M/S B.J. SERVICE CO. AS AGENT OF MR. ACEP ERWIN vs. INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL and ORS.
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal, following its own earlier judgment in Commissioner of Income Tax and another Vs. SEDCO Forex International Drilling Co. Ltd. and connected cases reported in (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, specifically for services rendered in India under Section 9(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Therefore, the "off period" salary was held to be taxable under Section 9(1)(ii). The High Court found no reason to deviate from this established legal position and applied it to the present case, leading to the dismissal of the assessee's appeal.
What were the facts?
The assessee, M/s B. J. Services Co. Middle East, acting as an agent for Mr. Acep Erwin, filed an appeal against an order dated 03.02.2004 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench ‘D’. The appeal pertains to the Assessment Year 1997-98. The core of the dispute revolves around the taxability of an amount paid for an "off period". The assessee contended that no services were rendered in India during this off period, and a subsequent amendment to the explanation of Section 9(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, effective from 01.04.2000, indicated that such payments were only regarded as income accrued in India from that date onwards.
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, in view of the explanation to Section 9(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, despite no services being rendered in India during the off period? 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 further relied on the subsequent amendment to the explanation of Section 9(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, effective from 01.04.2000, which they contended indicated that payments for "off period" or leave period were regarded as income accrued in India only from that date onwards. Revenue's Contention: The judgment does not record any specific contentions made by the revenue.
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 03.02.2004 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench ‘D’, New Delhi in I.T.A. No. 50 to 81/Del/2000. The appellant is the assessee. The dispute relates to the Assessment Year 1997-98. 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?”
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 13.09.2005 G
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