Union Budget 2018- Amendments to the structure of Authority for Advance Rulings
Section 245-O provides for the constitution of an Authority for Advance Rulings, and constitution of its benches, for giving advance rulings under Chapter XIX-B of the Act or under Chapter V of the Customs Act, 1962 or under Chapter IIIA of the Central Excise Act, 1944 or under Chapter VA of the Finance Act, 1994.
In view of the proposed constitution of new Customs Authority for Advance Ruling under section 28EA of the Customs Act, it is proposed to amend the provisions of section 245-O so as to provide that such Authority shall cease to act as an Authority for Advance Rulings, and shall act as an Appellate Authority for the purpose of Chapter V of the Customs Act, 1962 from the date of appointment of Customs Authority for Advance Rulings under section 28EA of the Customs Act, 1962.
It is further proposed that such Authority shall not admit any appeal against any ruling or order passed earlier by it in the capacity of Authority for Advance ruling after the date of appointment of Customs Authority for Advance Rulings under section 28EA of the Customs Act, 1962.
In order to avoid overlapping, it is also proposed that where the Authority is dealing with an application seeking advance ruling in the matters of the Act, the Revenue Member shall be the Member referred to in sub-clause (i) of clause (c) of sub-section (3).
These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2018.
Extract of Clause 48 & 49 of Finance Bill 2018
Clause 48 of the Bill seeks to amend section 245-O of the Income-tax Act relating to Authority for Advance Rulings.
The said section, inter alia, provides for constitution of an Authority for Advance Rulings.
It is proposed to amend the said section so as to provide that the said Authority shall cease to act as an Authority for Advance Rulings for the purpose of Chapter V of the Customs Act, 1962 on and from the date of appointment of Customs Authority for Advance Rulings under section 28EA of the Customs Act, 1962 and the Authority for Advance Rulings under section 245-O shall act as an Appellate Authority, for the purpose of Chapter V of the Customs Act, 1962 on and from the said date.
It is further proposed that the Authority for Advance Rulings under section 245-O shall not admit any appeal against any ruling or order passed earlier by it in the capacity of Authority for Advance Rulings for the purposes of Chapter V of the Customs Act, 1962 after the date of appointment of Customs Authority for Advance Rulings.
It is also proposed that where the Authority for Advance Rulings under section 245-O is dealing with an application seeking advance ruling in the matters of the Income-tax Act, the revenue Member of the Bench shall be such member as referred to in sub-clause (i) of clause (c) of sub-section (3) of the said section.
These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2018.
Clause 49 of the Bill seeks to amend section 245Q of the Income-tax Act relating to application for advance ruling.
The said section provides for filing of application for advance ruling under this Act or under Chapter V of the Customs Act, 1962 or under Chapter IIIA of the Central Excise Act, 1944 or under Chapter VA of the Finance Act, 1994.
It is proposed to amend the said section so as to omit the provisions with regard to admissibility of applications for advance ruling under Chapter V of the Customs Act, 1962. This amendment is consequential in nature.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2018.
