[2023] UGCommC 159

[2023] UGCommC 159

The court found that the 15,000 Euros paid by the respondent to JELCO was a reimbursement of expenses incurred by JELCO in Norway, not a management charge or income derived from Uganda. The evidence showed that air tickets and related expenses were procured and paid for outside Uganda, and the respondent merely...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2023] UGCommC 159
Parties
Appellant: Uganda Revenue Authority; Respondent: Jacobsen Uganda Power Plant Co. Ltd
Court
Commercial Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Civil Appeal 26 of 2018
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Judges
Wabwire, J
Legal Topics
Withholding Tax, Value Added Tax, Management Charges, Source of Income, Reimbursable Expenses, Burden of Proof
Source Language
en
Tax Law Commercial and Corporate Withholding Tax Value Added Tax Management Charges Source of Income Reimbursable Expenses Burden of Proof

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Parties

Uganda Revenue Authority

Appellant

Jacobsen Uganda Power Plant Co. Ltd

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the appellant was justified in charging Withholding Tax on the payments of 15,000 Euros made by the respondent to JELCO.
  2. 2 Whether the appellant was justified in charging VAT on the respondent for the reimbursed expenses to JELCO.
  3. 3 Whether the Tax Appeals Tribunal erred in its evaluation of evidence regarding the sourcing of air ticket payments and the burden of proof.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the 15,000 Euros paid by the respondent to JELCO was a reimbursement of expenses incurred by JELCO in Norway, not a management charge or income derived from Uganda. The evidence showed that air tickets and related expenses were procured and paid for outside Uganda, and the respondent merely reimbursed JELCO. Under the Income Tax Act, such reimbursements do not constitute taxable income or management charges, and thus are not subject to Withholding Tax. Regarding VAT, the court held that the place of supply for the reimbursed services was outside Uganda, and VAT had already been charged at the point of consumption abroad. There was no legal basis for the appellant to...

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The Tax Appeals Tribunal's majority ruling in TAT Application No. 11 of 2016 is upheld.
  • The appellant shall bear the costs of this appeal.