Month: February 2019

There is no institutionalized process of elevation of the Members of the ITAT to the High Court. There are a good number of Judicial Members who deserve to be elevated to the High Court. AIFTP has made representation to Honourable Chief Justice of India and also to the Honorable law Minister. Hon’ble President, being from the judiciary, would be able to help in this regard and when the foundation day is celebrated the next year, some positive development could be expected

A full court farewell function was held to mark the retirement on superannuation of a Vice-President of the ITAT. The Hon’ble VP offered valuable advice including how professionals can stay healthy and wise with Yoga and the use of herbal medicine

The CBDT has been criticized over alleged ‘tax terrorism’ of two award-winning start-ups named ‘Travel Khana’ and ‘Baby Go Go’. It is alleged that the AOs attached the bank account and withdrew funds, leaving the start-ups high and dry. It is claimed that nearly 2500 start-ups are in similar dire state over tax demands. The CBDT has issued a press release to clear the air and has claimed that all procedures were diligently followed by the AO and the start-ups are to blame for non-compliance

The CBDT has vide Office Order No. 22 of 2019 dated 6th February 2019 stated that the President has appointed several officers of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) on regular basis in the grade of Joint Commissioner of Income-tax in the pay matrix of Rs. 78,800 -2,09,200 against the vacancy year 2018

The gesture of Hon’ble Piyush Goyal of thanking taxpayers after presenting the Finance Bill 2019 has been well received by the public. People are pointing out that he has greater empathy towards taxpayers owing to his background as a distinguished CA. He has assured that almost all assessment and verification of IT returns will be done electronically by an anonymized tax system without any intervention by tax officials

The Bombay High Court has issued a Notification dated 29th January 2019 stating that it has received applications/ proposals from 57 Advocates seeking to be designated as ‘Senior Advocates’. The Court has invited suggestions and views from the members of the Bar and other stakeholders with regard to the said applications/ proposals

The CBDT has issued Circular No. 04/2019 dated 28th January, 2019 in which it has clarified the entire law relating to the liability and status of Official Assignees under section 160(1)(iii) of the Income-tax Act, 1961