tax rates

The government is exploring an increase in the income-tax exemption limit for individuals to compensate for the high recent inflation, but revenue considerations and the fact that the limit was hiked sharply in 2008-09 could force it to maintain status quo or give just a token hike. The proposal has figured in the preliminary discussions , as the policymakers debate ways to give some relief to households from high inflation. Full Article

The government may take the first step towards fiscal consolidation in Budget 2010-11 by partially rolling back tax cuts given to the industry last year. The service tax rate may be restored to 12 per cent, while excise duty could be increased marginally. Full Article

The forthcoming Union budget may have an anti-avoidance provision, which can effectively check convoluted transactions devised exclusively for the purpose of evading paying taxes in India. The finance ministry, said revenue department officials, is contemplating the idea of vesting powers with the commissioners of Income-tax (I-T) to declare a transaction a sham, if there is a reason to believe that its purpose is to avoid tax in this country. Full Article

These recommendations differ considerably from the model and structure of the GST envisaged by the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers (EC) as described in the First Discussion Paper released by the EC on 10 November, 2009. The differences relate to several critical areas such as the tax base, tax rates, threshold limits, taxation of inter-State supplies of goods and services, exemptions/ compounding schemes and taxation of alcohol, tobacco and petroleum produ.. Full Article

Directions form part of revenue maximisation measures. The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has directed its field formations across the country to open all cases, irrespective of year and amount involved, where it had raised a demand but had these stayed by courts, otherwise known as call-book cases. Full Article

“There is no specific provision in Indian tax laws governing the deductibility of the payments made for acquiring spectrum,” a PwC report on the telecom sector said. With the allocation of spectrum, especially 3G being an issue of concern, rules governing the same in the taxation laws also assume significance. “Since, substantial amounts are to be involved for acquiring spectrum, determining its deductibility becomes critical,” the firm said. Full Article

“Entertainment industry is anticipated to grow at a rate of nearly 10 per cent for the next five years and would reach a level of Rs 1,000 billion…(however) uneven entertainment tax which is already in excess would curb its growth,” the industry body said. While entertainment is one of the basic needs of life, the entertainment tax levied on release of films in cinema halls is highly uneven across various states and is in excess of 30-40 per cent, the chamber said. Full Article

The Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers will form joint committees at the level of the states for inputs on the proposed goods and services tax before its planned introduction next year.“A joint committee at the level of the states will be made and that will be a part of the exercise for preparation to implement GST. The committee will be made along with other representatives of state associations and industry associations,” chairman of the empowered commi.. Full Article