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Tax Disputes
The government has notified October 1 as the starting date for direct tax dispute resolution scheme Vivad Se Vishwas 2.0. Vivad Se Vishwas scheme 2.0 was originally announced in Budget 2024-25 presented in July for resolution of certain income tax disputes pending appeal. "The central government hereby appoints the 1st day of October, 2024 as the date on which the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme, 2024 shall come into force," the finance ministry said in a notification. Around 2.7 crore direct tax demands totalling about Rs 35 lakh crore are being disputed at various legal foras. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech had said that the government will continue its efforts to simplify taxes, improve taxpayer services, provide tax certainty and reduce litigation while enhancing revenues. Deloitte India Partner Karishma R Phatarphekar said the rules and forms for VSV 2.0 are expected to be published imminently in the coming week. "Given the limited time window, a
Former RBI Governor Duvvuri Subbarao has opined that only enlightened leadership at Centre and state levels can resolve the complex north-south divide in deciding on the distribution of the tax pool among states, saying it is beyond the remit of the Finance Commission. Subbarao, who held various positions including the finance secretary of Andhra Pradesh and Union finance secretary, and wrote extensively on issues in fiscal federalism in his new book titled 'Just A Mercenary?: Notes from My Life and Career' further said that horizontal sharing of the divisible pool of taxes has always been a contentious issue but will be even more so in this round. "This (north-south divide in deciding on the distribution of the tax pool among states) is a complex political challenge beyond the remit of the Finance Commission. "Resolving it will demand enlightened leadership at central and state levels that can look beyond politics and build a consensus around an optimal way forward," he told PTI.
The Income Tax department on Monday told the Supreme Court that it will not take any coercive action against the Congress over the tax demand notices of approximately Rs 3,500 crore in view of the Lok Sabha elections. A bench of Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice Augustine George Masih recorded the statement of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the I-T department, that no precipitative action will be taken in the prevailing circumstances till the final adjudication of the matter. The bench posted the Congress' plea against the tax demand notices for July. At the outset, Mehta said, "I want to make a statement in this matter. The Congress is a political party and since elections are going on, we are not going to take any coercive action against the party." The department is not commenting on the merit of the matter and all rights and contentions should be left open, he said. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Congress appreciated the gesture, terming it
Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care on Wednesday said it has arrived at an advanced pricing agreement with the tax authorities for certain identified transactions with the company's affiliate. "As a consequence of this agreement, an additional tax liability, approximately Rs 36 crore (including interest) is payable," the company said. However, there will be a reduction in contingent liabilities of approximately Rs 87 crore, subject to withdrawal of relevant tax litigations by the respective parties. The agreement is for financial years 2010-11 to 2018-19, said Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care in a regulatory filing. "This is to inform you that the Company has arrived at an advanced pricing agreement with the tax authorities today, viz. March 26, 2024, determining appropriate transfer pricing methodology for certain identified transactions with the Company's affiliates," it said. P&G Hygiene and Health Care owns popular brands such as Vicks in healthcare and ...