Delayed self-assessment tax payment cannot be construed to be a tax arrear for VSV Scheme

Macrotech Developers Limited Vs PCIT (Bombay High Court)

In so far the prosecution against the petitioner is concerned, the same has been initiated under section 276-C(2) of the Act because of the delayed payment of the balance amount of the self-assessment tax. Such delayed payment cannot be construed to be a tax arrear within the meaning of section 2(1)(o) of the Act. Therefore such a prosecution cannot be said to be in respect of tax arrear. Because such a prosecution is pending which is relatable to the assessment year 2015-16, it would be in complete defiance of logic to debar the petitioner from filing a declaration for settlement of tax arrear for the said assessment year which is pending in appeal before the Tribunal.

FULL TEXT OF THE HIGH COURT ORDER /JUDGEMENT

Heard Mr. V. Sridharan, learned senior counsel along with Mr. Prakash Shah, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Suresh Kumar, learned standing counsel Revenue for the respondents.

2. By filing this petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, petitioner seeks a declaration that the clarification given by respondent No.2 to question No.73 vide circular No.21/2020 dated 04.12.2020 is violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India and thus is arbitrary and ultra vires to the provisions of the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Act, 2020 and the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Rules, 2020. Therefore, petitioner seeks quashing of the said clarification and further seeks a direction to respondent No.1 to accept the declaration filed by the petitioner on 23.09.2020 under the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Act, 2020.

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