ACIT 4(3), MUMBAI vs. MORGAN STANLEY INDIA CO. PVT. LTD., MUMBAI

Upward adjustment of INR 1,50,72,130 in determining the ALP of the international transaction pertaining to provision of equity broking services in CH segment to AEs 2.1.1 CUP method applied by incorrectly considering the simple average of the brokerage rates charged instead of considering the weighted average of brokerage rates charged 2.1.2 Comparability analysis should be undertaken by considering both overseas and domestic independent clients (i.e. all non-AES transactions) for determining ALP while applying CUP. 2.1.3. Not granting adjustment for marketing cost with regards to cost for trading support services and salary cost of Mr. Parag Gude while applying CUP 2.1.4 No Adjustment of research cost and 50% of volume while applying CUP 2.1.5 Assessee's transactions with its AES, are at ALP since the Assessee has charged higher brokerage rates than average brokerage rates charged to AES by third party brokers during FY 2004-05. 2.2. Applicability of TNMM 4 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. 2.3. To grant benefit of +/-5 percent u/s. 92C(2) 3. Not determining ALP of the aforesaid transaction in accordance with section 92CA(1) and section 92CA(2) of the Act, as required under section 92 CA(3) of the Act 4. No adjustment since assessee is JV between JM Group and MS Group 3. In various grounds of appeal the Revenue has challenged the following issues:-

Disallowance of club membership fees of Rs. 24,000 paid by assessee 3. Disallowance of remuneration paid to Mr. Ashith Kampani u/s 40A(2) 4. Disallowance of interest u/s 40(A)(2)(b) 5. Disallowance of interest on loss on IT&T shares 6. The Ld. CIT(A) erred in directing the AO to make transfer pricing adjustment by taking simple arithmetical mean of the uncontrolled transactions on the brokerage transactions of the assessee company with the AEs when the TPO has rightly taken the weighted average of the brokerage charged for computing the ALP.

The brief facts are that the assessee company Morgan Stanley India Co. Pvt. Ltd is a joint venture enterprise between Morgan Stanley Securities Pvt. Ltd holding 51% of its equity shares and JM Share Brokers Ltd holding the balance 49% equity. The joint venture agreement was entered for the purpose of establishing investment banking, institutional sales and trading organisations in India. For the purpose, their institutional equity shares and trading business was transferred to the assessee company w.e.f. 01/04/1999. In the relevant A.Y. 2003-04, the assessee company is engaged in financial services dealing in Indian stock broking business and also a broker at Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange with institutional client both domestic and international. Its main source of income is commission and brokerage from trading in securities on behalf of its clients.

In so far as transfer pricing adjustments are concerned, the facts are that assessee had entered into international transactions for broking services for its AEs, i.e., trade executed with the assessee for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter (Mauritius) Co. Ltd. as well as Morgan Stanley International Inc. and the 6 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. payment made by the assessee on account of overseas support services in Morgan Stanley International Inc. One of the controversies was that, assessee in the Transfer Pricing Study Report had adopted TNMM at entity level as the Most Appropriate Method for determining ALP for the said transactions with AE and reported that same were at arm‟s length. However, the ld. TPO rejected TNMM on the ground that applying TNMM at entity level is inappropriate for determining the ALP on share broking transactions carried out on behalf of its AE. He also held that there is an internal CUP which is available in the form of share broking transaction carried out on behalf of other entities like FIIs and therefore, according to him CUP is the Most Appropriate Method. The assessee had submitted that if CUP is to be applied, then certain adjustments should be allowed on account of marketing, research costs and volume, adjustment or discount on the brokerage rates charged to independent third party clients. In so far as marketing costs are concerned, the ld. TPO accepted the contentions of the assessee company that the marketing efforts in local clients were required in the case of independent third party FIIs, but similar efforts will not be required in the case of AE. However, out of the total marketing expenditure of Rs.14,48,46,535/- incurred by the assessee company, the ld. TPO found that an amount of Rs.2,93,04,273/- was incurred for the purpose of trade support services availed by the assessee company for overseas entities of the Morgan Stanley group. To the extent that such cost was for trading support and trading in securities was carried out on 7 ITA No.7675/Mum/2012 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. behalf of both AEs and unrelated parties, no such discount from marketing cost would be available with reference to that part of the marketing cost incurred. 6.1 Similarly, he held that salary cost paid to one Mr. Parag Gude amounting to Rs.4,02,75,894/- will not be available as an adjustment to the marketing cost, because he was a sales trader given the responsibility of ensuring the execution of the relevant transactions and this cost would be common to both the trading transactions carried out on behalf of the AEs as well as the unrelated overseas FIIs.

The ld. CIT (A) had by and large agreed with the ld. TPO‟s contention. However, he directed the ld. TPO to drop the brokerage rate charged to non-AEs for both house trades and DVP trades and also rejected the ld. TPO‟s basis for taking weighted average of the brokerage charge for computing the ALP and directed that simple average of each FII should be taken into consideration for computing the ALP.

The issue whether MAM will be CUP or TNMM in this case, by and large has been settled by the Tribunal that CUP should be the most appropriate method to be applied for bench marking the transaction of brokerage charged from AE. The only issue left is, as how the transfer pricing adjustment should be made, whether the margins of the comparables have to be taken on simple arithmetic mean of uncontrolled transactions or weighted average. We find that this issue had come up for consideration before the Tribunal in A.Y.2011-12, wherein the Tribunal had held that only arithmetic mean of the price of the brokerage should be taken not weighted average for comparability purpose. In that year, ld. DRP had directed the ld. AO to adopt weighted average methodology in computing the arithmetic mean of non- AE transaction for arriving at ALP of brokerage cost of house trades and DVP trades. The Tribunal observed that the statute provides “arithmatic mean” wherein all the values are added and 9 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. divided by the same by the number of values and it does not give any scope for any weight to any value and any interpretation in other way would be violation of the provisions of the statute. The Tribunal in fact disagreed with the finding of the Tribunal in A.Y.2002-03 which upheld weighted average mean. Accordingly, following the decision of the Tribunal in A.Y.2011-12, we hold that, firstly CUP method is to be applied and secondly, simple average mean brokerage rate should be taken for the comparability purpose.

The brief facts of the case pertaining to this issue, as emanating from the record, are: During the year under consideration, the assessee provided broking services to institutional investors in the Indian equity market. It, interalia, also provided broking services to its associated enterprises namely Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Mauritius and Morgan Stanley & Co International Ltd, UK. The assessee benchmarked 10 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. the aforesaid international transaction entered into with its associated enterprises by considering Transactional Net Margin Method as the most appropriate method with PLI of operating profit to total cost. Further, considering itself as the tested party, the assessee selected 9 companies as comparables and concluded that its aforesaid transaction is at arm‟s length. The TPO vide order dated 20/10/2009 passed under section 92CA (3) of the Act did not agree with the benchmarking analysis conducted by the assessee and following the approach adopted in the assessment year 2005–06 considered internal Comparable Uncontrolled Price („CUP‟) method as the most appropriate method since the assessee was having similar transactions with third parties and data was available. The TPO further found that the commission earned from the associated enterprises is less than the commission earned from independent parties. Accordingly, the TPO made a total adjustment of Rs. 22,99,91,344, in respect of transaction pertaining to broking services after making an adjustment on account of marketing to an extent of 0.0313%. The learned DRP vide its directions issued under section 144C (5) of the Act rejected the objections filed by the assessee. Being aggrieved, the assessee is in appeal before us.

During the hearing, the learned Authorised Representative (“learned AR‟) submitted that for benchmarking the transactions by application of CUP, an adjustment of 40% has been granted by the coordinate bench of the Tribunal in assessee‟s own case for the preceding year be also allowed in the year under consideration. 9. On the contrary, the learned Departmental Representative („learned DR‟) vehemently relied upon the orders passed by the lower parties. 10. We have considered the submissions and perused the material available on record. We find that the coordinate bench of the Tribunal in assessee‟s own case in Morgan Stanley India Company Pvt. Ltd. vs Addl. CIT, in ITA No. 2206 and 2320/Mum./2011, vide order dated 22/07/2022, for the assessment year 2005–06, following the judicial precendents in assessee‟s own case, observed as under:

Further guidelines (2022) at paragraph number 2.17 also suggest that in considering whether controlled and uncontrolled transaction is comparable, regard should be held to the effect on price of broader business functions other than just product comparability. Where the differences exist 12 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. between the controlled and uncontrolled transaction is on between the enterprises undertaking those transactions, it may be difficult to determine reasonably accurate adjustment to eliminate the effect on price. However such difficulties should in all fairness be adjusted reasonably but that should not preclude the application of cup method. In the present case for earlier years the learned and CIT - A has granted adjustment to the extent of 40%, which is been upheld by the coordinate benches in case of the assessee for earlier years, we also direct the learned assessing officer/transfer pricing officer to adjust and grant benefit of 40% discount to the assessee.

The learned DR could not show us any reason to deviate from the aforesaid decision and no change in facts and law was alleged in the relevant assessment year. Thus, respectfully following the order passed by the coordinate bench of the Tribunal in the assessee‟s own case cited supra, we direct the AO/TPO to grant adjustment to the extent of 40% to the assessee while determining the arm’s length price of international transaction of brokerage and commission. As a result, ground No. 1.3 raised in assessee‟s appeal is partly allowed.

This has also been followed by the Tribunal in A.Y.2005-06 also. Accordingly, on similar line we direct the TPO to give adjustment of 40% to the assessee while determining the arm‟s length price of international transaction of brokerage and commission, as against 25% given by the ld. TPO while considering both overseas and domestic independent clients while applying CUP method. Accordingly, the ground Nos. 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 are partly allowed.

In so far as not granting of adjustment of marketing cost with regards to cost for trading support services and salary cost of Mr. Parag Gude while applying the CUP, this Tribunal on 13 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. similar lines had allowed total adjustment to the extent of 40% and accordingly, this issue is partly allowed. Similarly on account of research cost also and volume for 50%, same also has been restricted to 40%.

Thus, all the adjustments which has been claimed by the assessee has been restricted to 40% by the Tribunal and accordingly, in line with the past precedent, we direct the ld. TPO to make the adjustment of 40% while determining the arm‟s length price of international transaction of brokerage and commission. In so far as the contention of assessee that AE has charged higher brokerage rates than average brokerage rates charged by AE with the third parties, it has been admitted that same has been dismissed by the Tribunal. Accordingly, this ground is dismissed. 15. Ground No.2.2 relates to applicability of TNMM, which has not been pressed and accordingly, the same is dismissed as not pressed. 16. In so far as ground No.2.3 relating to grant of benefit of +/- 5% u/s. 92C (2), the same has been submitted that direction may be given to allow in accordance with law. Accordingly, the ld. TPO is directed to grant benefit in accordance with Section 92C (2) as in the statute at that point of time. 17. Ground No. 3 & 4 has not been pressed; therefore, same is dismissed as not pressed.

As far as issue relating to disallowance of club membership fees for Rs.24,000/- paid by the assessee, the same has been held to allowable by the Tribunal relying upon the judgment of Hon’ble Bombay High Court in the case of Otis Elevator Co.

In so far as disallowance of remuneration paid to Mr. Ashith Kampani u/s. 40A(2), the same has been stated that it has been deleted by the Tribunal in A.Y.2003-04,2004-05, 2005-06 & 2006-07. The relevant observation of the Tribunal in A.Y.2006- 07 reads as under:- “27. The issue arising in ground No. 5, raised in assessee‟s appeal, is pertaining to addition on account of disallowance under section 40A(2) of the Act in respect of payment made to Mr Ashith Kampani. 28. The brief facts of the case pertaining to this issue are: During the year under consideration, the assessee made a payment of Rs 1,07,39,276 to Mr Ashith Kampani. The Ministry of Company Affairs vide letter dated 04/09/2004 being the approval of Central Government under section 314(1)(B) of the Companies Act restricted the salary, perquisites, allowances, etc. payable to Mr Ashith Kampani with effect from 01/12/2004. On perusal of details, during the assessment proceedings, it was noticed that the payment made to Mr Ashith Kampani as salary, perquisites, and allowances were within the limits approved by the Central Government. However, the payment of bonus of Rs 90,55,400 was not in accordance with the approval granted. Accordingly, the AO disallowed the sum of Rs 90,55,400 under section 40A(2) of the Act being excess payment made to Mr Ashith Kampani. The learned DRP vide directions issued under section 144C(5) of the Act rejected the objections filed by the assessee against the aforesaid addition. Being aggrieved, the assessee is in appeal before us. 29. Having considered the submissions of both sides and perused the material available on record, we find that this issue is recurring in nature and has been decided in favour of the assessee in the preceding assessment years. We find that the 16 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. coordinate bench of the Tribunal in assessee‟s own case for the assessment year 2005–06 cited supra, while deciding a similar issue, observed as under: “037. Ground no. 3 is with respect to the disallowance of remuneration paid to Mr. Ashith Kampani under Section 40A(2) of the Act. The disallowance has been made by the learned Assessing Officer holding remuneration is paid in excess of limits permitted by Ministry of law and justice vide letter dated 24th April, 2001. The learned CIT(A) found that remuneration was paid of Rs.89,17,000/- against the approval limit of 53,72,360/-. He further held that Mr. Ashith Kampani has 18 years of experience in the field of capital market. Identical issue arose in case of assessee for A.Y. 2004-05 where learned CIT(A) deleted the addition which was confirmed by ITAT. In view of this, we find no infirmity in the order of the learned CIT(A) in deleting the disallowance which has been confirmed by ITAT in assessee's own case for earlier years. We also find that the learned Assessing Officer has not given any reason that why the above remuneration is excessive and unreasonable looking to the legitimate needs of the business. Further, the approval granted under the companies Act cannot use for making disallowance under the income tax Act, for the reason that both the enactments have different objects and reasons. Accordingly, ground no. 3 is dismissed.”

Accordingly, the ground raised

In so far as the issue of disallowance of interest on loss on IT & T shares, the Tribunal in A.Y.2002-03 had deleted the addition after observing as under:- “20 We have considered the submissions of the parties and seen the orders of the lower authorities. For the year ended 31.03.2001, the assessee and JP Morgan Stanley Pvt Ltd were appointed as one of the joint lead merchant banker and the under writer for the IPO of IT & IT. Due to under subscription, the loss attributed to the undersubscribed shares were to be home by the assessee and JP Morgan Stanley Pvt. Ltd in 50: 50 shares each. JP Morgan Stanley Pvt. Ltd paid full consideration for development, which was on account of assessee and thus the assessee paid interest @12% amounting to Rs.49.56,360 The AO disallowed interest of Rs.49.56,360/-, by taking view that underwriting transaction of IT & T share was disallowed in the earlier assessment year being not related to the business. On appeal the Ld CIT(A) held that since the loss of transaction of 19 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. IT & T of AY 2001-02 has been allowed as business loss by his predecessor and accordingly, the interest component is married to such loss also assumes the character of business expense and is accordingly allowable and resultantly allowed relief to the assessee. We have further noted that the co-ordinate bench of Tribunal while considering the disallowance in AY 2001-02 in its order dated 25.01.2008 in ITA No.7060 held that loss suffered by assessee out of its business of earning commission income and on the principle of matching concept of income and expenditure, the entire loss was allowed in AY 2001-02. We are further in agreement that allowance of interest of Rs 49,56,360/- is merely consequential in the year under consideration. Therefore, we do not find any merit in the ground of appeal. The same is dismissed.

The ld. TPO noted that the working for arriving of such overseas support services have been provided by way of debit note which mentions the services and the amount charged. However, the ld. TPO noted that assessee has various list of employees, the details of the qualifications and designation have been given in his order and he came to the conclusion that since the assessee itself has employed so many employees for carrying out its business requirements, the ld. TPO held that assessee has not received any extraordinary benefit in necessitating the payment of such a huge amount and accordingly, he treated the arm‟s length price of the transaction at „Nil‟.

The ld. CIT(A) following the earlier orders of the ld. CIT(A) for A.Y.2000-01 to 2007-08 held that no TP adjustment was required to be made on account of overseas support services paid by the assessee company to its overseas entities and accordingly, following the same he has held the assessee‟s appeal. 28. Before us it has been stated that the said adjustment has been consistently been deleted by the Tribunal from A.Y.2000-01 to 2006-07. The Tribunal in A.Y.2000-01 has deleted the disallowance. The Tribunal held that assessee has discharged its onus to prove the need of the services received by it from AE which was procured by the impugned service provider under the valid agreement and looking to the performance and growth 24 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. achieved by the company in the initial years, the quantum of fee paid is fully justified. It was held that keeping in mind the comparable services have been received by the assessee company which has rightly benefitted the assessee company in its business as is evident from the performance in the initial year of the business held, that addition should be deleted. 29. We have heard both the parties at length and also gone through the earlier year orders of the Tribunal. However, we find that nowhere the nature of intra-group services and how the services has been rendered and utilised have been analysed by the Tribunal nor any of the tests for examining the arm‟s length price for such services has been discussed nor any of the tests for examining the arm‟s length principle have been looked into. The intra-group services needs to satisfy the following tests:- (i) Need Test (ii) Rendition Test (iii) Benefit Test (iv) Duplicative Services Test (v) Shareholders Activity Test The assessee is required to prepare the documents to prima facie to prove the above tests depending upon the nature of services, the manner of allocation of the cost, functional analysis etc. It is required to be proved in the TP study report itself the detailed business overview and the industry analysis of the group and the associated enterprises as well as the assessee. The onus is on the assessee to show with documentation with regard to 25 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. functions, performance with regard to rendition of the service and at least prima facie require to establish benefit test. There has to be some objective analysis of each and every service which are required by the assessee and rendered by the AE resulting into some qualitative and quantitative benefit if it can be measured. Another important factor is to examine whether the services have not been resulted into duplicative services. Further, assessee is also required to show it was for the business purpose and is not carried out by the shareholder as its own activity.

Not only that, the charging method, i.e., direct or indirect charge should also be based on proper allocation key which should be commensurate in the nature of services and the impurity of such services and utilization thereof by the assessee. Here in this case from the record, it is not discernable whether any such documentation was prepared by the assessee or was ever asked by the ld. TPO.

Before us, ld. Counsel for the assessee submitted that in the subsequent year, the assessee had filed voluminous details before the ld. CIT (A) when asked by him. It has also been submitted that in the A.Y.2007-08, based on perusal of those documentation, the ld. CIT (A) has held that the payment for intra-group services is justified.

From the perusal of the ld. TPO‟s order as noted above, it is seen that, he has merely noted that assessee had various 26 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. employees and therefore, there was no requirement or need for such services. Nowhere he is questioned or asked about the rendition of the services or to demonstrate whether there was any duplicative service. Once assessee has given the details, then ld. TPO should have at least asked for the documentation of proving the aforesaid tests and cannot simply determine arm‟s length price at „Nil‟. Since ld. TPO has not brought anything on record, therefore, we have no option but to follow the earlier year orders even though none of the orders of the Tribunal have considered this aspect. Accordingly, the Revenue cannot substantiate the disallowance of ALP at Nil and accordingly, the Revenue‟s appeal is dismissed. 33. In the result, appeal of the assessee is partly allowed and appeal of the Revenue is dismissed. ITA No.7675/Mum/2012 (A.Y.2007-08) 34. In various grounds of appeal, assessee has raised the following grounds:-

In so far as issue raised in ground No.1.1.1 to 1.1.5, as admitted by both the parties, this issue is common in A.Y.2003- 04, wherein all these issues are covered by the decision of the Tribunal for earlier years wherein the Tribunal has held that while applying CUP, various adjustments is to be given while determining the arm‟s length price, which should be allowed to the extent of 40%. Accordingly, in line with the earlier years, we direct the ld. TPO that while applying the CUP, various adjustments as claimed by the assessee should be given to the 28 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. extent of 40%. Accordingly, these grounds are treated as partly allowed.

Ground No.1.2 with regard to applicability of TNMM has not been pressed, therefore, the same is dismissed as not pressed. 36. Ground No. 1.3 is with regard to grant benefit under proviso to Section 92C(2) of +/- 5%, like in the earlier year, we have directed the ld. AO to divide the issue in accordance with law and grant consequential relief. 37. In so far as disallowance u/s.14A is concerned, the ld. AO noted that assessee received dividend income of Rs.1,49,18,622/-. The assessee has claimed that he has not incurred any expenditure with respect to earning of the exempt income and therefore, no disallowance is warranted. The ld. AO however, after applying Rule 8D (2) proceeded to make disallowance of Rs.55,34,414/-. The ld. CIT (A) has dismissed the assessee‟s appeal on this issue, however, he has given directions with regard to computation errors in the computation made by the ld. AO. 37.1 Before us, it has been stated that this issue had come up for consideration before the Tribunal in A.Y.2005-06 and 2006- 07 wherein disallowance has been restricted to Rs.1,00,000/- on the ground that Rule 8D is not applicable prior to A.Y.2008-09. Thus, following the same precedence, we hold that disallowance u/s.14A is to be restricted to Rs.1,00,000/- in absence of applicability of Rule 8D in A.Y.2007-08. One of the reasons is 29 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. that in case of the assessee, disallowance of interest is unjustified because admittedly assessee had more interest free funds exceeding the investments yielding any tax free income and now this issue stands covered by the judgement of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of South India Bank Ltd vs. CIT – 130 Taxmann.com 178 (SC). Accordingly, ground No.2 is partly allowed.

Lastly, with regard to disallowance of lease line charges, VSAT charges paid to stock exchange and transaction charges paid to local depository u/s.40a (ia) by the ld. AO. The ld. AO noted that assessee company has paid transaction charges to BSE / NSE as well as VSAT and lease line charges to Rs.6,74,13,552/-. The assessee‟s case was that transaction charges as well as VSAT and lease line charges are merely charges for recovery of cost infrastructure support and no tax should be deducted u/s.194C/194J and therefore, no disallowance is warranted u/s.40(a)(ia). However, the ld. AO following the assessment order for A.Y.2006-07 has made the disallowance of Rs. 74,44,687/- holding that transaction charges, VSAT and lease line charges are nothing but technical services following within the purview of Section 194J. The ld. CIT (A) has confirmed the said addition.

The learned DR could not show us any reason to deviate from the aforesaid decision and no change in facts and law was alleged in the relevant assessment year. Thus, respectfully following the order passed by the coordinate bench of the 31 ITA No.7675/Mum/2012 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. Tribunal in the assessee‟s own case cited supra, we direct the AO to delete the disallowance made under section 40(a)(ia) of the Act in respect of transaction charges and lease line charges. As a result, ground No. 7 raised in assessee‟s appeal is allowed.

Consequently, the ground raised

In so far as the first ground is concerned on account of ALP of brokerage received by the assessee. We find that, in fact ld. CIT(A) has not deleted addition of Rs.18,92,07,817/- but has confirmed the same and in fact has made enhancement of Rs.8,50,93,244/-. In any case this issue stands covered by the decision of the Tribunal wherein it has been held that CUP should be applied with certain adjustments and accordingly, in view of the finding given in assessee‟s appeal, the ground raised by the Revenue is dismissed.

In so far as the transfer pricing adjustment with respect to availment of overseas support services, we have already dealt this issue in A.Y.2003-04 in Revenue‟s appeal and finding given in the impugned order and following earlier order of the Tribunal, such adjustment made by the ld. TPO is directed to be deleted.

In so far as disallowance of remuneration to Mr. Ashith Kampani u/s. 40A(2) is again similar to ground No.3 in A.Y.2003-04 in Revenue appeal, wherein following the earlier Tribunal order, this disallowance can be deleted. Accordingly, ground No.3 is dismissed.

Lastly, in so far as disallowance on account of lease rentals paid for use of vehicles, the brief facts are that in the computation of income assessee had added back to the profits of business an amount of Rs.97,334/- as „Finance Charges for assets taken on lease‟ which was debited in profit & loss account and reduced the amount of Rs.5,49,612/- claimed as „Lease Rentals paid‟. The assessee stated that vehicles were acquired under the „Finance Lease‟ and the lease rent paid is broken in two parts. The principle amount is shown as liability and interest portion is debited to profit and loss account and also leased vehicles are recognised as „asset‟. However, in the computation of income the assessee has claimed the deduction of entire lease rentals paid including the principal amount. The ld. AO relying on the decision of the Hon‟ble Supreme Court in the case of M/s. Asia Brown Boveri Limited vs. Industrial Finance Corporation of India 154 Taxmann 512 disallowed the deduction of 33 ITA No.7675/Mum/2012 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. Rs.5,49,612/- claimed as lease rentals paid. The ld. CIT(A) allowed the claim holding that assessee was at no point of time the owner of the vehicles and the vehicles were to be given back to the owner after a period of the lease and nowhere the ld. AO has brought on record that this was a loan transaction in disguise on loan transaction and therefore, case law relied upon by the ld. AO is not applicable. Further, upto A.Y.2005-06, lease rental paid by the assessee has been allowed as deduction.

We find that the Tribunal in A.Y.2016-17 following the order of the Tribunal in A.Y.2005-06 has deleted the said disallowance on the ground that nowhere it has been proved that assessee was the owner of the leased assets. Accordingly, following the earlier year precedents, the claim of the assessee is allowed and the ground raised

In various grounds of appeal the assessee has challenged the following issues:-

In so far as disallowance u/s.14A is concerned, the brief facts are that the assessee had shown dividend income of Rs.2,40,40,039/-. As noted by the ld. AO, assessee had made suomoto disallowance of Rs.42,90,560/- as per Rule 8D in its computation of income, however, assessee vide letter dated 01/12/2011 submitted that no disallowance should be made after giving detailed reasons, however, the ld. AO has confirmed the suomoto disallowance of Rs.42,90,560/-. This has been confirmed by the ld. CIT (A) also.

Before us, ld. Counsel submitted that, assessee pursuant to the introduction of Rule 8D had made disallowance of Rs.42,90,560/-. However, the said disallowance was inadvertently made, but however it was pleaded before the ld. AO that assessee had not incurred any direct or indirect expenditure in relation of earning dividend income. As an alternative claim, it was submitted that disallowance can be made at Rs.81,212/- which working was given before the ld. AO. He further submitted that before the ld. CIT(A), assessee had specifically made following submissions:-  While calculating the average value of investments income from which does not or shall not form part of the total income - the Appellant had inadvertently included value of certain investments, income from which is taxable and thus forms a part of the total Income  While calculating the average of total assets - the Appellant had inadvertently added the value of deferred tax asset and reduced the value of current liabilities.

Before us, ld. Counsel submitted that, firstly, ld. AO has not recorded his satisfaction or reasons for not being satisfied with the correctness of the claim of the assessee. Therefore, disallowance u/s.14A cannot be made under rule 8D. In the absence of any proximate relationship established between the expenditure disallowed u/s.14A of the Act and the exempt income earned and as an alternative he submitted that later in the earlier year disallowance should be restricted to Rs.1,00,000/-.

After considering the entire gamut of facts and the contentions raised by the assessee, we find that first of all assessee had itself made suomoto disallowance under Rule 8D and later on assessee claimed that no disallowance should be made. The ld. AO has rejected the explanation and has made the disallowance on the basis of working given by the assessee. Thus, when assessee itself has given the working for the disallowance, there was no reason for ld. AO to record his 37 and other Appeals M/s. Morgan Stanley India Company P. Ltd. satisfaction. The assessee had to give reasons as to why disallowance is uncalled having regards to the books of accounts and then only ld. AO can record his satisfaction, whether to accept or reject the explanation given by the assessee. Here in this case, assessee at the very threshold has offered suo-moto disallowance which it rescinded from. Accordingly, the submissions made by the ld. Counsel cannot be accepted. However, interest disallowance is concerned, nothing has been brought on record as to whether the interest free funds exceeds the investments made in which had yielded exempt income. Accordingly, this issue is remanded back to the file of the ld. AO to examine the disallowance u/s.14A and assessee is directed to substantiate its claim as to why no disallowance should be made. With this direction, this ground is treated as allowed for statistical purposes. ITA No.2720/Mum/2016 (A.Y.2008-09) 57. The Revenue has raised the following grounds:-

Admittedly all the aforesaid issues have been discussed in earlier year and all these issues are covered in favour of the assessee in the order of the Tribunal accordingly, following the earlier year precedents all the grounds are dismissed. (A.Y.2009-10) 59. In various grounds of appeal

Ground No.2.2 is dismissed as not pressed and ground No.2.3, we have already given direction to the ld. AO to give benefit in accordance with law.

Ground Nos. 3 & 4 relate to disallowance u/s.14A. The assessee had earned dividend income of Rs.86,88,529/- out of which assessee had made suomoto disallowance of Rs.2,51,534/-, whereas ld. AO has made disallowance in Rule 8D at Rs.41,25,431/-. The ld. AO had disregarded the working of the disallowance given by the assessee for which, following reasons have been given for rebutting the ld. AO‟s contention:

There is a proximate Application of section 14A and Rule and live nexus between 8D is not automatic and it needs to expenditure and exempt be justified as to how expenditure income incurred by assessee during relevant year is related to income not forming part of its total income. Expenditure must have a proximate relationship with exempted income and surmise or conjecture is no answer. Assessing Officer must give a clear finding with reference to assessee's accounts as to how other expenditure claimed by assessee out of non-exempt income was related to exempt income [CIT vs. Sociedade De Fomento Industrial (P.) Ltd. [2021] 123 taxmann.com 38]

The ld. DRP has rejected the objection raised by the assessee and confirmed the disallowance made by the ld. AO. This issue like in A.Y.2008-09 is remanded back to the file of the ld. AO to decide the issue afresh in line of the direction given in earlier year. Accordingly, this ground is also allowed for statistical purposes.

In so far as ground No.5 is concerned regarding short grant of TDS, it has been informed that assessee has already filed rectification application. However, the same has not been disposed of. Accordingly, this matter is remanded back to the ld. AO to examine this issue and grant consequential relief for grant of TDS.

In ground No.6 assessment of incorrect amount of income under the head „ profits and gains from business‟. It has been noted that rectification application has been filed. Accordingly, we direct the ld. AO to examine this issue and decide the correct amount assessable under the head „profits and gains‟. (A.Y.2009-10) 66. The Revenue has raised the following ground of appeal:- GROUND GROUND/ISSUE NO.

In the result, appeals & Cross Objection of the assessee are partly allowed and appeals of the Revenue are dismissed. Order pronounced on 30th June, 2023.