MAHARASHTRA SEAMLESS LTD.,NEW DELHI vs. DCIT, CIRCLE- 6(1), NEW DELHI

The present appeal has been filed by the assessee against the order of the ld. CIT(A)-20, New Delhi dated 06.03.2018.

Following grounds have been raised by the assessee:

The assessee filed return of income on 20.09.2011 declaring income of Rs.446,16,34,115/-. The assessee company is engaged in the business of manufacturing of Seamless, ERW Pipes & Tubes and Wind Power Generation and trading of Pipes & Tubes.

The AO observed that the assessee has not deducted TDS on the payments made in foreign currency to the entities namely, Asian Metals Ltd., China and SM International Germany. The AO held that the payments for the “services” are in the nature of managerial and technical services covered under provisions of Section 9(1)(vii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. It was submitted before us that these payments are not chargeable to tax and filed all the supporting evidences with respect to such payments before the AO and the same are also placed in the paper book. Copy of certificate given by a 3 Maharashtra Seamless Ltd. Chartered Accountant in form no. 15CB along with the information by the assessee in form no. 15CA as required to be filed before making any foreign currency remittance were furnished before the Assessing Officer and are also placed in the paper book. It was submitted that one payment of Rs.52,560/- has been made to subscribe for information online for Iron & Steel prices from China. The subscription was paid earlier for two years. It is a renewal of subscription and claimed in the A.Y. 2009-10 and A.Y. 2010-11 which was accepted by the revenue. The copy of the party’s invoice and payment advice of HDFC bank have been perused. On examination of the facts and evidences before us, we hold that this cannot be treated u/s 40(a)(ia).

With regard to reimbursement of travelling expenses from the Germany based company, the accounts have been reimbursed by the vendor in connection with the visit of the employees with regard to examination of the shipment consisting of rolled coils, non-alloy steel rolls at supplier’s premises.

The ld. CIT(A) held that the amounts have been reimbursed in connection with examination of quality, quantity and weight whether in conformity with the contract or invoice and held that such inspection and examination services are technical services provided. The total amount thus reimbursed was Rs.7.63 lacs. We find that the inspection and examination of the goods before shipment is a common practice and it cannot be treated as a technical service. The inspection with regard to quality, quantity and weight of the product pre- 4 Maharashtra Seamless Ltd. shipment of rolling coils, non-alloy steel rolls cannot be treated as technical and managerial services as per the provisions of the DTAA and Section 9(1) of the I.T. Act.

Keeping in view, the entire peculiar facts of the instant case, we hold that decision of the ld. CIT(A) cannot be affirmed on this ground.

The assessee company has not earned any exempt income during the year under reference hence keeping in view the judgment in the case Cheminvest Ltd. Vs. ITO (Delhi HC), no disallowance is called for u/s 14A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed. Order Pronounced in the Open Court on 14/02/2022.