Subsidiary Supplying To Parent Company In Independent Capacity Cannot Be Considered 'Intermediary Service' U/S 2(13) IGST Act: Gujarat HC

The Gujarat High Court has made it clear that where a subsidiary company provides goods or services to its parent company in its independent capacity, it cannot be said that such services fall under 'intermediary service' under Section 2(13) of the Integrated Goods and Service Tax Act, 2017. The provision defines “intermediary” as a broker, an agent or any other person who arranges or facilitates the supply of goods or services or both, between two or more persons. In the case at...

[Municipal Corporation Act] Writ Petition Against District Judge's Order Upholding Imposition Of Property Tax Not Maintainable: Chhattisgarh HC

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that it cannot exercise writ jurisdiction against an order by the District Judge, which is the Appellate Authority under the Municipal Corporation Act 1956, upholding imposition of property tax. In doing so, single judge Justice Narendra Kumar Vyas cited Section 149 of the Act which prescribes that the Appellate Authority is amenable to revisional jurisdiction of the High Court. It said, “From bare perusal of Section 149 of the Act, 1956, it is ...

Seized Gold Cannot Be Confiscated Just For Having An Invalid Letter Of Approval: CESTAT

The Allahabad Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that seized gold cannot be confiscated just for having an invalid letter of approval. There was a difference in the opinion between the P.K. Choudhary (Judicial Member) and Sanjiv Srivastava (Technical Member) on the issues involved in the case. Therefore, the matter was place before third member ie. S.S. Garg (Judicial Member) for determination of the same. In this case, Officers of...

[Income Tax] Allahabad HC To Examine Whether Proceedings U/S 148A(b) Initiated Prior To 01.09.2024 Would Be Saved After Enforcement Of The Finance (No.2) Act, 2024

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has sought state response on the question of maintainability of proceedings under Section 148A(b) of the Income Tax Act initiated prior to 01.09.2024, if at all, would be saved after enforcement of the Finance (No.2) Act, 2024 w.e.f. 01.09.2024 especially in view of sub-Section- (4) of Section 152 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 which has been inserted by the said Finance (No.2) Act, 2024. Section 148A has been amended by the Act of 2024....

If Assessee Produces Accounts, AO Must Be Satisfied That Accommodation Entries Exist Before Proceeding U/S 148 Of Income Tax Act: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has held that an Assessing Officer is required to be satisfied that accommodation entries as alleged in show cause notice under Section 148A(b) of the Income Tax Act 1961 exist, particularly where the assessee produces its accounts. In doing so, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma heavily relied on its recent ruling in Sonansh Creations Pvt Ltd. v. Assistant Commissioner Of Income Tax And Anr. where it was held...

Investigation Report Is Not An Appealable Order; No Statutory Right For Hearing At Stage Of Preparation Of Investigation Report: CESTAT

The Chennai Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that investigation report is not an appealable order and there is no statutory right for a hearing at the stage of preparation of investigation report. The Bench of P. Dinesha (Judicial Member) and M. Ajit Kumar (Technical Member) has observed that “the assessee has also not demonstrated any real prejudice caused to them by the investigation report. Merely being disappointed or dissatisfied is...

Supply Of Solar Generating Power Station Is A Composite Supply, Would Not Amount To Works Contract; Attracts 5% GST: Andhra Pradesh High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court stated that the supply of solar generating power station is a composite supply and it would not amount to a works contract. Also, it is a moveable property and attracted 5% GST. The Division Bench of Justices R Raghunandan Rao and Maheswara Rao Kuncheam observed that “a 'works contract' is also a composite supply. However, there could be a 'composite supply', which does not fall within the ambit of 'works contract'….. The distinction between 'works...

Service Tax Liability Cannot Be Fastened On Implementation Of Govt Projects: Calcutta High Court

The Calcutta High Court has held that construction of canals/ pipelines/ conduits to support irrigation, water supply or for sewerage disposal, when provided to the Government, cannot be exigible to service tax. A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya relied on two Circulars issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs to observe, “Even in case of works contract, if the nature of the activities is such that they are excluded from...

Tax Weekly Round-Up: 6th January - 12th January 2025

SUPREME COURT Reduction In Share Capital Amounts To Transfer Of Capital Asset Under Income Tax Act : Supreme Court Case Name: PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX-4 & ANR v. M/S. JUPITER CAPITAL PVT. LTD. Case no.: SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION NO. 63 OF 2025 The Supreme Court (recently on January 02) reiterated that reduction in share capital is covered under Section 2(47) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which talks about transfer of a capital asset. It explained that such reduction...

Excise Duty Not Payable On 'Bagasse' Which Emerges As A Waste Product During Sugar Crushing: CESTAT

The Chennai Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that excise duty is not payable on the Bagasse emerged as waste product during sugar crushing. The Bench of Ajayan T.V. (Judicial Member) and Vasa Seshagiri Rao (Technical Member) has observed that Bagasse emerged only as a waste product during crushing of sugarcane during the manufacturing process and though marketable, duty could not be imposed on it as there was no manufacturing activity...

Compounding Of Offences Allowed Under IT Act, HC's Inherent Jurisdiction U/S 482 CrPC Cannot Be Invoked For Quashing: Orissa HC

The Orissa High Court has refused to entertain a petition filed for quashing the offence under Sections 276(B) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, stating that the Petitioner-accused should have sought compounding of the offence. Justice Sibo Sankar Mishra observed, “In the present regime, where the compounding of the offence is permissible, the jurisdiction of this Court under Section 482 Cr.P.C. may not be necessarily invoked by the petitioner. In that view of the matter, the petitioner...

Income Tax Act | Reassessment Notice To Merged Entity U/S 148A(d) Not Invalid Merely Because SCN Was Issued In Name Of Ceased Entity: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has made it clear that merely because notice under Section 148A(b) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is issued in the name of an amalgamating company which had ceased to exist, subsequent notice issued under Section 148A(d) in the name of merged entity cannot be declared invalid. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma held, “The nature of proceedings under Section 148A of the Act is to enable the AO to form an opinion...