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Extended Period of Limitation: Understanding and Challenging Sec. 74

editor — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 07:48:40 +0000

In the realm of taxation, navigating through various sections and provisions can be daunting. One such area of concern for taxpayers is the extended period of limitation, particularly concerning the issuance of notices and the implications under Section 74. Understanding the nuances of this provision and the scope for challenging it is crucial for taxpayers and professionals alike.

1. Supreme Court Precedents

2. CESTAT Chandigarh Insights

3. Precedents from CESTAT Ahmedabad

Dinesh Chandra R Agarwal Infracon Pvt. Ltd: The case of Dinesh Chandra R Agarwal Infracon Pvt. Ltd. highlighted the importance of proof of intentional revenue suppression or misdeclaration for the validity of orders under Section 73(1) of the Finance Act, 1994.
Arya Logistics: In line with the above, Arya Logistics emphasized that in the absence of suppression of fact, a show cause notice issued after the prescribed limit of one year is not sustainable.

4. Insights from CESTAT Delhi

5. Precedents from CESTAT Allahabad

6. Perspectives from Delhi High Court

ITD-ITD CEM JV: Delhi High Court's stance, as seen in the case of ITD-ITD CEM JV, emphasized the necessity of recording reasons to believe in writing for assessment orders passed within the extended period.
H.M. Industries: H.M. Industries reiterated that the absence of assertions regarding concealment or failure to disclose full particulars negates the applicability of the extended period of limitation.

7. Insights from Mumbai CESTAT

Understanding these precedents is pivotal for taxpayers and professionals aiming to navigate through the intricacies of tax laws effectively.

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Identifying Instances Leading to Income Tax Notices in Real Estate Deals and Credit Card Transactions

editor — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 13:21:14 +0000

Tracking Financial Activities:

The Income Tax Department meticulously monitors all financial transactions carried out by individuals, utilizing various data sources to ensure adherence to tax regulations. Certain transactions may trigger heightened scrutiny from tax authorities.

High-Value Cash Transactions:

The tax department pays particular attention to high-value cash transactions. For instance, if an individual receives a cash deposit exceeding Rs 10 lakh in a savings account within a fiscal year, this could prompt the department to issue a notice seeking clarification regarding the source of funds.

Mandatory Reporting by Banks:

As per the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) directives, banks are mandated to report instances where an individual deposits Rs 10 lakh or more across one or more time deposit accounts during a financial year, excluding deposits made through the renewal of another time deposit. Additionally, all banks, including cooperative banks, must report cash deposits of Rs 10 lakh or more across one or multiple accounts of an individual, excluding current accounts and time deposits.

Scrutiny of Securities Transactions:

Financial institutions and companies issuing bonds or debentures are obligated to report receiving Rs 10 lakh or more from any individual in a financial year for acquiring such securities. This measure is aimed at detecting potential instances of tax evasion or undisclosed income associated with significant cash movements.

Credit Card Transactions:

Several instances of credit card transactions may trigger Income Tax notices:

Cash deposits exceeding Rs 10 lakh for savings accounts and Rs 50 lakh for current accounts, along with substantial withdrawals, may prompt inquiries into the origin and intended use of the funds.
Real estate transactions exceeding Rs 30 lakh may come under the scrutiny of the tax department, which seeks detailed information about the transaction and involved parties.
Investments surpassing Rs 10 lakh in stocks, mutual funds, or bonds may attract scrutiny if the origin of funds appears inconsistent with reported income.
Although the Income Tax department does not actively monitor individual credit card transactions, cash payments exceeding Rs 1 lakh towards credit cards or substantial debt settlements exceeding Rs 10 lakh made in cash may undergo scrutiny and investigation. Ensuring transparency in significant transactions with verifiable fund sources is imperative, as unaccounted cash inflows may trigger investigations.

Mismatch of Declared Income:

Discrepancies between declared income and bank data may prompt notifications from the tax department, highlighting the importance of maintaining accurate financial records.

Foreign Exchange Transactions:

Any purchase of foreign exchange totaling Rs 10 lakh, including travelers’ checks, forex cards, or debit/credit card transactions, must be reported to ensure compliance with tax regulations.

Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/personal-finance/tax/story/real-estate-deals-credit-card-transactions-6-times-one-can-get-income-tax-notice-425280-2024-04-12

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GSTN Issues Important Advisory Regarding Reset and Re-filing of GSTR-3B for Certain Taxpayers

editor — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 12:06:19 +0000

The GSTN has released an important advisory, numbered 629 and dated April 9, 2024, regarding the reset and re-filing of GSTR-3B for specific taxpayers.

Referring to the option for re-filing GSTR-3B for certain taxpayers, it was observed that discrepancies existed between the saved data in the GST system and the data actually filed, particularly concerning ITC availment and tax liabilities. After thorough examination and discussion by the Grievance Redressal Committee of the GST Council, it was decided to reset these returns, providing affected taxpayers with an opportunity to rectify the discrepancies.

As a result, only the affected taxpayers have been notified via their registered email addresses, and the affected returns are accessible on their respective dashboards for re-filing with accurate data. Those who have received this communication are requested to visit their dashboard and re-submit their GSTR-3B within 15 days.

In case of any difficulty in re-filing, taxpayers are advised to contact their jurisdictional tax officer or raise a ticket on the GST grievance redressal portal.

We deeply regret any inconvenience caused to taxpayers.

The complete advisory can be found at: Link to Advisory

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GST Implications on Lump Sum Transfer Charges for Leasehold Rights

editor — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 04:51:43 +0000

In a recent ruling by the Uttar Pradesh Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR), Remarkable Industries (P.) Ltd. sought clarification regarding the GST implications on lump sum upfront premium paid as transfer charges for leasehold rights. The case, identified as Advance Ruling No. UP/ADRG/41/2023, offers significant insights into the classification and applicable GST rate concerning the transfer of leasehold rights.

Facts of the Case:

Remarkable Industries (P.) Ltd. ("the Applicant") operates in the manufacturing and selling of various products.
The Applicant acquired an industrial plot from the Noida Authority under a lease deed for a 99-year period.
The lease involved the payment of a lump sum upfront premium and subsequent annual lease charges.
After utilizing the plot for manufacturing purposes, the Applicant decided to transfer its leasehold rights to M/s S K Industries ("the Assignee") for consideration.
The transfer process required permission from the Noida Authority, payment of transfer charges by the buyer, and the execution of a fresh lease deed with the Assignee.
Notably, the transfer did not entail sub-leasing or creation of fresh benefits from the land; it solely involved the transfer of existing leasehold rights for consideration.

Issue:

Whether the activity of transferring leasehold rights by the Applicant constitutes sub-leasing and, if not, what is the appropriate classification and applicable GST rate for the said activity?

Held:

The Uttar Pradesh, AAR in Advance Ruling No. UP/ADRG/41/2023 held as follows:

The activity of the Applicant is akin to agreeing to transfer one's leasehold rights and does not amount to sub-leasing.
The transfer represents compensation for agreeing to transfer the leasehold rights to the Assignee without creating additional benefits from the land.
As per the CGST Act and Schedule II, the transaction is classified as a service rather than a transfer of immovable property.
The Applicant's right under the lease deed is extinguished after assignment, and there is no creation of fresh benefits from the land.
The transaction falls under "Other miscellaneous service" (SAC 999792) and is taxable at an 18% GST rate as per Notification No. 11/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated June 28, 2017.

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Income tax department cracks down on PAN fraud for false HRA claims

editor — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 06:34:13 +0000

The income tax department has unearthed a scam involving the fraudulent use of permanent account numbers (PAN) to claim house rent allowance (HRA) without actual tenancy. Around 8,000-10,000 high-value cases, each involving amounts exceeding Rs 10 lakh, have been identified so far. The investigation was triggered by the discovery of alleged rent receipts totaling approximately Rs 1 crore attributed to an individual.

Uncovering the deception

Upon interrogation, the individual associated with the PAN linked to the purported “rental income” disavowed any knowledge of the transactions. Subsequent investigations revealed that the individual never received the reported rent payments.

Widespread misuse of PANs

The case prompted a broader probe revealing widespread misuse of PANs by unscrupulous individuals seeking tax deductions from their employers. Instances have emerged where multiple employees from the same company used identical PANs for tax claims. Tax authorities are pursuing these employees to recover the misappropriated tax amounts.

Legal implications and preventive measures

While legal action against the offenders remains uncertain, tax experts warn of potential penalties and prosecution for such fraudulent activities. To prevent such misuse, financial transactions, particularly rent payments, should be traceable and transparent, preferably through electronic means. Employers are advised to implement stringent verification processes to prevent fraudulent claims and to ensure compliance with tax regulations.

Expert insights and employer responsibilities

According to tax advisors, the responsibility primarily rests with the employee, although employers are urged to exercise due diligence in verifying HRA claims. Employers found to have lax verification processes risk reputational damage and may even terminate employees engaged in fraudulent practices.

The case underscored the imperative for vigilance and compliance in financial transactions, particularly in the realm of taxation, to prevent and penalize fraudulent activities.

Source: https://www.indiatvnews.com/business/income-tax/income-tax-department-cracks-down-on-pan-fraud-for-false-hra-claims-house-rent-allowance-authorities-rental-income-financial-transactions-2024-04-01-924080

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CBDT notifies changes in ITR Form V and Acknowledgement for AY 2024-25

editor — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 10:28:31 +0000

The CBDT, through Notification No. 37/2024 dated March 27, 2024, has introduced revisions to the ITR form V and Acknowledgement for Assessment Year 2024-25. These changes align with amendments made in the Income Tax Act, 1961, and the Income Tax Rules, 1962, following the Finance Act, 2023.

For further details, the full notification can be viewed at: https://www.nyca.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CBDT_37-2024-27.3.2024.pdf

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A Closer Look at the Significant Tax Adjustments Coming into Force on April 1, 2024

editor — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 07:04:10 +0000

April 1 signifies the start of a fresh fiscal year and holds great importance for personal finances, as many income tax adjustments from the Budget come into effect on this date. Additionally, various other alterations are also implemented, potentially influencing individual financial situations. These modifications were unveiled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her Budget speech this year. Let’s delve into some significant changes you need to know, such as the widened basic exemption thresholds, among others.

New Tax Regime Default Adoption

The default choice of the new tax regime is a significant alteration aimed at simplifying tax filing and encouraging more people to opt for the new regime.
The new regime offers reduced tax rates but fewer deductions and exemptions.
Taxpayers still have the option to continue with the old tax regime if it suits them better.

Elevated Basic Exemption Limit and Rebate

Effective from April 1, 2023, the basic exemption limit was raised to ₹ 3 lakh from ₹ 2.5 lakh under the new tax regime.
The rebate under Section 87A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, was increased to ₹ 7 lakh from ₹ 5 lakh.
Individuals with a taxable income up to ₹ 7 lakh under the new regime will receive a full tax rebate, exempting them from paying any income tax.

New Tax Slabs

Income between ₹ 3 lakh and ₹ 6 lakh will be taxed at 5%.
Income between ₹ 6 lakh and ₹ 9 lakh will be taxed at 10%.
Income between ₹ 9 lakh and ₹ 12 lakh will be taxed at 15%.
Income between ₹ 12 lakh and ₹ 15 lakh will attract a 20% tax.
Income above ₹ 15 lakh will be taxed at 30%.

Restoration of Basic Deduction

Reduced Surcharge

Life Insurance Taxation

Exemption of Enhanced Leave Encashment

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/new-tax-rules-to-come-into-effect-from-april-1-all-you-need-to-know-5283150

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Assessee is entitled to interest from the date immediately after the expiry of sixty days from the date of receipt of the GST refund application

editor — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 06:28:11 +0000

The Hon’ble Delhi High Court, in the case of Raghav Ventures vs. Commissioner of Delhi [Writ Petition (Civil) No. 12209 of 2023 dated March 01, 2024], held that the payment of 6% interest under the Section 56 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (“the CGST Act”) is statutory and does not depend if the claim made by the Assessee. It is automatically payable if the GST refund is not made within 60 days from the date of receipt of the application.

Facts of the case:

Raghav Ventures, referred to as “the Petitioner,” engaged in exporting mobile phones and accessories to M/s AZ Logistic, Dubai, UAE, and paid Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST). The normal procedure for claiming GST refunds involved submitting shipping bills, which Customs processed through ICEGATE.

In December 2022, exports amounted to Rs. 9,06,49,174/- with IGST payment of Rs. 1,63,16,851/-. In February 2023, exports totaled Rs. 2,80,38,271/- with IGST payment of Rs. 50,46,889/-. Similarly, in March 2023, exports amounted to Rs. 95,90,489/- with IGST payment of Rs. 17,26,288/-, and in May 2023, exports of mobiles and accessories worth Rs. 76,96,568/- were made, with IGST payment of Rs. 13,85,382/-.

According to Sub-Rule (2) of Rule 96 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 (“the CGST Rules”), export invoice details from Form GSTR-1 are electronically transmitted to Customs. Once the system confirms export, GST refunds are processed through ICEGATE under Rule 96(3) of the CGST Rules.

The Petitioner submitted GST returns in Form-GSTR-3B and refund applications for the mentioned periods via Form-GST-RFD-01. Acknowledgments were received via Form-GST-RFD-02, confirming receipt of the GST refund applications.

While the writ petition was pending, the IGST refund for the period was credited to the Petitioner’s bank account on December 4, 2023, without any interest. On December 6, 2023, the Petitioner applied to the Special Commissioner, Department of Trade & Taxes (“the Respondent”), seeking 6% interest from the refund application date until December 3, 2023.

Therefore, aggrieved by these circumstances, the present writ petition was filed, requesting the Respondent to grant the total IGST refund of Rs. 2,44,75,410/- for the tax periods of December 2022, February 2023, March 2023, and May 2023, along with interest as per Section 56 of the CGST Act.

Issue:

Does the Assessee have a statutory entitlement to interest on delayed GST refunds?

Held:

The Delhi High Court, in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 12209 of 2023, ruled as follows:

It was observed that interest payment under Section 56 of the CGST Act is mandatory and not contingent upon the Assessee's claim. It automatically becomes due if the GST refund is not issued within 60 days from the date of application receipt. Denial of GST refund based on waiving interest claims in FORM GST-RFD-01 is unjustifiable. Additionally, interest is only applicable if the refund isn't granted within 60 days from the application date, making interest payment obligatory and automatic.
It was also noted that Circular No. 125/44/2019-GST dated November 18, 2019, clarifies that interest calculation starts from the day immediately following the 60-day period from the application receipt until the amount is credited to the applicant's bank account.
The court held that the Petitioner is entitled to statutory interest at a rate of 6%, starting from the day immediately following the expiry of the 60-day period from the application receipt until the refund is credited to the Petitioner's bank account. The Respondent was instructed to process the refund of interest and credit it to the Petitioner's account within four weeks. Consequently, the petition was resolved along with the pending application.

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Key JSON Schemas for ITR-1 and ITR-4 Issued by Income Tax Department for Assessment Year 2024-25

editor — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 05:43:06 +0000

ITR-1 Schema:

The Income Tax Department has recently unveiled the JSON Schema for ITR-1 for the Assessment Year 2024-25, corresponding to the Financial Year 2023-24.

This schema caters to individuals who are residents (excluding not ordinarily residents) with a total income of up to Rs. 50 lakh. It applies to individuals with income from salaries, one house property, other sources (such as interest), and agricultural income up to Rs. 5 thousand.

ITR-4 Schema:

The Income Tax Department has also released the JSON Schema for ITR-4 for the Assessment Year 2024-25, corresponding to the Financial Year 2023-24.

Designed for individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and firms (excluding Limited Liability Partnerships) who are residents and have a total income of up to Rs. 50 lakh. This schema is applicable to those with income from business and profession computed under sections 44AD, 44ADA, or 44AE, along with agricultural income up to Rs. 5 thousand.

ITR-1 Schema:

Document: https://www.nyca.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ITR-1_2024_Main_V1.0.zip

Date of Initial JSON Schema Release: 18th March 2024

ITR-4 Schema:

Document: https://www.nyca.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ITR-4_2024_Main_V1.0.zip

Date of Initial JSON Schema Release: 18th March 2024

Source: IncomeTaxPortal

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Section 194G of the Income Tax Act

editor — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 13:09:34 +0000

Lottery tickets are often seen as gateways to instant wealth, but few realize the tax implications that accompany such windfalls. Section 194G of the Income Tax Act delineates the provisions for Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on various activities related to lottery tickets, including their sale, distribution, and associated transactions. Let’s delve into the intricacies of Section 194G:

Scope of Section 194G:

Section 194G pertains to any income accrued by individuals in the form of commission, remuneration, or prize from lottery ticket transactions. This applies to individuals engaged in selling, stocking, distributing, or purchasing lottery tickets. If the income exceeds Rs 15,000, the entity responsible for payment must deduct TDS before disbursing the amount.

Rate of TDS under Section 194G:

The TDS rate applicable under Section 194G is 5% of the income earned. This deduction is made at the source, and no additional charges such as surcharge, education cess, or SHEC are levied at this specified rate. However, if the deductee fails to furnish their PAN, the TDS rate increases to 20%. Notably, if the payment amount does not exceed Rs 15,000, no tax deduction is applicable.

Timing of TDS Deduction:

Tax on income from lottery tickets is deducted either at the time of crediting the income to the deductee’s account or at the time of payment, whichever occurs earlier. Even if the income is credited to a “suspense account” or any other account per the deductor’s books, it is considered a payment to the deductee’s account, subject to the provisions of Section 194G.

Certificate of No or Lower TDS:

Recipients of lottery ticket income can apply to the Assessing Officer (AO) using Form No. 13 to obtain a certificate authorizing nil tax deduction or deduction at a reduced rate. However, to avail of this facility, it is imperative to quote the PAN in accordance with Section 206AA(4).

Responsibilities of the Deductor:

The entity responsible for deducting TDS, or the deductor, has two primary responsibilities:

In essence, Section 194G aims to ensure tax compliance and transparency in lottery ticket transactions, safeguarding the interests of both parties involved.

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