PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX 4 vs. SYNPOL PRODUCTS PVT LTD
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court held that no substantial question of law arose concerning the deletion of the disallowance under Section 10B. The Tribunal had found that the assessee maintained separate books of accounts for the EOU and non-EOU units. The AO's artificial apportionment of expenditure based on production or sales was not justified, especially since the assessee's accounting method had not been disturbed in prior years. Regarding the disallowance under Section 14A, the Court did not entertain the question due to the extremely small amount involved. For the disallowance under Section 40(a)(ia), the Tribunal had confirmed the view of the CIT(A) in favour of the Revenue, but directed the AO to separate disallowances pertaining to the EOU unit. The Court found no error in the Tribunal's view. Consequently, both appeals were dismissed.
What were the facts?
The Revenue filed two appeals before the High Court of Gujarat against the common judgment of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) for the assessment year 2007-08. The appeals concerned the deletion of disallowances made by the Assessing Officer (AO). The primary dispute involved a disallowance of Rs. 24,26,814 relating to the exemption claim under Section 10B for an Export Oriented Unit (EOU). Another disallowance of Rs. 45,739 under Section 14A was also challenged. The third issue was a disallowance of Rs. 10,73,375 under Section 40(a)(ia) for non-deduction of TDS. The ITAT had deleted the Section 10B disallowance and partially allowed the Section 40(a)(ia) disallowance, while not entertaining the Section 14A disallowance due to its small amount.
What were the issues?
The High Court had to decide the following questions of law: 1. Whether the ITAT erred in deleting the disallowance of Rs. 24,26,814 claimed as exemption under Section 10B of the Income Tax Act, 1961, on the grounds that the assessee had inflated the profit of the EOU unit. 2. Whether the ITAT erred in deleting the disallowance of Rs. 45,739 under Section 14A of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 3. Whether the ITAT erred in deleting the disallowance of Rs. 10,73,375 under Section 40(a)(ia) for non-deduction of TDS. Assessee's contentions: - For Section 10B, the assessee argued that it maintained separate books of accounts for eligible and ineligible units, and the AO could not artificially apportion expenditure. The ITAT noted that the AO had not disturbed the accounting method in earlier years. Revenue's contentions: - The Revenue challenged the ITAT's deletion of the disallowances, arguing that the ITAT had substantially erred in law and facts. For Section 14A, the High Court did not entertain the question due to the small amount.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Cause title — parties, addresses and appearances
COMMON ORAL ORDER (PER : HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE AKIL KURESHI)
These appeals filed by the Revenue arise out of the common judgment of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in case of the respondent assessee for the assessment year 200708. Questions framed in both appeals are identical, we may refer to the documents in Tax Appeal No.524 of 2018. 2. Revenue is in appeal against the judgment of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal dated 18.10.2017 raising following questions for our consideration: “[A] Whether the Appellate Tribunal has substantially erred in law and on facts in deleting the disallowance of excess claim of C/TAXAP/524/2018 ORDER exemption of Rs.24,26,814/ u/s of 10B of the Income Tax Act? [B] Whether the Appellate Tribunal has substantially erred in law and on facts in deleting the disallowance of Rs.45,739/ u/s 14A of the Income Tax Act, 1961? [C] Whether the Appellate Tribunal has substantially erred in law and on facts in deleting the disallowance of Rs.10,73,375/ u/s 40(a)(ia) for nondeduction of TDS ?”
QuestionA pertains to disallowance of claim of exemption under section 10B of the Income Tax Act, 1961 ('the Act' for short), ordered by the Assessing Officer on the ground that the assessee had inflated the profit of the unit eligible for exemption, being an EOU unit. The Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) examined the individual heads where the Assessing Officer had found inflation and partially confirmed the Assessing Officer's finding while giving partial relief to the assessee. The Tribunal in further appeal by the assessee, deleted the entire disallowance, inter alia, observing that the assessee had maintained separate books of accounts for both the units; eligible and ineligible. The Assessing Officer ought to have pointed out a particular expenditure incurred for earning income in the EOU. He could not have artificially apportioned the C/TAXAP/524/2018 ORDER expenditure merely on the basis of production of the stakes. The Tribunal also noted that in the earlier years, the accounting method adopted by the assessee was not disturbed by the Assessing Officer.
From the perusal of the materials on record, it can be seen that entire issue is factual in nature. The Tribunal having found that the accounts of the assessee were properly maintained and could not have disturbed by the Assessing Officer mechanically applying the ratio of production or sell of two units, no question of law arises.
QuestionB pertains to a sum which is extremely small and we are therefore do not entertain this question on this ground.
QuestionC pertains to disallowance under section 40(a)(ia) on the ground that on several payments made in excess of Rs.50,000/ though required, tax was not deducted at source. The Tribunal in this respect confirmed the view of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) and to that extent held in favour of the Revenue. While doing so, the Tribunal provided that the Assessing Officer C/TAXAP/524/2018 ORDER would separate out those disallowances pertaining to the EOU unit. If a particular disallowance of expenditure pertains to EOU unit, the profit of such unit would increase and resultantly, the claim of exemption may also go up. We find no error in the view of the Tribunal.
In the result, both the Tax Appeals are dismissed. (AKIL KURESHI, J) (B.N. KARIA, J) ANKIT SHAH
More judgments on Section 10B
- Brainbees Solutions Limited, Pune… vs Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax…ITTPA 1431/PUN/2026[2022-2023]Status: Disposed29 Sept 2026AY 2022-2023
- ACIT 15(1)(2), Mumbai vs Galaxy Surfactants Limited, MumbaiITA 6984/MUM/2025[2011-2012]Status: Disposed15 Sept 2026AY 2011-2012
- Ivl Dhunseri Petrochem Industries Pvt… vs D.C.I.T., Circle - 11(1), KolkataITTPA 4/KOL/2026[2022-2023]Status: Heard11 Sept 2026AY 2022-2023
- T vs Motor Co. Ltd., Chennaivs.DCIT, Corp…ITTPA 52/CHNY/2026[2022-23]Status: Disposed9 Sept 2026AY 2022-23
- Vrajlal Chanabhai Kachhadiya, Jamnagar vs ITO, Ward-2(6), JamnagarITA 847/RJT/2025[2010-11]Status: Disposed7 Sept 2026AY 2010-11
Latest GST High Court judgments
Search GST case law →- M/S B.K. Agency Under The Proprietor Of Bhola Prasad vs. The Chief Commissioner, CGSTPatna · 2 Nov 2026
- R.K.Service Station, Balasore vs. Commissioner CT And GST Odisha, CuttackOrissa · 31 Oct 2026
- Tankala Soumya vs. Assistant Commissioner Of State Tax, CT And GST, Rayagada Circle, RayagadaOrissa · 31 Oct 2026
- M/S Pooja, Town Hallroad, Cuttack vs. State Tax Officer, Cuttack-I West Circle,CuttackOrissa · 31 Oct 2026
- M/S Chicvogue Fashions Lip, Ganjam vs. State Tax Officer Bhubaneswar- Ii CircleOrissa · 31 Oct 2026