GAAR amendments finalized: P Chidambaram

19 Nov 2012 Evaluate

Keenly eyed amendments to the controversial law against tax avoidance through foreign investments, ‘GAAR’, have been finalized, Finance Minister P Chidambaram disclosed. Amendments to the Chapter 10A of the Income Tax Act have been finalized (Chapter 10A of the Income Tax Act deals with taxation of investments). These amendments in the GAAR rules after going through the Prime Minister Office (PMO) will be reflected in the amended Chapter 10A, the investor’s friendly Finance Minister added.

GAAR (General Anti-Avoidance Rules), which was proposed in 2012-13 budget with a view to prevent tax evasion, drew flak from foreign as well as domestic investors who feared that unbridled powers to taxmen would result in harassment of investors. Post to which, the government appointed a committee headed by tax expert Parthasarthi Shome to look into their concerns.

Expert panel recommended that the rules be deferred by three years. It also called for treaty nations such as Mauritius and Singapore to be kept out of GAAR’s purview. In a major positive for the markets and investors, it also suggested the abolition of tax on gains from transfer of listed securities.

Further, Chidambaram also exuded his optimism on meeting disinvestment and spectrum sales target, confidence on pushing through with reforms measures and the relationship with RBI which he said was not antagonistic. Chidambaram underscored that government was keen to get the investment engine going and measures were being taken by the government to create a ‘better climate.’ 

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