Anushka Sharma goes to Bombay High Court over taxes

Actor Anushka Sharma moved to the Bombay High Court challenging two orders passed by the deputy commissioner of Sales Tax raising dues for 2012-13 and 2013-14 assessment years under the Maharashtra Value Added Tax Act. As per news agency PTI, she argued that she should be taxed as a performer and she believes that tax officials have assessed her at a higher rate than would apply to an actor or performer.

Last week, Anushka filed fresh petitions after the High Court refused to entertain her tax consultant's plea challenging the tax orders in December.

A division bench of Justices Nitin Jamdar and Abhay Ahuja has now directed the sales tax department to respond to the actor’s pleas and posted the matter for further hearing on February 6.

According to her pleas, she performed in films and at award ceremonies as a performer as part of a tri-party agreement with her agent, Yashraj Films Pvt Ltd and producers/event organisers, reported PTI.

‘Unless it is established that there is sale of goods (tangible or intangible), sales tax cannot be levied,’ the pleas said.

‘The petitioner submits that as an actor does not possess any copyright in the film, the question of transferring/selling the same to any other person or producer does not arise,’ the petitions said.

The pleas further said, ‘Performer's rights are to protect the interests of the actor and are not for transfer or sale.’

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