DTAA Course held on 1st, 8th,
15th and 22nd December, 2018 and 5th, 12th
and 19th January, 2019 at BCAS Conference Hall
BCAS successfully conducted
its 19th Study Course on Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement at BCAS
Conference Hall spanning over 7 Full Days – 1st, 8th, 15th
and 22nd December, 2018 and 5th , 12th and 19th
January, 2019. As a result of continuous refinement, the Study Course was
designed to cover all the articles of DTAA, FEMA / BEPS / MLI / GAAR, Transfer
Pricing, Source Rules under Income Tax Act, 1961, TDS u/s. 195, Substance v/s
Form and other relevant provisions. The lectures were delivered by 25 eminent
faculties who shared their experience by way of case studies on critical topics
like Residence (including case studies and POEM) and PE. The Study Course was
attended by 64 participants with diverse background such as Senior
Professionals, Practicing CAs, Young Professionals associated with Big and SME
Accounting Firms. The Study Course was an eagerly awaited event amongst the
Practitioners of International Taxation from all around the country and was
well received and appreciated by the participants. The participants were hugely
enlightened with the knowledge imparted by learned speakers.
Technology Initiatives Study Circle
Study Circle Meeting on “Data Analytics and
use of CAATs” held on 22nd January, 2019 at BCAS Conference Hall
Technology Initiatives
Committee of the Society conducted a Study Circle Meeting on “Data Analytics
and use of CAATs” on 22nd January, 2019 at BCAS Conference Hall. The
study circle was led by CA. Murtaza Q. Ghandiali, who is a Practicing Fellow
Chartered Accountant and also having diploma in cyber law & information
technology from Mumbai University.
The Speaker discussed Data
Analytics and how to use CAATs tools more effectively along with practical
examples and shared his in-depth knowledge with the participants. He also
resolved all the questions raised by the participants during the session.
The participants benefited
a lot and appreciated the efforts put in by the Speaker and group leaders.
BEPS Study Circle
Study Circle Meeting on
“Impact of MLI” held on 28th and 30th January, 2019 at
BCAS Conference Hall.
Study Circle Meeting was
held on 28th January, 2019 on Impact of MLI on Treaties entered into
by India with UK, Netherland and Belgium, at BCAS Conference Hall. The
discussion was led by Mr. Jimit Devani, Ms. Barkha Dave and Ms. Darshani Shah.
A very analytical presentation was given and an ‘Article by Article’ discussion
on clauses of MLI was done. The speakers also made references to other Treaties
entered into by India as well.
To keep the momentum on,
the next meeting was held on 30th January, 2019 for further
discussions. Again a very interactive and informative session, the learned
speakers agreed to update the presentation with the inputs received during the
meetings and circulate to the participants.
The participants
appreciated the efforts put in by the speakers and benefitted a lot from the
sessions.
Lecture Meeting on “Changing Professional
Opportunities for Corporate Social Responsibility in India” held on 6th
February, 2019 at BCAS Conference Hall
Corporate and Allied Laws
Committee organised a meeting on the captioned subject at BCAS Conference Hall
which was presented by CA. Zubin Billimoria who has authored a book on the same
topic.
The
speaker provided a holistic view of Corporate Social Responsibility prevailing
since post-independence era and its evolution in the form of personal and
professional social responsibility. He spoke on various aspects of Corporate
Social Responsibility with regard to 4 P’s viz., People, Planet, Profit and
Process. He also shared broad framework for CSR commencing from internal
restructuring and reorganisation to reporting requirements of CSR citing some
good examples and anecdotes on social responsibility.
His in-depth knowledge and
passion towards the subject made the lecture meeting insightful, interesting
and knowledge enriching. He very diligently shared the professional
opportunities in CSR for professionals, consulting agencies and NGOs at large.
The meeting was a huge takeaway for the participants.
International Economics Study Group
International Economics Study Group Meeting
on “The Modi Government – Building India of our Dreams” held on 14th
February, 2019 at BCAS Conference Hall
International Economics
Study Group conducted a meeting on 14th February, 2019 at BCAS
Conference Hall to discuss “Road to 2019 – Modi`s perspective”. CA. Shalin
Divetia presented his well researched theme “The Modi Government – Building
India of our Dreams” covering Challenges faced by Modi Govt., Addressing
Core Issues (Inequality in Living Standards, Lack of Economic Opportunities,
Corruption & Security), Permanent Solutions, Holistic Approach, Vision
backed by Execution, International Relations, Civilisational Pride. Modi
Government has launched schemes that encompass human lifecycle: Infancy, For
the Young, Family necessities, Risk Protection and Retirement. He also brought
out how Modi has attempted in Bridging Rural-Urban Divide, Initiative for
farmers, creating Economic Opportunities (Mudra Yojna, Make in India, Ease of
Doing Business, and Innovation), Tackling Corruption & NPAs, Economic
Reforms – GST & IBC, and International Relations.
CA. Harshad Shah
highlighted that 2019 Election has turned From Cakewalk to Contest and World’s
biggest election has suddenly become competitive. He highlighted few key themes
for this election such as:
Will Women Decide
India’s 2019 Elections? – Women have become a focal point of the BJP’s 2019
re-election campaign. When we empower the women in a family, we empower the
entire house-hold and have thus brought Women Centric Schemes. Women Turnout is
dramatically increasing from 2014.
“Welfare Hook”– Big
Ticket Popular Schemes – 22 to 50 crore beneficiaries.
Health,
Pension, Electricity, Gas – 10% Reservation to
Economically backward, Financing of MSMEs and Traders, KIsan Yojana, Tax Sops
for Middle Class Salaried & Small traders
Social
Media – India has 30 crore Facebook users, 20 crore WhatsApp Members
(In 2014, they had only 5 crore), Twitter 3.44 crore, 45 crore Smart phones (3
times more than 2014 election) 1.14 billion mobile phone connections. Remember
2016 US Election?
UP
Mahagathbandhan – Caste, Religion, Mathematics in politics,
1+1 doesn’t always equal 2 when 2 or more parties with diverse views, caste
matrix, ideology join together and fights compound.
Big 4 toss up states – Bengal,
Orissa, Tamilnadu, and Kerala
Numbers
Game – Higher Voter Turnout benefits BJP & People vote differently
for state and general elections
Critical
Issues – Farm Distress, Loan Waivers, Unemployment, Ram Mandir, Cow,
Polarisation, Triple Talaq etc.
CA.
Rashmin Sanghvi deliberated upon “Is this the beginning of Cold War II after
Trump withdrawing from Nuclear Missile Treaty” and brought out historical
perspective of Cold War 1 which was between 2 Super Powers USA (NATO) &
USSR. This time it`s between USA (not NATO) & China plus Russia and is
playing out through different wars – Trade, Currency, Space, Cyber etc.
The sessions were a good
learning experience for the participants
“Interactive Session with Students for
Success in CA Exams” held on 16th February 2019 at BCAS Conference
Hall
The BCAS Students Forum
under the auspices of the HRD Committee organised an Interactive session with
students for success in CA Exams on 16th February, 2019 at BCAS
Conference Hall. Students Forum had invited CA. Mayur Nayak and CA. Atul Bheda
to guide students on how to crack CA exams. They both left the audience spell
bound.
CA. Rajesh Muni, Chairman
of HRD Committee in his opening address welcomed the speakers and the student
participants. He discussed about the activities which are undertaken by HRD
Committee throughout the year and motivated the students to actively take part
in the same.
CA. Mihir Sheth, Honourable
Joint Secretary of BCAS through his inspiring words encouraged the students.
CA. Raj Khona, HRD committee member then introduced the speakers and also
shared his experience in clearing the CA exams.
CA. Mayur Nayak took the
students through his own journey on how he turned his weaknesses into
opportunities and how he prepared to crack CA final exams in first attempt with
a Rank. His session was truly motivational and inspired the students to work
hard and excel in their exams. CA. Atul Bheda took the students through the
entire ICAI exam process and solved various myths and misunderstandings
regarding the same. He provided practical tips and tricks to be implemented in
order to crack the same exams. His session was very informative and
knowledgeable to the participating students.
Around 60 students got
enlightened from this interactive session and their feedback was very positive.
BEPS Study Circle
Study Circle Meeting on “OECD Report on
addressing the Tax Challenges of the Digitalisation of the Economy” held on 21st
February, 2019 at BCAS Conference Hall
Study Circle Meeting was
held on 21st February, 2019 on OECD Report on “Addressing the Tax
Challenges of the Digitalisation of the Economy” at BCAS Conference Hall. The discussion was led by CA. Ganesh
Rajgopalan and CA. Rashmin Sanghvi.
OECD released “Public
Consultation Document – Addressing the Tax Challenges of the Digitalisation of
the Economy” and sought public comments on key issues identified in a public
consultation document on possible solutions to the tax challenges arising from
the digitalisation of the economy. The last date for submission of comments was
1st March, 2019 and therefore, the meeting was held to discuss the
report and the background thereof and also to take inputs from the participants
to enable BCAS to finalise its comments.
CA. Ganesh Rajgopalan
presented masterly overview of the paper and CA. Rashmin Sanghvi gave the
understanding of background facts which helped the participants to understand
the report in proper perspective. The participants benefited immensely from the
efforts put in by the speakers on the subject.
Technology Initiatives Committee
Half day workshop on “Technology as an
enabler for Compliance on Audit Documentation” held on 22nd
February, 2019 at BCAS Conference Hall
Technology Initiatives
Committee conducted a half day workshop on “Technology as an enabler for
Compliance on Audit Documentation” on 22nd February, 2019 at BCAS
Conference Hall. The Workshop was conducted by CA. Ashesh Jani who has domain
experience thereof in solutioning, architecting, customising and execution of
technology tools for ensuring compliance on audit documentation.
The speaker dealt with the
topic very systematically by providing insights on importance of thorough audit
documentation while conducting the audit assignments and essentials of
maintaining audit documentation in digital form. He also discussed various
issues and the control point to mitigate the issues while dealing with
technology for maintenance of audit documentation.
The program was truly
enthralling with participants. The participants appreciated the in-depth
insight given by the learned Speaker.
