Follow Us :
 CA Sandeep Kanoi

CA Sandeep KanoiBefore going through the content of the article let us understand what the word Tax Terrorism means. The term ‘tax terrorism’ was first used by the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi to describe the adversarial approach adopted by tax authorities under Congress lead UPA.

“Tax Terrorism” in simple words means a situation in which Tax Authority can use their powers to impose unreasonable tax on an honest taxpayer. This may be either in the form of unjust and inequitable tax laws or by enforcing the tax law on the general public in a harsh manner, which generally happens when the taxman views every transaction with suspicion.

Tax Terrorism can also be defined as aggressive use of legal and tax machinery by the Government to extract maximum tax revenue from taxpayer, which creates great inconvenience and harassment to the tax payers.  Many aggressive steps of government like retrospective taxation, unnecessary litigation, seeding out demand notices, higher interest rates on delayed tax payments, unrealistic penalties e.g.- Penalties under Sec. 270A and 234E and delay in refunds etc. form part of tax terrorism.

For the current BJP government when it contested Lok Sabha Elections in 2014, Tax Terrorism was one of the key issues and the Party had promised that they will make all efforts to end the Tax Terrorism prevalent at that time under UPA Government. An extract of the BJP Election Manifesto for 2014 Lok Sabha Elections is as follows:-

“Taxation”

UPA Government has unleashed ‘Tax terrorism’ and ‘uncertainty’, which not only creates anxiety amongst the business class and negatively impacts the investment climate, but also dents the image of the country. BJP realizes the importance of having a Tax Policy Roadmap, so that people are aware of the future and plan accordingly. We will:

  • provide a non adversarial and conducive tax environment
  • rationalize and simplify the tax regime
  • overhaul the dispute resolution mechanisms
  • bring on board all State governments in adopting GST, addressing all their concerns
  • provide tax incentives for investments in research and development, geared towards indigenization of technology and innovation”

BJP used the word Tax Terrorism as UPA Government tried to impose various taxes by making a statute applicable from Retrospective effect. But if we analyse the changes made by this NDA Government i.e. BJP lead government since coming into power in the year 2014, we will find that BJP is not far behind or in fact, may be ahead of the earlier government in one or other way.

Drawback of Tax Terrorism

1. Lower FDI- Tax Terrorism creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and keep the FIIs away from entering the Indian Market.

2. Negative impact on ease of doing Business- Tax Terrorism leads to lower ease of doing business.

3. Lower confidence of Business Community in India’s business environment, leading to lower investments.

4. All the Government programmes like Start up India, Make in India etc. will be hit negatively.

Measures needed to reduce Tax disputes / Tax Terrorism

  • Improving tax administration and fixing the loopholes in the existing laws so that tax avoidance can be curbed.
  • Implement tax reforms including income declaration, automation of assessment, etc.
  • Improved tax dispute resolutions so that the investor confidence can be boosted.
  • Bring back black money on priority by taking strict measures against Swiss Banks as done by USA
  • Keep a Strict No for Retrospective Amendments
  • Reforms in Litigation Management by creating Machinery to reduce domestic & international tax litigations.
  • Bring certainty and uniform approach on important taxation issues affecting industry. Capacity-building in tax tribunals and setting up of the National Tax Tribunal to replace high courts should be revived with the implementation of the National Tax Tribunal Act, 2005.
  • Tax payer should be considered as Customer by Income-tax department.
  • Assessing officer should be responsible for administration of tax law and not for collection and he should be given any collection Target and collection and recovery work should be given to a department which is Independent of Assessing officer.
  • Government should not use any coercive measures to fulfil any targets it has set for itself.
  • Grant automatic stay till disposal of first appeal to taxpayer against any Tax Demand.
  • Fix limit for CIT (A) to dispose of the appeals and till passing of CIT(A) order assesse should not be treated as “ Assesse in default”.
  • GAAR may be deferred for another 2 years as Government need to build confidence mechanism and to train its officers for its proper for implementation
  • Increase tax exemption limit to  Rs.5 lacs as promised by BJP Government during 2014 Loksabha Elections and maximum rate of 30% may be introduced beyond income of Rs.25 lacs.
  • Bring accountability for tax officers, commissioners and all involved in making assessments, deciding appeals, conducting surveys and searches.
  • Simplify Tax Returns instead of complicating them in the name of disclosures and reduce compliance burden on Taxpayers

Why we think that Tax Terrorism is at its Peak under the BJP regime (Recent Past)?

Forced disclosure under Income Disclosure Scheme (IDS 2016) – As we all know the IDS 2016 has not got the response as expected by Government and in order to make the scheme successful government started giving targets to its officers and under the pressure of such targets, taxmen started threatening Taxpayers with Survey or Raids. These threats left the taxpayer with no option but to disclose certain sum under IDS 2016. Under such an environment, many taxpayers who were not having any black-money were also forced to declare Income under IDS 2016. Can’t we call such Blackmailing as Tax Terrorism? Income disclosure schemes should have worked on incentives and not on intimidation.

Every other day Threats by Taxmen, Revenue Secretary  and by other Government Machinery- For the first time in my life I have seen a Government who instead of encouraging tax compliance positively choose to threaten taxpayers by Penal consequences on daily basis.

Confusing / Threatening / Contradictory Statements by Taxmen, Revenue Secretary  and by other Government Machinery-

Here we are not dealing with harsh, unpopular and non tax payer friendly measures taken by the BJP Government since it has come to power in the year 2014. We are only discussing the things which have happened post 08.11.2016 i.e. the day honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced his Demonetisation scheme by which he has withdrawn legal Tender of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes.

As we all know social media has assumed greater significance in recent past and so has the digital and print media.

What the Government has done recently is that it has demonetised Bank Notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 to eradicate the black money out of the system, but without taking into account the way people may try to convert their Black Money into white post demonetisation.

One of such measures used by the black-money holders was that of depositing Cash into the bank account(s) of others in order to convert their black Money into white. The Finance Minister, Revenue Secretary etc. first said that any amount deposited up to Rs. 2.50 Lakh will be Tax Exempt and no enquiries will be made for those depositing cash up to such amount considering the same as below the tax exemption limit.

But after few days of such announcement, the Government has come with a Press Release saying that even if the deposit is less than 2.50 Lakh the same can be subjected to income tax and penalty if it is established that the amount deposited in the account was not of the account holder but of somebody else. Also the person who allows his or her bank account to be misused for this purpose can be prosecuted under the Income Tax Act.

Here, the intention of the Government seems to be correct. But by issuing such threatening press releases, it has created an atmosphere of fear amongst the depositors even if they have made the deposit out of their own savings. In fact many small taxpayers/ Common Men are scared to deposit any  amounts in their account as they are  scared to deposit due to fear of unnecessary harassment by Income Tax officers, post deposit of amount in their bank account and were left at mercy of brokers who are converting Cash into Gold, Foreign Currency and other valuable for a hefty commission ranging up to 50% total amount to be converted.

The Government has further failed to properly clarify that Cash Deposit (of whatever amount), if the same is from explained sources and has not been earned by tax evasion can be deposited without any limit. No action will be taken by the Assessing Officer if the assesse explains the same in proper manner.  Government further failed to issue a guideline on what will be deemed as properly explained source of Cash Deposit.

To further add insult to injury, the Government has vide Notification No. 105/2016-Income Tax, given powers to Income Tax Officer (ITO) to select any case for scrutiny assessment and such unchecked power will certainly increase corruption and harassment to assessee.

We have already seen, an Income Tax officer issuing notice to an assessee from Siliguri for a mere deposit of Rs. 4.5 Lakh in his current account. Accordingly, we can imagine the way things will unfold in coming days.

On August 9 2016 during Debate on GST bill in Rajya Sabha PM Narendra Modi said that GST Bill is a crucial step for putting an end to “tax terrorism” as new indirect taxation regime will subsume seven to 13 taxes.

It seems to be the beginning of Tax Terrorism and Inspector Rule under BJP regime unless the Government takes remedial measures and reinstalls the confidence back in the minds of people.

I Would like to invite comment of our readers on the above issue.

Join Taxguru’s Network for Latest updates on Income Tax, GST, Company Law, Corporate Laws and other related subjects.

86 Comments

  1. Sudhama says:

    Though the intention of demonetization is to achieve curtailing black money, fake currency and terror funding, one of the evil effects would be tax terrorism as explained by the author. Another fallout would be more red tapism, inefficiency and harassment by government departments. Hope the Government and PM is aware of these and take appropriate steps.

  2. Sharma says:

    Vested interests are criticizing PM and his bold policies particularly banning of some currency notes.

    About a month back MR Gk Kedia FCA had used this term “‘Tax Terrorism ” while IDS was in vogue.

    I fail to understand what do these practicing CAs think ? Are they true to their profession ? Do they follow ethics ?
    If this CA community becomes honest – this menace of black money will end. It is their community which provides assistance for conversion of black into white fir a hefty commission and then exercise prolonged control over that person who has taken their services. Of course persons of good character are their in all professions and not that all are corrupt. But majority of them thrive on the black money generators and devising methods to convert black into white from year to year. I wish they advice their clients to pay proper taxes so that they can have sound sleep and trouble free life. Of course many of incometax officers are also exploiting the situation and PM & FM should take strict action on check menace if bloody corruption.

  3. Arun Jain says:

    The Biggest change by our Prime Minister will be evaluated in forcoming elections in Goa, Gujrat, Punjab and UP. If Demonitization step has been taken in the good faith and pure secrecy then in these elections, Money should not be spent the old way by Any party specially BJP, if it is not this way, then it means BJP took this step for their own benefit. Another thing people are converting their money in new currency at the hefty commission of 30-50% but it also proves that some people in any way got the new currecy without the rule of (24000 Per Week , Rs.4500 Per Day , Rs.2000 ATM withdrawl).

  4. Jagdip Shah says:

    I quote CA Sandeep here “We have already seen, an Income Tax officer issuing notice to an assessee from Siliguri for a mere deposit of Rs. 4.5 Lakh in his current account. Accordingly, we can imagine the way things will unfold in coming days.” As I have seen the notice is issued by Siliguri Income Tax Dept. to a party in Sikkim. I would like to ask CA Sandeep whether an Income Tax Department in Siliguri, West Bengal can issue notice to someone in Sikkim, the state where the Central Taxes are not extended. As far as I know Sikkim enjoys the old laws which are enshrined in Article 371F of the constitution which provides a special status to Sikkim after its merger with Indian Union in 1975.

  5. Sampat Mutha says:

    Yes , I agree views written here. To control black money government should take such steps which will not affect ordinary people who pays their tax regularly.
    While banning the notes 500 & 1000 there should have been good plan with advanced printing of other currencies so that crores of non black money holders would not have suffered & lost time in unproductive work .
    Anyhow intension of government is good but if it failed in implementation at lower level & authorities started harassing , democracy will do its work .
    “ATI THETHE MATI ”
    After collecting this black money it must be utilsed for benfit of masses & should result just change of one black money holder to another
    Best wishes for best intension

  6. Gagan says:

    The problem is that when government doesn’t do anything we say there is no system, nothing can happen in this country bla bla bla.

    I fail to understand how IDS was tax terrorism.
    I find this article utterly useless.

    I stood 7 hours in queue happily. If one cant do even this much for country then its very shameful.

    The one who don’t follow should be dealt with as strictly as possible. They deserve it and should not cry it as threats or harassment.

    I am with PM.

  7. Vinayak Hari Gadre says:

    If the justice system is made fast the concerns of Shri Sandeep Kanojia will be taken care of. For this, many courts should be established to decide whether the assumptions made by the AO while deciding whether the amount deposited by a person is reasonable or not.

  8. Sunil says:

    Dear Saneep,
    I don’t agree with what is written here. I (and all salaried people like me) have been paying my taxes year after year. For years people have not been paying taxes, Modi and his government is trying to clean up things. If we don’t be strict then there is every chance that people will take it lightly and get used to the fact that no matter what government does there will always be a way we can find to avoid paying tax. If people have earned the money then what is the harm in declaring it? i guess only people who have been avoiding tax payment are afraid of what govt is doing. Suddenly they have no where to go. for me this situation is like giving an injection to baby, baby may cry and go through lots of pain but we know that this temporary pain will make her/him stronger in years to come. we must just allow the pain to be it and stand by the baby when its experiencing the pain. I hope we don’t start giving anesthesia to reduce the pain, then the baby will get used to the fact that whenever their is pain the anesthesia is there to not go through the struggle. and as a CA i would expect that you could understand this better then me.

  9. Anil Kale says:

    Action and reaction are two sides of the same coin. After Nov 8, people who are holding large amount of black money are resorting to take shield behind small and poor people to use their accounts including Jan Dhan to deposit amounts in to their accounts and convert black to white by luring them to pay a small commission. Who are giving advices all these people. When such people despite knowing consequences are making scape goats of poor people just for their selfish interest and motive. It is surprising you have not written a single word about this. When such things are happening, govt have to respond. Why blame them?

  10. Vishal Patil says:

    Motif is good but the way it is being implemented is troubling and harassment. It seems its not properly thought and planned. My dad got operated this week and we had to change hospitals because they were not accepting card or cheque but wanted dd only. Also otherwise rates of other taxes like service tax then vat in Maharashtra has gone up recently overnight. Cost of living is going up considerally.

  11. Tushar says:

    No need to worry for the honest tax payers. Only the corrupted people and dishonest businessmen need to worry. The action is strict because these dishonest people dont come out by themselves. I dont consider this as tax terrorism. Please update your article.

  12. visundaram says:

    please suggest alternate moves to curb black money menace. Why donot leading chartered accounts meet the finance minster and suggest easy ways.

  13. Adithya R says:

    Dear SandeepJi,

    It was nice reading your article, But many of yours are absolutely baseless against this government.

    Please check once or twice before writing anything.

    Thank you

  14. Jayant L Aasher says:

    Yes. Tax territorism has already started showing its ugly face and I fully agree as said.

    No one is against Modi’s objective but the timing and implementation method is certainly troubling and harassing.

  15. Vijay says:

    I do not see a reason to call this as Tax terrorism. What is wrong if the Income tax department/any Govt. (here- BJP/Congress is not relevant) asks for any clarification for any amount deposited in your account? One should be prepared to give the details.

  16. Deepak Dang says:

    Sandeepji, I respect your knowledge & views. I am a common man since retired from Bank. I was never pro or against any party but found that laws remain in the book but rarely implemented. I have seen the as to how the lockers are filled up with suit cases. There is no dearth of Gold & diamonds. Notes are also kept. The cost of living is increasing & value of money in our hands have squeezed. I can’t purchase bread, butter & shelter.
    Criminals are policy makers as they earned money with the unfair means. In the backdrop, please reply an Indian, who visits a foreign country, respect their laws. It is a chemical change due to stringent laws & enforcement.
    Sir, In India, laws were already there. It is the only implementation.
    1. unaccounted money, Benami Property was never allowed.
    2. conterfeited currency; Drug Prohibititions; Arm Act: Illegal arms not allowed.
    3. Money Laundering Act:
    4. Lokpal Act
    Modi Govt. simply tried for voluntary disclosure of assets through Gold Monetization & few mores discussed in reply by of the persons.
    Secondly, let us know the best practices used the world over in the countries, who faced the same problems & eradicated without putting the public in a problem.
    Regards,
    Bhakt of nation only,

  17. Manjunath says:

    The intention of the Govt. is obviously right. However, it seems not well thought. Currency crisis for a small period of time may be manageable but not for a substantial period of time.

    Today people accross the nation are facing lot of trouble. It has created a situation where a daily labourer is finding it dificult to earn for his day food, milk production co-operative soieties are not able to make payments to its members, agricultural markets are almost closed.

    The Govt. issues statements that the situation will be restored to normalcy, it is not known when. Actually, it is very unfortunate but the situation accross the nation getting worsen day by day.

    Hope the cash crunch ends soon.

  18. Pradeep Bengani says:

    Yes, I agree.

    They should focus on catching crocodiles. But instead, they are killing lacs of small fish.

    Its ony the middle class that is worst hit.Trading / Mfg activity is down by more than 50%. And savings of a life time have turned to pieces of paper.
    There could have been better, softer ways to tackle black money.
    They are beating the Tax paying Business class and criminals with same stick. Grossly Unfair & unjust.

  19. Shyam Chhaperwal says:

    There is no doubt Tax Terrorism has increased but it is not at its peak which is yet to come. We have seen on 08.11.16 so may people thronged the jewellery shops to buy gold with bags full of unaccounted cash and it is a fact that most of them were the government authorities, income tax and excise authorities, local sales tax authorities, district administration and even police authorities with their family members. The same people who will now take action against general public and business community. One can imagine what is going to happen in this scenario, the power will only be in the hands of the culprits.

  20. Ganeshram says:

    I dont agree with you at all particularly from a Chartered Accountant.
    There are mechanisms and rules under IT Act to appeal against Tax demanded.
    If all your Accounts are Correct with Corrobarating Bank Statement, you can appeal against the Order by paying 15% of the disputed amount and get a stay on that order, which will be automatic and the Comissioner will grant stay order.
    It happened in my case and all my accounts are perfect with corrobarating Bank Account statements.
    Iam confident that justice will be done.
    You cant call this Tax Terrorism.
    As a Praticing CA its your Duty to Educate your clients on being Honest and pay their tax and be peaceful.
    You may help them to reduce tax burden within the ambit of IT laws.
    So I dont agree with your Views.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search Post by Date
March 2024
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031