Deduction of freebies by the Pharma Companies

-

Deduction of freebies by the pharma companies to the Doctors

allowability of freebies by pharma companies to doctors

The Supreme Court (SC) on 22nd February 2022 in the case of M/s Apex Laboratories Pvt. Ltd passed a verdict that granting freebies/gifts to doctors by pharmaceutical companies to promote sales of medicines is “clearly prohibited by law". Apex court also dismissed plea by pharma company seeking deduction under the Income Tax Act on account of giving incentives/gifts to medical practitioners i.e. deduction of expenditure incurred by way of gifts/freebies etc.

The court said that giving gifts to doctors by pharmaceutical companies is prohibited under the purview of law and in such a situation tax benefit under section 37(a) of the Income Tax Act cannot be claimed. The top court said that by doing so, it would completely affect the public policy.

Explanation 1 to section 37 also prohibits deduction of expenses which are incurred for any purpose which is prohibited by law.

Also, on 01.08.2012, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (hereinafter, “CBDT”) had issued a circular 5/2012, which clarified that expenses incurred by pharmaceutical and allied health sector industries for distribution of incentives (i.e., “freebies”) to medical practitioners are ineligible for the benefit of Explanation 1 to Section 37(1), which denies the application of the benefit for any purpose which is an ‘offence’ or ‘prohibited by law.

SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (CIVIL) NO. 23207 OF 2019 - Read here

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PF payment due dates for the FY 2020-21 for tax audit reporting

-
Image
PF payment due dates for the FY 2020-21 for the purpose of tax audit reporting While preparing Tax Audit Report in Form 3CD it is important to fill due date of payment to various Employees contribution fund and actual payment of the contribution. i.e  "Details of contributions received from employees for various funds as referred to in section  36(1)(va)" Most commonly reported funds under the clause are EPF and ESIC. If there is delay in the payment of the contributions of PF and ESI may result in disallowance of the payment of contribution. Here is the chart of the due dates under EPF and ESIC for the FY 2020-21 for quick reference  PF payment due dates for the FY 2020-21 Period Due date Day Extended date Reference Apr-20 15/05/2020 Friday                                -                           -   May-20 15/06/2020 Monday                  
Continue Reading

PF payment due dates for the FY 2021-22 for reporting u/s 36(1)(va)

-
Image
PF payment due dates for the FY 2021-22 for the purpose of tax audit reporting Reporting under clause 20 (b) of Form 3CD requires due dates of payment to various Employees contribution fund. i.e  "Details of contributions received from employees for various funds as referred to in section  36(1)(va) " Here " due date " means the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to credit an employee's contribution to the employee's account in the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued thereunder or under any standing order, award, contract of service or otherwise. Most commonly reported funds under the clause 20(b) are EPF and ESIC. If there is delay in the payment of the contributions of PF and ESI result in disallowance of the payment of contribution. Here is the chart of the due dates under EPF and ESIC for the FY 2021-22 for quick reference. PF payment due dates for the FY 2021-22 Period Due date Day
Continue Reading

Format of shorter notice consent for AGM (Annual General Meeting)

-
Image
Format of shorter notice consent for AGM (Annual General Meeting) Background The Companies Act mandates companies to issue a notice to members calling a general meeting at least 21 clear days before the date of the meeting. Sometimes, the matters in urgency require quick decision making and in such circumstances, the companies may go for calling general meetings at shorter notice. However, in case of the private limited companies the period can be less than 21 days as provided in the Articles of Association (AOA). Provision and Rule As per the provisions of Section 101 (1) of the Companies Act, 2013, every general meeting of a company may be called by giving not less than twenty-one days clear notice in writing or through electronic mode in such manner as provided under Rule 18 of Companies (Management and Administration) Rules 2014. What is Consent for shorter notice? It is permission obtained by the company from its shareholders, in advance, to call a general meeting at an earlier da
Continue Reading

PF payment due dates for the FY 2022-23 for reporting u/s 36(1)(va)

-
Image
PF payment due dates for the FY 2022-23 for the purpose of tax audit reporting Reporting under clause 20 (b) of Form 3CD requires due dates of payment to various Employees contribution fund. i.e  "Details of contributions received from employees for various funds as referred to in section  36(1)(va) " Here " due date " means the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to credit an employee's contribution to the employee's account in the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued thereunder or under any standing order, award, contract of service or otherwise. Most commonly reported funds under the clause 20(b) are EPF and ESIC. If there is delay in the payment of the contributions of PF and ESI result in disallowance of the payment of contribution. Here is the chart of the due dates under EPF and ESIC for the FY 2022-23 for quick reference. PF payment due dates for the FY 2022-23 Period Due Date Day Extended D
Continue Reading

Letter of Authority for Tax Practitioners (Income tax)

-
Image
Letter of Authority for Tax Practitioners (Income Tax) LETTER OF AUTHORITY I/We ________________ , Proprietor/Partner/Director of _______________________ , hereby authorize Mr./Mrs./CA __________________________ to appear, represent, and settle on my/our behalf the Income tax assessment proceedings before the Income Tax Officer / Assistant/Dy. / Commissioner of Income Tax or in appeal before the Appellate Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeal), or the Appellate Tribunal or the Board of Direct Taxes for the assessment year 20XX-XX . [to produce accounts and documents/statements and to receive on my/our behalf any notice or documents/statements issued in connection with the said proceedings] or/and [to apply for, obtain, and receive refund orders in respect of the said assessment (if any)] or/and [to apply for copies of the Income Tax assessment
Continue Reading