Volume
13
Issue
257 / 2021
March
2021
Quote of the day
“Don’t be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of. One man only gets a week's value out of a year while another man gets a full year’s value out of a week."
-Charles Richards
Dear Friends,
Do you know that lions only succeed in a quarter of their hunting attempts — which means they fail in 75% of their attempts and succeed in only 25% of them ? Despite this small percentage shared by most predators, they don't despair in their pursuit and hunting attempts. The main reason for this is not because of hunger as some might think but it is the understanding of the “Law of Wasted Efforts” that has been instinctively built into animals, a law in which nature is governed.
Half of the eggs of fishes are eaten... half of the baby bears die before puberty... most of the world's rains fall in oceans... and most of the seeds of trees are eaten by birds. Scientists have found that animals, trees, and other forces of nature are more receptive to the law of "wasted efforts". Only humans think that the lack of success in a few attempts is failure... but the truth is that: we only fail when we "stop trying".
Success is not to have a life free of pitfalls and falls... but success is to walk over your mistakes and go beyond every stage where your efforts were wasted looking forward to the next stage. If there is a word that summarizes this world, it will simply be: Continue all over again !
Well, this is not my writing but a forward that I thought will help us all stay inspired as we step into Q1 of the Financial year 2021-22, having bid good-bye to the COVID19 year 2020-21 (or is it going to be a carry forward considering the rising Corona cases ??). Sharing some insight or observation from a personal experience is a self-imposed mandate that I have given myself since several issues of Samhita. This time I am amused by a strange kind of passion I observed in my husband’s friend, who is an electrical engineer. As a successful entrepreneur dealing with electric pumps and motors for over 40 years, this gentleman is so passionate about what he does that even on a vacation, all he can spot is a motor wherever he goes. Recently we were all travelling together and I discovered how much he loves the motors, the wiring, the make, its working condition, the whirring sound etc. So much so that after an hour of boat ride on the river Ganges in Varanasi, while all of us were going ga-ga over the spectacular Ganga Aarti and taking in the mesmerising surroundings of the river, our Engineer friend was busy peeping into the boat’s engine motor. While the rest of us were chatting up with the boatman about the historical importance of the river, the Ghats, the mythology and facts, the political winds blowing in Varanasi (one of the oldest cities in the world), the massive infrastructural changes happening and the resultant transformation of this ancient city, our friend was in an animated conversation with the boat owner advising him how bad the motor condition is and how to improve it. At first I felt amused and thought how silly he is but then I realised so deep is his involvement with his motor trade that he literally breathes and lives it. It is seen to be believed. Yes, he got excited each time he identified a specific make of motor on the road in the vehicles passing by or in a store we were shopping at. He would exclaim in wide-eyed glee as a child looking at a candy or an ice cream or a car or a balloon or a kite or a mobile game. I noticed genuine happiness and a sense of wonderment on his face, as if it were the first motor he was seeing in his life. He was oblivious to what others commented or did. I bet he experiences an inexplicable sense of connectedness with a mundane, inorganic thing like a motor. No wonder he is a successful 3nd generation entrepreneur who has made a mark in his business and built a strong brand, albeit from a tier 2 city. If there is a word that summarizes his world, it will simply be: Continue to be inspired !!
I am not sure how you would summarise Samhita after each reading, but this 257th issue has no choice but to carry all the MCA updates which came in quick succession within a span of 15 days – the super cop is the MCA laying down many rules for corporates, auditors, accounting teams, directors etc. The demand for corporate disclosures is on the rise by the day. Each notification is food enough for a full meal (ouch! Article) but this newsletter being focussed on short-read updates, hasn’t analysed the full impact of each notification. However, thanks to CS Kalidas Ramaswamy, a senior professional, sought-after speaker and author of several books on governance, we are carrying his critical analysis of the latest changes made by MCA that enables payment of remuneration to Independent Directors. I am grateful for his valuable contribution which enhances the quality of Samhita.
Have you ever felt the urge to enhance your vocabulary so that you could avoid awkward pauses in your speech ? Have you ever wanted to learn vocabulary so that you could be less repetitive with the choice of words but never found an interesting way to learn that ? If yes, pick up “The Little Book of Learning : Snippets and Mindmaps to improve your vocabulary” on Kindle, Amazon. This is authored by none other than Balaji Ramaswamy, the English language trainer who is contributing regularly to our “Let’s excel in English” feature. For any previous issues of Samhita and the readers’ feedback, please visit http://www.sharadasc.com/resource-center/.
Happy Reading,
S.C. Sharada
Tip 1:
Have you ever wondered why people don't follow your instructions though you have clearly told them what to do?
It's not because your language was bad or they did not have the right intent. Slips should always be expected. Why don't we start asking instruction checking questions? For example: Let's assume, the boss gives the following instructions:
"Please send the annual report by 5 PM tomorrow for review to Mr.Rogers. Also, proofread your report before sending it to him. Take inputs from the accounts team and the sales team for the report."
Concept checking questions could be the following?
1. Should you take any inputs from the L&D team for this annual report? - No. It's only from accounts & sales teams)
2. Is it ok if you send it for review two days later? - No, it has to before 5 PM tomorrow
Do you think this sounds childish? We pay a bigger price often because of not properly checking if the subordinates or anyone for that matter understands our instructions.
Tip 2:
We could use the following expressions, sentences, and questions to talk about arrangements:
1. When would it be possible for you to meet us at our office?
2. What time would be convenient for you to meet at your office?
3. Could you let me know what would be the best time to meet you at your office, please?
4. I am meeting Bill tomorrow at 11 AM - The arrangement has already been made. We use 'Present continuous' to talk about a future arrangement.
5. I am going to meet Bill tomorrow. - We use 'going to + verb' to talk about a future plan
6. The session starts at 7 AM - To talk about schedules, we use the simple present (after it is finalized)
7. When do we start the session? We start at 8 AM. - Schedule.
Balaji Ramaswamy N
Mobile: 9741393539
Reminders for Payments & Returns
Regulatory Updates
Remuneration to NED and IDs in case of inadequate profits
Sec 197 and proviso to Sect 149 (9) – Remuneration (exclusive of any fees payable) in accordance with Sch V of the Act, was allowed to directors including Managing or Whole time Director in case of no profits or inadequate profits. W.e.f. 18.03.2021, such remuneration can be paid to other Non-Executive Directors (NED) also including Independent Directors (ID).
MCA vide notification dated 18.03.2021 has, after the words “managerial person” included the words “other director or directors” at various places under Part II of Sch V of the Companies Act. Consequently, remuneration can be paid to NEDs & IDs in case of inadequate profits as per limits below:
CS Ramaswami Kalidas, an eminent Practicing Company Secretary has analysed this notification and relevant provisions in depth and has expressed his views through the article titled “Payment of remuneration to non-executive directors in case of absence or inadequacy of net profits - Notification of MCA dated March 18, 2021 - A Study”. The article has 10 minutes read time.
Broadened scope of reporting by auditors in audit report
MCA vide Notification dated 24.03.2021, has notified the Companies (Audit & Auditors) Amendment Rules, 2021 which shall come into force on 01.04.2021. Changes brought about by the Rules are as follows:
From 01.04.2021, only accounting softwares capable of recording audit trail i.e. trail of every transaction and edit log, shall be used by Companies. The Auditor shall report if the same has been complied with and that the audit trail facility has not been disabled or tampered with during the year.
Whether or not dividend paid during the year is in compliance with Section 123 of the Companies Act, 2013, shall also form part of the Audit Report.
The Auditor shall include in his report if the company has given any amounts as loan, investment or guarantee to any person / entity / foreign entities (collectively called as “intermediaries”) in addition to the amounts disclosed in the Notes to accounts and if the same has been advanced, invested or loaned by the intermediaries by / on behalf of the company or if the company has received funds from any entity (Funding parties) which the company has advanced, invested or loaned for / on behalf of the funding parties.
Our CA Associate is of the view that this is an existing problem with fraudulent corporates which record entries in the books like investments seemingly to an 'unrelated' party on the face of it but would have arrangements with the investee company to indirectly lend such money on behalf of the company or provide guarantees. Auditors many times are unable to identify these as diversion of funds or investments that are ultra vires the MOA or Companies Act or may be completely fraudulent. Similar is the case with receipt of funds which may actually carry a different character altogether. Companies may manufacture documentary evidence to prove otherwise which on the face of it may look genuine. Auditors are not likely to investigate these type of entries. Instead, they take a management representation which also may be inadequate. Therefore, the law now requires specific reporting by the auditor w.r.t. certain type of funds.
Companies (Accounts) Amendment Rules, 2021
MCA vide notification dated 24.03.2021 has notified the Companies (Accounts) Amendment Rules, 2021, amending the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 as follows:
Companies using a software to maintain books of accounts are required to ensure that the software is capable of maintain an edit log and audit trail, from 01.04.2021. This is a welcome move to prevent companies from playing mischief through their accounting books. It calls for a security feature in the accounting software that does not allow any modification / deletion of accounting entries. Any changes will have to be done only through rectification entries that create a proper audit log. This also requires real-time accounting which some of the smaller companies may be negligent about.
Following additional matters are required to be mentioned in the Board’s Report:
Details of applications made, or proceedings initiated under Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016, if any during the year.
Details of difference in valuation amounts at the time of one settlement and while availing loan from Banks or Financial Institutions along with reasons.
These disclosures are not applicable to One person companies and small companies.
Companies (Amendment) Act, 2020 – Sections notified
The Companies (Amendment) Act, 2020 brought about following changes to the Companies Act, 2013 w.e.f.24.03.2021:
Sec 124 (Unpaid dividend account) – (Fine to penalty) In case of contravention of the provisions, instead of fine, penalty shall be payable by the company and the officer in default (OID) as below:
Company - penalty of Rs. 1 lakh + Rs. 500 per day for continuing default, capped at Rs.10 lakhs.
OID - penalty of Rs. 25,000 + Rs. 100 per day for continuing default, capped at Rs.2 lakhs.
Sec 247 (Registered valuer) – (Fine to penalty) In case of any default by the Registered Valuer (RV) in complying with provisions of this Section, the RV shall be liable to a penalty of Rs. 50,000.
Changes to Schedule III – Balance sheet & Profit & Loss statement
Several changes have been brought about to Schedule III of Companies Act under Division I, II & III which include change in nomenclatures, reclassification of certain headings and greater disclosure w.r.t:
Assets, payables, receivables, promoter’s shareholding, amounts borrowed from Banks & FIs but utilised for some other purpose, title deeds of Immovable Property not held in name of the Company, capital-work-in progress ageing schedule and completion schedule, benami properties held, relationship with struck-off companies, pending charges to be registered / satisfied beyond the statutory period, ratios, utilisation of borrowed funds and share premium both under Companies Act, 2013 and FEMA.
Disclosures under P&L Account – CSR, Crypto currency.
Above changes to be reported under IND-AS and NBFC (IND-AS).
The notification is effective from 01.04.2021 i.e. the changes will have to be factored in in the accounts for the financial Year 2021.
DPIIT Updates
FDI Policy on DI by NRIs – clarified
The Government of India has reviewed the FDI Policy w.r.t. Downstream Investment (DI) by an Indian entity owned and controlled by Non-Resident Indians (NRI) on non-repatriation basis. FDI policy has been amended to the effect that such investment will be treated as a domestic investment and accordingly shall not be considered as FDI for calculation of indirect foreign investment. DPIIT Press Note dated 19.03.2021 may be referred to.
IBBI Updates
Timelines for reporting status of ongoing CIRPs through Form CIRP-7
IBBI vide notification dated 15.03.2021, has notified the timelines for filing Form CIRP-7 indicating completion of activities in the ongoing Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) by the Interim Resolution Professional or the Resolution Professional.
Revised Form CIRP-7 has also been notified as an Annexure to the Circular.
DGFT
Import Authorisation for restricted matters goes online
As part of the IT- revamp of the DGFT filing process, an online module for filing of electronic and paperless applications for import authorisation has been introduced w.e.f. 22.03.2021. Applications seeking for import authorisation for restricted matters shall be filed electronically w.e.f. 22.03.2021.
IT Updates
New Scheme for registration of trusts
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) notifies the forms for a new scheme for trusts which comes into effect from 01.04.2021, which is a completely new system of online registration. Even old trusts have to apply afresh. The Board notified the Income-tax (6th Amendment) Rules, 2021 which seeks to further amend Income-tax Rules, 1962. The amendments are related to Rule 2C, Form Nos. 10A, 10AB, Rule 5C, 5F, Rule 11AA, Rule 17A and insertion of Rule 5CA, 18AB. Please refer to Notification for complete text.
TDS on non-salary income of non-resident
Where the person responsible for paying any such sum chargeable under this Act (other than salary) to a non-resident considers that the whole of such sum would not be income chargeable in the case of the recipient, he may make an application to the Assessing Officer (AO), to determine the appropriate proportion of such sum so chargeable. The tax shall be deducted only on such proportion of the sum determined by the AO as chargeable.
CBDT vide notification dated 16.03.2021 has inserted new rule 29BA and prescribed FORM No. 15E for the aforesaid purpose.
Form 3CD filing requirement further postponed
CBDT vide an Order dated 25.03.2021 deferred and postponed the reporting requirement of Clause 30C and Clause 44 related to GAAR and GST respectively in Tax Audit Report (Form 3CD) from 31.03.2021 to 31.03.2022.
Earlier, the date was extended to 31.03.2021 by the CBDT vide an Order dated 24.04.2020. Due to the continuing pandemic situation, CBDT has once again deferred and extended the reporting requirement under clauses 30C and 44 in Form 3CD to 31.03.2022.
GST Updates
- Refund against deemed export - Clarified
Issue - recipient of deemed export supplies for obtaining the refund of tax paid on such supplies shall submit an undertaking that he has not availed ITC on invoices for which refund has been claimed but when they proceed to file refund on the portal, the system requires them to debit the amount so claimed from their electronic credit ledger.
Clarification - Circular dated 18.11.2019 is modified to remove the restriction of non - availment of ITC by the recipient of deemed export supplies on the invoices, for which refund has been claimed by such recipient. Now recipient claiming refund of deemed export can claim ITC and then subsequently proceed for its refund thereof.
2. Extension of relaxation for filing refund claim in cases where zero-rated supplies - wrongly declared
Issue -A validation check has been placed on common portal which prevented the value of refund of IGST / Cess declared in FORM GST RFD 01 A from being more than the amount of integrated tax / Cess declared in table 3.1 (b) of FORM GSTR-3B. However, in various cases, the taxpayers had inadvertently entered the details of export of services or zero-rated supplies to SEZ Unit / Developer in Table 3.1 (a) instead of Table 3.1 (b) of GSTR-3B.
Clarification -Through this circular, relaxation in filing of refund claims as provided in Circular dated 18.11.2019 had been extended till 31.03.2021.
3. Manner of Calculation of Adjusted Total Turnover
Issue -CBIC vide Notification dated 23.03.2020 imposed a restriction that the turnover of zero-rated supply of goods shall not exceed 1.5 times the value of like goods domestically supplied by the same or, similarly placed supplier, as declared by the supplier. Now, the doubts had been raised if it would also apply for computation of “Adjusted Total Turnover” in the refund formula.
Clarification -CBIC has clarified that value of export/zero-rated supply of goods to be included while calculating “adjusted total turnover” will be same as being determined as per amended definition of “Turnover of zero-rated supply of goods” in the said sub-rule. The restriction of 150% of the value of like goods domestically supplied, as applied in “turnover of zero-rated supply of goods”, would also apply to the value of “Adjusted Total Turnover”.