The author, founder of tax2.me, takes a cynical view of the Government’s decision to initiate an award scheme for officers of the income-tax department. An award scheme without a corresponding accountability scheme to rein in officers who step out of line and breach the law will encourage assessing officers to go on a rampage and spell doom for the taxpayers warns the author. He urges all stake-holders to protest against the proposal
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Category: legislation
Dear Vodafone, Government, Get Ready For Part II
The author compliments Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee for his deft handling of the Vodafone crises despite relentless pressure from all sides. However, now that the stage has shifted from the political arena to the legal arena, it is time to take stock of the options available to the warring parties, says the author as he evaluates the alternatives and identifies their pros and cons in a succinct manner
Why Software Income Is Not Taxable Despite Retro Law In Finance Act 2012
The verdict in B4U International has sent shock waves across the Country because it implies that the retrospective amendments in the Finance Act 2012 to the definition of the term “royalty” so as to rope in software income and equipment hire charges are infructuous in the absence of a corresponding amendment to the definition of that term in the DTAA. The author puts the issue in perspective and explores the way forward for the Government
Wanted Urgently: President For The Tribunal
The author dares to ask the question that has been troubling tax professionals across the Country. Why is the Government not appointing a President for the Tribunal? It’s been 23 months since the last President retired and the studied indifference of the Government towards filling the vacancy in this august Institution is sending a wrong message to the Members of the Tribunal and the litigating public, says the author. The author urges the Government to shed its indifference and get its act together before the prestige that this great Institution commands begins to erode
So, Vodafone Knew All Along It Was Playing With Fire?
In the blitzkrieg between Vodafone and the Government, the Government’s revelation that Vodafone was made aware by it, much before the transaction, of the obligation to deduct TDS on payments to Hutchison, has sent shock-waves amongst Vodafone’s supporters. The sympathy that Vodafone garnered from its’ carefully orchestrated plea that it was an innocent buyer which got caught in the crossfire stands eroded says the author
A Comprehensive Guide To Changes In Service-tax Law In Finance Bill 2012:
The Negative List Taxation introduced by the Finance Bill 2012 substantially reinvents the law on Service Tax and will have a deep impact on service transactions. The authors, well known experts in the field of service-tax, have meticulously studied the entire law on the subject and have explained the implications of the proposed amendments in a succinct and clear manner
Taxaholic’s The Week That Was – 2
This week, the author suggests that a Anna Hazare style crusader is needed to explain to the CBDT the irrationality of its stand that the monetary limits for filing appeals will apply only to fresh appeals and not to pending appeals. Also, on the issue whether software income is assesable as “royalty”, the CBDT should abandon its ostrich-like stance and take a firm stand one way or the other like its Australian counterpart says the author
10 Easy Steps to Nirvana of "Sulabh Nyay Satvar Nyay"
The author trains his guns again on the proposed National Tax Tribunal and makes out a compelling case on why it should never be implemented. Instead, a different approach is required to solve the problems of delay and cost in justice delivery says the author. The ten-point agenda formulated by the author will, if implemented in true earnest, deliver us the Nirvana of “Sulabh Nyay Satvar Nyay” (Simple justice, Speedy justice) assures the author
Judge No Judge
The author adds his voice of reason to the strident debate on the pros and cons of the Lokpal bill. The author argues that while the proposal to bring the judiciary under the scrutiny of the Lokpal is well-intentioned, it will adversely affect the fearlessness and independence of the judiciary and have disastrous consequences. Instead, the author suggests measures to curb corruption in the judiciary
What, Me Accountable?
The author lashes out at the proposal of the Government to enact a new law to regulate lawyers, claiming that it will be an immense waste of public money. Instead, if the Government is really serious of protecting the interests of the public, then there is a series of steps it can take under the existing legislation to promote the rule of law and enhance standards in the profession, says the author