2025

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court clarified that for depreciation under Section 32 of the Income Tax Act, ownership is a matter of legal rights under the lease agreement, not registration under the Motor Vehicles Act. A leasing company can claim depreciation on assets leased out, as leasing constitutes ‘use for business purposes.’ The Court upheld the assessee’s entitlement to both normal and higher depreciation rates, reinforcing that the essence of ownership lies in control and title, not mere physical possession or registration.

In Kamala Mills Ltd. vs. State of Bombay (1965), the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling on the interpretation of ouster clauses in tax statutes. The case centered on whether Section 20 of the Bombay Sales Tax Act, 1946, which bars civil suits challenging assessments, applies to assessments alleged to be without jurisdiction due to constitutional violations (here, taxing ‘outside sales’ under Article 286). The Court, in a comprehensive analysis, held that the phrase ‘assessment made under this Act’ encompasses all assessments made by tax authorities in the exercise of their statutory powers, including those that are erroneous or based on misapplication of law. It emphasized that tax authorities have jurisdiction to determine the taxability of transactions, and such determinations are not collateral facts. Consequently, civil suits are barred even if the assessment is constitutionally invalid. The Court also upheld the constitutionality of Section 20, reinforcing the legislature’s power to exclude civil court jurisdiction in tax matters. This judgment underscores the primacy of statutory remedies in tax disputes and limits judicial intervention through civil suits.

In a landmark constitutional challenge, the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Special Bearer Bonds (Immunities and Exemptions) Act, 1981 and its precursor Ordinance. The legislation aimed to combat black money by offering immunities and tax exemptions for investments in Special Bearer Bonds. The Court rejected arguments that the President lacked power to issue the Ordinance under Article 123, affirming that such power is co-extensive with Parliament’s legislative authority and essential for addressing emergent situations. The Court also dismissed Article 14 challenges, applying the reasonable classification test and deferring to legislative wisdom in economic policy. This judgment reinforces executive legislative powers under the Constitution and sets a precedent for validating fiscal measures designed to address national economic threats.

In a landmark ruling on the taxation of international sporting events, the Supreme Court of India, in PILCOM vs. CIT, delimited the scope of ‘income deemed to accrue in India’ for non-resident sports associations. The Court held that ‘guarantee money’ payments made by the tournament organizing committee (PILCOM) from overseas accounts to foreign cricket boards, pursuant to the grant of hosting rights for the 1996 Cricket World Cup, did not constitute income accruing from a source in India under Section 9(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Court drew a critical distinction: the payments were for the privilege of hosting (originating from an ICC bid in London), not remuneration for playing matches in India. Consequently, the provisions of Section 115BBA (special tax rate for non-resident sports associations) and the corresponding TDS obligation under Section 194E were not triggered. The decision reinforces the principle that a territorial nexus to India is essential for deeming income to accrue here and clarifies that TDS under Section 194E is not an absolute obligation but is contingent on the income being chargeable to tax in India.

In this landmark judgment, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Expenditure-tax Act, 1987, a pivotal case in Indian taxation law. The Court decisively ruled that the Act, imposing a 10% tax on expenditure in high-end hotels (room charges ≥ Rs. 400/day), is within the Union’s legislative competence under residuary powers, not a State-level luxury tax. It affirmed the classification as rational under Article 14, targeting ostentatious consumption without arbitrariness, and dismissed claims of unreasonable restrictions on business under Article 19(1)(g). This judgment reinforces the Union’s authority to enact innovative fiscal measures for economic regulation, setting a precedent for interpreting residuary powers and expenditure-based taxes in India’s federal structure.

In a landmark ruling on procedural compliance in wealth tax appeals, the Supreme Court of India, in Maharaja Amrinder Singh vs. Commissioner of Wealth Tax, underscored the mandatory nature of formulating substantial questions of law under Section 27-A of the Wealth Tax Act, 1957. The Court, drawing a direct parallel to Section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, established that the High Court’s jurisdiction to entertain an appeal under Section 27-A is contingent upon the identification and formulation of a substantial question of law. The judgment reinforces that this step is not a mere formality but a jurisdictional prerequisite, as settled in Santosh Hazari. By setting aside the High Court’s orders for failing to comply with this requirement, the Supreme Court has remanded the matter for fresh consideration, emphasizing strict adherence to statutory appeal procedures. This decision serves as a critical precedent for tax authorities, practitioners, and appellate courts, clarifying that the procedural framework for appeals under the Wealth Tax Act is coextensive with that for civil second appeals, ensuring uniformity and legal rigor in tax litigation.

In this landmark Supreme Court judgment, the Court struck down discriminatory provisions in Section 10(26AAA) of the Income Tax Act 1961. The case centered on tax exemptions for ‘Sikkimese’ individuals, which excluded Indians who settled in Sikkim before its 1975 merger and Sikkimese women marrying non-Sikkimese after 2008. The Court, led by Justice M.R. Shah, held that these exclusions violated constitutional guarantees of equality and non-discrimination under Articles 14, 15, and 21. By delving into Sikkim’s historical and legislative context, the Court reasoned that the classifications lacked a rational basis and perpetuated arbitrary distinctions among similarly situated citizens. This decision reinforces the principle that tax laws must align with constitutional mandates, ensuring fairness and inclusivity, particularly in special status regions like Sikkim.

In a landmark ruling on retrospective tax amendments, the Supreme Court dismissed the Revenue’s appeal, upholding that additional tax under s. 143(1A) cannot be levied on income omitted from a return due to a subsequent retrospective change in law. The Court affirmed that the correctness of a return is determined as of the filing date, and penal consequences cannot ensue from legislative changes unknown to the assessee at that time. This judgment reinforces the principle of fairness in tax administration, protecting assessees from being penalized for acts lawful when performed.