M/S B J SERVICES 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" constitutes income earned in India for services rendered in India under Section 9(1)(ii) and is taxable under Section 9(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The High Court found no reason to deviate from this established legal position. Therefore, the amount paid for the "off period" was considered taxable income earned in India.
What were the facts?
The appeal is filed by M/s B. J. Services Co. Middle East, acting as agent for Mr. Acep Erwin, against an order dated 27.10.2004 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench 'C'. The dispute pertains to Assessment Year 1999-2000. 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 assessee filing an appeal before the High Court 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), despite no services being rendered in India during that period? Assessee's contention: The assessee argues that no services were rendered in India during the "off period," and therefore, the payment should not be treated as income earned in India. They further contend that the subsequent amendment to the explanation to Section 9(1)(ii) effective from 01.04.2000, which regards payments for "off period" or leave as income accrued in India, indicates that such treatment was only applicable 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 27.10.2004 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench ‘C’, New Delhi in I.T.A. No. 3375/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.) 19.09.2005
2005 A
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