M/S B J SERVICES CO. AS AGENT OF MR. F. HEIDARI vs. INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL and ORS.
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal, following its own earlier Division Bench 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, the Court had held that payment of salary for the "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 therefore taxable. The High Court found no reason to deviate from this established position. The operative direction was to dismiss the appeal.
What were the facts?
The appellant, M/s B. J. Services Co. Middle East, acting as an agent for Mr. F. Heidari, 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 appeal was filed before the High Court of Uttaranchal at Nainital. The procedural history involves the Tribunal's order which is now under challenge by the assessee.
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), despite no services being 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 01.04.2000, 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 highlighted that the amendment to the explanation to Section 9(1)(ii) from 01.04.2000 clarifies that such payments are taxable only from that date onwards. Revenue's Contention: The judgment does not record specific arguments from 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 27.10.2004 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench ‘C’, New Delhi in I.T.A. No. 3348/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?”
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 19.09.2005 A
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