MAY 2011 Amendments

Amendments applicable for May 2011 Exams

[The Portion in italics is part of Memorandum explaining provisions of Finance Bill, 2010]

Change in rates

1. Rates of Income Tax for A/Y 2011-2012(pg. no. 123)

(i) For woman, resident in India and below the age of 65 years at any time
during the p/ y.
Upto Rs. 1,90,000 Nil
Rs. 1,90,001 to Rs. 5,00,000 10%
Rs. 5,00,001 to Rs. 8,00,000 20%
Above Rs. 8,00,000 30%
(ii) For an Individual (man or woman), resident in India who is of the age of
65 years or more at any time during the previous year.
Upto Rs. 2,40,000 Nil
Rs. 2,40,001 to Rs. 5,00,000 10%
Rs. 5,00,001 to Rs. 8,00,000 20%
Above Rs. 8,00,000 30%
(iii) Individuals, [other than those mentioned in above] HUF.
Upto Rs. 1,60,000 Nil
Rs. 1,60,001 to Rs. 5,00,000 10%
Rs. 5,00,001 to Rs. 8,00,000 20%
Above Rs. 8,00,000 30%

 Last year, when exemption limits were increased, taxpayers have responded
positively to these contributions by contributing a higher level of taxes.

 That’s why there is a persuasive case for further relief by broadening the
current tax slabs i.e. to lower the tax burden on individual taxpayers by
widening the tax base.

Effect:
 The revised tax slabs do provide an incentive to work harder to earn
more and also an incentive to declare income faithfully and pay the tax
honestly to taxpayers in the higher income slabs.
 There are no tax relief for taxpayers whose total income is less than
Rs. 3,00,000 & presently in the 10% tax slab.
Thus, on insertion of sec 80CCF, the only relief to these individuals is the
deduction they get by investing upto Rs. 20,000 & this would save the tax
upto Rs. 2,060/4,120 & 6,180 in 10%/20% & 30% slab respectively.

SURESH ARIGELA
 MAY 2011 Amendments

Residential Status
2. Fees for technical services means any consideration for the rendering
of any managerial, technical or consultancy services Section 9(pg. no.
9)
Following explanation have been amended-
Explanation: - It is not relevant that whether any person is having any residence
or place of business in India or has rendered services in India or not. Where
income is deemed to accrue as per 6, 7 or 8 then they shall be included in the
total income of non-resident even if he is not having any residence or place of
business in India or has not rendered services in India.
As per source rule 9, rendering of services is not relevant.
 However in a SC’s judgment in 2007, it was held that for establishing
the territorial nexus between such income received & territory of India for
any such income to be taxable in India, services have to be rendered as well
as utilized in India.
 But that interpretation was not in accordance with legislative intent.
 Therefore, to remove the doubts regarding source rule, explanation
was inserted by F.A. 2007 which provides that place of business is
irrelevant.
 However Karnataka HC in a recent case of Jindal Thermal Power
Company Ltd. held that on a plain reading of explanation, criteria of
rendering & utilization of services remain untouched & unaffected.

► Thus, to remove the doubt about the legislative intent of source rule, it is
proposed to substitute the explanation.
(Applicable retrospective from 1st June, 1976)

Salary
The limit of Gratuity has been increased to Rs. 10,00,000.

PGBP
3. Scientific research expenditure section 35(pg no. 55)
a) Deduction of 175% instead of 125% shall be allowed of sum paid to
scientific research association or to a university or approved bodies to be
used in scientific research.

Note:-
Rate mentioned in point (a) as 175% is applicable only for scienetific
research
otherwise for
(i) approved bodies to be used for social science or statistical research.
(ii) any national laboratory or university for an approved programme.
SURESH ARIGELA
 MAY 2011 Amendments
(iii) an approved Indian company, whose main object is scientific research
and development.(point 4)
it will remain 125%.
Weighted deduction of 150% has been increased to 200% in case of in house
research.

This amendment was made to:

a. incentivise the corporate sector to invest in – house research and
b. to further encourage research and development across all sectors of the
economy

4. Deduction for non- businessmen section 80GGA u/s VI –A(pg no. 57)
Following amendment has been made
The deduction is 100% of the sum paid to following institutions:-
(i) Approved scientific research association, university, college or other
institution to be used for scientific research. (similar to sec. 35)
(ii) Approved research association who has as its object the undertaking of
research in social science or statistical research or to a university,
college or other institution for research in social science or statistical
research. (similar to sec. 35)

5. Capital expenditure on capital business section 35AD(pg. no. 58)

Following businesses shall also be included in above section-
a) Building and operating, anywhere in India, a new hotel of two star or
above category.
b) Building and operating, anywhere in India, a new hospital with at least
100 beds for patients.
c) Developing and building a housing project under a scheme for slum
rehabilitation.
If deduction is claimed under this section then no deduction shall be
allowed under any other provisions.

The benefit of investment linked deduction is proposed to be extended to

hotel sector to give a boost to investment in the tourism sector which has
high employment potential.

6. Expenses not deductible Section 40(a) (pg. no. 61)

Following amendment has been made-
(ii) Any interest, commission, rent, royalty or fees etc. payable to resident on
which TDS has not been deducted
or paid before the due date of return of income u/s 139(1).
However deduction shall be allowed in the previous year in which TDS
is paid if it is paid after the due date of return of income.
SURESH ARIGELA
 MAY 2011 Amendments

7. Compulsory audit of accounts section 44AB(pg. no. 69)

Limit of 40,00,000 has been increased to 60,00,000 in case of business and
from 10,00,000 to 15,00,000 in case of profession.

For the purpose of presumptive taxation u/s 44AD, the threshold limit of total
turnover or gross receipts would be increased from 40 lakhs to 60 lakhs.
The threshold limit is proposed to be increased to facilitate business operations
of small taxpayers. Means to reduce the compliance burden of small businesses
and professionals.

Capital gains

8. Transfer not regarded as transfer Section 47(pg. no. 80)

Following conditions for Conversion of a private company or an unlisted public
company into a LLP have been inserted-
Transfer of capital asset by a private company or unlisted public company to a
limited liability partnership or any transfer of shares held in the company by a
shareholder as a result of conversion of the company if
(i) a,bc,d in 7 are satisfied
(ii) total sales or receipts of the company in any of the 3 preceding previous
year does not exceed 60 lacs.
(iii) no amount is paid to any partner out of accumulated profits on the date
of conversion for 3 years.
Consequential amendments
a. It is proposed to allow carry forward and set – off of business loss
and unabsorbed depreciation to the successor LLP which fulfills the above
mentioned conditions.
b. It is also proposed that the aggregate depreciation allowable to
the Predecessor Company and successor LLP shall not exceed, in any P/Y,
the depreciation calculated at the prescribed rates as if the conversion had
not taken place.
c. It is further proposed that the actual cost of the block of the
assets in case of the successor LLP shall be WDV of the block of assets as in
the case of the predecessor company on the date of conversion.
d. It is also provided that the cost of acquisition of the capital asset
for the successor LLP shall be deemed to be the cost for which the
predecessor company acquired it.

To facilitate the conversion of small companies into LLPs, it is proposed that

this will not subject to Capital gains tax.

SURESH ARIGELA
 MAY 2011 Amendments
9. Cost Inflation index (CII) for F/Y 10-11 is 711 (pg. no. 84)

Other Sources
10. Specific income section 56(2) (pg. no. 93)
Following income shall be treated as income from other sources under this
section-
Where a firm or a company (not being a company in which public are
substantially interested) receives any shares of a company (not being a
company in which public are substantially interested) without consideration, the
FMV of which exceeds 50,000 Rs. or for inadequate consideration.

In order to curb the practice of transferring unlisted shares at prices below their
FMV.

11. Corporate dividend tax(pg. no. 95)

Rate of tax changed from 16.995% to 16.609%

Deductions

12. Deduction in respect of subscription to long term infrastructure

bonds section 80CCF
New section have been inserted
→ Allowed to individual or a HUF.
→ Deduction is allowed for depositing the amount as subscription to long
term infrastructure bonds, as may be notified by the CG.
→ Amount of deduction: Whole of the amount not exceeding 20,000 Rs.
Section is inserted for promoting the investment in the infrastructure sector.
These bonds generally carry a comparatively low rate of interest and have a
lock-in-period of 5 years.
This relief will put more money in the hands of individual taxpayers for both
consumption as well as savings.

13. Medical insurance premium section 80D(pg. no. 108)

As per this amendment deduction can also be available if any contribution
made to the Central Government Health Scheme.

14. Operating Hotels And Convention Centre Section 80ID(pg. no. 117)
Terminal date has been increased from 31.3.10 to 31.07.2010.
To provide some more time for these facilities to be set up in the light of the
Commonwealth Games in October, 2010.

SURESH ARIGELA
 MAY 2011 Amendments

Total Income

15. Surcharge(pg. no. 123)

In case of companies rate of surcharge have been decreased from 10% to 7.5%.
For phasing out surcharge, current surcharge is reduced.

Assessment Procedure
16. Return of exempted entities Section 139(4C) (pg. no. 130)
As per this amendment the word “Scientific” has been deleted from scientific
research association.

Charitable Trust
17. Definition of charitable Purpose Section 2(15)
The carrying on any activity in the nature of trade, commerce or business for
‘advancement of any other object of general public utility’ is to be considered as for
‘charitable purpose’ provided aggregate receipts from such activities are 10,00,000 Rs.
or less in the relevant F/Y.

Mischief:-
 The absolute restriction on any receipt of commercial nature may
create hardship to the organizations which receive sundry considerations from
such activities.
That’s why this section is proposed to be amended.
 In other words, for giving some relaxation in this restriction,
amendment is proposed.
Example: -
One example could be a chamber of commerce otherwise eligible for exemption
because of its object of promotion of commerce, which is an object of general
public utility, losing its exemption merely because it renders some service to its
members like charging certification fee by way of service to members. It is
apparently recognized that the total disqualification for exemption in such
cases is not fair.

TDS
18. Exemption limits section 194B, 194C, 194D, 194H, 194I, 194J(pg. no.
139)
Threshold limits for payments mentioned in following sections are proposed to
be raised.

S.N Secti Nature of Existing Limit Proposed Limit

o. on payment (Rs.) (Rs.)
1. 194B Winning from 5,000 10,000
SURESH ARIGELA
 MAY 2011 Amendments
Lottery
2. 194BB Winning from 2,500 5,000
Horse Races
3. 194C Payment to 20,000 30,000
contractors (Single (Single transaction)
transaction) 75,000
50,000 (Aggregate of
(Aggregate of transac.)
transac.)
4. 194D Insurance 5,000 20,000
Commission
5. 194H Commission or 2,500 5,000
brokerage
6. 194-I Rent 1,20,000 1,80,000
7. 194J Fees for 20,000 30,000
professional or
technical services
Limits are increased in order to adjust for inflation and also to reduce the
compliance burden of deductors and taxpayers.

19. Interest for late Payment Section 201(pg. no. 141)

Rate of interest changed from 1% to 1.5%.
The rate is proposed to be increased to discourage the practice of delaying the
deposit of tax after deduction.

Miscellaneous
20. Definition of Income Section 2(24) (pg. no. 145)
Following income has been included in definition-
Value of shares transferred by a company not being a company to a firm or a
company without or for inadequate consideration u/s 56(2).

SERVICE TAX
Announcement by ICAI on 18.11.2010
Applicability of services for May and November 2011 examinations:-
Professional Competence Examination
It is clarified that in Part –II : Service tax and VAT of Paper 5 : Taxation, students
will not be tested on specific questions covering individual taxable services
Integrated Professional Competence Examination
It is clarified that in Part –II : Service tax and VAT of Paper 4 : Taxation, students
will be examined only in respect of the following taxable services:
1. Legal consultancy services
2. Commercial training or coaching services
3. Information technology software services

SURESH ARIGELA
 MAY 2011 Amendments
4. Cargo handling services
5. Custom housing agent’s services
6. Practicing Chartered Accountant’s services
7. Consulting engineer’s services
8. Manpower recruitment or supply agency’s services.

Only for IPCC

Section 65(105) Taxable service: - means any service provided or to be provided
to any person for cash or deferred payment or any other valuable consideration,
by a ………….
1. “Practicing chartered accountant”–
Who is member of the ICAI and
→ is holding a certificate of practice granted under the provisions of the
Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 (38 of 1949)
→ and includes any concern engaged in rendering services in the field of CA.
→
→ But NN 25/2006 dated 13-7-06 restored the exemption only in respect of services
→ as a representative of client
→ in respect of proceedings under any law
→ for representation with any statutory authority
→ in pursuance of any notice.

Hence services provided by CA in respect of

1. Preparing and filing of returns (Income tax, service tax, VAT etc.)
2. Providing opinions on any matter including taxation, preparation of
project report
3. Providing consultancy on any issue including taxation
4. Conducting audit, certification, verification etc.
shall remain taxable.
Note:- All persons whose names are entered in the register maintained under the
provisions of the ICAI Act shall be known as members of the institute.

2.“Legal consultancy service”

Legal consultancy service is the service provided or to be provided
→ to a business entity;
→ by any business entity.

It includes services in the nature of:-

 Advice
 Consultancy or
 Assistance in any manner in any branch of law.

SURESH ARIGELA
 MAY 2011 Amendments
1. For the purpose of this service, business entity does not include
Individuals.
Therefore Services provided by:-
(a) an individual advocate to any person or
(b) a corporate legal firm to an individual
will not be taxable.
2. Service of appearance before any Court, Tribunal, or any Authority is exempt
for all.

Provider Receiver Taxable

1. Individual Individual
2. Individual Company
3. Company Individual
4. Company Company
Illust. (a) X & co. a Lawyer firm who is liable to pay service tax has submitted
particulars as given below:-

(i) Rendered service in may 2010 and issued bill for Rs. 1,20,000 incl. of service tax.
(out of which Rs. 75,000 was received by cheque on 10th August 2010 and balance on
3rd March 2011.)
(ii) Rendered service in the month of June 2010 in connection with scrutiny assessment
and a bill of Rs. 75,000 was issued.
(iii) Rendered free service in July 2010 (market value Rs. 20,000)
(iv) Represented one client in the court of commissioner (Appeals) in sep 2010 and a bill
of Rs. 1,00,000 was issued and payment was received on 3rd Oct 2010.
(v) Rendered service to different clients in the month of Jan 2011 and bills of Rs.
7,00,000 as issued incl. of service tax but only Rs. 5,00,000 was received in the same
month in full and final settlement.
(vi) Received Rs. 70,000 in advance in March 2011 for services to be rendered in April
2011.
Compute amount of service tax payable for each quarter and also the last
date upto which tax should be paid for the financial year 2010-2011.
3. “Consulting engineer”
→ Who is professionally qualified
→ Includes any firm, body corporate
→ advice, consultancy or technical assistance
→ in one or more disciplines of engineering
→ including hardware and software engineering

Cess paid on transfer of technology under Research and Development Cess

Act shall be excluded from the gross amount charged.

Engineer should be engaged in a profession of engineer holding any diploma or

degree. Engineers employed under a company, firm are not covered.

4. Manpower recruitment agency

any person
for recruitment of manpower
or supply of manpower, temporarily or otherwise
SURESH ARIGELA
 MAY 2011 Amendments
→ and includes pre-recruitment screening, verifying the credentials of the
candidate, authenticity of documents of documents submitted by the
candidate and verification of antecedents.

Includes services connected with campus interviews by IIT’s, IIMs etc. (as
manpower is being provided).
Case Study:- Assessee entered into a contract with a company to provide labourers as per co’s
requirement for housekeeping work, for loading, unloading purpose etc. Payment to be made by
the company was related to the no. of labourers supplied during a specified period and not
related to quantum of work carried out.
Thus held that above contract was nothing but supply of manpower and covered under
‘Manpower Recruitment or supply agency’s service’.

5. Custom house agent –

→person licensed, temporarily or otherwise, under the Customs Act
→providing service in relation to
→entry or departure of conveyances or
→import or export of goods.

Services provided by CHA are –

- Examination of cargo
- Obtaining relevant documents such as invoices, packing list, bill of lading etc.
- Preparing bill of entries etc
- Pursuing with custom house for appraisement of bill of entry.
- Making payment of duty on behalf of the client, Arranging for removal of cargo.

6. Cargo Handling service

Means
→ packing
→ loading,
→ unloading,
→ or unpacking
and includes
(a) cargo handling services provided in special containers or without containers
and
(b)service of packing together with transportation of cargo, with or without
other services like loading, unloading, unpacking.

does not include handling of

 export cargo or
 passenger baggage or
 mere transportation of

7. "Commercial training or coaching”

→ institute providing commercial training or coaching
SURESH ARIGELA
 MAY 2011 Amendments
→ imparting skill or knowledge or lessons
→ on any subject or field
→ [With or without profit motive inserted by FA 2010 w.r.e.f. 1-7-2003]
Other than
 sports,
 preschool,
 issuing certificate under any law,
 Certain recognized institutes have
delegated some part of training to other coaching centers. If the training is
essential part of courses of such certificate, such training will be exempt,
 Vocational training i.e. imparting skill
to enable the trainee to seek employment or undertake self employment
after such training.
[it means industrial training institute (ITI) or an industrial training centre
affiliated to the national council of vocational training offering courses in
designated trades inserted by FA 2010]and
 Recreational training relating to
activities such as dance, singing or hobbies.
 Individuals providing services at the
premises of the receiver are not taxable.

Q. Explain the term “Vocational Training Institute” under the provisions of Service
Tax.
Ans. Vocational Training Institute is an institute which gives skills to help the
trainee to get job or start his own business after such training.
But now exemption is not granted to all types of institutes. Exemption is
granted only to industrial training institute (ITI) or an industrial training centre
affiliated to the national council of vocational training offering courses in notified trades.
Type of coaching Taxable/Not Taxable

1 Imparting Training in field of sports

.

2 Coaching/ Tutorial Classes

.

3 Running crèche/play homes

.

4 Institutes conferring recognized certificates

.

5 Coaching provided at service receiver premises

. (student)
By individual
By individual sent by coaching or training centre
6 Free summer training/ in – house training provided
. By employer

SURESH ARIGELA
 MAY 2011 Amendments
By employer by hiring an outside training centre
7 Coaching in respect of Computer training
.

Q. Whether donations and grants-in-aid received from different sources by a charitable

Foundation imparting free livelihood training to the poor and marginalized youth, will be
treated as ‘consideration' received for such training and subjected to service tax under
‘commercial training or coaching service'.

Ans. Circular No. 127/9/2010-ST, dated 16-8-2010

Donation or grant is not specifically meant for a person receiving such training or to the
specific activity, but is in general meant for the charitable cause.
In such a situation, service tax is not leviable, since the donation or grant is not linked to
specific trainee or training.

8. ‘Information Technology Software Service’

Means any service provided:
 In relation to information technology software
 [Whether or not used in the business or commerce inserted by FA 2010]
It includes-
 Development of software.
 Upgradation, implementation and other similar services in relation
to IT software.
 Providing advice and assistance on the matters relating to IT
software.

Does not include services provided

 to government or
 to charitable institutions or

Service tax has been levied on eight new services.These are:-

(i) Services of games of chance
(ii) Health services by hospital, nursing home or multi- specialty clinic
(iii) Maintenance of medical records services
(iv) Promotion of brand services
(v) Services provided by builder to prospective buyer
(vi) Services provided by Electricity Exchange
(vii) Copyright service
(viii) Granting rights, permitting commercial use or exploitation
services

SURESH ARIGELA
 MAY 2011 Amendments
BCCI granting broadcasting right to the sports channel for live
broadcasting and highlights telecast will be covered.
9. Lottery
The distributor or selling agent, liable to pay service tax for the taxable
service of promotion, marketing or organising lottery, shall have the option
to pay tax at the following rates, instead of rate u/s 66:-

S.N Rate Condition

o.
1 Rs. 6,000 on every Rs. 10 lakhs (or If lottery scheme is one where
part thereof) of aggregate face guaranteed prize payout is
value of lottery tickets printed by more than 80%.
the organizing state for a draw
2 Rs. 9,000 on every Rs. 10 lakhs (or If lottery scheme is one where
part thereof) of aggregate face guaranteed prize payout is
value of lottery tickets printed by less than 80%.
the organizing state for a draw
Face value : it is the amount mentioned on the lottery ticket.
Aggregate Face Value : face value of lottery x the number of tickets printed
Guaranteed Prize Payout : the agreed aggregate prize money distributed to all
the winners
Provided that in case of online lottery, the aggregate face value of lottery
tickets sold shall be taken.
Provided further that the distributor or agent shall exercise such option
within a period of one month of beginning of each F/Y and such option shall
not be withdrawn during the remaining part of the F/Y.
[Inserted on 8th October 2010] applicable for May 2011 exams
General Scheme of Lotteries (as given in Departmental Circular)
Lotteries are conducted by various State Governments and are regulated by a
Central legislation, i.e. the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998.

The State Governments appoint distributors to advertise, promote and sell lottery
tickets. Besides the State Governments organizing lotteries, some other games of
chance are also being organized. The services provided for promotion or marketing
or organizing such games of chance are now being covered by introducing a
separate taxable service to cover the services in connection with games of chance,
organized conducted or promoted by the client, in whatever form or by whatever
name called (such as lottery, lotto) under the ‘Games of chance’ service. The tax
would be applicable also to such games conducted online.

SURESH ARIGELA