Vodafone Idea Ltd. v ACIT (TDS) (2020) 184 ITD 204 / 79 ITR 44 (SN)( Cuttack)(Trib)

S. 194H : Deduction at source – Commission or brokerage – Fees for professional or technical services – Discount to prepaid cards to distributors – Principal to principal basis – Roaming arrangement with other distributors – Not liable to deduct tax at source under section 194H or under section 194J -Interest is not leviable [ S.194H , 201 (1) ]

Tribunal held that the discount extended to the prepaid distributors was in the nature of margin for such distribution of the right to prepaid services and such discount did not qualify as commission within the meaning of section 194H . Thus, the assessee was not required to deduct tax under section 194H on the prepaid SIM cards and hence, the assessee was not in default in terms of the provisions of section 201(1) . With regard to the provisions of section 194J in respect of roaming charges, the assessee was not required to deduct tax under section 194J and consequently the assessee was not to be treated as an assessee in default under section 201(1) . The roaming charges were not paid for rendering any managerial, technical or consultancy services and hence, did not fall under the category of fee for technical services. Therefore, the assessee was not required to deduct tax on such roaming charges under section 194J . Once the assessee was treated as not in default under section 201(1) , interest under section 201(1A) was not required to be charged.( AY.2009-10 to 2012-13)