Salient features of this multilateral convention are – It is based on international standard of transparency and exchange of information. – This instrument is multilateral and a single legal basis for multi-country co-operation as against the DTAAs/TIEAs which are bilateral. It provides for an extensive network and there will be consistent application of provisions leaving limited scope for deviation.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes has directed the Income Tax department to launch a special drive, from 20th January to 20th March 2012, for verifying high value transactions (investments / deposits / expenditure) from persons who are not assessed to income tax or who have not furnished their PAN while entering into such transactions. In an instruction issued today, the CBDT issued proforma for query letters and responses to be issued to the high value investors / depositors / spenders.
Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Ministry of Commerce and Industry notified the decision to allow 100 per cent FDI in Single brand retail today via Press Note No.1 (2012 Series). The Union Minister for Commerce Industry and Textiles said Cabinet took the conscious decision to liberalise policy for FDI in single brand retail. FDI in single brand has led to emergence of some global majors in Indian market
Letter [F. No. 137/21/2011 – Service Tax], Dated 19-12-2011 Section 65(109a) of the Finance Act, 1994 – Telecommunication service – Clarification on taxability in respect of International Private Leased Circuit (IPLC) charges and amendment in the definition of Telegraph Authority under section 65(111) of the Finance Act, 1994. The IPLC services rendered by a person located outside to a person located in India, is neither taxable under the category of Telecommunication Services, nor taxable under the category of Business Support Services
SEBI had initiated preliminary investigations into certain recent Initial Public Offers (IPOs), on receipt of information of irregularities from various sources. Based on the findings of the preliminary investigations carried out, Shri Prashant Saran, Whole Time Member, SEBI, has passed ad interim, ex-parte orders dated December 28, 2011 in matters related to the IPOs by the following companies: PG Electroplast Limited, Brooks Laboratories Limited, RDB Rasayans Limited, Taksheel Solutions Limited, Tijaria Polypipes Limited, Onelife Capital Advisors Limited , Bharatiya Global Infomedia Limited
It is informed that under the Income Tax Act, search and seizure is conducted on the basis of specific and credible information regarding tax evasion, and after conducting necessary verification. Information technology tools, such as CASS and ITDMS, have been developed and are being extensively utilized by the Income Tax department to unobtrusively select cases for scrutiny or verify information before taking intrusive action. In the current year, the number of search warrants executed has declined compared to last year.
LETTER [F.No.137/131/2010-CX.40], dated 20-5-2011 Certain field formations have raised the issue of leviability of service tax on escort charges collected by State Police from banks for escorting cash, under ‘Security Agency service’. 2. While, most of the field formations are of the view that such charges should be leviable to service tax under Security Agency service, doubts have been expressed from certain formations.
In this regard, please find enclosed for necessary action, a copy of Ad hoc Exemption Order No. 2/2/2011, dated 8-8-2011, whereby Government has granted exemption to the taxable service of outdoor catering referred to in sub-clause (zzt) of clause (105) of section 65 of the Finance Act, if the same has been provided by a Non Government Organisation registered under any Central Act or State Act, under the Centrally assisted Mid-Day Meal Scheme, from the whole of service tax leviable thereon under section 66 of the Finance Act, during the period 10-9-2004 to 2-9-2010
It has now been decided to i. increase the current limit of FII investment in Government Securities by US $ 5 billion raising the cap to US $ 15 billion. The incremental limit of US $ 5 billion can be invested in securities without any residual maturity criterion; and, ii. increase the current limit of FII investment in corporate bonds by US $ 5 billion raising the cap to US $ 20 billion. The incremental limit of US $ 5 billion can be invested in listed corporate bonds.
Gross direct tax collection during April-October of the current fiscal was up by 20.28 percent at Rs.284,081 crore as against Rs.236,176 crore in the same period last fiscal. While gross collection of corporate taxes was up 20.35 percent (Rs. 189,872 crore against Rs. 157,767 crore last year), gross collection of personal income tax was up by 20.17 percent (Rs.93,769 crore against Rs.78,029 crore last year). Net direct tax collections stood at Rs.2 18,850 crore, up from Rs.204,347 crore in the same period last fiscal, registering a growth of 7.10 percent.
