M/S B J SERVICES CO. AGENT FAHRUREY vs. INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL and ORS.

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ITA/80/2005HC UttarakhandUKHC01001734200505 September 20052 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeal, following its own previous judgment in Commissioner of Income Tax and another Vs. SEDCO Forex International Drilling Co. Ltd. and connected cases (2003) 264 ITR 320. In that precedent, a Division Bench of the High Court had held that payment of salary for an "off period" constituted income earned in India for services rendered in India under Section 9(1)(ii) and was taxable accordingly. The High Court found that this precedent was directly applicable to the present case, leading to the dismissal of the appeal. The specific reasoning was that the "off period" salary was considered taxable under Section 9(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, irrespective of the fact that no services were rendered in India during that specific period, based on the interpretation in the SEDCO Forex case.

What were the facts?

The appellant, M/s B. J. Services Co. Middle East, acting as an agent for Mr. Fahrury, filed an appeal against an order dated 27.10.2004 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench ‘C’. The dispute pertains to the Assessment Year 1999-2000. The core of the matter involves the taxability of an amount paid for an "off period". The assessee contends that no services were rendered in India during this off period. The procedural history involves an appeal to the High Court of Uttaranchal at Nainital against the ITAT's decision.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was legally justified in treating the amount paid for the "off period" as income earned in India under the explanation to Section 9(1)(ii), given that no services were rendered in India during the off period? 2. Whether the subsequent amendment to the explanation to Section 9(1)(ii) effective from 01.04.2000, which regards amounts paid for "off period" or leave as income accrued in India only from that date, supports the assessee's contention? Assessee's Contention: The assessee argued that since no services were rendered in India during the "off period", the payment for this period should not be treated as income earned in India. They further relied on the amendment to the explanation of Section 9(1)(ii) effective from 01.04.2000, suggesting it clarifies that such payments are taxable as Indian income only from that date onwards. Revenue's Contention: The judgment does not record specific arguments made by the revenue.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 9(1)(ii)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Cause title — parties, addresses and appearances
IN THE HIGH COURT OF UTTARANCHAL AT NAINITAL Income Tax Appeal No. 80 of 2005 M/s B. J. Services Co. Middle East, as agent of Mr. Fahrury, Vikas Centre, 2nd Floor, S.V. Road, Santacruz (W), Mumbai. …Appellant Versus 1. Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Delhi Bench ‘C’ New Delhi. 2. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), Dehradun. 3. Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Special Circle, Dehradun ….Respondents Mr. V.K Bist, Senior Advocate a/b Mr. A. Chatterji, Advocate for the appellant. Mr. S.K. Posti, Advocate for the respondents. Coram: Hon. Cyriac Joseph, C.J. Hon. J.C.S. Rawat, J.

JUDGMENT

CYRIAC JOSEPH, C.J. (Oral)

1.

This appeal is filed against the order dated 27.10.2004 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench ‘C’, New Delhi in I.T.A. No. 3361/Del/2001. The appellant is the assessee. The dispute relates to the Assessment Year 1999-2000. 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?”

3.

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.) 19.09.2005

19.09.

2005 A

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