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

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The answers given below are in response to queries asked by other people.
Query

Where a declarant exercises the option in Form 1 of carrying forward the reduced loss ( arrived at after the addition made by the A.O. in the assessment order), the certificate to be issued by the designated authority ( Form 3) and the order to be passed by the designated authority ( Form 5) does not prescribe an appropriate wording permitting the declarant to carry forward the reduced loss to subsequent years. In the absence of an appropriate wording how is a declarant protected that in future the assessing officer does not deny the benefit of carry forward of the reduced amount of loss.

Answer  The protection for carry forward of loss and set off in subsequent years runs from the Act and the Rules and not from the certificate/order in Form 3 or Form 5. However, if the certificate does mention the amounts, it would have been better. Hence you may write a letter to designated authority to clearly… (read more)
Query

Before asking the question, let me thank all the expert here as You all are doing great job.

My questions are as under:

1) one of the condition for exclusion as per section 9(a)(iii) is “relating to any undisclosed income from a source located outside
India or undisclosed asset located outside India”

Now if a private limited company has received share capital from a party based in country out side India. Such share capital has been added u/s 68 of the Act as income of the assessee vide order passed u/s 143(3). Can department say that such share capital is undisclosed income of the assessee from the country outside India; hence, not eligible for the VSV scheme.

2) For exclusion from the sheme there are two instances given for prosecution “instituted” and prosecution “Initiated” which are reproduced below:

Section 9(a)(ii): “relating to an assessment year in respect of which prosecution has
been instituted on or before the date of filing of declaration;”

Section 9(d): (d) to any person in respect of whom prosecution has been initiated by an
Income-tax authority for any offence punishable under the provisions of the Indian
Penal Code or for the purpose of enforcement of any civil liability under any law for the
time being in force, on or before the filing of the declaration or such person has been convicted of any such offence consequent to the prosecution initiated by an Incometax authority;”

How to interpret both these clauses harmoniously, Kindly enlighten us.

Thank You So much

Answer Thank you very much for very good gesture shown by you. The purpose is to share the knowledge , and if it benefits at lease few professionals we will be very happy . Thank you once again.   As per Section 2(2) of VsV Act, the words and expressions used in VsV Act and not defined… (read more)
Query

In our case, CIT(A) passed order on 29/1/20 giving partial releif. Assessee didn’t filed appeal to ITAT yet due to announcement of VSVS in Budget. Now assessee is covered by the scheme. In Form-1, Schedule IV is applicable but its not being enabled as we are filling that appeal to ITAT is not filed yet. Please advise

Answer There is no rule is prescribed for  pronouncement of Order  by CIT (A).You may have to verify when the order is communicated to your assesseee. Though the order is passed on 29 -1- 2020  and not communicated to the assessee ,  it may be presumed to be pending as on 31 -1 2020.   Accordingly the querist may avail the benefit… (read more)
Query

I was submitted my appeal with CIT for two separate addition made by AO. CIT(A) delivered the decision on 08.02.2020 by deleting only one addition. Since Appeal effect is low so department will not go into ITAT while I can since I have time for that.

My first query is that whether I can go into VSVS scheme only for the ground which CIT (A) not given the relief or has to go for both addition made by Ao means for that ground too which CIT(A) allowed.

Second query is that whther I have to fill appeal with ITAT first to go under vsvs scheme or can submit application for VSVS without filling appeal with ITAT.

Answer It seems that  your appeal was pending as 31 -1-2020 , however the CIT (A) delivered the judgment on 8 -2-20 . It is desirable to file an  appeal before the ITAT. Thereafter  you may opt for the scheme .  There is no clarity on the issue , Once  we say appeal was pending on 31 -1-2020, we may have… (read more)
Query

The appeal filed by the assessee was decided against him but assessee filed a misc application u/s 254 before ITAT which is yet pending for hearing. van he opt for the scheme vsvs-2020

Answer Yes. Rectification u/s 254 (2) is continuation of appeal proceedings before the ITAT,   hence one may take the view that even when rectification application is pending it can be construed as pending. let us take an example if rectification is allowed the appeal is restored ,  it relate back the date of filing of an appeal. Hence the… (read more)
Query

My client was required to file appeal in Feburary,2016 but appeal was filed in Feb.,2018 whether the same will be considered in the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme if the client is willing to settle the dispute

Answer In  CIT v. Shatrusailya Digvijaysingh Jadeja (2005) 277 ITR 435/ 147 Taxman 566/ 197 CTR 590 (SC)  rendered in the context of similar provisions of KVSS, 1998, referring the judgement In the case of Dr. Mrs. Renuka Datla v. CIT (2003) 259 ITR 258 (SC)  has held on interpretation of section 95(i)(c) that if the appeal or revision is pending on the… (read more)
Query

Resp sir
all cases of penny shares be liable full tax as per AO. Why any concession even if allowed by CIT(A) /Tribunal if Department appeal is pending; since all penny cases are bogus known to all-even limit of withdrawal of appeal not apply by CBDT circulars

Answer The idea of concession to departmental appeal is a policy decision.  It is for the legislature to frame the policy .    (read more)
Query

1. Whether on applying for the scheme for the quantum appeal pending before ITAT, whether penalty stands deleted / waived even if the penalty order is passed and a separate appeal is pending before any appellate forum. This is in light of the the language of s. 6 of the scheme –
_6. Subject to the provisions of section 5, the designated authority shall not institute any proceeding in respect of an offence; or impose or levy any penalty; or charge any interest under the Income-tax Act in respect of tax arrear.

2. Whether the delayed appeal which has not been condoned so far can be considered for Scheme

3. Whether for considering the disputed tax, the additional grounds with respect to the income should be considered for calculating disputed tax?

4. In case where matter is argued before ITAT and the order is awaited as on 31.01.20, can the assessee opt to go for the scheme. If yes, whether the amount of tax payable will be after giving effect to such ITAT order or before ?

Answer If the quantum appeal and corresponding penalty appeal if appeal, if any, can be settled by paying 100% of disputed tax. If penalty is not levied, it cannot be levied in future due to section 6 of the Act. You may also refer to Circular no.7 of 2020, dated 04-03-2020.    In  CIT v. Shatrusailya Digvijaysingh… (read more)
Query

Assessing officer had made 5 additions , all are pending in CIT (appeal) .
Can the appellant choose to offer only 2 additions under Vivad Se Vishwas scheme .

Answer Please refer  Circular No 9 of 2020 dt 22-04 2020  which reads as under .  Q. no 14.   Whether assessee can avail of the Vivad se Vishwas for some of the issues  and not accept other issues?  Ans : Refer to answer to question no 11.  Picking and choosing issues for settlement of an appeal is not allowed. With respect to one order, the appellant must chose to settle all issues and then only he would be eligible to file declaration. (read more)
Query

I submitted my appeal with CIT(A) for two different addition made by AO. CIT (A) has delivered decision on 25.01.2020 by allowing one ground of my appeal.

Now I can go to file second appeal with ITAT for delete addition allowed by CIT(A). appeal revenue effect for deleted addition is below prescribed limit for which department wouldn’t go for file appeal with ITAT.

My query is that whether I can go into scheme for only for second ground which not decided by CIT in my favour or has to go for both grounds in spite of the fact that such addition has been deleted by CIT(A).

Answer Answer: You can go under the Scheme for the ground not decided in your favour.  Please refer Circular No 7/ 2020  dt 4-03 2020  https://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/communications/circular/circular_no_7_2020.pdf    Q. no 36 . Which reads as under ; Q. 36 : In a case ITAT has passed order giving relief on two issaes and confirming three issues. Time to file appeal has… (read more)