The Prime Minister’s Officer has issued a Press Release dated 30.07.2012 stating that a Committee of top ranking officials has been formed to finalise the Safe Harbour provisions announced in Budget 2010 sector-by-sector and examine issues relating to taxation of the IT sector and suggest any clarifications that may be required. The Committee has been given a specific time frame to achieve its objectives.

The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) has addressed a letter dated 19.7.2012 to the CBDT in which it claims that the GAAR provisions are “extraordinarily broad” and “too vague”. It claims that the uncertainty is causing concern to international investors wanting to invest in India. It has also expressed concern that the 3 Member panel may provide “rubber stamp” approval to whatever the income-tax department proposes. The letter also provides suggestions on how these concerns can be addressed by the Government to provide confidence to investors & taxpayers

Press Release dated 23.0.2012 issued by the Ministry of Finance Income Tax Department Starts Two More Taxpayer Friendly Initiatives : ‘Register for Home Visit’ and ‘Online Tax Help’ In order to make the Income Tax Return filing experience even more …

Finance Ministry’s Press Release Reg “Taxpayer Friendly Initiatives” Read More »

The United Kingdom Parliament has approved the Finance Act 2012. From an Indian perspective, the Act is interesting for its treatment of “Controlled foreign companies and foreign permanent establishments” given that a similar concept will be introduced in the Indian legislation sooner or later. Also of interest is the manner in which the transfers of “long-term business” is taxed

The United Kingdom’s HM Revenue & Customs has issued a Consultation Paper dated 23.07.2012 called “Lifting the lid on Tax Avoidance Schemes” to discuss how Tax Avoidance Schemes are created and what steps can be taken to expose them. The Paper also describes proposals for revising and extending the Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Schemes (DOTAS) regime

Despite the previous clarification, a number of queries have continued to be raised on various aspects of the exemption/ reverse charge on service-tax on Advocates’ services. To resolve all queries, CA Rajkamal Shah, a well known expert in the filed, …

Guide To Service-tax On Advocates From 1.07.2012 Onwards Read More »

Press Release dated 20.07.2012 issued by the Ministry of Finance: Exemption of Salaried Employees from Requirement of Filing of Returns for Assessment Year 2012-13

Vide order passed in pursuance of the consultations of the collegiums of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, consisting of the President and two senior-most Vice Presidents, Shri D. Karunakara Rao,, Accountant Member, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Hyderabad Benches, Hyderabad has been transferred in public interest, in the same capacity to the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Mumbai Benches, Mumbai with immediate effect

Vide Order No. 143 of 2012 dated 13.07.2012, the CBDT has nominated the officers to hold additional charge in place of the Chief Commissioners & Director Generals who have been selected for the Advanced Mid Career Training Programme

The Ministry of Finance has released a power-point presentation on 13.07.2012 explaining the entire concept of service-tax and the changes made thereto by the Finance Act 2012 in a simple and easy-to-understand format. The presentation will be useful for all tax professionals