Rein in tax terrorism
Financial Express Hyderabad|January 03, 2025
WE NEED A TRANSPARENT SYSTEM THAT CURBS LITIGATION AND A QUICK RESOLUTION PROCESS
T.V. Mohandas Pai S Krishnan

HE UNION FINANCE ministry issued a press release on September 24, 2024, saying the Supreme Court (SC) had disposed of 573 direct tax cases with tax effect of less than ₹5 crore due to revised monetary limits for filing appeals. Budget 2024-25 increased the minimum monetary limit for appeals related to direct taxes, excise and service tax in Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), high courts (HC), and the SC to ₹60 lakh, ₹2 crore and ₹5 crore. Consequently, the ministry estimated 843 income tax (I-T) cases to be withdrawn from the SC, 2,781 cases from HCs, and 717 from the ITAT—totalling 4,341 cases.

"This significant milestone aligns with the government's efforts to reduce tax litigation and promote ease of doing business," the release added. This is a good start in reducing the humungous tax litigation pending with various judicial forums.

The monetary impact of the withdrawal would be a maximum of ₹10,200 crore. According to the latest receipt Budget of July 2024, total I-T under dispute was ₹10.48 lakh crore as of 2022-23. The withdrawal would be less than 1% of the total I-T under dispute. Thus, high-pitch assessments beyond revised monetary limits are significant.

I-T under dispute more than doubled from ₹4.98 lakh crore in 2014-2015 to ₹10.48 lakh crore in 2022-23. So much for the promise of eliminating tax terrorism! Corporation tax (CT) disputes increased by 170% from ₹2.21 lakh crore in 2014-2015 to ₹5.98 lakh crore in 2022-23. CT in dispute for less than five years is ₹5.63 lakh crore, which is 94% of the total disputes. High-pitch assessments have continued over the past five years and litigation management has been very ineffective.

This story is from the January 03, 2025 edition of Financial Express Hyderabad.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 03, 2025 edition of Financial Express Hyderabad.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FINANCIAL EXPRESS HYDERABADView All
Financial Express Hyderabad

'America First' stalls bond issuance bonanza in EMs

A RECORD START to the year for emerging-market bond sales is at risk of fizzling as high Treasury rates hamper weaker credits from tapping international capital.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Hyderabad

Avenue needs a q-commerce boost

THE RETAILER IS LOSING OUT ON CONSUMER SPENDS

time-read
3 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Hyderabad

PLFS reflects positive employment trends

As India strides towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, empowering youth with the right skills and work experience continues to be a priority

time-read
4 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Hyderabad

These Men in Blue Break Boundaries for the Disabled

ON JANUARY 7 this year, a 17-member Indian cricket team was given a warm send-off for a four-nation Champion Trophy tournament in Sri Lanka.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Hyderabad

Govt capex flow augurs well for FY26

Truck and bus maker Ashok Leyland (ALL) has unveiled three new commercial vehicles, including an electric light truck, at the Auto Expo.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Hyderabad

Comfortable design for 24/7 wear

It tracks fitness, sleep, stress & other key health vitals

time-read
2 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Hyderabad

India and NZ Should Address Market Access for Goods: GTRI

INDIA AND NEW ZEALAND should address market access issues for goods, promote collaborations in key sectors, and work on improving connectivity with an aim to boost bilateral trade, which is just $1.5 billion, think tank GTRI said on Sunday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Hyderabad

'MBA isn't at risk; it's in transition'

Rekha Sethi, the director general of the All India Management Association (AIMA) - the apex body for management profession in India - is of the opinion that despite poor placements at business schools last year, the MBA degree isn't at risk. \"It's in transition,\" she says.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Hyderabad

Tech firms face setback as Wi-Fi spectrum allocation plan nixed

IN A MOVE that could significantly impact tech giants such as Meta, Google and others, the department of telecommunications (DoT) has decided not to pursue the delicensing of new spectrum for Wi-Fi use, officials said.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Hyderabad

Bank of Japan Set to Raise Interest Rates

BANK OF JAPAN governor Kazuo Ueda will size up the need to raise interest rates on Friday amid heightened expectations of a hike — and barring a market shock triggered by Donald Trump’s first few days in the White House.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025