M/S B J S.CO.M.EAST AS AGENTOF MR. B. D CHAMARETTE vs. INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL and ORS.
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court of Uttaranchal at Nainital dismissed the appeal. The Court followed its own previous judgment in Commissioner of Income Tax vs. Sedco Forex International Drilling Co. Ltd. and connected cases (2003) 264 ITR 320. In that precedent, a Division Bench of the same Court had held that payment of salary for an "off period" constituted income earned in India, i.e., for services rendered in India, under Section 9(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and was thus taxable. The High Court found this precedent directly applicable to the present case, leading to the dismissal of the appeal. The Court did not expressly leave any issue undecided.
What were the facts?
The appeal is filed by M/s B J Services Co. Middle East, acting as agent for Mr. Brian D. Chamarette, against an order dated 28.07.2004 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench ‘F’, New Delhi, in I.T.A. No. 4123/Del/1998. The dispute pertains to the Assessment Year 1994-95. The assessee is challenging the Tribunal's decision to treat an amount paid for an "off period" as income earned in India. The procedural history involves the assessee filing an appeal against the Tribunal's order, which was heard by the High Court of Uttaranchal at Nainital.
What were the issues?
1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal is legally justified in treating the amount paid for the "off period" as income earned in India, in view of the explanation to section 9(1)(ii), when no services were rendered in India during the off period? 2. Whether the subsequent amendment to the explanation, effective from 01.04.2000, which regards amounts paid for "off period" or leave period as income accrued in India only from that date, supports the assessee's contention? Assessee's Contention: The assessee argued that the amount paid for the "off period" should not be treated as income earned in India because no services were rendered in India during that period. They also pointed to the amendment to the explanation to Section 9(1)(ii) effective from 01.04.2000, suggesting that such payments were only considered income accrued in India from that date onwards. Revenue's Contention: The judgment records no specific argument for the revenue. However, the Tribunal's order, which is under challenge, had treated the amount as income earned in India.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Cause title — parties, addresses and appearances
JUDGMENT
CYRIAC JOSEPH, C.J. (Oral)
This appeal is filed against the order dated 28.07.2004 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench ‘F’, New Delhi in I.T.A. No. 4123/Del / 1998. The appellant is the assessee. The dispute relates to the Assessment Year 1994-95. 2. The substantial question of law raised in the appeal is as follows:
“Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, Tribunal is legally justified in treating the amount paid for the “off period” as the income earned in India in view of the explanation to section 9(1)(ii) while admittedly no service has been rendered during off period in India and inasmuch as, the subsequent amendment made in the explanation w.e.f. 01.04.2000 shows that the amount paid for “off period” or leave period is regarded as the income accrued in India only w.e.f. 01.04.2000?”
In Commissioner of Income Tax- and another Vs. Sedco Forex International Drilling Co. Ltd. and connected cases reported in (2003) 264 ITR 320, a Division Bench of this Court held that the payment of salary for “off period” was income earned in India, i.e., for services rendered in India under Section 9(1)(ii) and that “off period salary” was taxable under section 9(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 4. Following the above mentioned judgment of a Division Bench of this Court, this appeal is dismissed.
(J.C.S. Rawat, J.) (Cyriac Joseph, C.J.)
2005 17.09.2005 A
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