Tax News Daily
The latest tax news from around the world, summarised and tagged for tax professionals. Updated twice daily.
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HOPE Act Introduces New Incentives for Affordable Housing Rehabilitation
The HOPE Act introduces new federal tax incentives aimed at encouraging the rehabilitation of affordable housing. The legislation targets existing low-income housing stock, offering enhanced tax credits or deductions for qualifying rehabilitation projects. This represents a meaningful update to the tax incentive framework surrounding affordable housing, potentially affecting developers, investors, and nonprofits involved in housing projects. Practitioners working with real estate clients, low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC), and community development finance should take note of the new provisions and assess eligibility criteria, compliance requirements, and planning opportunities created by the Act.
Can the Income Tax Department Make New Additions in Reassessment If the Original Reason for Reopening Fails? Bangalore ITAT Says No
The Bangalore Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ruled that the Income Tax Department cannot make new additions during reassessment proceedings if the original reason for reopening the assessment fails. The case clarifies the scope of reassessment powers under Indian tax law, establishing that reassessment jurisdiction is strictly tied to the original grounds for reopening. If those grounds are not sustained, the entire reassessment proceedings fall, and the department cannot substitute or introduce new issues to justify the reopening. This ruling provides significant protection to taxpayers against broad fishing expeditions by tax authorities during reassessment.
Can a Delay in Filing an Income Tax Appeal Be Condoned If Your Auditor Failed to File It? Kerala High Court Says Yes—If the Explanation Is Genuine
The Kerala High Court held that a delay in filing an income tax appeal can be condoned where the taxpayer's auditor failed to file the appeal, provided the explanation offered is genuine and bona fide. The court applied a liberal interpretation of the condonation of delay provisions, emphasising that taxpayers should not be penalised for the negligence of their professional advisors if there is no deliberate default on the taxpayer's part. This ruling offers meaningful relief to Indian taxpayers who miss appeal deadlines due to professional negligence, reinforcing courts' discretion in admitting delayed appeals on genuine grounds.
TDS on Faculty Payments: Salary Under Section 192 or Professional Fees Under Section 194J? ITAT Cochin Clarifies the Law
The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Cochin has issued a clarifying ruling on the correct Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) treatment for payments made to faculty members. The case examined whether such payments should be classified as salary under Section 192 of the Income Tax Act, attracting employment-based withholding, or as professional fees under Section 194J, which applies to fees for technical or professional services. The ruling provides practical guidance for educational institutions and businesses engaging faculty or trainers, helping determine the appropriate TDS rate and compliance obligations based on the nature of the engagement and contractual relationship.
Crypto Hedge Fund Manager Gets 3 Years For Tax Evasion
A crypto hedge fund manager has been sentenced to three years in prison for tax evasion related to cryptocurrency investment activities. The case highlights ongoing IRS enforcement efforts targeting digital asset investors who fail to report gains or conceal income through crypto vehicles. The conviction underscores the government's increasing focus on cryptocurrency tax compliance, with prosecutors successfully arguing that the fund manager deliberately concealed taxable income. The case serves as a significant warning to crypto fund operators and investors about the serious criminal consequences of failing to meet tax reporting obligations on digital asset transactions.
Mamdani Sparks Backlash, Debate with Social Media Post Celebrating Luxury 2nd-Home Tax
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani sparked backlash after posting on social media celebrating a proposed luxury second-home tax. The policy would impose additional taxes on high-value secondary residences in New York City, targeting wealthy property owners. Supporters argue it addresses housing affordability, while critics contend it could depress real estate investment and harm the broader market. The debate reflects broader tensions in New York over progressive tax policy proposals targeting high-net-worth individuals and property wealth, making it a significant local tax policy development.
New Washington ‘Millionaires Tax’ Lawsuit Challenges Ballot Language
A new lawsuit in Washington State challenges the ballot language used for a proposed 'Millionaires Tax,' which would impose additional income taxes on high earners. The legal challenge argues the ballot description is misleading to voters, potentially affecting how the measure is understood and voted upon. Washington currently has no state income tax, making this a landmark policy effort. The lawsuit could delay or reshape the ballot measure's path forward. The case is significant for state tax policy, raising constitutional and procedural questions about direct democracy and income tax initiatives in Washington.
FTO declares higher tax deduction on teachers’ examination duty unlawful
Pakistan's Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has ruled that higher tax deductions applied to teachers performing examination duties are unlawful. The ruling addresses an apparent overreach by tax authorities who were deducting tax at elevated rates on remuneration paid to teachers for examination-related work, which falls outside their regular employment income. The FTO's decision provides relief to affected teachers and directs authorities to correct the deductions. This ruling clarifies the applicable personal income tax treatment for such supplementary professional duties and sets a precedent for similar cases involving examination honoraria across Pakistan's education sector.
Allahabad High Court Sets Aside IT Reassessment Notice Issued After Assessee’s Death
The Allahabad High Court has set aside an income tax reassessment notice issued to a deceased assessee, ruling the notice legally invalid. The court held that tax authorities cannot issue reassessment proceedings against a person who has already died, as such notices have no legal standing. The ruling reinforces procedural safeguards in Indian tax law, requiring authorities to direct reassessment notices to the legal heirs or representatives of a deceased taxpayer rather than the deceased individual. This decision has significant implications for tax administration and compliance procedures in reassessment cases involving deceased persons.
A modest proposal for a new tax
A policy proposal exploring a new tax mechanism to address social care funding challenges in the UK. The article examines potential levy or tax structures that could be introduced to cover rising social care costs, framing the discussion around fairness, burden-sharing, and fiscal sustainability. Given the URL reference to a 'social care costs lottery,' the piece likely critiques the current unpredictable nature of care cost exposure for individuals and proposes a dedicated tax or insurance-style contribution as a more equitable solution to fund long-term social care provision.
Over 120 millionaires demand higher wealth taxes
More than 120 millionaires have publicly called on governments to impose higher wealth taxes on the ultra-rich. The group, coordinating through an advocacy campaign, argues that existing tax systems are insufficiently progressive and that increased taxation of high-net-worth individuals is necessary to address wealth inequality and fund public services. The millionaires are urging policymakers across multiple countries to introduce or expand wealth taxes, signalling growing momentum among wealthy individuals themselves for tax reform targeting the top of the income and wealth distribution.
New ITR-BN Form for Block Assessment in Search and Seizure Cases
India's tax authorities have introduced a new ITR-BN form specifically designed for block assessments arising from search and seizure operations. The form standardises income tax return filing for cases where undisclosed income is discovered during searches conducted by the Income Tax Department. This development streamlines the compliance process for taxpayers subject to block assessment proceedings, covering multiple years of undisclosed income in a single return. The new form represents a regulatory update with direct procedural impact on taxpayers and practitioners handling search and seizure tax matters in India.
F&O Traders, Beware! One Wrong ITR can cost more than One Bad Trade
Indian futures and options (F&O) traders face significant tax compliance risks when filing Income Tax Returns. The article warns that selecting the wrong ITR form can trigger penalties, scrutiny, and tax demands exceeding trading losses themselves. F&O income is classified as business income under Indian tax law, requiring ITR-3 or ITR-4 with proper books of account and tax audit obligations where turnover thresholds are breached. Common errors include misclassifying F&O gains as capital gains, failing to report losses for carry-forward, and neglecting audit requirements, all of which can attract notices from the Income Tax Department.
New data suggests Scotland’s 48p tax rate may be losing money
New data indicates that Scotland's 48p top income tax rate may be generating less revenue than anticipated, raising concerns about Laffer curve effects. The analysis suggests high earners may be relocating, reducing taxable income, or otherwise adjusting behaviour in response to the elevated rate, potentially resulting in a net revenue loss compared to what a lower rate would have yielded. This finding has significant implications for Scottish tax policy and the broader debate on optimal top marginal rates within the UK's devolved tax framework.
FBR urges taxpayers to file accurate income tax returns from July 27
Pakistan's Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has urged taxpayers to file accurate income tax returns starting July 27, marking the opening of the annual filing season. The FBR is emphasizing the importance of correct and complete disclosures, warning against errors or omissions that could trigger audits or penalties. The initiative reflects ongoing efforts by Pakistani tax authorities to improve compliance and broaden the tax base. Taxpayers are encouraged to use the FBR's online portal and ensure all income sources are properly declared ahead of the deadline.
Legal Heir Is Not Always the Legal Representative: ITAT Agra Quashes Assessment Passed Without Proper Compliance Under Section 159
The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Agra has quashed a tax assessment made against a legal heir, ruling that a legal heir does not automatically qualify as a legal representative under Section 159 of the Income Tax Act. The tribunal found that proper procedural compliance was not followed before treating the legal heir as the deceased taxpayer's representative for assessment purposes. This ruling has significant implications for tax authorities and practitioners handling assessments involving deceased taxpayers, clarifying the distinction between heirship and legal representation in Indian income tax proceedings.
Section 56(2)(x): Can Stamp Duty Value on Registration Date Trigger Tax Even When the Property Deal Was Finalised Years Earlier? ITAT Ahmedabad Says No
The ITAT Ahmedabad has ruled that stamp duty value at the date of property registration cannot trigger tax liability under Section 56(2)(x) when the underlying property deal was finalised years earlier. The tribunal held that the relevant valuation date should be when the agreement to sell was executed, not the registration date. This decision provides important relief to taxpayers where property prices rise between agreement and registration, preventing taxation of notional gains arising purely from timing differences in a transaction's completion.
Sold Multiple Houses in the Same Year? ITAT Bangalore Rules Section 54 Exemption Is Available for Each House Separately
The ITAT Bangalore has ruled that the Section 54 capital gains exemption on reinvestment in residential property is available separately for each house sold in the same financial year. The tribunal rejected a restrictive interpretation that would limit the exemption to a single transaction per year, holding that each qualifying sale and reinvestment should be assessed independently. This taxpayer-friendly ruling clarifies that individuals selling multiple residential properties in one year can claim the Section 54 exemption on each transaction, provided reinvestment conditions are met for each.
Wrong Income Tax Officer? Entire Reassessment Can Be Quashed – Why Your Returned Income Decides Your Jurisdiction
An Indian tax ruling clarifies that jurisdiction for income tax reassessment is determined by the taxpayer's returned income, not assessed income. If reassessment proceedings are initiated by an officer who lacks jurisdiction based on the returned income threshold, the entire reassessment can be quashed as void. This has significant practical implications for taxpayers facing reassessment notices, as a jurisdictional defect constitutes a fundamental procedural flaw. Taxpayers can challenge reassessments on this ground, potentially nullifying the entire proceeding regardless of the merits of the underlying tax demand.
Can You Claim Section 54 Exemption for Multiple Floors in One Redeveloped Building? ITAT Mumbai Gives a Big Relief
The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Mumbai has ruled that a taxpayer can claim Section 54 capital gains exemption for multiple residential floors within a single redeveloped building. The tribunal held that each floor qualifying as an independent residential unit can be treated as a separate property for exemption purposes. This decision provides significant relief to taxpayers involved in property redevelopment transactions, particularly in urban areas where vertical redevelopment is common. The ruling broadens the interpretation of Section 54 exemption eligibility, potentially benefiting many property owners in similar redevelopment scenarios.
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