In the first part, I outlined the conflict between the ‘same goods’ and ‘inextricable connection’ test, witness in applying section 5(3) of the Central Sales Tax Act. The resolution of this conflict, mandated a reference to a Constitution Bench in Azad Coach Builders. On facts, the seller (Azad Coach Builders) has sold bus bodies to the exporter (TELCO), which were mounted on chassis made by the...
The Taxation of Sales Preceding Export Transactions – Part I
Last week, the Supreme Court decided an interesting issue relating to statutory interpretation, very similar to the issue which had arisen in Daga Capital, discussed earlier. The question which the Court in State of Karnataka v. Azad Coach Builders was the extent to which States may tax sales transactions which immediately precede an export/import transaction. The controversy arises because the...
Depreciation on Intangible Assets
A year ago (almost to the date), we had discussed the decision of the Bombay High Court in CIT v. Techno Shares, observing that it appeared at odds with section 32 of the Income Tax Act. Last week, the Supreme Court overruled the Bombay High Court. However, while the conclusion arrived at by the Court seems appropriate on the facts of the case, it is slightly disappointing that the basis on which...
Fraud and the amendment of a section 34 application
In an important fallout of the Satyam controversy, the Supreme Court, earlier this month, reiterated the law on the amendment of section 34 applications, and also clarified the kinds of fraud that would justify the setting aside of arbitral awards on grounds of public policy. After the fraud perpetrated Mr. Raju, Venture Global sought to amend its section 34 and bring the facts about the...
Bombay High Court Upholds Section 14A and Rule 8D – Part II
In a previous post, the outline of the propositions in Godrej & Boyce v. DCIT was provided, followed by a discussion of the first issue before the Court. The other two issues, and the Court’s conclusions are discussed below. Section 14A(2) and (3) and Rule 8D are Constitutionally valid The next question posed by the case was whether the discretion granted to the AO by section 14A(2) and (3)...
Bombay High Court Upholds Section 14A and Rule 8D – Part I
Earlier posts discussed the decision of the Mumbai Special Bench of the ITAT in Daga Capital, and exceptions to the seemingly assessee-adverse ruling that had been carved by other tribunals and courts. The issue was then heard by the Bombay High Court, which finally pronounced judgment yesterday. The decision in Godrej & Boyce v. DCIT, has not provided as much of a reprieve to assessees as...
DEMAT Account for Religious Deities
An interesting issue recently fell for the consideration of the Bombay High Court- whether DEMAT accounts could be held in the name of deities. The Court answered this question in the negative, relying on largely practical and partially moralistic reasons in coming to its conclusions. The decision was pronounced by a Division Bench of the Bombay High Court in Ganpati Panchayatan Sansthan Trust v...
Delhi High Court clarifies Transfer Pricing law
In a fillip to the increasing global ambitions of Indian industries, the Delhi High Court, in Maruti-Suzuki India Ltd. v. ACIT, clarified the application of transfer pricing provisions to the use of foreign trademarks in India. The issue arose out of the Maruti-Suzuki collaboration all of us are well aware of, and was a good example of judicial intervention to stifle the parochial approach of the...
Legal character of an overdraft facility
Earlier this month, a division bench of the Bombay High Court considered an important question regarding the legal character of an overdraft facility offered to a customer. The issue before the Court in Sargam Foods v. State of Maharashtra, was whether the cash credit facility offered by a bank can be attached in recovery proceedings against one of its customers. The relevant provision was Rule...
The United States Supreme Court on the ‘Principal Place of Business’
Two earlier posts had discussed the issue and the oral arguments before the United States Supreme Court in Hertz Corp. v. Friend. Earlier this year, the Court delivered a unanimous verdict, holding that the ‘principal place of business’ of a corporation is its ‘nerve centre’, i.e. the headquarters of the corporation. As discussed earlier, the issue came before the Court as part of a class action...
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