The Central Board of Direct Taxes clarified that if the Direct Tax case is pending in Arbitration without appeal pending is eligible to apply under Vivad se Vishwas Scheme.
An assessee whose case is pending in arbitration is eligible to apply for settlement under Vivad se Vishwas even if no appeal is pending. In such a case, the assessee should fill the relevant details applicable in his case in the declaration form. The disputed tax, in this case, would be the tax (including surcharge and cess) on the disputed income with reference to which the arbitration has been filed.
‘Vivad se Vishwas’ Scheme was announced during the presentation of Budget 2020 to provide for dispute resolution in respect of pending income tax litigation. Pursuant to Budget announcement, the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Bill, 2020 (Vivad se Vishwas) was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 5th Feb 2020.
Appeals pending before the appellate forum [Commissioner (Appeals), Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), High Court or Supreme Court], and writ petitions pending before High Court (HC) or Supreme Court (SC) or special leave petitions (SLPs) pending before SC as on the 31,t day of January 2020 (specified date) are covered under this scheme.
The cases where the order has been passed but the time limit for filing appeal under the Income-tax Act, 1961 against the order has not expired as on the specified date are also covered. Similarly, cases where objections filed by the assessee against draft order are pending with Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) or where DRP has given the directions but the Assessing Officer (AO) has not yet passed the final order on or before the specified date are also covered.
The revision application under section 264 of the Act, if pending cases before the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner are covered as well. Further, where a declarant has initiated any proceeding or given any notice for arbitration, conciliation or mediation as referred to in clause 4 of the Bill is also covered.
Vivad se Vishwas is not available for disputes pending before AAR. However, if the order passed by AAR has determined the total income of an assessment year and writ against such order is pending in HC, the appellant would be eligible to apply for the Vivad se Vishwas.
However, if the order of AAR has not determined the total income, it would not be possible to calculate disputed tax and hence such cases would not be covered. To illustrate, if AAR has given a ruling that there exists Permanent Establishment (PE) in India but the AO has not yet determined the amount to be attributed to such PE, such cases cannot be covered since total income has not yet been determined.
