17 March 2015

Legal phrases

Useful for CAs... Various Legal Phrases Used in Law:-
1 Anything which you cannot do directly that you cannot do directly
2 Deeming fiction cannot be stretched beyonyd the purpose for which it is created
3 The words used in Law are not used for Nothing
4 To invoke Provision : To make use of particular provision
5 Ipso Facto: By this fact alone or because of this matter alone
6 'MAY' may be treated as 'SHALL' but 'SHALL' shall not be treated as 'MAY'
7 Tenable: Acceptable in law
8 Redundant Provision : Out of Force or Outdated Provision
9 Quasi : Almost Similar to
10 Quasi Criminal: Almost equal to criminal
11 Jurisprudence: Law relating to particular matter
12 Mensrea: Guilty Mind
13 Ibid: As printed earlier
14 Suo Moto: On its own
15 Prima Facie: On its face
16 Non est: What is not in existence / Non existing thing
17 Call in question: To challenge
18 De Nova: Completely New
19 Sine quo non: Most essential thing
20 Purposes of this Act: Proceeding must be pending
21 Reason to believe Vs Reason to suspect: Refer various caselaws
22 Derived from & attributable to: Derived from refers to direct connection with a
     particular matter whereas attributable to refers to an indirect connection
23 Mutatis Mutandis: After making necessary changes as may be required
24 Discovery Vs Detection: Discovery is made by the assessee whereas detection is
    done by the Assessing Officer
25 To Quash: The process of cancelling the proceeding of Assessing Authorities by
    Judicial Authorities
26 So far as may be: To the extent possible
27 Travisity of Justice : A ridiculous interpretation of a very serious statement, making a
     mockery of a very serious matter
28 To impugne : To challenge
29 Save as otherwise provided : Except to the extent as oppositely provided
30 If one section is overriding the other section : Use Words "Not withstanding
    anything contained in ……"
31 If one section is superceded by the other section : Use words "Save as otherwise
    provided……….."
32 Other provisions apply in General way: Use words "Without prejudice to the
    provisions …………….."
33 Reckoned : Recognised, Counted, Calculated
34 Doctrine of Merger: When an order passed by the lower authority is superceded by
    the higher authority
35 Doctrine : Principle or saying in general acceptance
36 In Pari Material Pavi Causa: Same material, same content {Eg. Sec. 24B of IT Act,
    1922 is Pari Material with Sec. 159 of IT Act, 1961. In such a case a judgement given
    in respect of section 24B would be valid in respect of sec. 159}
37 Per se : By itself
38 Cy Press : As near as possible
39 Tax is always charged, Interest is levied and Penalty is imposed
40 Deductions are admissible, Relief is granted.
41 Return is always furnished, Assessment order is made / passed.
42 De hors : Independent of
43 Order of Injunction of HC : Stay order.
44 Several Liability means separate liability. [Refer sections 168(3), 171(7), 179(1)
    178(5) & 188A.]
45 Legatee is a person for whose benefit there exists an asset of a deceased
46 Locus Standi : Directly involved in relation or deal.
47 Garnishee Proceeding : The proceeding which gives Govt. the right to attach (i.e.
forcibly take over) any asset from a person who is defaulter.
48 Vitiate Proceedings : To make proceedings null, void.
49 Inter alia : Among other things.
50 Audit Altream partem : It is a principle of natural justice. According to this principle,
    which is the principle in every civilized jurisprudence, a person against whom any
    action is sought to be taken or a person whose rights or interests are to be affected
    should be given a reasonable opportunity to defend himself.
51 Resjudicata : [Once the decision of HC comes then on that same point again appeal
    cannot be made.] The issue of Law which has been already decided shall not be
    pleaded for review.
52 In Limine : At the outset (i.e. at the beginning)
53 Suspended animus : An order under Appeal is not subject to any action by any
     authority till the order disposing of the appeal is available.
54 Subjudice : Under an appeal to a court, decision awaited.
55 Adjudicate : Consider for judgement. A court adjudicates means gives its decision on
    a particular matter.
56 Akin : Similar to; of the same type
    Coterminus : Similar to; of the same type
57 Impediment : Obstacles or Hindrance.
58 Sine Di: For indefinite period.
59 To deduce : Logically come to the conclusion.
60 Purview : Scope
61 Bounty : Additional Advantage
62 Ad Hoc : Without any particular rate, percentage, proportion.
63 Ad infinitum : Without any Time limit.
64 Ad interim : In the Mean Time
65 Bonafide : Genuine
66 Surmises : Presumptions, own assumptions
67 Defacto : Infact
68 Defjure : In Law, irrespective of whatever the facts.
69 Ejusdem Generis : Of the same kind
70 Ex-gratia : As a matter of grace ir favour
71 Ignorantia Legis known excusat : Ignorance of law is not excused
72 Mesne Profit : Profit earned by somebody by wrongful possession of property.
73 Modus Operandi : Mode of Operation / Manner of working
74 Nexus : Close connection link.
75 Onus probandi : Onus of proof / The burden of Proof.
76 Non obnstante clause : That provision has superceding effect on any other provision
77 Raison D'etre : Reason or justification for existence.
78 Ratio Decidendi : Reason for deciding / Grounds for decision
79 Suijuris : of his own right.
80 Assessee engaged in ……………. : The activity should have started
81 Option Vs Discretion : Whenever choices is available to the assessee in respect of
any matter. Law uses the word at his option - for eg:
1. Sec 11(11) - Explanation to Sec. 11 (1)
2. Sec. 23(4)
82 amicus curiae : Friend of court; one who voluntarily or on invitation of the court, and
    not on instructions of any party, helps the court in any judicial proceedings
83 audi alteram : hear the other side. Both sides should be heard before a decision is
    arrived at
84 caveat emptor : let the purchaser beware. A ---------- implying that the buyer must
be cautious, as the risk is his and not that of the seller.
85 cestui que trust : a beneficiary under a trust, the person for whose benefit the trust is
    created
86 ex officio : by virtue of an office.
87 ex parte : exkpression used to signify something done or said by one person not in the
    presence of his opponent.
88 fait accompli : An accomplished act.
89 obiter diccum : an opinion of law not necessary to the decision. An exspression of
opinion (formed) by a judge on a question immaterial to the ratio decidendi, and
unnecessary for the decision of the particular case. It is no way binding on any court,
but may receive attention as being an opinion of the high authority.
90 pendente lite : during litigation.
91 per incuriam : through carelessness, through inadvertence. A decision of the court is
not binding precedent if given peer incuriam, that is, without the court's attention having
been drawn to the relevant authorities, or statutes.
92 pro tanto : to that extent, for so much, for as much as may be.
93 quid pro quo : the giving of one thing of value for another thing of value; one for the
other; thing given as compensation.
94 Ratio Decidendi : Reason for deciding / Grounds for decision
95 res integra : an untouched matter; a point without a precedent; a case of novel
impression.
96 rule njsi : a rule to show cause why a party should not do a certain act, or why the
object of the rule should not be enforced.
97 in personam : against the person; an act or preceeding done or directed with
reference to no specific person or with reference to all whom it might concern.
98 in rem : an act / proceeding done or directed with reference to no specific person or
with refernce to all whom it might concern.
99 inter vivos : between living persons.
100 intestate : a person is deemed to die intestate in respect of property of which he or she
has not made a testamentary disposition ("will") capable of taking effect.
101 intra vires : within the powers; within the authority given by law.
102 ipse dixit : he himself said it; there is no other authority.
103 ipso jure : by the law itself ; by the mere operation of law.
104 lis pendens : a pending suit.
105 rule absolute : when, having heard counsels, court directs the performance of that act
forthwith.
106 sine die : without delay.
107 stare decisis : to stand by things decided; to abide by precedents where the same
points come again in litigation.
108 status quo : existing condition.
109 sub judice : before a judge or court; pending decision of a competent court.
110 ultra vires : beyond one's powers...

13 March 2015

PF Administrative Charged Reduced

The Government of India issues notification on reducing the administrative charges under the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952
Tax Knowledge & Solution




The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has issued a notification to revise the rate of administrative charges under the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952. The changes will be effective from 1 January 2015.
EPFO (Employees Provident Fund Organisation) has cut the administrative fee it charges from nearly eight lakh employers coming under the ambit of its social security schemes, effective from January 1st 2015.
The administrative charges have been reduced to 0.85% of basic wage from 1.10% as per a Labour Ministry Notification.
The decision in this regard was taken by the EPFO';s apex decision making body, the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), in February last year in its meeting.
According to the notification, the minimum monthly administrative charges will be Rs 75 for every non-functional firm having no (PF) contributing member and Rs 500 for any other establishments.
As many as 7.96 lakh firms were covered under the various social security schemes run by the EPFO as on March 31, 2014.

MCA Clarification on Loans and Advances to Employees

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS
NEW DELHI
GENERAL CIRCULAR NO
04/2015, Dated: March 10, 2015
To
All Regional Directors,
All Registrar of Companies,
All Stakeholders.
Subject: Clarification with regard to section 185 and 186 of the Companies Act, 2013 - loans and advances to employees-reg.
This Ministry has received a number of references seeking clarification on the applicability of provisions of section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013 relating to grant of loans and advances by Companies to their employees.
2. The issue has been examined and it is hereby clarified that loans and/or advances made by the companies to their employees, other than the managing or whole time directors (which is governed by section 185) are not governed by the requirements of section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013. This clarification will, however, be applicable if such loans/advances to employees are in accordance with the conditions of service applicable to employees and are also in accordance with the remuneration policy, in cases where such policy is required to be formulated.
3. This issues with the approval of the Secretary.
[F.No. 1/32/2013-CL.V]
(KMS Narayanan)
Assistant Director


12 March 2015

Amnesty Scheme for retrospective Restoration of ICAI Membership

FYI-General Amnesty Scheme for retrospective Restoration of Membership
With a view to remove the hardship of such members whose name stood removed  due to non-payment of membership fee, the Council has decided that such members be given an opportunity under the General Amnesty Scheme as one time dispensation for retrospective restoration of name keeping membership in continuity.An ANNOUNCEMENT regarding the scheme has already been hosted on our website icai.org Accordingly, such members may apply for restoration of their name retrospectively, irrespective of the period of such removal on payment of applicable membership fee  for the intervening year(s), along with Form ‘9’ and the restoration fee of Rs. 1200/-. The said scheme shall be in force till 31st March 2015.The fees can also be remitted through on-line payment (visit www.icai.org) or through cheque/demand draft drawn in favour of ‘The Secretary, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India’ payable at Mumbai  and Form ‘9’ can be downloaded from the link http://220.227.161.86/8593form%209_final.pdfFor further assistance may please call us on 33671400/500.Please avail the benefits of this General Amnesty Scheme and restore your membership retrospectively.

01 March 2015

GNL-4

MCA introduces Form GNL-4 for filing addendum for rectification of defects or incompleteness

MCA vide notification dated 24th February, 2015 has made amendment in Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014 through Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Amendment Rules, 2015 and the text of the said amendment is reproduced as below:-
In the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014,-
In rule 10, after sub-rule (6), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely:-
"7. Any further information or documents called for, in respect of application or e- form or document filed electronically with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs shall be furnished in form No. GNL4 as an addendum"

Simplification of Registration Procedures in Service Tax- S.Tax Registration within 2 Days:-

Central Board of Excise and Customs specifies the following documentation, time limits and procedure with respect to filing of registration applications for single premises, which shall come into effect from 1-3-2015. Applicants seeking registration for a single premises in service tax shall file the application online in the Automation of Central Excise and Service Tax (ACES) website  www.aces.gov.in in Form ST-1. (PAN, Email and Mobile No, are Mandatory for Registration) Once the completed application form is filed in ACES, registration would be granted online within 2 days, thus initiating trust-based registration. On grant of registration, the applicant would also be enabled to electronically pay service tax. Further, the applicant would not need a signed copy of the Registration Certificate as proof of registration. Registration Certificate downloaded from the ACES web site would be accepted as proof of registration dispensing with the need for a signed copy.  The applicant is required to submit a self attested copy of the mandatory documents by registered post/ Speed Post to the concerned Division, within 7 days of filing the Form ST-1 online, for the purposes of verification.

24 February 2015

Digital locker

Govt. Of india has introduced Digital locker in which you can keep copy of your important documents / certificate like Passport, pancard, driving license, educational certificate etc. With link of Adhar card

http://digitallocker.gov.in

Now no need to give any copy in government / bank etc.  Just give them only link of your Aadhar card. (Good Initiative)

CTT on Agricultural Products

Govt. notifies new list of agricultural commodities which aren't "taxable commodities transactions"

COMMODITIES TRANSACTION TAX (FIRST AMENDMENT) RULES, 2015 - AMENDMENT IN RULE 3

NOTIFICATION NO.13/2015 [F.NO. 142/09/2013-TPL]/SO 424(E), DATED 10-2-2015

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 133 of the Finance Act, 2013 (17 of 2013) (herein after referred to as the Act), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules to amend the Commodities Transaction Tax Rules, 2013, namely:—

1. (l) These rules may be called the Commodities Transaction Tax (First Amendment) Rules, 2015.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. In the Commodities Transaction Tax Rules, 2013, for rule 3, the following rule shall be substituted, namely:—

"3. Agricultural commodities.— For the purposes of clause (7) of section 116 of the Act, the agricultural commodities shall be the following, namely:—

(i)

 

Almond

(ii)

 

Barley

(iii)

 

Cardamom

(iv)

 

Castor Seed

(v)

 

Channa/Gram

(vi)

 

Copra

(vii)

 

Coriander/Dhaniya

(viii)

 

Cotton

(ix)

 

Guar Seed

(x)

 

Isabgul Seed

(xi)

 

Jeera (Cumin Seed)

(xii)

 

Kapas

(xiii)

 

Maize Feed/Maize

(xiv)

 

Pepper

(xv)

 

Potato

(xvi)

 

Rapeseed/Mustard Seed

(xvii)

 

Raw Jute

(xviii)

 

Red Chilli/Chillies

(xix)

 

Soya bean/seed

(xx)

 

Soymeal

(xxi)

 

Turmeric

(xxii)

 

Wheat

(xxiii)

 

Aniseed

(xxiv)

 

Arhar Chuni

(xxv)

 

Bajra

(xxvi)

 

Betelnuts

(xxvii)

 

Celeryseed

(xxviii)

 

Chara or Berseem (Including Chara seed or Berseem seed)

(xxix)

 

Cinnamon

(xxx)

 

Cloves

(xxxi)

 

Cotton pods

(xxxii)

 

Cotton seed

(xxxiii)

 

Ginger

(xxxiv)

 

Gram Dal

(xxxv)

 

Gram Husk (Gram Chilka)

(xxxvi)

 

Groundnut

(xxxvii)

 

Jowar

(xxxviii)

 

Kulthi

(xxxix)

 

Lakh (Khesari)

(xl)

 

Linseed

(xli)

 

Masur

(xlii)

 

Methi

(xliii)

 

Moth

(xliv)

 

Mung

(xlv)

 

Mung Chuni

(xlvi)

 

Mung Dal

(xlvii)

 

Nutmeg

(xlviii)

 

Onion

(xlix)

 

Peas

(l)

 

Ragi

(li)

 

Rice Bran

(lii)

 

Rice or Paddy

(liii)

 

Safflower

(liv)

 

Seedlac

(lv)

 

Sesamum (Til or Jiljilli)

(lvi)

 

Small Millets (KodanKulti, Kodra, Korra, Vargu, Sawan, Rala, Kakun, Samai, Vari and Banti)

(lvii)

 

Sunflower seed

(lviii)

 

Tur (Arhar)

(lix)

 

Tur Dal (Arhar dal)

(lx)

 

Urad (Mash)

(lxi)

 

Urad Dal.".

 

23 February 2015

TARC Report

The Parthasarathi Shome-led Tax Administration Reforms Commission has submitted its fourth and final report to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

This report suggests many departures from existing methodologies including those on revenue forecasting.

One of the areas highlighted by the commission is the importance of research inputs in tax governance,

"The suggestive list of areas where research can be considered are very thought provoking, such as fairness in tax disputes, use of technology, performance management, trade and customs,  etc," said Krupa Venkatesh, Senior Director, Deloitte in India.

20 February 2015

www.ebiz.gov.in

Now, access 11 new services on eBiz portal

Setting up a business in India may have just become a tad easier. Rather than visit various offices or websites, investors can now get as many as 14 services, ranging from submission of forms to obtaining licences, on the eBiz single-window portal.

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has announced the launch of 11 Central services on the eBiz Government-to-Business portal spread across ministries and institutions. This takes the total number of such services to 14.

The services that have been integrated include four from the Corporate Affairs Ministry, two from the Reserve Bank of India, two from Central Board Of Direct Taxation, and one each from the Directorate-General of Foreign Trade, Employees' Provident Fund Organisation and the Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organisation.

At present, it takes about six months and 20 visits to various departments for an investor to get the mandatory clearances for starting a business, according to the DIPP.

The eBiz portal seeks to bring down the time and cost required to get the clearances and also significantly cuts down on legwork.

Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: "The eBiz platform will now (with the integration of 14 services) provide end-to-end online submission and process of forms, including tracking and online payment. It strives to achieve horizontal integration across various verticals of the Centre, State and para-statal agencies."

India is hopeful that the project will help it to move up the World Bank's 'ease of doing business index', where it was ranked a low 142 among a total of 189 countries last year.

"We will try to ensure that more than 200 services related to investors and businesses will be rolled out across the country over the next few years," DIPP Secretary Amitabh Kant said.

The first three years following the launch of eBiz would be the pilot phase during which 50 services will be implemented across 10 States, including Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan and West Bengal.

 

Frequently Asked Questions





















1. How do I get started?

Answer: Prior to invoking any of the services, you must first register with eBiz. Registration is a two step process. You first need to register yourself as an individual and get yourself a Login account. User registration will enable to invoke some services that are not linked to a Business - Name Availability etc.. The second step is to register your business. This would enable you to access the complete set of eBiz services such as Registering with various Tax and other Regulatory agencies, Apply for utility connections and services related to Regulatory filings.

2. Is there a fee for registration?

Answer: No - there is no fee for registering on eBiz. Fees are applicable when you start applying for services. The fee will be dependent on the service availed.

 

3. What to do if I didn't receive an email confirmation after registration?

Answer: On registration, an email confirmation is sent. In case you have not received the email confirmation, you may do the following -

1.

Please check whether the email has been saved under your Trash / Spam folder. This may happen because of your email account settings.

2.

In case your mailbox is full and the mail has bounced, please clear your mailbox and send a mail to ebizsupport-lndc@nic.inwith your login details and a confirmation mail will be sent to you.

3.

In case the email address provided by you is incorrect, please log in and change the details. Then send a mail to ebizsupport-lndc@nic.in with your login details and a confirmation mail will be sent to you.

4. How do I provide Feedback?

Answer: You may provide feedback about the site and its functionality through email. Please mail your feedback to ebizfeedback-lndc@nic.in.

 

5.How many services are enabled on eBiz?

Answer: In the current release, two DIPP services (IL and IEM) have been enabled on eBiz. The portfolio of services will be soon expanded to include additional services and states.

 

6. How do I pay the fees when invoking these services?

Answer: eBiz is integrated with an electronic payment gateway. You can make payment towards the services online using your net banking facilities or offline payment (after generating challan on eBiz portal) by visiting any 'Central Bank of India' branch.

 

7. After applying for the service through eBiz, how do I know the status of my application? Do I need to contact the departments for status update?

Answer: eBiz is integrated with department systems and processes. Hence you will receive the status updates on your application on the eBiz portal. You can use the status page on the eBiz portal to learn the status of your application and also respond to any queries/clarifications raised by the department.

8. How can I update/change my personal information?

Answer: Personal information can be edited by logging in to eBiz website and editing the details present in the 'My details' section. These changes will get reflected in the system once you login the next time.

 

9. What happens if I forget my username and / or password?

Answer: In case you forget your username and / or password, please visit the 'Forgot Password' link to retrieve your login details. An email with your login details will be sent to your registered email address.

 

10. What information do you need when I begin to register?

Answer: In case of individual member registration, details such as name, date of birth, email address, telephone number etc. are required. In case of a business registration, details such as name of the establishment, address, email address etc. are required.

 

Pan-India Services


1. Industrial Licence

2. Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum

3 Employer Registration with ESIC

 

4. MCA Name Availability

 

5.MCADirector Identification Number

 6.Certificate of Incorporation

 

7.Certificatefor Commencement of Business

 

8. Reporting of Advance Foreign Remittance

 9• Reporting of FC-GPR

 

10. Issue of Permanent Account Number-NSDL

11. Issue of Permanent Account Number-UTIITSL

12. Issue of Tax Deduction & Collection Account Number

 

13• Employer Registration with EPFO

14• Issue of Importer Exporter Code

15• License for Possession and Sale or Possession and Use of Explosives

 

 

19 February 2015

Small Companies

Centre tightens definition of 'small company'


The Corporate Affairs Ministry has tightened the definition of a 'small company' in the new company law, to prevent misuse of the privileges available to this category.

The new company law enacted in 2013 had introduced this new category.

Under the earlier definition, a small company was one that met one of two criteria: paid-up share capital not exceeding Rs. 50 lakh or turnover not exceeding Rs. 2 crore. 

The main difficulty was that companies that met the first criterion but exceeded the monetary limit in respect of the second criterion were also getting classified as a 'small company'.

Now, a company will have to clear both the tests — paid-up capital as well as turnover norm — to qualify as a 'small company'.

Consequently, it is likely that several entities that were previously classified as small companies will cease to be categorised as such, said Sai Venkateswaran, Partner and Head of Accounting Advisory Services at KPMG in India, in a conversation with BusinessLine .

Those companies that lose the 'small company' tag need to comply with all the general requirements applicable to companies, he said.

Lalit Kumar, Partner, J Sagar Associates, a law firm, opined that the change in the definition of a 'small company' should have come through an amendment Bill in Parliament and not through a removal of difficulty order, as was the case now.

18 February 2015

e FDI

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Finance

17-February-2015 17:17 IST

New Upgraded and Secure Portal for E-Filing of Applications for Foreign Direct Investment Launched

 Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance launched here today a new upgraded and secure user friendly web site for filing and processing of applications for Foreign Direct Investment (FD) requiring Government approval. Presently the applications are filed online at www.fipbindia.com which had limited features and processing capabilities. The new website http://fipb.gov.in, which becomes operational from today, shall henceforth receive applications regarding FDI in approval route sectors.

 With the introduction of the new website, applicant will have to submit only SINGLE copy of the application for records with the FIPB Secretariat instead of 15-18 copies being filed earlier.   

 The initiative is part of the Government's ongoing efforts for Good Governance by enhancing transparency and accountability in its procedures and is a step towards Minimum Government and Maximum GovernanceThe innovative features of the website are:

 

  • Global Reach -Apply from anywhere in the world! Access your status from anywhere in the world!
  • E-communication – communication between the applicant, FIPB and other ministries/ departments is online.
  • Quicker communication- All the correspondence including updates/ decisions are communicated through SMS/emails and thus eliminating physical delivery and loss of time due to postal delays.
  • Less Paperwork - Single signed copy only needed (for record) instead of present multiple sets of the application.
  • SMS/email alert- Regular alerts are sent to the applicants related to the queries raised by the administrative ministries, inclusion of the proposal in the scheduled FIPB meeting and decisions.
  • Transparency and security- all transactions and correspondences are recorded online and are secure.
  • Query module- Any doubts? A user can raise a query online which shall be replied by the relevant ministry.

Empanelment of Concurrent Auditors

Empanelment of Concurrent Auditors / Revenue Auditors for Bank of Maharashtra. BANK OF MAHARASHTRA invites applications from practicing firm...