In the definition of the term Service, sub-clause (ii)(a) of Explanation 2 is proposed to be amended to clarify that activity carried out by a lottery distributor or selling agents of the State Government under the provisions of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998, is leviable to service tax.
There was certain confusion regarding the taxability of various education programmes conducted by Indian Institute of Management as to whether such programmes qualify as a part of a curriculum for obtaining a qualification recognised by any law for the time being in force.
The proposed amendment have excluded Deposit Certificates issued under Gold Monetisation Scheme, 2015 notified by the Central Government, from the definition of capital asset and thereby exemption from capital gains tax.
The concept of Settlement Commission is fairly new in service tax. It is only in the year 2012, that the benefit of settlement through settlement commission was extended to the service tax assesses, which was earlier available under Central Excise and Customs Act.
It is proposed to amend the relevant provisions of the Act so as to provide adequate legal framework for paperless assessment in order to enhance efficiency and reduce the burden of compliance. A series of changes are proposed to achieve this end. Sub-section (1) of section 282A provides that where a notice or other document is required to be issued by any income-tax authority under the Act, such notice or document should be signed by that authority in manuscript.
Sub-section (2) of section 220 provides for levy of interest at the rate of 1 per cent for every month or part of month for the period during which the default continues. Sub-section (2A) of said section inter-alia, empowers the Principal Chief Commissioner, Chief Commissioner, Principal Commissioner or Commissioner to reduce or waive the amount of interest paid or payable under sub-section (2) of the said section.
Under the existing provisions of sub-clause (c ) of clause (viia) of sub-section (1) of section 36 of the Act, in computing the profits of a public financial institutions, State financial corporations and State industrial investment corporations a deduction, limited to an amount not exceeding five per cent of the gross total income, computed, before making any deduction under the aforesaid clause and Chapter VI-A
The provisions of section 6 of the Act provide for conditions in which residence in India is determined in case of different category of persons. Section 6(3) deals with conditions to be satisfied for a company to be treated as resident in India in any previous year. Prior to amendment of section 6(3) by the Finance Act 2015, a company was said to be resident in India
Section 9A of the Act provides for a special regime in respect of offshore funds. It provides that in the case of an eligible investment fund, the fund management activity carried out through an eligible fund manager acting on behalf of such fund shall not constitute business connection in India of the said fund.
The Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri. Arun Jaitley announced a host of changes in the Indirect tax structure in the Union Budget 2016-17 on February 29, 2016, that are expected to impact the Trade and Industry. Under Service tax, on one hand, the effective rate of Service tax would go up to 15% w.e.f June 1, 2016
