SIGMA RESEARCH AND CONSULTING PRIVATE LIMITED,NEW DELHI vs. ITO, WARD-23(4), NEW DELHI

This appeal is filed by the assessee against the order of the ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), National Faceless Appeal Centre (hereinafter referred to NFAC) dated 02.09.2021 for assessment year 2019-20 in sustaining the disallowance of employees’ contribution to ESI and PF.

The ld. Counsel for the assessee, at the outset, submitted that the Centralized Processing Centre (CPC) Bangaluru, while passing the intimation under Section 143(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (the Act) disallowed employees’ contribution to PF and ESI, which was sustained by the ld. CIT (Appeals) / NFAC, Delhi, referring to the amendment brought in by the Finance Act, 2021 in sections 36(1)(va) and 43B of the Act. The ld. Counsel submits that the issue is squarely covered by the decision of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court in the case of Pr. CIT Vs. M/s. Pro Interactive (India) Services Pvt. Ltd. in (order dated 10.09.2018) and the decision of the jurisdictional High Court in the case of CIT Vs. AIMIL Ltd. 321 ITR 508.

It was contended before us that while processing the return under Section 143(1) of the Act the Centralized Processing Centre (CPC) Bangalore disallowed the employees’ contribution to ESI and PF and the ld. CIT (Appeals) also sustaining the disallowance relying on various case laws referred to in the order of the ld. CIT (Appeals). The ld. DR submits that the amendment brought in by the Finance Act, 2021 in Sections 36(1)(va) and 43B of the Act by way of inserting Explanation 2 and Explanation 5 respectively are clarificatory in nature and, therefore, have retrospective applicability. The ld. DR strongly supported the orders of the ld. CIT (Appeals) in sustaining the disallowance made under Section 36(1)(va) of the Act in respect of employees’ contribution made to ESI and PF. The ld. Counsel appearing for the assesse submitted that the amendments are prospective and are applicable for Assessment Years 2021-22. The ld. Counsel for the assessee submitted that the contributions to PF and ESI were remitted to Govt. account before due dates for filing returns of income by the assessee and, therefore, the 2 issue is squarely covered by the decision of the jurisdictional High Court in the case of CIT Vs. AIMIL Ltd. 321 ITR 508.

We have heard the submissions of the ld. DR and the ld. Counsel for the assessee and perused the orders of the authorities below. While processing the return under Section 143(1) of the Act no disallowance towards contribution to employees’ PF and ESI is warranted as this issue is highly debatable in nature. Even otherwise we find that the issue in appeals is squarely covered by the decision of the jurisdictional High Court in the case of CIT Vs. AIMIL Ltd. 321 ITR 508. Ratio of this decision squarely applies to the facts of the assessee’s cases. Reliance was also placed on the decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT Vs. M/s. Alom Extrusions Limited (2009) 319 ITR 306 (SC).

The Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of M.M. Aqua Technologies Ltd. Vs. CIT (supra) held that retrospective provision in a Tax Act which is for the removal of doubts cannot be presumed to be retrospective even where such language is used if it alters or changes the law as it earlier stood. The Hon’ble Supreme Court also observed that this was the position as held by the apex court in the case of Sedco Forex International Drill. Inc Vs. CIT (2005) 12 SCC 717. The Amendments made to Section 36 and Section 43B by insertion of Explanations 2 and 5 respectively. In these Sections it is clarified that for the removal of doubts the provisions of these Sections were amended. Therefore, the ratio of the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of M.M. Aqua Technologies Ltd. Vs. CIT (supra) squarely applies.

Further we also observe that this Tribunal in a batch of appeals in the cases of Raj Kumar Vs. ITO CPC Bangaluru in and other appeals by order dated 28.02.2022 considering various decisions rendered by various High Courts and the Tribunals held that the 3 amendment brought in by Finance Act, 2021 is effective from 1.04.2021 and no disallowance is called for, on belated payment of employees’ contribution to ESI and PF in case the assessee deposited the said contribution before due date for filing of return of income under Income Tax Act.

Following the above decisions, we direct the Assessing Officer/ CPC to delete the disallowance of employees’ contribution to EPF and ESI as the contributions were remitted before the due date for filing of return of income. Grounds raised by the assessee are allowed.

In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed.