Sri Lanka Consolidated Acts

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Finance Act (No. 11 of 1963) - Sect 124

Proceedings for recovery before a Magistrate

144.
(1) Where the Commissioner is of opinion in any case that recovery of business turnover tax in default by seizure and sale is impracticable or inexpedient, or where the full amount of the tax has not been recovered by seizure and sale, he may issue a certificate containing particulars of such tax and the name and last known place of business or residence of the defaulter to a Magistrate having jurisdiction In the division in which such place is situate. The Magistrate shall thereupon summon such defaulter before him to show cause why further proceedings for the recovery of the tax should not be taken against him, and in default of sufficient cause being shown, the tax in default shall be deemed to be a fine imposed by a sentence of the Magistrate on such defaulter for an offence punishable with fine only or not punishable with imprisonment, and the provisions of subsection (1) of section 312 (except paragraphs (a), (c) and (h) thereof) of the Criminal Procedure Code, relating to default of payment of a fine imposed for such an offence shall thereupon apply, and the Magistrate may make any direction which, by the provisions of that subsection, he could have made at the time of imposing such sentence:
(2) Nothing in subsections (2) to (5) of section 312 of the Criminal Procedure Code shall apply in any case referred to in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) In any case referred to in subsection (1) in which the defaulter is sentenced to imprisonment in default of payment of the fine deemed by that sub section to have been imposed on him, the Magistrate may allow time for the payment of the amount of the said fine or direct payment of that amount to be made by instalments.
(4) The court may require bail to be given as a condition precedent to allowing time under subsection (1) for showing cause as therein provided or under subsection (3) for the payment of the fine; and the provisions of Chapter XXXVI of the Criminal Procedure Code shall apply where the defaulter is so required to give bail.
(5) Where payment in instalments is directed under subsection (3) and default is made in the payment of any one instalment, the same proceedings may be taken as if default had been made in payment of all the instalments then remaining unpaid.
(6) In any proceeding under subsection (1), the Commissioner's certificate shall be sufficient evidence that the tax is in default, and any plea that the tax is excessive, incorrect, or under appeal shall not be entertained:
(7) The Commissioner shall, notwithstanding the provisions of section 139, consider any objection made under subsection (6) and give his decision thereon, which shall be final, and shall be certified by him to the Magistrate, and proceedings under this section shall thereupon be resumed to enforce payment of the tax as reduced or confirmed under such decision. Where no objection has been made to the Commissioner within the period for which the matter was adjourned under that subsection, the Commissioner shall issue a certificate to that effect and proceedings under this section shall be resumed to enforce payment of the tax.


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