The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Bangalore Bench stayed the recovery of outstanding tax arrears to the tune of Rs.1260.56 Crores against Google India.

Originally the stay was granted by the Tribunal for a period of six months. As per the original stay order of the Tribunal, the assessee was directed to pay Rs.15 crore towards the outstanding tax demand within a period of one month from the date of receipt of the order.

The assessee, Google India had complied with the conditions mentioned by the Tribunal for the grant of stay. Later, the stay against recovery of outstanding tax arrears was extended.

By the second order of stay, the recovery of outstanding demand was stayed for a period of six months or till the disposal of the appeal whichever is earlier.

The appeal was posted for hearing on October 8, 2020, however, the same was adjourned by the Bench to January 5, 2021 to await the outcome of the preceding year pending adjudication before the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka.

The Coram consisting of George George K. and B.R. Baskaran held that the assessee has already complied with the conditions mentioned in the stay orders passed by the Tribunal.

Therefore, the ITAT opined that the stay needs to be extended for a further period of six months or till the disposal of the appeal whichever is earlier.