
Compliance Calendar for February 2023

Please find below a pdf file containing the TDS rates and limits applicable for FY 2022-23/ AY 2023-24.
Huge add-backs in assessment order? An exemption claim not given? Taxes and interest computed erroneously? Should we file an appeal or not? Penalty order received – wondering what to reply? The order passed in not just and fair?
Are any of these worrying you?
Don’t panic with the huge add-backs, taxes, interest, or penalties raised. Many times orders are passed without considering the facts and law in detail. Many facts and aspects of the law are hidden and if not appropriately pointed out before the tax authorities could lead to orders that are prejudicial to one’s interest. There is more than one remedy available to the taxpayer based on the type of order.
Assessment orders
The orders passed levying huge taxes, interest, etc. could be broadly on account of two reasons:
A mistake apparent on record means any mistake which is obvious and patent. The plain meaning of the word “apparent” is that it must be something that appears to be so ex-facie and is incapable of argument or debate. It could be factual errors, mathematical errors, clerical errors, and involuntarily overlooking certain compulsory legal provisions. E.g., the tax percentage taken is erroneous, interest is not computed as per the provisions of the Act, TDS credit has not been given, taxes paid are not considered, deduction, allowance, or relief which is accepted by the officer but overlooked while computing, etc.
Against such mistakes, a rectification application can be filed online u/s 154 and relief be claimed for erroneous computations in the assessment order.
How to judge whether one should go for an appeal or not?
The usual errors while passing the Assessment order which could give scope for a good argument and become a significant point in the appeal are as below:
There could be many such issues, one must take expert advice before filing an appeal to decide whether it’s a fit case to proceed or not.
Form 35 – Crucial Points to be considered
Though the form 35 is available on the portal and one can directly file an appeal, it is always advisable to take professional support as there are many precautions that need to be exercised to avoid further issues while representing the case.
Penalty orders
The penalty orders received need to be responded to within the time limit otherwise huge penalty would be levied. Penalty could be for various reasons such as not filing of returns, non-audit of books of accounts, default in TDS/TCS remittances if income has escaped assessment or contravention of loan provisions etc.
The penal provisions under the Act are very stringent, but irrespective of it the taxpayer will be given an adequate chance to represent and submit all documents and evidence so as to justify why the penalty should not be received.
One should clearly see which section is applicable and what are the conditions to levy penalty under that section. Based on the facts and law one can represent why the penalty should not be levied. Further in cases of genuine hardship caused to the taxpayer one can try to reduce the penalty amount by taking the support of many judicial precedents.
Conclusion
One should not panic looking at the orders passed and taxes levied. Instead, patiently look for points both factually and legally which could justify and get the rightful claim to you. There are various remedies available at the hand of a taxpayer. One needs to exercise the options at the right time and in the right manner to protect their interest.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes, in the exercise of its power under section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) provides relaxation in respect of the following compliances:
Clarification 1: It is clarified that the extension of the dates as referred to in clauses (9), (12) and (13) above shall not apply to Explanation 1 to section 234A of the Act, in cases where the amount of tax on the total income as reduced by the amount as specified in clauses (i) to (vi) of sub-section (1) of that section exceeds one lakh rupees.
Clarification 2: For the purpose of Clarification 1, in case of an individual resident in India referred to in sub-section (2) of section 207 of the Act, the tax paid by him under section 140A of the Act within the due date (without extension under this Circular) provided in that Act, shall be deemed to be the advance tax.
Please find below a pdf file containing the TDS rates and limits applicable for FY 2021-22 /AY 2022-23.
The Central Government has amended the rules relating to Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) vide Notification No. 48/2015-2020 dated 12 February 2021.
The notification has introduced additional compliance of a yearly updation of the IEC on importers and exporters, to be done in the months of April – June. A confirmation would be required even if there are no updates/changes to the IEC.
In the event the updation activity is not done within the prescribed time by a business, the same will be deactivated without prejudice to other actions in law, including under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992.
This additional requirement should be carefully adhered to by businesses, as any non-compliance will result in a deactivation of the IEC and a stop to all import-export activity resulting in severe business losses.
The notification copy is below:
What is Hindu Undivided family?
Hindu undivided family (HUF) is a Joint Hindu family with common ancestors. The Hindu Succession Act, defines a HUF, as a family of persons lineally descended from a common ancestor and related to each other by birth or marriage.
In other words, three conditions need to be satisfied:
Who can be the Karta, Coparcener or a Member of an HUF?
Karta is the person who manages or represents the HUF and is generally the senior-most male member of the family. Only a Co-parcener can become the Karta of HUF.
Any person (male or female) born in a Joint Hindu family who is within four degrees in lineal descendent from the common male ancestor is considered as a coparcener and anyone who becomes part of the family by virtue of marriage is treated as a member. However, a person who is adopted into the family also becomes its coparcener from adoption though not born in the family. As per the amended law since 2005, even a girl child becomes a coparcener by birth and can continue to be a co-parcener of her father’s HUF even after her marriage. However, she will only be a member of her husband’s HUF.
Co-parceners have a right to seek partition and become the Karta of the HUF. Whereas, Members have the right to be maintained out of the funds of HUF, and receive their share at the time of partition but do not have the right to seek for partition or become the Karta.
How taxed under Income tax Act.
The Income-tax Act recognizes such family as a separate entity. The definition of ‘person’ under section 2(31) of the Income Tax Act 1961 includes HUF as a separate person having its own status, distinct from any individual, firm, company, etc. A HUF is created by the operation of law and therefore cannot be created by the actions of a person.
How to create a HUF
HUF comes into existence automatically at the time of marriage. It is created through executing a deed, obtaining PAN, and applying for a bank account. The various source of its assets could be:
Note: To ensure personal assets or funds are not transferred to HUF account as income generated from such assets/funds will attract clubbing provisions.
How creating of HUF helps save tax legally
HUF is considered a separate legal entity as per law and hence has its own PAN and files tax returns independent of its members. By forming a HUF, one can optimize their tax liabilities and also include their family members to benefit in the future. The various advantages are:
A HUF is taxed at slab rates – the same rate as that of an individual and is eligible for a basic tax exemption limit of Rs 2,50,000.
HUF is also separately eligible for various deductions under section 80 such as:
Thus, total deduction of Rs 1,90,000 could be availed by the HUF irrespective of its individual member deductions.
Further specific deductions on medical treatment/expenditure of disabled or dependent family members, donations to charity, etc can be availed based on the amount spent for the said purposes.
The HUF can carry on certain family business like any other entity:
The HUF is permitted to invest in various tax-free instruments. Also, it can avail specific capital gain exemptions under sections 54, 54B, 54F, 54EC, etc., and optimize its tax liabilities for the benefit of the entire family.
The sole purpose of the family settlement should be to settle existing or future disputes regarding property, amongst the members of the family. Since this arrangement does not involve the transfer, it would not attract gift tax, capital gains tax, or clubbing. In a family arrangement, tax incidence is considerably reduced or it may even become nil.
1. The due date for furnishing of Income Tax Returns for taxpayers (including their partners) who are required to get their accounts audited [for whom the due date (i.e. before the extension by new notification) as per Income Tax Act is 31 Oct 2020] is extended to 31 Jan 2021.
2. The due date for furnishing audit reports including tax audit report & report in respect of international/specified domestic transaction extended to 31 Dec 2020.
3. The date for payment of self-assessment tax for those with self-assessment tax liability of upto Rs.1 lakh extended to 31 Jan 2021.
4. The due date for furnishing of Income Tax Returns for the other taxpayers [for whom the due date (i.e. before the extension by the said notification) as per the Act was 31 July, 2020] has been extended to 31 December 2020.
Source: Press Information Bureau