Reassessment of income in relation to any asset located outside India
Under the provisions of section 149 of the Income-tax Act, the time limit for issue of notice for reopening an assessment on account of income escaping assessment is 6 years. The time limit of 6 years is not sufficient in cases where assets are located outside India because gathering information regarding such assets takes much more time on account of additional procedures and laws of foreign jurisdictions.
It is proposed to amend the provisions of section 149 so as to increase the time limit for issue of notice for reopening an assessment to 16 years, where the income in relation to any asset (including financial interest in any entity) located outside India, chargeable to tax, has escaped assessment.
Amendments are also proposed to be made in section 147 of the Income-tax Act to provide that income shall be deemed to have escaped assessment where a person is found to have any asset (including financial interest in any entity) located outside India.
The provisions of sections 147 and 149 are procedural in nature and will take effect from 1st July, 2012 for enabling reopening of proceedings for and assessment year commencing prior to this date. This is proposed to be clarified through an Explanation stating that the provisions of these sections, as amended, by the Finance Act, 2012, shall also be applicable for any assessment year beginning on or before the 1st day of April, 2012.
Corresponding amendments are also proposed to be made to the provisions of section 17 of the Wealth-tax Act.
These amendments will take effect from the 1st day of July, 2012.
