M/S B J S.CO. M.EAST AGENT REGNALDO N. ORG. vs. INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL and ORS.
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal, following its own Division Bench judgment in Commissioner of Income Tax vs. Sedco Forex International Drilling Co. Ltd. (2003) 264 ITR 320. In that precedent, the 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) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and was thus taxable. The High Court applied this ratio to the present case, finding the "off period" salary taxable under Section 9(1)(ii). No specific issue was left undecided.
What were the facts?
The appeal is filed by the assessee, M/s B J Services Co. Middle East, acting as an agent for Mr. Reynaldo N. Ong, against an order dated 28.07.2004 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench ‘F’. 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 Tribunal's order, which is now under appeal before the High Court.
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) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, despite no services being rendered in India during the "off period"? 2. Whether the subsequent amendment to the explanation to section 9(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, effective from 01.04.2000, which regards amounts paid for "off period" or leave period as income accrued in India only from that date, should be considered in this case? The assessee contends that no services were rendered in India during the "off period" and highlights the prospective nature of the amendment. The revenue's contentions are not explicitly recorded in the judgment.
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. 4106/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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