AMD INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED,BENGALURU vs. ACIT, CIRCLE-1(1)(1), BANGALORE

Date of hearing : 03.04.2023 Date of Pronouncement : 26.06.2023 O R D E R Per Laxmi Prasad Sahu, Accountant Member These appeals by the assessee are against the orders of the Assessing Officer passed u/s. 143(3) r.w.s. 144C(13) r.w.s. 143(3A) & 143(3B) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 [the Act] dated 13.4.2021 for the Y 2016-17 and u/s. 143(3) r.w.s. 144C(13) r.w.s. 144B of the Act dated 28.02.2022 for the AY 2017-18. These appeals & Stay petition

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 2 of 133 were heard together and disposed of by this consolidated order for the sake of convenience.

2. The assessee is engaged in the business of providing software development services and marketing support services to its Associated Enterprises (AE). The services are provided on cost plus basis. A reference was made to the TPO for determining ALP of international transactions entered into by the assessee.

IT(TP)A No.238/Bang/2021 3. The assessee has raised the following grounds of appeal:-

“GENERAL GROUND

1. The Orders passed by learned Additional / Joint / Deputy / Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax / Income-tax Officer, National e-Assessment Centre (hereinafter referred as “AO” for brevity), learned Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax (Transfer Pricing) – 1(1)(1), Bangalore (“TPO”) and the Honourable DRP-1, Bengaluru (“DRP”) (“AO”, “TPO” and DRP collectively referred as “lower authorities” for brevity) are bad in law and liable to be quashed. GROUNDS RELATING TO TRANSFER PRICING – LEGAL ISSUES

2. The learned AO has erred in making a reference for the determination of the Arm’s Length Price of the international transactions to the learned TPO without demonstrating as to why it was necessary and expedient to do so.

3. The lower authorities have erred in not appreciating that, the addition made to the income returned is bad in law as the charging or computation provision relating to income under the head “Profits & Gains of Business or Profession” do not refer to or include the amounts computed under Chapter X.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 3 of 133 4. The lower authorities have erred in passing the Order without demonstrating that the Appellant had any motive of tax evasion. GROUNDS RELATING TO TP (SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT SEGMENT) 5. The lower authorities have erred in making transfer pricing adjustment of Rs. 52,67,17,689/- towards international transactions in the Software Development Segment.

6. The lower authorities have erred in: (i) Rejecting comparables selected and the TP analysis undertaken by the Appellant on unjustifiable grounds. The lower income tax authorities have erred in rejecting following companies selected by the Appellant as comparables: • Akshay Software Technologies Limited • Evoke Technologies Private Limited (ii) Rejecting following additional comparables proposed by the Appellant on unjustifiable grounds: • Sagarsoft India Limited • Sasken Communication Technologies Limited 7. The lower authorities have erred in: (i) Conducting a fresh TP analysis despite absence of any defects in the transfer pricing analysis submitted by the Appellant. (ii) Adopting a flawed process in issuing notices u/s 133(6) and relying on the information collected without providing the Appellant the complete information or providing an opportunity to cross examine; (iii) Adopting inappropriate filters like one sided turnover filter, persistent loss making filter, 15% RPT filter etc. in the process of selecting comparables. (iv) No adopting appropriate filters like onsite revenue filter, etc. (v) Selecting inappropriate comparables and selecting companies as comparables even though they are not comparable in terms of functions performed, assets utilized, risks assumed, size, have unusual business circumstances, high margin, etc. The lower income tax authorities have erred in adopting the following companies as comparables: • Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd • Nihilent Ltd IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 4 of 133 • Inteq Software Pvt. Ltd • Persistent Systems Ltd. • Infobeans Technologies Ltd • Thirdware Solution Ltd • Infosys Ltd • Aspire Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd • Cybage Software Pvt. Ltd 8. The lower authorities have erred in incorrectly computing the operating profit margin of following comparables: • Aspire Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd 9. The lower authorities have erred in treating provision for doubtful debt as non-operating in nature while computing operating margins of comparables.

11. The lower authorities have erred in: (i) Not adopting Cash PLI for computation of arm’s length price; (ii) Not recognizing that the Appellant was insulated from risks, as against comparables, which assume these risks and therefore have to be credited with a risk premium on this account; and (iii) Not providing R&D adjustment and marketing adjustment while computing the Arm's length price. GROUNDS RELATING TO TP (SALES AND MARKETING SUPPORT SERVICES SEGMENT) 12. The learned AO has erred in making transfer pricing adjustment of Rs. 2,53,32,409/- towards Marketing Support Segment.

13. The lower authorities have erred in: (i) Rejecting comparables selected and the TP analysis undertaken by the Appellant on unjustifiable grounds. The lower income tax authorities have erred in rejecting following companies selected by the Appellant as comparables:

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 5 of 133 • Spectrum Business Solutions Ltd • ICRA Management (India) Private Limited • Hindustan Fields Services Pvt Ltd (ii) Conducting a fresh TP analysis despite absence of any defects in the transfer pricing analysis submitted by the Appellant.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 6 of 133 (ii) Not recognizing that the Appellant was insulated from risks, as against comparables, which assume these risks and therefore have to be credited with a risk premium on this account; and GROUNDS RELATING TO NOTIONAL INTEREST ON TRADE RECEIVABLES 18. The lower authorities have erred in: (i) Ignoring the business, commercial and industry realities and economic circumstances applicable to the Appellant; (ii) Making adjustment for notional interest on extended payment terms given to AE without appreciating that there is no real income arising to the Appellant; (iii) Not appreciating that the receivable from the AE is not an international transaction within the meaning of section 92B of the Act; (iv) Not appreciating that the receivable from AE is not a separate transaction from the sale of goods or provision of services from which it is arising; (v) Not appreciating that the Appellant had adopted TNMM at segmental level, in which process, the receivables were considered as closely linked transaction and hence were subsumed and accordingly already considered; (vi) Without prejudice, adopting SBI retail term deposit rate at 5.50%. The rate determined is excessive; and (vii) Without prejudice, not adopting only LIBOR as the basis for benchmarking. GROUND RELATING TO CORPORATE TAX 19. The lower authorities have erred in (i) Making addition of Rs. 35,00,40,324/- by disallowing the depreciation claimed on Goodwill; (ii) Not appreciating that the difference between Purchase consideration and the value of net assets acquired constitute an intangible asset; (iii) Not appreciating that Goodwill is a business asset and falls within the meaning of "other business or commercial right of similar nature" Explanation 3(b) to section 32 of the Act and is eligible for depreciation; and (iv) Not following the binding judicial precedents of Hon'ble Supreme Court.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 7 of 133 OTHER GROUND 20. The learned AO has erred in not providing the credit of Advance Tax paid of Rs. 9,56,00,000 relating to the transferor company (which merged with the Appellant), while computing the tax liability of the Appellant.

21. The lower authorities have erred in levying interest under section 234B of the Act amounting to Rs. 18,99,44,423/-. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, interest under section 234B is not leviable, being consequential in nature. The Appellant denies its liability to pay interest under section 234B. The Appellant submits that each of the above grounds/ sub- grounds are independent and without prejudice to one another. The Appellant craves leave to add, alter, vary, omit, substitute or amend the above grounds of appeal, at any time before or at, the time of hearing, of the appeal, so as to enable the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal to decide the appeal according to law. The Appellant prays accordingly.”

4. For the AY 2016-17, The TPO vide order dated 29.10.2019 u/s 92CA of the Act proposed the following TP adjustments:-

Name of the Segment Average margin TP Adjustment Software development 20 comparables with Rs. 55,87,73,405/- segment median of 28.20%. Rs. 3,32,14,009/- Marketing support 5 comparables with services segment mean of 15.88% Notional Interest on Interest rate at 4.98% Rs. 2,53,25,332/- Trade Receivables PA Total Rs. 61,73,12,746/-

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 8 of 133 5. The AO passed a draft assessment order under section 143(3) r.w.s. 144C of the Act on 30.12.2019 incorporating the TP adjustment of Rs. 61,73,12,746. The AO also made addition of Rs.35,00,40,324 by disallowing the depreciation claimed on Goodwill arising out of merger. Aggrieved, the assessee filed its objections before DRP. Pursuant to the directions of the DRP, an order giving effect to DRP directions was passed by the TPO dated 08.04.2021 making total TP adjustment of Rs.56,44,19,964 as follows:-

Name of the Segment Average margin TP Adjustment Software development 14 comparables with Rs. 52,67,17,689/- segment median of 27.28% Marketing support 9 comparables with Rs. 2,11,54,051/- services segment median of 12.99% Notional Interest on Interest rate at 5.50% Rs. 1,65,48,223/- Trade Receivables PA 6. Subsequently the AO passed the final assessment order dated 17.02.2021 incorporated the TP adjustment as per TP OGE to DRP directions and corporate tax addition of Rs.35,00,40,324/-. Disallowance of Goodwill as made in draft assessment order was retained in the final assessment order. Aggrieved by the final assessment order, the assessee is in appeal before the Tribunal.

7. Ground Nos. 1 to 4 were not argued by the ld. AR of the assessee and hence it is dismissed as not pressed. Ground No.5 is general in nature.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT SEGMENT

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 9 of 133 8. The effective issue in ground No.6(i) & (ii) is with regard to rejection of Akshay Software Technologies, Evoke Technologies Ltd. & additional comparables selected by the appellant viz., Sagarsoft India Ltd. and Sasken Communication Technologies Ltd. by the revenue authorities, which the assessee has sought for inclusion of the same in the comparables list.

Ground No.6(i) - Akshay Software Technologies Limited [Akshay Software] 8.1 The revenue authorities held that Akshay Software Technologies Limited is functionally different on the ground that it is engaged in providing professional services, procurement, installation, implementation, support and maintenance of ERP products and services in India and Overseas. Further, the company has substantial onsite operations as it in incurred foreign expenditure of about 77%. The DRP upheld the rejection on the ground that this company is not part of search matrix of TPO.

8.2 Before us, the ld. AR submitted that this company is functionally similar to assessee as it provides Software Development Services and invited reference to Pg 1241 & 1244 of PB I and Pg 1002 of PB I. It was submitted that the TPO applied inconsistent approach for onsite filter. It was submitted that the company passes all filters applied by the TPO. Reliance is placed on the decision in the case of Capco Technologies Private Ltd v DCIT IT(TP)A No 204/Bang/2021 (Para 26).

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 10 of 133 8.3 After hearing both the parties, we find from the case law relied by the ld. AR in Capco Technologies Private Ltd v DCIT, IT(TP)A No 204/Bang/2021 dated 18.11.2021¸the Tribunal has at para 26 of the order remanded this issue to the TPO/AO for fresh consideration by observing as under:-

“26. The inclusion of the remaining 2 companies needs to be considered now. As far as Akshay Software Technologies Ltd., is concerned, it has been the submission of the learned Counsel for the assessee that in assessee’s own case for Assessment Year 2013-14 in IT(TP)A No.1981/Bang/2017 dated 21.03.2018, this Tribunal remanded the question of comparability of this company to the TPO for fresh consideration with some observations in para 19 of this order. Even in respect of the comparable company Evoke Technologies Ltd., in the very same order in para 22, the issue was remanded to the TPO for fresh consideration. We are of the view that in line with the decision of the Tribunal referred to above, the issue should be remanded to the TPO/AO for fresh consideration, after affording assessee opportunity of being heard. We hold and direct accordingly.” 8.4 However, in the above decision, the case has been remitted and in the case of SAS Research & Development India P. Ltd. [223] 146 tamann.com 202 (Pune Trib) [ITA No.255(Pune) of 2021] for AY 2016-17 order dated 01.11.2022, the Tribunal examined the financial statements as well as the functional profile and activities of Akshay Software Technologies Ltd. in which it has been held as under:-

“7. The TPO has excluded this comparable because as per TPO the comparable Akshay is providing professional services in the nature of Staffing Services by which the company employees IT Professionals and provides them to various clients in the IT Industry on contract staffing/permanent staffing basis.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 11 of 133 7.1 The DRP has upheld the exclusion of Akshay Software on the ground mentioned by TPO. The DRP also held that Akshay is providing staffing services i.e. it is providing technical personnel to various clients. 7.2 The Ld.AR mainly stated that the company is engaged in rendering software development services and the same is evident from Note 18 'Revenue from operations' as it derives revenue from services. 7.3 We have heard both the parties and perused the records. In the Annual report of Akshay it is mentioned as under : "Akshay Software Technologies Limited ('the Company') is engaged in providing professional services and procurement, implementation and support of ERP products and services in India and Dubai" 7.4 On the Web Site of Akshay it is mentioned as under : "We have over three decades of presence in the UAE market of sourcing contract staffing for clients. With deep consideration of UAE rules & laws we manage outsourced staff in a professional manner .We have immense experience to source candidate of all nationalities in all verticals………… Start-ups to unicorn companies require skilled candidates. Our professional staffing solution provides staffing in IT, Sales, Marketing etc. Our solution adheres to matching employer's requirements with top candidates. Akshay's professional staffing solution has a decade of experience in recruiting for various professional niches in India and abroad…………..Improve the organization's productivity by outsourcing payroll management to Akshay's payroll management services. We follow strict payroll and compliance practices & make sure that each and every employee gets paid on time. Outsourcing payroll management to Akshay's team would streamline your entire payroll management process." 7.5 On the website of Akshay testimonial of HDFC is mentioned which says that Akshay Software Technologies Ltd has been their preferred IT manpower vendor since 2010. Akshay is also trading in SAP.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 12 of 133 7.6 All these things explains that Akshay Software technologies Ltd is mainly in the business of supplying skilled manpower to clients, along with payroll services. It is also in SAP business. These activities are not Software Development. Therefore, Akshay Software Technologies Ltd is not functionally comparable to the Assessee company. 7.7 In addition to this in FY 2015-16, there has been a special event in Akshay which is mentioned in the Annual report. Quote, "Revenue from operations for FY 2015-16 at Rs. 2484.67 lacs was higher by 14.04% over last year(FY 2014-15 Rs. 2178.73 lacs).Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)decreased from Rs. 6.82 lacs in FY 2014- 15 to negative (Rs. 126.21 lacs) in FY 2015-16 due to reduction in export income on account disinvestment of the subsidiary… In FY 2015-16 there is one time credit (net) Rs. 447.13 lacs on account of net gain on sale of investment in wholly owned subsidiary". 7.8 This disinvestment and net gain of Rs. 447 lacs is one time event, has affected profit. But as mentioned in the Annual report the disinvestment has affected export income also. Therefore, considering this onetime event, the Akshay Software Technologies Ltd is not comparable to the assessee. Hence for all the reasons discussed above, we hold that Akshay Software Technologies Ltd is not functionally comparable to the assessee. 7.9 The Ld.AR has relied on various ITAT decisions but none of the decision has brought on record the fact of one time Disinvestment leading to profit and reduction of export, the manpower supply activity of the Akshya Software Technologies Ltd, hence all the case law relied by the AR are distinguishable on facts. Following the above decision, we remit this issue to the TPO/AO for fresh decision in accordance with law after providing opportunity of being heard to the assessee.”

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 13 of 133 8.5 We have gone through the financial statements placed at page No.1235 of PB. The corporate information of Akshay Software is as under:-

“Akshay Software Technologies Ltd. (“the Company”) is engaged in providing professional services and procurement, implementation and support of ERP products and services in India and Dubai.” 8.6 Further we also note that the total employee benefit expenses is 93.90% of the revenue from operations and as per Note No.25 expenditure in foreign currency is Rs.23,27.99,126 which is 93.69% of the revenue from operations of Akshay Software. Considering the totality of facts, we remit this issue to the TPO/AO for fresh consideration following the decision of the Pune Tribunal in SAS Research & Development India P. Ltd (supra) after providing opportunity of hearing to the assessee and decide the issue in accordance with law.

Evoke Technologies Private Ltd. 9. The TPO held that the company is functionally different as it is engaged in diversified activities and segmental data is not available.

9.1 The DRP upheld the order of the AO stating that this company is not part of search matrix of TPO.

9.2 Before us, the ld. AR submitted that the company has single segment of Software Development Services and is therefore functionally similar and in this regard invited reference to Pg 1293,

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 14 of 133 1296 & Pg 1006 of PB I. He relied on the decision of ADP Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad vs DCIT-1(1), Hyderabad (TS-63-ITAT-2022 Hyd) (Para 12.4). He further submitted that this company passes all filters applied by the TPO and placed reliance on the decision of Capco Technologies Private Ltd (supra).

9.3 The ld. DR relied on the orders of the revenue authorities.

9.4 We heard the rival submissions. It is clear from the order of the DRP that the DRP has not considered the plea of the Assessee in proper perspective. The fact that the TPO rejected the TP study of the Assessee cannot be the basis not to consider the claim of the Assessee for inclusion of comparable companies. The TPO excluded these companies only on the ground that the company is functionally different as it is engaged in diversified activities and segmental data is not available. In such circumstances, it was incumbent on the part of the DRP to have adjudicated the question of inclusion of these companies as comparable companies. The DRP noted that these companies do not figure in the search matrix of the TPO is not and cannot be a ground not to consider inclusion of these companies as comparable companies. We noted that from the Page No. 1006 of the paper book at para No. 6.17 The assessee has submitted before the DRP as under “ The assessee further submits that company provides software development, IT outsourcing and IT consulting services. Further the company provides Application development & Maintenance, Big Data Analytics, Block Chain solutions , Mobile App

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 15 of 133 development and other services” The assessee has placed the financial statement at page No. 1284 to 1298 . Further we noted from the page No. 1296 at Note No. 2.26 the company has reported its turnover geographical-wise. As per this Note, the company has reported turnover in India Rs.6127.95 and in US 1300.22 (Total Rs.7428.17 in lakhs), whereas at Note No.2.16, the company has reported export turnover of Rs.73.84 crores and domestic turnover of Rs.0.44 crores. It appears that the figures are not matching with the profit & loss account. In this Note No.2.26 under the Segment Reporting, it has reported as under:-

“The Company’s operations predominantly relate to provide end- to-end business solutions to enable clients to enhance business performance. Georgraphic Segmentation ss based on business sourced from that geographic region and delivered both on-site and off-shore at 7106, Corporate Way, Dayton, Ohio, USA.” 9.5 We note from the submissions from the DRP that the assessee itself has submitted that Evoke Technologies P. Ltd. is engaged in diversified activities as mentioned supra. However, the ld. AR of the assessee submitted before us that this company is engaged only in software development services. Considering the submissions from both the sides, we think it fit to send the matter back to the AO/TPO for fresh consideration. If the above comparable companies passes the FAR analysis it can be considered as comparable. The assessee is directed to submit necessary documents along with the complete Director’s report of the Evoke Technologies Ltd. to substantiate its claim.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 16 of 133 Ground No.6(ii) - Inclusion of Sagarsoft India Limited and Sasken Communication Technologies Limited 10. The ld. AR submitted that the TPO rejected these companies on the ground that they do not appear in the search matrix of the TPO which was confirmed by the DRP. The ld. AR submitted that Sagarsoft India Limited is functionally similar as it is engaged in rendering software development services and drew attention to Pg 1328 & 1338 and pg. 1012-1014 of PB I. He further submitted in the AY 2017-18 & 2018-19, the DRP has directed for inclusion of this company as comparable and in support of the argument the ld. AR relied on the judgment of Capco Technologies Private Ltd. v. DCIT in IT(TP)A No.204/Bang/2021 (pg. 2488 of PB-II para 25. The ld. AR further submitted that Sasken Communication Technologies Limited is also functionally similar as it is engaged in providing software consulting and development services and referred to Pg 1403, 1407, 1418 & 1015 of PB I. It was submitted that these companies pass all the filters applied by the TPO. Considering the arguments from both the sides, FAR analysis of these above two companies has not been done by the lower authorities. Therefore, this issue is remitted back to the TPO/AO for fresh consideration. Assessee is directed to produce necessary documents for substantiating its case.

10.1 Ground No.7(i) to (ii) & (iv) was not argued by the ld. AR of the assessee. Hence these are dismissed as not pressed.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 17 of 133 10.2 The next issue vide ground No.7(iii) & ground No.14(ii) is regarding the lower authorities adopting inappropriate filter (like one sided turnover filter, persistent loss making filter), 15% RPT filter etc. in the process of selecting comparables. However, the issues regarding one sided turnover filter & persistent loss making filter was not argued by the assessee.

10.3 The ld. AR submitted Calculation of RPT Ratio has to be on aggregate basis taking ratio of RPT incomes plus RPT expenses by sales. If the RPT ratio is not applied on aggregate basis, the whole purpose of applying RPT filter would be lost because results may not be accurate. For example, related party purchases may be sold to third parties and thus profits from such transactions may be tainted. Similarly, purchases from third parties may be sold to related parties, and profits from such transactions may also be tainted. This would mean that approx. half of profit of such company may come from tainted transactions (Pages 988 to 992 of PB-I). He relied on the decision of the Coordinate Bench in the case of JCIT, LTU (OSD) Circle-1, Bangalore vs M/s.Toyota Kirloskar Motors Private Limited (ITA No.2016/Bang/2018) wherein the AO was directed to calculate RPT ratio on an aggregate basis taking the ratio of RPT income plus RPT expenses divided by operating income for all the comparable companies. Therefore, it was submitted that the RPT ratio should be applied on an aggregate basis to ensure that only uncontrolled transactions are compared as per mandate of Section 92F(ii). The ld. AR submitted that RPT filter of 15% should be adopted as it would

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 18 of 133 result in adopting better uncontrolled comparable companies. In this regard, reliance is placed on the following decisions:

• Yodlee Infotech Pvt Ltd & 685/2017 (Kar HC) • Barracuda Networks India Pvt Ltd v DCIT IT(TP)A No 229/Bang/2021 (Bang ITAT) – Page 2516 of PB-I 10.4 The ld. DR relied on the orders of lower authorities and submitted that the RPT filter applied by the TPO and confirmed by the DRP @ 25% is correct.

10.5 We have heard both the sides and perused the material on record. The coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in the case of JCIT, LTU (OSD) v. Circle-1, Bangalore vs M/s.Toyota Kirloskar Motors Private Limited (ITA No.2016/Bang/2018) dated 18.8.2021 has held that the RPT ratio has to be consistently calculated on an aggregate basis taking the ratio of RPT income plus RPT expenses by sales. The relevant observations are as follows:-

“7.4 We have heard rival submissions and perused the material on record. There is nothing on record to suggest how RPT ratio has been calculated for all the comparable companies. The learned AR has argued that the TPO in order to retain Tata Motors Ltd. and Maruti Suzuki India Limited has deviated and adopted a new mechanism for computing RPT ratio. On a query from the Bench how RPT ratio has been calculated for other comparables, the learned AR has unable to point out the same. The RPT ratio has to be consistently calculated on an aggregate basis taking the ratio of RPT income plus RPT expenses by sales. The said position was adopted by the Revenue in the past years. In this regard, the TPOs order in assessee’s own case for assessment year 20072008 has been placed on record. A perusal of the same it is clear that RPT ratio has been calculated taking both RPT income transactions plus RPT expenses transactions on IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 19 of 133 aggregate basis. On the facts of this case, it is not clear how RPT ratio has been calculated for Tata Motors Limited vis-à-vis other comparable companies. Therefore, this issue is restored to the files of the A.O. The A.O. is directed to calculate RPT ratio on an aggregate basis taking the ratio of RPT income plus RPT expenses by sales across the board for all the comparable companies (including Tata Motors Ltd. and Maruti Suzuki India Limited. 7.5 Therefore, ground No.2 is allowed for statistical purposes.” 10.6 Following the above decision, we direct the AO to calculate RPT ratio on aggregate basis considering the RPT income plus RPT expenses by sales for all the comparable companies.

10.7 The issue regarding adoption of rate of RPT filter was considered by the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka in PCIT v. Yodlee Infotech P. Ltd. in dated 28.6.201. The AO/TPO is directed to follow the above judgment for applying the RPT filter rate.

(i) Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd. (ii) Nihilent Ltd. (iii) Inteq Software Pvt. Ltd. (iv) Persistent Systems Ltd. (v) Infobeans Technologies Ltd. (vi) Thirdware Solution Ltd. (vii) Infosys Ltd. (viii) Aspire Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. (ix) Cybage Software Pvt. Ltd.

Larsen & Toubro Ltd., Persistent Systems Ltd. & Infosys Ltd.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 20 of 133 11.1 The assessee sought for exclusion of these 3 companies on various reasons. However, the TPO retained these companies which was upheld by the DRP.

11.2 The ld. AR submitted that Larsen & Toubro is functionally different and it is engaged in diversified activities like infrastructure management services, digital consultation, data and analytics and is not a pure software development company. The services are provided under two segments, namely Services cluster and Industrial cluster. Software service segmental data is not available. The Company has substantial onsite operations for all 3 FYs and business model is different. It has global brand value and business spread across borders. The Company acquired another entity in FY 2014-15.

11.3 Regarding Persistent Systems Ltd., the ld. AR submitted that this company has substantial RPT transaction for all 3 years (FY 15-16 – 32.04%; FY 2014-15 – 31.32% and FY 13-14 – 21.41%). It is functionally different as it is engaged in both rendering software services & developing software products. The Company has IP business under the brand called ‘Accelerite’. Segmental information pertaining to software development services is not available for all 3 years. The Company has incurred substantial R&D expenditure and undertaken business restructuring and acquisition during the year.

11.4 The ld. AR further submitted that Infosys Ltd. is functionally different as it is much larger company engaged in diversified activities and not a pure software development company. It has global brand

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 21 of 133 image and owns intangible assets worth Rs.4,543 crores. There is vast difference between the profile of Infosys and the Appellant. The Company has substantial onsite revenue, thus, different business model and has undertaken business restructuring during the year.

11.5 The ld. AR also submitted that the above 3 companies were excluded in the assessee’s own case for the AY 2012-13 in dated 5.12.2019. He also relied on the decision of the Tribunal in the case of SanDisk India Device Design Centre Pvt. Ltd. in ITA No.288/Bang/2021 dated 30.6.2022 for AY 2016-17.

11.6 The ld. DR relied on the orders of the lower authorities.

11.7 We have considered the rival submissions and perused the material on record. The coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in the assessee’s own case for AY 2012-13 (supra) in respect of the above 3 comparables held as under:-

“8. The learned counsel for the brought to our notice a decision of the ITAT Bangalore Bench in the case of CGI Information Systems & Management Consultants (P.) Ltd. v. Asstt. CIT [2018] 94 taxmann.com 97 wherein 4 out of the aforesaid five comparable companies viz., (a) Genesys International Corpn. Ltd. (b) Infosys Ltd., (c) Larsen and Toubro Infotech Ltd. and ( d) Persistent Systems Ltd. were excluded by the ITAT. The functional profile of the Assessee in this appeal and that of the Assessee in the decision cited by the learned counsel for the Assessee is the same. The following were the relevant observations of the Tribunal:— "28. The learned counsel for the Assessee submitted before us that the comparability of the 3 companies out of the aforesaid 4 companies which the Assessee seeks to exclude from the list of IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 22 of 133 comparable companies chosen by the TPO viz., Infosys Ltd., Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd. and Persistent Systems Ltd., were considered by the ITAT Delhi Bench in the case of Agilis Information Technologies India (P) Ltd. v. ACIT (2018) 89 taxmann.com 440 (Delhi-Trib.) for the same AY 2012-13. In this regard it was submitted that the functional profile of the Assessee is same as that of the Assessee in the case of Agilis Information Technologies India (P) Ltd., is identical in as much as the said company was also involved in providing SWD services to its AE and the TPO had chosen 16 comparable companies out of which 6 companies chosen by the TPO in the case of the Assessee for the purpose of comparability were the same. His submission was that the decision rendered by the Tribunal in the case of Agilis Information Technologies India (P) Ltd., (supra) would be equally applicable to the Assessee in the present case also. The learned DR submitted that the DRP in its directions has merely accepted with the reasoning of the TPO and therefore the issue of exclusion of these companies should be directed to be examined afresh by the DRP.

30. Respectfully following the decision of the Tribunal we hold that the aforesaid 3 companies be excluded from the final list of comparable companies for the purpose of arriving at the arithmetic mean of comparable companies for the purpose of comparison with the profit margins. In this regard we are also of the view that the plea of the learned DR for a remand of the issue to the DRP on the ground that the DRP has not given any reasons in its directions cannot be accepted. The DRP has endorsed the view of the TPO in its directions and therefore the reasons given by the TPO should be regarded as the conclusions of the DRP.”

11.8 The coordinate Bench Tribunal considered the issue in respect of the above companies in the case of SanDisk India Device Design

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 24 of 133 Centre Pvt. Ltd. in dated 30.6.2022 for AY 2016-17 and it was held to exclude the same. The relevant observations are as under:-

“17.6 We have perused the submissions advanced by both sides in the light of records placed before us. 17.7 He placed reliance on the decision of Coordinate Bench of this Tribunal in case of OLF (India) Software Pvt. Ltd. vs. ACIT (supra) wherein this Tribunal following its decision in case of LSI India research development (P.) Ltd. vs. DCIT reported in [2021] 124 taxmann.com 83, excluded Persistent Systems Ltd., L&T Infotech Ltd., Thirdware Solutions and Infosys Ltd. by observing as under: “3.2 This Tribunal in LSI India research development (P.) Ltd. v. DCIT (supra) observed in respect of persistent systems, L & T Infotech, Thirdware Solutions, Infosys Ltd. as under: 16. As far as the challenge by the assessee on exclusion of aforesaid 5 companies in ground No. 2(f), the ld. counsel for the assessee has brought to our notice a decision of Bangalore Bench of ITAT for the very same Assessment Year 2014-15 in the case of LG Soft India (P.) Ltd. v. DCIT [IT(TP) Appeal No. 3122 (Bang.) of 2018, dated 28-5-2019]. In this order rendered in a case of assessee rendering SWD services such as the assessee, the Tribunal excluded 3 out of 5 companies referred to in the earlier paragraph and remanded 1 company for fresh consideration with the following observations:- ******* 6. We notice that the co-ordinate bench has excluded M/s Infosys Ltd in AY 2008-09 by following the decision rendered by another co-ordinate bench in the case of 3DPLM Software Solutions Ltd (IT(TP)A No. 1303/Bang/2012 dated 28-11-2013, wherein the decision rendered in the case of Triology E Business Software India P Ltd (ITA No. 1054/Bang/2011) was followed and it was held that M/s Infosys Technologies Ltd is not functionally comparable since it owns significant intangible and has huge IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 25 of 133 revenues from software products. It was further observed that the break-up of revenue from software services and software product is not available. 6.1 It was stated that there is no change in facts. Accordingly, following the decision rendered in the assessee's own case in AY 2008-09, we direct exclusion of M/s Infosys Ltd.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 26 of 133 assets owned and risk assumed by assessee under this segment for the year under consideration.” 17.8 Before us, the Ld.AR has not been able to place anything on record contrary to the above observation. We therefore respectfully following the above view, direct the Ld.AO/TPO to exclude Persistent Systems Ltd., L& T Infotech Ltd., Thirdware Solutions and Infosys Ltd. from the final list.” 11.9 Respectfully following the above decisions of the coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in assessee’s own case for AY 2012-13 and SanDisk India Device Design Centre Pvt. Ltd. (AY 2016-17), we direct exclusion of these 3 companies i.e., Larsen & Toubro Ltd., Persistent Systems Ltd. & Infosys Ltd. from the final list of comparables.

Nihilent Ltd., Infobeans Technologies Ltd., Thirdware Solutions Ltd. & Aspire Systems Ltd. 12. The assessee submitted that these 4 companies were to be excluded for different reasons which was not accepted by the TPO and he retained these as comparables, which the DRP upheld.

12.1 The ld. AR submitted that Nihilent Ltd. is functionally different as it is engaged in software product development. It operates in different geographical region i.e., mainly in South Africa and cannot be compared to rendering services to AE in USA. The Company has substantial RPT transaction for FY 14-15 (RPT at 16.85%).

12.2 He submitted that Infobeans Technologies is also functionally different as it is a global technology solutions provider of diversified services in the areas of Custom Application Development, Content

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 27 of 133 Management Systems, Enterprise Mobility, Big Data Analytics. It is not a pure software development company.

12.3 Similarly, the ld. AR submitted that Thirdware Solutions Ltd. is functionally different as company has revenue from various sources like Product Sale, Software Implementation, Software Consolidation, Analytics etc. and it is not a pure software development company. The Company has substantial RPT transaction for all 3 years. (FY 15-16 – 24.87%; FY 2014-15 – 23.46% and FY 13-14 – 23.03%). Segmental information pertaining to software development services is not available for all 3 years.

12.4 He submitted that Aspire Systems (India) Private Limited also has substantial RPT transaction for all 3 years. (FY 15-16 – 37.58%; FY 2014-15 – 30.12% and FY 13-14 – 26.86%). Further, Applied Development Software (India) Pvt Ltd and PureApps Consulting Services Pvt Ltd have been amalgamated with the Company.

12.5 Thus, the ld. AR relied on the decision in the case of SanDisk India Device Design Centre Pvt. Ltd. in dated 30.6.2022 for AY 2016-17 and submitted that the above 4 companies are to be rejected as comparables.

12.6 The ld. DR relied on the orders of the lower authorities.

12.7 We have considered the rival submissions and perused the material on record. These 4 companies were considered by the coordinate Bench of the Tribunal in the case of SanDisk India Device

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 28 of 133 Design Centre Pvt. Ltd. in dated 30.6.2022 for AY 2016-17 and it was held as under:-

“17.6 We have perused the submissions advanced by both sides in the light of records placed before us. 17.7 He placed reliance on the decision of Coordinate Bench of this Tribunal in case of OLF (India) Software Pvt. Ltd. vs. ACIT (supra) wherein this Tribunal following its decision in case of LSI India research development (P.) Ltd. vs. DCIT reported in [2021] 124 taxmann.com 83, excluded Persistent Systems Ltd., L&T Infotech Ltd., Thirdware Solutions and Infosys Ltd. by observing as under: “3.2 This Tribunal in LSI India research development (P.) Ltd. v. DCIT (supra) observed in respect of persistent systems, L & T Infotech, Thirdware Solutions, Infosys Ltd. as under: 16. As far as the challenge by the assessee on exclusion of aforesaid 5 companies in ground No. 2(f), the ld. counsel for the assessee has brought to our notice a decision of Bangalore Bench of ITAT for the very same Assessment Year 2014-15 in the case of LG Soft India (P.) Ltd. v. DCIT [IT(TP) Appeal No. 3122 (Bang.) of 2018, dated 28-5-2019]. In this order rendered in a case of assessee rendering SWD services such as the assessee, the Tribunal excluded 3 out of 5 companies referred to in the earlier paragraph and remanded 1 company for fresh consideration with the following observations:- "5. The Ld A.R submitted that M/s Infosys Ltd, M/s Persistent Systems Ltd and M/s Thirdware Solutions Ltd have been excluded by the co-ordinate bench in the assessee's own case in AY 2008-09 in IT(TP)A No. 1673/Bang/2012. ******* ******* 7.1 It was stated that there is no change in facts. Accordingly, following the decision rendered in the assessee's own case in AY 2008-09, we direct exclusion of M/s Persistent Systems Ltd. We

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 29 of 133 also notice that in AY 2008-09, the co-ordinate bench has excluded M/s Thirdware Solutions Ltd also by following the decision rendered in the case of 3DPLM Software Solutions Ltd. (supra), where in it was held that M/s Thirdware solutions Ltd is engaged in product development and earns revenue from sale of licenses and subscription. Further, the segmental details were not available. 8.1 It was stated that there is no change in facts. Accordingly, following the decision rendered in the assessee's own case in AY ******** 17.8 Before us, the Ld.AR has not been able to place anything on record contrary to the above observation. We therefore respectfully following the above view, direct the Ld.AO/TPO to exclude Persistent Systems Ltd., L& T Infotech Ltd., Thirdware Solutions and Infosys Ltd. from the final list. 17.9 In respect of Nihilent Ltd., Infobeans Technologies Ltd. and Aspire Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd., Hon’ble Mumbai Tribunal in case of Red Hat India Pvt. Ltd. vs. Addl. CIT (supra) observed as under: “Comparable Sought to be excluded by the assessee Aspire System India Pvt. Ltd. (Aspire) 40. The assessee sought exclusion of Aspire from the final set of comparables for benchmarking SDS segment on the ground that it fails Related Party Transaction (RPT) filters as its RPT/ sales ratio is more than 25%. The assessee computed the significant related party transactions at 37.58% whereas the Ld. TPO computed it at 23.55%. The TPO is directed to recalculate the RPT/sales ratio by providing opportunity of being heard to the assessee. So this comparable is remitted back to the Ld. TPO to decide afresh.” “Nihilent Analytics Ltd. (Nihilent) 44. The assessee sought exclusion of Nihilent on ground of its functional dissimilarity vis-à-vis assessee. We have examined the website information of Nihilent, made available by the assessee IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 30 of 133 at page No.405 of the paper book, wherein it is mentioned that it is engaged in providing advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, blockchain, business intelligence, data science, cloud services etc.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 31 of 133 49. The assessee sought exclusion of Infobeans on the ground that it is also functionally dissimilar being into providing business IT services (CAD) (application development and maintenance, Big Data, UX and UI, Automation engineering services, including product engineering and lifestyle solutions and business process management) in verticals of storage and virtualization, media and publishing, HR and Payroll and e-commerce. It is also providing software engineering services primarily in Custom Application Development (CAM), enterprise mobility and Big Data Analytics (BDA).

12.8 Respectfully following the above decision of the coordinate Bench, we direct exclusion of Nihilent, Infobeans, Thirdware Solutions Ltd. and Aspire Systems (India) P. Ltd. from the comparables. However, the assessee has vide ground No.8 has submitted that the revenue authorities have incorrectly computed the operating profit margin of Aspire Systems (India) Ltd. We remit this issue to the TPO/AO for proper computation of the operating profit margin and decide the issue only with regard to IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 32 of 133 Aspire Systems (India) P. Ltd. in accordance with law in the light of the decision in SanDisk India Device Design Centre Pvt. Ltd. (supra) which has been extracted above.

Inteq Software Ltd.

13.1 The ld. DR relied on the orders of lower authorities.

13.2 We have heard both the sides and perused the material on record. On going through the submissions made before the lower authorities which is placed at page 1039, para 6.103, the assessee submitted as under:-

“The Assessee submits that this company is functionally different as it is engaged in both rendering software services and developing software products. Further, it provides wide range of services such as Application Development, Application Migration, Application Maintenance, Oracle Application, Microsoft Dynamics, Data Warehousing, EI & EDI Services, Consulting Services, Healthcare BPO. These are evident from company’s website which is reproduced below.”

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 33 of 133 13.3 On going through the financial statements produced at PB pg. 1559, under the head revenue from operations, the assessee has shown revenue from operations under the accounting head, Software Development & Service Charges of Rs.17.38 crores and at PB pg. 1557 in Form No.NGT-9 which is annual return, the assessee has shown software development services under NIC Code “620-Computer Programming, Consultancy and related activities”. This company has been excluded in the case of Finastra Software Solutions (India) P. Ltd. v. DCIT, AY 2016-17 [2023] 147 taxmann.com 515 (Bengaluru Trib) by observing as under:-

18.The assessee sought for exclusion of Inteq Software Pvt. Ltd. and Infobeans Technologies Ltd. on the basis that these companies are functionally dissimilar to the assessee. In this regard the learned A.R. submitted that Inteq Software Pvt. Ltd. ("Inteq") The company is functionally dissimilar to the assessee. The company is engaged in diversified business lines such as Microsoft dynamics, data warehousing, EI & EDI services, Healthcare BPO and consulting services including provision of end-to-end solutions to clients in the nature of back office services, transaction-based services, MIS and analytical reporting services. Thus, Inteq is not comparable to the software development functions of the assessee. It is further submitted that the segmental details attributable to the various services rendered by the company is not available and is instead shown as "software development and service charges" under one head. Detailed submissions are available at pages 1911-1914 of the paper book. Significant related party transactions: The company's related party transactions (sales) for the FY 2013-14 stand at 79.49% of sales, and therefore the company ought to be excluded. Wide fluctuation in the margin: It is submitted that the company's margin fluctuate widely, suggesting that there exists a peculiar economic circumstance. For the FY 2013-14, the company's margin stood at 47.21%, for the FY 2014-15 32.14% and for the FY 2015-16 7.56%. Detailed submissions in this regard are placed at pages

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 34 of 133 419-436 of the paper book. In view of the above, it is submitted that Inteq ought to be excluded from the final list of comparables.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 35 of 133 13.4 Respectfully following the above decision of the Tribunal, we direct exclusion of Inteq Software Pvt. Ltd. from the comparables.

Cybage Software Pvt. Ltd 14. As regards Cybage Software Pvt. Ltd., the ld. AR submitted that it is retained by the lower authorities as a comparable. The Company is functionally different as it is engaged in both rendering software services & developing software products and hence not comparable with assessee. He placed reliance on the decision of the Pune Tribunal in the case of Optiva India Technologies Pvt. Ltd. in for the AY 2016-17 dated 21,07.2022 wherein it was held as under:-

“17.1 The assessee contends that this company is mainly Onsite service provider whereas the assessee is offsite service provider and therefore, functionally different. Further, there is incorrect reporting figures which are unreliable. This company is product development as well as R & D Intensive Company. The arguments of the assessee were not accepted by the A.O/T.P.O and the company was held to be comparable. The ld. A.R demonstrated through Annual Report at page 1804, as per the description of the business of this company that it is onsite service provider. Furthermore at page 1796 of the Annual Report this company is doing other computer related activities but nowhere software services are mentioned. On the other hand, the assessee is offsite provider and thus functionally different. We direct the A.O/T.P.O to exclude this company from the list of comparables.” 14.1 Having heard both the sides, we find that this company is rendering software services as well as developing software products unlike the assessee. Following the above decision of the Pune

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 36 of 133 Tribunal, we direct exclusion of Cybage Software Pvt. Ltd. from the comparables.

Provision for doubtful debt 15. Ground No.9 is regarding the treatment of provision for doubtful debt as non-operating in nature. The ld. AR submitted that bad or doubtful debts are associated with sales activity and is a normal incidence of business. Therefore, the provision for bad or doubtful debt is to be treated as operating expenses and considered be as operating in nature while computing operating margins of comparables. Reliance is placed on the following decisions:-

• ADP Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad vs DCIT-1(1), Hyderabad (TS-63- ITAT-2022 Hyd) (Pg 2447 of PB-II) • Techbooks International (P.) Ltd. vs DCIT, Circle-3, Noida [2015] 63 taxmann.com 114 (Delhi - Trib.) (Pg 2546 of PB-II) 15.1 The ld. DR relied on the orders of the lower authorities. He also relied on the decision of the Tribunal in the case of Marvell India Pvt. Ltd., for AY 2013-14 dated 6.4.2018 where it was held as under:-

“6. From the above Para of this Tribunal order, it comes out that in that case, the issue involved was regarding writing back of the provision by the assessee in the present year. The Tribunal order in this case is on this basis that certain liabilities are provided on estimate basis because exact quantification is not possible in the same year for some expenses and when in future year, the actual amount of liability is known then any excess provision made in the earlier year has to be written back and the same has to be considered as operating income for the purpose of computing ALP also. In our considered opinion, this Tribunal order is not IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 37 of 133 applicable in the present case because in the present case, the issue involved is regarding provision for bad and doubtful debts and not writing back of excess provision in earlier years. There is major difference in the nature of these two items. Writing back of excess provision is on this basis that provision is made on estimate basis in a given year because exact quantification is not possible in the same year for some expenses and when exact amount of liability is determined in a future year in which actual amount is known then excess provision if any is written back and more provision is made if the provision made earlier is short. But in that year also, similar provisions are made on estimate basis in respect of liability incurred in that year and it is an ongoing process and therefore, neither the provision made can be excluded nor the excess provision written back can be excluded. But in the present case, the issue in dispute is regarding provision for bad and doubtful debts made in the present year. This is not the case of the assessee that sale were accounted for in earlier year on estimate basis and now the exact amount of sales is known and therefore, the excess amount of debts created in earlier year on estimate basis is to be reduced now to make at par with actual debt. In the present case, actual sales were accounted for in earlier years and debts were created in earlier years on the basis of actual sales and invoices and now, the provision is made when it is seen that the recovery of such debt is doubtful. We would like to observe that the whole purpose of TP study and TP exercise is to compare the price charged by the assessee for its income or prices paid by the assessee for its expenses from or to its AE and for that purpose, we use various methods including TNMM as per which, the profits of tested party and uncontrolled comparables are compared to come to conclusion that prices are at arms length or not. If the sale is made in an earlier year and provision for doubtful debts is made in a later year and in such a later year, such provision for doubtful debts made is reduced from the profit of the tested party or of the comparables, such provision for doubtful debts cannot be considered for reduction from the profit because for the purpose of transfer pricing analysis after determining the profit of the tested party or comparable, profit percentage is worked out by dividing such profit of the tested party/comparable by its turnover. If the provision for doubtful debts is reduced from profit, the numerator

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 38 of 133 is reduced but the denominator is not reduced because the turnover has been considered in earlier year and cannot be considered in the present year. Hence such provision for doubtful debts has to be ignored and added back in the profit of the tested party or of the comparable as the case may be while making the TP analysis. Hence on this issue, we find no reason to interfere in the order of AO and DRP and we hold that this Tribunal order is not applicable in the present case but we will also examine the applicability of the second tribunal order cited before us by the learned AR of the assessee.” 15.2 After hearing the rival contentions, during the course of hearing, a query was raised to the ld. AR whether the provision for doubtful debts relate to the present assessment year or other year, but the ld. AR was unable to reply. Therefore, the case law relied by the ld. AR is not applicable. We remit this issue to the AO/TPO for verification of this issue afresh after providing opportunity to the assessee. If the doubtful debts is relating to the current assessment year, then it should be treated as operating expenditure. But if it relates to other years, then it cannot be allowed as operating expenses as held by the Tribunal in the case of Marvell India Pvt. Ltd. (supra).

16.1 We have heard both the sides and perused the material on record. The DRP has directed the AO/TPO to consider the fixed assets write off as non-operating with the following observations:-

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 39 of 133 “2.6.3.1 Having considered the submissions, we note that the fixed assets do not directly impact the P&L account or operating margins of the company. Revenues/expenses on account of fixed assets written off are not expenses incurred in earning the operating revenue. The fixed assets being a balance sheet of item and write off of the same cannot have impact on operating profits of a particular year. Besides, the write off relate incomes/expense are in no way related to the operating revenue earned during the year, and hence cannot be taken into account in determining the operating profit for the year. ………..” 16.2 Accordingly, we remit this issue to the AO/TPO to follow the directions of the DRP on this issue.

CASH PLI Ground No.11 of Software Development Segment (SWD) reads 17. as follows:-

“11. The lower authorities have erred in : (i) Not adopting Cash PLI for computation of arm’s length price; (ii) Not recognizing that the Appellant was insulated from risks, as against comparables, which assume these risks and therefore have to be credited with a risk premium on this account; and (iii) Not providing R&D adjustment and marketing adjustment while computing the Arm’s length price.” 17.1 Ground No.17(i) in Marketing Support Segment (MSS) is identical to Grounds 11(i) .

17.2 The assessee has made common submissions with regard to Cash PLI in both SWD and MSS segments. The ld. AR submitted that IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 40 of 133 it was contended before the TPO that either Cash PLI should be adopted or depreciation adjustment should be granted, which was however rejected by the TPO and there is no discussion on this aspect in the TP order. Before the DRP, the Appellant made detailed submissions on why cash PLI should be adopted (Pg 1082 to 1091 of Paper Book I for Software Segment & Pg 1144 to Pg 1146 of Paper Book I for Marketing Segment). The DRP upheld the action of TPO.

17.3 In this regard, the ld. AR submitted that the rate of depreciation charged by the assessee is substantially more than the comparable companies/sector industry norms. The assessee’s depreciation cost to the total cost is around 5.91%, which is higher than the weighted average for 3 years of final comparables, which is at 3.51% and invited attention to the computation at Pg 1938 of Paper Book I and also, the detailed margin computation at Pg 397 & 398 of Paper Book I. It was contended that Cash PLI should be adopted for PLI computation and relied on the following decisions:-

• PCIT v Novell Software Development India (P.) Ltd [2021] 126 taxmann.com 29 (Karnataka) wherein the Karnataka HC directed to exclude depreciation from operating cost. • Assessee’s own case for AY 2010-11 wherein the ITAT in has upheld the direction of DRP to grant depreciation adjustment - [Para 9.3 to 9.5 of the order]. & AY 2011-12 & AY 2012-13 The DRP has accepted the Cash PLI adjustment as sought by the assessee. 17.4 In assessee’s own case for AY 2010-11, [2015] 64 taxmann.com 468 (Hyd. - Trib.) the Hyderabad Tribunal on this issue held as under :-

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 41 of 133 “9.3 As regards ground No. 4, Ld. AR submitted that depreciation adopted by assessee was at higher side due to the fact that the estimated life of the assets are 3 years and 5 years. The cost of depreciation is high compared to other comparable companies. He submitted that the depreciation shall be excluded from the variable cost of all the comparable companies including assessee to determine the ALP. He relied on the following case laws:

17.5 Further, the jurisdictional High Court in the case of PCIT v Novell Software Development India (P.) Ltd [2021] 126 taxmann.com 29 (Karnataka) while considering similar issue held as follows:-

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 42 of 133 “7. Now we may advert to the third substantial question of law. Rule 10B of the Income-tax Rules, 1962 provides the method in which comparability analysis is to be conducted under transactional net margin method. Under sub-clause (i) of rule 10B(l)(e), the net profit margin realized by the tax payer from an international transaction is computed having regard to the relevant base that is costs incurred and sales effected, etc. Under sub-clause (ii) of rule 10B(l)(e), the net profit margin is realized by an unrelated enterprise/comparable company is computed having regard to the same relevant base as was selected in sub- clause (i). Sub-clause (iii) of said Rule specifies that before a comparison of net margins realized under sub-clauses (1) and (ii) is done, the net margin realized under sub-clause (ii) must be adjusted to take into account the differences which could materially affect the net profit margin in the open market. So also, in terms of Rule 10B(3), an uncontrolled transaction shall be considered comparable if none of the differences between the comparable companies and the controlled transaction are likely to materially affect the profit arising from such transactions in the open market or reasonably accurate adjustments can be made to eliminate the material effect of such differences. Since the respondent has a policy of charging a higher rate of depreciation as compared to the companies selected by the TPO, there is a definite impact on the net margins of the respondent as compared to the comparable companies. Thus, there is a need for making an adjustment to eliminate the differences in the accounting policies of the appellant and the comparable companies, in terms of the above Rules, especially given that in the bench marked international transaction is the sales by a captive service provider to its associated enterprises, on which depreciation would have no bearing and thus can be excluded altogether.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 43 of 133 9. In view of preceding analysis, the third substantial question of law is answered against the revenue and in favour of the assessee.” 17.6 Respectfully following the above decisions, we direct the AO/TPO to adopt the Cash PLI. Theses grounds are allowed.

18.1 The ld. DR supported the orders of lower authorities and he submitted that the ld. DRP has rightly rejected the claim of the assessee.

18.2 After hearing both the parties, we note that in the recent judgement in Capco Technologies India P. Ltd. in IT(TP)A

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 44 of 133 No.204/Bang/2021 dated 18.11.2021 relied by the ld. AR, it has been held as under:-

“28. The last issue which was argued before us is with regard to not granting risk adjustment. The submissions made in this regard were that Rule 10B(3) of the IT Rules provides that an adjustment ought to be provided for any differences in the economic factors between the tested party and the comparables. A risk adjustment is one such adjustment which is to be applied in order to adjust for the differences between the risk undertaken by the tested party vis-a-vis the comparable companies. Being a low risk service provider, the Assessee is devoid of any significant risks relating to its business operations whereas the comparable companies operate under uncontrolled conditions bearing risks, as a result of which the companies earn a risk premium which is not earned by a contract service provider like the assessee. Therefore, the profits of a contract service provider would be lesser than the companies selected as comparables, and in that view of the matter, it is humbly submitted that an adjustment to minimise the risk differential would be warranted. Reliance in this regard was placed on this Hon'ble Tribunal's decisions in Analog Devices India P. Ltd. v. DCIT [TS-816- ITAT-2016-Bang] and Intellinet Technologies India P. Ltd. v. /TO [TS-228-ITAT-2012(Bang)] where, in the cases of similar placed assessees, this Hon'ble Tribunal directed that a risk adjustment be granted. The Assessee has prayed for a direction to the TPO/AO to recompute the margins of the companies selected as comparables after taking into account the differences in the risks assumed by the Assessee and the said companies on the basis of the material that is and that may additionally be placed on record.

29. We find that the DRP has primarily rejected the plea of the Assessee in this regard on the ground that quantification of risk adjustment has not been given and in the absence of such quantification, the plea cannot be accepted. Besides the above, the DRP has also placed reliance on judicial pronouncements holding that risk adjustment cannot be allowed in the absence of proper and reliable computation of risk adjustment. We are in IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 45 of 133 agreement with the conclusions of the DRP in this regard and find no grounds to interfere with its conclusions.” 18.3 Respectfully following the above judgment, we remit this issue to the AO/TPO for fresh examination and direct the assessee to provide the details of quantification of risk adjustment in above terms.

MARKETING SUPPORT SEGMENT (MSS) 19.1 By ground No.13, the assessee seeks inclusion of 3 companies viz., Spectrum Business Solutions Ltd., ICRA Management (India) P. Ltd. and Hindustan Fields Services P. Ltd., which were rejected by the lower authorities on the ground that the data was not available in the public domain.

19.2 The ld. AR submitted that Spectrum Business Solutions Ltd. is functionally similar to assessee and engaged in providing business support services and manpower services to its clients. Data is available in the public domain and this company passes all filters applied by the TPO.

19.3 Similarly, it was submitted that ICRA Management (India) P. Ltd. is also functionally similar and engaged in providing market research/analytics/ management consultancy/advisory services to its clients. Data is available in public domain and the company passes all the filters applied by the TPO.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 46 of 133 19.4 Further, the ld AR submitted that Hindustan Fields Services P. Ltd. is engaged in providing sales and merchandising services across all channels and event co-ordination and merchandising services to its clients and functionally similar to assessee. The company passes all filters applied by the TPO. He also submitted that if upper turnover filter of Rs. 200 crores is applied, this company needs to be excluded.

19.5 The ld. DR relied on the orders of the lower authorities.

19.6 We have heard both the parties and perused the material on record. The assessee sought inclusion of the above company as a comparable in the MSS segment for computation of PLI. However, the ld. DRP has upheld the order of the ld. TPO by observing that it was not in the search matrix of the TPO. During the course of hearing the ld. AR produced the financial report and submitted that the financial data are available in the public domain and passes all the filters applied by the TPO. Therefore, this company can be considered as a comparable with the assessee company. Considering the rival submissions, the lower authorities have not examined the FAR analysis, therefore this issue is remitted back to the AO/TPO for FAR analysis and fresh decision in accordance with law.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 47 of 133 20.1 The ld. AR submitted that Ugam Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is functionally different as it provides managed analytics services and solutions combining its proprietary big data platform with a global team of insights and analytics experts. The Company operates in only one primary business segment of Management Analytics. Majestic Research Services & Solutions Ltd. is functionally different as it is independent Market Research Agency in India relying exhaustively on usage of technology for data acquisition. It provides qualitative and quantitative Research Services. The Company has abnormal and peculiar growth as its revenue increased by 102% during AY 2016-17. In subsequent years, the revenue of the Company has reduced dramatically to almost NIL. Scarecrow Communications Limited is functionally different as it is engaged in Advertising in press, television, radio etc. The ld. AR relied on the decision of this Tribunal in the case of Epson India Pvt. Ltd. v. DCIT in IT(TP)A No.206/Bang/2021.

20.2 The ld. DR relied on the orders of lower authorities.

20.3 We have heard both the parties and perused the material on record. With regard to Ugam Solutions Pvt. Ltd., we note that before the lower authorities the assessee has submitted that the company is engaged in various activities as contended in page 1130 & 1131 of PB and as per the annual report MGT-9 the NIC code is 7020 under the head ‘Managed Analytics. However, the ld. TPO has included this company by observing that it passes all the filters. But the lower

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 48 of 133 authorities have not examined the issue in the light of submissions made by the assessee. Therefore, we remand this issue to the AO/TPO for fresh consideration.

20.4 Regarding Majestic Research Services & Solutions Ltd., on going through the order of the ld. TPO, this company was selected by the assessee and accepted by the TPO since it passes all the filters. Before the DRP that this company was requested to be excluded on the ground that it is functionally different, peculiar economic circumstances, exceptional year of operation and margin computation. Further we note from the TP documentation at pg. 394 of PB that this company has been selected by assessee itself with the following details:-

“Majestic Research Services and Solutions Limited The company is engaged in providing market research services. In addition, the company offers various qualitative, quantitative and online market research and market tracking services. It is also engaged in planning, execution and proactive field management for multi-phased and multi-location projects.” 20.5 As per the corporate information placed at pg. 2243 of PB, the company is engaged in providing market research services. The company offers a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research services which is in line with assessee’s functions. As per revenue recognition placed at pg. 2244 of PB, the company’s revenue is primarily derived from market research and related services. We are unable to understand once the above company passes all the filters

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 49 of 133 applied by the assessee and considered as comparable, but before the DRP and before us the assessee has sought for exclusion on the above note 3 points. The ld. DRP has dealt the issue in detail which is as under:-

“2.9.11 Majestic Research Services & Solutions Limited  Functionally Different  Peculiar economic circumstances or exceptional year of operations  Margin Computation 2.9.11.1 Having considered the submissions, we note that the company provides business of rendering creative assistance work for advertisements through market research area is similar to that of assessee in in terms of AMP. As elaborated by the TPO, we note that all the activities carried by this company are only through market research and only the domain area is different. Accordingly we hold that this company is functionally comparable. 2.9.11.2 With regard to the peculiar economic circumstances, we are of the view that high profitability as such cannot be criteria for exclusion of companies, when it is found to be functionally comparable in terms of Rule 106 The Hon`ble ITAT Spl. Branch Mumbai in the case of Maersk Global Centres (India) Private Limited held that comparables with high profit margins cannot be discarded per se and it has to be examined whether the profit margin was on account of normal business conditions or not. Such a view was earlier taken by the Bangalore ITAT in the case of 2417 Customer.com Private Limited holding that high profit companies need not be excluded as the Indian TP regulations adopt the Arithmetic mean for determining the ALP. 2.9.11.3 Again in the case of Trilogy E-Business Software India Private Limited Vs. DCIT (2013) 29 taxmann.com 310 the Bangalore Tribunal held that there is no bar to considering companies with either abnormal profits or abnormal losses as comparable to tested parties as long as they are functionally

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 50 of 133 comparable, and it is lor the taxpayer to demonstrate the existence of any abnormal factors that would have caused the high profit margin. Similar views were taken in the case of Autodesk (India) Pvt. Ltd. vs. DCIT in and Yodlee Infotech Pvt. Ltd. Vs. ITO (2013) 31 taxmann.com 230 (ITAT, BNG). In the case of ITO vs. Next Linx India Pvt. Ltd. TS-722-ITAT-2012-Bang-TP the Hon'ble ITAT Bangalore upheld the company with profit margin of 40% holding that in ITES sector this would not constitute extraordinary or super profits. 2.9.11.4 There are many decisions where the high profit margin companies have been upheld as comparables, The Hon'ble ITAT Bangalore in the case of Sap Labs (2010-111-44- ITAT-Bang-TP) upheld selection of comparable having margin of 40.96% (ADCC Research and Computing Centre Ltd.), 35.88% (Xcel Vision Technologies Ltd) and 30,86% (Zylog Systems Ltd), The ITAT, Hyderabad in the case of Deloitte Consulting Pvt, Ltd. confirmed selection of Vishal Information Technology Ltd having margin of 48.84%. The ITAT, Mumbai in the case of Mis. BP India Services Private Limited (ITA No,4425/Mum/2010) did not reject companies having margin of 75.6% (Datamatics Technologies Limited) and 68.7% (Hinduja TMT Ltd), and in the case of Exxon Mobil, upheld selection of Alpha Geo India Ltd having margin of 47 79% and Vimta Lab having margin of 57,68%.The Hon’ble Delhi High Court (TS173- HC-2015(Delhi)-TP1), in its verdict in the case of Chryscapital Investment Advisors (India) Private Limited (the appellant), emphasised functional analysis as the key comparability criterion. and inter al a held that: mere earning of high profits/ losses could not be a reason to exclude a company as a comparable. 2.9.11.5 In view of the above, we do not find merit in the plea for exclusion of this comparable on the ground of its high profit margin. The assessee also objected to margin computation error. In this regard, we direct the AO/TPO to verify and recomputed the margin.”

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 51 of 133 20.6 We do not find any infirmity in the order of the ld. DRP. Therefore this company is to be retained as a comparable in the list of comparables. However, the ld. DRP has directed the AO/TPO for error in computation of margin of this company which we uphold.

20.7 With regard to Scarecrow Communications Limited, we note from the financial statement under significant accounting policy – overview of the company, that this company is to create advertising that a lasting shelf life. The team works towards creating communication that permeate popular culture. Easily enthused by new ideas, technology and fresh thoughts. The functions of this company are different from the marketing support service rendered by the assessee. Pages 2295 to 2304 of PB-I gives the details of revenue generated by this comparable. On pursual of pg. 2302 of PB, the revenue from operations is from retainership fee, shoot production receipt and service receipt & other fees. Therefore, this company is excluded from final list. Accordingly this comparable is directed to be excluded from the final list.

21. Regarding Ground No.15, the ld. AR submitted that the lower authorities have erred in incorrectly computing the operating profit margins of the following comparables and furnished the correct margins given below:-

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 52 of 133 SL Companies TPO Correct Reference No Margins margins 1 Quadrant -0.34% -12.09% Submission at Pg 1125 of PB I and Communications Detailed Margin Ltd Computation at Pg 2044 & 2045 of PB I. 2 Pressman 12.99% 11.54% Submission at Pg 1129 of PB I and Advertising Ltd Detailed Margin Computation at Pg 2305 & 2307 of PB I. Pg 3 Ugam Solutions 17.75% 12.97% Submission at 1132 of PB I and Private Limited Detailed Margin Computation at Pg 2305 & 2308 of PB I. 4 Killick Agencies & 20.99% 16.28% Submission at Pg 1138 of PB I and Mktg. Ltd Detailed Margin Computation at Pg 2044 & 2052 of PB I.

21.1 We direct the AO/TPO to verify the correct margins of the comparables while computing the operating margin used for determining the ALP. Assessee is directed to furnish the relevant details before the authorities.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 53 of 133 23. Ground No.18 is regarding notional interest on trade receivables. The TPO observed that the assessee had not charged interest to its AEs in respect of unrealised amounts and made an adjustment of Rs. 2,53,25,332/- by computing arm’s length interest rate at 4.985% under CUP method and charged the notional interest on trade receivables. However, the DRP directed the TPO to recompute the interest adjustment by adopting SBI short term deposit interest rate after granting 30 days credit period and to restrict the interest till 31.03.2017. Thereafter, incorporating the directions of the DRP, the TPO in its OGE recomputed interest adjustment at Rs. 16,548,223/- and the same was considered in the final assessment order.

23.1 In this regard, the ld. AR submits that there can be no separate international transaction of `interest' in the international transaction of `provision of service'. Early or late realization of sale proceeds is only incidental to the transaction of sale, but not a separate transaction in itself. Further, TNMM has been adopted at segmental level to benchmark the transaction of Software development & Marketing support services, in which process the receivables were considered as closely linked transaction and hence were subsumed and accordingly already considered. Reliance was placed on the following decisions:

• Kusum Health Care Pvt. Ltd (TS-412-HC-2017(DEL)-TP) (Para 11 of Pg 2562 of PB-II) • Millipore (India) Ltd [2017] 80 taxmann.com 12 (Bengaluru – Trib) • Avnet India (P.) Ltd [2016] 65 taxmann.com 187 (Bangalore - Trib.)

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 54 of 133 • Lotus Labs Pvt Ltd [TS-865-ITAT-2016(Bang)-TP] and • Cummins India Ltd. v Addl CIT [2015] 53 taxmann.com 53 (Pune - Trib.). 23.2 Without prejudice to above, the ld. AR submits that LIBOR without basis points should be adopted as a basis for benchmarking. The receivables due from the various AEs are denominated in USD. In support the above contention, the Assessee relies on the following decisions:

• Techbooks International P Ltd v DCIT (2015) 63 taxmann.com 114 (Delhi Trib) (Para 13.13 of Pg 2557 of PB II) • Indegene Lifesystems (P.) Ltd. [2017] 85 taxmann.com 60 (Bangalore – Trib). • Tata Autocomp Systems Ltd. [2012] 21 taxmann.com 6 (Mum.) 23.3 Without prejudice to above, it was submitted that credit period of nine months for realizing export proceeds from AE outside India should be considered for making adjustment towards interest on receivables. Reliance is placed on FEMA Regulations (page 1181-1182 of PB-I) which provides for 9 months for realisation of dues. In the alternative, average days of receivables of final comparables should be adopted as the credit period. The calculation is attached as Annexure 1 to the Synopsis filed by the ld. AR for the assessee.

23.4 The ld. DR relied on the orders of lower authorities and he further submitted that various Hon’ble High Courts and the Tribunal have held that notional interest on receivable beyond the credit period is to be considered as an international transaction. Therefore, the IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 55 of 133 argument of the ld. AR of the assessee is baseless. He submitted that the order of the lower authorities should be upheld.

23.5 We have heard both the parties and perused the material on record. After considering the order of the lower authorities, we are of the view that the notional interest on receivable is an international transaction, therefore this argument of the assessee is rejected. The TPO has applied 6 months LIBOR + 300 basis points whereas the ld. DRP has directed for applying SBI fixed deposit rate. During the course of hearing, it was brought to the notice of both the parties that while calculating the notional interest on receivables, 6 months LIBOR + 300 basis points beyond the credit period shall be considered by the TPO for giving effect on this issue.

24.1 In the Draft assessment order, the AO has incorporated disallowance of depreciation on goodwill amounting to Rs.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 56 of 133 35,00,40,324/- by placing reliance on the sixth proviso to section 32(1)(ii) of the Act. The DRP upheld that the Order of the AO observing that claim is not in accordance with the provisions contained in Explanation 7 to section 43(1) read with Explanation 2 to section 43(6)(c) of the Act read with sixth proviso to section 32(1) of the Act. This addition was incorporated in the final assessment order.

24.2 In this regard, the ld. AR submits that goodwill qualifies to be an intangible asset under Explanation 3 to section 32(1)(ii) of the Act. In the instant case, goodwill has arisen on account of amalgamation in the books of the Appellant and did not pre-exist. Further the Appellant, who acquired Goodwill becomes the owner, which has been generated as a result of years of reputation, which has been reflected in the valuation of business. Therefore, Goodwill acquired on amalgamation qualifies as an intangible, having been used for the purpose of business, the prerequisites for availing depreciation are satisfied. In support of the above contention, reliance was placed on the following decisions:

• Smifs Securities Ltd. (2012) 348 ITR 302 (SC)-Pg 2607 to 2608 of PB II • Mylan Laboratories Ltd in & ITA No. 12/Hyd/2019- Pg 2639 to 2642 of PB II • Foodworld Supermarket vs DCIT, Circle-3(1)(1), Bangalore ITA Nos.2071, 2072, 2074 & 2075/Bang/2017- Pg 2658 of PB II • Padmini Products (P.) Ltd vs DCIT, Circle 12(2), Bangalore [2020] 121 taxmann.com 237 (Karnataka)

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 57 of 133 24.3 The ld. AR also relied on the decision of the Coordinate bench in the case of M/s. Altimetrik India Pvt.Ltd vs DCIT, Circle 1(1)(1), Bangalore (IT(TP)A No. 2511/Bang/2019) (Pg 2730 of PB-II) where it was held that the depreciation claimed by the assessee on goodwill acquired deserves to be allowed in accordance with law and the learned AO was directed to compute the depreciation.

24.4 The Appellant further submits that the Regional Director, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, South-East Region, Hyderabad represented by Registrar of Companies had filed a joint affidavit dated 28th October 2016 before the Hon’ble NCLT, stating that it had issued notice dated 16.08.2016 to the Income-tax department giving 15 days time to offer comments/objections if any. In response to the said notice the DCIT, Circle – 1(1), Bengaluru vide letter in F.No. AMD India Private Limited/DCIT-C-1(1)(1)/2016-17 dated 26th September 2016 had raised the sole issue in relation to TDS/TCS credit. No other objection was raised.

24.5 It was submitted that all the facts related to the Amalgamation were provided to the AO at the time of Amalgamation itself. If AO had any objections, same should have provided at the time, when opportunity was provided to him. But once the consent has been provided by the AO, it cannot be objected unless there has been concealment or misrepresentation of facts, which are absent in the present case. In this regard, the ld. AR relied on the decision of DCIT

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 58 of 133 Circle 4(1)(1) vs. Urmin Marketing (P.) Ltd [2020] 122 taxmann.com 40 (Ahmedabad - Trib.).

24.6 With respect to objections raised by the AO on valuation of goodwill, it is submitted as follows:

Objections by the AO Response of the Appellant 1. Scope of amalgamation was nothing The objectives of amalgamation have but consolidation of group companies been extensively listed in para 2.3 of to take tax advantages. Preamble of the scheme. (submissions at Pg 2332-2333 of PB-I).

2. Consideration is in form of exchange Consideration can be in any form of shares which is mere restructuring whether monetary or not. The law laid to reduce taxes. down in section 47(vii) also mandates issue of shares in lieu of purchase consideration to avail the benefit of non-taxable transfer (Submissions at Pg 2333 of PB-I).

3. The shares valued at Rs.240 crores The Appellant submits that purchase (apprx) have been issued to a consideration based on book values company whose net assets have been cannot be adopted as its purely valued at Rs.140 crores (apprx) and historical values. The company is fair value of fixed assets at Rs.25.14 taken over on going concern basis and crores. The method of valuation of the DCF method is more appropriate. The shares by discounting cash flow Appellant has justified all the 3 (‘DCF’) has been doubted by the AO. components of DCF, namely cash flows. discounting factor and terminal value. In fact, actual sales are greater than estimated profits. This method is also listed in the Technical Guide on Valuation by the ICAI (submissions at Pg 2334- 2336 & 2347-2366 of PB- I).

24.7 Further, with respect to DCF method of valuation of shares, the Appellant submits that there are three important inputs necessary (detailed valuation of shares is given at Pg 2344-2346 of PB-I). These are detailed below:

 Step 1: Cash Flow Projections- The cash flows should reflect the best estimates of the management after taking into account various factors affecting the business. In the given case, the actual revenue of the Appellant are far more than the projected estimates used to determine the value (Refer submissions at Pg 2336-2337 & 2367-2368 of PB-I).  Step 2: Discount Rate- This rate is aggregate of risk-free rate and risk premium. The valuer has adopted 13.5%, which is similar to discount rate of 13% provided by EY cost of capital survey (Refer submissions at Pg 2337- 2338 & 2369 of PB-I).  Step 3: Terminal Value- Terminal value is determined by dividing the perpetuity cash flows with the discount rate as reduced by the stable growth rate, which is generally the inflation rate to reflect the value of the cash flows arising after the forecast period. The valuer has adopted 3% as terminal value

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 60 of 133 which is reasonable when compared to growth rate of that period and lower than India’s inflation rate (Refer submissions at Pg 2338-2339 of PB-I).

24.8 Based on all of the above, the Appellant submits that there is no manipulation in share valuation as per DCF method. In case, the AO was dissatisfied, he had all the liberty to seek for information by issuing notice u/s 133(6) of the Act. The valuation adopted is fair and reasonable and cannot be questioned. Same basis of valuation is adopted for amalgamating and resulting company.

24.9 Therefore, the ld. AR submits that claim of depreciation on goodwill arising on account of amalgamation is in accordance with law and addition should be deleted.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 61 of 133 Sl Particulars Provision in brief No 1 Depreciation 'Written down value of the block of assets' shall have the same meaning as in section 43(6)(c) [Explanation 2 to Section 32(1)] Restrictions on depreciation in the hands of amalgamating company and amalgamated company in the previous year to the depreciation calculated on 'actual cost' of capital asset in the hands of amalgamating company prior to amalgamation [5th proviso to Section 32(1)] 2 Cost/Written down value Actual cost of capital assets in the hands of of capital assets in the amalgamated company to be same as in the hands of hand of amalgamating company [Explanation 7 to Section companies 43(1)] 'Written down value' of capital assets in the hands of amalgamated company to be same as in the hands of amalgamating company [Explanation 2(b) to Section 43 (6) (c)] 3 Cost of stock-in-trade 'Cost' of stock-in-trade in the hands of amalgamated company to be taken the same as in the hands of amalgamating company held either as capital asset or stock-in-trade [43C(1)] 4 Exemption in Exemption of capital gains in the hands of the amalgamating company on transfer of capital asset of hands of company amalgamating company in the scheme of amalgamation [Section 47(vi)] 5 Exemption in Exemption of capital gains in the hands of shareholders the of amalgamating company on transfer of shares of hands of shareholders amalgamating company in the scheme of amalgamation [47 (vii)] 6 Cost in the hand of Cost of capital assets to be the same as in the hands of owner/shareholders previous owner where capital assets became the assets of the successor as a result of transfer under section 47(vi) rws [Section 49(1)(iii)(e)] Cost of shares of amalgamated company in the hands of shareholders, received as consideration for transfer of shares of amalgamating company,

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 62 of 133 30.1 The ld. DR submitted that a bare reading of all the above provisions makes it abundantly clear that it was always the intention of the Legislature to make amalgamation a tax neutral scheme for companies as well as for the shareholders and not to provide an opportunity to anyone to make it a tool to avoid the legitimate tax which it is otherwise is expected to pay. The legislature has taken pain to cover all possibilities as is evident with the number of sections which have been enacted to deal with amalgamation. According to the ld. DR, these are special provisions of the Act dealing with amalgamation and therefore, must get precedence over a general provision.

30.2 The ld. DR submitted that provisions of section 32 of the Act requires allowing depreciation to the amalgamated company in the same manner which would have been allowed to the amalgamating company in the event had there not been any amalgamation. It is clear from the proviso to section 32 which is as under:-

“shall not exceed in any previous year the deduction calculated at the prescribed rates as if the succession or the amalgamation or the demerger, as the case may be, had not taken place” 30.3 The above proviso once again emphasizes the fact that amalgamation was always meant to be a tax neutral exercise.

30.4 The ld. DR further submitted that Explanation 7 to section 43(1) makes it very clear that the actual cost of the transferred capital asset must be the same in the hands of the amalgamated company. To make

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 63 of 133 it further clear it goes on to say that cost should be the same as it would have been if the amalgamating company had continued to hold the capital asset for the purposes of its own business. According to him, in the instant case, had amalgamation not taken place there was no possibility of claiming any depreciation on goodwill. The Amalgamating company could not have claimed a higher depreciation as this was a non-existent asset before amalgamation.

30.5 He submitted that to wriggle out of this situation, an argument has been made by the assessee that this section is not applicable because goodwill was not in the balance sheet of the amalgamating company. Goodwill came into existence because of amalgamation and therefore, it was never transferred from amalgamating company to an amalgamated company. He contended that this argument of the assessee militates against the intention of the legislature and hence, must be rejected. To bring out inherent flaw in this argument of the assessee, the ld. DR illustrated the cases where goodwill exists and does not exist, prior to amalgamation as under:-

Sl No Goodwill in Goodwill in Amalgamating Amalgamated Company company Case 1 1 crore 1 crore 100 ore Case 2 zero 30.6 It was submitted that if an amalgamating company has goodwill of Rs 1 crore and the purchaser company has paid Rs 100 crore which IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 64 of 133 is more than the value of the company, then post amalgamation its value will continue to be Rs 1 crore in the hands of the amalgamated company. But if there is no goodwill asset in the hands of an amalgamating company or in other words, the value of goodwill is ‘zero’ pre-amalgamation and the purchaser company has paid Rs 100 crore (more than the value of the company), then to interpret that this excess amount of Rs 100 crore can be termed as goodwill and depreciation can be claimed by the amalgamated company would not be logical and will give absurd result.

30.7 The ld. DR also referred to Explanation 2 to section 43(6)(c) of the Act which reads as under:

(6) "written down value" means— ** ** ** [Explanation 2.—Where in any previous year, any block of assets is transferred,— (a)** ** ** (b) by the amalgamating company to the amalgamated company in a scheme of amalgamation, and the amalgamated company is an Indian company, then, notwithstanding anything contained in clause (1), the actual cost of the block of assets in the case of the transferee-company or the amalgamated company, as the case may be, shall be the written down value of the block of assets as in the case of the transferor-company or the amalgamating company for the immediately preceding previous year as reduced by the amount of depreciation actually allowed in relation to the said preceding previous year.]”.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 65 of 133 30.8 He submitted that as per the above provisions, the WDV of the assets acquired in the scheme of amalgamation in the hands of the amalgamated company will continue to be the same as it would have been in the hands of the amalgamating company, had there been no amalgamation. Hence the argument of the assessee that this section is not applicable because goodwill was not in the balance sheet of the amalgamating company, and since goodwill was never the part of WDV of the amalgamating company, it came into existence only post amalgamation has to be rejected. He submitted that the DRP has rightly held that the assessee claim of depreciation on goodwill is not in accordance with the mandatory provisions contained in Explanation 7 to section 43(1) r.w. Explanation 2 to section 43(6)(c) r.w. sixth proviso to section 32(1) of the Act and upheld the addition.

30.9 The ld. DR submitted that divergent views exists in the decisions of the courts and Tribunals in respect of this issue and the submissions are furnished in the tabular form as below:-

Depreciation on goodwill arising out of merger should be allowed Name of the Tribunal/ Court Decision Remarks case A.P. Paper ITAT, The goodwill is a 1. It was a case related Mills Ltd. Hyderabad business or commercial to 263. ITAT held that the [2010] 128 right of similar nature provision of s. 263 could TTJ 596 and the assessee is be invoked by the CIT if benefited by amalga- the circumstances mation by acquiring that specified therein viz., (1) commercial value being the order is erroneous (2) intangible assets which by virtue of the order the assessee has paid on being erroneous, amalgamation. The Prejudice has been IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 66 of 133 excess consideration caused to the interest of over and above the the Revenue, that cannot excess of assets over be said erroneous so far liabilities is the as prejudicial to interest goodwill which is an of the Revenue. asset entitled to depreciation under 2. There is no discussion section 32 of the IT Act. in the order about the As such, the AO is various provisions of the justified in granting Income Tax Act such as depreciation on 5th provision to section goodwill while 32(1), section completing the 49(1)(iii)(e), Explanation assessment under 7 to section 43(1) and /or section 143(3) of the IT Explanation 2(b) to Act and the CIT is not section 43(6)(c_ and justified in invoking of section 55(2)(a)(ii). provisions of section 263 on this issue. Truine Delhi High In the case of it was 1. The honorable HC Energy Court held that consideration relied heavily on the fact Services (P) paid by assessee in that the Tribunal has Ltd vs excess of its value of rejected the view that the DyCIT tangible assets was slump sale agreement [2016] 65 rightly classified as was a colorable device. taxmann.com goodwill. In the instant case, the 288/237 valuation is being taxmann 230 In the facts of the doubted by both the present case, the Assessing officer as well Tribunal has rejected as DRP the view that the slump sale agreement was a 2. Relied on Smifs colourable device. Once Securities Ltd to hold that having held so, the The issue whether agreement between the depreciation is allowable parties must be accepted on goodwill is no longer in its totality. The res integra. agreement itself does not provide for splitting 3. There is no discussion up of the intangibles in the order about the into separate various provisions of the components. Income Tax Act such as Indisputably, the 5th transaction in question provision to section IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 67 of 133 is a slump sale which 32(1), does not contemplate section 49(1)(iii)(e), separate values to be Explanation 7 to section ascribed to various 43(1)and/or Explanation assets (tangible and 2(b) to section 43(6)(c) intangible) that and section 55(2)(a)(ii). constitute the business undertaking, which is sold and purchased. The agreement itself indicates that slump sale included sale of goodwill and the balance sheet specifically recorded goodwill at Rs. 40.58 crore. Goodwill includes a host of intangible assets, which a person acquires, on acquiring a business as a going concern and valuing the same at the excess consideration paid over and above the value of net tangible assets is an acceptable accounting practice. Thus, a further exercise to value the goodwill is not warranted. [Para 20] Altimetrik ITAT Consideration paid 1. There is no discussion India (P) Ltd Bangalore by in the order about the vs DCIT amalgamated company various provisions of the 137 over and above net Income Tax Act such as taxmann.com assets of amalgamating 5th provision to section 9 company should be 32(1), section considered as goodwill 49(1)(iii)(e), arising on Explanation 7 to section amalgamation and 43(1) and/or goodwill arising Explanation 2(b) to on section 43(6)(c) and amalgamation is a section 55(2)(a)(ii).

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 68 of 133 capital asset eligible for depreciation.

2. Reliance was placed on AricentTechnologies (Holdings) Ltd [2019] 109 taxmann.com 47 (Delhi-Trib).

3. Amalgamation has to be tax neutral. Padmini Karnataka Where under a schemeof 1. Assessee and erstwhile Products (P) High court succession intangible partnership firm were Ltd assets of a partnership different entities and there firm were transferred was transfer of intangible to assessee-company in assets by partnership to lieu of shares issued to assessee for a valuable partners of erstwhile consideration that was by firm, successor way of allotment of assessee-company was shares. entitled to claim 2. The honorable high depreciation on such court was conscious of intangible assets on cost the fact that the incurred by it with transaction was between reference to such different entities and intangible assets. valuation of the intangible assets has not been questioned or genuineness of the transactions has been doubted.

3. In the instant case, the transaction is between related parties and valuation has been questioned both by Assessing Officer as well as DRP. Zydus ITAT Depreciation on 1. The issue before the Wellness Ltd Ahmedabad goodwill arising on Tribunal was whether [2016] 76 amalgamation claimed Depreciation on goodwill taxmann. by assessee-company arising on amalgamation Com 328 during course of can be claimed during assessment proceedings course of assessment

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 69 of 133 vide a revised proceedings vide a computation of income revised computation of without filing revised income without filing return of income was revised return. allowable.

2. Reliance was placed GujaratHigh Gujarat HC It was upheld by on Smifs Securities Ltd to Court in honorable Gujarat High hold that depreciation on [2019] 112 Court in [2019] 112 goodwill is allowable. taxmann.com taxmann.com 400 and Even Gujarat HC and SC 400 and also also by upheld the same relying on the same. SC in Supreme Court honorable SC in [2020] [2020] 113 113 taxmann.com 154 3. There is no discussion taxmann.com in the order about the 154 various provisions of the Income Tax Act such as 5th provision to section 32(1), section 49(1)(iii)(e), Explanation 7 to section 43(1) and/or Explanation 2(b) to section 43(6)(c) and section 55(2)(a)(ii). Areva T & D HIGH COURT Specified intangible 1. Reliance was placed on India Ltd OF DELHI assets, viz., business Techno Shares & Stock [2012] 20 claims, business Ltd. v. CIT [2010] 327 taxmann.com information, business ITR 323/ 193 Taxman 29 (Delhi) records, contracts, 248 (SC) and CIT v. employees and know- Hindustan Coca Cola how acquired by Beverages (P.) Ltd. assessee under slump [2011] 331 ITR 192/ 198 sale agreement are in Taxman 104/ 9 nature of 'business or taxmann.com 104 commercial rights of (Delhi)) similar nature' specified in section 32(1)(ii) and 2. Entire argument was are accordingly eligible focused on Sec 32(1)(ii) for depreciation under that section.

1. Kind attention is taxmann.com AHMEDABAD com 217 (Ahmedabad - drawn 217 BENCH 'A' Trib.)/[2020] 180 to para 10 to 12 of the (Ahmedabad IT... INCOME TAX: judgement. They agreed - Where pursuant to that the intent of the Trib.) Bodal Scheme of Legislature was to make Chemicals amalgamation, assessee amalgamation a tax Ltd. claimed depreciation on neutral scheme for Goodwill representing companies as well as for higher amount paid to the shareholders and not transferor company as to provide a tax planning compared to its net mechanism to either of assets, in view of fact them. that relevant year was They further mention that second year of there was no entry in the IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 71 of 133

amalgamation whereas books of the transferor assessee's claim for company for the depreciation had been intangible assets/goodwill allowed in first year of being self generated amalgamation, assets. following principle of They state that we are of consistency, assessee's the view that impugned claim was to be allowed transaction for claiming in assessment year in the deduction on account question as well of the depreciation is an Arrangement for claiming the higher depreciation which is unwanted under the provisions of law. After discussing all this, They allow the claim stating that it is the second year of claim & the assessee was allowed depreciation in respect of such goodwill in the 1st year of amalgamation i.e. AY 2006-07. There was no action either under section 263 or 147 of the Act by the revenue. Therefore we can safely presume that the claim of the depreciation of the assessee in the 1st year has attained finality. Admittedly the 1st year is the base assessment year from where the issue of depreciation is emanating.

2. In this case, this is the first year of claim of depreciation and the transaction is between related parties and valuation has been IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 72 of 133

questioned both by Assessing Officer as well as DRP. [2020] 122 IN THE ITAT Where assessee got 1. Arguments made taxmann.com AHMEDABAD amalgamated with a in para 3 as well as other 40 BENCH 'D' company 'UPPL' and paras of this submission (Ahmedabad paid purchase may kindly be - Trib.) consideration to considered. Urmin shareholder of said Marketing company, resulting in (P.) Ltd. excess payment of 4.86 billion over net book value of assets and liabilities acquired by it and treated said excess payment as goodwill, since in view of decision of Supreme Court in case of CIT v. Smifs Securities Ltd. [2012] 24 taxmann. com 222/210 Taxman 428/348 ITR 302, goodwill is a part and parcel of intangible assets, assessee was eligiblefor depreciation on goodwill Accordingly, the AO was of the view that such intangible asset in form of goodwill emerging in books of resulting company (amalgamated company) was on account of valuation of business and revaluation of assets & liabilities which was not available in the books of account of amalgamating company. As such IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 73 of 133 neither resulting company nor amalgamating company incurred any cost in acquiring such intangible assets. Therefore, under the provisions of section 32 of the Act there is no allowance of depreciation available for any asset created in the books of account due to valuation and revaluation of assets and liabilities. Moreover, the amalgamation is not a transaction of purchase and sale of shares/ assets/liabilities but to join hands together for the business expediencies. [2020] 113 ITAT Where assessee 1. The Tribunal taxmann.com HYDERABAD amalgamated with a relied on Smifs Securities 6 company by way of Ltd. , AP Paper Mills (Hyderabad- acquisition/purchase, Ltd. (ITAT Hyd) Delhi Trib.) consideration paid in High Court in the case Mylan excess of net value of of Areva T & D India Laboratories assets and liabilities of Ltd. & Delhi High Court Ltd. amalgamating company in the case of Tribune was to be treated as Energy Services (P.) Ltd. goodwill and; assessee was to be allowed 2.All these cases has depreciation on such already been discussed in goodwill acquired this table and various on amalgamation. submissions.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 74 of 133 Depreciation on goodwill arising out of merger should not be allowed Name of the Tribunal/ Decision case Court Chowgule & ITAT Assessee, post amalgamation, had claimed to have Co (P) Ltd Panaji acquired goodwill of 'MPL' on payment of a sum and, [2011] 10 accordingly claimed depreciation on such goodwill. taxmann.com Revenue disallowed claim of depreciation. The ITAT 224 (Panaji) held that on appointed date 'MPL' did not have any asset and property as goodwill or such intangible asset in its accounts which could become a subject matter of transfer or vesting of asset to assessee. It further stated that while giving direction for amalgamation, High Court was not shown to have ordered to pay any specific amount for such goodwill, it could not be accepted that assessee incurred any additional cost on account of goodwill. Therefore, claim made by assessee with regard to goodwill, which was only a fictitious asset in hands of assessee, and also claim of depreciation were neither bona fide nor tenable. ITAT Panaji held that 'goodwill’ arising pursuant to the scheme of amalgamation is not eligible for depreciation by placing reliance on Explanation 7 to section 43 (1) of the IT Act. United ITAT ITAT Bangalore restricted amalgamated company's Breweries Ltd. Bangalore claim of depreciation in the year of amalgamation on goodwill arising on amalgamation applying 5th proviso to section 32(1) of the IT Act and held that the amalgamated company cannot claim depreciation on assets acquired under amalgamation more than the depreciation allowable to amalgamating company.

Toyo ITAT If the assessee had paid more than the fair market value Engineering Mumbai of assets minus the fair market value of liabilities, then India Limited. the company would have a case to claim that certain [2013] 33 amounts were incurred for goodwill. In the absence of taxmann.com such an exercise, there was no goodwill in the nature of 560 (Mumbai) commercial rights purchase by the assessee. This was only a book entry and it was only another way of disclosing the intrinsic value of the fixed asset of the company. The very purchase of goodwill was not IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 75 of 133 proved by the assessee. Therefore, no depreciation could be allowed on goodwill. 30.10 The ld. DR further reiterated that from various provisions of the Income Tax Act, it is very clear that amalgamation was meant to be a tax neutral proposition. Entire anomaly has arisen because of the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Smifs Securities Ltd., wherein it was held that '’goodwill’ is an intangible asset eligible for depreciation under the provisions of section 32 of the IT Act. The relevant paragraphs are reproduced below:-

“Explanation 3 to section 32(1) states that the expression 'asset' shall mean an intangible asset, being know-how, patents, copyrights, trademarks, licences, franchises or any other business or commercial rights of similar nature. A reading of the words 'any other business or commercial rights of similar nature ' in clause (b) of Explanation 3 indicates that goodwill would fall under the expression 'any other business or commercial rights of a similar nature'. The principle of ejusdem generis would strictly apply while interpreting the said expression which finds place in Explanation 3 (b). (Para 4) In view of the above, it is opined that 'Goodwill' is an asset under Explanation 3(b) to section 32(1). (Para 5) ·One more aspect needs to be highlighted. In the present case, the Assessing Officer, as a matter of fact, came to the conclusion that no amount was actually paid on account of goodwill. This is a factual finding. The Commissioner (Appeals) has come to the conclusion that the assessee had filed copies of the orders of the High Court ordering amalgamation of the above two companies; that the assets and liabilities of 'Y' Ltd. were transferred to the assessee for a consideration; that the difference between the cost of an asset and the amount paid constituted goodwill and that the assessee-company in the process of amalgamation had acquired a capital right in the form of goodwill because of which the market worth of the assessee-company stood increased. This finding has IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 76 of 133 also been upheld by Tribunal. There is no reason to interfere with the factual finding. (Para 6) One more aspect which needs to be mentioned is that, against the decision of Tribunal, the revenue had preferred an appeal to the High Court in which it had raised only the question as to whether goodwill is an asset under section 32. In the circumstances, before the High Court, the revenue did not file an appeal on the finding of fact referred to hereinabove. (Para 7) In view of the above, it has to be held that goodwill is an asset within the meaning of section 32 and depreciation on 'goodwill' is allowable under the said section. (Para 8)” 30.11 The ld. DR submitted that in decision of Smifs Securities (supra), the Hon’ble Supreme Court mentioned that the Revenue has not filed any objection to the finding of CIT(A) and ITAT that the difference between the cost of an asset and the amount paid constituted goodwill. Only point raised by the Revenue was that whether goodwill is a capital asset. Therefore, the Hon’ble Court has not deliberated upon this crucial issue and hence, decided only the limited issue, whether goodwill is a capital asset eligible for depreciation. The decision in Smifs Securities was without considering the provisions which were relevant to the issue in hand and given the fact that these were not argued before the court, it could not be extended on the points which were not argued or evaluated at all.

30.12 Another aspect in Smifs Securities judgment (supra) was that the taxpayer acquired capital right in the form of existing clientele, i.e., 'goodwill ' which was noted as a finding of fact and was not appealed by the revenue before the High Court and the only issue for IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 77 of 133 consideration was whether goodwill is an asset within the meaning of Section 32 of the Income Tax Act, which the court answered in affirmative. It is a settled position that a case is an authority, for what it decides, and not for what logically follows from it. Reference may be made to the following:-

A case is only an authority for what it actually decides. I entirely deny that it can be quoted for a proposition that may seem to logically follow from it. Such a mode of reasoning assumes that the law is necessarily a logical code, whereas every lawyer must acknowledge that the law is not always logical at all. 30.13 This decision of House of Lords was quoted with approval by the Constitution Bench of Supreme Court in the case of Sudhansu Sekhar Misra and Others wherein it stated that a decision is only an authority for what it actually decides.

Hence, the said case can be said to be an authority only to the extent that goodwill is a depreciable asset. 30.14 Even though the Supreme Court in the case of Smifs Securities has decided that goodwill is depreciable asset, one may note that the contention before the court was not as to whether difference arising out of amalgamation was goodwill, eligible for depreciation. The Supreme Court on an earlier occasion has held that an issue which gets implicitly decided without it being raised is an inadvertent error on the part of the Court. Reference in this regard may be made to the following observations,

“It would be straining logic to an absurd limit to say that, though this contention was not raised, not argued, not discussed and not IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 78 of 133 decided, yet it must be held to have been implicitly decided because, through an inadvertent error committed by this Court, an answer was given in favour of the Revenue in ignorance of the true position.” 30.15 The ld. DR submitted that the issue of depreciation on goodwill reached Hon’ble Supreme Court in another case, namely, Zydus Wellness Ltd [2020] 113 taxmann.com 154 where the exact wordings of the order was as under:-

“Learned Additional Solicitor General submitted that the issues involved in the present matter are completely covered by the decision of this Court in Commissioner of Income Tax, Kolkata v. SMIFS Securities Limited, (2012) 13 SCC 488.” 30.16 Once again there was no discussion on the crucial issue that the difference between the cost of an asset and the amount paid constituted goodwill. In this case the issue was whether depreciation on goodwill arising out of amalgamation can be claimed before the Assessing Office without filing a revised return of income. The ITAT held that it can be done by holding as under:-

“Depreciation on goodwill arising on amalgamation claimed by assessee-company during course of assessment proceedings vide a revised computation of income without filing revised return of income was allowable.” 30.17 In this decision it was held that depreciation on goodwill will be allowable in view of the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Smifs Securities Ltd.

Relevance and significance of accounting principles

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 79 of 133 30.18 The ld. DR submitted that it is a well-accepted proposition that for the purposes of ascertaining profits and gains the ordinary principles of commercial accounting should be applied, so long as they do not conflict with any express provision of the relevant statute. The said principle was again retreated by the Supreme Court in the case of Woodward Governor {[2009] 179 Taxman 326 (SC)/[2009] 312 ITR 254 (SC)} wherein it held that profits for income-tax purpose are to be computed in accordance with ordinary principles of commercial accounting, unless such principles stand superseded or modified by legislative enactments. The relevant portion of the aforesaid judgement is as under:

“As profits for income-tax purpose are to be computed in accordance with ordinary principles of commercial accounting, unless such principles stand superseded or modified by legislative enactments, unrealized profits in the shape of appreciated value of goods remaining unsold at the end of the accounting year and carried over to the following year's account in a continuing business are not brought to the charge as a matter of practice, though loss due to fall in the price below cost is allowed even though such loss has not been realized actually. The said system of commercial accounting can be superseded or modified by legislative enactment. Under section 145(2), the Central Government is empowered to notify from time-to-time the Accounting Standards to be followed by any class of the assessees or in respect of any class of income. Accordingly, under section 209 of the Companies Act, mercantile system of accounting has been made mandatory for companies. In other words, Accounting Standard, which is continuously adopted by an assessee, can be superseded or modified by legislative intervention. However, but for such intervention or in cases falling under section 145(3), the method of accounting undertaken by the assessee continuously is supreme. In the instant case, there was no finding given by the Assessing Officer

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 80 of 133 on the correctness or completeness of the accounts of the assessee. Equally, there was no finding given by the Assessing Officer stating that the assessee had not complied with the Accounting Standards.” (emphasis supplied) 30.19 In other words, it can be said that accounting treatment of any transaction is relevant only to the extent they are not in conflict with the express provisions of the IT Act. In case of merger and acquisition, the IT Act expressly requires recording of capital assets at the price appearing in the books of target company. Accordingly, the ld. DR submitted that the recognition of goodwill in accordance with Accounting Standard-14 and amortisation of the same in accordance with Accounting Standard-26 may not be of any help in claiming depreciation under the IT Act in view of the express provisions mentioned therein.

Harmonious and purposive Construction 30.20 The ld. DR submitted that it is also elementary that the provisions of the law are to be so read as to make them workable rather than redundant. If depreciation is allowed on goodwill generated, because of amalgamation on standalone basis and in disjunction with the proviso 5 to section 32(1), the provision of explanation 7 to section 43(1) and explanation 2(b) to section 43(6)(c) of the Act as well as various other provisions of the Act mentioned in the above paragraphs, these provisions of the Act will be rendered otiose, as observed by IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 81 of 133 Hon'ble Supreme Court, in the case of CIT v. Hindustan Bulk Carriers [2003] 126 Taxman 321/259 ITR 449/179 CTR 362 as follows:-

"A construction which reduces the statute to a futility has to be avoided. A statute or any enacting provision therein must be so construed as to make it effective and operative on the principle expressed in maxim ut res magis valeat quam pereat i.e., a liberal construction should be put upon written instruments, so as to uphold them, if possible, and carry into effect the intention of the parties.” 30.21 While elaborating upon the need for harmonious construction of the statutory provisions, the oft-quoted treatise Justice GP Singh on the Principles of Statutory Interpretation (14th paperback edition @ page 159)', has these words of advice:

“ …………….. It has already been seen that a statute must be read as a whole and one provision of the Act should be construed with reference to other provisions in the same Act so as to make a consistent enactment of the whole statute. Such a construction has the merit of avoiding any inconsistency or repugnancy either within a section or between a section and other parts of the statute. It is the duty of the courts to avoid "a head-on clash" between two sections of the same Act and, "whenever it is possible to do so, to construe provisions which appear to conflict so that they harmonise" ……… In the words of GAJENDRAGADKAR, J., "The sub-sections must be read as parts of an integral whole and as being interdependent; an attempt should be made in construing them to reconcile them if it is reasonably possible to do so, and to avoid repugnancy". As stated by VENKATARAMA AIYAR, J., "The rule of construction is well settled that when there are in an enactment two provisions which cannot be reconciled with each other, they should be so interpreted that, if possible, effect should be given to both. This is what is known as the rule of harmonious

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 82 of 133 construction". That, the effect should be given to both, is the very essence of the rule. Thus, a construction that reduces one of the provisions to a "useless lumber" or "dead letter" "is not harmonious construction. To harmonise is not to destroy. …… 30.22 The ld. DR also cited case laws dealing with interpretation of statutes which must be kept in mind while deciding the issue at hand which are as under:-

• M.H. Daryani [1993] 202 ITR 731 (Bom) • International Airport Authority of India [2001] 119 Taxman 702 (Delhi) • Hotel & Allied Trades (P) Ltd. [2002] 83 ITD 85 (Cochin) • Jhabarmal Agarwalla [1992] 65 Taxman 176 (Gauhati) • C.K. Choksi & Co. [2003] 127 Taxman 109. 30.23 In view of the above, the ld. DR submitted that a purposive and harmonious interpretation has to be taken. While construing taxing statutes, rule of strict interpretation has to be applied, giving fair and reasonable construction to the language of the section. It is now trite that where two interpretations are possible, that which fulfils the purpose and object of the Act should be preferred. In this regard, he relied on the decisions of Cape Brandy Syndicate v. IRC [(1921) 1 KB 64] and Calcutta Guj. Education Society v. Calcutta Municipal Corporation [2003] 10 SCC 533.

30.24 The ld. DR further submitted that in the present case the assessee was not entitled for depreciation on the impugned goodwill in pursuance to the proviso 5 to section 32(1) which restricts depreciation on the assets amalgamated to the extent it was available to the amalgamating company. Similarly, the provision of explanation 7 to IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 83 of 133 section 43(1) and explanation 2(b) to section 43(6)(c) of the Act mandate that actual cost and WDV of assets transferred in scheme of amalgamation should be equal to what was in the books of amalgamating company. As there was no goodwill available in the books of amalgamating company prior to amalgamation, accordingly no depreciation allowances is available to the assessee post amalgamation.

30.25 If an asset emerges in the books of amalgamated company which was not existing in the books of amalgamating company, such an asset emerges only due to revaluation of assets & liabilities for which amalgamated company does not incur any cost. Hence, as per the provision of section 55(2)(a)(ii) of the Act value of assets which has been acquired without incurring any cost should be taken at NIL. Similarly, there would not be any possibility for allowing the deduction for the assets resulting on account of revaluation of assets. Therefore, the AO held that the assessee has not incurred cost in order to acquire goodwill and also such goodwill was not transferred from amalgamating company. Therefore, the value of the same for the purpose of taxation is NIL. Thus, depreciation on goodwill is not allowable in the year under consideration.

General vs Special Provisions 30.26 The ld. DR also submitted that a combined reading of the various provisions reveals that the intention of the legislature behind the introduction of the amalgamation scheme was to achieve tax

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 84 of 133 neutrality. Besides the above, the intention of the legislature is reflecting from the following provisions:-

• There is no capital gain in the hands of the amalgamating company on the transfer of capital assets in the scheme of amalgamation under the provisions of section 47(vi) of the Act. • The cost of stock-in -trade in the hands of amalgamated company shall remain the same as in the hands of amalgamating company either as capital asset or stock in trade as provided under section 43C of the Act. • Provisions relating to carry forward and set off of accumulated loss and unabsorbed depreciation allowance in amalgamation or demerger, etc under the provisions of section 72A of the Act. • Exemption of capital gains in the hands of shareholders of amalgamating company on transfer of shares of amalgamating company in the scheme of amalgamation under the provisions of section 47 (vii) of the Act. • Cost of capital assets to be the same as in the hands of previous owner where capital assets became the assets of the successor as a result of transfer under section 47(vi) r.w.s. 49(1)(iii)(e) of the Act. • Cost of shares of amalgamated company in the hands of shareholders, received as consideration for transfer of shares of amalgamating company, to be same as the cost of shares of amalgamating company under section 49(2) of the Act. 30.27 Therefore, according to the ld.DR, the above provisions in the Income Tax Act which are dealing with the specific case of amalgamation can be termed as Special Provisions whereas the depreciation on goodwill which can be held as a general provision of the Act. The depreciation on goodwill was never on the statute but came into existence because of the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Smifs Securities Ltd.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 85 of 133 30.28 It is trite to say that the general law's ambit is restricted to that of the special law in a way that general law does not have power over a special law. Generalia specialibus non derogant is a Latin maxim which is applied when there is a conflict between general and special statutes. It is a maxim used for statutory interpretation. Generalia stands from general and Specialibus stands for special. Thus, when interpreted, it means that general laws do not prevail over special laws or, the general does not detract from specifics. The ld. DR submitted that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has clearly stated in SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2014] 3 S.C.R.1 INTERPRETATION OF STATUTES; that general law yields to special law should they operate in the same field on same subject.

30.29 It is the argument of the assessee that the Assessing Officer was given a time of 15 days to offer comments / objections if any. All the facts related to the Amalgamation were provided to the AO at the time of Amalgamation itself and any objection should have provided at the time, when opportunity was provided to him. Once the consent has been provided by the AA, it cannot be objected unless there has been concealment or misrepresentation of facts, which are absent in the present case. In this regard, the ld. DR submitted that No objection being filed by the Assessing officer only implies that there was no objection to the scheme of amalgamation. Tax implications of the said amalgamation will be examined by the Assessing Officer only at the time of scrutiny. This is a right as well as duty of the Assessing Officer which flows directly from the statute itself and this right cannot

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 86 of 133 be taken away in any manner. 15 days is too less a time to make any meaningful study of the scheme of amalgamation. Therefore, the AO is not prevented in examining the tax implications of the scheme of amalgamation. Same argument holds when the assessee argued that the scheme has been approved by the Hon’ble High Court and the approval of the scheme of amalgamation must be limited to that extent as such.

30.30 The ld. DR submitted that the cash flow projections of the assessee is estimated projection which may or may not happen eventually. It is based on various factors which admittedly are the best estimates of the management after taking into account various factors affecting the business. During the course of hearing, it was submitted that there are increase in revenue as well, in the succeeding years. The fact remains that it is based on an estimate by the management and its reliability has been questioned by the Assessing officer as well. Further, looking into the financials of both the companies involved in amalgamation for the last 5 years, then also there would have been increase in the revenue. Therefore, to say that increase in revenue was because of the amalgamation cannot be a logical conclusion. In the scheme of amalgamation between the related parties, there are lot of grey areas. The assessee can prepare a report according to which it can give shares in the ratio of 1:1 or 1: 2 or 1:3 or any other ratio as it deems fit. The fact of the matter is that a tool is being handed over in the hands of the assessee by which related parties can agree to amalgamation at an agreed price and then, claim depreciation on the goodwill emanating on account of amalgamation. Thus, scheme of IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 87 of 133 amalgamation is being misused as a tax avoidance tool. It is humbly prayed to consider all these aspects while considering the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

30.31 The ld. DR submitted that the amendments to section 2(11), 32(1), 50 & 55 by the Finance Bill, 2021 were effective from AY 2021-22 as per which goodwill will not be a depreciable asset, These amendments goes to the root of the matter to address the anomaly because of the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Smifs Securities (supra) and contended that when goodwill itself doesn’t remain a depreciable asset, then, obviously, goodwill arising out of amalgamation will not be a depreciable asset as well as submitted earlier above and the amendment does not address these arguments. Therefore, he submitted that depreciation cannot be claimed on goodwill arising out of amalgamation under the existing provisions of the Act.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 88 of 133 arose in the hands of the Appellant for the first time on account of the amalgamation. The Appellant has paid for and hence, economically suffered in acquiring the goodwill. The scheme of amalgamation which has been approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (“NCLT”) itself clearly provides that aggregate excess of consideration (discharged in form of issue of shares) over and above the net asset value of the amalgamating companies shall be recognized as goodwill. This aspect has also been stated even in the NCLT order (Page 901 and 903 of PB-I).

31.1 As per the NCLT Order, objections were invited from the Income Tax department against the scheme of amalgamation. In response, the Income Tax department raised objection on the sole issue of TDS/TCS. The AO had not raised any objections in the impugned scheme of amalgamation at the time when opportunity was provided to him, all details about scheme of amalgamation and treatment of goodwill was before him. Therefore, the Department implicitly accepted that depreciation is admissible on the goodwill. Thus, Department cannot now turn around and state that depreciation is not admissible on the goodwill.

31.2 The contentions raised by the learned DR have been raised before the Tribunal and High Court many times and always, the Tribunal and High Court have rejected this contention. The judicial view on these arguments is long settled in favour of the assessee. These cases are discussed below.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 89 of 133 31.3 After elaborately discussing the relevant provisions, the Tribunal in the case of Aricent Technologies (Holdings) Ltd. [2019] 109 taxmann.com 47 (Delhi - Trib.). held that the consideration paid by the amalgamated company over and above the net assets of the amalgamating company should be considered as goodwill arising on amalgamation and the depreciation claimed by the assessee on goodwill acquired deserves to be allowed in accordance with law.

31.4 The Delhi ITAT has elaborately discussed sections 32(1)(ii), fifth proviso to section 32(1), Explanation 2 to section 43(6)(c) and Explanation 7 to section 43(1). The ITAT observed that the literal reading of these sections lay down that the written down value of the intangible block of asset is zero in the books of the amalgamating companies, the actual cost would remain zero in the hand of amalgamated company. This interpretation of the relevant provisions is applicable only to existing and recorded assets. The ITAT has held such understanding is correct for the simple reason that by virtue of the scheme of the amalgamation the assessee paid consideration over and above the net asset value of the amalgamating companies and therefore, the difference has been rightly taken as the cost of acquisition of goodwill.

31.5 The above decision was relied upon by Bangalore ITAT in the case of M/s. Altimetrik India Pvt. Ltd vs DCIT, Circle 1(1)(1), Bangalore (IT(TP)A No. 2511/Bang/2019). Similarly, the Jurisdictional High Court in the case of Padmini Products (P.) Ltd vs

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 90 of 133 DCIT, Circle 12(2), Bangalore [2020] 121 taxmann.com 237 (Karnataka) has held that “it is evident that 5th proviso to section 32 of the Act restricts aggregate deduction both by the predecessor and the successor and if in a particular year there is no aggregate deduction, the 5th proviso does not apply. Thus, it is axiomatic that until and unless it is the case of aggregate deduction, the proviso has no role to play.” The fifth proviso to section 32 of the Act comes into play only when there are existing assets. In the instant case, goodwill is arising out of amalgamation, therefore, it is outside the purview of 5th proviso and hence, the contention of the DR is without basis.

31.6 The Hyderabad Tribunal in the case of Mylan Laboratories Ltd in & ITA No. 12/Hyd/2019 rejected the contention of learned DR about the applicability of fifth proviso to section 32 of the Act for disallowing depreciation on goodwill. The tribunal discussed the decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court in case of Smifs Securities [2012] 24 taxmann.com 222/210 Taxman 428 and observed that the Apex Court has considered the circumstances under which the goodwill has arisen on which depreciation was claimed. Relying on the judgement of Smifs Securities Ltd., the Tribunal allowed the depreciation claimed on goodwill.

31.7 Based on the above, it was submitted that the interpretation of the relevant provisions by the learned DR is not correct. In the instant case, the goodwill on which depreciation is claimed is arising out of the amalgamation. As per Scheme approved by NCLT, various

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 91 of 133 intangibles like licences, registrations, copyrights, patents, trade names, trademarks, other rights, domain/website, all staff, workmen, trained employees, documentation, information, computer programs, manual data, catalogs, quotation, sales advertising material, list of present and former customers, suppliers, customer pricing information, and other records etc are transferred. These intangibles are collectively reflected as goodwill. The assessee has economically suffered in acquiring the goodwill and has paid consideration (discharged in form of issue of shares) over and above the net asset value of the amalgamating companies and same is recognized as goodwill as per order of NCLT.

31.8 The ld. AR submitted that the contention of the ld. DR that there is no discussion about various provisions dealing with amalgamation in judicial precedents relied upon by the assessee is factually incorrect. In most of these cases (for e.g. A P Paper Mills Ltd (2010) 128 TTJ 596; Truine Energy v DCIT 65 taxmann.com 288 (Delhi HC); Zydus Welness Ltd 76 taxmann.com 328; etc), the learned DR has not even relied on the provisions of section 32(1)(ii), fifth proviso to section 32(1), Explanation 2 to section 43(6)(c) and Explanation 7 to section 43(1) to support his arguments. The question of Tribunal, therefore referring to these sections does not arise. Further, in the case of Altimetrik India Pvt. Ltd vs DCIT (supra) & Padmini Products (P.) Ltd (supra), the orders clearly discuss the above provisions. Even otherwise, in the decisions in the case of Aricent Technologies (supra), Mylan (supra), Altimetrik India Pvt. Ltd vs DCIT (supra) & Padmini

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 92 of 133 Products (P.) Ltd (supra) cited by the assessee, after discussing the above sections, the Tribunal has allowed depreciation on goodwill. These decisions are conveniently ignored by the learned DR.

31.9 The ld. AR further submitted that valuation of tangible assets taken over was carried out by Mr. H. Krishna Murthy, an approved valuer for Income Tax Department. Further, the purchase consideration as “2 equity shares of Rs.10/- each fully paid of AMD R&D (Transferee) for every 1 share of AMD IPL (Transferor) was determined on the basis of “fair share exchange ratio”.” M/s SSPA & Co, Chartered Accountants were appointed for valuation of equity shares. The valuation was performed using Discounted Cash Flow Method (‘DCF’) and all the 3 components of DCF, namely cash flows, discounting factor and terminal value were justified. The computation of DCF is explained in detail at pages 2336 to 2346 of PB I. These valuations are blessed by NCLT while accepting the exchange ratio.

31.10 Further, the valuation reports of assets and equity shares were made available for scrutiny. The DCF computation is on record. The learned DR as well as the lower authorities have not pointed out single mistake with the figures or valuation. The argument that valuation is not correct due to related party is without any basis. The basis of valuation of both amalgamating and amalgamated company is same. The valuation is approved by NCLT and reflects future earning potential of the company. The actual future turnover and profits are more than that adopted for valuation, which reflects that valuation is IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 93 of 133 in fact done on conservative basis. Thus, the arguments of learned DR for rejecting the reliance placed on various case laws is without basis and bad in law.

31.11 The ld. AR submits that submits that the judicial precedents relied by the learned DR are distinguishable on the following points and are not applicable to the present case: -

SL Name of the Case Point of differences No: 1. Chowgule & Co. (P.) a) In this case, the assessee had written Ltd v ACIT Circle -2, off an amount of Rs. 4605.90 lakhs as Margao Exceptional "goodwill” arising out of [2011] 10 taxmann.com amalgamation written off in its audited 224 (Panaji) profit and loss account whereas in the instant case, excess consideration was recorded as goodwill as mentioned in the order of NCLT. b) In this case, the amalgamating company has substantial losses in its books (which was carried forward and set off post amalgamation) and the business was carried on with intermittent stoppages. Therefore, there could not be any goodwill attached to the business whereas in the instant case, the amalgamating company had no losses in its books, but had substantial reserves. c) Further, this decision is before SC decision in the case of Smifs Securities. 2 DCIT vs Toyo a) The remarks of DR itself state that Engineering India Ltd purchase of goodwill was not proved and [2013] 33 taxmann.com it was only a book entry. 560 (Mumbai- Trib.) b) In this case, the assets and liabilities have not been valued and the IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 94 of 133 consideration was in the form of cancellation of investments. Whereas in the Appellant’s case, business, Fixed Assets & liabilities of the transferor company were taken over at the fair market value as per the valuation. United Breweries Ltd 3 a) In this case, there was a merger with vs Add CIT, Range-12, its Wholly owned Subsidiary, whereas in Bangalore [2016] 76 the case of the Appellant, it is taxmann.com 103 amalgamation by purchase. (Bangalore - Trib.) b) In this case, the transferor company had goodwill in its books prior to merger, whereas in the present case, the Appellant is the transferee company who did not have any goodwill in the books prior to amalgamation. c) Reliance on United Breweries case for disallowance of depreciation on goodwill has been rejected by Tribunal in the case of Mylan (supra) and Altimetrik India Pvt. Ltd vs DCIT (supra).

31.12 In the case of Smifs Securities (supra), the Revenue itself accepted the finding of the Tribunal that difference between cost of asset and amount paid constituted goodwill and the assessee company in the process of amalgamation had acquired a capital right in the form of goodwill. The learned DR has also accepted this in page 19 of the DR Submission. Having accepted this aspect, the question of valuation was not there before Supreme Court. However, that does not mean that the ratio of SC decision is not binding. The decision having been rendered on the similar facts as in the case of Appellant, is a binding precedent and has to be followed.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 95 of 133 31.13 The ld. AR referred to the contention of the ld. DR that profits for income tax purpose are to be computed in accordance with ordinary principles of commercial accounting unless such principles stand superseded or modified by legislative enactments and submitted that there was no provision in the Act which conflicts with mandate of AS-14. As explained in AS-14 issued by Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, amalgamation can be, (a) in the nature of merger; and (b) in the nature of purchase. In the second type of amalgamation by purchase, the consideration paid in excess of the net value of assets and liabilities of the amalgamating company is to be treated as goodwill. In the books, the Appellant has rightly followed accounting treatment prescribed by the AS. The Appellant has recorded consideration paid in excess of net assets taken over as goodwill. The Appellant has given due regard to accounting standards for the preparation of books of accounts and tax computation. The Appellant has followed the mandate of section 145 of the Act.

31.14 Further, the learned DR has made reference to another rule of interpretation “Generalia specialibus non derogant” which means general laws do not prevail over special laws. According to the learned DR, there are special provisions in the Act such as sections 47(vi), 43C, 72A, 47(vii), 49(1) and 49(2) of the Act which need to be given priority over the general provisions dealing with depreciation of goodwill. In this regard, the ld. AR submitted that the argument of learned DR is self-conflicting. It is not clear on what basis the learned DR is contending that section 32 dealing with depreciation is a general

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 96 of 133 provision. Section 32 is a specific provision dealing with depreciation and as contented by learned DR, it should be given precedence over other general provisions. The sections cited by learned DR deal with various issues such as exemption of capital gains, cost of stock-in- trade, provisions relating to carry forward and set off of loss, cost of shares on amalgamate company. These sections have no relevance to the present case.

31.15 The learned DR has contended that the assessee submitted the cash flow projections, which is estimated projections, and which may or may not happen eventually. In this regard, the ld. AR submitted that it has already demonstrated that the actual performance is much better than the estimated performance, which in fact was on a conservative side (page 2337 of PB I).

31.16 The ld. AR submitted that according to the revenue, the amendments made by Finance Act, 2021, prohibits depreciation on goodwill. He submitted that these amendments are applicable from AY 2021-22 onwards and have no relevance for the assessment year under consideration. Further, if goodwill was not eligible for depreciation, the question of reducing depreciation from the purchase price of goodwill would not arise. Thus, amendment by Finance Act, 2021 support the view that prior to AY 21-22, goodwill was eligible for depreciation.

31.17 In view of the above submissions, it is prayed that the depreciation on goodwill as claimed by the assessee is to be allowed.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 97 of 133

“As per Scheme approved by NCLT, various intangibles like licences, registrations, copyrights, patents, trade names, trademarks, other rights, domain/website, all staff, workmen, trained employees, documentation, information, computer programs, manual data, catalogs, quotation, sales advertising material, list of present and former customers, suppliers, customer pricing information, and other records etc are transferred. These intangibles are collectively reflected as goodwill. ” 32.1 We note that the assessee has stated that goodwill is recorded in the books of accounts on the difference between the net assets (total

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 98 of 133 assets – liabilities) taken over by the assessee and consideration paid to the amalgamating company on the one hand, and on the other, it is stated that the intangibles are collectively reflected as goodwill. This aspect requires verification at the end of the AO. We also note that no separate value has been assigned to these intangibles as per para 13 of the rejoinder extracted above. It is also not clear whether the amalgamating company has claimed revenue expenditure or depreciation on these intangibles. We therefore remit this issue to the AO to verify the above aspects and also examine that no double benefit is given to the amalgamating/amalgamated company. Accordingly, the AO shall decide the issue afresh as per law, after giving proper opportunity of being heard to the assessee. This issue is allowed for statistical purposes.

33.1 Levy of interest u/s. 234B vide ground No.23 is consequential in nature.

IT(TP)A No.262/Bang/2022 34. The assessee has raised the following grounds:-

“GENERAL GROUND IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 99 of 133 1. The Orders passed by learned Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Circle – 1(1)(1), Bangalore (hereinafter referred as “AO” for brevity), learned Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax (Transfer Pricing Officer) – 1(1)(1), Bangalore (hereinafter referred as “TPO” for brevity) and the Honourable DRP-1, Bengaluru (“AO”, “TPO” and DRP collectively referred as “lower authorities” for brevity) are bad in law and liable to be quashed. GROUNDS RELATING TO TRANSFER PRICING – LEGAL ISSUES 2. The learned AO has erred in making a reference for the determination of the Arm’s Length Price of the international transactions to the TPO without demonstrating as to why it was necessary and expedient to do so.

3. The lower authorities have erred in passing the Order without demonstrating that the Appellant had any motive of tax evasion. GROUNDS RELATING TO TP ADJUSTMENT IN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT SEGMENT 4. The learned AO has erred in making transfer pricing adjustment of Rs. 51,80,22,306/- towards international transactions in software development segment.

5. The lower authorities have erred in: (i) modifying the segmental results of the Appellant and allocating all expenses on revenue basis. The Appellant submits that segmental as given in TP study report should be adopted; (ii) Conducting a fresh TP analysis despite absence of any defects in the transfer pricing analysis submitted by the Appellant;

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 100 of 133 (iii) Adopting inappropriate filters like one sided turnover filter, 25% RPT filter, etc. in the process of selecting comparables and not adopting appropriate filters like onsite revenue filter, etc; (iv) Selecting inappropriate comparables and selecting companies as comparables even though they are not comparable in terms of functions performed, assets utilized, risks assumed, size, one sided turnover, unusual business circumstances, high margin, etc. The lower income tax authorities have erred in adopting the following companies as comparables: • Aptus Software Labs Private Limited • Consilient Technologies Pvt. Ltd. • Cybage Software Pvt. Ltd • Cygnet Infotech Pvt. Ltd • Infobeans Technologies Limited • Infosys Ltd • Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd • Mindtree Ltd • Nihilent Ltd • OFS Technologies Limited • Persistent Systems Ltd • Tata Elxsi Ltd • Threesixty Logica Testing Services Pvt. Ltd. (v) Rejecting the following comparables selected/proposed by the Appellant for unjustified reasons: • Akshay Software Technologies Limited • Athena Global Technologies Limited • Evoke Technologies Private Limited • E-Zest Solutions Limited • Nitor Infotech Private Limited • Sasken Communication Technologies Limited • Sankhya Infotech Limited 6. The learned AO/TPO has erred including M/s R Systems International Ltd. in the final list of the comparables despite directions of DRP to exclude it.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 101 of 133 7. The lower authorities have erred in incorrectly computing the operating profit margin of following comparables: • Harbinger Systems Pvt Ltd • Inteq Software Limited 8. The lower authorities have erred in: (i) Not adopting Cash PLI for computation of ALP; (ii) Not recognizing that the Appellant was insulated from risks, as against comparables, which assume these risks and therefore have to be credited with a risk premium on this account. GROUND RELATING TO NOTIONAL INTEREST ON TRADE RECEIVABLES 9. The lower authorities have erred in: (i) Ignoring the business, commercial and industry realities and economic circumstances applicable to the Appellant; (ii) Making adjustment for notional interest on extended payment terms given to AE without appreciating that there is no real income arising to the Appellant; (iii) Not appreciating that the receivable from the AE is not an international transaction within the meaning of section 92B of the Act; (iv) Not appreciating that the receivable from AE is not a separate transaction from the sale of goods or provision of services from which it is arising; (v) Not appreciating that the Appellant had adopted TNMM at segmental level, in which process, the receivables were considered as closely linked transaction and hence were subsumed and accordingly already considered;

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 102 of 133 (vi) not adopting LIBOR as basis for determining arm’s length interest rate; (vii) adopting SBI short term deposit rate for AY 2017- 18 for computing ALP; (viii) Computing interest till the realisation of receivables and not restricting the computation for the financial year despite directions of DRP to restrict the interest adjustment up to the end of financial year and (ix) not adopting reasonable credit period for computing ALP. GROUND RELATING TO DISALLOWANCE OF DEPRECIATION ON GOODWILL 10. The learned DRP/AO have erred in (i) Making addition of Rs. 26,25,30,243/- by disallowing the depreciation claimed on Goodwill; (ii) Not appreciating that the difference between Purchase consideration and the value of net assets acquired constitute an intangible asset; (iii) Not appreciating that Goodwill is a business asset and falls within the meaning of "other business or commercial right of similar nature" Explanation 3(b) to section 32 of the Act and is eligible for depreciation; and (iv) Not following the binding judicial precedents of Hon'ble Supreme Court. OTHER GROUND 11. The lower authorities have erred in levying interest of interest u/s 234B of Rs. 17,26,48,455/-. On the facts and circumstances of the case, interest u/s 234B of the Act is not leviable. The Appellant submits that each of the above grounds/ sub- grounds are independent and without prejudice to one another.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 103 of 133 The Appellant craves leave to add, alter, vary, omit, substitute or amend the above grounds of appeal, at any time before or at, the time of hearing, of the appeal, so as to enable the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal to decide the appeal according to law. The Appellant prays accordingly.”

Name of the Segment Segmental Average TP Adjustment Revenue of margin Appellant Software development Rs.4,54,01,47,184/- 20 Rs. 59,33,17,959/- segment comparables with median of 26.18%. Notional Interest on - Interest rate at Rs. 6,09,32,234/- Trade Receivables 5.975% PA Total Rs. 65,42,50,193/-

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 104 of 133 Average margin TP Adjustment Name of the Segment

Software development 24 comparables with Rs. 51,80,22,306/- segment median of 24.33% Notional Interest on Interest rate at SBI Rs. 6,67,51,732/- Trade Receivables short term rate Total Rs.58,47,74,038/- 37. The AO passed the final assessment order u/s 143(3) r.w.s 144C(13) r.w.s 144B of the Act dated 28.02.2022 incorporating the TP adjustment as per TP OGE to DRP directions. Also, corporate tax addition of Rs.26,25,30,243/- towards disallowance of depreciation on goodwill was retained in final assessment order as confirmed by DRP. Aggrieved by the final assessment order, the assessee is in appeal before the Tribunal.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 105 of 133 i. Aptus Software Labs Pvt. Ltd. ii. Consilient Technologies Pvt. Ltd. iii. Cybage Software Pvt. Ltd. iv. Cygnet Infotech Pvt Ltd. v. Infobeans Technologies Ltd. vi. Infosys Ltd. vii. Larsen & Toubro Ltd. viii. Mindtree Ltd. ix. Nihilent Ltd. x. OFS Technologies Ltd. xi. Persistent Systems Ltd. xii. Tata Elxsi Ltd. xiii. Threesixty Logica Testing Services Pvt. Ltd.

40.1 During the course of hearing, the ld. AR has not pressed the companies at Sl.No. (i), (iii), (ix) & (x), which are dismissed as not pressed. We now take up for consideration the following companies.

Consilient Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 40.2 The ld. AR submitted that the Company is functionally different as it provides licensable software products for speech, video, fax and analog modem communications market. Relevant extract of website and submissions are placed at Pg 966-969 of PB I. He relied on the decision of ITAT Hyderabad in the case of Conexant Systems (P.) Ltd. v. DCIT [2018] 91 taxmann.com 308 for AY 11-12, wherein Consilient Technologies Pvt Ltd is rejected on functionality basis and submitted that this company is to be excluded.

40.3 The ld. DR relied on the orders of lower authorities. He further submitted that the lower authorities have rightly examined this company’s annual report and observed that this company is engaged in IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 106 of 133 software development services. The true picture can be obtained from the financial reports of the company. Therefore this company should not be removed from the list of comparables.

40.4 We have considered the rival submissions and perused the material on record. On going through the paperbook submitted by the assessee, we note that pg. no. 969 is a detailed submission before the lower authorities. At page 966-968, the assessee has given website information of the company regarding functional profile. But in the annual report as observed by the ld. DRP, it is a software development company and functionally comparable. At para 2.6.41.3, the ld. DRP has also observed that the company is engaged in product development and that auditor of the company has certified that the company is a service company primarily rendering software services. From the perusal of the submissions of the ld. AR it is stated that functional profile of this company is different and it provides licensable software products for speech, video, fax and analog modem communications market. We have gone through the judgment cited by the ld. AR in the case of Conexant Systems (P). Ltd. (supra), we did not find any reference of this company. We remit this issue to the AO/TPO for fresh consideration Threesixty Logica Testing Services Ltd 40.5 The ld. AR submitted that the Company has substantial RPT for FY 2016-17 (16.85%). Computation for RPT is placed at pg.951 of Pb.. He also submitted that the RPT should be 15% of the sales instead

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 107 of 133 of 25% of the sales. This would result in selection of better uncontrolled comparable transactions as envisaged in the Indian TP regulations. He also relied in the case of Autodesk India P. Ltd. [2018] 96 taxmann.com 263 (Bang. Trib) and other decisions quoted at pg. 868 & 869 of PB. Hence this company is to be rejected.

40.6 The ld. DR relied on the orders of lower authorities. He further submitted that the lower authorities have rightly taken the RPT filter @ 25%. We have considered the rival submissions and perused the material on record. From page 951 of PB, we note that the RPT filter computed by the assessee for AY 2014-15 is 16.85% which is more than 15% RPT filter as argued by the ld. AR . Since this issue for AY 2016-17 in ground No. 7(iii) is remitted back to the AO/TPO, following the same, we remit this issue to the AO/TPO with similar directions.

Cygnet Infotech Pvt Ltd. 40.7 The ld. AR submitted that the Company has substantial RPT for FY2016-17 (19.85%) & FY 2015-16 (17.49%). Computation of RPT for FY 2016-17 is placed on record. It is is functionally different as it is is engaged in the provision of various services such as enterprise solutions, Application, Content Management services and IT enabled services. Therefore this company has to be excluded.

40.8 The ld. DR relied on the orders of lower authorities.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 108 of 133 40.9 We have considered the rival submissions and perused the material on record. The ld. AR has submitted that the company is functionally dissimilar and fails RPT filter. However, the ld. DRP held that this company is functionally comparable and in regard to RPT filter, it is within the range of 25%. We note that the coordinate Bench of the ITAT in the case of Radisys India Ltd. for AY 2017-18 [2022] 145 taxmann.com 294 (Bangalore - Trib.) decided the issue of functional comparability and held as under:-

8.1 The two comparables that assessee seeks to exclude on functional dissimilarities are: (i) Infobeans Technologies Ltd. and (ii) Cygnet Infotech Pvt. Ltd. (iii) …………….. ………………. (ii) Cygnet Infotech Pvt. Ltd. 8.5 The Ld. A.R. submitted that this company is engaged in the business of providing Enterprise Solutions, Application Content Management Services and IT Enabled Services. This has been observed by the DRP also. The Ld.AR thus submitted that, the activities performed by this comparable is basically in the ITES segment, and therefore cannot be compared with the software development service provider. In support the Ld.AR relied on page 2033 of the paper book where the annual report of his company is placed. 8.6 On the contrary the Ld.DR relied on the order passed by the authorities below. We have perused the submissions by both sides in light of records placed before us. 8.7 In the annual report it is mentioned that this company derives revenue various services by providing Enterprise Solutions, Application content, Management services etc. It is also mentioned that the revenue recognition is by providing man power support to its customers. AT page 2033 of the paper book, we note that this company bares all the risks attributable to a full fledged entrepreneur. In our view this company cannot be considered as a good comparable. Accordingly, this comparable is directed to be excluded.

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 109 of 133 40.10 Following the above decision of the coordinate Bench, we direct the AO/TPO to exclude this company from the list of comparables on functional dissimilarity, hence we are not adjudicating the issue of RPT filter of this company which is left open.

Infobeans Technologies Limited 40.11 The ld. AR submitted that this company is functionally different as it is engaged in providing diversified services in the areas of Custom Application Development, Content Management Systems, Enterprise Mobility, Big Data Analytics. It is not a pure software development company. Relevant submission and website extracts are at Pg 942-946 of PB I. He further submitted that the ITAT in following cases has held that Infobeans Technologies Ltd is into diversified software services and cannot be considered as a comparable to the Assessee.

- ADP Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad vs DCIT-1(1), Hyderabad (TS- 63-ITAT-2022 Hyd) for AY 2016-17 - M/s.Airlinq Technology Pvt. Ltd vs DCIT, Circle 3(1)(1) Bangalore IT(TP)A No.231/Bang/2021 for AY 2016-17 40.12 The ld. DR relied on the orders of lower authorities.

40.13 We have considered the rival submissions and perused the material on record. This company has been excluded in assessee’s own case for AY 2016-17 hereinabove. We also note from the PB pg. 613 the company is engaged in diversified activities and there is no change in facts from the previous AY. It is engaged in the development of IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 110 of 133 platforms and technologies using custom scrips, AI technologies, robotic process automation, chatbox, integration tools and frameworks like jenkiins, Selelium, CAD, content management system (CMS), enterprises mobility and big data analytics, etc. Since there is no change in functional profile of this company for the present year, in view of this, the AO/TPO is directed to follow the decision for AY 2016-17.

Infosys Ltd 40.14 The ld. AR submitted that the company is functionally different as it is much larger company engaged in diversified activities and not a pure software development company. It has global brand image and owns intangible assets worth Rs.3,652 crores. There is vast difference between the profile of Infosys and the assessee company. The Company has substantial onsite revenue, thus, different business model compared to assessee. Reliance is placed on the following decisions:-

• M/s. Yahoo Software Development India Pvt. Ltd. vs JCIT, Special Range – 7, Bengaluru IT(TP)A No. 178/Bang/2022 for AY 2017-18 • ADP Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad vs DCIT-1(1), Hyderabad for AY 2016-17 (TS-63-ITAT-2022 Hyd) 40.15 The ld. DR relied on the orders of lower authorities.

40.16 We have considered the rival submissions and perused the material on record. This company has been considered in assessee’s own case for AY 2016-17 hereinabove. Since there is no change in IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 111 of 133 functional profile of this company for the present year, in view of this, the AO/TPO is directed to follow the decision for AY 2016-17.

Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd 40.17 The ld. AR submitted that this company is functionally different as it is engaged in diversified activities like infrastructure management services, digital consultation, data and analytics and is not a pure software development company. The services are provided under two segments, namely Services cluster and Industrial cluster. Software service segmental data is not available. The Company has substantial onsite operations for all 3 FY’s. Thus, business model is different from Appellant. The Company has global brand value and has business spread across borders. GDA technologies Limited amalgamated with L&T in FY 2016-17. Reliance is placed on the following decisions:-

• ADP Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad vs DCIT-1(1), Hyderabad for AY 2016-17 (TS-63-ITAT-2022 Hyd) 40.18 The ld. DR relied on the orders of lower authorities.

40.19 We have considered the rival submissions and perused the material on record. This company has been considered in assessee’s own case for AY 2016-17 hereinabove. Since there is no change in functional profile of this company for the present year, in view of this, the AO/TPO is directed to follow the decision for AY 2016-17.

Mindtree Limited

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 112 of 133 40.20 The ld. AR submitted that The company is functionally different as it is engaged in IT consulting and implementation and segmental information is not available. The company has global brand and owns Intellectual Property and therefore, cannot be compared to captive service provider like Appellant. The Company has substantial onsite revenue. Thus, has different business model when compared to Appellant. The company, during the FY 2016-17 has entered into various high value acquisition and merger transaction. Such extraordinary events have an effect on the profitability. Hence this company has to be excluded. Reliance is placed on M/s. Yahoo Software Development India Pvt. Ltd. vs JCIT, Special Range – 7, Bengaluru IT(TP)A No. 178/Bang/2022 for AY 2017-18.

40.21 The ld. DR relied on the orders of lower authorities.

40.22 We have considered the rival submissions and perused the material on record. We note from the order of the DRP that this company is engaged in rendering of software development services in different verticals and comparable to assessee. The company is earning foreign currency from software development services of Rs.42.73 million. As per Note from the Annual Report, the principal business is software development services and 99% revenue is generated from the principal business activity. As per annual report at pg. 93 the different service activities in the form of consulting, maintenance, testing, management support services, etc. clearly fall within the gamut of software development services, though it pertains

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 113 of 133 to different verticals. The ld. AR of the assessee raised the issue regarding extra ordinary event regarding amalgamation which has been dealt by the ld. DRP at para No. 2.6.29.7 and before us the ld. AR of assessee was unable to demonstrate that how the amalgamation has affected the financial results of the company. The ld. DRP has discussed in detail from para 2.6.29.1 to 2.6.29.8. Considering the entire submissions, we hold that his company is functionally dissimilar following the decision of the coordinate Bench of the ITAT Hyderabad in the case of Infor (India) Pvt. Ltd. [2022] 143 taxmann.com 68 (Hyderabad - Trib.) wherein it is held as under:-

“15. Comparable company Mindtree Ltd., is concerned, before the Ld. TPO, assessee raised objections for its inclusion in the list of comparables basing on functional dissimilarity, diversified activities, product company, lack of segmental information, significant onsite operations, presence of intangibles, significant research and development activities. Ld. TPO after going through the annual report, did not think it proper to accept the contentions of assessee and observed that it is self-evident that its entire revenue from operations is derived from software development services moreover, Mindtree Ltd., may be offering add on associated services which is integral to the core services of the software development, that does not vitiate the core operations which still remains software development itself and entire revenue from operations is derived from software development services, no need for segmental arise. Ld. TPO also referred the case of Capgemini of ITAT, Mumbai, wherein it was held that - the Sr. Counsel has also pointed out that the Infosys and Wipro have substantial revenue, 51.7% in case of Infosys, and 45.3% in case of Wipro from on-site work done overseas at the site of clients whereas the onsite work in the case of the assessee is just 5%. It has been pointed out that the employees if sent overseas have certain dead hours, which cannot be properly utilized as can be done in the home country. But, this argument as rightly

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 114 of 133 pointed out by the Ld. CIT-DR does not support the case of higher margin in case of onsite work because dead hours would mean less output with the same employee cost, which would in fact reduce the margin. No material has also been placed before us to show that the margin in case of on-site work is higher. Basing on the same, Ld. TPO rejected Mindtree Ltd., as comparable. Ld. TPO also observed that the assessee has not stated as to how the approach of the assessee to the operating margin and that would there be a possibility of any comparables left, which are not controlled. It was also observed by the Ld. TPO that the assessee did not demonstrate as to how the R&D expenditure being incurred by this company is the reason for the higher profit margins, earned. Although the company may be incurring expenditure on R&D. It does not change the fact that the core business is SWD. Ld. DRP after going through the annual report, judicial precedents and considering the contentions of the assessee, observed that the company is engaged in international information technology consulting and implementation delivering business solutions through global software development and further observed that the company's earnings in foreign currency from software development services was Rs. 42.73 millions. As per the Note on Revenue Recognition, it has stated the principles adopted in recognizing revenue from software development services. Thus, it is evident that Mindtree Ltd., is engaged in software development services and functionally comparable to the assessee.” 40.23 Having considered the findings of the Ld. TPO and Ld. DRP, now we look at the findings of the Tribunal in assessee's own case for the assessment years 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. In the assessment year 2014-15, the Tribunal considered the comparability of Infosys Limited, Larsen & Toubro Infotech Limited, Tata Elxsi Limited (seg), Persistent Systems Limited, Mindtree Ltd and E-Info Chips Pvt. Ltd and found that such entities are not at all good comparables to the assessee and directed the deletion of the same from the final list of comparables. So also in the assessment year 2015-16,

IT(TP)A Nos. 238/Bang/2021 & 262/Bang/2022 Page 115 of 133 Infosys Limited, Larsen & Toubro Infotech Limited, Tata Elxsi Limited (seg), Persistent Systems Limited, Mindtree Ltd and Cybage Software Private Limited were considered and directed to be deleted. In the same way, for the assessment year 2016-17, the comparability of Infosys Limited, Larsen & Toubro Infotech Limited, Tata Elxsi Limited (seg), Persistent Systems Limited and Cybage Software Private Limited has come up for consideration and the Tribunal directed the exclusion of the same on the ground of non-comparability.

40.24 In the order dated 6-8-2019 in Infor (India) (P.) Ltd. v. Dy. CIT [2019] 109 taxmann.com 435 (Hyd. - Trib.) vide paragraph No. 76, the Co-ordinate Bench excluded Infosys Limited, Larsen & Toubro Infotech Limited and Mind Tree Ltd., in the light of the findings of the Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of CIT v. Agnity India Technologies (P.) Ltd. [2013] 36 taxmann.com 289/219 Taxman 26. Vide paragraph No. 77 of the same order, Tata Elxsi Limited (seg) and Persistent Systems were deleted while following the view taken in assessee's own case for the assessment year 2007-08. E-Infochips Ltd., is excluded on the ground of super normal profits because, on this ground itself, Infosys Limited, Larsen & Toubro Infotech Limited and Mindtree Ltd., were excluded.