ICICI Securities Ltd. v. ITO (IT) (2023) 198 ITD 214/221 TTJ 902 (Mum) (Trib.)

S. 201 : Deduction at source-Failure to deduct or pay-Indian custodian of shares-Failed to deduct TDS from sale consideration of shares so held by him on behalf of overseas depository-Overseas depository had already paid advance tax on capital gains on sale of shares-Deduction at source liability under section 201 being a vicarious liability of payer of an income, would not come into play when primary liability of recipient of income was already discharged, and thus, basic tax withholding liability under section 201(1) and interest liability under section 201(1A) is quashed.[S. 195, 201(1),201(IA)]

Assessee, an Indian company, was engaged as a stock broker. Assessee sold shares on behalf of an overseas depository and sent remittance to said depository. Assessing Officer held that TDS should have been deducted on payments made by payer  and computed tax liability on non-deduction of tax at source and further computed tax withholding demand, including interest for delay in payment. CIT(A) affirmed the order of the Assessing Officer. On appeal the Tribunal held that  deduction at source liability under section 201 being a vicarious liability of payer of an income, would not come into play when primary liability of recipient of income was already discharged. On facts since taxes were paid as advance tax by overseas depository on capital gains of said shares, to that extent, assessee tax-deductor could not be saddled with a tax withholding demand under section 201(1) read with section 195 and thus, basic tax withholding liability under section 201(1) is  quashed and interest liability under section 201(1A), being consequential in nature also quashed. (AY. 2015-16 )