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Vivad se Vishwas Scheme 2024

Updated on: 16 Oct, 2024 12:38 PM

The direct tax Vivad se Vishwas scheme 2024 was announced by the Finance Minister, aiming to reduce the litigation burden of taxpayers and help them resolve their pending tax disputes by reducing the amount of tax payable. This scheme is set to become effective from October 1, 2024. This article covers all that you need to know about the Vivad Se Vishwas scheme 2.0, 2024.

What is the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme?

The Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme was announced by the Union Finance Minister Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman. This scheme provides a streamlined approach to resolving pending disputes of income tax. This scheme reduces the burden of litigation for the tax administration and taxpayers. The DTVSV scheme 2024 will be applicable from October 1, 2024. This scheme also offers a reduced settlement amount for the new appellants.

Under this scheme, the taxpayers will be allowed to resolve their pending disputes by paying a portion of their outstanding tax liabilities.


Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme Applicability

Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme 2024 will be applicable on disputes or appeals, including writs, filed by either the taxpayer or tax authorities that are pending as of July 22, 2024, in the following instances:

  • Appeals pending with the Supreme Court, High Court, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, or Commissioner/Joint Commissioner
  • The Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP), or cases where the DRP has issued directions but the final assessment order is still pending.
  • Revision applications filed under Section 264 of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

What are the Forms Under Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme?

The government has notified four separate forms for the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme 2024. These are the four forms -

  • Form 1 - Form for filing declaration and undertaking by the applicant
    This form can be used by the declarant to declare their intention to settle the tax dispute.
  • Form 2 - Form for Certificate to be issued by the Designated Authority
    The designated authority issues form 2, which contains details of the tax arrears and the amount payable after such determination.
  • Form 3 - Form for intimation of payment by the declarant
    The declarant can use Form 3 to inform the designated authority that the payment of the outstanding amount has been made successfully. This intimation should be accompanied by proof of any appeal, objection, writ petition, or special leave application.
  • Form 4 - Order to full and final settlement of tax arrears by the designated authority.
    The final order should be issued by the designated authority in Form 4. This form confirms the full and final settlement of the tax dispute. It describes the terms of the settlement, including the amount paid by the taxpayer.

What is the Amount Payable Under Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme?

The taxpayers need to pay the following amount under the Vivad Se Vishwas scheme -

Sl. No. Nature of Tax arrear Amount payable under this Scheme on or before 31.12.2024 Amount payable under this Scheme on or after 1.01.2025 but on or before the last date
Appeal is filed after 31/01/2020 Where the tax in arrears is the aggregate of,
(i) Disputed tax
(ii) Interest chargeable/ charged,
(iii) Penalty leviable/levied
Amount of the disputed tax Amount of disputed tax + 10% of disputed tax
Appeal is filed before 31/01/2020 Where the tax in arrears is the aggregate of
(i) Disputed tax
(ii) Interest chargeable/charged
(iii) Penalty leviable/levied
Amount of disputed tax + 10% of disputed tax Amount of disputed tax + 20% of disputed tax
Appeal is filed after 31/01/2020 Where the tax in arrears relates to,
(i) Disputed interest or
(ii) Disputed Penalty or
(iii) Disputed fee
25% of the disputed Amount 30% of the disputed Amount
Appeal is filed before 31/01/2020 Where the tax in arrears relates to,
(i) Disputed interest or
(ii) Disputed Penalty or
(ii) Disputed Fee
30% of the disputed Amount 35% of the disputed Amount

The amount payable can be reduced to 50% in the following cases -

  • The tax authorities filed the appeal.
  • The appeal was filed with an authority, and an order was issued in favor of the taxpayer, which a higher authority has not overturned.

What are the Procedures Under Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme?

Below are the detailed procedures of the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme -

Declaration and withdrawal of appeals

  • The declarant must submit a declaration to the "designated authority" in the required form and manner.
  • Once the declaration is filed, any ongoing appeals regarding the disputed income, interest, penalty, or fee before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Commissioner (Appeals), or Joint Commissioner (Appeals) will be considered withdrawn from the date the designated authority issues the certificate.
  • If the taxpayer has appeals in higher courts (High Court or Supreme Court), they must withdraw those appeals with the court’s permission after receiving the certificate under sub-section (1) of section 92. Proof of this withdrawal must be provided to the designated authority.
  • The taxpayer must also submit an undertaking confirming they will not pursue any further legal action or claims related to the tax arrear.

Determination and Payment of Amount Payable

  • The designated authority will assess the amount payable by the declarant within fifteen days of receiving the declaration and issue a certificate detailing the tax arrear and the amount to be paid.
  • The declarant must pay the specified amount within fifteen days of receiving the certificate and notify the designated authority of the payment.
  • The order determining the payable amount is final, and the matters addressed cannot be revisited in any other proceeding.

Consequences of Non-compliance

  • False Information: If any details provided in the declaration are found to be false or misleading, the declaration will be deemed invalid.
  • Violation of Conditions: If the taxpayer does not adhere to the scheme’s terms or breaches their undertaking, the declaration will be invalidated.
  • Revival of Proceedings: In both cases—false information or violation of conditions—any previously withdrawn legal proceedings or claims will be reinstated.

The direct tax Vivad se Vishwas scheme 2024 offers an opportunity for taxpayers to resolve their long-time pending tax disputes in an effective manner. This scheme aims to reduce the burden of litigation on both taxpayers and the tax administration with the help of reduced settlement amounts.

Have any tax-related queries or want to understand the dispute settlement process? Contact our tax experts and get effective solutions to your tax problems. Book an expert now!


Frequently Asked Questions

The Ministry of Finance has released guidelines and FAQs about the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme 2024 which aims to reduce tax litigations by completely waiving interest and penalty, provided you pay up the disputed tax amount by an specified date using a specified form.


Q- Which type of tax appeals are covered under Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas 2024 Scheme

According to an income tax department circular dated October 15, 2024 under section 89 of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme, 2024, the following appellants are eligible:

A person in whose case an appeal or a writ petition (WP) or special leave petition (SLP) has been filed either by him or by the income tax authority or by both, before an appellate forum and such appeal or petition is pending as on the specified date i.e. July 22, 2024; or

  • A person who has filed his objections before the Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) under section 144C and the DRP has not issued any direction on or before July 22, 2024; or
  • A person in whose case the DRP has issued direction under section 144C(5) and the AO has not completed the assessment under section 144C(13) on or before July 22, 2024.
  • A person who has filed an application for revision under section 264 of the Act and such application is pending as on July 22, 2024.

Q- What are the various timelines specified in the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme?

According to the circular here are the timelines to follow:

  • Declaration and Undertaking shall be filed by tax payer in Form- I on or before December 31, 2024 to keep the amount payable on the lower threshold. In case of filing the declaration and undertaking beyond December 31, 2024, the amount payable will increase as specified in rates Table above.
  • The Designated Authority Authority shall issue Form -2 within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of the declaration to determine the amount payable by the taxpayer.
  • The tax-payer shall pay the amount as determined in Form-2 within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of the certificate, and shall intimate the details of such payment in Form-3
  • Upon receipt of Form-3, Designated Authority shall pass an order in FormA stating that the taxpayer has paid the full and final amount.

Q- Which cases are not covered under Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas 2024 Scheme

According to the income tax department circular, the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas 2024 Scheme will not apply in respect of the following:

  • Relating to an assessment year in respect of which an assessment has been made under section 143(3)/144/147/153A/153C on the basis of search initiated under section 132/132A;
  • Relating to an assessment year in respect of which prosecution has been instituted onbefore the date of filing of declaration;
  • Relating to any undisclosed income from a source located outside India or undisclosed asset located outside India;
  • Relating to an assessment or reassessment made on the basis of information received under an agreement referred to in section 90 or section 90A, if it related to any tax arrear.

CA Abhishek Soni
CA Abhishek Soni

Abhishek Soni is a Chartered Accountant by profession & entrepreneur by passion. He is the co-founder & CEO of Tax2Win.in. Tax2win is amongst the top 25 emerging startups of Asia and authorized ERI by the Income Tax Department. In the past, he worked in EY and comes with wide industry experience from telecom, retail to manufacturing to entertainment where he has handled various national and international assignments.