This Digest of case laws is prepared by KSA Legal and AIFTP from judgements reported in BCAJ, CTR, DTR, ITD, ITR, ITR (Trib), Chamber's Journal, SOT, Taxman, TTJ, BCAJ, ACAJ, www.itatonline.org and other journals
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S. 92C : Transfer pricing-Arms’ length price–Business of developing, modifying and designing of computer software-Doctrine of commercial prudence invoked by assessee so much so it involved billing of software product purchased from parent company on cost to cost basis without any mark-up was to be demonstrated and proved with cogent evidence -Matter remanded.

eBaotech India (P.) Ltd. V. Dy.CIT (2018) 196 TTJ 437 / 102 taxmann.com 169/ 67 ITR 90 (SN) (Mum.)(Trib.)

S. 45 : Capital gains-Transfer of equity shares to sister concern- Genuineness and validity of transaction-Matter remanded. [S. 2(47), 56(2)(viia)]

Gagan Infraenergy Ltd. v. Dy. CIT (2018) 65 ITR 514 (Delhi)(Trib.)

S. 40(a)(i) : Amounts not deductible – Deduction at source -Non-resident – Business possibilities in the field of energy sector – Expenses incurred for the purpose of PE are to be allowed- DTAA-India -USA -Mauritius [ S. 9(1)(i),195 Art. 5, 7, 15]

Dy. CIT (IT) v. Unocol Bharat Ltd. (2018) 171 DTR 329 / 196 TTJ 646 / 68 ITR 24 ( SN)/ 99 taxmann.com 158 (Delhi) (Trib.)

S. 40(a)(i) : Amounts not deductible-Deduction at source-Non-resident–Engaged in distribution of recharge pens of various DTH providers via online network-Servers of USA based company Amazon for which it paid web hosting charges-No control over server or severs space being deployed by Amazon, while providing e-services as per agreement- Not royalty -Not liable to deduct tax at source – Amendment, if any, to scope of royalty by an amendment in 2012 by Finance Act with retrospective effect cannot fasten assessee with liability to withhold tax for the years which have already been closed prior to insertion of amendment-DTAA-India –USA. [S. 9(1)(vi), Art.12]

EPRSS Prepaid Recharge Services India (P.) Ltd. v. ITO (2018) 196 TTJ 529 / 100 taxmann.com 52 /(2019)173 DTR 308 (Pune)(Trib.)

S. 12AA : Procedure for registration–Trust or institution-Educational institution-At time of considering assessee’s application for registration under section Commissioner is only entitled to see whether objects of trust are charitable in nature and whether its activities are genuine or not – Rejection of application on the ground that the asessee is primarily engaged in business of education on commercial basis with a profit motive without providing any element of charity to public at large is held to be not justified. [S. 2(15), 11]

Fateh Chand Trust & College Committee v. CIT(E) (2018) 67 ITR 564 (Agra)(Trib.)

S. 9(1)(i) : Income deemed to accrue or arise in India-Business connection–Various coordination/facilitation services rendered- Business of developing and producing entertainment serials for audio visual platform -Consideration cannot be assessed as royalty -DTAA-India- South Africa [S. 9(1)(vi), 9(1)(vii), Art. 12]

Endemol South Africa (Proprietary) Ltd. v. Dy. CIT (2018) 172 DTR 111 / 196 TTJ 594 / 67 ITR 520 / 98 taxmann.com 227 (Mum.)(Trib.)

S. 292BB : Notice of demand to be valid in certain circumstances – Reassessment – Notice issued on dead person- Reassessment is held to be bad in law. [S. 147, 148]

Rajender Kumar Sehgal v. ITO (2019) 260 Taxman 412/ 173 DTR 251/ 306 CTR 264 (Delhi)(HC)

S. 276C : Offences and prosecutions-Willful attempt to evade tax– Stay petition dismissed by Tribunal-Quantum of appeal is pending– Launching of prosecution is held to be not justified – Prosecution was quashed and the assesee was discharged from the prosecution. [S. 276(2), Cr. PC S. 498, Economic Offences (In applicability of Limitation) Act, 1974)

Sayarmull Surana v. ITO (2019) 260 Taxman 397 / 173 DTR 338/ 306 CTR 354 (Mad.)(HC) www.itatonline.org

S. 194J : Deduction at source-Fees for professional or technical services–Examinations through various colleges–reimbursement of expenses–Not liable to deduct tax at source.

PCIT v. M.P. Biscuits (P.) Ltd. (2019) 260 Taxman 378 (All.)(HC)

S. 188A : Firm – Joint and several liability of partners – Stay- Commissioner (Appeals) granted stay by depositing 20 per cent of demand by installments- AO invoked S.188A and issued notice to him to deposit tax – Proceedings against partner was stayed. [S. 226]

Mukesh Kumar Prabhatbhai Desai v. ITO (2019) 260 Taxman 343 (Guj.)(HC)