COMMISSIONER OF WEALTH-TAX vs. SAMJUBEN C PATEL

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WTR/101/1995HC GujaratGJHC24022783199527 January 1998Author: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R.K.ABICHANDANI,HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL R. DAVE2 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court held that the Tribunal was in error in its conclusion. The Court referred to the Supreme Court's decision in Bharat Hari Singhania (reported in 207 ITR page 1), which upheld the validity of Rule 1D of the Wealth Tax Rules, 1957. The Supreme Court had ruled that Rule 1D is exhaustive for valuing unquoted equity shares of a company. It explicitly stated that no deduction on account of capital gains tax, provision for taxation, provident fund, or gratuity is admissible when valuing shares under Rule 1D. Therefore, the provision for gratuity liability, whether provided in the books or not, cannot be deducted for working out the break-up value of shares under Rule 1D. The question referred to the High Court was answered in the negative, in favour of the Revenue and against the assessee. The reference was disposed of accordingly.

What were the facts?

This is a Wealth Tax Reference No. 101 of 1995 before the High Court of Gujarat at Ahmedabad. The Commissioner of Wealth-Tax is the petitioner, and Samjuben C. Patel is the respondent. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Ahmedabad, referred a question of law for the High Court's opinion under Section 27(1) of the Wealth Tax Act, 1957. The Tribunal had previously upheld a decision of the CWT (A) which concluded that a provision for gratuity liability, even if not provided in the books, was required to be deducted for calculating the break-up value of shares under Rule 1D of the Wealth Tax Rules, 1957.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in law in concluding that the provision for taxation of gratuity liability is required to be deducted for the purpose of working out the break-up value of shares under Rule 1D of the W.T. Rules, 1957? Assessee's Contention: The Tribunal held that gratuity liability not provided in the books was deductible for calculating the break-up value of shares under Rule 1D of the Wealth Tax Rules. Revenue's Contention: The judgment does not explicitly record the revenue's contentions. However, the High Court's decision implies the revenue argued against such a deduction, relying on the Supreme Court's decision in Bharat Hari Singhania.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 27(1)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

WEALTH TAX REFERENCE No 101 of 1995

For Approval and Signature:

Hon'ble MR.JUSTICE R.K.ABICHANDANI and MR.JUSTICE A.R.DAVE ============================================================ 1. Whether Reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgements?

2.

To be referred to the Reporter or not?

3.

Whether Their Lordships wish to see the fair copy of the judgement?

4.

Whether this case involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution of India, 1950 of any Order made thereunder?

5.

Whether it is to be circulated to the Civil Judge?

-------------------------------------------------------------- COMMISSIONER OF WEALTH-TAX Versus SAMJUBEN C PATEL -------------------------------------------------------------- Appearance: MR MANISH R BHATT for Petitioner Respondent served

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CORAM : MR.JUSTICE R.K.ABICHANDANI and MR.JUSTICE A.R.DAVE Date of decision: 27/01/98

ORAL JUDGEMENT (Per R.K.Abichandani,J.)

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Ahmedabad has referred the following question for our opinion under Section 27(1) of the Wealth Tax Act, 1957:-

"Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in law in coming to the conclusion that the provision for taxation of gratuity liability etc. is required to be deducted for the purpose of working out the break-up value of shares under Rule 1D of the W.T Rules, 1957?"

The Tribunal up-holding the decision of CWT (A) took the view that the gratuity liability not provided in books was required to be deducted for the purpose of working out the break-up value of shares under Rule 1D of the Wealth Tax Rules.

The provision of Rule 1D of the said Rules came up for consideration before the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Bharat Hari Singhania, reported in 207 ITR page 1, and the Supreme Court up-holding the validity of Rule 1D, held that it was required to be followed in every case where unquoted equity shares of a company (other than an investment company or a managing agency company) have to be valued. It was held that all the authorities under the Act including the Valuation Officer were bound by the said Rule. The Hon'ble Supreme Court also held that while valuing the unquoted equity shares of a company under Rule 1D, no deduction on account of capital gains tax which would have been payable in case the shares were sold on the valuation date, can be made. Similarly, no other deductions including provision for taxation, provident fund and gratuity are admissible. Rule 1D is exhaustive on this subject.

In view of the decision of the Supreme Court in Bharat Hari Singhania (supra), we hold that the Tribunal was in error in holding that the gratuity liability not provided in books was required to be deducted for the purpose of working out the break-up value of the shares under Rule 1D of the said Rules. The question referred to us is therefore answered in the negative in favour of the Revenue and against the assessee. The reference stands disposed of accordingly with no order as to costs.

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*/Mohandas

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