THE ACIT, CIRCLE-1(2), SURAT vs. M/S. PRAMUKH INTERNATIONAL, SURAT

Assessee by ShriMehul R. Shah, C.A Revenue by Shri Sreenivas T. Bidari, CIT –DR& Shri Sita Ram Meena, Sr-DR Date of hearing 29.07.2021 Date of pronouncement 29.07.2021 Order under section 254(1) of Income Tax Act PER PAWAN SINGH, JUDICIAL MEMBER: 1. These group of four appeals by Revenue are directed against the separate orders of ld. Commissioner of Income tax (Appeals)-2 [CIT(A)], Surat dated 28.06.2018 & 10.07.2018 for assessment year (AYs) 2009-10& 2010- 11, out of which relates to quantum assessments and ITA No(s).662-663/SRT/2018 relates to deleting the penalty under section 271(1)(c) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (for short ‘the Act’). Facts in first two ITA No.602-603 & 662-663/SRT/2018 (AYs 09-10 & 10-11) M/s Pramukh International appeals are similar, except variation of deduction under section 10AA, the Revenue has raised certain common grounds of appeal

, therefore, with the consent of the parties are clubbed together, heard and are decided by a consolidated order for appreciation of fact. The facts of appeal for A.Y 2009- 10 was treated as lead case. The Revenue has raised the following grounds of appeal:- “1. On the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) has erred in allowing the claim of assessee on deduction u/s 10AA of Rs.2,97,40,470/- inspite of the fact that the assessee claimed excess deduction without allowing the interest and remuneration to partners which was otherwise taxable in the hands of partners.

2. The assessee has tried to cover its intentions behind the provisions of section 40(b) of taking undue benefits of section 10AA by making reverse interpretation of the same which says that a firm is entitled for claim of remuneration and interest paid to partners only if the same is authorized in the Partnership Deed.

3. The income in the hands of the a firm was computed in terms of Sec 28 to 43D and Sec 40(b) in respect of allowance of interest and salary falls between these two provisions and therefore full effect has to be given to this provisions also. Hence, the action of the AO was in accordance of the existing law and provisions.”

ITA No.602-603 & 662-663/SRT/2018 (AYs 09-10 & 10-11) M/s Pramukh International 2. Brief facts of the case are that assessee if a partnership firm, engaged in manufacturing activities. The assessee filed its return of income for assessment year (A.Y.) 2009-10, declaring nill income. In the computation of income the assessee claimed exemption under section 10AA as the assessee derived income from manufacturing activities. During the assessment the assessing officer noted that the assessee has not claimed / debited interest on the capital of partners and their remuneration. The assessing officer by relying on the decision of Rajkot Tribunal in Meridian Impex (37 taxmann.com 22) held the interest on the partners’ capital and remuneration is allowable to them. The assessing officer held that non- charging of interest and remuneration thereof has been done to enhance the profit of eligible exempt income. The assessing officer worked out the interest and remuneration of Rs. 2.97 Crore and thereby excluded it from the eligible amount of deduction under section 10AA and initiated penalty under section 271(1)(c). On appeal before learned CIT(A), the action of assessing officer was reverse. Thus, aggrieved by the order & 662-663/SRT/2018 (AYs 09-10 & 10-11) M/s Pramukh International of Ld. CIT(A), the revenue has filed present appeal before this Tribunal.

raised by the revenue is squarely covered by the decision of Jurisdictional high Court in Alidhara Taxspin Engineers ( Tax Appeal No. 265 of 2017 dated 02.05.2017) and various other decisions of the Tribunal, which are passed after considering the said decision of Hon'ble High Court. The Ld. AR for the assessee submits that there is no clause in the 4 -603 & 662-663/SRT/2018 (AYs 09-10 & 10-11) M/s Pramukh International partnership deed to make payments to the partners either on account of capital contribution or remuneration. All these facts were considered by Ld. CIT(A) while granting relief to the assessee.

5. We have considered the rival submissions of the parties and have gone through the orders of the lower authorities. As noted above the assessing officer restricted the claim of section 10AA by taking view that that the assessee has not claimed interest on the capital of partners and their remuneration. The assessing officer relied on the decision of Rajkot Tribunal in Meridian Impex (supra) and held that non-charging of interest and remuneration thereof has been done to enhance the profit of eligible exempt income. The assessing officer worked out the interest and remuneration of Rs. 2.97 Crore and thereby restricted the claim of section 10AA. The Ld. CIT(A) deleted the disallowance by following the decision of Jurisdictional high Court in Alidhara Taxspin Engineers ( supra) and also held that in the partnership deed it is clearly mentioned that no interest on capital or remuneration is payable to the partners.