"Health Security Se National Security" Cess On Pan Masala, Tobacco Manufacturing Enforceable From Feb 01

The Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue has notified February 01, 2026, as the date for enforcement of the Health Security Se National Security Cess Act, 2025 levying a Health Security se National Security Cess on machines used in manufacture of pan masala and similar items. The Health Security Se National Security Cess Act, 2025 (the Act) requires a manufacturer to self-declare all machines or processes for each factory or premises. It mandates verification of declarations by...

Income Tax Act | Long Term Capital Gains Exemption Available Even If Residential House Was Demolished Before Sale: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court held that the Long-Term Capital Gains exemption under Section 54 of the Income Tax Act cannot be denied merely because the residential house was demolished before its sale. The bench stated that since the sale took place later and the assessee reinvested the capital gains in another house within the prescribed time, the exemption is allowable. Section 54 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, provides a Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) exemption when an individual or HUF...

MCA Extends Deadline For Filing Financial Statements, Annual Returns Under Companies Act Till January 31, 2026

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, on 30th December, 2025, extended the deadline for filing Financial Statements and Annual Returns under the Companies Act, 2013, up to 31st January, 2026. Initially, the due date for filing financial statements and annual returns for F.Y. 2024-25 was till 31st December, 2025. The decision was taken after representations were received from stakeholders expressing difficulties in completing the filings within the prescribed timeline. As per the...

GST Demand Stayed As Audit Report Issued By Unauthorised Officer: Orissa High Court Finds Prima Facie Jurisdictional Defect

The Orissa High Court has stayed further proceedings arising from a Goods and Services Tax (GST) demand-cum-show cause notice issued under Section 73 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, after finding a prima facie jurisdictional defect in the audit process that formed the basis of the demand. The interim order was passed in a writ petition which challenged an audit notice and a consequential demand-cum-show cause. The demand was issued following an audit report...

ITAT Delhi Approved Amalgamation And Consistent Expense Allocation Cannot Be Used To Deny Section 80-IC Deduction

The Delhi Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal has upheld substantial tax relief granted to Mahle Filters Systems (India) Ltd. for Assessment Year 2010–11, rejecting the Revenue's challenge to the company's deduction claimed under Section 80-IC of the Income Tax Act. A Bench comprising Vice President Mahavir Singh and Accountant Member Krinwant Sahay, while deciding cross-appeals filed by the assessee and the Revenue, held that the tax department was not justified in treating the...

ITAT Mumbai Restores Trust's 12AB Registration Matter To CIT(E) For Fresh Consideration

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Mumbai Bench, has set aside an order passed by the Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemptions) [CIT(E)] rejecting the application of Shri Hans Maharaj Trust for registration under Section 12AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and has remanded the matter back for fresh adjudication. A Bench comprising Accountant Member Vikram Singh Yadav and Judicial Member Anikesh Banerjee was dealing with an appeal filed by the trust against the order dated 26.12.2024,...

ITAT Has Power To Grant Stay Even Without Tax Demand; Tribunal Cannot Refuse Jurisdiction: J&K High Court

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has held that the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has the power to grant stay of an order appealed against even when there is no existing tax demand, and that refusal to consider a stay application on the ground of lack of jurisdiction is legally unsustainable. A Division Bench of Justice Sindhu Sharma and Justice Shahzad Azeem was hearing a writ petition filed by J&K Yateem Foundation, a registered charitable society whose ...

Customs Act | Gujarat High Court Upholds CARR Ruling Allowing Duty Free Import On Inshell Walnuts Treating It As 'Dietary Fibre'

The Gujarat High Court upheld ruling of Customs Authority for Advance Rulings granting exemption from payment of Basic Customs Duty for inshell-walnuts imported by an entity treating the goods as "dietary fibre". The respondent- assessee is a transferee of Duty-Free Import Authorisations issued against the export of Assorted Confectionary Products (SION E-1) and Biscuits (SION E-5).The respondent had filed an application under Section 28H(Application for advance ruling) Customs Act before...

Customs | Confiscated Cigarettes Not Fit For Home Consumption Cannot Be Auctioned; Security Deposit Refundable: CESTAT New Delhi

The New Delhi Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) held that confiscated/seized cigarettes which do not comply with mandatory packaging, labelling and legal metrology requirements cannot be released for home consumption and therefore could not have been validly auctioned. Since the auction is vitiated, forfeiture of the security deposit is unsustainable. Justice Dilip Gupta (President) and Hemambika R. Priya (Technical Member) stated that the auction...

Income Tax | Reopening Not Hit By Change Of Opinion If Earlier Proceedings Dropped Due To Lack Of Evidence: Calcutta High Court

The Calcutta High Court held that the mere reopening of an assessment under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act cannot be treated as a change of opinion if the earlier proceedings were dropped due to lack of evidence. Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury stated that on the basis of a change of opinion of the assessing officer, a notice under Section 148 of the said Act cannot be issued. For a case of change of opinion to be established an assessing officer must arrive at an opinion that there has...

Customs Officers Must Wear Body Cameras During Baggage Clearance, Passenger Interactions: CBIC

Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) has mandated Body Worn Cameras for Customs officers posted at International Airports, engaging closely with passengers at baggage clearance counters. To align with global practices, Customs had started to adopt the digital technologies for audio and video recording, to enhance transparency, accountability and professionalism concerning passenger facilitation and intervention. For speeding up passenger flow while maintaining security,...

Tamil Nadu Government Extends 100% Road Tax Exemption For Electric Vehicles Till 2027

The Tamil Nadu Government has extended 100% exemption on all Battery-Operated Vehicles both, Transport and Non-Transport (Electric Vehicles) from payment of Motor Vehicle Tax. Electric vehicle adoption in Tamil Nadu has already reached 7.8% in 2025, the Minister of Industries said. Aligning with the State's Electric Vehicle Policy, staring January 01, 2026 till December 31 2027, all Electric Vehicles shall be exempt from tax under the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1974. ...