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(Income Tax, GST, Central Excise, Custom Duty, DGFT, SEBI, MCA, IBBI, RBI)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Click the Link for Notification\/ Circular as issued)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tea Research Association, Kolkata, West Bengal<\/strong> notified under section 35(1)(ii) for Scientific Research: <\/strong>It notifies Tea Research Association, Kolkata, West Bengal under the category of \u2018Research Association\u2019 for \u2018Scientific Research\u2019 for the purposes section 35(1)(ii) of the Income-tax Act, read with rules 5C and 5E of the Income-tax Rules. This section allows for deduction equal to one and half times while computing taxes for expenses relating to scientific research.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: Income Tax Notification 24\/2026 Dated 20\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat notified under section 35(1)(ii) for Scientific Research: <\/strong>It notifies The Ahmedabad University\u2019, Ahmedabad, Gujarat for \u2018Scientific Research\u2019 under the category of \u2018University, college or other institution\u2019 for the purposes section 35(1)(ii) of the Income-tax Act, read with rules 5C and 5E of the Income-tax Rules. This section allows for deduction equal to one and half times while computing taxes for expenses relating to scientific research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: Income Tax Notification 23\/2026 Dated 20\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Income Tax Rules 2026 and Income Tax Forms Notified:<\/strong> The rules effective from 1st<\/sup> April 2026, provide the procedural framework for implementation of Income Tax Act, 2025, including valuation methods, reporting requirements, administrative procedures, and compliance mechanisms. The rules also notify various compliance forms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: Income Tax Notification 22\/2026 Dated 20\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n GSL Medical College and General Hospital, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh notified under section 35(1)(ii) for Scientific Research: <\/strong>It notifies GSL Medical College and General Hospital under the aegis of GSL TRUST, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, for \u2018Scientific Research\u2019 under the category of \u2018University, college or other institution\u2019 <\/strong>for the purposes section 35(1)(ii) of the Income-tax Act, read with rules 5C and 5E of the Income-tax Rules. This section allows for deduction equal to one and half times while computing taxes for expenses relating to scientific research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: Income Tax Notification 21\/2026 Dated 18\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Corrigendum to correct title of Income-tax Amendment Rules:<\/strong> The corrigendum amends notification 19\/2026, G.S.R. 158(E) dated 5th<\/sup> March 2026, which amended Income Tax Rules 1962. The words \u2018Income-tax (Amendment) Rules, 2026\u2019 has been replaced with \u2018Income-tax (First Amendment) Rules, 2026\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: Income Tax Notification 20\/2026 Dated 16\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Income Tax Offices to remain open on 31st<\/sup> March 2026 despite Holiday: <\/strong>CBDT has issued an administrative order under section 119, directing all Income Tax offices across India to remain open on 31st<\/sup>March 2026. This date coincides with Mahavir Jayanti, a closed holiday. The order is intended to facilitate completion of pending departmental work within the financial year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: Income Tax CBDT Order Dated 18\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Advance Tax e-Campaign<\/strong>, clarification regarding \u2018Significant Transactions\u2019 Communication: <\/strong>The Income Tax Deptt acknowledged that some taxpayers received email communications containing incorrect details of \u2018significant transactions\u2019. It stated that it is actively working with its service provider to correct the error. Taxpayers have been advised to ignore the earlier emails containing inaccurate information. It clarified that such communications are facilitative reminders meant to encourage voluntary compliance, and are not enforcement notices. Taxpayers are advised to verify their transaction details, on the Compliance Portal, accessible via the e-Filing portal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: Income Tax Clarification Dated 18\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n SC, Interconnect Service charges are not Royalty to Non-Resident Telecom Operators:<\/strong> Case of DCIT vs Orange, SC Judgement Dated 16th<\/sup> March 2026.<\/em> The apex court upheld the HC judgment concerning the taxability of interconnect service charges. The High Court had held that payments made for interconnect services to non-resident telecom operators do not qualify as royalty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: SC Judgement Dated 16\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n HC, Inflated Stock Statement to bank justifies income addition as practice held Commercial Immorality:<\/strong> Case of Ajay Food Products vs ITO, HC J&K Judgement Dated 11th<\/sup> March 2026.<\/em> HC dismissed the appeal challenging an addition made based on discrepancies between stock statements submitted to a bank and the stock recorded in the books of accounts. HC ruled that inflating stock figures submitted to banks for higher credit limits constitutes \u2018commercial immorality\u2019 and constitutes undisclosed income. It held that precise, certified, and declared stock figures in bank statements cannot be later dismissed as mere estimates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: HC J&K Judgement Dated 11\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n HC, Bank Account seizure quashed as Director not liable for company\u2019s Tax dues due to Separate PAN:<\/strong> Case of Nitin Tanwar vs ITO, HC Delhi Judgement Dated 10th<\/sup> March 2026.<\/em> HC allowed the writ petition and quashed the seizure of a director\u2019s personal bank account, which had been attached to recover tax dues of a company. The petitioner had argued that he was a separate assessee with an independent PAN and regularly filed returns, and therefore his personal account could not be used for recovery of the company\u2019s liability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: HC Delhi Judgement Dated 10\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n GSTN, Advisory regarding confirmation of \u2018Tax Liability Breakup, As Applicable\u2019 in GSTR-3B: <\/strong>The interest is payable under section 50, when tax liability of a previous tax period is discharged in a subsequent period. Accordingly, from the February 2026 tax period onwards, the GST portal auto-populates this liability breakup based on document dates reported in GSTR-1, GSTR-1A, or IFF where such supplies relate to earlier periods. Taxpayers are now required to mandatorily open this tab on the payment page and confirm the details by clicking \u201cSAVE\u201d (or edit, if necessary) before filing GSTR-3B. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (GSTN Advisory Dated 16\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n GSTAT Clarifies Mandatory Documents in appeals to avoid filing Defects:<\/strong> It mandates that Form APL-05 must include soft copies of key documents such as the Show Cause Notice (SCN), Order-in-Original (OIO), Order-in-Appeal (OIA), statement of facts, and grounds of appeal. Payment of pre-deposit and court fees is compulsory for taxpayers unless exempted by higher court orders. Appeals can also be filed with scanned certified copies of orders, provided their authenticity is verified by the scrutiny officer. Moreover, appellants must upload authorization documents or vakalatnama for representation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: GSTAT Instructions Dated 10\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n AAAR, Per-Piece Valuation prevails over Multi-Pack Packaging in determining GST Rate on Apparel:<\/strong>Case of Link Up Textiles Private Limited, AAAR Tamil Nadu Ruling Dated 9th<\/sup> March 2026. <\/em>AAAR upheld the AAR decision that men’s pyjama sets, when packed as multi-packs but valued individually below the specified threshold, attract a 5% GST rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: AAAR Tamil Nadu Ruling Dated 09\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n AAR, Exemption allowed on Waste Remediation Services due to Pure Service to Government Authority:<\/strong> Case of Gorantla Geosynthetics Ltd, AAR Tamil Nadu Ruling Dated 4th<\/sup> March 2026. <\/em>AAR ruled that services for the \u2018Remediation of Waste Dump Sites\u2019<\/strong> provided to a government authority (e.g., Goa Waste Management Corporation) qualify as exempt \u2018pure services\u2019<\/strong> <\/strong>under serial number 3 of notification 12\/2017<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: AAR Tamil Nadu Ruling Dated 04\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n AAR, E-Commerce Platform not GTA due to absence of Consignment Note:<\/strong> Case of AV Cargo Migrators LLP, AAR Tamil Nadu Ruling Dated 5th<\/sup> March 2026. <\/em>The applicant operates an online platform connecting vehicle owners\/drivers with customers. Since, they do not issue consignment notes or physically transport goods themselves, they do not<\/strong> qualify as a GTA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: AAR Tamil Nadu Ruling Dated 05\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n AAR, ITC allowed on Employee Transport as Statutory Obligation overrides Blocked Credit Rule:<\/strong> Case of AGS Health Private Limited, AAR Tamil Nadu Ruling Dated 4th<\/sup> March 2026. <\/em>AAR allowed Input Tax Credit (ITC) on the leasing, renting, or hiring of motor vehicles for transporting women employees, provided such transport is obligatory under the Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: AAR Tamil Nadu Ruling Dated 04\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n AAR, GST applies to Member Services as law deems Association and Members Separate Persons:<\/strong>Case of The Coimbatore Branch of Indian Medical Association, AAR Tamil Nadu Ruling Dated 3rd<\/sup> March 2026. <\/em>AAR ruled that Coimbatore branch of the IMA is liable to treat member subscription fees and related services as a \u2018business\u2019 and \u2018supply\u2019 under CGST. Though the IMA\u2019s primary goal is of providing exempt healthcare, these activities constitute taxable services, ruling against principle of mutuality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: AAR Tamil Nadu Ruling Dated 04\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n AAR, GST Exemption allowed as Medicines to Inpatients treated as Composite Healthcare Supply:<\/strong>Case of Dr Kamakshi Memorial Hospital Private Limited, AAR Tamil Nadu Ruling Dated 9th<\/sup> February 2026. <\/em>AAR ruled that supplying medicines and consumables along with providing health care services to in-patients would be treated as a composite supply, and the same is exempted from GST under entry number 74 of the notification 12\/2017 dated 28th<\/sup> June 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: AAR Tamil Nadu Ruling Dated 09\/02\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n AAR, Export Value must include all Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) costs for IGST:<\/strong> Case of Rangasamy Saravankumar (Arjun Knit Wear), AAR Tamil Nadu Ruling Dated 6th<\/sup> February 2026. <\/em>AAR clarified that GST valuation and customs valuation operate under different frameworks. While GST valuation is based on transaction value including all costs up to delivery, customs valuation is limited to the value at the time and place of export. AAR ruled that all costs incurred under DDP terms up to delivery are includible in the transaction value for IGST purposes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: AAR Tamil Nadu Ruling Dated 06\/02\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n AAR, Classification of Dual-Use Soap as Toilet Soap due to High TFM Content:<\/strong> Case of Tarwani Soap Industries, AAR Chhattisgarh Ruling Dated 12th<\/sup> January 2026. <\/em>AAR ruled that \u2018toilet soaps\u2019 are those specifically intended for personal hygiene and skin care. The Authority noted that toilet soaps generally have a higher Total Fatty Matter (TFM) content and are formulated with milder ingredients suitable for the human body. The GST rate is 5%. In contrast, soaps used for washing clothes or general household cleaning (laundry soaps) often contain harsher builders and lower TFM. The GST rate is 18%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: AAR Chhattisgarh Ruling Dated 12\/01\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n AAR, Concessional 5% GST on bags applies if product is Biodegradable:<\/strong> Case of Pradeep Verma, AAR Rajasthan Ruling Dated 27th<\/sup> February 2026. <\/em>AAR ruled that Bio-compostable carry bags made from certified polymer materials like PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate), starch blends, and PLA are classified under Chapter 39 (HSN 39232990)<\/strong>.<\/strong> It ruled that these specific biodegradable bags attract a concessional GST rate of 5%<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: AAR Rajasthan Ruling Dated 27\/02\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n AAR, Irrigation System Rubber Rings not automatically eligible for Lower GST:<\/strong> Case of Arti Pitaliya, AAR Rajasthan Ruling Dated 26th<\/sup> February 2026. <\/em>AAR clarified that if the rubber rings made by the applicant are developed using hard rubber and are completely utilised for the purpose of irrigation, in that case it will be entry 195B of Schedule II of notification 01\/2017, attracting GST at 5%, classified under HSN 8424. However, it will not attract concessional duty if it is either made of something other than hard rubber or used for general purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: AAR Rajasthan Ruling Dated 26\/02\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n SC Allows GSTAT tenure extension due to Functional Crisis Concerns:<\/strong> Case of Revenue Bar association vs Union of India, SC Judgement Dated 09th<\/sup> March 2026.<\/em> The apex court allow the Government of India to proceed further, in view of the decision in principle having been taken to the extend the tenure of Chairpersons, Presiding Officers, Presidents, and Members of different tribunals till 8th September 2026 or until the maximum age prescribed under the Tribunal Reforms Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: SC Judgement Dated 08\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n SC, Clerical mistakes in GST Returns not a valid reason to deny Export Refunds:<\/strong> Case of Union of India vs Ruhi Siraj Makda, SC Judgement Dated 13th<\/sup> March 2026.<\/em> The apex court upheld HC ruling that IGST refunds for exports cannot be denied due to clerical errors (e.g., zero IGST entry in GSTR-1). The court clarified that clerical errors should not deny substantive rights, provided the exporter shows they have exported goods as a zero-rated supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: SC Judgement Dated 13\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n HC, GST Registration refused in Rajasthan as company failed to file returns in Tamil Nadu: <\/strong>Case of Leighton India Contractors Pvt Ltd vs Union of India, HC Rajasthan Judgement Dated 5th<\/sup> March 2026.<\/em> HC held that GST registration can be denied in one state if the company is in default of compliance (e.g., non-filing of returns) in another state. The provisions of the GST Act are both State-centric and Central-centric, and non-compliance makes a company a defaulter, denying it registration elsewhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: HC Rajasthan Judgement Dated 05\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n SC, No Excise exemption allowed due to sale to Intermediary instead of Direct Export:<\/strong> Case of Natural Lights Private Limited vs Principal Commissioner, SC Judgement Dated 17th<\/sup> March 2026.<\/em> The apex court upheld HC judgment, which denied excise duty exemption, for transaction involving multiple parties, where an export order was routed through different entities before reaching the appellant, which manufactured and supplied the goods to an intermediary company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: SC Judgement Dated 17\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Common Adjudicating Authority appointed for Quantum Knits Unit of KPR Sugar Mills:<\/strong> The notification appoints Additional or Joint Commissioners of Customs at the Custom House, Tuticorin, to exercise powers previously vested in different adjudicating authorities across Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, and Chennai jurisdictions. The cases relates to Quantum Knits Unit of KPR Sugar Mills, pertaining to various show cause notices issued between 2022 and 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: Customs Notification 29\/2026 (NT) Dated 20\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fixation of Tariff Value of Edible Oils, Brass Scrap, Areca Nut, Gold and Silver: <\/strong>CBDT notified the Tariff Values of Edible Oils, Brass Scrap, Areca Nut, Gold and Silver, which shall come into force w.e.f. 21st<\/sup>March 2026. The tariff value for crude palm oil is set at USD 1112 per metric ton, while gold and silver have tariff values of USD 1481 per 10 grams and USD 2262 per kilogram, respectively. The tariff value for areca nuts is fixed at USD 7020 per metric ton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: Customs Notification 28\/2026 (NT) Dated 20\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fixation of Tariff Value of Edible Oils, Brass Scrap, Areca Nut, Gold and Silver: <\/strong>CBDT notified the Tariff Values of Edible Oils, Brass Scrap, Areca Nut, Gold and Silver, which shall come into force w.e.f. 20th<\/sup> March 2026. The tariff value for crude palm oil is set at USD 1112 per metric ton, while gold and silver have tariff values of USD 1568 per 10 grams and USD 2820 per kilogram, respectively. The tariff value for areca nuts is fixed at USD 7020 per metric ton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Link: Customs Notification 27\/2026 (NT) Dated 19\/03\/2026)<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Revision of Jurisdiction of Visakhapatnam Customs Commissioner:<\/strong> The revised jurisdiction includes major trade gateways such as Visakhapatnam Port, Gangavaram Port, Visakhapatnam International Airport, and the Container Freight Station at Bayyavaram. It also extends to the Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone and areas falling under the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation in AP. It also covers Inland Container Depots, airports, Export Oriented Units, SEZs, and warehouses located in districts including Anakapalli, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, and Srikakulam. It further extends to the continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone of India adjoining Andhra Pradesh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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