Dividend distribution tax is a tax on domestic company distributing dividend

Ambuja Cement Ltd Vs ACIT-LTU (ITAT Mumbai)

The additional grounds of appeal of the assessee is pertained to the applicability of dividend distribution tax at the rate of 5% to the dividend declared by the assessee to Holderind Investment Ltd., Mauritius and the assessee sought the benefit of article 10 of the India-Mauritius Double Tax Avoidance Agreement. At the outset Ld Counsel agreed that identical issue and similar facts has been decided by the Special Bench of ITAT Mumbai in the case of DCIT v/s Total Oil India Pvt. Ltd. vide ITA No. 6997/Mum/2019 dated 20.04.2023 wherein held that additional grounds income tax payable by the domestic company shall be at the rate of mentioned in section 115-O of the Act.

With the assistance of Ld representative, we have been gone through the decision of ITAT special bench Mumbai as referred supra in the case of DCIT v/s Total India Pvt. Ltd. ITA no. 6997/Mum/2019 wherein it is held that the dividend declared, distributed or paid by a domestic company to non resident shareholder (s) attract additional income tax (tax on distributed profits) referred to in section 115-O of the Act, such additional income tax payable by the domestic company  shall be at the rate of mentioned in section 115-O of the Act and not at the rate of tax applicable to the non resident shareholder(s) as specified in the relevant DTAA with reference to such dividend income. Following the decision of the Special Bench as (supra) the dividend distribution tax is not on the shareholder but a tax on the domestic company. It is a tax on the company distributing the dividend and not tax paid on behalf of the shareholder. Therefore, following the decision of Special Bench as (supra) both the additional grounds of appeal are dismissed.

FULL TEXT OF THE ORDER OF ITAT MUMBAI

These two appeals filed by the assessee were adjudicated vide combined order of the vide ITAT No.2968/Mum/2015 and 1665/Mum/2019 on 07.11.2022.

Please become a Premium member. If you are already a Premium member, login here to access the full content.