Sania Mirza sent notice by Service Tax Department

‘Tax Evasion’ Notice to Sania Mirza

Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has been slapped with a notice by the Service Tax Department. This is allegedly for a case of tax evasion. The Principal Commissioner of the Service Tax office has issued this notice to the Hyderabad-based tennis star.

As per credible sources, the notice reads – “Whereas an investigation against you about non-payment/evasion of Service Tax/contravention of provisions of Finance Act 1994 and Rules made thereunder is being inquired. I have reasons to believe you are in possession of facts or/and documents and things which are relevant to the inquiry”.

It also says, “You are hereby summoned under Central Excise Act, 1944 made applicable to service Tax matters under Finance Act, 1994 to appear before the Office in person or by an authorised agent on February 16 to give evidence truthfully on such matters concerning the enquiry as you may be asked to produce the documents and things,”

More about the notice

According to the notice, Sania Mirza, the current number 1 in women’s doubles is under trouble. She has been charged under the Central Excise Act, 1944 and also the Finance Act, 1944. The tennis star is said to have overlooked service tax payment amounting to a huge sum of Rs 14.5 lakh. On adding cess, this amount burgeons to a whopping 16 lakhs.

Interestingly, this tax is derived from Sania Mirza’s triumph in the US Open mixed doubles event in 2014. The pair of Sania Mirza and Bruno Soares defeated American Abigail Spears and Mexican Santiago Gonzalez to win the coveted trophy. In a thrilling deciding set, the Indo-Brazilian pair finally triumphed 6-1,2-6,11-9.

The notice requires Sania, or any authorized agent to appear before the body in person by February 16. Also, without a lawful excuse, she is liable to be punished under the IPC. However, this is not the first time a sportsman has been embroiled in a tax issue. Lionel Messi faced similar problems last year and was lucky to avoid imprisonment.