Amitabh gets court notice on tax exemption

New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan Monday got a notice from the Supreme Court on a plea challenging a judicial verdict allowing 30 percent tax rebate on his income to the tune of Rs.509 million in fiscal 2001-02.

A bench of Justice S.H. Kapadia and Justice Aftab Alam sought Bachchan's stand on the lawsuit by the union government's Income Tax Department.

The bench also asked the actor to account for his 2001-02 income and expenditure with appropriate proof and adjourned the matter for final hearing on Oct 28.

The case largely pertains to the actor's income from the popular TV game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' on Star TV.

The Bombay High Court had allowed the actor to avail the tax relief accepting his plea that as an artist he was entitled to the exemption as per section 80 RR of the Income Tax Act.

The Income Tax Department, however, challenged the high court ruling contending that section 80 RR of the IT Act grants tax rebates only to those artistes who earn either by performing outside the country or receive payment from foreign agencies.

The tax authorities have contended that the TV show was produced by Indian firm Star India Ltd. that renders him ineligible for the tax rebate.