{"id":6432,"date":"2020-01-04T13:29:08","date_gmt":"2020-01-04T07:59:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/?p=6432"},"modified":"2020-01-04T13:29:08","modified_gmt":"2020-01-04T07:59:08","slug":"a-case-of-tax-exemption-vs-avoidance-analysis-of-the-special-bench-decision-in-doshi-accounting-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/a-case-of-tax-exemption-vs-avoidance-analysis-of-the-special-bench-decision-in-doshi-accounting-services\/","title":{"rendered":"A Case Of Tax Exemption vs Avoidance &#8211; Analysis Of The Special Bench Decision In Doshi Accounting Services"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/wp-content\/uploads\/Shashi-Bekal.jpg\" alt=\"Shashi Bekal\" width=\"129\" height=\"150\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-6435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/wp-content\/uploads\/Shashi-Bekal.jpg 129w, https:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/wp-content\/uploads\/Shashi-Bekal-100x116.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 129px) 100vw, 129px\" \/><strong>In <a href=\"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/archives\/doshi-accounting-services-pvt-ltd-vs-dcit-itat-ahmedabad-special-bench-s-92-transfer-pricing-even-if-an-assessee-is-eligible-for-tax-exemption-at-the-rate-of-hundred-percent-under-section-10a-10b-of\/\">Doshi Accounting Services vs.  DCIT<\/a>, the Special Bench of the ITAT has held that the transfer pricing provisions are applicable even to a case in which the income of the assessee is eligible for 100% tax exemption and is not chargeable to tax in India. Advocate Shashi Bekal has conducted an in-depth analysis of the judgement and explained its nuances. He has also argued that the judgement may require reconsideration<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Recently, the  Hon&rsquo;ble President of the Income Tax Appellate tribunal (<strong>ITAT<\/strong>) on a  reference made by a Division Bench constituted a Special Bench to decide the  following question of law<a href=\"#_ftn1\" name=\"_ftnref1\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref1\"> (1) <\/a>:<\/p>\n<p><em>&ldquo;Whether or not the provisions of Section 92 can be invoked in a  situation in which income of the assessee is eligible for tax exemption or tax  holiday and thus not actually chargeable to tax in India, or in a situation in  which there cannot be any motive in manipulating the prices at which  international transactions have been entered into?&rdquo;<\/em><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>To understand the  decision passed by the Special Bench, it is imperative to analyse the facts,  orders of the lower authorities and contention placed by both the parties  before the Special Bench. The article aims at a deep dive into the decision,  addressing the vital issues and encapsulating the decision in a compact  version.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Facts<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Doshi Accounting  Services Private Limited (<strong>assessee<\/strong>) is a private limited company, engaged  in the activity of business process outsourcing (BPO)services in the field  related to accounting &amp; taxation such as book-keeping, VAT, returns,  payroll, management accounting, and audit. The major shareholder in thecompany  is Mr. Dhiren Doshi, who is also the sole proprietor of the firm M\/s Doshi&amp;  Co. (<strong>AE<\/strong><a href=\"#_ftn2\" name=\"_ftnref2\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref2\"> (2) <\/a>)  based in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n<p>The assessee  provides these services from the unit situated at Baroda which isaSoftware  Technology Parks of India (STPI) unit eligible for deduction\/exemption under section  10A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (<strong>Act<\/strong>).<\/p>\n<p>The assessee in  the year under consideration<a href=\"#_ftn3\" name=\"_ftnref3\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref3\"> (3) <\/a> provided services equating to1,60,378 hours to its AE and 380 hours services  provided to NON-AEs located in Zambia, Africa. The assessee in  the year under consideration in the case of AE has charged a rate of GBP 5 per  hour from April 2005 to Feb 2006 and in March at the rate of GBP 6 per hour  whereas in case of non-AEs it has charged GBP 4.50 to 4.85per hour during the  same period. Accordingly, the assessee contended that the similar nature of  services was provided to both AE and non-AEs from the same facility, but the  rate charged to the AE was higher than the average rate charged to NON-AEs.<\/p>\n<p>The assessee  benchmarked its transaction with AE by applying internal comparable  uncontrolled price (<strong>CUP<\/strong>) method prescribed under section 92C of the Act  and claimed that its transactions with theAE are at Arm Length Price (<strong>ALP<\/strong>).<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Proceedings before the Ld. Assessing  Officer (Ld. AO)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The assessee  during the assessment proceedings made available the details of the external  comparables based upon the quotations of Independent Enterprises where the  average rate quoted by them figuring at GBP 5.71 per hour was greater than the  rate charged from the AE. The assessee contended that difference in the rates  arrived in pursuing internal CUP method being GBP 5.09 and external CUP method  being GBP 5.71, arose due to the unevenness of the terms and conditions between  the subject entities and their clients.<\/p>\n<p>On the other  hand, the Ld. Transfer Pricing Officer (<strong>TPO<\/strong>) rebutted the rationale  proffered by the assessee and was of the view that CUP method requires a high  degree of comparability such as the volume, credit terms, timing &amp;  geographical area of transaction\/services, etc. which is not comparable in the  present case, thereby adopting Transactional net margin method (<strong>TNMM<\/strong>) as  the most appropriate method. Accordingly, theTPO made the upward adjustment of INR  1,48,23,848.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Proceedings before the Ld. Dispute Resolution  Panel<\/strong> (<strong>Ld<\/strong>. <strong>DRP<\/strong>) <\/p>\n<p>Aggrieved by the  order of Ld. TPO\/Ld. AO, assessee referred the matter to Ld. DRP. The assessee  placed a contention before the Ld. DRP that the assessee is enjoying the  benefit of deduction under section 10A of the Act i.e. exemption on its  eligible profit at the rate of hundred percent, therefore there is no reason  for the assessee to charge a lower price from its AE. Moreover, the assessee  contended that the effective tax rate in the UK would be higher  than the effective tax rate in India, thus there was  no motive and incentive in shifting the profits from India to the UK, where the rate  of tax is comparatively higher. The assessee in support of their contention  placed its reliance on the decision of the Hon&rsquo;ble ITAT  (Bangalore Bench) in the case of <strong><em>Philip Software Pvt. Ltd<\/em><\/strong>.<a href=\"#_ftn4\" name=\"_ftnref4\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref4\"> (4) <\/a><\/p>\n<p>However, the Ld.  DRP rejected the contention of the assessee after relying on the decision of Hon&rsquo;ble  ITAT (Bangalore 5-member Special Bench) in the case of <strong><em>Aztec software  &amp; technology services Ltd<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"#_ftn5\" name=\"_ftnref5\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref5\"> <\/a> and Hon&rsquo;ble ITAT (Mumbai Bench) in case of <strong><em>Gharda chemicals Ltd.<a href=\"#_ftn6\" name=\"_ftnref6\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref6\"> (6) <\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>5. Appeal before the ITAT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Aggrieved by the  order of Ld. DRP, the assessee is in appeal before ITAT (Ahmedabad Bench). The assessee  took the plea that since, it is eligible for tax exemption and not actually  chargeable to tax in India, therefore there  cannot be any motive to shift the profit from India to U.K. Therefore, no  reference to the Ld. TPO ought to have been made.<\/p>\n<p>The Bench found  contradictory orders of the ITAT on the above plea and therefore, recommended  the question for determination by the Special Bench.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6. Proceedings before the Special Bench<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A Special Bench  was constituted to examine the above-mentioned issue.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6.1. Contentions placed by the Assessee<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The assessee  placed 5 contentions before the Special Bench viz.<\/p>\n<p>(a) Purposive of interpretation of Transfer Pricing (<strong>TP<\/strong>)provisions.<\/p>\n<p>(b) Purpose of introducing TP provisions.<\/p>\n<p>(c) Why the Decision of the ITAT (Bangalore 5-member Special  Bench) in the case of <strong><em>Aztec Software &amp; Technology Services Ltd.<\/em><\/strong><em><a href=\"#_ftn7\" name=\"_ftnref7\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref7\"> (7) <\/a><\/em> is no more a good law.<\/p>\n<p>(d) Income is <em>sine qua non<\/em> to apply the provisions of Chapter X  of the Act.<\/p>\n<p>(e) other arguments in support of this interpretation.<\/p>\n<p>Elaborating the  above-mentioned contentions placed by the assessee as follows: <\/p>\n<p><strong>(a) &amp; (b) Purposive of interpretation  &amp; Purpose of TP provisions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>That the TP  regulations in Chapter x of the Act were introduced via amendments in Finance  Act, 2001 and 2002. The then Hon&rsquo;ble Finance Minister had explained<a href=\"#_ftn8\" name=\"_ftnref8\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref8\"> (8) <\/a> that since participation of multinational group companies in the economic  activities of the country has arisen, and new complex issues have emerged from  the transactions entered between two or more enterprises belonging to the same  multinational group, therefore, possibility of manipulation of price charged or  paid as such in their group concerns, cannot be ruled out, and can lead to  erosion of tax revenue to the country. With a view to provide statutory  framework, which can lead to computation of reasonable, fair and equitable  profits and tax in India, in the cases of such multi-national enterprises, new  provisions were introduced in the Income Tax Act.<\/p>\n<p>Further reliance  was placed on numerous Circulars viz. 12 of 2001 dated August 23, 2001<a href=\"#_ftn9\" name=\"_ftnref9\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref9\"> <\/a> (9),  Circular No.14 of 2001<a href=\"#_ftn10\" name=\"_ftnref10\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref10\"> (10) <\/a>,  and Circular No. 8 of 2002 dated August 27, 2002<a href=\"#_ftn11\" name=\"_ftnref11\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref11\"> (11) <\/a> to contend that TP provisions have been incorporated with a view to provide a  statutory framework to prevent profit shifting from India leading to erosion of  tax revenue. Reliance to this effect was placed on the decision of the Hon&rsquo;ble  Supreme Court in the case of <strong><em>Morgan Stanley &amp; Co<\/em><\/strong>.<a href=\"#_ftn12\" name=\"_ftnref12\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref12\"> (12) <\/a><\/p>\n<p>Since, the  assessee was eligible for exemption under section 10A of the Act on its  eligible profit at the rate of hundred percent, therefore, there is no chance  of avoidance of any taxes, hence the provisions of Chapter X i.e. TP Provisions  should not be attracted.<\/p>\n<p>For the purpose  of applying the rule of reasonable interpretation, reliance was placed on  decisions of the Hon&rsquo;ble Supreme Court in the case of <strong><em>Goodyear India Ltd<a href=\"#_ftn13\" name=\"_ftnref13\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref13\"> (13) <\/a><\/em><\/strong>.  and <strong><em>Allied Motors P.Ltd.<a href=\"#_ftn14\" name=\"_ftnref14\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref14\"> (14) <\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>(c) Why the  decision of the ITAT (<\/strong><strong>Bangalore<\/strong><strong> Special Bench)<a href=\"#_ftn15\" name=\"_ftnref15\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref15\"> (15) <\/a> is no more a good law<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The decision of  the ITAT (Bangalore 5-member Special  Bench) in the case of <strong><em>Aztec Software &amp; Technology Services Ltd <\/em><\/strong>where  on a similar issue the question has been decided in the favour of the revenue  has been expressly over ruled by the decision of the Bombay High Court in the  case of <strong><em>Vodafone India Services P. Ltd.<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"#_ftn16\" name=\"_ftnref16\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref16\"> (16) <\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>(d) Income is <em>sine  qua non<\/em> to apply the provisions of Chapter X of the Act.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>That, the Ld. AO  ought to have not made reference blindly to the TPO for determination of ALP of  international transaction, as <em>prima facie <\/em>it is evident that there is no  element of income or loss involved in such transaction.<\/p>\n<p>Further, that Chapter  X of the Act is a machinery provisions and not a charging one. Once the income  of the assessee is eligible for hundred percent deduction under section 10A of  the Act then by applying the machinery provision an artificial chargeabilty  cannot be invoked.<\/p>\n<p><strong>(e) other  arguments in support of this interpretation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>That, sections  10A\/10B\/10AA of the Act and the TP provisions operate in separate and mutually  exclusive sphere. On plain reading of these provisions, it would reveal that  neither supersede nor overrule the other one. There is no legislative or  judicial clarity as to which will prevail over the other.<\/p>\n<p>In order to determine  eligible business for the purpose of computing eligible profits under section  10 A of the Act, the Legislature have put various restrictions i.e. section  80IA (8) and (10) which have been made applicable to section 10A of the Act.<\/p>\n<p>Under this  section wherein it has been contemplated that value of all goods and services undertaken  by any assessee from the eligible business should correspond equivalent to the  market value. The expression &ldquo;market value&rdquo; used in section (8) has been  explained by way of an explanation. According to this explanation, the  expression &ldquo;market value&rdquo; in relation to any goods and services means the price  that such goods or services would ordinarily fetch in the market. After Assessment  Year 2013-14, the scope of expression &ldquo;market value&rdquo; used in sub-section(8) has  been enhanced and it has been provided that it should be at an arm&rsquo;s length  price as defined in clause (ii) of section 92F where the transfer of such goods  or services is a specified domestic transaction referred to in section 92BA.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, section 10A  is a complete code in itself, which authorise the AO to determine the eligible  profit for grant of exemption at the rates specified in section. It takes care  of any unreasonable profit if computed by the assessee.<\/p>\n<p>Further since  none of the provisions starts with <em>non obstante <\/em>clause exhibiting the  overriding effect given to any of the provisions, then section 10A of the Act  being substantive provisions provide incentive from taxation and also a machinery  provisions providing the mode of computation, it should be given preference  over the TP provisions.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, once it  is held that the assessee is entitled for hundred percent exemption of its  profit under section 10A, then TP provision ought not to be applied. Reliance  was placed upon the decision of Hon&rsquo;ble Karnataka High Court in the case of <strong><em>Hewlett  Packard Global Soft Ltd<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"#_ftn17\" name=\"_ftnref17\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref17\"> (17) <\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Further on the strength  of Hon&rsquo;ble Supreme Court decision in the case of <strong><em>Bajaj Tempo Ltd<\/em><\/strong>.<a href=\"#_ftn18\" name=\"_ftnref18\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref18\"> (18) <\/a>,  it was submitted that section 10A of the Act being a provision intended to  promote for economic growth it should be construed liberally with an idea to  achieve both these sections and not to frustrate such objects.<\/p>\n<p>Pursuant to that  another contention was placed on clause (4) of Article 26 of the Indo-UK DTA; India cannot subject  the assessee to taxation or requirements more onerous than the similar enterprises  in India. In other words,  tax authorities in India cannot  discriminate between the assessee <em>vis-&agrave;-vis<\/em> an identical assessee  situated in India dealing with identical  transaction to other residents in India. The fact that  when an eligible unit under section 10A of the Act transacts with a related  resident, the only action that can be taken is to deduce profit as per  section80IA(8) and (10) of the Act. However, when an eligible unit under  section 10 of the Act transacts with a related non-resident, its profit can be  re-determined, reduced as per 80IA(10) of the Act, and the transaction price  can also be replaced and theassessee&rsquo;s income enhanced under the TP provisions.  Section 92C(4) of the Act wherein it has been provided that if there is an  upward adjustment in the ALP of an international transaction, then deduction  under section 10A of the Act will not be granted on such adjustment. This  creates a discrimination between the resident <em>vis-&agrave;-vis<\/em> non-resident and  in view of Article26 of Indo-UK DTA. Reference was made to the decision of  Hon&rsquo;ble Delhi High Court in the case of <strong><em>Herbalife International India P. Ltd<a href=\"#_ftn19\" name=\"_ftnref19\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref19\"> (19) <\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6.2. Contentions placed by the Department<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>That the literal interpretation of section 92C(4) of the Act is unambiguous  in the interpretation of the provisions of the law, and there is no need to  take any aid from the rule of the interpretation.<\/p>\n<p>That, there are incomes which are chargeable to tax, albeit they do  not form part of the total income as understood under section 4 read with  section 5 of the Act. These Incomes are specified under section 158BA read with  section 113 of the Act, section 68 read with section 115BBE of the Act.  Similarly, when the proviso to section 92C(4) of the Act comes into play resulting  in a disallowance out of the exempted part of income, allowed under section 10A  of the Act, will be subject to tax.<\/p>\n<p>Further, the facts of <strong><em>Vodafone India Services P. Ltd<a href=\"#_ftn20\" name=\"_ftnref20\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref20\"> (20) <\/a><\/em><\/strong> are distinguished from the current case and that the precedent should not impact  the invocation of Chapter X of the Act.<\/p>\n<p>Further, that the notional\/book adjustment on account of the transfer  pricing provisions. As such, there will not be any inflow of the foreign  currency even whenthe exemption is denied by virtue of the proviso to section  92C of the Act.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6.3. Order of the Special Bench<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Special Bench  relying on a catena of decision of both the Hon&rsquo;ble Supreme Court and various  Hon&rsquo;ble High Courts held that it is cardinal rule of interpretation that where  the language used by the legislature is clear and unambiguous then plain and  natural meaning of those words should be applied to the language and resort to  any rule of interpretation to unfold intentions is permissible where the  language is ambiguous.<\/p>\n<p>Section 92C of  the Act has a direct bearing on the controversy on hand, perusal of the same  makes it clear that it is very clear that the purpose behind the provision of  transfer pricing is to determine true profits\/income as if such international  transaction has been entered with an unrelated party or non-AE, irrespective of  the fact that the income of the assessee was eligible for exemption. On the  other hand, there is no express provision under the Act restricting the application  of section 92C of the Act for determining the income at arm&rsquo;s length where such  income is eligible for deduction u\/s 10A of the Act. On the contrary, there is  a proviso to section 92C(4) of the Act which prohibits the deduction under  section 10A of the Act on the income to the extent enhanced as an effect of a determination  of ALP.<\/p>\n<p>Provisio to  section 92C(4) vividly reflects the intent of lawmakers that the provisions of  chapter X of the Act shall prevail in all the cases of international transactions  falling under the umbrella of section 92 of the Act including the income-qualified  for exemption under section 10A of the Act.<\/p>\n<p>Thus sections 92  of the Act is clear, unambiguous, and do not lead to any absurd meaning. Further  regarding the budget speech &amp; memorandum explaining the provisions, it is  also a settled legal position that headings or marginal notes do not govern a  provision where the legislature has used plain and unambiguous language. It is  when the language is equivocal only then, help can be taken from the circulars,  marginal notes or the Finance Minister speech or memorandum explaining the  provisions to interpret the provision of the Act. Reliance is placed on the  decision of the Hon&rsquo;ble Supreme Court in the case of <strong><em>Anandji Haridas&amp;  Co. Pvt. Ltd vs. Engineering Mazdoor Sangh &amp; Anr<a href=\"#_ftn21\" name=\"_ftnref21\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref21\"> (21) <\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Further, that  department Circulars as mentioned by the assessee are not binding on the Tribunal  and circulars cannot be used to usurp the power of a judicial body while exercising  its jurisdiction, including interpreting the statutory provisions. Reliance is  placed on the decision of the Hon&rsquo;ble Supreme Court in the case of <strong><em>Sanjeev  coke manufacturing company vs. Bharat coking coal Ltd and another<a href=\"#_ftn22\" name=\"_ftnref22\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref22\"> (22) <\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Further, the  spirit behind introducing section 10A of the Act was to bring foreign exchange  in India. Granting  exemption from Tax under section 10Aof the Act was incidental and not the main  object. Furthermore, where amount fetched by the Indian AE as revenue and\/or  the amount paid to its counter-part,AE outside India, as expenditure is lower  and higher respectively and does not correspond to an ALP, the same will  adversely affect the inflow of foreign exchange in India, and that could be one  of the reason to insert the proviso in section 92C(4) of the Act.<\/p>\n<p>For example, assessee  though claiming the exemption under section10A of the Act can also manipulate  the ALP with an objective to avoid corporate dividend tax by shifting its  profits to AE. This also might be the reason for inserting a proviso to section  92C(4) of the Act.<\/p>\n<p>Further, with  regard to whether the tax levied in pursuance of the provisions laid down in  article 265 of the constitution of India can be the  subjected to foreign tax laws. Reliance is placed on OECD guidelines which  states that the arm&#8217;s length principle promotes the growth of international  trade and investment amongst OECD member countries and other countries. to  maintain harmony and avoid double taxation, there have been made various  treaties with different countries under section 90 of the Act. Thus, the taxes  levied under Article 265 of the constitution of India will be subject  to such treaties which do not even connote being subject to foreign tax law.<\/p>\n<p>The provisions of  Chapter X of the Act are not impeding with the manner of the computation of  exemption under section 10A of the Act, but it is to work out the true ALP qua  the sale price of the impugned international transaction. Therefore, even if an  assessee is eligible for tax exemption at the rate of hundred percent under  section 10A\/10Bof the Act, even then the arm&rsquo;s length price on international  transactions deserve to be determined under section 92C of the Act.<\/p>\n<p><strong>7. Our Views<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Appreciating the  decision of the Special Bench, especially where the Bench has examined the  possible impact on corporate dividend tax on manipulation of ALP. <\/p>\n<p>However, since  the Bench relied heavily on literal interpretation of the statutes. They ought  to have provided further clarification in the event the assessee would have  been located in a SEZ or the free trade zone was converted into an SEZ. Section 51(1) of The Special Economic Zones  Act, 2005 (<strong>SEZ Act<\/strong>) gives an overriding provision over other laws.<\/p>\n<p>The rule of <em>generalia specialibus non derogant<\/em>it is a well  settled position in law. i.e. the provisions of a general statute must yield to  those of a special one. The same has been upheld by the Hon&rsquo;ble Supreme Court  in the case of <strong><em>India Fisheries<a href=\"#_ftn23\" name=\"_ftnref23\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftnref23\"> (23) <\/a> <\/em><\/strong>wherein it was held that If there is an apparent conflict between two  independent provisions of law, the&nbsp;special&nbsp;provision must prevail.<\/p>\n<p>Section 51(1) of the SEZ Act is usefully extracted as under:<\/p>\n<p><em>&ldquo;51(1) The provisions of this Act shall have  effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent, therewith contained in <strong><u>any  other law for the time being in force<\/u><\/strong> or in any instrument having  effect by virtue of any law other than this Act.&rdquo;<\/em><br \/>\n  (Emphasis supplied)<\/p>\n<p>The reading of the provisions expressly clarifies that the provisions as  specified under The Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 would have overriding  effect on the Income Tax Act, 1961, because Special Economic Zone Act, 2005 is  a Special Act and a later Act of the Parliament.<\/p>\n<p>Would the question of law before the Special Bench be answered  differently in this case?<\/p>\n<div>\n<div id=\"ftn1\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn1\"> (1) <\/a>&#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/archives\/doshi-accounting-services-pvt-ltd-vs-dcit-itat-ahmedabad-special-bench-s-92-transfer-pricing-even-if-an-assessee-is-eligible-for-tax-exemption-at-the-rate-of-hundred-percent-under-section-10a-10b-of\/\">Doshi  Accounting Services Pvt Ltd vs DCIT<\/a> (ITAT Ahmedabad) (Special Bench)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn2\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref2\" name=\"_ftn2\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn2\"> (2) <\/a> &lsquo;Associate Enterprise&rsquo; within the meaning of Section 92A of the Act.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn3\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref3\" name=\"_ftn3\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn3\"> (3) <\/a> The subject matter of the question of law is  emanating in all theappeals under consideration viz. assessment years 2006-07  to 2008-09. For the sake of convenience, the Special Bench has taken up the  facts involved in the issue for the previous year 2005-06 relevant to theassessment  year 2006-07, which is the first year under reference.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn4\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref4\" name=\"_ftn4\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn4\"> (4) <\/a><strong><em>Philip  Software Pvt. Ltd. vs. ACIT (119 TTJ 721)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn5\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref5\" name=\"_ftn5\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn5\"> (5) <\/a><strong><em>Aztec  software &amp; technology services Ltd vs ACIT (107 ITD141)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn6\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref6\" name=\"_ftn6\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn6\"> (6) <\/a><strong><em>Gharda  chemicals Ltd vs. DCIT (2009-TIOL-790- ITAT-Mumbai)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn7\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref7\" name=\"_ftn7\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn7\"> (7) <\/a> Supra<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn8\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref8\" name=\"_ftn8\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn8\"> (8) <\/a> Refer to speech of the Hon&rsquo;ble Finance Minister made in the Parliament reported  in <strong><em>248 ITR (St) pages 1,34,162 and 181.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn9\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref9\" name=\"_ftn9\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn9\"> (9) <\/a><strong><em>251  ITR (St)15 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn10\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref10\" name=\"_ftn10\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn10\"> (10) <\/a><strong><em>252  ITR (<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>St.<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>) 50<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn11\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref11\" name=\"_ftn11\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn11\"> (11) <\/a><strong><em>285  ITR (<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>St.<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>) 13<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn12\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref12\" name=\"_ftn12\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn12\"> (12) <\/a><strong><em>DIT  (International Taxation) vs. Morgan Stanley &amp; Co. 292 ITR 416<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn13\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref13\" name=\"_ftn13\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn13\"> (13) <\/a><strong><em>Goodyear  India Ltd. &amp; Others vs. State of <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>Haryana<\/em><\/strong><strong><em> and others (1992) 2 SCC 71<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn14\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref14\" name=\"_ftn14\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn14\"> (14) <\/a><strong><em>Allied  Motors P.Ltd. Vs. CIT, 224 ITR 677<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn15\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref15\" name=\"_ftn15\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn15\"> (15) <\/a> Supra<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn16\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref16\" name=\"_ftn16\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn16\"> (16) <\/a><strong><em>Vodafone  India Services P. Ltd. vs Union of India, 361 ITR 531<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn17\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref17\" name=\"_ftn17\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn17\"> (17) <\/a><strong><em>CIT  V. Hewlett Packard Global Soft Ltd., 403 ITR 453<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn18\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref18\" name=\"_ftn18\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn18\"> (18) <\/a><strong><em>196  ITR 188<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn19\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref19\" name=\"_ftn19\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn19\"> (19) <\/a><strong><em>CIT  Vs. Herbalife International <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>India<\/em><\/strong><strong><em> P.Ltd. 384 ITR 276<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn20\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref20\" name=\"_ftn20\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn20\"> (20) <\/a><em>Supra<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn21\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref21\" name=\"_ftn21\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn21\"> (21) <\/a><strong><em>(Civil  Appeal No. 2053 of 1971)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn22\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref22\" name=\"_ftn22\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn22\"> (22) <\/a><strong><em>1983  AIR 239<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ftn23\">\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref23\" name=\"_ftn23\" title=\"\" id=\"_ftn23\"> (23) <\/a>In&nbsp;<strong><em>Union<\/em><\/strong><strong><em> of <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>India<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>&nbsp;v.&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>India<\/em><\/strong><strong><em> Fisheries (P.) Ltd.&nbsp;[1965] 57 ITR 331 (SC)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"journal2\"> Reproduced with permission from the AIFTP Journal <\/div>\n<table width=\"103%\" border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"5\" cellspacing=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#FFFFCC\">\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Disclaimer: <\/strong>The  contents of this document are solely for informational purpose. It does not  constitute professional advice or a formal recommendation. While due care has  been taken in preparing this document, the existence of mistakes and omissions  herein is not ruled out. Neither the author nor itatonline.org and its  affiliates accepts any liabilities for any loss or damage of any kind arising  out of any inaccurate or incomplete information in this document nor for any  actions taken in reliance thereon. No part of this document should be  distributed or copied (except for personal, non-commercial use) without  express written permission of itatonline.org<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In <a href=\"http:\/\/itatonline.org\/archives\/doshi-accounting-services-pvt-ltd-vs-dcit-itat-ahmedabad-special-bench-s-92-transfer-pricing-even-if-an-assessee-is-eligible-for-tax-exemption-at-the-rate-of-hundred-percent-under-section-10a-10b-of\/\">Doshi Accounting Services vs.  DCIT<\/a>, the Special Bench of the ITAT has held that the transfer pricing provisions are applicable even to a case in which the income of the assessee is eligible for 100% tax exemption and is not chargeable to tax in India. Advocate Shashi Bekal has conducted an in-depth analysis of the judgement and explained its nuances. He has also argued that the judgement may require reconsideration<\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/a-case-of-tax-exemption-vs-avoidance-analysis-of-the-special-bench-decision-in-doshi-accounting-services\/\">Read more &#8250;<\/a><\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6432","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6432"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6432\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itatonline.org\/articles_new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}