Sales Tax was introduced in Delhi in the year 1951 when Bengal Finance Sales Tax Act was extended to the Union Territory of Delhi with effect from 1.11.1951. Initially, there was no formal association of Tax Practitioners in Delhi. Sales Tax Bar Association was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, vide Certificate of Registration No. 1078 of 1956-57 dated 30th March, 1957.
The aims and objects of the Association, inter alia, are:-
1. To promote and maintain a high standard of professional brotherhood amongst the members of the Association.
2. To promote and encourage friendly feelings, unity and co-operation among the members of the fraternity in all matters of common interest.
3. To take such steps as may be expedient and necessary for maintaining the prestige of the Association and also for procuring for the members all due privileges from the Goods and Services Tax Authorities, the Lt. Governor and from other concerned authorities of different departments.
4. To promote and diffuse knowledge and study of law and practice concerning, Goods and Services Tax, Income Tax, fiscal and other allied Laws.
5. To provide facilities and conveniences to the members of the Association, to maintain a library, to arrange meetings, conferences and the reading of papers on Direct and Indirect Taxes and other subjects with a view to advancing, propagating, improving and simplifying the laws of taxation including but not limited to Goods and Services Tax and other allied Laws for the benefit of its members in particular and of tax payers in general.
6. To watch the state of laws relating to Goods and Services, Tax Income-tax, and other fiscal and allied laws.
7. To express opinions on proposed Amendments of Goods and Services Tax, Income Tax and other allied laws and to make representations in respect thereof.
8. To procure, publish, issue and circulate gratuitously or otherwise any reports or periodicals, books, e-tax material / Digital, pamphlets, leaflets or other documents.
9. To acquire, construct and manage movable and immovable properties of the Association for the attainment of the above-mentioned objects.
10. To raise and manage funds, collect donations and make projects for the objects of the Association.
11. To invest and deal with the money of the Association not immediately required in such securities and in such manner as may from time to time be determined.
12. To promote, encourage or undertake organized research and experimental work.
13. To do all such lawful acts as may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects mentioned above or any of them.
14. To promote and disseminate knowledge and study of any branch of law and legislation.
15. To promote and provide support services to the members of the Association.
16. To promote contributory financial assistance to its employee(s) in individual cases of bonafide and dire needs such as marriage of daughter or a medical treatment of the staff member.
17. To provide contributory assistance to member in individual cases if member is required to undergo inordinate medical treatment or hospitalization.
18. To provide financial assistance through institutional channels in cases of natural calamities or even man-made disasters.
19. To provide and render services which are of general public utility within the meaning of the Income Tax Act, 1961 & 2025.
DISSEMINATION OF KNOWLEDGE
Regularly provides support services to members and also disseminates knowledge through various social medias in tune with modern times i.e. SMS, whatsapp, emails and updation on its website.
DSTC - A JOURNAL OF THE BAR
For the last 65 years, Bar Association has regularly been publishing its own Journal- "Delhi Sales Tax Cases" found to be of immense help to the Members of the Bar, the Department and quoted with approval by the Delhi High Court.
BENEVOLENT FUND SCHEME
Sales Tax Bar is one of the few Bar Associations in the country which is successfully running Benevolent Fund Scheme since 1975, under which, financial assistance is provided to the family of a deceased member.
STUDY CIRCLE MEETINGS AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS GROOMING THE YOUNG
At Sales Tax Bar, we believe that Bar Association should be a forum for intellectual pursuits. The Bar Association, regularly holds Study Circle Meetings in which eminent speakers address the members and deliver lectures. Holds Group Discussions every month in which queries of the members, particularly the young members, are answered on the spot. Is regularly imparting knowledge & training to the younger members of the fraternity by way of a programme called “Grooming the Young”.
SEMINARS & CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND WEBINARS
The Bar Association, at periodic intervals conducts workshops, seminars and conferences. Various conferences organised are inaugurated by Hon?ble Judges of Supreme Court of India, Chief Minister of Delhi, Judges of the High Court. The technical sessions are generally presided over and chaired by Hon?ble Judges of the High Court, along with eminent legal luminaries.
WELL-EQUIPPED LIBRARY
Books are the backbone of our profession. The Bar Association is equipped with one of the best Law Libraries in Delhi. Both hard copies and e-journals of prominent use by members are subscribed and updated regularly.
SPORTS
Every year the Bar organises as an annual event a sports tournament of both indoor and outdoor sports viz, Cricket, badminton, table tennis, chess, carrom, lawn tennis and pickleball. Cricket matches are regularly conducted among the members of the Association, and from time to time, goodwill cricket matches are also organized with officers of the Department and members of other Bar Associations. Members of the Bar regularly participate in such sports activities to keep them mentally and physically fit. These sporting activities provide an excellent platform for camaraderie, healthy competition, and interaction among members.
EXEMPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION TO SENIOR MEMBERS
It is probably the only Bar in the country in which, as a mark of respect to the seniors, exemption from payment of subscription has been granted to members above the age of 75 years
COMMITTED SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
We at Sales Tax Bar Association, believe that we as professionals have a larger responsibility to discharge to the society. The Bar Association regularly organise Blood Donation and Multi-speciality Health Check-up Camp every year particularly on 18th July, the day to celebrate the occasion of inauguration Anniversary of Bar Premises in Vyapar Bhawan, New Delhi. Whenever, there was a calamity, the members of the Bar came out whole heartedly to support the victims of such calamity by contribution to recognised Relief Funds. Bar also maintains a regular „Helping Hand Fund.
It is one of those few Bar Associations in the country which has obtained registration u/s 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act, and is regularly filing its Income Tax Return.