ICAI Objects To Proposal Of Income-tax Dept To Exclude CAs From Practice Of Taxation Law

The ICAI has addressed a letter dated 27.11.2015 to the Principal Commissioner of Income-tax, Chandigarh, raising objections to the alleged proposal of the department not to allow Chartered Accountants and non-Advocates to “practice law” in the course of proceedings before the tax authorities. The ICAI has pointed out that taxation is one of the “core-competence” areas of Chartered Accountants and that they have expertise in accounting, auditing and taxation. It is also pointed out that these subjects are dealt with in great depth in the CA curriculum and that the ICAI has dedicated committees on taxation. It is emphasized that a chartered accountant, on passing his final examination and completing his articled training, is an expert in taxation, accountancy, auditing, company law and other laws etc., and he is fully qualified to practice in these fields. The ICAI has also drawn attention to several legislation and judicial pronouncements to support its contention that CAs are qualified to practice taxation law and cannot be barred from the same.