Answers to queries on Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme

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The Union Honourable Finance Minister, Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman during her budget speech on February 1, 2020 (2020) 420 ITR 115 (St) (146) proposed to introduce a scheme at para 126 of the speech for settlement of disputes. Subsequently, the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020 (VSV Act) was introduced. The Scheme was extended from time to time and the last date for payment under the VSV Act, 2020 extended until October 31, 2021 by CBDT, vide Notification No. 75 of 2021 dated June 25, 2021 (2021) 435 ITR (St) 25. The said scheme has benefited the taxpayers to reduce the tax litigation. When the scheme was introduced the research team of the itatonline.org had anticipated that the taxpayers may require a number of clarifications. Itatonline.org had requested the panel of experts consisting of Dr. K. Shivaram Senior Advocate, CA Rajan Vora and CA Pradeep Kapasi to answer queries arising on Vivad Se Viswas Schme to assist the tax consultants and tax payers. The expert panel started answering the queries raised by the tax consultants on February 28, 2020 and till date the expert panel have answered more than 750 questions only on the Direct Tax Vivad Se Viswas Act, 2020. From May 15, 2021 on words the itatonline.org has introduced the new section on “Ask your questions” which answers questions regularly. It is proposed that this new panel will answer the questions pertaining to Direct Tax Vivad Se Viswas Act, 2020.
See also Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme: The Law, Procedure And Dilemma where a link to all necessary resources is given

This section is now closed. Please ask your questions at our new Q&A section
The answers given below are in response to queries asked by other people.
Query

Now a days CPC Centre Bengaluru is disallowing u/s 36(1)(va) late deposit of PF / ESI (employees share) but deposited before the due date of filing of return and claimed by the assessee u/s 43B. There are lots of judgments on this issue by Supreme Court in Vinay Cement Ltd. and Altom Extrusion Ltd. Delhi High Court also gave judgment in favor of assessee in AIMIL Ltd., Dhamendra Sharma, SPL Ltd. etc. Recently, DHC confirmed the disallowance in Bharat Hotel Ltd case and keeping in view the judgment the CIT (A) in Delhi and ITAT in Delhi are confirming the disallowance. Some High Courts have confirmed the addition and some decided in favor of the assessee.

Sir, Income Tax Act is a central govt. act. Do you think it is fair some High Courts are disallowing and some are allowing. It is against the principle of judicial discipline and comity of course.

There is no loss to the revenue if there is some delay in deposit as assessee pays interest on late deposit under PF / ESI Act.

Unnecessary litigation is increasing as CPC Centre has feeded disallowance in every case.

On the one hand, govt is encouraging that litigation should be reduced by filing application under Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme but here due to automatic disallowance by the CPC Centre the litigation is increasing. Please clarify the issue and the matter should be taken with the govt. There should be one law in the whole country not state wise decisions.

Answer We agree with your understanding. We being a common law country every assessee would be subject to the decision of their jurisdictional High Court. Till the decision of the Supreme Court the Assessing office of respective State is bound to follow  the judgement of J urisdictional High Court   With respect to the errors in the CPC order… (read more)
Query

Dear Sir,

I am in Contract service business in which each contract will be having period of more than 90 days. In computing income from said business, I recognized 25% of revenue in Year 1 and balance revenue in next three years (this method is based on survey method). During assessment proceedings, the Ld. AO has contends that the entire income should be offered in Year 1 itself. This issue is pending before the Hon’ble ITAT for about 10 years.

In this situation, if I file VSVS petition and offer the income based on Ld. AO position, can I claim the amount offered for AY 2017-18 as reduction in subsequent years.

Answer As per our  understand the AO has made entire addition in one year and the assessee is appeal before the Appellate Tribunal  for that assessment year as well as other years . If the AO has made protective addition in later years  and if the assesseee  takes the benefit of the scheme  in first year the protective assessment may not… (read more)
Query

We have a Quantum and Penalty appeal of the same year in CIT.
Would like to know if we opt for VSV scheme only for Quantum, whether the penalty appeal will be set off? Or we have to pay both the quantum and penalty appeal?

Answer  Yes, on settlement of quantum, penalty would be waived. Please refer to Q. No. 8 of CBDT Circular 9 of 2020 Dated April 22, 2020. Which states that, if both quantum appeal covering disputed tax and appeal against penalty levied on such disputed tax for an assessment year are pending, the declarant is required to file… (read more)
Query

CIT(A) appeal has dismiss the Appeal on 04.01.2019 as no body has attended the appeal and Assesee has not filed the ITAT appeal—– Now question is can we go for V2V Scheme.

Answer It is desirable to file rectification application before the CIT (A)  for restoration of appeal as the appeal was dismissed  for not attending  the matter . One has to read the order whether  the appeal was dismissed for not attending and without discussion on merits  or ex  parte on merits .  If the appeal is dismissed  on merits , it may be desirable… (read more)
Query

Dear Team,

We have order under section 143 rws 263 wherein certain additions have been made to MAT computation. We have following two queries:
1. Whether MAT paid under the scheme will be allowed to be carried forward to be set off in future years
2. The company has merged into another company as on date. Hence, will the MAT credit be allowed to be set off in merged entity.
Thanks in advance

Answer We have to read the order passed by the Commissioner under revision . If the direction is not to allow carry forward  credit , the assessee should have filed an appeal before the Appellate Tribunal .If the order u./s 263 is simple set aside  the assessee can file an appeal before the  CIT (A) after giving effect to… (read more)
Query

We fall in the category of Cases where the time limit for filing appeal against an order has not expired as on 31 January 2020. In the order AO has not deducted TDS amount from the Payable Tax, we have not filed appeal for the same. In VsV scheme Form where can h we mention TDS already deducted and Paid to reduce it from the NET TAX Payable

Answer (read more)
Query

We have received Form 3 under vivad se vishwas and we have made payment on 18th Day of receipt of Form 3 i.e. we have made payment after 15 days of time limit as mentioned in Form 3. After payment we have uploaded the Form 4 and now status is showing as “awaiting form 5 from CIT”. I want to know whether my form will be rejected as payment is made after 15 days or I will get the form 5? and in case form is rejected can i apply a fresh application for same assessmnent year. Further, do I need to submit application before CIT(A) for withdrawal of appeal or it is deemed to withdrawan.

Thank you in advance

Answer (read more)
Query

We paid tax alongwith interest in response to demand u/s 148 r.w.s 144 of Income Tax Act due to non filing of return of that year. can we get refund of interest under Vivad se vishwas scheme

Answer Yes, as per explanation to section 7 of VSVA, 2020  www.itatonlne org.  where the declarant had, before filing the declaration under VSVA, paid any amount under the Income-tax Act in respect of his tax arrears which exceeds the amount payable under VSVA, he shall be entitled to a refund of such excess amount, however  shall not be entitle to… (read more)
Query

Sir
Under Vivaad se Vishwas scheme we have uploaded Form 1 and 2 and we are in receipt of Signed copy of Pr Commissioner Form 3 in which their is refundable amount and now there is problems in uploading Form 4 as everything is autopopulated except Bank details to be filled
The main confusion is as we have amount refundable in Form 3 what details should be filled in Form 4 in bank details column
Pls guide us in this matter as no one had any clarity right from the professionals to department officials as what to be filled in bank details of Form 4 if we have amount refundable in signed copy of Form 3
Pls oblige us by giving guidance

Answer  From what we understand is that, there is a problem with respect to filing of Form 4 in case of a refund.  You may write  the refund amount  due to your assessee.   If there is an defect in the Form the Designated Authority  has to provide an opportunity to rectify the defects or an opportunity to  file  new form . Whole object… (read more)
Query

Facts:

1.An addition is done in case of assessee by AO, let’s say on account of hawala transaction, of Rs. 1 Crore.
2. The assessee files an appeal with the CIT(A), who has given a partial relief by reducing the addition to Rs. 20 Lakhs.
3. Now, both the assessee as well as the department files an appeal on the same issue with the ITAT.
Query:

How does the assessee settle the dispute?
A. Does he have to pay 100% tax on addition confirmed by CIT(A) of Rs. 20 Lakhs (as technically it has substituted the order of AO) or
B. Pay 100% tax on Rs. 20 Lakhs and 50% tax on Rs. 80 Lakhs or
Pay 50% on entire Rs. 1 Crore or
C. Pay 100% tax on entire Rs. 1 Crore of addition.
Both the appeals cover same issue. And hence, ideally, would settling any one of the appeals not be sufficient to bring the issue to closure?
D. Would it not be 100% of the amount of tax payable on Rs. 20 Lakhs, if the time limit for filing of the appeal has not expired as on 31st January, 2020?
E. If the assessee has carried forward losses would the answer be any different?

Answer From what we understand, you have a deemed appeal pending on the specified date, thus you are eligible under VSVA. Please refer Ans to Q.No 1   Clarification issued by Board F.NO IT (A) /2020 -TPL  Circular No 7 /2020 dt 4 -03 -2020   You will have to settle your appeal as per Option B provided by you.… (read more)