M/S. SINGALS & SYSTEMS INDIA PVT. LTD,SIRUSERI, CHENNAI vs. DCIT, COMPANY CIRCLE VI, CHENNAI

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ITA 460/CHNY/2023Status: DisposedITAT Chennai24 August 2023AY 2018-194 pages
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What did the Tribunal hold?

The tribunal dismissed the ground related to the late payment of PF/ESI, following the Supreme Court's decision. For the retention money issue, the tribunal restored the matter to the AO for verification of the assessee's consistent accounting practice.

What were the facts?

The assessee's appeal concerns the assessment year 2018-19. The primary issues involve the disallowance of late payment of Employees' Contribution to PF/ESI and an adjustment related to retention money. The CIT(A) had confirmed these adjustments.

What were the issues?

Whether the disallowance of late payment of employee contributions to PF/ESI is justified, and whether retention money, treated as contingent, should be taxed upon receipt based on a consistent accounting method.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 43B,Section 36(1)(va),Section 2(24)(x)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ‘C’ BENCH, CHENNAI

Before: HON’BLE SHRI MANOJ KUMAR AGGARWAL, AM & HON’BLE SHRI MANOMOHAN DAS

आदेश / O R D E R Manoj Kumar Aggarwal (Accountant Member) 1. Aforesaid appeal by assessee for Assessment Year (AY) 2018-19 arises out of the order of learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), National Faceless Appeal Centre (NFAC), Delhi [CIT(A)] dated 13-02-2023 in the matter of an intimation issued by Centralized Processing Center, Bangalore (CPC) u/s 143(1) on 19-10-2019 making certain adjustment in the returned income. The Ld. CIT(A) has confirmed the same against which the assessee is in further appeal before us.

1.

- 2 - 2. The first grievance of the assessee is confirmation of disallowance of late payment of Employees’ Contribution to PF / ESI for Rs.3.11 Lacs u/s 43B r.w.s. 36(1)(va) r.w.s. 2(24)(x). The Ld. CIT(A) has confirmed the same by following the decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court in bunch of appeals titled as Checkmate Services P. Ltd. Vs CIT (143 Taxmann.com 178; dated 12.10.2022) wherein this controversy has now been put to rest by the Hon’ble Court by deciding this issue in revenue’s favor. Since the impugned order follows a binding judicial precedent, the same do not require any interference on our part. The corresponding grounds raised by the assessee stand dismissed.

3. The CPC has made another adjustment of Rs.29.19 Lacs u/s 43B on account of retention money. Upon perusal of Income Tax Return form, we find that the assessee has reflected this amount as any sum in the nature of tax, duty, cess or fees etc. However, Tax Auditor has not indicated any such sum in Tax Audit Report and therefore the aforesaid adjustment was made. During appellate proceedings, the assessee submitted that retention money was retained by State Electricity Board and the same is receivable subject to fulfillment of certain contractual conditions. Therefore, the same was contingent in nature and could not be said to have accrued to the assessee. However Ld. CIT(A) upheld the adjustment.

4. Before us, Ld. AR submitted that as per consistent accounting methodology being followed by the assessee, the retention money is offered on receipts basis since AYs 2012-13 to AY 2021-22 and the same has been accepted by revenue except in this year. The Ld. AR also placed on record a tabulation along with supporting document to - 3 - establish that the retention money has been offered to tax on receipt basis. The Ld. AR submitted that an inadvertent error in filling the columns in Income Tax Return form would not jeopardize the claim of the assessee. It has also been submitted that the aforesaid sum is not covered u/s 43B. The Ld. Sr. DR, on the other hand, submitted that the return has been processed as per details filed by the assessee and the error on the part of the assessee could be corrected only by filing revised return of income or taking recourse to other alternative remedies as provided in the statute.

5.

We find that as per settled legal position, there is no bar on appellate authorities to entertain even a new claim. However, the assessee’s case stands on much better footing. Apparently, there is an error by the assessee in filling the Income Tax Return form which has resulted into impugned adjustment. However, the assessee has placed on record ample evidences to support its case. From the tabulation, it could be seen that the assessee is following consistent method of accounting to recognize the revenue on account of retention money and offering the same to tax on receipt basis. Therefore, prima facie, impugned adjustment is not sustainable subject to verification of this fact by Ld. AO. Therefore, for a limited purpose of verification of the fact that the assessee is following consistent method of accounting to recognize the revenue on account of retention money and offering the same to tax on receipt basis, the issue is restored back to the file of Ld. AO. If the averment made by Ld. AR is found to be correct, the impugned adjustment would stand deleted. The corresponding grounds stands allowed for statistical purposes.

6.

The appeal stands partly allowed for statistical purposes.

Order pronounced on 24th August, 2023.

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