Finance Act, 1973

Chapter II

Income Tax, Sur-tax and Corporation Profits Tax

Extension of charge to tax to profits and income derived from activities carried on and employments exercised on the Continental Shelf.

33.—(1) In this section and in the Third Schedule—

(a) “exploration or exploitation activities” means activities carried on in connection with the exploration or exploitation of so much of the sea bed and subsoil and their natural resources as is situated in the State or in a designated area;

(b) “exploration or exploitation rights” means rights to assets to be produced by exploration or exploitation activities or to interests in or to the benefit of such assets;

(c) “designated area” means an area designated by order under section 2 of the Continental Shelf Act, 1968 ;

(d) “tax” means income tax, sur-tax or corporation profits tax, as appropriate, and “for tax purposes” means for purposes of any of the said taxes.

(2) Any profits or gains from exploration or exploitation activities carried on in a designated area or from exploration or exploitation rights shall be treated for tax purposes as profits or gains from activities or property in the State.

(3) Any profits or gains arising to any person not resident in the State from exploration or exploitation activities carried on in the State or in a designated area or from exploration or exploitation rights shall be treated for tax purposes as profits or gains of a trade carried on by that person in the State through a branch or agency.

(4) Where exploration or exploitation activities are carried on by a person on behalf of the holder of a licence granted under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960 , the holder of the licence shall, for the purpose of any assessment to tax, be deemed to be the agent of that person.

(5) Any emoluments from an office or employment in respect of duties performed in a designated area in connection with exploration or exploitation activities shall be treated for tax purposes as emoluments in respect of duties performed in the State.

(6) This section shall have effect for the purposes of income tax (including sur-tax) for the year 1973-74 and subsequent years of assessment and for the purposes of corporation profits tax as respects any profits arising on or after the 1st day of April, 1973.

(7) The Third Schedule shall have effect for the purpose of supplementing this section.