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

If Addition made by AO u/s 50C and Sec 56(2)(X) without referring to DVO and made addition . Aggrieved by Addition Assessee filed Appeal before CIT Appeal . Now Assessee want to go in Vivad se Vishwas scheme , then want will Purchase Cost of immovable property as mention above after opting under VSV scheme .

Means , At the time of Sale of property, Purchase cost of property should have take Sec 50C value on which I pay tax under the scheme or original purchase cost for which I have bought the property ..?? ( Simple meaning Will Assessee be allowed to increase the Purchase cost to Sec 50C value if the pay tax under the Scheme )

Answer The querist may have  to settle the addition made by the AO . Cost will be as per the assessment order. It may be desirable to the  querist to contest the appeal  rather than  opting the  VSV Scheme.  (read more)
Query

In case first appeal which required to be filed with i thirty days from the date of Assessment order received. but it has been filed late say after 31/01/2020, my question is whether he can move an application under vivs scheme.

Answer From our  understanding of your query, there is a delay in filing of the appeal & there is a condonation of delay application before the CIT(A). It is desired that  the querist may request to CIT (A) to take up the application for condonation of delay . If the delay is condoned , the querist will be… (read more)
Query

An assessee filed his declaration under Vivad se Vishwas on 21.03.2020 and also paid due tax before filing declaration. The CIT had to issue form 3 within 15 days as per section 5(1) but even after lapse of 20 days Form 3 has not been issued. What will be the fate of declaration ? Will it be deemed to have been rejected for no fault of the assessee ? Will it be deemed to never have been filed ? Will it be deemed to have been accepted ? Kindly guide. Thanks

Answer From our understanding if your query, there is a delay on the part of the department to issue certificate i.e. Form 3 within a period of 15 days as per section 5(1) of VSVA. Given the current pandemic situation, it would be rational to assume a delay in the functioning of Offices.  Rest assured, the… (read more)
Query

Penalty order issued and served upon the assessee on 31.1.2020. Whether the assessee can opt for Vivad se Vishwas scheme ? The disputed penalty is defined in the act does not include cases where time to file appeal is not expired whereas disputed tax includes such cases as per the definition given in the act. Kindly guide. Thanks

Answer Yes. The assessee will be considered to be a declarant as per section 2(1)(a) (ii) of VSVA. Therefore the assesssee can opt for the Scheme.   (read more)
Query

Before the introduction of S.153A ,the search assessment was made u/s158 BC of the Act.The tax leviable on the undisclosed income was at60% . There are many cases pending in dispute on such BLOCK ASSESSMENT.
There is a clear discremination under the VSV sheme as the tax rate under the new regime is 305 plus 25% of tax as penalty or 50% thereof if Department is the litigant.
While the search cases are the same under the scheme the assessment falling under the old regime are treated harshly as against assessment under the new regime.
This discrimination should be removed by bringing the assessment under the old scheme on par with assement under the new regime by requiring payment of tax and the related penalty at the same rate to encourage assessees to avail the scheme,

Answer Yes . Your interpretation is right . However the legislature  are  having the power to frame the legislation . One can refer the judgements in  All India Federation of  Tax Practioners v .UOI ( 1998) 231 ITR 24 (SC) . All India Federation of tax Prcationers v UOI ( 1997) 228 ITR 68 (Bom) bIn Amit Hemendra Jhaveri v. UOI… (read more)
Query

As per 2nd Proviso to Section 3 of VSVA “Provided further that in a case where an appeal is filed before the Commissioner (Appeals) or objections is filed before the Dispute Resolution Panel by the appellant on any issue on which he has already got a decision in his favour from the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (where the decision on such issue is not reversed by the High Court or the Supreme Court) or the High Court (where the decision on such issue is not reversed by the Supreme Court), the amount payable shall be one-half of the amount in the Table above calculated on such issue, in such manner as may be prescribed”
The assessee is not given shelter of a Supreme Court judgement or jurisdictional High Court judgement, which is not of the assessee but having identical facts. Please provide further clarity.

Answer Yes. On plain reading of the proviso, it seems to be ultra vires the Constitution.  One may also refer Q. No 28 and answers given by the CBDT .The decision of the Honourable Supreme Court is binding on all courts , Tribunals and tax authorities across the country as per the provisions of Article 141 of the Constitution… (read more)
Query

1. The assessee is before CIT(A) against certain additions U/s. 68 say 10 Lakhs as on 31.01.2020.
There is a mistake in calculating 10 Lakhs ; hence petition U/s. 154 is filed and the same is pending today.
Now the AO rectify the mistake and the addition is restricted to 6 Lakhs only.
The assessee will file Declaration under VsVS for 6 Lakhs ?

2. The appeal is pending before CIT(A) as on 31.01.2020 against
2 following additions say
First Addition 3 Lakhs
Second Addition 5 Lakhs.
THE CIT(A) passes appellate order now deleting addition of Rs.5 Lakhs.
The declaration are to be filed for 3 Lakhs only ?

3. There is an addition of Rs.5 Lakhs U/s. 69 for the A Year 2013-14 and set off of losses are not allowed.
Assessee has filed petition U/s. 154 as per the Board Circular that such set off is allowable upto A Y 2016-17.
Now the rectificatory order is passed U/s. 154 allowing set-off of losses and cancelling the demand but penalty proceedings are pending. Hence, assessee can file declaration under VsVS for set off of losses so that the issue is settled.
4. The AO has given appeal effect U/s. 251/254 for the issues deleted by the appellate authorities but no effect is given for the issues setaside for verification. Assessee has filed petition u/s. 154 and the same is pending. Can assessee file declaration under VsVS accepting the additions pending for adjudication.
Thanking you
CA Shyam Poddar
9437052422/9583052422

Answer First case: Yes, assessee can  file declaration for only 6 lakhs under VSVA.  Please refer Circular no 9 of 2020 dt. 22-04 -2020  Q. No 50. The CBDT clarified that the AO will pass the rectification order .  Second case: Yes, assessee will file declaration for only 3 lakhs. Provided, there is no departmental appeal. (since the numbers provided are… (read more)
Query

O is a company and subsidiary of PSU It is implementing a project and recently started production. It claimed the amortisation of lease premium over he lease period on time basis amounting to about 20 crores pertaining to current AY 2017-18. The AO disallowed the claim and the loss is reduced in assessment. Penalty proceedings are initiated for mis-statement/ understatement of income. The company is in appeal before CIT(A).
Now the revenue authorities are pressurising the co to make a declaration under the scheme and pay tax and penalty as provided under the scheme. The appeal is pending before the CIT(A).
Should the co opt for the scheme? I strongly feel that the company has good chance of success in appeal. Your considered opinion is sought.

Answer  From our understanding of your query, there is an quantum appeal pending before CIT(A) & penalty proceedings are only initiated. All particulars are provided in the return of income .Loss was reduced due to change of opinion . The assessee has a fair chance of succeeding in appeal before ITAT in respect  of penalty matter. It… (read more)
Query

As per FM press conference on 24.03.2020 read with The Taxation And Other Laws (Relaxation of Certain Provisions) Ordinance,2020 (No. 2 of 2020) with regard to Vivad Se Vishwas, no additional 10% if disputed tax is paid by 30.06.2020. But Form No 3 has not been amended that still contains that tax is to be paid within fifteen days. This Form ought to be amended in as much as within 15 days or by 30.06.2020 which expires later. In the absence of such amendment in Form 3, nobody would like to upload Form 1 and Form 2 before 15.06.2020. Kindly clarify, whether my interpretation is correct.

Answer Answer: Yes, as per the Taxation and other Laws (Relaxation of Certain Provisions) Ordinance, 2020, the last date for beneficial payment under the VSVA has been extended from March 31, 2020 to June 30, 2020.  According to Form 3 i.e. Certificate issued by the department, payment has to be made within 15 days of days of issuance… (read more)
Query

while filling the form, any column which is not applicable, if, 0 or NIL is filled, error pops up and hence not allowing to file the Form.

Answer There are various technical issues in the forms and the government is working to improve on these online facilities and to remove technical glitches. However we are making a representation to bring out these issues so that they can be considered and be taken care of.  Hence request of you can be little more specific on… (read more)