samsung electronics

A computer software when put into a media and sold, it becomes goods like any other audio cassette or painting on canvass or book. The amount paid by the assessee towards purchase of IXOS-eCON for R/3 50 users cannot be treated as payment of royalty taxable in India under Article 12 of DTAA between India and Singapore. Therefore, the assessee, in our opinion, is not liable to deduct tax at source. Full Article

Prasad Production Ltd. (“Taxpayer”) was awarded a contract by the Government of the State of Andhra Pradesh to establish IMAX Theatre at Hyderabad. The Taxpayer entered into an agreement with IMAX Ltd., Canada for purchase of the system (which included supply of equipment, installation, testing and initial training) as well as transfer of technology. As per the agreement, the total consideration for purchase of the system was US$ 1,365,000 and US$ 950,000 was towards.. Full Article

The Special Bench of the Tribunal, departing from the Karnataka High Court’s decision in the case of Samsung Electronics, rules that withholding tax obligation on payer applies on payments to non­residents only if there is income chargeable to tax in India. Further obtaining CA’s certificate is an alternative procedure for lower or nil withholding cases. Full Article

This Tax Alert summarizes a recent ruling of the High Court (HC) of Delhi in the case of Van Oord ACZ India (P) Ltd. (Taxpayer) [2010-TIOL-187-HC-DEL-IT] on withholding tax obligation arising under the provisions of the Indian Tax Law (ITL) in respect of reimbursement of expenses to non-resident companies. The Delhi HC held that a payer is obligated to withhold tax only if the payment is chargeable to tax under the provisions of the ITL. Full Article

In a decision that could have a bearing on all cross-border transactions, including those related to the Indian Premier League teams that are currently being probed by tax authorities, the Delhi High Court has ruled that any liability to withhold tax would arise only if payments to overseas entities is liable to be taxed in India. Full Article

The assessee, an Indian company remitted mobilization & demobilization charges of Rs. 8.65 crs by way of reimbursement to its parent company, a company based in Netherlands. The assessee applied to the AO u/s 195 (2) for a Nil withholding rate though the AO held that tax had to be deducted at 11%. Full Article

The Indian income-tax law requires any person who makes remittance to a non-resident to withhold appropriate tax which corresponds to the income-tax liability of the non-resident. Essentially, there are three modes available to the remitter to determine the Withholding Tax (WHT) liability. The remitter could approach the Authority for Advance Rulings (‘AAR’) for a ruling, or the Indian Revenue for a WHT order. Full Article

The Tribunal was incorrect in holding that since the assessee had purchased only a right to use the copyright i.e., the software, and not the entire copyright itself, the payment cannot be treated as Royalty as per the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and Treaties which is beneficial to the assessee and consequently section 9 of the Act should not be taken into consideration. Full Article