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

Whether non-resident taxpayers will be allowed to make payments under VSV through foreign bank account? Presently, such is not permissible mode. NR taxpayers to get payment through Indian bank account of associates or authorised person. Such process may involve time and hence may be a cause for delay in payment.

Answer No separate challan has been introduced for payment under VSV. Accordingly, same challan which was earlier used for payment of regular demand by non-resident, can be used by non-resident also for payment of amount payable under VSV.  Since, the time-limit of VSV has been extended upto 30 June 2020, NRs have enough time to decide and… (read more)
Query

Suppose there is patent error in the certificate issued under s. 5(1) by DA and is later on rectified by DA, whether period of 15 days for making payment shall be reckoned from date of rectified order?

Answer Technically rectification corrects certain mistake in original order and hence, 15days period is to be counted from the original order.  This needs to be clarified by the CBDT.   (read more)
Query

In case of a declarant who is a company, will benefit of immunity from penalty and prosecution be extended to directors and principal officer of the company as well – say, in case of settlement of TDS dispute? Similarly, whether such immunity extends to partner of LLP/firm where declaration is filed by LLP/firm?

Answer Ideally, where appeal of company is settled, immunity from prosecution should be granted to the principal officers as well. Suitable clarification should be issued by the CBDT.     (read more)
Query

Consider a case – Assessee was a US resident which had invested in Indian company through a Mauritia’s based company (SPV). The SPV sold shares of Indian company and claimed treaty benefit. In assessment, treaty benefit was denied on the grounds that SPV is not the beneficial owner and income is to be taxed in the hands of principal investor ie US resident.
A) If the Mauritius company settles under the scheme, whether the US resident investor will get protection under the scheme ie will the proceedings in case of US investor be dropped? Will the the treatment be on similar lines as protective assessessment – Refer Q35 of the FAQ dt 4 March 2020?

Answer  Q35 of the FAQ dt 4 March 2020 states that if substantive additions are covered under VSV , then on settlement of disputes related to substantive addition, the AO shall pass rectification order deleting the protective additions made on same issue in case of assessee or in case of another assessee.   Accordingly, in the… (read more)
Query

If 201 order is settled under VSV and taxes are paid by the deductor, then while computing disputed tax liability for 143(3) order, no disallowance u/s 40(a)(ia) is to be taken into account. As clarified, benefit of payment under VSV will be available to the deductor in the same year in which section 40(a)(ia) additions are made. However, as per clarifications issued, deductee will get credit of taxes paid by deductor on the date of settlement of dispute and consequentially interest u/s 234A/B/C will be applicable i.e. where 201 order for FY 2015-16 is settled by in FY 2019-20 by the deductor, then deductee will be required to pay interest u/s 234A/B/C till FY 19-20. Is this not a hardship caused to deductee, without being at fault?

Answer Payers case   Where payer makes a payment to the payee without deduction of TDS, then he will be liable to payment along with interest u/s 201(1)/201(1A).  Further, payer will be liable to disallowance under section 40(a)(i)/ 40(a)(ia).   If the payer pays the TDS liability later on, he pays the same along with interest.    … (read more)
Query

As per section 3 of the amended bill, where the disputed tax liability is computed by the DA and the amount is payable before 30 June 2020, then 100% of the disputed tax is to be paid and if however, the same is determined by the DA and the amount is paid after 30 June 2020, then 110% of the disputed liability is to be paid.

A) In a case, where the disputed tax liability is determined by the DA on 25 June 2020, taxpayer has time of 15 days ie till 10 July 2020 to pay the disputed tax, then will it be eligible for 100% of disputed tax payment (even though payment is made after 30 June 2020) since the amount is payable before 30 June 2020– Section 3 does not mention that the amount is to be paid before 31 March 2020 (now 30 June 2020) to be eligible for 100% disputed tax liability but FAQ 28 dated 4 March 2020 states that the payment has to be made before 31 March 2020 (now 30 June 2020) to be eligible to pay 100% of disputed tax?

B) If the answer to the above is no, where taxpayer makes partial payment (say 80%) before 30 June 2020in relation to declaration filed, and balance payment (say 20%) is made after 30 June 2020 but within outer limit of 15 days, whether 10% additional amount under s. 3 of VSV can be restricted to unpaid amount (say on 20% of the disputed tax liability)?

Answer Technically it can be argued that since the amount is determined before 30 June 2020 by DA and the full payment is made within 15 days ie till 10 July 2020 (as provided under the Act), then taxpayer will be eligible for 100% disputed tax payment.  This stand will however be litigative.  However, considering the intent… (read more)
Query

The assessment order/intimation contains certain issues which are rectifiable under section 154 of the Act. A rectification application is filed before the AO but pending to be disposed off. In such a case, whether the tax liability can be rectified by the AO/ DA before computing the final amount payable under the scheme? Or the taxpayer will be required to pay whole amount computed as per the assessment order passed since rectification application is pending to be disposed?

Answer FAQ 25 dt 4 March 2020 states that disputed tax liability be computed after taking into consideration the rectification order passed.  We believe that CBDT has given instructions to all the field officers to dispose of the rectification applications pending in case where VSV is opted.  In such situation, the disputed tax will be computed by DA,… (read more)
Query

If quantum is settled and penalty is levied but no appeal is filed and time limit to file such appeal has not expired, whether in such case, the penalty would also be waived?

Answer Yes (read more)
Query

Where an application for waiver of interest is pending before the Competent authority, or where the application for waiver of penalty is pending before the competent authority, can one settle the same under the scheme by paying 25%/30% of the amount?

Answer No. Waiver applications are not appeal within VSV. (read more)
Query

Suppose if in the quantum appeal, only one of the issue is challenged and one more adjustment made by the AO is accepted. On settlement of the appeal on a particular issue, does the interest and penalty on the other accepted issue is also settled?

Answer Interest and penalty will be waived only in respect of issue which is disputed in appeal and for which declaration is filed. For undisputed issue, tax, interest and penalty will be payable.   (read more)