SC asks I-T dept to refund Rs 733 cr to Vodafone Idea
PTI, Apr 29, 2020, 5:35 PM IST
New Delhi: The Supreme Court Wednesday granted partial relief to Vodafone Idea Ltd by asking the Income Tax department to refund Rs 733 crore to the telecom firm within four weeks, for the assessment year 2014-15.
Vodafone Idea, formerly known as Vodafone Mobile Services Ltd, had however sought Rs 4,759.07 crore in tax refund from for AYs – 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18.
The top court did not order I-T refund pertaining to AYs other than 2014-15.
“Insofar as AY 2014-15 is concerned, the final assessment order passed under Section 143(3) of the (Income Tax) Act indicates that the appellant (telecom firm) is entitled to refund of Rs 733 Crores; while for AY 2015-16 there is a demand of Rs.582 Crores,” a bench comprising Justices U U Lalit and Vineet Saran said in the judgement.
The top court also noted that the Income Tax department would be entitled to invoke requisite power under Section 245 of the Act to set off the amount of refund payable in respect of AY 2014-15 against tax remaining payable.
Since the requisite action is not even initiated, we say nothing in that respect. In the premises, we direct that the amount of Rs.733 Crores shall be refunded to the appellant (telecom firm) within four weeks from today subject to any proceedings that the Revenue may deem appropriate to initiate in accordance with law, the top court said.
The bench also directed the Tax department to conclude as early as possible the proceedings relating to the demand of refund of the telecom firm and the scrutiny of income by the IT department with respect to assessment years 2016-17 and 2017-18.
Except for the directions as indicated, we see no merit in any of the contentions advanced by the appellant (Vodafone). This appeal is, therefore, dismissed without any order as to costs, the judgement said.
The telecom company had earlier moved the Delhi High Court alleging that there was complete inaction on part of I-T department in processing its ITRs and in issuing an appropriate refund to it.
The firm had sought a direction to the government department to process and grant refunds for the AYs 2014-15 to 2017-18, along with interest under Section 244A of the Act.
The Delhi High Court on December 14, 2018, dismissed the petition and against that decision an appeal was filed in the apex court.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
India not reaping benefits of democratic dividend: Raghuram Rajan
Markets slump for third day on fears of escalating tensions in Middle East; IT stocks drag
Tesla is planning to lay off 10 of its workers after dismal 1Q sales, multiple news outlets report
With just Rs 150 base airfare take a 50-minute flight
Byju’s founder Raveendran to take over firm’s daily operations after CEO Mohan’s resignation
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Youth detained for Facebook threat to BJP MLA in Nashik
NE’s integration with rest of India happened under Modi govt: BJP chief Nadda
Congress spokesperson booked for alleged hate speech
BJP files complaint with EC against Sowmya Reddy, others for alleged violation of poll code
Siddaramaiah slams BJP candidate for visiting house of alleged police recruitment scam kingpin