M/S B.J. SERVICE CO. AS AGENT MR. STJEPAN VUJEE vs. INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL and ORS.

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ITA/24/2004HC UttarakhandUKHC01003794200405 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 same 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 therefore taxable. The High Court found no reason to deviate from this established position and applied it directly to the present case. The operative direction was the dismissal of the appeal, meaning the Tribunal's order was upheld.

What were the facts?

The appellant, M/s B. J. Services Co. Middle East, acting as an agent for Mr. Stjepan Vujec, 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 core of the matter involves whether an amount paid for an "off period" should be treated as income earned in India. The appellant contends 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, suggests such payments are 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? 2. Whether the subsequent amendment to the explanation of Section 9(1)(ii) w.e.f. 01.04.2000, which regards amounts paid for "off period" or leave period as income accrued in India only from 01.04.2000, impacts the taxability for the Assessment Year 1997-98? 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 contended that the amendment to Section 9(1)(ii) effective from 01.04.2000 clarifies that such payments are taxable as income accrued in India only from that date, implying it was not taxable for the Assessment Year 1997-98. 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. 24 of 2004 M/s B. J. Services Co. Middle East, as agent of Mr. Stjepan Vujec, 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 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.

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.)

13.09.

2005 13.09.2005 G

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