Paper - 7: Direct Tax Laws: Items Debited
Paper - 7: Direct Tax Laws: Items Debited
Paper - 7: Direct Tax Laws: Items Debited
(3) One of the sundry creditors for supply of rice flour was settled on 28-3-2019 for ` 25
lakhs as against his outstanding balance of ` 30 lakhs due to non-supply of the required
quality.
However, the entire amount was offset against an amount recoverable from the sister
concern of the sundry creditor.
(4) The written down value of assets as on 1-4-2018 was as follows:
1. Factory buildings ` 500 lakhs
2. (a) Plant and machinery ` 1000 lakhs
(b) New plant and machinery installed and put to use at Cheruvu, on 1-12-2017
` 300 lakhs and on 1-5-2018 ` 600 lakhs.
(c) Machinery which was sold to M/s ABC Ltd. on 1-4-2012 at its WDV for ` 25
lakhs were re-acquired on 1-8-2018 for ` 50 lakhs.
3. Lorries and Vans ` 100 lakhs.
4. Office Equipment ` 50 lakhs.
5. Computers purchased and installed in office on 2-1-2019 ` 25 lakhs.
Compute total income of XYZ Private Ltd. for the Assessment Year 2019-20. Ignore MAT.
(14 Marks)
Answer
Computation of Total Income of M/s XYZ Private Ltd. for the A.Y. 2019-20
Particulars Amount
(` in lakhs)
I Profits and gains of business and profession
Net profit as per Statement of profit and loss 500.00
Add: Items debited but to be considered separately or to
be disallowed
(i) Depreciation as per books of account 300.00
(ii) Repairs and maintenance expenditure 0.20
[Expenditure on installation of air-conditioner in the
residence of the director is a capital expenditure, the same
is not allowable as deduction as per section 37. Since the
same has been debited to statement of profit and loss, it
has to be added back and depreciation be allowed]
(iii) Salaries and materials purchased for scientific -
research and development
1 It was so held in Millennia Developers (P) Ltd. v. DCIT (2010) 322 ITR 401 (Kar.)
2 It was so held in CIT v. Orient Ceramics and Industries Ltd. (2013) 358 ITR 49 (Delhi)
3 Alternatively, office equipment can also be considered as part of plant and machinery eligible for higher rate
of depreciation i.e., 40% and in such case, amount of depreciation would be ` 20 lacs instead of ` 7.50
lacs.
Notes:
(1) Since additional information (4) mentions the written down value of assets (given
thereunder) as on 1.4.2018, it is logical to assume that the figure of ` 1000 lakhs, being
the WDV of plant and machinery as on 1.4.2018 include the cost of new plant and
machinery of ` 300 lakhs installed and put to use on 1.12.2017. Accordingly, in the
above solution, only balance additional depreciation (i.e., ` 52.50) is computed on such
new plant and machinery.
Alternatively, if it is assumed that the same is not included in the figure of
` 1000 lacs, being the WDV of Plant & Machinery as on 01.04.2018, the total normal
depreciation on P&M would be (300 x 15% = 45.00 lac) + 245.79 = 290.79 lacs.
(2) Since the glow sign board has been purchased during the year, the cost of the same is
not included in WDV as on 1.4.2018, and hence, it is not being deducted there from.
Question 2
(a) M/s ABC LLP is engaged in export of computer software from a Special Economic Zone.
The net profit of the firm as per its Profit & Loss Account for the year ended 31 -3-2019
was ` 250 lakhs after debit/credit of the following items:
(1) Depreciation ` 20 lakhs
(2) Remuneration to its working partners ` 200 lakhs
(3) Interest provided on the current account balance of the partners @ 15% p .a. ` 15
lakhs
(4) Advertisement in a souvenir published by a political party ` 2 lakhs
Additional Information:
(1) The firm commenced business on 1-4-20174.
(2) Depreciation allowable as per Income-tax Rules is ` 25 lakhs.
(3) Payment of remuneration to working partners is authorized by the Partnership
Deed.
(4) Brought forward business loss and depreciation from Assessment Year 2017-18
was ` 50 lakhs and ` 30 lakhs respectively.
(5) The total export turnover of the firm was ` 25 crores. Amount of export turnover
realized within six months was ` 15 crores.
Compute the tax payable by the firm under section 115JC and the amount of tax credit
allowed to be carried forward. Give working notes for your answer. (8 Marks)
4 to be read as 2016
(b) Akanksha Ltd., an Indian Company, is engaged in the provision of Contract R & D
services relating to generic pharmaceutical drug, to Palak Inc., a foreign company which
guarantees 18% of the total borrowings of Akanksha Ltd. Palak Inc. is non -resident in
India for P.Y. 2018-19. Akanksha Ltd assumes insignificant risk.
The aggregate value of transactions entered into by Akanksha Ltd. with Palak Inc., in the
P.Y. 2018-19 is ` 75 crores. The declared Operating profit margin of Akanksha Ltd. is
` 7.50 crores and the Operating. Expenses is ` 34 crores. In the light of the above facts,
please discuss whether the transfer price declared by the Akanksha Ltd., who have
exercised a valid option for application of safe harbour rules, will be acceptable to the
Income Tax Authorities. (6 Marks)
Answer
(a) Computation of total income and tax liability of M/s ABC LLP for A.Y.2019-20
(under the regular provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961)
Particulars (` in (` in
lakhs) lakhs)
Profits and gains of business or profession 250.00
Add: Items debited but to be considered separately or to
be disallowed
- Depreciation 20.00
- Remuneration to its working partners 200.00
- Interest provided on the current account balance of 15.00
the partners@15% p.a. (Interest on current account
would be fully disallowed since the same is not
authorized by the partnership deed) [See Note 2 for
alternate answer].
- Advertisement in a souvenir published by a political
party [not allowed as deduction as per section 2.00 237.00
37(2B)]
Less: Permissible expenditure and allowances 487.00
- Depreciation allowable as per Income-tax Rules, 1962 25.00
- Unabsorbed depreciation under section 32(2)
[allowable as deduction while computing book profit 30.00 55.00
as per Explanation 3 to section 40(b)]
Book Profit 432.00
On first ` 3 lakh of book profit [` 3,00,000 × 90%] 2.70
On balance ` 429 lakh of book profit [` 429 × 60%] 257.40
260.10
Notes:
(1) In the question, total export turnover of the firm is given as ` 25 crores and export
turnover realised within six months is given as ` 15 crore. Erstwhile section 10A(3)
specified a time limit of six months from the end of the previous year for remittance
of export turnover. The definition of “export turnover” under section 10AA, however,
does not mention any time limit within which the consideration has to be brought into
India. Accordingly, the above solution has been worked out considering that balance
` 10 crore is received in India after the six month period, hence the export turnover
and the total turnover would remain same i.e., ` 25 crore.
Alternatively, since export turnover and total export turnover are given separately in
the question, the answer can also be worked out by taking export turnover as ` 15
crore, assuming that the balance ` 10 crore is not brought into India within the
period of 9 months permitted by RBI. As per RBI Master Direction No. 16/2015-16
[RBI/FED/2015-16/11 FED] updated upto 12.1.2018, the period of realization and
repatriation of export proceeds shall be 9 months from the date of export for all
exporters including Units in Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
In such case, the deduction available under section 10AA would be ` 139.20 lakh
(` 232 lakhs x 15/25 x 100%). Accordingly, total income would be ` 42.80 lakhs and
tax liability computed as per normal provisions of the Act would be ` 13.3536 lakhs.
Consequently, the tax credit available under section 115JEE would be ` 25.8652
lakh.
(2) In the question, since it is specifically given that remuneration to working partners
is authorized by partnership deed, it is inferred that interest on capital accoun t is
not authorized by partnership deed. Accordingly, the above answer is solved.
Alternatively, if it is assumed that interest on capital account is authorized by
partnership deed, 3% of interest on capital i.e., ` 3 lakhs would only be disallowed.
In such case, the total income and tax liability of M/s ABC LLP for A.Y.2019 -20
would be computed in the following manner:
Computation of total income and tax liability of M/s ABC LLP for A.Y.2019 -20
(under the regular provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961)
Particulars (` in (` in
lakhs) lakhs)
Profits and gains of business or profession 250.00
Add: Items debited but to be considered separately or to
be disallowed
- Depreciation 20.00
- Remuneration to its working partners 200.00
- Interest provided on the current account balance of the 3.00
partners@15% p.a. (Assuming that the interest payment
(b) Since Palak Inc., a foreign company, guarantees 18% (i.e., 10% or more) of the total
borrowings of Akanksha Ltd. an Indian company, both enterprises are deemed to be
associated enterprises by virtue of section 92A(2)(d).
Therefore, provision of contract R & D services relating to generic pharmaceutical drug
by Akanksha Ltd. an Indian company to Palak Inc., a foreign company, is an international
transaction between associated enterprises, and consequently, the provisions of transfer
pricing are attracted in this case.
Provision of contract R& D services in relation to generic pharmaceutical drug is an
eligible international transaction. Since Akanksha Ltd. is providing such services with
insignificant risk to a non-resident associated enterprise and has exercised a valid option
for safe harbour rules, it is an eligible assessee.
One of the conditions to be satisfied as per safe harbour rule is that the value of the
international transaction should not exceed ` 200 crore. The condition is satisfied in this
case, as the value of international transaction is ` 75 crores.
However, Akanksha Ltd. has declared an operating profit margin of only 22.059% [7.5
crore/34 crore x 100] in relation to operating expense, which is less than the minimum
margin of 24% required to be declared. Hence, the same is not in accordance with the
circumstances mentioned in Rule 10TD.
Thus, the transfer price declared by Akanksha Ltd in respect of such international
transaction will not be acceptable to the income-tax authorities.
Question 3
(a) The registration granted under section 12AA of the Income-tax Act, 1961 on 1-4-2009 to
M/s S Charitable Trust, was cancelled on 31-1-2019 on a finding that the Trust was
merged, with another entity neither having similar objects nor registered under section
12AA. An appeal was preferred against the order of cancellation, which was dismissed
by the Appellate authorities. The order confirming the cancellation was received on 31 -3-
2019.
The Balance Sheet of M/s S Charitable Trust as on 31.1.2019, and its other information
is given hereunder: (All amounts are in lakhs of Rupees)
Particulars `
Liabilities
Capital fund 800.00
Sundry creditors 335.00
Total 1135.00
Assets
Land (existing since 1-4-2008) 100.00
Compute tax payable by Mr. S for the Assessment Year 2019-20. Give necessary
working notes for your answer. (6 Marks)
Answer
(a) As per section 115TD, the accreted income of “M/s S Charitable Trust”, registered under
section 12AA would be chargeable to tax at maximum marginal rate @ 34.944% [30%
plus surcharge @12% plus cess@4%] on 31.1.2019 for the reason of cancellation of
registration granted on 31.01.2019.
Computation of exit tax payable by M/s S Charitable Trust
Particulars Amount (`)
Aggregate FMV of total assets as on 31.1.2019, being the specified 15,34,99,000
date (date of order of cancellation of the registration) [See Working
Note 1]
Less: Total liability computed in accordance with the prescribed
method of valuation [See Working Note 2] 3,05,00,000
Accreted Income 12,29,99,000
Tax Liability @ 34.944% of ` 12,29,99,000 4,29,80,771
Tax Liability (rounded off) 4,29,80,770
Working Note 1:
Aggregate fair market value of total assets on the date of
cancellation of the registration
Valuation of Land, being an immovable property, existing since 2,50,00,000
2008
[The fair market value of land would be higher of ` 250 lakhs i.e.,
price that the land would ordinarily fetch if sold in the open market
as per registered valuer’s certificate and `120 lakhs, being stamp
duty value as on the specified date i.e., 31.1.2019]
Value of land purchased on 1.4.2008 is includible in the aggregate
fair market value, since the exemption provisions under section 11
and 12 would apply from P.Y.2008-09, being the previous year in
which application for registration of trust is made. Since the question
states that registration was granted on 1.4.2009, it is logical to
assume that the application was made in the P.Y.2008-09, and
hence, benefit of exemption under sections 11 and 12 would be
available from P.Y.2008-09, being the year in which the above land
was purchased]
Valuation of Land and building, being an immovable property, 10,50,00,000
purchased in 2015
[The fair market value of land and building would be higher of
`1,000 lakhs i.e., price that the land and building would ordinarily
fetch if sold in the open market as per registered valuer’s certificate
and ` 1,050 lakhs, being stamp duty value as on the specified date
i.e., 31.1.2019]
Valuation of Quoted equity shares in M/s X Ltd. [2,000 x 21,49,000
` 1,074.50 per share]
[The fair market value of quoted shares would be ` 1,074.50 per
share, being the average of the lowest (` 1,051) and highest price
(` 1,098) of such shares on the specified date i.e., 31.1.2019]
Balance in current account of a nationalized bank 10,00,000
Balance in fixed deposits with scheduled banks 2,00,00,000
Cash in hand 3,50,000
15,34,99,000
Working Note 2 - Total liability
Book value of liabilities in the balance sheet on specified date 11,35,00,000
- Less: Capital fund 8,00,00,000
- Less: Contingent liability on estimated basis to contractor for 30,00,000
which no bills are received
Total liability of M/s S Charitable Trust 3,05,00,000
The latest day on which such tax has to be paid is 14 th
April, 2019, being 14 days from
31.3.3019, the date on which the order confirming the cancellation is received.
(b) Computation of total income of Mr. S for A.Y.2019-20
Particulars ` `
Income from House Property in India
Gross Annual Value 5 [Rent received is taken as GAV] 3,60,000
[` 30,000 p.m. x 12 months]
Less: Municipal taxes -
Net Annual Value (NAV) 3,60,000
Less: Deduction u/s 24 @30% 1,08,000
2,52,000
Profits and Gains of Business or Profession
Income from music performances in India 5,00,000
Income from Country A6 5,00,000
5 Rent received is taken as the gross annual value in the absence of information related to expected rent
6 Income from Country A and Country B are assumed to be from music performances
Question 4
(a) Examine the applicability of TDS provisions and TDS amount in the following cases as
per the provisions of Income-tax Act, 1961 with reference to A.Y. 2019-20:
(1) Payment of fees of ` 28,000 for technical services and of ` 35,000 for Royalty to
Mr. Raj Pal who is having PAN.
(2) Payment of ` 2,25,000 made to Mr. Anthony for compulsory acquisition of his house
as per the law of State Government. (4 Marks)
(b) M/s A Ltd. had admitted ` 180 lakhs as its total income in its return filed for the
Assessment Year 2016-17 on 15-9-2016. The total income was enhanced to ` 200 lakhs
as per the order under section 143(3) passed on 20-9-2018 by the Assessing Officer.
Subsequently on an information that there was concealment of income, reassessment
proceedings were initiated and an order for reassessment was passed on 20 -10-2019
determining a total income of ` 250 lakhs.
The Company had the following prepaid taxes to its credit:
Tax deducted at source ` 5 lakhs
Advance Tax paid on
4-6-2015 ` 8 lakhs
14-9-2015 ` 17 lakhs
14-12-2015 ` 16 lakhs
15-3-2016 ` 14 lakhs
Self-Assessment tax paid on 15-9-2016 ` 2.50 lakhs
Tax paid on 25-9-2018 ` 7 lakhs
The return in response to the reassessment notice was filed after 20 days from the due
date mentioned in the notice. Assume the tax rate to be 33.063%.
Determine interest payable by the Company under various sections of the Income -tax Act
on account of reassessment. Give necessary explanations for your ans wer. (4 Marks)
(c) State with reasons whether the following income of the non-resident is deemed to accrue
or arise in India:
(1) M/s XYZ Highway Ltd, a resident Indian company is engaged in the business of
building highway projects in India. It has borrowed US $ 250 million from a financial
institution resident in US to invest in one of its ongoing projects in India. The rate of
interest charged is 8% p.a. Assume 1 US$ = ` 69.
Will your answer differ in case the money is invested in one of its ongoing projects
in Sri Lanka? (3 Marks)
(2) Mr. A a non-resident, staying in England, holds 10% of the total share capital in M/s
ABC Ltd. a company incorporated in England. M/s ABC Ltd. directly owns assets in
India. Mr. A has transferred his entire share capital to Mr. B an Indian resident when
he was in England. (3 Marks)
Answer
(a) (1) Liability to deduct TDS @10% under section 194J is attracted only in case the
payment made as fees for technical services and royalty, individually, exceeds
` 30,000 during the financial year to a resident. In the given case, since, the
individual payment for fee of technical services i.e., ` 28,000 is less than ` 30,000,
there is no liability to deduct tax at source on fees for technical services.
However, since royalty payment exceeds ` 30,000 and Mr. Raj Pal is having PAN,
tax @ 10% is to be deducted on royalty payment to Mr. Raj Pal 7.
Tax to be deducted = ` 3,500 i.e., ` 35,000 x 10%
(2) As per section 194LA, any person responsible for payment to a resident, any sum in
the nature of compensation or consideration on account of compulsory acquisition
under any law, of any immovable property, is responsible for deduction of tax at
source if such payment or the aggregate amount of such payments to the resident
during the financial year exceeds ` 2,50,000.
In the given case, no liability to deduct tax at source is attracted as the payment
made to Mr. Anthony does not exceed ` 2,50,000.
(b) Interest under section 234A
Since the return of income in response to notice for reassessment is furnished by M/s A
Ltd. after the expiry of the time allowed under such notice, interest under section 234A
will be payable for 1 month, being 20 days delay in filing return of income, @1% on the
amount by which the tax on ` 250 lakhs, being the total income determined on
reassessment exceeds the tax on ` 200 lakhs, being total income determined u/s 143(3).
Particulars `
Tax on total income determined on reassessment [`250 lakhs x 82,65,750
33.063%]
Less: Tax on total income determined u/s 143(3) [`200 lakhs x 33.063%] 66,12,600
16,53,150
Interest u/s 234A = `16,53,0008 x 1% x 1 = ` 16,530
29,835
15.12.2015 41,00,000 45,84,450 75% 58,24,313 58,24,313 12,39,863 12,39,800 x
[75%] 1% x 3
months =
37,194
15.03.2016 55,00,000 61,12,600 100% 77,65,750 77,65,750 16,53,150 16,53,100 x
[100%] 1%
=16,531
Interest payable under section 234C (10,944 + 29,835 + 37,194 + 16,531) 94,504
(c) (1) As per section 9(1)(v)(b), interest payable by a person resident in India would be
deemed to accrue or arise in India. However, such interest would not be deemed to
accrue or arise in India if the interest is payable in respect of moneys borrowed and
used, inter alia, for the purpose of business or profession carried on by such resident
outside India.
In the present case, if M/s XYZ Highway Ltd. has used the money borrowed for its
projects in India, interest received by financial institution resident in US would be
deemed to accrue or arise in India.
If, M/s XYZ Highway Ltd. used the money borrowed for its projects in Sri Lanka i.e.,
for business outside India, it would be covered under the exception and the interest
received by financial institution resident in US would not be deemed to accrue or
arise in India.
(2) As per section 9(1)(i), income arising through the transfer of a capital asset situated
in India would be deemed to accrue or arise in India. As per Explanation 5 to
section 9(1)(i), shares in a company registered outside India would be deemed to be
situated in India, if the shares derive, directly or indirectly, its value substantially
from assets located in India.
However, income from transfer of such shares would not be deemed to accrue or
arise in India if such company directly owns assets in India and the transferor
neither holds the right of management or control in such company nor holds more
than 5% of the total share capital of such company [As per Explanation 7 to section
9(1)(i)].
In the present case, M/s ABC Ltd. is a company incorporated in England which
directly owns assets in India. However, since Mr. A holds more than 5% of the total
share capital of M/s ABC Ltd, capital gain arising from the transfer of shares of M/s
ABC Ltd would be deemed to accrue or arise in India in the hands of Mr. A.
Question 5
(a) Answer any two out of following three questions:
(i) The assessment of Saxena Ltd. was completed under section 143(3) of the Income -
tax Act, 1961 with an addition of income of ` 23.50 lacs to the returned income. The
Even in a case where the appeal is pending but not yet decided, the
Commissioner cannot exercise his revisionary jurisdiction in respect of those
issues which are the subject matter of appeal. 9
Thus, Commissioner cannot make a revision in respect of the matters covered
in appeal, but can do so in respect of other matters.
(2) Section 264 provides that the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner has no
power to revise any order which has been made the subject matter of an
appeal to the Commissioner (Appeals), even in respect of the matters other
than the matters covered in the appeal 10.
(ii) The issue under consideration is whether delay in filing appeal under section 260A
can be condoned where the stated reason for delay is the pursuance of an alternate
remedy by way of filing an application before the ITAT under section 254(2) for
rectification of mistake apparent on record.
The application before the ITAT under section 254(2) is not an alternate remedy to
filing of the application under section 260A. The former is an application for
rectifying a ‘mistake apparent from the record’ which is much narrower in scope
than the latter.
Under section 260A, an order of the ITAT can be challenged on substantial
questions of law. The appellant had the option of filing an appeal under section
260A while also mentioning in the Memorandum of Appeal that its application under
section 254(2) was pending before the ITAT.
The time period for filing an appeal under section 260A does not get suspended on
account of the pendency of an application before the ITAT under section 254(2) of
the Act.
Accordingly, the delay in filing the appeal before High Court cannot be condoned.
Thus, the contention of the assessee, is not maintainable.
Note – The facts of the case are similar to the facts in Spinacom India (P.) Ltd. v. CIT
[2018] 258 Taxman 128 wherein the above issue came up before the Apex Court. The
above answer is based on the rationale of the Supreme Court in the said case.
(iii) (1) As per section 271AAB(1A), penalty @60% of undisclosed income would be
attracted, since A Ltd. had not admitted the undisclosed income in a statement
under section 132(4) but declared the same in a return furnished and paid the
tax with interest thereon.
Question 6
(a) M/s SB & Co. is a partnership firm carrying on trading activity. It has filed all its returns
promptly up to the Assessment Year 2018-19. The firm suffered losses year after year
due to market conditions and some of its major debtors defaulted in payment of their
dues. It was decided by the partners on 28-6-2018, when the scrutiny assessment for the
Assessment Year 2016-17 was in progress, that the business of the firm should be
discontinued and a notice of discontinuance of business was given to the Assessing
Officer on 10-7-2018. In these circumstances, you are required to advise on the tax
implications for the firm. (4 Marks)
(b) Mr. A an agriculturist has made an agreement to sell his 10 acres of agricultural land
situated in a remote village at a price of ` 1 lakh per acre to Mr. B, for constructing a
farmhouse. Mr. A has received an advance of ` 1 lakh by way of a crossed cheque.
Later on, the agreement was rescinded as Mr. B could not pay the balance amount within
the stipulated time as per the agreement. Mr. A returned the advance by a crossed
cheque. The assessing officer has proposed to levy a penalty under section 271D on
Mr. A. Examine the validity of the Assessing Officer's action. (4 Marks)
(c) Explain with reasoning that the following statements are correct or not. Your answer
should be based on the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961.
(i) Whether Assessing Officer (AO) can complete the assessment of income from
international transaction in disregard of the order passed by the Transfer Pricing
Officer (TPO) by accepting the contention of assessee. (3 Marks)
(ii) An advance pricing agreement once entered by the tax payer with the Income Tax
authorities cannot be modified or revised. (3 Marks)
Answer
(a) In this case, the business of the firm, M/s. SB & Co., has been discontinued when
scrutiny assessment of A.Y.2016-17 was in progress and notice of discontinuance was
given to the Assessing Officer on 10.7.2018. The firm has, however, filed returns on time
upto A.Y.2018-19.
As per section 189, the Assessing Officer is required to make an assessment of the total
income of the firm as if no such discontinuance has taken place. Accordingly, all the
provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961, including provisions relating to levy of penalty or
any other sum chargeable under any provision of the Act would apply to such
assessment.
If the Assessing Officer, is satisfied that the firm was guilty of any act for which penalty
can be imposed under the Act, he may direct imposition of penalty.
Every person who was a partner at the time of discontinuance would be jointly and
severally liable for the amount of tax, penalty or other sum payable. The provisions of
the Income-tax Act, 1961 would apply to any such assessment or imposition of penalty or
other sum.
In this case, since the discontinuance has taken place after scrutiny assessment
proceedings for A.Y.2016-17 has commenced, the proceedings may be continued
against the persons who were partners of the firm (at the time of discontinuance) from
the stage at which the proceedings stood at the time of discontinuance.
(b) Section 269SS prohibits acceptance of any advance of ` 20,000 or more in relation to
transfer of immovable property otherwise than by way of account payee cheque/bank
draft or use of ECS through a bank account, whether or not the transfer has actually
taken place.
This provision will not be applicable in a case where both the payer and recipient have
agricultural income and neither of them has any income chargeable to tax in India.
In this case, Mr. A has accepted an advance of `1 lakh by of a crossed cheque for
transfer of immovable property, i.e., agricultural land, which is in contravention of section
269SS. Further, the exemption from applicability of this provision would not be availa ble
even though Mr. A, the recipient, has agricultural income because Mr. B, the payer of
advance, is not having agricultural income.
Accordingly, penalty under section 271D equal to the amount of such advance would be
attracted. This is irrespective of Mr. A having returned the advance by a crossed cheque.
However, such penalty can be imposed only by the Joint Commissioner.
Accordingly, the proposed action for levy of penalty under section 271D by the Assessing
Officer would be valid, only if the Assessing Officer is a Joint Commissioner. If he is not a
Joint Commissioner, the proposed action for levy of penalty under section 271D would
not be valid.
(c) (i) The statement is not correct.
As per section 92CA(4), where the Assessing Officer (AO) has referred the
computation of arm’s length price to the Transfer Pricing Officer (TPO) and the TPO
has passed an order determining the arm’s length price (ALP), the A.O. has to
proceed to compute the total income of the assessee in conformity with the ALP so
determined by the TPO.
Therefore, the AO cannot complete the assessment of income from international
transaction in disregard of the order passed by the TPO by accepting the contention
of the assessee.