This Note sets out some of the issues (identified during at the preliminary stage of discussion on 26 and 27 February, 2010) that are likely to arise in application of the amendments proposed by Finance Bill, 2010 relating to Service Tax. 1. Section 65(19a) – Definition of “business entity”. The definition is an inclusive one and excludes an “individual”. The issue that arises is whether an individual includes “proprietary concern”?
Commodity exchanges MCX, NCDEX and ICEX have reduced trade timings by 25 minutes for non-agricultural commodities to align with the US daylight saving times. According to separate statements issued by the three exchanges, all commodities except agricultural items will be allowed to trade between 10.00 am and 11.30 pm from Monday to Friday.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs had released voluntary guidelines on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) during the ‘India Corporate Week’ organized in December last year. A number of corporates have stated that they would like to have an effective framework for reporting their responsible business practices. Keeping in view this feedback from the Corporate Sector, Shri R. Bandyopadhyay, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, stated here today that the Ministry is in the process of designing an e-form under MCA-21 which will enable the corporates to file their CSR report on the portal of the Ministry.
Applications for issue of passports under the Tatkal scheme are accepted if a verification certificate is submitted in the prescribed performa, duly signed by a designated officer of the Central/State Governments, or on submission of three prescribed documents. Two lists containing designated officers and prescribed documents are enclosed at Annexure A and B.
Exposure Draft of Accounting Standard (AS) 5 (Revised 20XX) (Corresponding to IAS 8), Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors (Comments to be received by 7 April 2010) – (11-03-2010)
An individual is taxed based on his residential status in India. The residential status, in turn, is determined based on the physical stay of an individual in the relevant financial year (tax year) as well as preceding ten tax years. This is particularly relevant in respect of Indians working overseas or having income/income earning assets outside India.
“In the primary issuance process, Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) that currently pay only 10% margin while applying will be required to pay 100 per cent money in line with what other investors are required to do for all the issues that open on or after May 1, 2010.”
The State Bank of India (Amendment) Bill 2010 contains a provision that will further limit the Reserve Bank of India’s powers on bank auditor appointment. The provision allows SBI to appoint its own statutory auditors. The Central Government too will have no say in the appointment of statutory auditors of SBI.
The assessee paid the employees’ contribution to PF and ESIC after the grace period but before the due date for filing the return. The AO disallowed the payment u/s 36(1) (va) and held that s. 43B had no application. This was confirmed by the CIT (A). On appeal, HELD deciding in favour of the assessee:
The government today said it will try to harmonise the voluntary corporate governance norms with the new Companies Act and is open to make the existing guidelines more effective.
