2009 (1) TMI 939 - SCH - Income Tax

Supreme Court clarifies tax treatment for charter payments, expedites hearing on TDS issue

The Supreme Court addressed a writ petition seeking a declaration that payments made towards voyage and time charters are not subject to TDS under Section ... - Issues involved: Interpretation of Section 194(I) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 regarding TDS on payments made towards voyage and time charters.Summary:The Supreme Court addressed a writ petition filed by the Indian Ship Owners Association and Others in the Bombay High Court seeking a declaration that payments made towards voyage and time charters are not subject to TDS under Section 194(I) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Court requested the Bombay High Court to expedite the hearing and disposal of the writ petition within six months due to the significant number of related matters pending and the substantial revenue involved.The Court issued an interim order modifying a previous directive to clarify that certificates issued under Section 197 of the Act pursuant to the High Court's order shall remain valid. It was specified that any certificates issued by the department under Section 197 of the Act up to the present date will also remain in force. Additionally, the Court allowed vessel owners to apply for certificates under Section 197 without prejudice to their rights during the pendency of the writ petition.Furthermore, the Court suggested that the writ petitioners may consider amending the petition to include details of association members affected by the pending petition, with a deadline of three weeks for any amendments. The special leave petition was disposed of with no order as to costs.