CA Online

New Delhi: The new division of administrative control between the centre and the states under the goods and services tax (GST) will ensure that at least 1.4-1.5 million taxpayers remain under the purview of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) in the new indirect tax regime. However, CBEC is likely  to lose a substantial portion of its service tax assessees, an issue that is causing angst among officials. After states demanded a larger pool of  taxpayers to administer in the initial round of negotiations in the GST council, the CBEC was threatened with redundancy leading to a prolonged face-off with states.  18th JANUARY 2017,MINT, NEW-DELHI

Mumbai: The Securities and Exchange Board of India is planning a makeover for stock trading rules and some of the key norms governing stock exchanges,  clearing corporations and market intermediaries such as brokers and depository participants. About a month ago, Sebi commenced a study of markets, trading behaviour, functioning of intermediaries and the ability of institutions such as exchanges and clearing corporations to handle increased  market activity, two people familiar with the development said. They said the regulator is revamping norms to strengthen its scrutiny of defaulters, enhance transparency in dealings and mitigate liquidity risks arising out of increasing algorithmic trading. One of Sebi’s top priorities is to  tighten surveillance and risk management norms for stock exchanges so that they are able to collect more elaborate data on trading, price movements  and dealings between market participants. 18th JANUARY 2017,MINT, NEW-DELHI

Finance minister Arun Jaitley is likely to significantly increase public investment in infrastructure in his upcoming budget, offering fiscal stimulus to boost economic growth at a time when private investment shows no signs of a pick-up. There is near unanimity that the economy needs to be spurred through higher public investment, unlike last year when there was a significant divergence of opinion over the need for fiscal stimulus, said an official with knowledge of the thinking within the government. The official requested anonymity. Last year, chief economic adviser in the finance ministry Arvind Subramanian advocated a stimulus, but the minister decided to stick to the  fiscal deficit target of 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), fearing a backlash from investors and rating agencies. “Different schools of thought have argued either in favour of fisaverage cal consolidation and stability or for a less aggressive consolidation  and for boosting growth. I have weighed the policy op

Govt had to give an option to domestic black money holders to declare their unaccounted wealth. In a minor relaxation to IDS tax payment rules, the Income Tax Department has said disclosures under the scheme will be considered valid even if the tax amount has been realised by December 5. The first instalment of taxes was to be paid by November 30. The government had come out with a 4-month long Income Disclosure Scheme, which closed on September 30, 2016, to give an option to domestic black money holders to declare their unaccounted wealth and come clean by paying 45 per cent tax and penalty. In an instruction to principal commissioners, the income tax department has asked them to condone the delay in payment of first  instalment which has arisen due to "genuine technical difficulties". "CBDT hereby directs... To accept the request for condonation of delay in payment of tax payable under the scheme in cases where payment has been made through cheque, RTGS, electronic tr

CBDT circular had raised multiple taxation concerns Foreign portfolio investors (FPI) can now breathe easy with the Income Tax (I-T) Department on Tuesday putting in abeyance  its controversial circular on taxing India-dedicated funds. Experts said clarity was necessary on the issue at the earliest so that FPIs were certain. They expect the finance ministry  to amend the law in the Budget to put an end to the controversy. The circular, in the form of frequently asked questions (FAQs), had spooked the markets when it was issued last month.  It also gave rise to fears of retrospective taxation as the principal amendment to the Income Tax Act on indirect transfers was such in nature.  These provisions were first introduced in 2012, with retrospective effect, after the government failed in levying a tax on  the British telecom giant Vodafone Group Plc’s purchase of Hutchison Whampoa’s India telecommunications business. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the capital markets divis