Stafford Motor Company (Private) Limited vs The Commissioner General of Inland Revenue – CA TAX/0021/2018-2023

The case between the Appellant, a private limited company engaged in importing and distributing Honda and Hero Honda products, and the Respondent, represented by the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue and associated tax authorities, addressed issues related to the timeliness of assessments under section 163(5) of the Inland Revenue Act and the retrospective versus prospective effects of statutory amendments, as well as the qualification of the Nation Building Tax as a prescribed levy. The analysis focused on whether the assessment for the year 2010/2011, completed on September 09, 2013, was time barred and whether the subsequent determination complied with the statutory deadlines, leading to the annulment of the disputed determination.

Dr. Ruwan Fernando, J. — It was determined tha