Income as commentator of Gavaskar eligible for S. 80RR Deduction

Vatsal Ponda

Facts of the Case:

Mr. Sunil Gavaskar hereafter referred to as Assesse had received income in the form of foreign remittances, on which the deduction was claimed u/s 80RR in pursuance to an agreement dated 10^th May 1999 with M/s ESPN Star sports for rendering services on exclusive basis as a presenter , reporter and commentator. But after discussing the same the claim was denied on the ground that as stated in the provisions of Section 80RR of Income Tax Act 1961( “where a resident individual in India being an author, playwright, artist (musician, actor or sportsman (including an athlete)) derives any income from his profession from the Government of a foreign State or any non-resident in India shall be allowed deduction of 60% of such income for an assessment year beginning from 1^st day of April 2001”) the assesse was no more sportsman and the income derived was not from playing cricket and hence not satisfying the condition as per Section 80RR said the AO, Ld. CIT(A) or even Ld. DR. The assesse was of a different view and did not agree to the contentions made.

Submissions before ITAT:

The submissions on behalf of the client were made by Shri. D.V. Lakhani drawing the attention of the Tribunal towards the intention of the provisions as stated by Central Board of Direct tax vide its circular no.28 1 dated 22^nd September 1980 that “ Extension of the benefit of deduction in respect of professional income for foreign sources to sportsmen and athletes- Section 80RR – Under Section 80RR, a resident individual being an author, playwright, artist, musician or actor, who derives income in the exercise of his profession from foreign sources and receives such income in India or beings it into India in foreign exchange, it entitled to deduct 25 per cent of the income so received or brought into India in computing his total income. This provision is designed to encourage authors, playwrights, artists, musicians and actors in our country to project their activities outside India with a view to contributing to greater understanding of our country and its culture abroad and also for augmenting our foreign exchange resources. With a view to encouraging our sportsmen and athletes to compete in international events, the Finance Act has amended Section 80RR to include them in the category of persons entitled to the benefit of that section” and also stated that It is well settled law that that beneficial provisions of the law must be construed liberally. While interpreting a beneficial legislation rule of liberal construction should be preferred over the rule of strict interpretation that enables to achieve its object over that one that tend to frustrate it.

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