How to manage Amendments in Direct Tax for CA Final Examinations

The exam weightage of Direct Tax Amendments ranges between 20 to 40 marks in CA Finals. As a student, one cannot ignore these amendments made by latest Finance Act. Also, it is often observed that students are not able to handle the questions on amendments effectively during exam hours and therefore, struggle with them before exam day.

Even after 21 years of the CA Final examination attempted by me in May 1996, scenario has not much changed. The difficulties what we were facing while dealing with the amendments still persists.

Below listed are major issues faced by the students, while dealing with Direct Tax Amendments.

WHERE - 'From where to study these amendments'?

This issue has become slightly bigger for the students appearing for May 2018 attempts since ICAI has not provided any supplementary reading material this time.

Fortunately, Google comes to rescue. However, it is of no use, because too much of information is as good as no information, also it lacks the authenticity and correctness.

Also, some files being shared in social media on amendments contains very few pages while other set of files may offer bulky 200 pages of confused information. In between of these extremes, what to read is a big confusion!!

HOW - 'How do I obtain in-depth understanding on these amendments?'

Since the files containing amendments are based on the commentary given in 'Memorandum Explaining Union Budget', it becomes more theoretical and less practical for the students. Another difficulty is that most of the amendments are drafted in the following forms:

1. To resolve these conflict, following proviso has been inserted under sub section (2) of section....................................
2. Second proviso appearing in sub-section (3) has been omitted w.e.f............................
3. After sub-section (2) of section...................................., following sub-section has been inserted.
4. Sub-section (5) of section.....................................has been substituted by the following w.e.f

Unless you have a habit of reading the bare act, hardly one can digest the amendments drafted in this fashion in various files found on the search results.

PREDICTION - 'How ICAI will test these amendments'?

Even after balancing the first two problems, the biggest question is that how the amendments are taken care of by the paper setter in the CA Final examinations. Unfortunately, you are the first one to face them, for coming attempt.

PRESENTATION - 'What shall I write in the answer sheet?'

Suppose, you may know how ICAI will test the amendments, then also difficulty persists in drafting the solution during 3 hours of examinations. This is because, most of the students lack on intellect level of amendments as compared to the level of questions ICAI may set in the exams.

I think what you need clear and meticulous handbook which is nothing but a careful mixture of:

1. In depth analysis on the amendments
2. Practical questions which take care of almost all the possibilities on amendments in its sweep
3. Solution to the practical situation so that presentation problem can be mitigated.

I have made a 5-minute video discussing all these issues and their solutions in detail:

Click here to enroll 18 hours 'Amendments in Direct Tax for CA Final May 18 examination' course by the author.

Wish you all the best for upcoming examinations.