ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, DELHI vs. YOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF DELHI, DELHI

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ITA 9166/DEL/2025Status: DisposedITAT Delhi10 July 2026AY 2017-187 pages

In favour of the assessee: the Revenue's appeal was dismissed. From the AI summary of this appeal.

AI SummaryDismissed

What did the Tribunal hold?

The Tribunal held that the assessee's hostel running activity cannot be considered business activity. Following the jurisdictional High Court's decision in the assessee's own case for a prior assessment year, the Tribunal found that the revenue's grounds of appeal were not sustainable.

What were the facts?

The assessee, a society engaged in women's welfare and education, received income from hostels. The Revenue argued that hostel receipts exceeded the 20% threshold for business/commercial activities, thus hitting the proviso to Section 2(15) of the Income Tax Act. The CIT(A) had deleted the disallowances made by the AO.

What were the issues?

Whether hostel receipts exceeding 20% of total receipts disqualify the assessee from charitable status under Section 2(15) of the Income Tax Act, and whether such receipts constitute business/commercial activity.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 2(15),Section 11(1),Section 11(2)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, DELHI BENCH, ‘B’: NEW DELHI

Before: MS MADHUMITA ROY & SHRI KRIWANT SAHAY

Hearing: 30.06.2026Pronounced: 10.07.2026

PER KRINWANT SAHAY A.M. Appeal in this case has been filed by the Revenue vide order dated 09.10.2025 passed by the Ld. CIT(A)/NFAC, Delhi for the A.Y. 2017-18.

2.

The Revenue has raised following grounds of appeal :-

1.

Or the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) has erred in ignoring the fact that the Receipts of Hostels is more than the 20 percent threshold, is in nature of business/commerce and falls under advancement of any other object of general public utility which hits the proviso of section 2(15) of IT Act. 2. On the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) has erred in ignoring the fact that, the Honble supreme Court in the case of ACIT(E) vs Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority in Civil Appeal No. 21762 of 2017 has weld that, in the case of private trust engaged in GPU activities, the organization can be eligible for the exemption only, if it is engaged in incidental business OR commercial activities and receipt from such activities do not exceed the prescribed threshold, which is 20 percent of total receipts. In the present case such receipts are more than the 20 percent. Thus, proviso of section 2 (15) of the income tax Act is hit. 3. That on the facts & circumstances of the case, the Ld. CIT(A) has erred in allowing the accumulation of 15 percent of gross receipts amounting to Rs. 1,79,58,791/- despite the assessee being hit by the proviso of section 2(15) of IT Act. 4. The appellant craves leave to add, amend OR alter any ground of appeal raised at the time of hearing.”

3.

The brief facts of the case are that the assessee is a registered Society engaged in the work of welfare, education and training of women in India. The Society is known for its pioneer work in women’s welfare, rehabilitation, training and has partnered with various International/ Government bodies like UNDP/USAIN /Govt. of Delhi etc. to run programmes for women welfare. The Organisation works in the field of education and relief of the poor. option of accumulation u/s 11(2) and after claiming deduction of 15% accumulation u/s 11(1). Assessment u/s 143(3) was Page | 2

concluded on 23.12.2018 wherein the following additions were made:

a. By not allowing the accumulation of 15% of gross receipt of INR 1,84,97,237/-; and

b. By not allowing the accumulation under section 11(2) of INR 31,89,814/-

On the ground that the activities from Hostel are for running for trade, commerce or business and proviso to section 2(15) of the Act is applicable on the Society. Assessment Order u/s 143(3) of the Income Tax Act.

Accordingly, the Respondent filed an Appeal on January 01, 2019 against the above said Assessment Order by disputing the disallowances under point 1.3.

The Hon'ble Commissioner of Income (Appeal) in Appeal No. CIT(A), Delhi-40/10169/2018-19 deleted the disallowances mentioned in point 1.3 above vide Order no. ITBA/NFAC/S/250/2025-26/1081586153(1) dated 09-10- 2025.

4.

During proceedings before us the Ld. Counsel for the assessee argued that the respondent society is committed to provide secure and cheap accommodation to women who come to NCR of Delhi searching for jobs till such time as

they are able to complete their education and are able to stand on their own feet after completing their education and getting good job. He further explained that society Working Women’s Hostel sets up to cater to all women at very cheap rates as most of the capital expenditure and part of the revenue expenditure is met by the society from its own resources or is funded by the Government. Accordingly, he rebutted the findings of the AO that hostels are being run for trade / commerce and business purposes.

5.

Per contra the ld. DR relied on the order of the Ld. AO.

6.

We have heard both the parties. In our considered view, assessee’s hostel (running) activity cannot be called business activities. Accordingly, the appeal is decided.

7.

The second issue is related to proviso of Section 2 (15) of the Income Tax Act. The AO has held that section 2(15) of the Act is hit by assessee’s application of income.

8.

We have heard the arguments of both the parties and we have also gone through the assessment order passed by the AO and the appellate order passed by the Ld. CIT(A). We have also taken into consideration the paper book filed by the Ld. Counsel for the assessee and the first ground of appeal we find i.e. against the finding given by the Ld. CIT(A) regarding ignoring the fact that the receipts of hostel amount to Rs.50395013/- out of total receipt of

Rs.11,50,44,555/- is more than 20% is utilized for advancement of any other objects and general public utility by producing income from under different heads. The Ld. DR has also brought it on record that the Ld. CIT(A) has ignored the Hon’ble Supreme Court order in the case of ACIT(E) Vs. Ahemdabad Urban Development Authority in Civil Appeal No. 21762 of 2017. In this case the Hon’ble Supreme Court has held that in the case of Private Trust in general public utility activities, the society can be eligible for exemption only if it is engaged in incidental business or commercial activities and receipt from such activities do not exceed the prescribed threshold which is 20% of total receipts.

9.

The Ld. DR argued that keeping in view the case law decided by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case ACIT(E) Vs. Ahemdabad Urban Development Authority in Civil Appeal No. 21762 of 2017 since in the present case such receipts were much more than 20%, therefore, the proviso of section 2(15) of the IT Act is hit. Accordingly, the Ld. CIT(A)’s findings on this is erroneous. The Ld. DR brought on record that total receipt from the hostel is Rs.50398013/- out of the total receipt of Rs.11,50,44,555/- which is more than 20% of the threshold limited which is Rs.7505456/- and therefore, it falls under the category to business and commerce.

10.

Per contra the Ld. Counsel for the assessee supported the order of the Ld. CIT(A) on this issue and brought it on record the jurisdictional Hon’ble High Court order in assessee’s own case in assessment year 2009-10 where it was held as under :-

“Further in the appellant’s own case for AY 2009-10, the ITAT and jurisdictional Delhi High Court accepted that imparting systematic training through non- recognized courses constitutes “education” u/s.2(15), reinforcing the charitable character and dominant purpose of the educational & welfare activities of the Appellant.”

11.

We have considered the findings given by the AO and the assessment order and the Ld. CIT(A) in the appellate order. We have also considered the grounds of appeal of the revenue challenging the order of the Ld. CIT(A) and also considered the arguments. We have gone through the order of the jurisdictional Hon’ble High Court in assessee’s own case in A.Y. 2009-10 which actually covers entire issue and the nature of activities/ income of the assessee. We find that the issue raised by the revenue in the appeal is squarely covered by the issue decided by the Hon’ble Jurisdictional High Court in assessee’s own case in its order for A.Y. 2009-10. Respectfully following the decision of the Jurisdictional Hon’ble High Court in assessee’s own case. The grounds of appeal taken by the revenue cannot be

sustained. Accordingly, revenue’s appeal in both the grounds are dismissed. 12. In the result, the appeal of the revenue is dismissed. Order pronounced in the open court on 10.07.2026.

Sd/- Sd/-

[MADHUMITA ROY] [KRINWANT SAHAY] JUDICIAL MEMBER ACCOUNTANTMEMBER Dated: 10.07.2026 NEHA , Sr.P.S.* Copy forwarded to: 1. Appellant 2. Respondent 3. PCIT 4. CIT(A) 5. DR Asst. Registrar, ITAT, New Delhi

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