The newly proposed section 56 [2][vii] in the Finance Bill, 2009 is no ‘rosagoola’. When the Hon’ble Finance Minister ‘pronounced’ his budget in the Parliament, there was not even a whisper of reference to this section in his speech. And in this silence, lurked a deadly Bengal Tiger called ‘section 56 [2][vii]’.
The present article discusses amendment proposed by Finance Bill (No. 2) 2009 regarding provisions of Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) and deduction u/s. 80-IB(10). Though the provisions relating to Dispute Resolution Panel are not a complete code for full and complete resolution of dispute referred to it, it is a step in right direction. Litigation is time consuming and it has been demand of AIFTP from time to time that Law must provide for Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism for settling of dispute at the option of the assessee.
Question. The dealer has purchased plant along with land from Financial Institution in auction. The original owner of plant was declared sick unit and was liable to discharge sales tax dues for past years. The Sales Tax Department is contemplating to recover the said dues from the dealer who has purchased the plant and land in auction. Whether the department is justified in such demand?
The facts are that the dealer is registered under CST Act in Andhra Pradesh as well as in Maharashtra. Order is placed by AP branch on Tamil Nadu dealer for supply of goods against H form. The supplier prepares invoice mentioning Maharashtra address. The goods are delivered by TN party in AP from where dealer exports the goods. The dealer accounts the said invoice of TN party in its books in Maharashtra and shows the same in the Maharashtra Sales Tax returns. The H form issued by Maharashtra authorities is issued to TN party. Whether the above course of action as per law?
The subject of works contract is one of the most confusing and litigated issues. The Constitution (Forty Sixth Amendment) Act, 1982 granted powers to State Governments to enact laws for providing the levy of tax on the transfer of property (whether as goods or in some other form) involved in the execution of works contracts. Builders and Developers undergo untold hardship and misery while computing the gross and taxable turnovers. Each State has prescribed its own law, rules and methodology for determining the gross and taxable turnovers.
Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 (LLP Act) was passed by the Parliament in December, 2008. Some of the sections of the LLP Act were made effective on 1-4-2009. Sections relating to conversion of existing partnership firms and private as well as public unlisted companies into LLP have been brought into force on 31-5-2009. Sections relating to liquidation and winding up of LLP have not yet come into force. LLP Rules, 2009, have also been made and they have now come into force.
Understanding settled principles of law is very very important while presenting or pursuing a case before a Court of law, Board or any Tribunal. Keeping into mind the object of the enactment, the subject, the societal scenario etc. our Courts settled certain principles and the same are to be followed by all Courts or Tribunals unless overruled by the Competent Court or by a larger bench. There is a principle in Criminal Law that an offence should be proved beyond reasonable doubt and an innocent should not be punished. It is an example and the Courts had laid down many principles and certain principles are inherent in the enactment itself.
services provided by Chartered Accountants, Cost Accountants and Company Secretaries as well as by engineering and management consultants are presently charged to Service Tax. Although there is a school of thought that legal consultants do not provide any service to their client, I hold my distinguished predecessor in high esteem and disagree! As such, I propose to extend Service Tax on advice, consultancy or technical assistance provided in the field of law. This tax would not be applicable in case the service provider or the service receiver is an individual.
Until the amendment made by the Finance (No.2) Act, 2009, the gifts were taxed only on receipt of sum of money; i.e., cash or cheque or bank draft in excess of Rs.50,000 in a year by any individual or HUF. Now, gifts of immovable and certain movable properties will also be subject to tax if these are received without consideration or at inadequate consideration. In section 56(2), clause (vii) has been inserted w.e.f. 1-10-2009. The earlier provision was brought in with a view to curb bogus capital-building and money laundering through receipt of gifts. Though Gift Tax Act has been abolished way back w.e.f. 1st October, 1998, it has again come back in another form and find place in the Income-tax Act.
Under entry 92A of List I of the VII Schedule to the Constitution of India, the Parliament of India has the exclusive right to impose tax on sale or purchase of goods other than newspapers where such sale or purchase takes place in the course of inter-State trade and commerce. Article 269 of the Constitution of India authorises the Parliament to formulate principles for determining when a sale or purchase or consignment of goods takes place in the course of inter-State trade and commerce. Exercising the power so conferred by the Constitution of India, the Parliament has enacted the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956 (herein after referred to as “the Central Act”), wherein section 3 specifies the principles as to when a sale or purchase of goods take place in the course of inter-State trade and commerce.
