M/S B.J.SERVICE CO.AS AGENT OF MR FABIJAN VILEC vs. INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL and ORS.

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ITA/38/2004HC UttarakhandUKHC01003807200405 September 20052 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeal, following its own Division Bench judgment in the case of 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 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 that the present case was on similar facts and circumstances, leading to the dismissal of the appeal. The specific reasoning applied was that 'off period' salary was taxable under Section 9(1)(ii). No issue was expressly left undecided.

What were the facts?

The assessee, M/s B J Services Co. Middle East, acting as an agent for Mr. Fabijan Vrlec, filed an appeal against an order dated 03.02.2004 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench ‘D’. The dispute pertains to the Assessment Year 1997-98. The appeal challenges the Tribunal's decision to treat an amount paid for an 'off period' as income earned in India. The assessee contended 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 order.

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 under the explanation to Section 9(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, despite no services being rendered in India during that period? 2. Whether the subsequent amendment to the explanation of Section 9(1)(ii) effective from 01.04.2000, which regards 'off period' or leave period payments as income accrued in India, indicates that such treatment was not applicable prior to that date? Assessee's contentions: 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 time. They further contended that the amendment to Section 9(1)(ii) effective from 01.04.2000, which specifically includes 'off period' payments as income accrued in India, implies that such treatment was not applicable for the Assessment Year 1997-98. Revenue's contentions: The judgment does not record specific contentions 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. 38 of 2004 M/s B J Services Co. Middle East as agent of Mr. Fabijan Vrlec, Vikas Centre, 2nd Floor, S.V. Road, Santacruz (W) Mumbai. ….Appellant Versus 1. Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Delhi Bench ‘D’ 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/ Mr. A.Chatterjee, 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 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?”

3.

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.) 14.09.2005

14.09.

2005

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