Which of the statements given below is/are correct ? 1. In India, th

Which of the statements given below is/are correct ?

  • 1. In India, the provisions of General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) will be implemented with effect from 1 April 2015
  • 2. The provisions of GAAR were aimed at checking tax avoidance by overseas investors

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2014
Statement 1 is incorrect. The General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) was introduced in the Finance Act, 2012, with an initial proposed date of implementation from 1 April 2014. However, its implementation was postponed based on recommendations from the Shome Committee. The Finance Act, 2015, deferred the implementation of GAAR to 1 April 2017. Therefore, it was not implemented with effect from 1 April 2015.
Statement 2 is correct. While GAAR is applicable to all taxpayers (both residents and non-residents) engaging in tax avoidance arrangements, a significant part of the concern it aimed to address was tax avoidance by overseas investors structuring their investments or transactions in India to exploit tax treaties or other loopholes. Thus, checking tax avoidance by overseas investors was indeed one of the aims of the GAAR provisions.
– GAAR implementation date: 1 April 2017.
– GAAR’s purpose: Counter aggressive tax planning and arrangements whose main purpose is to obtain a tax benefit.
– GAAR applies to: Any taxpayer (resident or non-resident).
GAAR empowers tax authorities to deny tax benefits arising from arrangements considered impermissible avoidance arrangements. An arrangement is considered impermissible if its main purpose is to obtain a tax benefit and it lacks commercial substance, creates rights/obligations not ordinarily created, or involves transactions that are not at arm’s length. Concerns were raised by foreign investors about the potential for discretionary application of GAAR, which led to the deferral of its implementation.
Exit mobile version