Section 115-O DDT Rate Applies Despite DTAA; No Refund for Excess Dividend Distribution Tax Paid

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....The ITAT upheld the CIT(A)'s decision rejecting the assessee's claim for refund of excess DDT paid under section 115-O, holding that the rate prescribed therein applies irrespective of the DTAA provisions. The Tribunal relied on the Special Bench ruling in Total Oil India Pvt. Ltd., which clarified that DDT is a tax on the domestic company paying dividends, not on the non-resident shareholder, and thus DTAA protections do not apply to reduce the DDT rate. The ITAT noted that the issue of DDT rates under DTAA versus section 115-O is pending before the Delhi High Court but, until a ruling is made, the Special Bench decision is binding. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and the CIT(A)'s order sustaining the higher DDT liability was affirmed.....