M/S. VIKASH FASTNERS PVT. LTD.,KOLKATA vs. ITO, WARD-7(2), KOL, KOLKATA
In favour of the assessee: the assessee's appeal was allowed. From the AI summary of this appeal.
What did the Tribunal hold?
The Tribunal held that if an assessee has not earned any tax-free income, no disallowance under Section 14A can be made. This decision followed the precedent set by the Delhi High Court.
What were the facts?
The assessee claimed no tax-free income, specifically dividend income, for the assessment year 2012-2013. Despite this, the Assessing Officer made a disallowance under Section 14A read with Rule 8D, calculating it at 0.5% of average investment.
What were the issues?
Whether disallowance under Section 14A is permissible when the assessee has not earned any tax-free income.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ‘A’ BENCH, KOLKATA
Before: Shri Rajpal Yadav, Vice- & Shri Girish Agrawal
Per Rajpal Yadav, Vice-President (KZ):- The present appeal is directed at the instance of assessee against the order of ld. Commissioner of Income
Assessment Year : 2012-2013 Vikash Fastners Pvt. Limited Tax (Appeals), National Faceless Appeal Centre (NFAC), Delhi dated 31st March, 2023 passed for A.Y. 2012-13.
Though the assessee has taken six grounds of appeal, but in brief, its grievances revolve around a single issue, namely whether a disallowance under section 14A of Rs.3,17,192/- could be made even if there is no tax-free income claim by the assessee.
3. With the assistance of ld. Representatives, we have gone through the record carefully. A perusal of the assessment order dated 27.03.2015 would reveal that ld. Assessing Officer has discussed this issue of disallowance under section 14A. The first two lines are important for the purpose of deciding this appeal and they read as under:- “14A as per Rule 8D: In the course of hearing, it was submitted by the A/R of the assessee that during the relevant year the company had not earned income from dividend”.
The ld. Assessing Officer thereafter made reference to the total investment made by the Company and observed that in future year, the assessee will either claim dividend income or long-term capital gain, which will be exempt. Therefore, he commenced his inquiry and harboued a belief that disallowance under section 14A read with Rule 8D deserves to be made. He made an addition of Rs.3,17,192/- under Rule 8D(2)(iii), which 2
Assessment Year : 2012-2013 Vikash Fastners Pvt. Limited was calculated @ 0.5% the average value of investment. This disallowance was made under the Head of ‘Administrative Expenses’ in a way. The Hon’ble Delhi High Court in the case of M/s. Era Infrastructure (India) Limited in of 2022 has held that if no tax free income has been claimed by the assessee, then, no disallowance is to be made. In this decision, Hon’ble Delhi High Court has considered the latest position of section 14A introduced by Finance Act, 2022. After considering this, it has observed that unless Hon’ble Supreme Court has set aside the earlier judgment of this Hon’ble High Court, the position of law would be applicable as it is. By respectfully following the judgment of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court, we allow this appeal and delete the disallowance.
In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed. Order pronounced in the open Court on October 9, 2023.
More judgments on Section 14A
- Blacksoil Capital Private Limited (As… vs DCIT, Circle-1(1), HyderabadITA 2217/HYD/2026[2017-18]Status: Disposed9 Oct 2026AY 2017-18
- Hiral Construction, Mumbai vs ITO Ward 42(1)(2), MumbaiITA 8431/MUM/2025[2017-18]Status: Disposed8 Oct 2026AY 2017-18
- The Dy DIT (It) 1(2), Mumbai vs M/S Citi Bank N.A, MumbaiITA 4981/MUM/2007[2002-2003]Status: Disposed8 Oct 2026AY 2002-2003
- M/S. Citi Bank N.A., Mumbai vs The Addl DIT (It) RG-1, MumbaiITA 4970/MUM/2007[2002-2003]Status: Disposed8 Oct 2026AY 2002-2003
- M/S American Express Bank Ltd., Mumbai vs The Jt DIT (It)1(1), MumbaiITA 9414/MUM/2004[2000-2001]Status: Disposed8 Oct 2026AY 2000-2001
Latest GST High Court judgments
Search GST case law →- M/S Sahoo Supply Agency,Balasore vs. Central Board Of Indirect Taxes And Customs,New DelhiOrissa · 3 Nov 2026
- M/S Jyoti Consultants, Agrahat vs. Pr. Commissioner GST And Central Excise Commissionerate, BhubaneswarOrissa · 3 Nov 2026
- M/S. Sahoo Supply Agency vs. Central Board Of Indirect Taxes And CustomsOrissa · 3 Nov 2026
- Gopal Aromatic PVT. LTD., Cuttack vs. Union Of INDIAOrissa · 3 Nov 2026
- M/S. Nourangi Paints vs. The Union Of INDIAPatna · 2 Nov 2026