) Taxation
of capital gains on shares

Under 2005 Protocol any capital gains derived by a Singapore
resident from alienation of share of Indian resident company to be taxable only
in Singapore after complying with limitation of benefit “LOB” clause. However,
the Protocol marks a shift from residence-based taxation to source-based
taxation. Consequently, capital gains arising on or after April 01, 2017 from
alienation of shares of a company resident in India shall be subject to tax in
India. The change is subject to the following qualifications: –

(a) Grandfathering Clause

Any capital gains arising from sale of shares of an Indian
Company acquired before April 01, 2017 shall not be affected by the Protocol
and would enjoy the treatment available under the Treaty.

(b) Transition
period

The Protocol provides for a relaxation of capital gains
arising to Singapore residents from alienation of shares acquired after April
1, 2017 but alienated before March 31, 2019 (“Transition Period”). The tax rate
on any such gains shall not exceed 50% of the domestic tax rate in India (“Reduced
Tax Rate”).

(c) Limitation of benefits

The Protocol provides that grandfathered investments i.e.
shares acquired on or before 1 April 2017 which are not subject to the
provisions of the Protocol will still be subject to Revised LOB to avail of the
capital gains tax benefit under the Singapore Treaty, which provides that:

   The benefit will not be available if the
affairs of the Singapore resident entity were arranged with the primary purpose
to take advantage of such benefit;

   The benefit will not be available to a shell
or conduit company, being a legal entity with negligible or nil business
operations or with no real and continuous business activities.

Case Laws: 

1] Praful
Chandaria vs. ADDIT [2016] 161 ITD 153 (Mum.) (Trib.)

Capital gain could not be held to be taxable in India in
terms of para 6 of article 13 of India-Singapore DTAA under which taxing right
has been given to resident State, that is, State of alienator, which in this
case was Singapore.

2]  Credit Suisse (Singapore) Ltd. vs. Asstt
DIT. [2012] 53 SOT 306 (Mum.)(Trib.)

Gain earned on cancellation of foreign exchange forward
contracts is a capital receipt and must be treated as capital gains.

The Indian companies/ enterprise can look forward for
investment in emerging sectors like Information Technology & Ecommerce,
Infrastructure, venture capital, health care for supply of medical equipment’s,
tourism, education, technology transfer etc. 

11.    Conclusion

          To encourage India’s Act East Policy,
India and Cambodia signed a Bilateral Investment Treaties (BIT) to promote and
protect investments. In the absence of any such bilateral agreements or DTAA,
by incorporating company in Singapore. Indian entities could make an entry into
ASEAN Market or Cambodia and would be able to obtain the reliefs available
under the DTAA between Singapore – Cambodia DTAA using either of the countries as
a PE. In addition, the Cambodia grants tax holiday up to nine (9) years and
also 100 % exemption on export.

Section 54 – Assessee is entitled to deduction u/s. 54 in respect of the entire entire payment for purchase of new residential house though the new residential house is purchased jointly in the name of the assessee and his brother.

10.  [2017] 81 taxmann.com 16
(Mumbai – Trib.)

Jitendra V. Faria vs. ITO

A.Y.:2010-11
Date of Order: 27th April, 2017

FACTS 

The assessee jointly with
his wife was the owner of a flat in Jai Mahavir Apartment at Andheri (West).
During the previous year relevant to the assessment year under consideration,
the said flat was sold for Rs.1,02,55,000/-.The assessee computed long term
capital gains at Rs. 43,01,665/- being 50% share in the property. The assessee
invested Rs. 42,01,665/- (sic Rs. 42,65,858) in another residential property
i.e., flat in “Parag” at Andheri (West). The assessee claimed
exemption u/s. 54 of Rs. 42,01,665/- (sic Rs. 42,65,858) plus stamp duty and registration
charges and offered capital gains at Rs. 35,809/-. The name of the assessee’s
brother was added in the Agreement of new property purchased, for the sake of
convenience. However, the entire investment for the purchase of new property
i.e. Parag, along with stamp duty and registration charges were paid by the
assessee.  Since, the new house was
purchased by the assessee by incorporating name of his brother, the Assessing
Officer (AO) restricted deduction u/s.54 to the extent of 50% of the value of
new property. He restricted exemption u/s. 54 to Rs.21,32,929/- i.e., 50% of
the cost of the new flat.

Aggrieved, the assessee
preferred an appeal to the CIT(A) who directed the AO to tax the entire capital
gains in assessee’s hands by disregarding the fact that 50% of the old house
was owned by his wife.

Aggrieved, the assessee
preferred an appeal to the Tribunal.

HELD 

The Tribunal noted that
the wife has already offered her share of capital gains in her return of income
filed with the Department. Thus, there is no justification in the order of
CIT(A) for taxing the entire capital gains in the hands of the assessee. It
held that only 50% of the capital gain is chargeable to tax in the hands of the
assessee.

As regards the allegation
of the AO that since assessee has incorporated name of his brother, he is
entitled to only 50% of the investment so made in the new house, the Tribunal
noted that the AO has in the assessment order categorically stated that the
entire cost of the new property was borne by the assessee though the property
was purchased in joint name of the assessee with his brother. The Tribunal
observed that the issue is covered by the decision of Hon’ble Delhi High Court
in the case of CIT vs. Ravinder Kumar Arora [2012] 342 ITR 38/[2011] 203
Taxman 289/15 taxmann.com 307 (Delhi)
wherein the High Court held that the
assessee was entitled to full exemption u/s. 54F when the full amount was
invested by the assessee even though the property was purchased in the joint
names of the assessee and his wife. It noted that this decision of the Delhi
High Court was subsequently followed by Delhi High Court itself in case of CIT
vs. Kamal Wahal [2013] 351 ITR 4/214 Taxman 287/30 taxmann.com 34 (Delhi)
.
Following the ratio of the decision of the Delhi High Court in the case of CIT
vs. Ravinder Kumar Arora (supra)
, the Tribunal held that the AO was not
justified in restricting the exemption u/s. 54 to 50% of the investment in
purchase of new residential house.

The Tribunal allowed the
appeal filed by the assessee.

Section 145 – An assessee who follows mercantile system of accounting can, at the time of finalisation of accounts of any relevant assessment year, claim deduction of actual figure of loss on account of short realisation of export proceeds even though such export proceeds are outstanding as receivable as on the end of the relevant year and are actually realised in the subsequent assessment year.

9. [2017] 163 ITD 56 (Mumbai – Trib.) Assistant CIT vs.
Allied Gems Corporation (Bombay)A.Y.: 2009-10         Date
of Order: 20th January, 2017     

FACTS

The assessee was a
partnership firm engaged in the business of dealing in cut & polished
diamonds and precious & semi-precious stones.

In the course of
assessment proceedings, it was noticed that assessee had claimed a loss of Rs.
49,64,937/- on account of realisation of export proceeds, which was outstanding
as on 31.03.2009.

The AO disallowed the
aforesaid claim of loss on the ground that the realisation of outstanding
export receivables was an event which took place in the subsequent assessment
year i.e. AY 2010-11 and, therefore, such loss could not be allowed while
computing the income for the relevant assessment year.

The CIT-(A) noted that the
AO had not doubted the short realisation of the debtors and, hence, following
the principle of prudence, CIT-(A) allowed assessee’s claim of loss.

On appeal by the revenue
before the Tribunal.

HELD

The dispute relates to the
income chargeable under the head ‘profits and gains of business or profession’;
which is liable to be computed in accordance with the methodology prescribed in
section 145(1) of the Act i.e. either in terms of cash or mercantile system of
accounting regularly employed by the assessee. The claim of the assessee is
that the mercantile system of accounting adopted by the assessee justifies
deduction of loss of Rs. 49,64,937/- and for that matter, reference is made to
the principle of prudence, which has been emphasised in the Accounting
Standard-1 notified u/s. 145(2) of the Act also. The principle of prudence
seeks to ensure that provision ought to be made for all known liabilities and
losses even though there may remain some uncertainty with its determination.
However, it has to be appreciated that what the principle of prudence signifies
is that the probable losses should be immediately recognised. In the present
context, the stand of the assessee is that though realisation of export receivables
took place in the subsequent period, but the loss could be accounted for in the
instant year itself as it would be prudent in order to reflect the correct
financial results.

Factually speaking,
Revenue does not dispute the short realisation from debtors to the extent of
Rs. 49,64,937/- and, therefore, insofar as the quantification of the loss is
concerned, the claim of the assessee cannot be assailed on grounds of
uncertainty.

In the case of U.B.S.
Publishers and Distributors [1984] 147 ITR 144; the assessee following
mercantile system of accounting, for AY 1967-68 (previous year ending on
31/05/1966), had claimed an expenditure by way of purchases of a sum of Rs.
6,39,124/- representing additional liability towards foreign suppliers in
respect of books imported on credit up to the end of 31.05.1966. The said
additional claim was based on account of devaluation of Indian currency, which
had taken place on 06.06.1966 i.e. after the close of the accounting year. The
Hon’ble Allahabad High Court noted that liability to pay in foreign exchange
accrued with the import of books and was not as a result of devaluation.
According to the High Court, since the actual figure of loss on account of
devaluation was available when the accounts for 31/5/1966 ending were
finalized, the same was an allowable deduction in assessment year 1967-68
itself. The parity of reasoning laid down by the Hon’ble Allahabad High Court
is squarely applicable in the present case. In the present case also, short
realization of export proceeds to the extent of Rs. 49,64,937/-, took place in
next year but it related to export receivable for the relevant assessment year,
and at the time of finalisation of accounts for the relevant assessment year,
the actual figure was available, and therefore, the assessee made no mistake in
considering it for the purposes of arriving at the taxable income.

Even otherwise, it has to
be appreciated that income tax is a levy on income and that what is liable to
be assessed is real income and while computing such real income, substance of
the matter ought to be appreciated. Quite clearly, the assessee was aware while
drawing up its accounts for the previous year relevant to the assessment year
under consideration that the export receivables, outstanding as at the year-
end were short recovered by a sum of Rs. 49,64,937/-and, therefore, the real
income for the instant year could only be arrived at after deduction of such
loss.

Therefore, considering the
entirety of facts and circumstances, the Tribunal held that the CIT (A) had
made no mistake in allowing the claim of the assessee and appeal of the revenue
was dismissed.

Special Leave Petitions – An Update

 1.      
Income deemed
to accrue or arise in India – Agent of the assessee in India carried out only
incidental or auxiliary/ preparatory activity under the direction of principal
– will not be considered as independent agent – It is dependent agent –
Remuneration at arm’s length – : SLP Granted
 

Director of Income Tax (IT) – II vs. M/s. B4U
International Holdings Limited (2016) S.L.P.(C). No.16285 of 2016; [ (2016) 385
ITR (Statutes) 46]

[ SLP Granted in respect of Director of Income Tax (IT) –
II vs. M/s. B4U International Holdings Limited, [(2015) 374 ITR 453 (Bom)(HC)]

Assessee is a Mauritius based company. The Revenue proceeded
against it on the footing that it is engaged in the business of telecasting of
TV channels such as B4U Music, MCM etc. It is the case of the Revenue
that the income of the assessee from India consisted of collections from time
slots given to advertisers from India through its agents. The assessee claimed
that it did not have any permanent establishment in India and has no tax
liability in India. The AO did not accept this contention of the assessee and
held that affiliated entities of the assessee are basically an extension in
India and constitute a permanent establishment of the assessee within the
meaning of Article 5 of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).

The CIT(A) held that the entity in India cannot be treated as
an independent agent of the assessee. Alternatively, and assuming that it could
be treated as such if a dependent agent is paid remuneration at arm’s length,
further proceedings cannot be taxed in India.

The Revenue preferred an appeal to the Tribunal. The Tribunal
having dismissed the Revenue’s appeals, the matter was carried before High
Court. The Revenue urged that Tribunal misapplied and misinterpreted the
decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Director of Income Tax
(International Taxation) vs. Morgan Stanley & Company Inc. (2007) 292 ITR
416
. The Revenue submitted that the transfer pricing analysis was not
submitted and mere reliance on a circular of the Revenue / Board would not
suffice. If the transfer pricing analysis did not adequately reflect the
functions performed and the risks assumed by the agent in India, then, there
would be need to attribute profits of the permanent establishment for those
functions/risks. That had not been considered and also submitted that the B4U,
MCM etc. were erroneously assumed to be the agents but not dependent on
the assessee. Alternatively, they have also been erroneously held to be paying
the remuneration at arm’s length. All this has been assumed by the Tribunal
though there was no relevant material. The AO had rightly held that the payment
made towards purchase of films for which no details were submitted as to what
are the costs incurred were treated as royalties. The exhibition and telecast
price were intangible and could not be termed as goods and merchandise in respect of export of advertisement films.

The Hon. High Court noted that the details filed by the
assessee revealed that there is a general permission granted by the Reserve
Bank of India to act as advertisement collecting agents of the assessee. The
permissions were granted to M/s. B4U Multimedia International Limited and M/s.
B4U Broadband Limited. In the computation of income filed along with the
return, the assessee claimed that as it did not have a permanent establishment
in India, it is not liable to tax in India under Article 7 of the DTAA between
India and Mauritius. The argument further was that the agents of the assessee
have marked the ad-time slots of the channels broadcasted by the assessee for
which they have received remuneration on arm’s length basis. Thus, in the light
of the CBDT Circular No.23 of 1969, the income of the assessee is not taxable
in India. The conditions of Circular 23 are fulfilled. Therefore, Explanation
(a) to section 9(1)(i) of the IT Act will have no application.

The Hon. High Court further observed that the Tribunal had
recorded a finding that the assessee carries out the entire activities from
Mauritius and all the contracts were concluded in Mauritius. The only activity
which is carried out in India is incidental or auxiliary / preparatory in
nature which is carried out in a routine manner as per the direction of the
principal without application of mind and hence, B4U is not an dependent agent.
Nearly 4.69% of the total income of B4U India is commission / service income
received from the assessee company and, therefore, also it cannot be termed as
a dependent agent.

The Hon. High Court further observed that the Supreme Court
judgment in the case of Morgan Stanley & Co. (supra) held
that there is no need for attribution of further profits to the permanent
establishment of the foreign company where the transaction between the two was
held to be at arm’s length but this was only provided that the associate
enterprise was remunerated at arm’s length basis taking into account all the
risk taking functions of the multinational enterprise.

Thus the Tribunal, rightly concluded that the judgment of the
Hon’ble Supreme Court in Morgan Stanley & Co. and the principle
therein would apply. Also relied on the Division Bench judgment in the case of Set
Satellite (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. vs. Deputy Director of Income Tax (IT) &
Anr. (2008) 307 ITR 265
on this aspect. The Revenue Appeal was dismissed.

Against the aforesaid Bombay High Court decision the Revenue
filed SLP before Supreme Court, which was granted.

2.       Penalty
u/s. 271(1)(c) – the assessee had agreed to be assessed on 11% of the gross
receipts – on the condition that no inference of concealment of income would be
drawn from such concession – Penalty confirmed by High Court – SLP granted

Kalindee Rail Nirman (Engineers) Ltd vs. CIT-;
S.L.P.(C).No.20662 of 2014. [ (2016) 386 ITR (Statutes) 2]

[CIT vs. Kalindee Rail Nirman Engg. Ltd, [ (2014) 365 ITR
304 (Del)(HC)]

The assessee, a contractor undertaking projects of Indian
Railways on turnkey basis, filed its return of income for the AY 1995-96 on
29.11.1995 declaring a total income of Rs.88,91,700/-. On the basis of the
materials gathered by the income tax authorities in the course of a search
carried out in the assessee’s premises on 14.03.1995 as well as in the premises
of the directors and trusted persons, the AO referred the matter to a special
audit in terms of Section 142(2A) of the Act. The assessee was supplied
photocopies of the seized records. Despite such opportunity, no convincing
reason was given by the assessee to the query of the AO as to why the results
declared by the books of accounts could not be rejected and the profit from the
contracts be not estimated at a rate exceeding 11% of the gross receipts. Not
convinced by the assessee’s explanation to the show-cause notice, the AO
proceeded to estimate the net profit of the assessee at 11% of the gross
receipts from the contracts amounting to Rs.20,30,74,024/-, which came to
Rs.2,23,38,143/-. The AO also found that some income from business activities
was not included in the aforesaid receipts and the profit from such activity
was taken at Rs.13,34,308/-. The total business income was thus taken at
Rs.2,36,72,451/-.

The assessee carried the matter in appeal to the Tribunal
where the income was reduced by adopting the profit rate of 8% on the gross
receipts subject to allowance of depreciation and interest. The separate
addition of Rs.13,34,308/- was deleted.

Penalty proceedings were initiated by the AO for concealment
of income and after rejecting the assessee’s explanation, a minimum penalty of
Rs.24,00,977/- was imposed for concealment of income u/s. 271(1)(c) of the Act.
The CIT (A) deleted the penalty . The revenue’s appeal to the Tribunal was
dismissed,

It is in further appeal
before the High Court the revenue assailed the order of the Tribunal on the
ground that after the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of MAK Ltd.
Data P. Ltd. vs. CIT, (2013) 358 ITR 593,
there is no question of the
assessee offering income “to buy peace” and that in any case the seized
material and the special audit report disclosed several discrepancies, to cover
which a higher estimate of the profits was resorted to. The assessee vehemently
contended that the Tribunal committed no error in upholding the order passed by
the CIT (A) cancelling the penalty. It was contended that it was a mere case of
different estimates of income being adopted by different authorities which
itself would show that there is no merit in the charge of concealment of
income. He also emphasised that the assessee had agreed to be assessed on 11%
of the gross receipts only on the condition that no inference of concealment of
income would be drawn from such concession and in such circumstances, where the
offer was conditional and to buy peace, there can be no levy of penalty for
alleged concealment of income.

The High Court held that the penalty proceedings were
justified. The High Court held that number of discrepancies and irregularities
listed by the special auditor in his report which are reproduced in the
assessment order bear testimony to the fact that the books of accounts
maintained by the assessee were wholly unreliable. If they were so, there can be
no sanctity attached to the figure of gross contract receipts of
Rs.20,30,74,024/- on which the assessee estimated 3% as its income. It is true
that the AO did not enhance the figure of gross receipts but that is not
because he gave a clean chit to the books of accounts allegedly maintained by
the assessee; he could not have given a clean chit in the face of the defects,
discrepancies and irregularities reported by the special auditor. In order to
take care of those discrepancies he resorted to a much higher estimate of the
profits by adopting 11% on the gross contract receipts. In these circumstances,
the mere fact that the estimate was reduced by the Tribunal to 8% would in no
way take away the guilt of the assessee or explain its failure to prove that the
failure to return the correct income did not arise from any fraud or any gross
or wilful neglect on its part. The Court observed that the assessee was taking
a chance sitting on the fence despite the fact that there was a search towards
the close of the relevant accounting year in the course of which incriminating
documents were found. The plea accepted by the Tribunal that the assessee
agreed to be assessed at 11% of the gross receipts only “to buy peace” and
“avoid litigation” cannot be accepted in view of the judgment of the Supreme
Court in MAK Data P. Ltd. (supra). The High Court accordingly
decided against the assessee and in favour of the revenue. 

The Assessee filed SLP before Hon. Supreme Court which was
Granted.

3.       Interest
payable – Non renewal of the deposits, Kishan Vikas Patras etc. Seized
and retained by department even after conclusion of the assessment proceeding –
Revenue must compensate for pecuniary loss due to non renewal – the same is not
payment of interest on interest.

CIT vs Chander Prakash Jain-;S.L.P.(C).No.23467 of 2016.
[(2016) 386 ITR (Statutes) 14]

[CIT vs Chander Prakash, [Writ Tax No. 566 of 2011 dt
:28/04/2015 (All)(HC)]

On 16th November, 1994, a search u/s. 132 (1) of
the Act, 1961 was conducted at the residential premises of the assessee. Again
on 22nd November, 1994 a search was made at Bank of the assessee
where some cash along with certificates of investments/deposits worth Rs. 3,45,997/- were seized u/s. 132 (1) (iii) of the Act. An order u/s. 132 (5)
of the Act was passed by the AO for retaining the aforesaid assets on 13th
March, 1995.

In response to the notice u/s. 148 of the Act return of
income showing an income of Rs. 3,466/- was filed. Assessment order was made
u/s. 143/148 of the Act, income was determined at Rs. 84,959/- under the head
income from other sources and Rs. 16,50,000/- under the head of long term
capital gains. No credit was given to the assessee by the AO for the money
retained u/s. 132 (5) of the Act, 1961. Assessee filed an appeal before the
CIT(A), which was allowed and the demand was reduced to nil. The department
being not satisfied with the order of the appellate authority, filed an appeal
before the Tribunal. The appeal was partly allowed by the Tribunal.

On 18th January, 2007, an intimation was given by
the AO about the seized money. Assessee also made an application before the
CIT, Meerut for release of the seized assets, with a further prayer that the
assessee be compensated for pecuniary loss due to non renewal of the deposits
and interest u/s. 132B (4) of Act, 1961. Since the said application was not
considered, assessee filed a Writ Petition.

The High Court disposed of the writ petition with a direction
upon AO to decide the application of the assessee within the time permitted by
the High Court. The AO has refused to release the seized assets and to make
payment of the interest as claimed by the assessee. Not being satisfied, the
assessee again approached the Court by filing a writ petition. The High Court
after hearing the learned counsel for the parties recorded that prima facie
there is no justification for seized assets being not released. The High Court
recorded the statement of the department that the department is ready to
release the seized assets and assessee may collect the same. It is not in
dispute that the assets have been released in favour of the assessee, which
include the Kishan Vikas Patras, Indira Vikas Patras, Bank Fixed Deposit
Receipts, etc., these could not be encashed by the assessee as the
maturity date had expired and the value has been transferred to unclaimed
account. However, there is no issue in that regard before this Court as the
department has assured the petitioner to do the needful so that certificates
are encashed.

The dispute between the parties before the High Court is
confined to the payment of interest on the money seized on 22nd November,
1994 till the date the tax liability of capital gains of Rs. 3,71,653 for the
A.Y. 1992-1993 was adjusted and on the remaining assets till the date they were
released. In the alternative, the assessee has prayed for a direction for
renewal of seized investments in shape of Indira Vikas Patras and Kishan Vikas
Patras and deposits with the banks with interest on the prevailing rates on the
maturity value till the assets were appropriated/released.

It is the case of the assessee that during all these period,
the money would have augmented by nearly four times of its value in the year
1994. The assessee submitted that as per the order of retention u/s. 132 (5) of
Act, 1961, the seized assets comprise of cash, Indira Vikas Patras, Kishan
Vikas Patras etc. of Rs. 3,45,997/-, they were retained against the
liability of Rs. 5,81,133/- treating them as undisclosed income and Rs.
67,038/- against existing liability.

The retention of seized assets beyond the date of regular
assessment is without authority of law. The Revenue has retained the assets for
more than 19 years without authority of law, therefore, the assessee must be
compensated for loss of interest. In the alternative, it is submitted that the
Revenue could have appropriated the seized amount in April, 1996 against the demand
notice dated 29th March, 1996, no interest u/s. 220 (2) of Act, 1961
could have been levied. The Revenue is liable to pay statutory interest under
Sections 132B (4) and 244A of the Act, 1961. He explained that the Revenue
cannot indirectly keep the money on the plea that there will be a demand and
therefore, the money should be allowed to be kept with the Revenue. It is
further explained that due to failure of the Revenue either to release the
seized assets retained without authority of law/ failure to get the Indira
Vikas Patras, Kishan Vikas Patras etc. renewed on the date of maturity
in the year 1999, the assessee suffered pecuniary loss.

The asssessee has relied upon the judgment of the Apex Court
in the case of Chironjilal Sharma Huf vs. Union of India & Others reported
in (2014) 360 ITR 237 (SC) for the proposition that liability as
per the order of the AO on being overturned by the Tribunal, the assessee
becomes entitled to interest for pre-assessment period also u/s. 132B (4) (b)
of Act, 1961. It has also been explained that interest on post assessment
period is to be dealt with in accordance with Section 240 or Section 244A of
Act, 1961. Reference has also been made to the judgment of the Apex Court in
the case of Sandvik Asia Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Income Tax, Pune &
Others
reported in (2006) 2 SCC 508, wherein it has been
held that if a person can be taxed in accordance with law and hence, where
excess amount is collected or any amounts are withheld wrongfully, the revenue
must compensate the assessee and any amount becoming due to the assessee u/s.
240 of the Act, 1961 would encompass interest also.

Revenue disputed the correctness of the stand so taken on
behalf of the assessee. It is submitted that no interest is payable to the
assessee in respect of the assets not sold or converted into money and that the
cash which was seized from the assessee, has already been utilised, hence there
is no cash, is lying unutilised in the P.D. Account. It is further stated that
interest has been charged strictly as per the order of the CIT, therefore, the
relief for refund of the same, as prayed, appears to be misconceived.

The High Court said that, it is not in dispute nor any
explanation from the side of the department as to why these Kishan Vikas Patras,
Indira Vikas Patras, Fixed Deposit Receipts etc. were retained by the
department even after the assessment proceedings had been completed in the year
1996 and as to why the same were not encashed/renewed. According to the Court,
the money invested in the shape of Kishan Vikas Patras, Indira Vikas Patras etc.
continued to be the money available with the Union of India all along. This
money was utilised by the Government for its own purposes, which fact can be
inferred as the Vikas Patras etc. were never encashed. The issue as to
whether the assessee is to suffer in respect of loss of interest on these
Kishan Vikas Patras, Indira Vikas Patras etc. for the inaction on the
part of the department especially when the money lay with the Union of India
itself. According to the Court the facts of this case are more or less
identical to those in the case of Chironjilal Sharma Huf , Sandvik Asia
Ltd. (supras) and Commissioner of Income-Tax vs. Gujarat Fluoro Chemical
(2013)
358 ITR 291 (SC
). In the case of South Eastern Coalfields Ltd. vs.
State of M.P. & Others
reported in (2003) 8 SCC 648,
the Apex Court has laid down as follows: “Once the doctrine of restitution
is attracted, the interest is often a normal relief given in restitution. Such
interest is not controlled by the provisions of the Interest Act of 1839 or
1978.”

Thus it was held that the order of the ACIT refusing to make
payment of interest u/s. 132B of the Act, 1961 on the ground that Kishan Vikas
Patras, Indira Vikas Patras, Fixed Deposit Receipts etc. had not been
encashed, cannot be legally sustained and was quashed. The ACIT was directed to
redetermine the interest in light of the judgment of the Apex Court in the
cases of Chironjilal Sharma Huf, Sandvik Asia Ltd. (Supras) strictly
in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

The Revenue filed SLP before Supreme Court which was
dismissed.

4.       Book
profit – Accounts prepared in accordance with the provisions of part II and III
of Schedule VI to the Companies Act – it was not open to the AO to embark upon
a fresh inquiry in regard to the entries made in the books of account of the
company.: U/s. 115J

IT. vs. M/s J.K.Synthetics Ltd. Kamla Tower, (2016)
S.L.P.No.23617 of 2016 ; [ (2016) 387 ITR(Statutes) 2 ]

CIT. vs. M/s J.K.Synthetics Ltd. Kamla Tower, [ ITA No 451
of 2009 dt :01/10/2015 (All)(HC).]

The assessee is a public limited company engaged in the
manufacture of synthetic yarn and cement. For the AY: 1988-89, the assessee
filed a return declaring a loss. The assessee claimed depreciation after
revaluing its fixed assets. The AO found that as per section 115J of the Act,
net profit shown in the profit & loss account was in accordance with the
provisions of part II and III of Schedule VI to the Companies Act, 1956. The AO
however, was of the opinion that the method of computation of profit & loss
was not in consonance with the provisions of section 350 of the Companies Act,
and, consequently, disallowed the excess depreciation and added that amount in
the profit & loss account.

The AO passed an assessment order u/s. 143(3) of the Act
after making certain additions and disallowances under various heads.

Being aggrieved, the assessee filed an appeal, which was
partly allowed. The matter was taken to the Tribunal. The Tribunal allowed the
appeal against which the Department filed the appeal before High Court.

The assessee’s appeal was accepted by the Tribunal relying
upon the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Apollo Tyres Ltd.
vs. Commissioner of 3 Income-Tax, (2002) 255 ITR 273 (SC)
. The Tribunal
held as under: “We have considered the rival submission and the decisions
relied upon by the ld. A.R. Since the Revenue has not brought to our notice any
other decision contrary to the decisions relied upon by the led. Counsel, we
decide this issue in assessee’s favour as covered by the decision of the
Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Apollo Tyres Ltd. (supra). This ground of
the assessee is allowed.”

Before the High Court, the Department submitted that since
the profit & loss account was not prepared in accordance with the
provisions of part II and III of Schedule-VI to the Companies Act, the AO was
justified in revising the net profit u/s.115J of the Act.

The Supreme Court in Apollo Tyres (Supra) considered
the question as to whether the AO while assessing a Company for income-tax
u/s.115J of the Income-tax Act could question the correctness of the profit and
loss account prepared by the assessee and certified by the statutory auditors
of the company as having been prepared in accordance with the requirements of
Parts II and III of Schedule VI to the Companies Act. The Supreme Court held
that the AO was bound to rely upon the authentic statement of accounts of the
company and had to accept the authenticity of the accounts with reference to
the provisions of the Companies Act, which obligates the company to maintain
its account in a manner provided by the Companies Act.

The Supreme Court had held that the AO while computing the
income u/s. 115J had only the power of examining whether the books of account
were certified by the authorities under the Companies Act as having been
properly maintained in accordance with the Companies Act. The AO thereafter had
a limited power of making increases or reductions as provided for in the
Explanation to the said Section. The Supreme Court, consequently, held that the
AO did not have the jurisdiction to go behind the net profit shown in the
profit and loss account except to the extent provided in the Explanation to
Section 115J. The said decision was reiterated by the Supreme Court in Malayala
Manorama Co. Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Income-tax, (2008) 300 ITR 251 (SC).

Once the finding has been given, the AO could not go behind
the net profit shown in the profit and loss account except to the extent
provided in the Explanation to section 115J of the Act. The High Court held
that the provision of section 115J does not empower the AO to embark upon a
fresh inquiry in regard to the entries made in the books of account of the
company.

The High Court dismissed the revenue’s appeal.

The Revenue filed SLP before Supreme Court which was
dismissed.

5.       Depreciation
– on the fixed assets acquired by considering the present-day value of gratuity
as well as the leave salary liability – as forming part of the cost of these
assets. – SLP Granted

CIT vs. Hooghly Mills Ltd, S.L.P.No.16674 of 2015; [
(2016) 387 ITR (Statutes) 22]

(Hooghly Mills Ltd vs. CIT [ ITA no. 120 of 2000 ; dt
:09/02/2015(Cal)(HC))

The assessee acquired fixed assets like land, building and
also plant & machinery, for which the price had to be paid partly in cash
and partly by way of taking over the accrued liability in respect of the gratuity
and leave salary payable to the workers. For the purpose of computing the cost
of the assets, only the present-day value of these accrued liabilities was
taken into consideration by the assessee. Tribunal reversed the orders of the
lower authorities and directed the AO to allow the claim of the assessee
towards depreciation on the fixed assets acquired by it by considering the
present-day value of the gratuity as well as the leave salary liability as
forming part of the cost of these assets.

Aggrieved by the order of the Tribunal the Revenue filed an
appeal before High court . Revenue submitted that the question is no longer res
integra
since the point has already been decided in favour of the Revenue
by the Supreme Court in the case of the assessee itself in the case of Commissioner
of Income Tax vs. Hooghly Mills Co. Ltd.
reported in (2006) 287
ITR 333 (SC)
wherein it was held that the expenditure on taking over
the gratuity liability is a capital expenditure, yet no depreciation is
allowable on the same because section 32 of the Income-tax Act states that
depreciation is allowable only in respect of buildings, machinery, plant or
furniture, being tangible assets, and know how patents, copyrights, trade
marks, licences, franchises or other business or commercial rights of similar
nature being intangible assets. The gratuity liability taken over by the
company does not fall under any of those categories specified in section 32. No
depreciation can be claimed in respect of the gratuity liability even if it is
regarded as capital expenditure. The gratuity liability is neither a building
machinery, plant or furniture nor is it an intangible asset of the kind
mentioned in section 32(1)(ii). Had it been a case where the agreement of sale
mentioned the entire sale price without separately mentioning the value of the
land, building or machinery, we would have remitted the matter to the Tribunal
to calculate the separate value of the items mentioned in section 32 and grant
depreciation only on these items. Hence, it was held that no depreciation can
be granted on the gratuity liability taken over by the assessee.

The assessee has submitted that the Apex Court was
considering the matter in the light of the agreement dated 24th
March, 1988 entered into between the assessee and M/s. Fort Gloster Industries
Ltd. whereas the case before us arose out of an agreement dated 30th August,
1994 entered into between the assessee and India Jute & Industries Ltd.
Assessee added that the present agreement contained a stipulation which was
conspicuous by its absence in the earlier agreement. The following lines
appearing in clause 2 of the agreement “at or for the price of Rs. 410.-
lakhs only free from all encumbrances and liens and liability save and except
those which have been assumed and taken over by the purchaser as hereinafter
mentioned and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter appearing.”

Assessee has contended that this stipulation was not there in
the agreement dated 1988. Therefore, the facts and circumstances of the case
are different. The clause 4 of the agreement which shows that money
consideration has also been differently apportioned than what was in the
earlier agreement. Assessee has contended that when the facts and circumstances
are different, the question of the application of the judgment of the Supreme
Court to the case in hand, does not arise.

Assessee further contended that in any case there can be no
denial of the fact that the cost of acquisition of the assets is both money
paid and money promised. Assessee has submitted that neither principle nor law
can assist the revenue in contending that they shall permit depreciation only so
far as the money paid is concerned, but omit to do so with respect to the money
promised. The assets were purchased at a price which is aggregate of the amount
paid and promised. Therefore, the depreciation shall take place of the combined
value of the assets and not in respect of the money paid only. Assessee
submitted that the Hon’ble Apex Court’s attention was not drawn to the fact
that liability on account of gratuity taken over by the purchaser lost the
character of outstanding gratuity and partook the character of consideration in
the hands of the assessee. Once it partook the character of consideration,
there is no reason why the depreciation should not be allowed. The liability on
account of gratuity was in the hands of the seller. The buyer did not enjoy any
service of the employee nor could have been in law liable for payment of any
gratuity to the employees of the seller. The buyer became liable because the
buyer undertook to pay the debt due by the seller. Therefore, the liability is
on account of consideration. Assessee submitted that the case is illustrated by
sub-section 2 of section 43 which provides that paid means, actually paid or
incurred according to the method of accounting. Assessee contended that there
cannot be any dispute that the liability was incurred and it was incurred on
account of acquisition of the assets.

The High Court said that they were bound by the views
expressed by the Apex Court. Therefore, re-consideration, if any, can only be
by Supreme Court and not by the High Court. However the court felt that the
matter needs re-consideration by Supreme Court.

The Assessee filed SLP before Supreme Court
which was granted.

22. Revision – Section 263 – A. Y. 2007-08 – Assessee changing method of accounting in accordance with accounting standard 7 – Known and recognised method of accounting and approved as proper – Not erroneous and prejudicial to Revenue – Revision not warranted

Princ. CIT vs. A2Z Maintenance and Engineering Services
Ltd.; 392 ITR 273(Del):

The assessee was engaged in the construction business. For
the A. Y. 2007-08, the transactions in its return were accepted in the scrutiny
assessment u/s. 143(3) of the Act. The Assessing Officer noted that the
assessee provided maintenance services such as housekeeping and security
services and accepted the returned income without any disallowance. The
Commissioner issued notice u/s. 263 of the Act taking the view that Rs. 11.98
crore shown as deferred revenue income by changing the method of accounting in
accordance with Accounting Standard (AS)-7 resulted in lowering of profit. The
Commissioner finally made the order revising the assessment as erroneous and
prejudicial to the Revenue and remitted the matter for consideration to the
Assessing Officer. The Tribunal set aside the order of the Commissioner.

On appeal by the Revenue, the Delhi High Court upheld the
decision of the Tribunal and held as follows:

“i)  The ruling of the Tribunal is largely based
upon the recognition of Accounting Standard-7 in the given facts and
circumstances of the case and that in fact the matter had received scrutiny by
the Assessing Officer at the stage of original assessment. Besides this method
was a known and recognised method of accounting and approved as a proper one.

ii)   Therefore,
the Tribunal was right in holding that the exercise of power u/s. 263 of the
Act was not warranted.”

21. Transfer pricing – A. Y. 2006-07 – International transaction – Arm’s length price – Selection of comparables – Company outsourcing major parts of its business cannot be taken as comparable for company not outsourcing major part of its business

Princ. CIT vs. IHG IT Services (India) P. Ltd.; 392 ITR 77
(P&H):

For the A. Y.  2006-07,
the Tribunal excluded the companies N and G from the list of comparables on the
ground that a substantial part of their business was outsourced and outsourcing
exceeded 40%, which was not so in the case of the assessee. In the case of N,
the Tribunal held that it was not a valid comparable also on the ground that
another company had been merged into it.

On appeal by the Revenue, the Punjab and Haryana High Court
upheld the decision of the Tribunal and held as under:

“i)  Both the companies were not appropriate
comparables, since a major part of their business was outsourced, whereas the
major part of the assessee’s business was not outsourced.

ii)  Moreover, the company V had a low employee
cost of Rs. 1.25% of operating revenue. The assessee’s wages to sales was 53%
which was not comparable to V. Thus the exclusion of N and V was justified.”

20. Return – Belated revised return for claiming exemption in terms of Supreme Court decision and CBDT circular – High Court has power to direct condonation of delay and granting of exemption

S. Sevugan Chettiar vs. Princ. CIT; 392 ITR 63 (Mad):

The assessee, an employee of ICICI Bank, retired under the
Early Retirement Option Scheme, 2003. For the year of retirement the assesee
filed the return of income and the assessment was finalised. Subsequently, the
assessee came to know that the Supreme Court, in the case of S. Palaniappan
vs. ITO (2015) 5 ITR-OL 275
(SC) held that a person, who has opted
for voluntary retirement under the Early Retirement Option Scheme shall be
entitled to exemption u/s. 10(10C) of the Act. Following the decision, the CBDT
issued a circular dated 13/04/2016 stating that the judgment of the Supreme
Court be brought to the notice of all officials in the respective jurisdiction
so that relief may be granted to such retirees of the ICICI Bank under Early
Retirement Option Scheme 2003. On coming to know of this, the assessee filed a
revised return claiming the benefit u/s. 10(10C) of the Act, referring to the
said decision and the circular. The Assessing Officer rejected the claim on the
ground that the revised return was filed beyond the time stipulated u/s. 139(5)
of the Act.

The Madras High Court allowed the assesee’s writ petition and
held as under:

“i)  Clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 119
of the Income-tax Act, 1961 states that the CBDT may, if it considers as
desirable or expedient so to do for avoiding genuine hardship in any case or
class of cases, by general or special order, relax any requirement contained in
any of the provisions contained in Chapter IV or Chapter VI-A of the Act. Thus
if the default in complying with the requirement was due to circumstances
beyond the control of the assessee, the Board is entitled to exercise its power
and relax the requirement contained in Chapter IV or Chapter VI-A. If such a
power is conferred upon the Board, this Court, while exercising jurisdiction
u/s. 226 of the Constitution of India, would also be entitled to consider
whether the assessee’s case would fall within one of the conditions stipulated
u/s. 119(2)(c).

ii)  The Board issued a circular on 13/04/2016 with
a view to grant relief to retirees of the ICICI Bank under the Early Retirement
Option Scheme. The circular issued by the CBDT was in exercise of powers
conferred u/s. 119.

iii)  The assesee being a senior citizen could not
be denied the benefit of exemption u/s. 10(10C) of the Act and the financial
benefit that had accrued to him, which would be more than a lakh of rupees. The
Respondent is directed to grant the benefit of exemption u/s. 10(10C) of the
Act and refund the appropriate amount to the petitioner, within a period of
three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.”

19. Penalty – Concealment of income – Sections 92CA and 271(1)(c) – Recomputation of arm’s length price of specified domestic transaction not carried out at arm’s length – Transactional net margin method or comparable uncontrolled price method – difference in method leading to rejection of loss claimed in respect of genuine new line of business – Penalty cannot be imposed –

CIT vs. Mitsui Prime Advanced Composites India Pvt. Ltd.;
392 ITR 280 (Del):

Based upon the Transfer Pricing Officer’s Determination of
the arm’s length price, the Assessing Officer rejected the assessee’s claim
that the transactional net margin method was applicable and adopted the
comparable uncontrolled price method u/s. 92CA of the Act, where the difference
in the method led to the rejection by the Assessing Officer of the losses
claimed by the Assessee. The assessee did not appeal as it had consistently
incurred losses. The Assessing Officer initiated penalty proceedings on the
ground that an adverse order u/s. 92C attracted the Explanation 7 to section
271(1)(c). The Assessing Officer was of the opinion that the explanation
offered by the assessee was not satisfactory and did not display good faith,
which was a prerequisite under Explanation 7. He therefore imposed penalty u/s.
271(1)(c) of the Act. The Tribunal found that the assessee had acquired
business from one GSC for supply of products as well as availing the
engineering services to set up a plant for manufacturing the designated
products which included the manufacturing facility and resulted in the sale of
goods and which indicated the benefit derived by the assessee from the three
international transactions with its associate enterprises. The Appellate
Tribunal held that to say that the assessee did not avail of any services at
all was incorrect. It also held that the assessee had not only acquired the new
business but also had availed of the services to set up a plant, the details of
which were disclosed to the Transfer Pricing Officer by a letter, which was
sufficient elaboration of the nature of services availed of by the assessee
under the three international transactions. It also held that since no
manufacturing activity was done by the assessee, in the past as it was simply a
trader, acquiring of “business” and availing of the services under the three
agreements with its associated enterprises could not be characterised as
duplication of services. The Tribunal deleted the penalty.

On appeal by the Revenue, the Delhi High Court upheld the
decision of the Tribunal and held as under:

“i)  The Appellate Tribunal did not in any manner
deviate from Explanation 7 to section 271(1)(c) of the Act. Furthermore having
regard to the fact that the assessee’s claim was in respect of a new line of
business of manufacturing introduced for the first time in the given year, its
failure per se could not have trigged the automatic presumptive
application of Explanation 7 of section 271(1)(c) as perceived by the
authorities.

ii) The
application of the exception had to be based on the facts of each case and no
generalisation could be made. The Appellate Tribunal had elaborately dealt with
the rationale in rejecting the imposition of penalty by the Assessing Officer
and had not committed any error of law.”

18. Co-operative society – Deduction u/s. 80P(2)(a)(i) – Society providing credit facilities to members – Finding that assessee not a co-operative bank and its activities confined to its enrolled members in particular area – Class B members enrolled for purpose of availing of loans and not participating in administration are also members – Benefit of exemption cannot be denied to assessee

CIT vs. S-1308 Ammapet Primary Agricultural Co-operative
Bank Ltd; 392 ITR 55 (Mad):

The assessee was a co-operative society involved in banking
and trading activities. It filed a Nil return after claiming deduction u/s.
80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act. The Assessing Officer disallowed the claim of the
assessee on the ground that the assessee had lent monies to the members, who had
undertaken non-agricultural/non-farm activities and had received commercial
interest, that since interest was received, the non-farm sector loans did not
qualify for deduction u/s. 80P(2)(a)(i), that the activity of the assessee was
in the nature of commercial banking activity, that u/s. 80P(2)(a)(i), deduction
was available only if primary agricultural credit societies were engaged with
the primary object of providing financial assistance to its members for
agricultural activities. The Commissioner (Appeals) allowed the assessee’s
claim. The Tribunal perceived that in the definition of “member” u/s. 2(16) of
the Co-operative Societies Act, 1983, the associate member under clause 2(6)
was also included. It held, that therefore, the enrolled class B members who
had availed of loans from the assessee could not be treated as non-members and
consequently held that the assessee was entitled to deduction u/s. 80P(2)(a)(i)
of the Act.

On appeal by the Revenue, the Madras High Court upheld the
decision of the Tribunal and held as under:

“i)  The appellate authorities had clearly
perceived that the assessee was not a co-operative bank and that the activities
of the assessee were not in the nature of accepting the deposits, advancing
loans, etc., but was confined to its members only and that too in a
particular geographical area.

ii)  Exemption u/s. 80P(2)(a)(i) could not be
denied on the ground that the members of the assessee society were not entitled
to receive any dividend or have any voting right or right to participate in the
general administration or to attend any meeting etc., because they were
admitted as associate members for availing of loans only and were also charged
a higher rate of interest.

iii)   The
assessee society was entitled to deduction u/s. 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act.”

17. Charitable purpose – Registration u/s. 12AA – A. Y. 2009-10 – Cancellation of registration- Assessee a housing development authority constituted under Act of Legislature – No activity demonstrating that assessee not genuine trust – No material indicating that assessee or its affairs not carried out in accordance with object of trust – Registration cannot be cancelled

DIT(E) vs. Maharashtra Housing and Area Development
Authority; 392 ITR 240 (Bom)

The assessee is a housing development authority registered
u/s. 12AA of the Act. The Director of Income-tax (Exemption) received a
proposal from the Assistant Director stating that the assessee had been
carrying on activities in the nature of trade, commerce or business, and had
gross receipts therefrom in excess of Rs. 10 lakh and that the proviso
to section 2(15) of the Act, would be attracted and therefore requested to
consider the withdrawal of registration. The Director referred to the details
of income in income and expenditure account and profit of Rs. 114.48 crore out
of sale of housing and income by way of lease rent, tenancy deposits, and based
on that issued a show cause notice to the assessee. The assessee pointed out
that its activities were in furtherance of the Maharashtra Housing and Area
Development Act, 1976, it had no profit motive, far from indulging in any trade
or commerce and it gave houses to middle class families at affordable rents,
that the income was on account of sale of housing stock and not from a
systematic commerce and business activities. The Director (Exemption) cancelled
the registration. The Tribunal held that the assessee was entitled to
registration and set aside the order of cancellation of registration.

On appeal by the Revenue, the Bombay High Court upheld the
decision of the Tribunal and held as under:

“i)  There was nothing referred to by the Director
(Exemption) which could show that the assessee was undertaking any activity
which would demonstrate that it was not a genuine trust or institution. There
was no material which would indicate that the assessee or its affairs were not
being carried out in accordance with the object of the trust or institution.

ii)  These
two aspects referred to in subsection(3) of section 12AA of the Act, and the
materials in that behalf were completely lacking. Therefore, there was no
reason for the Director (exemption) to exercise the power which he purported to
exercise.”

16. Capital gain – Exemption u/s. 54F – Investment of capital gain in purchase of residential house outside India before amendment by Finance No. 2 Act, 2014 – Assessee entitled to exemption u/s. 54F

Leena Jugalkishor Shah vs. 392 ITR 18 (Guj):

The assessee, a non-resident Indian, disposed of property
situated in India and purchased a residential house in United States. The
assessee claimed exemption u/s. 54F of the Act, in respect of the investment of
capital gain in the residential house in United States. The Assessing Officer
held that the residential house purchased outside India was not subject to tax
in India within the meaning of section 54F of the Act, and thus disallowed the
claim for exemption u/s. 54F of the Act. The Tribunal confirmed the
disallowance.

On appeal by the assessee, the Gujarat High Court reversed
the decision of the Tribunal and held as under:

“i)  The assessee had purchased a residential house
in the United States out of the capital gains on sale of plot in India and thus
she had fulfilled the conditions stipulated in section 54F of the Act. The
assessee invested the capital gains in a residential house within the
stipulated time.

ii)  There was no condition in section 54F of the
Act at the relevant time that the capital gains arising out of transfer of
capital asset should be invested in a residential house situated in India. The
language of section 54F of the Act before its amendment was that the assessee
should invest capital gains in a residential house. It was only after the
amendment to section 54F of the Act, by the finance (No. 2) Act, 2014, which
came into force w.e.f. April 1, 2015 that the assessee should invest the sale
proceeds arising out of sale of capital asset in a residential house situated
in India within the stipulated period.

iii)  When section 54F was clear and unambiguous,
there was no scope for importing into the statutes words which were not there.
Moreover, when the language of a taxing provision was ambiguous or capable of
more meanings than one, then the court had to adopt the interpretation which
favoured the assessee.

iv)   The
benefit of section 54F before its amendment could be extended to a residential
house purchased outside India and hence the claim of exemption was to be
allowed.”

15. Appellate Tribunal – Order to be passed within 90 days – Section 254(1) and ITAT Rules 34(5)(c) and 34(8) – A. Y. 2009-10 – Rule requiring order to be pronounced within 90 days of conclusion of hearing – Tribunal passing order beyond period of 90 days – Assessee applying rectification on ground delay operated to its prejudice – Rejection not justified – Tribunal to consider rectification application afresh

Otters Club vs. DIT(Exemption); 392 ITR 244 (Bom):

The Tribunal passed the order dated 03/02/2016 u/s. 254(1) of
the Income-tax Act, (hereinafter for the sake of brevity referred to as the
“Act”) 1961 beyond the period of 90 days from the date of conclusion
of its hearing on 22/09/2015 for the A. Y. 2009-10. The assessee’s application
for rectification of the order on the ground that this delay resulted in
prejudice to the parties as binding decisions of co-ordinate Benches though
referred to were ignored, was dismissed.

The Bombay High Court allowed the assessee’s writ petition
and held as under:

“i)  The Tribunal while rejecting the rectification
application did not dispute the fact that the order dated 03/02/2016 was passed
beyond the period of 90 days from the date of conclusion of its hearing.
However, it recorded that administrative clearance had been taken to pass such
an order beyond the period of 90 days.

ii)  The meaning of “administrative clearance” was
not clear in the face of rule 34(5)(c) read with rule 34(8) of the
Income-tax(Appellate Tribunal) Rules, 1963. The provisions mandated the
Tribunal to pronounce its order at the very latest on or before the 90th day,
after the conclusion of the hearing. Therefore, the order was not sustainable.

iii)  The
Tribunal was to consider the rectification application afresh.”

Expenditure by Pharmaceutical Companies On Doctors

Issue for Consideration

Explanation 1 to section 37(1) declares, for the removal of
doubts, that any expenditure incurred for a purpose which is an offence or
which is prohibited by law shall not be deemed to have been incurred for the
purpose of business or profession and no deduction shall be allowed for such an
expenditure.

It is the usual industry practice for companies, engaged in
the business of manufacturing pharmaceutical products, to distribute their
products amongst the medical practitioners by way of free samples and gift
articles; to conduct and sponsor seminars and lectures in and outside India; to
hold dinner and parties; to sponsor holidays and pay for travel and
accommodation of doctors and their spouses and incur such other expenses.

The expenditures so incurred is usually classified as the
advertisement and sales promotion expenses and is claimed as a business
expenditure. The validity of such claim is examined by the Supreme Court in the
case of Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd, 245 ITR 116 (SC), in the context of section
37(3A)
, now omitted. A controversy has arisen, on account of the
conflicting decisions of the Tribunal, in the recent years, on the subject of
allowance or otherwise of the deduction of such expenditure, post issue of a
circular No.5 dt. 1.08.2012 by the CBDT in pursuance of the amendments of 2009
in the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette & Ethics)
Regulations, 2002
( ‘Regulations’).

Liva Healthcare Ltd’s case.

The issue had first arisen in the case of Liva Healthcare
Ltd. vs. DCIT, 161 ITD 63
. In the said case, the company for assessment
year 2009-10 had incurred expenditure on travel and accommodation of doctors
and their spouses to Istanbul and Hongkong and towards distribution of free
samples to the physicians. The tours were conducted to promote the products and
samples were distributed free of cost as a necessity of business requirement of
the assessee. The company had submitted before the AO that the expenditures
were incurred, including on samples given free of cost to doctors, to obtain
information regarding efficacy of the medicine and for the purposes of
advertisement, publicity and sales promotion; that samples were given free of
cost to the doctors so that they could try the same on patients and inform the
medical representative of the assessee about their results and their
experiences; that the nature of the product sought to be sold was such that it
could be done through the doctors alone and as such promoted sales also; that
when such expenditure was incurred on doctors and samples were given to
doctors, certain amount of good relationship was created with them who might
then buy or prescribe those medicines in preference to other similar products.
In a nutshell, it was explained that the twin purpose of such expenditures was
to test the efficacy of the products as well as for advertisement, publicity or
sales promotion. It was also submitted that the samples were manufactured as
“physician samples not for sale” and the suppliers invoices were
marked as “physician samples” only. The assessee relied upon a few
decisions including the decision in the case of Eskayef Pharmaceuticals
(India) Ltd., (supra) :

In assessing the total income, the A.O. disallowed the
expenditure incurred on travel and accommodation in full and also disallowed
25% of the expenditure claimed on distribution of free samples by applying
Explanation 1
to section 37(1) of the Act. The CIT(A) upheld the
disallowance of the travel and accommodation expenditure but deleted the
addition on account of disallowance of the expenditure in part of distribution
of the free samples by allowing the appeal of the assessee company, in part.

In cross appeals to the Tribunal, the revenue relied upon the
order of the A.O. while the assessee company reiterated its stand taken before
the A.O. Significantly, it brought to the notice of the Tribunal the order
passed by the Tribunal in its own case for assessment year 2008-09. The
Tribunal examined the provisions of the said Regulations of 2002 and in
particular clauses 6.4 and 6.8 as also the then newly amended clause
6.8
. It also took into consideration the decision of the Himachal Pradesh
High Court in the case of the Confederation of Pharmaceutical Industry vs.
CBDT, 355 ITR 388
wherein validity of the said CBDT circular No. 5 of
2012
and the said Regulations of 2002 governing professional ethics
of doctors was challenged and was found by the court to be as per the law and
salutary and issued in the interest of public and patients. The Tribunal also
took note of the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the case of CIT
vs. Kap Scan and Diagnostic Centre (P.) Ltd., 344 ITR 478
, wherein the
court had confirmed the disallowance of commission paid to the doctors, as not
allowable u/s. 37(1) of the Act, being against public policy and
prohibited by law.

The Tribunal at the outset expressed their agreement, in
principle, with its decision in assessee’s own case for assessment year
2008-09, so far as the expenditure incurred on distributing free samples to
test the efficacy of the pharmaceutical products, in accordance with the ratio
of the case of Eskayef Pharmaceuticals (India) Ltd. (supra), at the
initial stage of introduction of the products to get the feedback of the users
and held that such expenses could be said to be incurred wholly and exclusively
for the purposes of business satisfying the mandate of section 37 of the Act.
The Tribunal held that the physicians’ samples were necessary to ascertain the
efficacy of the medicine and for introduction of a new product in the market,
it was only by distributing the free samples that the purpose was achieved.

The Tribunal however proceeded to hold that where a
particular medicine had already been introduced into the market, in the past,
and its uses were established, giving of free samples could only be as a
measure of sales promotion and advertisement and that the ratio of the said
decision in the case of Eskayef Pharmaceuticals (India) Ltd.(supra),
delivered in the context of section 37(3A) of the Act, did not apply due to the
fact that the Finance Act, 1998 had thereafter, introduced an Explanation to
section 37
(1) of the Act which required that an expenditure, the purposes
which was an offence or prohibited under the law, was disallowed.

The Tribunal noted that the purpose for incorporation of the
said Explanation to section 37(1) had been explained by the CBDT in Circular
No. 772
, dated December 23, 1998. It further noted that the said Regulations
of 2002
prohibited, vide regulation 6.4.1, a physician from receiving any
gifts, gratuity, commission or bonus in consideration or return for referring
the patients for medical, surgical or other treatment.

It held that once the pharmaceutical products were
distributed after the products were introduced in the market and its uses were
established, giving of free samples to doctors and physicians would be a measure
of sales promotion which would be hit by regulation 6.4.1 of the said Regulations
of 2002
. It further held that the said regulation had a force of law and
the receipt of free samples amounted to receipt in consideration of or return
for referring patients and that such receipts were prohibited under regulation
6.4.1
of the said Regulations of 2002 inasmuch as the stated
objective of giving free samples to the doctors and physicians was to induce
them to write prescriptions of the said pharmaceutical products. It held that
the expenses could not be allowed as deduction while computing income from
business or profession.

The Tribunal drew support from the decision in the case of Eskayef
Pharmaceuticals (India) Ltd. (supra)
to hold that the test laid down by the
court, read in conjunction with Explanation to section 37 of the Act and
regulation 6.4.1. of the said Regulations of 2002, made it clear
that the expenditure on such free samples was hit by the Explanation to
section 37
of the Act and was not allowable as deduction.

In conclusion, the Tribunal held that the expenditure on
foreign travel and accommodation of doctors and their spouses was incurred with
the intent and the objective of profiting from the distribution and
entertainment and had a direct nexus with promoting the sales and
profitability, all of which made such expenditure violate the provisions of the
said Regulations of 2002. It held that the expenditure was incurred to
seek favours from the doctors by way of recommendation of the company’s
products which was an illegal gratification, was against public policy, was
unethical and was prohibited by law. Accordingly, the expenditure in question
was liable for disallowance in full as was held by the A.O. and the CIT(A).

PHL Pharma (P) Ltd.

The issue had again arisen in the case of PHL Pharma (P)
Ltd. vs. ACIT, 163 ITD 10(Mum. )
. In this case, the assessee company had
debited an amount aggregating to Rs. 83.93 crore to the Profit & Loss
Account towards advertisement and sales promotional expenses, for the year
ending on 31.03.2010. The said expenditure included expenses on distribution of
free samples and gift articles to medical practitioners and doctors, besides
the expenditures on conducting seminar and lecture meetings, journals and
books, travel and accommodation and such other items and things. The A.O.
disallowed an amount of Rs. 23 crore being that part of the expenditure that
was incurred on or after 10.12.2009, i.e. the date of notification of the said
amendments in the said Regulations of 2002. On appeal, the CIT(A) agreed
with the case of the assessee company and allowed the appeal.

On appeal by the Income tax Department to the Tribunal, it
was held as under:

   The said Regulations of 2002 dealt
with the professional conduct, etiquette and ethics for the registered medical
practitioners, only; it requires that they shall not aid or abet or commit any
of the prescribed unethical acts; it laid down the code of conduct for doctors
in their relationship with pharmaceutical and allied health sector industry.

   The CBDT Circular No. 5 of 2012 had
heavily relied upon the said Regulations of 2002.

   The code of conduct has meant to be followed
and adhered to by the medical practitioners and doctors alone and did not apply
any manner to pharmaceutical companies and the Delhi High Court in the case of Max
Hospitals vs. MCI had confirmed this position in WPC 1334 of 2013 dt.
10.01.2014.

   The Indian Medical Council did not have any
jurisdiction nor had any authority upon the pharmaceutical companies and could
not have prohibited such companies in conduct of their business.

   As far as the company was concerned, there
was no violation of any law or regulation. The provisions of section 37(1)
applied to a company claiming the expenditure and the violation of section
37(1) was to be examined w.r.t the company incurring the expenditure and not
the doctors who were the beneficiary of the expenditure. Even the additional
prohibition prescribed on 01.12.2016 applied only to the medical practitioners
and not to the pharmaceutical companies .

   The punishments or penalties prescribed in
the said Regulations applied only to the medical practitioners and not to the
companies.

   The CBDT in issuing the said circular No.
5
had enlarged the scope of the said Regulations by applying it to
the pharmaceutical companies without any enabling provisions to do so. It had
no power to create a new impairment adverse to an assesee or a class of
assessees, without any sanction of law. The circular issued should have
confirmed with the tax laws and should not have created a new burden by
enlarging the scope of a different regulation.

   The circular in any case could not be
reckoned retrospectively i.e., it could not be applied before the date of its
issue on 01.08.2012.

   The expenditure incurred by the assessee
company was in the nature of sales and business promotion and was to be
allowed; the gift articles bore the logo of the assessee and could not be held
to the freebies; the free samples proved the efficacy of the products of the
company and again were not in violation of the said Regulations framed
by the Medical Council of India.

   The decision in the case of Confederation
of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry (supra)
upheld the validity of the said
circular with a rider that no disallowance should take place where the assessee
satisfied the authority that the expenditure was not in violation of the Regulations
framed by the Medical Council of India.

–    The assesseee company, in the opinion of the
CIT(A),  in the case had proved that the
expenditure were not in violation of the said Regulations.

   The action of the CIT (A) was upheld and the
expenditure claimed was allowed by the Tribunal.

Observations

The conflicting decisions have brought out a very interesting
issue wherein all the sections of the society are required to address a few
pertinent questions; whether one can participate in an offence, even trigger
it, and still not be accused of the offence? For example, can one give a bribe
to a government official and still plead that he cannot be punished or can one
pay a ransom and plead that he cannot be punished? Can one be a party to illcit
activities and plead that not him but the other person be punished for the
crime? Can one be an abettor or instigator of a crime or an offence and plead
innocence?

It may be possible to legally resolve the controversy by
holding, that in the absence of a provision of law that expressly provides for
the conviction, in explicit words, of both the parties to an offence, one of
the parties to an offence, though found to be abetting the offence, will go
scot free. The apparently simple answer may not remain so when the facts are
tested on the touchstone of public policy and ethics and importantly the
questions raised. In our view, these are the questions and the factors that
were relevant for deciding an issue of allowance of an expenditure even before
the Explanation to section 37 was issued in the year 1998. The courts, in scores
of the decisions, had occasion to address this issue even before the issuance
of the said Explanation and had largely held that an expenditure that was
against the public policy was not deductible. It is this aspect of the issue
that was partly touched in Liva Healthcare’s case and with
respect could have been explored in depth in the PHL Pharma’s case.

Medical Council of India is constituted under the Medical
Council Act, 1956 with the object of governing and regulating the practice of
medicines in India. It has been empowered to formulate rules and regulations
for effectively carrying out its objectives. The said council, empowered under
the said Act, has formulated The Indian Medical Council (Professional
Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations
, 2002 which was amended in 2009
and the amendment was notified on 10-12-2009 by the council. The said Regulations
vide amended clauses 6.4 and 6.8 provide for rules that prohibit receipt of the
freebies and many related acts and items and things by the medical
practitioners. Vide regulation 6.4.1, a physician is prohibited to
receive any gifts, gratuity, commission or bonus in consideration or return for
referring the patients for medical, surgical or other treatment. It reads as:
“6.4 Rebates and Commission: 6.4.1 A physician shall not give, solicit, or
receive nor shall he offer to give solicit or receive, any gift, gratuity,
commission or bonus in consideration of or return for the referring,
recommending or procuring of any patient for medical, surgical or other
treatment. A physician shall not directly or indirectly, participate in or be a
party to act of division, transference, assignment, subordination, rebating,
splitting or refunding of any fee for medical, surgical or other
treatment.”

Subsequent to the
notification of the said regulations, the CBDT has issued the Circular No. 5
dated 1-8-2012
directing the Income-tax authorities to disallow the expenditure
incurred on distribution of freebies on application of Explanation 1 to section
37(1) of the Income-tax Act. The relevant part reads as under; “It has been
brought to the notice of the Board that some pharmaceutical and allied health
sector Industries are providing freebees (freebies) to medical practitioners
and their professional associations in violation of the regulations issued by
Medical Council of India (the ‘Council’) which is a regulatory body constituted
under the Medical Council Act, 1956. 2. The council in exercise of its
statutory powers amended the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct,
Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 (the regulations) on 10-12-2009
imposing a prohibition on the medical practitioner and their professional
associations from taking any Gift, Travel facility, Hospitality, Cash or
monetary grant from the pharmaceutical and allied health sector Industries. 3.
Section 37(1) of Income Tax Act provides for deduction of any revenue
expenditure (other than those failing under sections 30 to 36) from the
business Income if such expense is laid out/expended wholly or exclusively for
the purpose of business or profession. However, the explanation appended to
this sub-section denies claim of any such expense, if the same has been
incurred for a purpose which is either an offence or prohibited by law. Thus,
the claim of any expense incurred in providing above mentioned or similar
freebees in violation of the provisions of Indian Medical Council (Professional
Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 shall be inadmissible under
section 37(1) of the Income Tax Act being an expense prohibited by the law.
This disallowance shall be made in the hands of such pharmaceutical or allied
health sector Industries or other assessee which has provided aforesaid
freebees and claimed it as a deductable expense in its accounts against
income.”

The validity of the said circular has been examined by the
Himachal Pradesh High Court in the case of Confederation of Indian
Pharmaceutical Industries,
353 ITR 388. The Punjab and Haryana High Court
in the case of KAP Scan and Diagnostics, 343 ITR 476 has examined the
issue of allowance of expenditure incurred on payment of commission to the doctors
by the diagnostic company. Recently, the Chennai Tribunal examined the issue of
allowance of deduction of an expenditure incurred by the pharmaceutical
manufacturers on distribution of freebies to the medical practitioners in the
case of Apex Laboratories (P) Ltd, 164 ITD 81 to hold that such an
expenditure was not allowable as deduction in view of the said Regulations of
2002 issued by the MCI.

 The same CBDT circular
had come up for consideration in the case of Syncom Formulations (I) Ltd. IT
Appeal Nos. 6429 & 6428 (Mum.) of 2012, dated 23-12-2015
, wherein the
Tribunal held that CBDT circular was not be applicable in the A.Ys. 2010-11 and
2011-12 as it was introduced w.e.f. 1.8.2012. Similar issue of allowance of
such expenditure in the case of pharmaceutical companies had been decided in
favour of the assessee, in the case of UCB India (P.) Ltd. v. ITO, IT Appeal
No. 6681 (Mum.) of 2013, dated 13-05-2016
, wherein it was held that the
CBDT circular could not have a retrospective effect.

The question is, can a person participating in an act, which
is considered as an offence in the hands of other party, be held to have not
offended the law? Can he not be said to have abetted an offence? Can he be
treated as a conspirator? Can he be said to have triggered the offence? Can he
not be punished for exploiting the weakness of the week? The answers in our
opinion may or may not be available in the express provisions of a statute but
will have to be found from the understanding of the public policy which is one
of the important pillars of the jurisprudence, civil or criminal. It may be
simple to hold that once an act is an offence for one party it shall equally be
an offence for anothers party whether expressly provided for in a statute or
not and the other party shall not be allowed to reap the benefits of such an
act, however, this apparently simple solution in our opinion, may not really
hold water in all cases and may not even be judicious. For example, in cases
involving ransom or protection money. The issue requires an in-depth debate
involving conscience of the society and perhaps cannot be adjudicated by only
interpreting one of the provisions of a statute in isolation.

Interestingly, the said circular vide paragraph
4 encourages the AO to tax the sum equivalent to value of freebees enjoyed by
the medical practitioner as business income or income from other sources as the
case may be depending on the facts of each case. The AO of such medical
practitioner or professional associations are directed to examine the facts and
take an
appropriate action.

30 days to GST: Many States, Many Rates, Many Credits, Many Dates

The GST journey, a concoction of ordeal, delay,
collaboration, negotiation, federalism, and convergence has come to its
conclusion. The leg of journey that laid the foundations of GST has culminated;
and a new journey will begin on 1st July, 2017. The SURPRISE of what
it will be is over. The IDEALISM of what it should be is also concluded. With
the law in place, we are about to see the how REALISM plays out and how the
nation copes with it.

Indian laws generally present a process larger than their
purpose. Bridging that difference has been a blind spot for Indian lawmakers.
While GST is projected as One nation, One tax; is that really so? While every
taxing apparatus of every state wants its powers to tax intact, we have ended
up with a GST that in substance is – Many states, Many rates. The spread of
compliances covering dates, rates, credits, invoicing, reverse charge and
filings; one feels that along with the states, the tax payer should also be
given compensation for going through this turbulence.

Some bigger and worrisome questions seem to hover
around the following:

a.  Will GST succeed in including the unorganised
sector in the tax base effectively and swiftly?

b.  Will GST be able to deal with the chasm
between the capabilities of medium sized businesses to deal with over sized
compliances vs. the exposure to the risk of non compliance?

c.  Will the entire chain get seamless credit of
taxes as they are meant to be? Will it not result in ‘unjust impoverishment’
considering the stringent sections such as 16(2) of IGST?

d.  Will GST make supply chain more fragile,
especially for those at the end of that chain?

e.  Will place of supply and time of supply
regulations not violate the principles of equity, certainty, convenience and
economy of collection?

f.   Will 3 phase monthly schedule of compliances
shift energies of business towards compliance?

g.  Lastly, what are the repercussions of
destination based consumption tax? Will the shift of focus from origin to
consumption dissuade production and related economic activities in states?

While GST does remain a bold attempt to unify the
multitudinous taxes that dissipate focus and energies of the nation, we have a
lot more ground to cover even after the GST rollout. While an economic and tax
union is achieved through GST, will we be able to integrate the poorest of
states into the economic benefits the richest states presently enjoy. It is
reported that three richest states are three times richer than the three
poorest states. Four richest states account for interstate trade of the
remaining twenty five states. While uniformity reduces level of differences at
an operational level, it does not necessarily bring result in real economic unity.
While we are jubilant about singularity of one indirect tax, we have some
larger concerns to face. We would not achieve much if we do not close in on the
economic unity, through massive reduction of disparities of income and wealth.
The words of C. Rajagopalachari sum it up – “you cannot achieve unity of this
country by imposing uniformity”.

One World, One Tax (Avoidance) Regime?

While most of us in India are engrossed and entangled in the
roll out of One Nation, One Tax regime, a major shift is getting concluded
globally. Nearly 100 jurisdictions will sign off on conclusions on Multilateral
Instruments (MLI). MLIs will be signed in Paris this month and will result in
‘transposing’ of BEPS projects results into more than 2000 Tax Treaties
worldwide. Upon signing the MLI, each country will apply the provisions of MLI
chosen by it into all the treaties or CTA (Covered Tax Agreements) listed by
them upon signing. MLI will result in amendment to the CTA if listed by both
countries. Of course each country will then ratify and notify those changes.
Some countries, who may not adopt MLI in toto, may only go for ‘minimum
standards’.

In the sphere of international tax, this scale of change is
unheard of, and is a huge milestone towards thwarting Base Erosion and Profit
Shifting in a concerted manner at this level. India is likely to express its
consent to be bound by the convention at the Paris meeting to be held in June
2017. The signing of international treaties being a delegated legislation, the
power to sign and implement MLI falls within the ambit of the Government and
therefore parliament approval is not required as such. The cabinet has already
given its approval last month.

Some of the likely impact will be:

a.  Principal Purpose Test may well become the default
anti-abuse measure;

b.  Avoidance of PE will be tackled by broadening
the definition and introduction of Specific Anti-Avoidance measures;

c.  Hybrid Mismatches caused by Transparent or
Dual-resident entities will be tackled with introduction of specific rules;

d.  Emphasis will be on the ‘place where the
activity is conducted’ and not just ‘rights to earn’;

e.  Consistency, Certainty and Predictability will
be known only as and when MLI is implemented by
all countries;

f.   A monitoring forum is set up for minimum
standards implementation;

g.  Signature, ratification and implementation by
countries will be the next step and the success of the entire process will
depend on how speedily the signatories will adopt the recommended measures.

At the ministerial level conference starting from 5th June,
we can expect a silent beginning to Global Tax Turmoil. MLI will close the
highways of Treaty Shopping and shelters like Azadi Bachao Andolan1 will
no longer be freely available. On reading the text, one will realise that it
will be very difficult to differentiate between evasion, avoidance and planning
as they all could be equated on the same lines. Credible deterrence is the
theme that runs through the script of MLI and BEPS actions. One of the
paragraphs from MLI preamble reads as under:

____________________________________________________________________________________

1   Union of India vs. Azadi Bachao Andolan and
Ors – 263 ITR 706 (SC)

Noting the need to ensure that existing agreements for the
avoidance of double taxation on income are interpreted to eliminate double
taxation with respect to the taxes covered by those agreements without creating
opportunities for non-taxation or reduced taxation through tax evasion or
avoidance (including through treaty-shopping arrangements aimed at obtaining
reliefs provided in those agreements for the indirect benefit of residents of
third jurisdictions);

We can hope that the disappearing of profits or shifting of
profits to low / no tax environments where there are little/no economic
activities will not be a legitimate/legal option anymore. In a lighter vein,
various forms of ‘sandwiches’ will now officially get the status of ‘junk’
food. Some estimates foresee saving of revenue loss of $100-240 billion or 4-10%
of global tax revenues. While BEPS seemed impossible, like GST, MLI signing
could well be a milestone towards achieving that impossible goal. A Bahubali
effect of sorts!

July 2017 Annual issue on GST

The Annual issue of the BCA
Journal (July 2017) is dedicated to GST. What a coincidence it will be that the
inauguration of GST and date of Journal publication both fall on the same day
which is also the CA day. The next issue will be a rich collection of about 20
articles on GST themes. Those who wish to circulate it to clients and friends;
you may please book additional copies in advance as per the information given
in this journal.

Insertion of Explanation in Entry Vis-à-Vis Effective Date

Introduction

Under the scheme of
Indirect Taxation, tax is attracted if the concerned goods are classified under
the taxable entry. There are instances when the entry is interpreted in a
particular manner. Subsequently the Government adds Explanation in the entry
for making its intentions clear. The dispute arises when such Explanation/s
have retrospective or prospective effect.

Taxation of Unmanufactured
Tobacco

Under Maharashtra Value
Added Tax Act, 2002 (MVAT Act), Entry A-45A exempts sale of unmanufactured
tobacco from levy of tax. However, an Explanation was added in said entry from
1.4.2002 stating that unmanufactured tobacco will not include the tobacco sold
in packages under a brand name. A dispute arose between assessees and Sales Tax
Department as to effective date of the Explanation. The view of Sales Tax
Department was that Explanation is clarificatory and it is effective
retrospectively from 1.4.2007 itself (since when the entry was existing) and
hence, liability arises retrospectively. The assessees were insisting that the
Explanation is substantive, hence effective from 1.4.2012 (i.e. from date of
insertion of such explanation) and hence no liability till 31.3.2012. In other
words, the issue was whether the given Explanation is clarificatory or
substantive.

The matter went to the
Bombay High Court, Aurangabad Bench in case of Amar Agencies (W.P. No.4944
of 2013) and others
which was decided on 5.5.2017    

Relevant Entry

The Hon. High Court has
reproduced the controversial entry and also given verdict on dispute as under:

“7. Upon consideration of
the arguments canvassed by learned counsel for respective parties, it is
manifest that we will have to deal with Entry 45A, it’s explanation, so also
entry 2401. For the sake of convenience, the same are reproduced below.

MAHARASHTRA VALUE ADDED TAX
ACT 2002

SCHEDULE A

1. ………

Before amendment

45A (a)       unmanufactured tobacco covered 
   Nil       1.4.2007

under tariff heading No.
2401                                                     
to

of the Central Excise Tariff Act,
1985.                            31.3.2012

After amendment

45A (a)       unmanufactured tobacco covered     Nil
      1.4.2012

                   under
tariff heading No. 2401                              to date

                   of
the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985.

Explanation. For the removal of the doubts, it is hereby
declared that, the unmanufactured tobacco shall not include unmanufactured
tobacco when sold in packets under the Brand name.

8. The moot question would
be reading the explanation, as a substantive amendment or clarificatory.

9. Entry 45A of the Act of
2002 was amended by notification dated 31.03.2012 by the Government exercising
its powers u/s. 09 of the Act of 2002. Entry 45A as it stood prior to amendment
of 31.03.2002, it contained Clause B with no explanation. Vide notification
dated 31.03.2012 Clause B which dealt with biris is deleted and an explanation
is added. The bone of contention between the parties is the date of
applicability of amendment.

By the explanation, it is
declared that the unmanufactured tobacco shall not include unmanufactured
tobacco when sold in packets under the brand name. Prior to 31.03.2012, the
legislature did not make any distinction between unmanufactured tobacco sold in
brand name or otherwise. The Entry 45A is part of Schedule A, which details the
list of goods for which the rate of tax is nil. The unmanufactured tobacco
covered under tariff heading No. 2401 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 is
not taxable i. e. it’s tax is nil as per Entry 45A(a).

10. The Trade Circular,
under challenge, lays down that the said explanation is clarificatory in
nature. If the explanation is interpreted as a mere clarificatory, then the
question of its applicability prospectively or retrospectively may not arise.
When the explanation serves the purpose of clarification of the existing law,
there is no question of its prospective or retrospective operation, as the said
explanation would only explain and clear any mental cobwebs surrounding meaning
of statutory provision and to prevent controversial interpretation.
Explanations generally are intended more as a legislative exposition or
clarification of the existing law than as a change in it. If we go to the
literal words employed in the explanation, then the said explanation is
introduced for the removal of the doubts. The language of the explanation
depicts such intention. If the explanation is interpreted as merely clarificatory,
then the trade circular cannot be held to be erroneous.

11. Yet, we will have to
bear in mind that, the taxing statutes have to be interpreted strictly. We will
have to consider whether the incorporation of explanation to Entry 45A of the
Act of 2002 has altered the law as existing prior to the amendment dated
31.03.2012. While adding the said explanation, the entry 12 to Schedule D is
also amended.

12.  As per section 9(1A) of the Act, the State
Government has the powers to amend the Schedule by adding or modifying any
entry in the Schedule. The notification dated 29.03.2007 was in force upto 31st
March, 2012. Item B in the entry 45A is deleted with effect from 01.04.2012,
that would be interpretation of the fact that, notification dated 31.03.2012
operates prospectively. The trade circular dated 30th March, 2007
clarifies that the unmanufactured tobacco cleared under Chapter Head 2401 of
the Central Excise and Tariff Act will be exempted from tax. The trade circular
dated 6th August, 2009 also clarifies the same. Incorporation of
explanation has amendatory implication with effect from 1st April,
2012. The explanation in the notification dated 31st March, 2012
will have to be held as amendatory and not clarificatory. We are only concerned
with the position prior to 31.03.2012. As from 1st April, 2012, the
unmanufactured tobacco sold in brand name is taxable. We are only concerned
with unmanufactured tobacco covered under heading 2401 of CETA.

13. Considering the trade
circular dated 30th March, 2007 and 6th August, 2009, it
would be clear that the Department considered the unmanufactured tobacco
covered under Chapter Head 2401 of the Central Excise and Tariffs Act exempted
from tax. The said position subsisted till 31.03.2012. It would appear that, no
distinction was made between sale of unmanufactured tobacco in packet or in
retail or whether branded or not branded. For the first time, the said
distinction is made by virtue of explanation to Entry No. 45A of the
Maharashtra Value Added Tax Act 2002.

14. The explanation no
doubt begins with the expression “for removal of doubts”. However,
the same does not appear to be plain and conclusive in nature. The operative
implication of the expression “for removal of doubts” in the explanation
does not show nexus to legislative intent of taxing liability. By virtue of
explanation, a particular class is created. By inserting explanation to Entry
No. 45A,  new class is created i. e.
‘unmanufactured tobacco sold in packets under a brand name’. A distinction is
made for the first time by insertion of said explanation between the
unmanufactured tobacco sold in retail, loose and those unmanufactured tobacco
sold in packets under a brand name. The said distinction has been introduced by
way of an explanation. By reason of explanation a substantive law is introduced
and if a substantive law is introduced, wherein a class is created thereby
making it liable for tax, the explanation will have to be held amendatory to
operate prospectively and not retrospectively.

15. In the light of the
above, it will have to be held that the addition of explanation to Entry No.
45A under notification dated 31.03.2012 is substantive provision and it is not
merely clarificatory, as such would operate prospectively. It will have to be
held that, unmanufactured tobacco sold in packets under a brand name would not
be taxable from 01.04.2007 to 31.03.2012. The impugned trade circular 9T dated
30.06.2012 stating that explanation is merely clarificatory is held to be
erroneous to that extent.”

Conclusion

The judgment clears the
legal position. It is expected that the government will appreciate substance of
the judgment.

It is expected that there
should not be retrospective burden on tax payers by way of inserting an
explanation/s which when earlier it was understood that the goods / commodities
concerned were understood to be under an exempt category. We hope that under
GST era, there will be much better clarity of law and no ambiguous situations
will arise.

Privatisation Of Airports: Whether A Franchise Service By Airport Authority?

Introduction:

Under selective approach of service tax litigation often
centered around whether a given transaction was one of service apart from the
issue of appropriate classification entry. When the said issue requires
determination based on terms of contract, the importance of reading the terms
of contract as a whole hardly requires any debate. A recent decision covering
this aspect is analysed below:

Facts in brief

In a recently decided set of writ petitions, a division bench
of Hon. Delhi High Court in the case of Delhi International Airport P. Ltd.
vs. UOI 2017 (50) STR 275 (Del)
had to examine whether privatisation of
airports done by Airports Authority of India (AAI) under long term Operations,
Management and Development Agreements (OMDA for short) entered into with
consortium led by GMR group and GVK group for Delhi and Mumbai airports
respectively was an arrangement of franchise service. In this case, the dispute
arose when the revenue claimed that upfront fee and an annual fee received by
AAI from the petitioners, Delhi International Airport P. Ltd. (DIAL) and Mumbai
International Airport P. Ltd. (MIAL) was liable for service tax as franchise
service. Under OMDA, DIAL and MIAL undertook the task to design, construct,
operate, upgrade, modernize, finance, manage and develop the respective
airports and in lieu of which AAI granted them various rights interalia,
long term rights to provide aeronautical and non-aeronautical services to
various consumers for a charge. As per the said OMDA, DIAL and MIAL had to pay
an upfront fee as well as revenue share termed as annual fee to AAI. Consequent
upon OMDA, AAI simultaneously leased out all the land along with buildings,
constructions or immovable assets to the petitioners under separate lease deeds
with each petitioner. AAI informed the petitioners post Finance Act, 2007 that
annual fee payable under OMDA was liable for service tax under the
classification entry renting of immovable property service, the annual fee
being consideration for the leasing of immovable property. However, according
to DIAL and MIAL, they had entered into OMDA primarily for grant of various
rights for better operation and management of airports whereas the lease deeds
were separately entered into and only consequent upon OMDA and therefore no
service tax could be paid by them to AAI over and above the amount paid as annual
fee. AAI therefore instructed escrow bankers of the petitioners to block an
amount equivalent to service tax chargeable on the said annual fee. According
to the petitioners, AAI did not render any service to them and annual fee
payable was under OMDA towards grant of rights to develop, finance, operate,
manage and modernize airports. If at all service tax was chargeable on the
annual fee, it would be the liability of AAI from their own revenue share.
Though no notice was issued to DIAL and MIAL, aggrieved by the order of
adjudication passed against AAI wherein liability of service tax was confirmed
under franchise service, DIAL and MIAL filed writ petitions in the High Court
of Delhi.

Case of petitioners, DIAL and MIAL

As per petitioners, upfront fee and annual fees were paid to
AAI as revenue share and not as consideration for any service. OMDA was not a
franchise agreement but a statutory divestation of right in favour of DIAL and
MIAL respectively to build, operate and maintain the airports. Further, both
DIAL and MIAL are joint venture companies wherein AAI itself holds 26% shares.
Also, since there was complete divestation of rights, it could never be a
considered franchise. Both the petitioner companies had to invest their own
funds to build, operate and maintain the airports and consequently get right to
charge various customers for availability of services liable under service tax
as “airport service” and they paid service tax on this service. They ran their
own operation and did not act as franchisee of AAI. They had to pay AAI
specified percentage of gross revenue termed as “annual fee” in addition to an
upfront fee of Rs.150 crore by each DIAL and MIAL. Thus annual fee was not a
consideration for any service but an appropriation of revenue by AAI before
petitioners received any part of the revenue. In order to be attracted under
service tax, the franchisee should be granted representational right and they
did not perform the activity on behalf of AAI. Alternatively if at all service
tax was payable, it would have to be paid by AAI.

Case of AAI

AAI also contended that there was no franchise agreement in
place and factually DIAL and/or MIAL never claimed that they represented AAI.
The arrangement only allowed private parties to do an activity of profit under
the rights granted by the State. Since the revenue’s case was to bring OMDA
under franchise service, there was no question of examining whether the
arrangement could be construed renting of immovable property as defined u/s.
65(90)(a) of the Finance Act, 1994 (the Act). In response to petitioner’s
contention that if any service tax liability was to be fastened, it would be
that of AAI, they contended that it was a contractual dispute and writ petition
in respect thereof would not be maintainable and more so when there was an
arbitration clause formed part of the contract.

Case of Revenue

Revenue in turn had a case that writ was primarily not
maintainable since alternate remedy was available by filing an appeal with
CESTAT. Further, on merits OMDA reflected relationship between the parties
which squarely falls within the term ‘franchise’ as used in service tax law and
since the term “representational right“ is not given specific meaning in the
Finance Act, 1994 it should be understood in common parlance meaning. OMDA had
various elements of franchise agreement wherein although responsibility of
operating, maintenance and development was with the petitioners, strict
standards were prescribed for performance and the control was retained by the
franchisor. The functions of AAI are so unique that even without any use of
logo or trademark, the function of airport operation remains identifiable with
AAI. Further, on assuming that the transaction between the parties is of lease
of immovable property for carrying out specific purpose, it actually led to
value addition. In such a case, it would be exigible to service tax. The term
‘service’ therefore must be construed in broad sense. In the case where AAI
entered into a franchise agreement for operation, development and maintenance
of airports, there is a significant amount of value addition to the overall
services offered at the airports. Therefore also service tax was attracted on
the annual fees.

Analysis

The Hon. High Court limited its examination to whether or not
upfront fee and annual fee were exigible to service tax under the
classification of franchise service and not renting of immovable property
service since the revenue so contended. Thus, for OMDA to be construed a
franchise, it would have to satisfy requirement of section 65(47) of the Act as
reproduced below:

“Franchise means an agreement by which the franchisee is
granted representational right to sell or manufacture goods or to provide
service or undertake any process identified with franchisor, whether or not a
trade mark, service mark trade name or logo or any such symbol as the case may
be, is involved.”

The above interalia requires that ‘DIAL’ and ‘MIAL’
should have been granted representational right by AAI. The said right would
envisage the franchisee to represent as franchisor and the franchisee could
lose its individual identify. For this, the Court perused in detail certain
relevant clauses of OMDA to ascertain as to what kind of operational rights
were granted by AAI and whether AAI provided any service to DIAL and MIAL.
Reading OMDA as a whole, the Court essentially found as follows:

At the end of the transition phase, the petitioners had to
operate and maintain airports independently and to employ in a phased manner,
increasing number of senior management personnel during transition period so
that at the end of the said period, no employees would continue at the airport.
Joint Ventures were in fact entered into so that functions of AAI under
Airports Authority of India Act could be effectively carried out with AAI to
have 26% stake in the said joint ventures. Petitioners had to prepare a master
plan of development for over 20 year time frame. Petitioners were also given
right to sub-lease or license any part of the airport site to third parties for
the purpose of fulfillment of their obligation under the OMDA. Petitioners
spent their own money for the design, development, construction and
modernisation etc. of the airports. Operation, maintenance and
development is carried out by them in their own right. They have “exclusive
right and authority”
to undertake various listed functions and to provide
aeronautical and non-aeronautical services at the airports. Thus it is clear
that the petitioners did not undertake any process identified with AAI. The
sole responsibility is theirs and they perform their operation using their own
policies, techniques and processes. Once the functions of AAI are completely
divested and assigned to petitioners, there does not remain any representation
of AAI by the petitioners.
There is no representation right assigned to the
petitioners under OMDA. Annual fee was paid to AAI not because any service was
provided by AAI to petitioners. For the transaction to be taxable there should
be a service provided by AAI to the petitioners. What AAI has done is
entrusting petitioners with some of its functions under the Airports Authority
of India Act. Therefore OMDA does not constitute franchise service.

The Court however left open the issue raised by DIAL and MIAL that
the annual fee was inclusive of service tax or whether the said issue was a
contractual dispute. However, the action of AAI to block the escrow account was
found unsustainable as the categorical stand of revenue was to treat the
transaction as exigible to service tax under franchise service alone.

Conclusion

The
judgment provides guiding principles to interpret a contract for determining
both taxability and classification and when not correctly applied, it indicates
how the revenue missed to collect a large amount of revenue for most of the
relevant period of time.

Welcome GST Reverse Charge Mechanism under Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Preamble:

Usually a supplier of goods or service is a taxable person liable to
discharge tax liability under Goods and Service Tax Act (‘GST Act’). However in
exceptional cases, GST legislation stipulates discharge of tax liability by
recipient instead of supplier of goods or services. This is popularly known as
reverse charge mechanism (‘RCM’).

Neither excise nor VAT legislation presently provides for RCM. It is a
well- founded concept in service tax legislation and same is adopted in GST
also.

Administrative convenience and ease of tax collection are prime
objectives of RCM. The tax authorities prefer to collect tax from small number
of assessees from organised sector instead of chasing large number of small and
unorganised tax payers. Broadening tax base could be another purpose of RCM.

Basics of RCM:

Reverse charge applies only when there is a charge on supply. If supply
is exempted, nil rated or non-taxable, RCM does not apply in such a case.

Recipient of goods or services discharges GST under RCM as if he is the
person liable for paying the tax on supply procured by him. All provisions of
the Act including the collection, recoveries and penal provisions apply to the
recipient.

Recipient is required to pay applicable tax i.e. CGST and SGST, CGST and
UGST or IGST depending on location of supplier and place of supply. The tax
liability needs to be discharged under RCM at applicable rate of tax.

Recipient makes payment on his own account. It is paid under recipient’s
GSTIN number and is declared in his GST Returns as taxable supplies on which
tax liability is discharged.

Payment made under RCM is not a Tax Deducted at Source (‘TDS’) paid by
recipient on behalf of supplier. The supplier does not get credit of tax paid
under RCM by the recipient.

Tax paid under RCM by the recipient is an input tax and not output tax.
The recipient (payer of tax under RCM) is entitled to avail Input Tax Credit
(‘ITC’) thereof subject to other provisions contained in Chapter V of CGST Act
and Input Tax Credit Rules.

Relevant Legal Provisions:

Section 9 of Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (‘CGST Act’)
provides for levy and collection of Central Goods and Service Tax (‘CGST’). The
power to collect tax under RCM from recipient is derived by government u/s.
9(3) and 9(4) of CGST Act which reads as under:

“Section 9(3) – the Government, on recommendation of the Council, by
notification, specify categories of supply of goods or services or both, tax on
which shall be paid on reverse charge basis by recipient of such goods or
services or both and all the provision of this Act shall apply to such
recipient as if he is the person liable for paying the tax in relation to the
supply of such goods or services or both.

Section 9(4) – the central tax in respect of the supply of taxable goods
or services or both by a supplier who is not registered, to a registered person
shall be paid by such person on reverse charge basis as the recipient and all
the provisions of GST legislation Act shall apply to such recipient as if he is
the person liable for paying the tax in relation to the supply of such goods or
services or both.”

Section 5 of Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (‘IGST Act’),
section 7 of Union Territories Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (‘UGST Act’)
and respective section of State Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (‘SGST Act’)
also provide for RCM on a similar pattern to that of CGST Act.

Reverse Charge Mechanism (‘RCM’) in brief:

RCM on notified goods or services:

Recipient of notified goods or services or both is liable to pay CGST
under RCM on supply of notified goods or services u/s. 9(3) of CGST Act.

Recipient is liable to discharge GST liability under RCM irrespective
of:

   Recipient being registered person or
unregistered person; or

   Supplier of notified goods or services is
registered person or unregistered person.

Notified goods under RCM

GST Council has recommended only tobacco leaves as notified goods
for the purpose of RCM. Any person buying tobacco leaves will be liable to
discharge GST under RCM on purchase of tobacco leaves.

The Government, on the recommendation of GST Council, may in future
expand the list of goods liable under RCM.

Notified services under RCM

GST Council has recommended following services on which tax will be
payable on RCM:

Nature of Service

Service Provider (‘SP’)

Service Recipient (‘SR’)

% of GST payable by SR

Import
of Services

Any
person who is located in non-taxable territory

Any
person located in taxable territory other than non-assessee online recipient
(Business Recipient)

100%

Goods Transport
Agency Services in respect of transportation of goods by road

Goods
Transport Agency

a.     Factory

b.     Society

c.     Co-operative society

d.     Person registered under GST Act

e.     Body corporate

f.      Partnership Firm

g.     Casual taxable person

100%

Legal Services

Individual
advocate or firm of advocate

Any
business entity

100%

Arbitration
Services

Arbitral
Tribunal

Any
business entity

100%

Sponsorship
Services

Any
person

Body
corporate or partnership firm

100%

Services
by Government or local authority excluding:

u   Renting of immovable property

u   Services by department of posts

u   Services in relation to aircraft or vessel
inside or outside precincts of port / airport

u   Transport of goods or passengers

Government
or local authority

Any
business entity

100%

Director’s
service

Director
of company or body corporate

Company
or body corporate

100%

Insurance
agency service

Insurance
agent

Any
person carrying on insurance business

100%

Recovery
agency service

Recovery
agent

Banking
company,
financial institution , NBFC

100%

Transportation
of goods by a vessel  from a place
outside India up to customs station of clearance in India

Person
located in non-taxable
territory to a person located in non-taxable territory

Importer
as defined under Customs Act, 1962

100%

Transfer
or permitting use or enjoyment of Copyright relating to original literary,
dramatic, musical or artistic works

Author
or music composer, photographer, artist, etc.

Publisher,
Music Company, Producer

100%

Rent-a-cab
service through e-commerce operator

Taxi
driver or
rent-a-cab operator

Any
person

100% by e-commerce operator

Under service tax, partial reverse charge is prescribed on
few services wherein certain portion of tax liability is to be discharged by
service provider and balance to be discharged by service recipient under RCM.

There is no concept of partial reverse charge in GST.

RCM on procurement of goods or services from unregistered
persons:

Registered person is liable to pay tax under RCM on any goods
or services or both procured by him from an unregistered person. Following may
be the unregistered person:

  Person not carrying on any business or
profession; or

   His aggregate turnover is below the threshold
limit; or

  He is located in Jammu & Kashmir; or

   He is located outside India; or

   He is not registered though obliged to get
registered

Following are a few illustrations to demonstrate the
circumstances in which RCM triggers:

   An unregistered architect (whose turnover is
Rs. 15 lakh) raises an Invoice of Rs. 1 lakh on builder. In such a case,
builder being registered person will be liable to pay GST on Rs. 1 lakh under
RCM.

–    An item of stationery is bought by registered
business entity from small unregistered shop. In such a case, such business
entity will have to discharge GST under RCM.

Time of supply for RCM:

Due date of payment of tax under RCM is linked to the time of
supply as prescribed u/s. 12 and 13 of CGST Act.

Time of Supply for goods:

It shall be earliest of following:

   Date of receipt of goods; or

   Date of payment entered in books of accounts
or date of debit in bank, whichever is earlier; or

  Date immediately after 30 days from date of
invoice

Where it is not possible to determine time of supply as
above, time of supply shall be date of entry in books of accounts of recipient
of supply.

Illustration:

Date of Invoice

Receipt of goods

Date of

payment

31st day
from date of invoice

Time of Supply

30/09/17

30/09/17

15/10/17

31/10/17

30/09/17

30/09/17

15/11/17

30/11/17

31/10/17

31/10/17

30/09/17

15/11/17

16/08/17

31/10/17

16/08/17

Time of supply for services:

It shall be earliest of following:

  Date of payment entered in books of accounts
or date of debit in bank, whichever is earlier; or

  Date immediately after 60 days from date of
invoice

Where it is not possible to determine time of supply as
above, time of supply shall be date of entry in books of accounts of recipient
of supply.

Illustration:

Date of Invoice

Date of payment

61st day
from date of invoice

Time of Supply

30/09/17

15/10/17

30/11/17

15/10/17

30/09/17

10/12/17

30/11/17

30/11/17

Mandatory registration for person liable to pay GST under RCM:

Section 24(iii) of CGST Act mandates compulsory registration
for persons liable to pay tax under RCM. Threshold limit is not applicable to
persons liable to pay under RCM. Person having less than 20 lakh turnover or
supplier of exclusively exempt or non-taxable goods / services will also be
liable for GST registration if he is obliged to discharge tax under RCM.

Illustration: Co-operative society availing goods
transport agency (‘GTA’) services of nominal value will be liable to pay GST
under RCM and consequently liable to get itself registered irrespective of the
fact that such a society is not making any taxable supply or their aggregate
turnover is below the threshold limit.

Documentation:

Section 31(3)(f) mandates registered person liable to pay GST
under RCM to issue an invoice in respect of goods and services received by him
from un-registered supplier. Such invoices should contain all particulars as
prescribed u/s. 31(1) and 31(2) read with GST Invoice Rules to the extent
applicable. This would mean registered person procuring goods and services and
paying tax under RCM is obliged to mention HSN Codes and Service Accounting
codes of goods or services procured by him.

Rule 1 of Input Tax Credit Rules provides that a registered
person shall avail input tax credit on the basis of an invoice raised in
accordance with provisions of section 31(3)(f).

Further registered person liable to pay GST under RCM shall
issue a payment voucher at the time of making payment to supplier.

Conclusion:

The person paying tax under RCM is entitled to tax credit in
most of the cases. The Government may not be getting substantial revenue from
RCM. In the past, most of the State legislations for sales tax were having
concept of ‘purchase tax’ to be paid by registered dealer on purchases from
unregistered dealers. However, it was found to be a futile exercise (not
resulting into any substantial revenue to Government), and therefore, in most
of the State VAT legislations, the concept of URD tax (purchase tax) was
scrapped.

RCM has inherent disadvantage of being obstacle in free flow
of tax credits across the businesses and nation. It also raises the question
whether it is fair on the part of government to put more burden of compliance
on law abiding organised sector of the economy.

It would be too cumbersome for majority of the assessees to
comply with such a rigid compliance requirement. Moreover, it is difficult for
assessee to reconcile their expenses as per financial statements with tax paid
under RCM as per returns. It is indeed a pain for any organisation to reconcile
such figures and satisfy the authorities in course of scrutiny, assessment,
audit and investigations, etc.

RCM provisions, as stated in the CGST Act as on
today, may be described as totally against the concept of ease of doing
business. One may feel that Government should not have brought the concept of
RCM (in this manner) under GST. The GST legislation, without RCM, would be much
more tax-payer friendly law.

Sections 2(42A), 54 – Date of letter of allotment can be considered to compute the period of holding to assess the entitlement of exemption u/s. 54.

12. Nandita Patodia vs. ITO (Mumbai)

Members : G. S. Pannu (AM) and Amarjit Singh (JM)

ITA No.: 5982/Mum/2013

A.Y.: 2010-11.     
Date of Order: 31st March, 2017

Counsel for assessee / revenue: Anuj Kishnadwala / Pradeep
Kumar Singh

FACTS 

The assessee, an individual, filed return of income declaring
total income of Rs. 11,16,013. In the return of income, the assessee claimed
exemption u/s. 54 in respect of long term capital gain of Rs. 45,58,478 arising
on sale of two flats being flat nos. 801 and 802 in Neelkanth Palm Realty. The
exemption was claimed on the ground that the assessee has purchased a new
residential house for Rs. 68,26,400 being Flat No. 701 in Neelkanth Palm Thane.

In the course of assessment proceedings, the Assessing
Officer (AO) found that the agreements for purchase of the flats sold were
dated 26.3.2009 and 27.3.2009. Considering the holding period by adopting these
dates, the gain would be short term capital gain. The assessee had adopted
30.3.2005, being the date of letter of allotment, to be the date of acquisition
of these flats. The AO finalised the assessment by regarding the date of the
agreement as the date of acquisition of flats sold and charged to tax the
capital gain as short term capital gain. He denied exemption claimed u/s. 54 of
the Act.

Aggrieved the assessee preferred an appeal to the CIT(A) who
upheld the action of the AO.

Aggrieved, the assessee preferred an appeal to the Tribunal
where it was contended that the Mumbai Tribunal in the case of Anupama
Agarwal vs. DCIT [ITA No. 472/Mum/2015
dated 23.9.2016], the assessee’s
sister has considered the holding period from 30.03.2005 being the date of
letter of allotment.

HELD

The Tribunal observed that from the order passed by the
Tribunal in the case of Anupama Agarwal (supra) it is quite clear that
in the case of the sister of the assessee the date of allotment and payment of
first installment was considered by ITAT for assessing whether the gain arising
on sale was short term gain or a long term gain. It held that –

(i)   the case of the assessee is squarely covered
by the case of Anupama Agarwal (supra); and

(ii)  the ratio given in the case of Madhu Kaul
vs. CIT and another [363 ITR 54 (Punj. & Har.)]
and CIT vs. S. R.
Jeyshankar [373 ITR 120 (Mad)]
are also quite applicable to the facts of
the present case in which the date of allotment letter was considered to assess
the holding period to ascertain the entitlement of exemption u/s. 54 of the
Act.

The Tribunal set aside the finding of the CIT(A) and directed
the AO to consider the allotment letter dated 30.3.205 to determine the long
term / short term capital gain and accordingly the entitlement of exemption
u/s. 54 of the Act.

The appeal filed by
the assessee was allowed.

Section 271(1)(c) – Taxability of compensation received by the assessee on account of hardship faced due to delay in delivery of flat is a debatable issue and therefore penalty cannot be levied.

11. Shri Laxmankumar R. Daga vs. ITO (Mumbai)

Members : Mahavir Singh (JM) and N. K. Pradhan (AM)

ITA No.: 3326/Mum/2014

A.Y.: 2004-05.     Date
of Order: 15th March, 2017

Counsel for assessee / revenue: Ms. Nikita Agarwal / Maurya
Pratap

FACTS  

In the course of assessment proceedings, the Assessing
Officer (AO) noticed that the assessee had received compensation of Rs.
16,50,000 on account of hardship faced due to delay in delivery of flat at
Suraj Apartments from the developer.  He
taxed this amount as compensation received on surrender of tenancy rights and
charged it to tax as long term capital gains. He levied a penalty of Rs.
4,80,725 u/s. 271(1)(c) of the Act.

Aggrieved, the assessee preferred an appeal to the CIT(A)
where it contended that he had disclosed the receipt on account of compensation
on the face of the balance sheet and the said balance sheet was a part of
return of income and the auditor in Form 3CD had specifically mentioned this
amount as a capital receipt. Reliance was also placed on the decision of Mumbai
Tribunal in the case of Kushal K. Bangia vs. ITO [ITA No. 2349/Mum/2011
dated 31.1.2012 for AY 2007-08], wherein the Tribunal has held that `receipts
during redevelopment are capital receipts and not revenue and such receipts
reduce the cost of assessee and should be taken into account when such
redeveloped properties are sold’. However, the CIT(A) upheld the action of the
AO.

Aggrieved, the assessee preferred an appeal to the Tribunal.

HELD  

The Tribunal noted that the amount of compensation was duly
reflected in the balance sheet filed along with the return of income as
compensation / damage received from M/s MR & DR Thacker and was added to
the proprietor’s capital. Having noted the decision of the Tribunal in the case
of Kushal K. Bangia (supra), it held that the taxability of compensation
of Rs. 16,50,000 received by the assessee as long term capital gain by the AO
is a debatable issue. It held that an analogy may be drawn here from the decision
of the Delhi High Court in CIT vs. Mushashi Autoparts India Pvt. Ltd. [330
ITR 545 (Del)]
where the court held that penalty cannot be levied in a case
where the assessee, prior to commencement of business had received interest,
which was capitalised as pre-operative expenses. In the assessment, the amount
was regarded as taxable. The Court held that treating the amount as taxable
income cannot by itself justify levy of penalty. The Tribunal deleted the
penalty levied by the AO u/s. 271(1)(c) of the Act.

The appeal filed by the assessee was allowed.

Section 251 – An order enhancing the assessment made, passed by CIT(A), without giving an opportunity of being heard to the assessee, violates the principles of natural justice and is bad in law and cannot be sustained.

10. Jagat P. Shah (HUF) v.
ACIT (Mum)

Members : Mahavir Singh
(JM) and Rajesh Kumar (AM)

ITA No.: 2584/Mum/2015

A.Y.: 2009-10.  Date of Order: 21st March, 2017

Counsel for assessee /
revenue: Rahul Hakani / M. C. Om Ningshen

FACTS  

The assessee disclosed net income in F & O transactions
amounting to Rs. 90,017. According to the assessee, the unexpired future &
option contract as on 1.4.2008 was Rs. 50,93,939 which was added to the
business loss of Rs. 5,82,655 thereby reducing the said loss to be carried forward. 

The AO in the remand report changed the valuation of
unexpired contract and came to the conclusion that the net profit should be
calculated at Rs. 6,48,780 by way of enhancement or net profit should be
sustained at Rs. 40,89,667 instead of Rs. 50,93,939 as made by the AO while
framing the original assessment.

The CIT(A), without giving any notice of enhancement u/s. 251
of the Act passed an order enhancing the net profit to Rs. 66,48,780.

Aggrieved, the assessee preferred an appeal to the Tribunal
where as an additional ground it was contended that the action of CIT(A) in
enhancing the assessment without giving an opportunity to the assessee violated
the principles of natural justice.

HELD  

The Tribunal noted that the CIT(A) has passed the order on
the basis of remand report of the AO enhancing the assessment by taking net
profit to Rs. 66,48,780 without issuing any show cause notice u/s. 251 of the
Act. The Tribunal held that CIT(A) should have given opportunity to the
assessee to present his case which was not given and therefore violated the
principles of natural justice. It held that, the order passed by CIT(A) without
giving opportunity to the assessee is bad in law and cannot be sustained. The
Tribunal set aside the order passed by CIT(A) and restored the matter back to
the file of the AO to decide the same as per law after providing fair and
reasonable opportunity to the assessee.

Compiler’s note: The amounts stated under the caption “Facts”
are not reconciling / clear but the same are as mentioned in the order of the
Tribunal.

Sections 10(38), 28(i), 45 and CBDT Circular No. 6 of 2016 – If the assessee so desires, the Assessing Officer has to treat the capital gain earned on listed shares and securities held for a period of more than 12 months, as income from capital gains. However, once such a stand is taken by the assessee it shall remain applicable in subsequent assessment years also.

11. [2017] 81 taxmann.com
220 (Chandigarh – Trib.)

Emm Bee Fincap (P.) Ltd.
vs. DCIT

A.Ys.: 2005-06, 2006-07
and 2008-09                           Date of Order: 17th April, 2017

FACTS

In the return of income, the assessee had declared Long Term
Capital Gain of Rs. 1,14,77,193 as exempt u/s 10(38) of the Act. In the course
of assessment proceedings, the Assessing Officer (AO) found that the assessee
was involved in no other business activities other than transactions in shares.
He further observed that this was its primary business since its inception. The
AO noted that the transaction of shares were being continuously and
systematically undertaken year from year since inception, involving tremendous
volume which pointed out to a profit motive. The AO held that the entire share
transactions were business activity. While coming to this conclusion, the AO
mentioned that neither the details of purchase and sale of shares nor proof of
the same being in the nature of investment or stock-in-trade (referred to CBDT
Circular No. 4 of 2007, dated 15.6.2007) as also the manner and mode of the
transactions were provided nor were books of account for any of the years under
assessment were produced for verification. The AO held the entire share
transactions as business activity and treated the gains earned thereon as the
business income of the assessee and added back the same to the taxable income
of the assessee making an addition of Rs. 1,14,77,193/- in the process.

Aggrieved, the assessee
preferred an appeal to the CIT(A) who upheld the action of the AO.

Aggrieved, the assessee preferred an appeal to the Tribunal
where attention of the Tribunal was drawn to Circular No. 6 of 2016 issued by
CBDT and pointed out that CBDT in the said circular had given instructions that
in respect of listed shares and securities held for a period of more than 12
months immediately preceding the date of its transfer, the assessee, at its
option can treat the income derived therefrom as capital gain which shall not
be disputed by the AO.

HELD

The Tribunal found that
CBDT in the said circular, has laid down further guidelines to be followed by
AO while deciding the issue, the objective being reducing litigation on an
issue where there is lot of uncertainty and hence tremendous litigation. The
Tribunal held that it is evident from the said circular that the CBDT has given
instruction to the AO to treat the capital gain earned on listed shares and
securities held for a period of more than 12 months, as income from capital
gains if the assessee so desires. It noted that the said instructions states
that once such a stand is taken by the assessee, it shall remain applicable in
subsequent assessment years also.

In the light of the said
circular, the Tribunal restored the issue of determining the nature of the
gains earned by the assessee on the transactions of purchase and sales of
shares, back to the file of the AO and directed the AO to decide the issue
afresh in the light of the aforesaid circular of the CBDT after taking into
consideration the facts of the case in hand.

BCAS Managing Committee Elected Members for 2017-2018

In accordance with Clause No.18 of the Memorandum of
Association of the Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society, the names of members
who have filed their nomination for Managing Committee are to be exhibited.
Since the number of nominations are equal to that of the number of posts, no
election is necessary. At the Special Committee Meeting held on 10th May,
2017, in addition to the members elected unopposed, 6 other members have been
co-opted to the Managing Committee. The list of elected members and co-opted
members is as under:

President

Narayan R.
Pasari

Vice President

Sunil B.
Gabhawalla

Hon. Joint
Secretary

Manish P.
Sampat

Hon. Joint
Secretary

Abhay R. Mehta

Treasurer

Suhas S.
Paranjpe

Elected Member

Anil D. Doshi

Elected Member

Bhavesh P.
Gandhi

Elected Member

Chirag Himat
Doshi

Elected Member

Divya B.
Jokhakar

Elected Member

Kinjal M. Shah

Elected Member

Mayur B. Desai

Elected Member

Rutvik R.
Sanghvi

Elected Member

Samir L.
Kapadia

Co-Opted  Member

Anand Bathiya

Co-Opted  Member

Devendra H.
Jain

Co-Opted  Member

Ganesh
Rajgopalan                     

Co-Opted  Member

Mandar U.
Telang

Co-Opted  Member

Mihir C. Sheth                    

Co-Opted  Member

Pooja J.
Punjabi

Ex-Officio
Member

Chetan Shah

Member
(Publisher)

Raman H.
Jokhakar

 

The committee will
assume office at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting on 6th July,
2017.

BCAS In 2016-17. Part – 3

As promised, this is the third and last part on the captioned
subject. The Annual Report for the year will be published soon and you will be
able to see complete details of the happenings throughout the year. As a
member, we urge you to go through the Annual Report and do share your feedback
with us. In this issue, we will cover knowledge sharing through our
publications and various other activities held at the Society.

BCAS Publications:
The year has been eventful with knowledge sharing at the forefront. The Society
released publications on various topics of professional significance.

At the last AGM held in July 2016, the Society released 2
publications. One on “Internal Audit – Practical Case Studies” by CA. Deepjee
Singhal and CA. Manish Pipalia. Internal Audit has been an area that is under
explored by Chartered Accountants. Its potential to add value remains a key
driver looking at the need, utility and the possible revenue to chartered
accountants. Unlike Statutory Audit, the scope of Internal Audit can be as wide
as business. The irony is that businesses do not adequately recognise the value
of Internal Audit. The Companies Act, 2013 has brought new impetus on Internal
Audit for Companies.

The second publication was on “Non-Banking Financial
Companies – A Treatise” by CA. Bhavesh Vora, CA. Zubin Billimoria, CA. Hardik
Chokshi, CA. Gautam V. Shah & CA. Heneel Patel. Today, NBFCs are regulated
entities and are under the supervision of the Reserve Bank of India . The
growth of this sector must be balanced with the objectives of financial
stability, depositor protection and ensuring adequate compliance with
regulations. Considering the role of NBFCs in the economic development and to
ensure systematic and structured growth in this sector, the NBFC regulations
are made over-arching. The compliances are layered and multiple, depending on
the type of NBFC. The deposit accepting NBFCs have the most rigorous guidelines
to adhere to stringent reporting requirements.

BCAS released the 3rd Edition of “Gita for Professionals” by
CA. Chetan Dalal in August 2016. This book received an overwhelming response.
The book has always caught the attention of the young and experienced as it
throws light on aspects of professionalism from the Holy Bhagwat Gita. A Hindi
edition of the book was also simultaneously released which was also well received
by our Hindi reading professionals

BCAS, which had been in the forefront to organise several
workshops on the ICFR came out with a publication in the month of August 2016
called the “Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” by CA. Nandita Parekh.
This book discussed the subject in a simple and lucid language and assisted
such companies to adhere with the requirements of the Companies Act, 2013 and
their auditors to effectively discharge their duties. The Publication contained
ready to use drafts and formats which can be used with some modifications to
design and document the internal controls over financial reporting.

BCAS supported the Government in sharing knowledge on Income
Disclosure Scheme 2016 and came out with a publication on the said subject in
August 2016 called the “Income Disclosure Scheme, 2016” by CA. Bhadresh Doshi.
There had been numerous public meetings addressed by various Principal
Commissioners of Income-tax across the country exhorting people to come clean.
BCAS had the opportunity to attend one such meeting which was jointly held by
ICAI & FICCI. The author along with the BCAS President CA. Chetan Shah had
the honour to hand over a copy of the publication to the hon’ble Finance
Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley on this occasion.

Another publication released was by two young authors from
Ahmedabad CA. Viren Shah & CA. Jeyur Shah on the “Reporting under CARO
2015/2016 (a compilation)“. The book was released in Ahmedabad at the BCAS
Event on the said topic. The book received good response across the country.

Deduction of tax at source from non-residents has always been
a complex subject since the payer effectively needs to determine the tax
liability of the payee in India. The changes brought from time-to-time, and
recently in 2016, including the requirement of e-filing, have added to the
complexities of the procedures. With business boundaries extending globally,
transactions with non-residents are common place. A very important
consideration in any jurisdiction that claims to be business friendly is the
tax regime. After the opening of the Indian economy, there has been a paradigm
shift in cross-border transactions. Thus, BCAS thought of the publication on
International Tax on “Payments to Non – Residents – A Guide on Reporting Tax Deduction
at Source under Section 195” by CA. N. C. Hegde, CA. Mallika Apte, and CA.
Risha Gandhi. This was one of the very fast selling publications and was out of
stock within a short time of 2 months.

The most awaited publication year on year “BCAS Referencer
2016-17” again sold around 5000 copies. This year the Referencer came with an
app with a unique password for users to view it on Windows, Android & IOS
phones. The technological addition to the traditional Referencer received a
very encouraging response. This year’s “BCAS Referencer 2017-18” was released
in April 2017 and is available for sale.

As a tradition, BCAS comes out every year with the
publication “Union Budget – An Analysis” which articulates the various
amendments post budget. This year, post budget in February 2017, the said BCAS
publication which was printed in 2 languages English and Gujarati, crossed a
sale of 35000 copies of English and 3500 copies of Gujarati.

With technology at the forefront BCAS this year came out with
2 e-Publication in flipbook format. One was an e-Publication on “Rules of
Interpretation of Tax Statutes” by Senior Advocate Mr. N. M. Ranka. The book is
a compilation of Mr. Ranka’s authored articles on “Rules of Interpretation of
Tax Statutes” in the Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society Journal (BCAJ). The
said articles were published in four parts from April 2016 to July 2016. This
e-Publication received 4252 views till date.

The second e-Publication was on “The Direct Tax Dispute
Resolution Scheme 2016 – An Analysis” by CA. Saroj Maniar. This publication has
received 3203 views till date.

A few other publications which are lined up for release
shortly include the “Monograph Series” a set of 5 publications on various legal
aspects, “FAQ on Accounting Standards”, “Audit Checklist”, “Publication on
Equalisation Levy” and others. Do keep in touch with the BCAS knowledge
management portal to know more on the upcoming list.

Other Activities:
Amongst various other activities at BCAS; we are glad to inform you that the
various study circles have been doing exceptionally well with enthusiastic
participation. Study Circles at BCAS have always seen great engagement on
knowledge development by its members. This year too, the response has been good
and an overall of 20 study circle sessions were conducted. A new venture here
was the commencement of BEPS (Base Erosion & Profit Sharing) Study Circle
in December 2016. Since its first meeting in December this Study Circle has
been receiving good participation and has successfully completed 7 sessions
till March 2017.

Some of the key highlights this season without which this
year cannot be called complete are as follows:

One was the Grand 50th Golden Jubilee Residential Refresher
Course. The event details are covered in Part 1 however one cannot miss the
publication which the Society came out during this celebration in January 2017
which is called “Golden Jubilee Residential Refresher Course Nostalgia -A
Collection of memories.” This publication is a golden collection of lasting
memories of the last 50 RRCs in a glimpse. The Journey has been sentimental and
nothing can tarnish the nostalgic experience. At BCAS; the affection shines, as
we scroll through the past. This publication gives access to the enchanting
memories of 50 RRCs and has various eminent authors penning articles on topics
of professional significance.

Another significant activity of the Society is on the most current
topic of GST. Though part 1 on events covered the various seminars on the said
topic we would like to inform you that BCAS is one of the Approved Training
Partners(ATPs) to impart GST Training by NACEN (National Academy of Customs,
Excise and Narcotics). We have 10 certified trainers on board to impart this
training. BCAS has commenced trainings designed and conceptualised as per the
NACEN guidelines prescribed by the government. 

On the technology front BCAS took various steps, starting with
making available sale of publication and events online. BCAS online portal
facilitates its members to purchase publications, enrol for an event or even
pay their membership fees online. The BCAS Lecture meetings held at the BCAS
Hall are now live streamed through its YouTube Channel and today the channel
has moved from 500 subscribers to 3058 as on 31st of May. This has been another
landmark change through which the Society has tried to reach out to various
locations. BCAS website and the BCAJ website both have been given a new look
which is more user friendly and easy to access, at the same time informative.

Finally,
we conclude this year by stating that BCAS is now much vocal, much known and
more approached by professionals. As the saying goes “Changes call for
innovation, and innovation leads to progress.” Thus, every year will have its
own story to tell. All we do is facilitate that change and make it more
glamorous so that all members benefit from it. Keep a look out for our Annual
Report for complete details.

Representation on FEMA provisions

Shri B. P. Kanungo,

Deputy Governor,

Reserve Bank of India,

Mumbai.

Dear Sir,

Sub: Representation on
FEMA provisions

We submit herewith a representation for some provisions under
FEMA which are causing difficulties and injustice for bonafide transactions.

We request for a personal meeting to explain  the matter.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

 

Bombay
Chartered Accountants’ Society,             The
Chamber of Tax Consultants

Chetan
Shah                                                                              Hitesh
Shah                    

President                                                                                       President

 

Cc:
  Smt. Malvika Sinha, Executive  Director

        Shri Shekhar Bhatnagar, Chief
General  Manager-in-charge

        Shri
Jyoti Kumar  Pandey, Chief General  Manager

Representation under FEMA

Background for representation:

1.     FEMA objective and reintroducing
prosecution
– FEMA and the regulations were enacted in the year 2000. The
objective was to liberalise the law. The rules are provided and one has to
interpret and follow the same. Prosecution provisions were removed. In 2005,
Compounding rules were enacted “to provide comfort
to the citizens and corporate community by minimizing transaction costs
,
while taking severe view of wilful, malafide and fraudulent transactions.”

          However in 2015, prosecution has been
brought back in FEMA. Under sections 13(1A) and 37A, if an Indian resident is
found to have foreign assets in contravention of law, then based on mere
suspicion, equivalent Indian assets can be seized. Further there is
prosecution. Thus a civil law has become semi-criminal law. Under these provisions, even procedural violations
come within the semi-criminal scope.

2.       Change
in interpretation by RBI without change in law
– Another issue that we as
practitioners face is interpretation changes that occur when officials change.
This is often on account of the legal language used in the country. Over the
years however this is causing hardship to the people who have undertaken
bonafide transactions. And hardship is compounded when a view is changed all of
a sudden without a clear statutory document. One possible solution to this
problem is creating a library where interpretations of provisions are offered
at any level within the RBI.

          We appreciate that changing
circumstances can change policies and regulations. It is RBI’s
prerogative to change policies. However the
change
has to be prospective. We find that
today’s interpretations are being applied to past transactions.
This is
causing grave injustice to people.

          Further the change has to be spelt out
clearly in the law- especially if it restricts any facility. It cannot be just
a small phrase inserted somewhere in a regulation. The change in the policy has
to be made abundantly clear. We have given more details and illustrations
later.

3.       In our submission, if there is any
ambiguity in the law, the interpretation has to be in favour of the investor.
If at all RBI considers that compounding is required, then a token penalty
should be levied.

          Due to amendments in FEMA in 2015
wherein prosecution has been brought back, it is all the more necessary that a
liberal interpretation is taken by RBI.

4.     Another issue is absence of definition for
certain terms and different interpretations adopted. By way of illustration,
meaning of some of the common terms like “portfolio investment”,
“acquiring” etc, as interpreted by RBI are different from the
meanings ascribed as per Company Law. The accepted market convention is that if
a meaning is not specified, then normally the meaning under the law closest to
the term (e.g. Company Law) will apply.

5.       Our humble suggestion is that change in
interpretation of law without declaring the change in law – should be
minimised. This is of course a massive work. In
the meantime, past innocent transactions should not be considered as
violations.

          If at all these are procedural lapses,
only a token Compounding fee should be levied. Ideally a general amnesty should
be declared for procedural breaches not involving black money.

          For future transactions, abundant clarity
should be provided.

6.       We clarify that our representation is for
bonafide transactions. In a society there will always be some people who will
deliberately violate the law. We are not representing their matters. Let the
law take its course.

         However we submit that if some people
have violated the law, it cannot be a reason to have a blanket ban on everyone.

 Executive summary of the representations 

A.    Liberalised
Remittance Scheme (LRS):

1.       Investment in unlisted companies made
prior to 5th August 2013 should not be considered as a violation. The investor
should not be asked to unwind the investment and bring back the proceeds. At
the most, a token penalty may be levied.

2.       Holding funds in foreign bank accounts
which are remitted under LRS, should not be considered as a violation.

3.     Remittance made for any foreign asset like
Gold and loan should not be considered as a violation.

4.      There should be no restriction under
Current Account transactions as stated in clause (ix) of Schedule III.

5.      If a person has acquired any assets
outside India under LRS / ODI, he should be permitted to gift the same to
anyone.

B.    Principal(?)
issues:

6.     To route all applications and compliances
through the Authorised Dealer is not working out well. We suggest that one
should be able to file all applications or reports online. The AD should
provide his comments within a specified time limit. If AD does not respond, RBI
should consider the case on merits. Or if the matter is just compliance, it
should be accepted.

7.      In case of violations, RBI should not
insist on unwinding a transaction without considering other laws. Only if the
transaction is fundamentally not permitted (e.g. foreign investment in
agricultural activities), then unwinding may be directed.

8.       RBI prefers to meet the investor but not
the representatives. As a regulator, RBI should meet the bonafide
representatives based on authorisation if so desired.

C.    Real Estate
leasing:

9. A
clarification may be issued that investment in Real estate leasing business is
permitted. The meaning of real estate business can be same for Foreign
investment and overseas investment

Whither Informal Guidance Scheme? – Whether An Obituary Is Due !

Background

When the scheme for informal
guidance was released by SEBI in 2003, it was expected that this will become a
form of advance ruling. More importantly, it would add to the interpretation of
Securities Laws. It would also serve as guidance for future transactions as
parties would know SEBI’s view on a particular issue. To be clear, Informal
Guidance was not at all meant to be the final view of SEBI. However, I submit
the expectations that this will help clarify the law, have been belied. A
recent decision of the Securities Appellate Tribunal (Arbutus Consultancy
LLP vs. SEBI
, dated 5th April 2017) has raised questions on the
reliance one could place on the informal guidance.

What is the Scheme for Informal
Guidance?

Often parties undertake
transactions that have implications under the Securities Laws. The consequences
of violation of Securities Laws are severe and could result in SEBI taking
adverse action – for example – penalty, prosecution and debarring those
involved from approaching or dealing in the financial market. Ignorance of law,
as the proverb goes, is no excuse. However, needless to say, a clear
interpretation from the regulator itself should bring clarity and resolve
doubts.

Hence, when SEBI introduced the
Informal Guidance Scheme in 2003, it was seen as a market friendly initiative.
It allowed several categories of persons associated with the securities markets
to approach SEBI to get interpretation on almost any aspect of Securities Laws.

This was expected to avoid
litigation and enhance compliance. The queries and their replies were
specifically intended to be published for public knowledge with the intent of
having universal applicability where facts and issues
were same.

Informal Guidance is of two types.
One is a no-action letter. When a party proposes to undertake a
particular transaction in a particular manner, it may want to know how would
SEBI treat it under a specific provision of Securities Laws. A good example of
this is the subject matter of the SAT decision. The issue is : whether
exemption to inter promoter transfers from requirement of open offer under the
Takeover Regulations would be available on a particular set of facts. The
applicant is required to submit to SEBI the facts and also state the specific
provision on which it requires clarification. SEBI may then, take a view that
such exemption would be available and it would not take any action if the
applicant carries out the transaction exactly as per the proposal placed before
SEBI.

The other is an interpretative
letter. In this case, SEBI is asked to give an interpretation on
a particular provision in the context of a certain set of facts and
transaction.

SEBI gives limited protection to
the person who has received such guidance. It is provided that, in case of
no-action letters, the concerned department of SEBI would (or would not)
recommend any action under the Securities Laws if the transaction is carried
out in the manner put forth. However, in the letter it is clarified that such
guidance “constitutes the view of the Department but will not be binding on the
Board, though the Board may generally act in accordance with the view”.

Interestingly, SEBI will not
respond to a request for Informal Guidance “where a no-action or interpretive
letter has already been issued by any other Department on a substantially
similar question involving substantially similar facts as that to which the
request relates”. This, in my submissions, creates an impression that SEBI may
follow such interpretation in similar cases and hence a fresh informal guidance
is not needed.

Facts of the matter before SAT

In the case before SAT, there was
a complex restructuring transaction that involved inter-se transfers amongst
the promoters of a listed company. In ordinary course, any acquisition of
shares in a listed company would have implications under the SEBI Takeover
Regulations 2011 – for example – if the acquisition is beyond the specified
percentage, it may attract an open offer. However, exemption from open offer is
given for restructuring where the transfer is within the promoters. However,
such exemption is given provided certain conditions are met. One of such
conditions is that the transferor and transferee promoters should have been
disclosed as promoters in the filings with the stock exchange for the preceding
three years. In the present case, to simplify as the listed company was
recently listed, there was a peculiar situation. The transferor and transferee
both were promoters for more than 3 years. However, since the listing had taken
place less than two years back, the condition of three years were not complied
with. Hence, the inter se transfer apparently did not qualify for exemption
from open offer. The acquirer did make an open offer because of certain latter
transactions but at a lesser price based on latter transactions. However, since
the earlier transactions were treated as not exempt, the open offer price
computed by SEBI was higher than offered by the acquirer, hence, SEBI ordered
the acquirer to pay such higher price plus interest.

Before SAT, the acquirer pursued
the argument on merits that the three years post-listing disclosure was not a
strict condition and in reality the promoters were promoters for more than
three years. However, this was an interesting issue as in an earlier `Informal
Guidance’, the view propagated by the acquirer was approved. The informal
guidance had held that if the parties were promoters for more than three years
including in the period before listing, the requirement that there should still
be such three years of disclosure as promoters post listing need not be
complied with.

However, unfortunately, this was
not all. It appeared that in a subsequent Informal Guidance on similar facts,
an opposing view was said to have been expressed. It was even argued/conceded
by SEBI itself that the earlier Informal Guidance was actually incorrect! The
question was whether the earlier Informal Guidance would be helpful to the
acquirer.

Decision of SAT

To begin with, on the
interpretation of the provision itself, SAT was not in agreement with the
acquirer. According to SAT, the requirement of the law was clear. There has to
be at least three years of post listing filing of the parties as promoters with
the stock exchanges. Only if this condition is strictly complied with that the
benefit of exemption to inter se transfers between them would be available.

Then SAT dealt with several issues
relating to Informal Guidance – for example – what is the binding nature of
informal guidance? Does it help persons who were not the original applicant,
even if the facts were similar? Does it bind SEBI? What will be the situation
if there is another contradictory guidance on similar facts? Can a party claim
that the one beneficial to it should be applied?

The acquirer also argued that the
guidance was in the nature of a circular and thus binding on SEBI.

SAT discussed the Informal
Guidance scheme. It noted that the requirement of the provision was clear and
against the view advocated by the acquirer. SAT observed that, “…a wrong
interpretation given by an official cannot be used as a shelter in interpreting
provisions of law.” In my opinion, this by itself would reduce the value of the
original guidance relied on by the acquirer. SAT in any case pointed out that
there was already a subsequent guidance holding a different view.

It reiterated that “…an interpretation
provided under the Scheme by an official of department of SEBI cannot be used
against the correct interpretation of law (in the instant matter SAST/Takeover
Regulations, 2011)”. It also relied on its earlier decision in the case of Deepak
Mehra vs. SEBI ((2010) 98 SCL 216 (SAT
). The following observations of the
SAT in Deepak Mehra’s case are relevant and illuminating:-

“The
impugned communication is only an interpretative letter providing under the
scheme an interpretation of the provisions of the Takeover Code as was sought
by Bharti pending finalization of the proposal which may or may not come
through. Clause 12 of the scheme makes it clear that an interpretative letter
issued by a department of the Board constitutes the view of the department but
will not be binding on the Board, though the Board may generally act in
accordance with such a letter. Clause 13 thereof also makes it clear that a
letter giving an informal guidance by way of interpretation of any provision of
law or fact should not be construed as a conclusive decision or determination
of those questions and that such an interpretation cannot be construed as an
order of the Board under section 15T of the Act. While giving its informal
guidance to Bharti, the general manager of the Corporation Finance Department
of the Board had also made it clear that the view expressed therein is not a
decision of the Board on the questions referred to by Bharti. It is, thus,
clear that the views expressed in the impugned communication are the views of
the corporate finance division of the first respondent and they shall not bind
the said respondent. It is further clear that the first respondent has not
taken any final decision in the matter and has passed no order which could said
to be adversely affecting the rights of the appellant or any other shareholder
of Bharti. The informal guidance given by the general manager is not an
“order” which could entitle anyone to file an appeal. The word
“order” is defined in Black’s Law Dictionary (Eighth Edition) as
“1. A command, direction, or instruction. 2. A written direction or
command delivered by a Court or Judge. The word generally embraces final
decrees as well as interlocutory directions or commands.” In the case
before us, the first respondent has not issued any command or direction. An
occasion to issue a direction or pass an order may arise, if and when, the
proposal that is being discussed between the two companies is finalized. If and
when, such a direction is issued or any order passed, it shall be open to any
person who feels aggrieved by that order or direction to come in appeal before
the Tribunal.”
 

Conclusion

The decision of SAT, while
confirming to some extent how the Informal Guidance Scheme is viewed, I submit,
reduces the usefulness of the Scheme.

In any case, parties ought not
rely on the `informal guidance’ even for identical transactions. Hence, parties
involved will have to seek specific guidance. It is curious that the Scheme
itself provides that SEBI may refuse giving guidance if a guidance has already
been given on a similar issue!

There can be another interesting
situation. A party may approach SEBI for an informal guidance on a set of
facts. SEBI may give an interpretation that is not acceptable to the party and
it is legally advised that SEBI’s view is not correct in law. What would happen
if the party still goes ahead with the transaction? The Informal Guidance is
surely not binding on the party but there would still be an adverse view of
SEBI on record.

In conclusion, while the Informal Guidance
Scheme may continue to be used, even if sparingly and it should be treated with
a degree of wariness by others. I believe that SEBI should come out with a
clarification on the effectiveness of the `informal guidance’ to clear the confusion
that investors, implementators and advisors are likely to experience. In my
view, the guidance should take the character of a circular issued by the CBDT
under the Income Tax Act. This would reduce litigation and grant certainty. In
the alternative the informal guidance should be treated on par with the
decision of AAR.

Maintenance of Parents

Introduction

Ageing is a natural phenomenon!
But what if in one’s twilight years one’s own children don’t take care of a
person or even worse subject him / her to mental and physical abuse and agony?
There have been cases where the children have not provided even for basic
maintenance and daily needs of their parents. In such a scenario, the
Government of India thought it fit to introduce a legislation to provide
simple, inexpensive and speedy provisions which would enable the suffering
parents to claim maintenance from their children. Accordingly, “The
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007”
was
enacted on 31st December, 2007 as a Central Act to provide for more
effective provisions for the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior
citizens guaranteed and recognised under the Constitution of India. Let us
consider some of the provisions of this social welfare statute.

Maintenance of Parents and Senior
Citizens

The Act provides for the setting
up of a Maintenance Tribunal in every State which shall adjudicate all matters
for maintenance, including provision for food, clothing, residence and medical
attendance and treatment. The following persons can make an application to the
Tribunal for maintenance of such needs so that he can lead a normal life:

(a) A parent (whether biological,
adoptive or step) or a grandparent can make an application against one or more
of his major children. Interestingly, the parents need not be senior citizens,
i.e., they can be less than 60 years of age.

(b) A childless senior citizen (an
Indian citizen who is at least 60 years of age) can make an application against
his major relative who is legal heir and who is in possession of the senior’s
property or who would inherit his property after the senior’s death. Any person
who is a relative of the senior and who has sufficient means shall maintain him
provided he is in possession of the property of the senior or would inherit his
property. If more than one such relatives are entitled to inherit his property,
then the maintenance would be proportionate to their inheritance.  

     While the senior must be an
Indian and at least 60 years of age, there is no such condition in respect of a
parent. In fact, the Act provides that it applies to citizens of India residing
abroad. How the Act would enforce its jurisdiction in a foreign land is a moot
point.

The application to the Tribunal
can be made by the senior citizen / parent himself, any other person or NGO
authorised by him. The Tribunal can even take suomoto cognisance of the
issue.

After inquiry, the Tribunal would
pass an order for maintenance and failure to comply with its order can lead to
penal action and imprisonment. The maximum maintenance allowance which may be
ordered by the Tribunal shall be such as may be prescribed by the respective
State Governments but not exceeding Rs. 10,000 per month. A claim for
maintenance can alternatively be made by the applicant under Chapter IX of the
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 but he cannot make it under both.

The Act also provides for the
constitution of an Appellate Tribunal before whom an appeal against orders of
the Maintenance Tribunal can be filed. Interestingly, the Act only gives the
right of appeal to a senior citizen or a parent aggrieved by the order of the
Maintenance Tribunal. It contains no provision for an appeal by the relative
aggrieved by the order of the Maintenance Tribunal! This is rather strange.
Another interesting facet is that the Act provides that a lawyer cannot
represent either party before the Maintenance Tribunal or the Appellate
Tribunal. However, if a parent so desires, then he can ask the State
Government’s District Social Welfare Officer to represent him. Why should an
Act deprive an old person from availing of legal representation? What if the
senior is a person who is unable to attend proceedings owing to ill-health,
incapacitation? He would then be forced to find some person / NGO who would
appear for him. Is it that easy to find someone? 

Abandoning Seniors

If any person who has been given
the care or protection of senior citizens, leaves them in any place with the
intention of wholly abandoning them, then he shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term of up 3 month and / or fine of Rs. 5,000. Intention of
wholly abandoning would be demonstrated only through circumstantial evidence
and actual conduct and the onus would be on the person who alleges abandonment.
Such a case would be tried before a Magistrate Court and not by the Maintenance
Tribunal.

Protection of Life and Property

Section 22(2) of the Act mandates
that the State Government shall prescribe a comprehensive action plan for
providing protection of the life and property of senior citizens. To enable
this, section 32 empowers it to frame Rules under the Act. Accordingly, the
Maharashtra Government has notified the Maharashtra Maintenance and
Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Rules, 2010
. Rule 20 which has
been framed in this regard, provides that the Police Commissioner of a city
shall take all necessary steps for the protection of the life and property of
senior citizens. Some of the important steps laid down under the Action Plan
under Rule 20 are as follows:

(a) Every police station must
maintain an up-to-date list of seniors living within its jurisdiction, especially
those living by themselves. One wonders whether this is being done in practice?

(b) A police officer with a social
worker should visit all seniors at least once a month and as soon as possible
on requests of assistance.

(c) Volunteers’ committees must be
formed for interaction between the police station and seniors.

(d) Every station must maintain a
register of all offences committed against seniors.

(e) Antecedents of servants working
for seniors must be promptly verified by the police on request from seniors.

(f)  A monthly report must be
submitted to the District Magistrate / Director General of Police about crimes
against seniors and the status of complaints and preventive steps taken.

(g) Every Police Commissioner must
start a toll-free help line for seniors. Mumbai police has set up an Elder Line
at 1090. 

Void Transfers

Section 23 of the Act introduces
an interesting provision. If any senior citizen who, after the commencement of
this Act, has transferred by way of gift or otherwise, his property, on the
condition that the transferee shall provide the basic amenities and basic
physical needs to the transferor and such transferee refuses or fails to
provide such amenities and physical needs, then the transfer of property shall
be deemed to have been made by fraud or coercion or under undue influence and
shall at the option of the transferor be declared void by the Tribunal. This
negates every conditional transfer if the conditions subsequent are not
fulfilled by the transferee. Property has been defined under the Act to include
any right or interest in any property, whether movable/immovable/ancestral/self
acquired/tangible/intangible.

In Promil Tomar vs. State of
Haryana, (2014) 175 (1) PLR 94,
the Punjab and Haryana High Court has
held that the words ‘gift or otherwise’ in the section would include the
transfer of possession of a property or part thereof. It would cover a transfer
by way of lease, mortgage, gift or sale deed. Even a transfer of possession to
a licencee by a senior citizen would be covered. In Sunny Paul vs. State
NCT of Delhi, WP(C) 10463/2015 (Del),
the Delhi High Court has held
that interest of the senior citizen as tenants/licencees of the property is
also covered under the section even though they are not owners of the property.
It further held that a claim for maintenance under the Act and an application
for setting aside a void transfer u/s. 23 of the Act are separate and different
remedies and one is not a pre-condition for the other

In Rajkanwar vs. Sita Devi,
AIR 2015 Raj 61
, the Rajasthan High Court has held that a Will would
not be covered under the above provision since it is not a transfer inter vivos
and does not involve any transfer. A Will is only a legal expression of the
wishes of the testator. 

Eviction from House

One of the most contentious and
interesting facets of the Act has been whether the senior citizen / parent can
make an application to the Tribunal seeking eviction from his house of the
relative who is harassing him? Can the senior citizen / parent get his son /
relative evicted on the grounds that one has not been allowing him to live
peacefully? Different High Courts have taken contrary views in this respect.
The Kerala High Court in CK Vasu vs.The Circle Inspector of Police, WP(C)
20850/2011
has taken a view that the Tribunal can only pass a
maintenance order and the Act does not empower the Tribunal to grant eviction
reliefs. A Single Judge of the Delhi High Court in Sanjay Walia vs. Sneha
Walia, 204(2013) DLT 618
has held that for an eviction application, the
appropriate forum would be a Court and not the Maintenance Tribunal.

However, another Single Judge of
the Delhi High Court in Nasir vs. Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors., 2015
(153) DRJ 259
has held that while interpreting the provisions, the
object of the Act had to be kept in mind, which was to provide simple,
inexpensive and speedy remedy to the parents and senior citizens who were in
distress, by a summary procedure. The provisions had to be liberally construed
as the primary object was to give social justice to parents and senior
citizens. Accordingly, it upheld the eviction order by the Tribunal. A similar
view was taken in Jayantram Vallabhdas Meswania vs. Vallabhdas Govindram
Meswania, AIR 2013 Guj 160
where the Court held that setting aside of
void transfers u/s. 23 would even include cases where only possession of
property has been given instead of an actual legal transfer. It thus upheld the
vacation of the premises as directed by the Tribunal. A very interesting
judgment was delivered by the Division Bench of the Punjab & Haryana High
Court in J. Shanti Sarup Dewan, vs. Union Territory, Chandigarh, LPA
No.1007/2013
where it held that there had to be an enforcement
mechanism set in place especially qua the protection of property as
envisaged under the said Act.It held that the son was thus required to move out
of the premises of his parents to permit them to live in peace and civil
proceedings could be only qua a claim thereafter if the son so chose to make
but that too without any interim injunction. It was not the other way round
that the son and his family kept staying in the house and asked his parents to
go to the Civil Court to establish their rights knowing fully well that the time
consuming civil proceedings may not be finished during their life time.

The Court held that it did not
have the slightest of hesitation in coming to a conclusion that all necessary
directions could thus be made under the said Act to ensure that the parents
lived peacefully in their own house without being forced to accommodate their
son.

Recently, a Single Judge of the
Delhi High Court had an occasion to consider all the aforesaid judgments on the
power of eviction of the Tribunal. It held that the requirement that the
children or relatives must be in line to inherit the property was mandated only
for issuing direction with regard to maintenance. To invoke jurisdiction for
protection of life of the senior citizen or setting aside void transfers no such
pre-condition had to be satisfied. Further, directions to remove the children
from the property was necessary in certain cases to ensure a normal life of the
senior citizens. After considering all decisions on the issue, the Court held
that it was in agreement with the view expressed in the case of Nasir (supra)
that the provisions of Act, 2007 have to be liberally construed as one of the
primary objects of the Act is to protect the life and property of senior
citizens. Consequently, it held that u/s. 23 of the Act, the Maintenance
Tribunal could issue an eviction order to ensure that senior citizens live
peacefully in their house without being forced to accommodate a son who
physically assaults and mentally harasses them or threatens to dispossess them.

Since the Act conferred on the
Maintenance Tribunal the express power to declare a transfer of property void
at the option of the transferor u/s. 23, it had to be presumed that the intent
of the Legislature is to empower the Maintenance Tribunal to pass effective and
meaningful orders including all consequential directions to give effect to the
said order. The direction of eviction was a necessary consequential relief or a
corollary to which a senior citizen would be entitled upon a transfer being
declared void. It accordingly directed the Police Station to evict the son.

Conclusion

This is an interesting
social welfare statute designed to provide speedy redressal to parents and
seniors. While there continue to be judicial debates on whether eviction is possible,
one tends to think that the decisions upholding eviction would ultimately
prevail. The Delhi High Court, in a somewhat similar case of Sachin vs.
Jhabbu Lal, RSA 136/2016(
analysed in detail in this Feature in the
BCAJ of January 2017)
has held that in respect of a self acquired
house of the parents, a son had no legal right to live in that house and he
could live in that house only at the mercy of his parents up to such time as
his parents allow. That decision was not rendered under the context of this Act
but yet the ratio was the same. To conclude one only wonders, do we need a law
or a Court to tell us to take care of our parents? The times, truly have
changed!

Section 92C of the Act – As maximum international transactions were undertaken by Taxpayer with its AEs in Canada and USA where ALP was determined through MAP, and as only two transactions were undertaken with AEs in Australia and UK, margin determined through MAP with respect to major international transactions should be applied for remaining transactions also.

14.  [2017] 81
taxmann.com 169 (Bangalore – Trib)

CGI Information System & Management Consultants (P) Ltd
vs. DCIT

A.Y:2005-06, Date of Order: 21st April, 2017

Facts

The Taxpayer had rendered software development services to
its AEs in US, Canada, Australia and UK. AEs of Taxpayer in USA and Canada had
approached respective competent authorities for resolution of TP adjustment
dispute insofar as it related to software development services provided by the
Taxpayer with regard to international transactions through MAP under DTAA.
Under MAP, arm’s length price was determined at 117.5%. The Taxpayer had
maximum international transactions with its AEs in USA and Canada while those
with its AEs in UK and Australia were minimal.

In respect of International transactions of the Taxpayer with
AEs in Australia and UK, the AO adopted 25.32 % profit margin.

Held

  In J. P. Morgan Services (P) Ltd vs. Dy
CIT [2016] 70 taxmann.com 228 (Mum. – Trib)
held that whatever margin has
been applied through MAP with respect to major international transactions, the
same should be applied for the remaining transactions.

  The maximum international
transactions were undertaken by the Taxpayer with its AEs in Canada and USA.
Only two transactions were undertaken with AEs in Australia and UK. Therefore,
the same ALP of 117.50 % should be applied with respect to remaining two
international transactions.