ARIHANT DEVELOPERS,MUMBAI vs. ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX CIRCLE -1 , KALYAN

ITA No. 3395/MUM/2024(A.Y. 2012-13) The grounds of the appeals are as under:

2 During the course of assessment proceedings, it was noticed by the Assessing Officer that the assessee had credited an amount of Rs. 2,82,16,861/- as Rental income in its P&L A/c. It treated the rent charges as its income from House property and claimed standard deduction on the same. The AO stated that assessee had credited two types of income and debited several types of expenses in its P&L A/c. The whole accounting was very business like. Further, on perusal of Form 3CD, it was noticed by him that in item no. 10(a) regarding 'Nature of Business or Profession', the assessee had mentioned construction of godowns and galas, land development and Renting of Immovable property as business of the assessee.

3 In addition to above, the AO observed that rental income from warehouses constituted dominant part of credit side of P&L A/c and the assessee had even claimed certain expenses like Gram Panchayat Tax and electricity bills related to these warehouses/ properties in P & L account which again was business like.

4 On the basis of above facts, the AO came to the conclusion that assessee was not constructing properties with intention to sell them but only for the purpose of letting them out which is the business of assesses as per Form 3CD. The AO further stated that assessee had depicted the profits from business income as house property in order to take advantage of standard deduction u/s 24(a) of the Act. Accordingly, he relying on above facts and some judicial pronouncements, disallowed the claim of the assessee that rent received of Rs.2,82,16,861/-was income from House property and treated the same as income from Business and Profession of the assessee.

In the subsequent appeal, the ld.CIT(A) adjudicated the whole issue at great length as under: “4.1 The issue pertaining to this appeal is related to the treatment of income received from letting out of warehouses as Income from business & profession by AO against the claim of appellant as income from house property. The AO in the assessment order stated that letting out of godowns/ warehouses is the main business of the appellant and rental income therefrom constitutes dominant part of income in P&L A/c. Further, the AO stated that appellant has depicted rental income as income from house property to take advantage of standard deduction provided u/s 24(a) of the Act.

2 The AO relied on the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Chennai Properties & Investments Ltd Vs CIT, Central -3, Tamil Nadu [2015] 56 taxmann 456 (SC) in which it was held that where the main object of the assessee company was to acquire properties and earn income by letting the same, said income was to be brought to tax as business income and not income from house property. Accordingly, AO taxed the net profit of Rs.2,82,16,861/- derived from rental receipt as Business income and income from house property was treated as Nil.

3 On the other hand the appellant in its submission made during appeal proceedings has relied on the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Raj Dadarkar & Associates Vs CIT (394 ITR 592) (SC). In addition to that, the appellant has relied on some other judicial pronouncements also which are discussed later in this order.

4 I have gone through the order of Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Raj Dadarkar & Associates and have come to the conclusion that the facts of that case are different from the case of the appellant as in the said order, AO had referred to object clause in Partnership deed but in present case, nature of business is specified in Audit report form 3CD certified by the auditor of appellant itself. Hence the facts of this case are different. Further, in para 14 of the order, the Hon'ble Apex Court has stated that under certain circumstances, where the income may have been derived from letting out of premises, it can still be treated as business income if letting out of the premises itself is the main business of the assessee. For the sake ofconvenience, the said para is reproduced here as below:

Before us, the ld.DR has placed reliance on the orders of authorities below claiming that the impugned income was rightly treated as Income from Business and profession.

Per contra the ld.AR in oral as well as written submissions made has vehemently argued that the decision rendered by the ld.CIT(A) is not correct. Certain queries were also posed by the Bench during the course of hearing to the ld.AR the replies of which are also referred in the following paras. It is contented that the impugned properties are located in Bhiwandi area of Mumbai and were leased out on rent. It is submitted that the galas in question were leased out to earn house property income even though the same were shown as stock-in-trade in the books of account. No deduction was claimed as per the profit and loss account. In respect of query by the Bench regarding year of constructionand how it was appearing in books of accounts since construction and whether as stock in trade or not, the ld.AR submitted that that it is difficult to ascertain the specific date or on which date the construction of the godown was completed.However,details of all the godowns, the period for which they were leased out is provided were duly submitted.In respect of expenses incurred, it was stated that the assessee had incurred insurance expenses with respect to the building same was debited to the profit & Loss A/c as part of indirect expenses. It is further claimed that the assessee has not incurred any expenditure towards providing any services to the licensee including any expenditure towards security guard, cleaning, electricity etc.

1 It is submitted that the assessee is a partnership firm having business of construction of godowns and galas. In the course of its business, it has constructed several godowns and galas. The same were given on rent to several parties. However, the stock of the assessee was not sold out. Thus, all the godowns and galas in the stock-in-trade were given on rent and it earned substantial rental income. The assessee regularly offered the rental income to tax under the head “Income from House Property. It claimed the benefit of standard deduction provided under section 24(a) of the Act. The contention of the AO that the assessee is carrying out an organized activity of development and construction of godowns which are held as stock-in-trade and thus, the rental income generated in the course of the business has to be taxed as business income and not as income from house property, it is submitted that the apprehension of the Ld. AO is factually incorrect. It is submitted that the assessee has shown the actual rent received at Rs.3,87,56,614/- after claiming deduction on account of Municipal Taxes, Interest on borrowed capital u/s 24(b),interest on Term Loan and interest paid on borrowed funds. Thereafter, it claimed deduction on account of standard deduction of Rs.1,14,40,908/-.On same page under head "Profits and gains of Business or Profession” there is Net Profit Before Tax which is Rs.3,83,70,588/- then the depreciation which is debited in profit and loss account is added by Rs.2,63,427/-, the Appellant further added an amount to Rs.13,28,677/- which consists of Gram panchayat Tax 6,20,254/- interest on term loan 1,06,163/- and Interest paid 6,02,260/- as the same were separately claimed as deduction. Then from the above profit against the rental income an amount of Rs.4,14,85,210/- was reduced. The break-up of the same is rent received 3,87,56,614/-, interest received Rs.13,80,000/- and Interest on FD 13,48,595.88/-. Thus, the same resultant into a loss of Rs.17,85,945/-. This represents indirect expenses pertaining to running a business establishment. They are not directly connected to the construction and development activity. This loss has been set off against the income from other sources.Similar explanation has been offered for other years emphasising that the assessee did not claim double deduction i.e. standard deduction as well as expenses.

2 It is contented that from the above explanation, it can be seen that the assessee has not created any business loss in ITR, it has just shifted the income from Profit & Loss A/c to their respective charging head in the ITR. So, the AO's contention is incorrect.

3 It is further stated that the AO has drawn an adverse inference relying on the entry in column 10(a) of the Tax Audit Report. In this column of the tax audit report the Tax Auditor has mentioned "Nature of Business as Construction of godowns and galas & Land development & Renting of Immovable Property." The assessee submitted that the A.O. is not justified in drawing an adverse conclusion asthe tax auditor had described the activity carried on by the assessee. This will not have any bearing on the fact under which head the lease rentals received by it are to be taxed. It is submitted that in the partnership deed the object of the business is mentioned as Construction of godowns and galas and Land Development. Thus, the object of the assessee was never to carry on the leasing business. The unit in the stock-in-trade were leased out as it is commercially expedient measure to generate revenue. It is also pleaded that the Constitutional Bench of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in case of Sultan Brothers (P.) Ltd. (1964) 51 ITR 353 (SC) has clarified that merely an entry in the objects clause showing a particular object would not be the determinative factor to arrive at a conclusion whether the income is to be treated as income from business and profession. Thus, the Ld. A.O. is not justified in drawing an adverse inference relying on the auditor's remark.

4 The ld.AR further submitted that the legislative intent was also to tax the lease rentals under section 22 only. This can be inferred from the introduction of section 23(5) to the Act. Though the amendment was brought in the year 2018, but the law maker intention behind the amendment is, to not charge the notional rent from the builder or a person who is into the business of construction of property upto two years. It also can be stated otherwise as, after two years notional rent can be charged under head income from house property.

We have carefully considered all the relevant facts of the case, rival submissions as also the legal position emerging from the cited decision as above. As regards facts of the case, it is undisputed fact that as per the Audit report Form 3CD, item no. 10(a) regarding 'Nature of Business or Profession', the assessee has mentioned construction of godowns and galas, land development and renting of godown etc. as its business. Moreover, the assessee itself has admitted that even the Partnership deed described the object of the business is mentioned as Construction of godowns and galas and Land Development. As rightly observed by the lower authorities, rental income from warehouses constituted dominant part of credit side of P&L A/c against which even claimed certain expenses related to these warehouses/ properties in P & L account. Apparently, the assessee was not constructing properties with intention to sell them but only for purpose of letting them out, which is the business of assessee. Further, the assessee in its books of account/ Balance Sheet had shown the value of let out properties in its closing stock which is part of business stock and not separately as investment.

1 As stated above, the assessee did not provide any satisfactory reply to the Bench in respect of the period of construction and the treatment to such income in the preceding years right from the date of construction. It could not demonstrate that certain parts of the stock was actually sold during h entire period of holding. Evidently, the assessee is engaged in the business activity of construction of galas/godowns for the sole purposes of earning business income therefrom as it is the only activity. Moreover, it is not a case where some of the unsold units lying vacant were leased out for the intervening period.

2 We find that the ld.CIT(A) has exhaustively dealt with all relevant judicial decisions in this regard and applied the ratio laid down to the facts of the case as also distinguishing the cases relied upon by the assessee on facts of the case. We notice that in case of Chennai Properties & Investments (supra), the hon'ble Apex Court held that in case of bare letting of property by construing the object clause of the company (and not the circumstance of bare letting) as relevant factor to determine the head of taxation. In this case, the main object of the memorandum made specific reference, by name, to two different properties from which rental income was earned. There was also no dispute that the entire income of the taxpayer was from letting of properties. Due to this, it was held the rental income from property was assessable assessment Business Income. The ruling of Chennai Properties and Investments (supra) was followed in the case of Rayala Corporation Pvt. Ltd. (supra). In this case the business of the assessee was to deal into real estate and also to earn rental income by letting out the properties. It was noted that taxpayer had stopped its other business activity and letting out of the properties was the sole business of the taxpayer. The taxpayer earned only rental income during the year. It was observed that the facts being similar as in the case of Chennai Properties (supra), it was held that the rental was to be taxed as Business income. Thus, both the above decisions support taxation as business income if the taxpayer in involved only in business of bare letting supported by object clause and actual conduct of the taxpayer.

3 From the facts stated in the preceding paras, it is quite evident that seen in the light of above cited both the decisions of hon'ble Apex court, the assessee being engaged in the construction of godowns for subsequent letting them out in an organized manner has all the ingredients of business income. All these facts are found in existence in the instant case.

4 It may be stated here that in ITA NO. 685 of 2007 National Leasing Limited, 21 October 2024 the hon'ble Bombay High Court allowed the appeal and set aside the orders of the Tribunal on identical issue. The Court ruled that the income derived from leasing/renting properties is to be assessed as “Income from Profits and Gains of Business” and not as “Income from House Property,” overturning the Tribunal's decision. Relevant parts of the order are extracted below:

We have heard learned counsel for the parties. We have also perused the record. At the outset, we may observe that the premise on which the Tribunal has proceeded to hold that the income derived by the assessee from leasing / renting out house properties, is by applying the decision of the Supreme Court in East India Housing (supra), the relevant observations in that regard are required to be noted which reads thus:

We may observe that the decision in East India Housing (supra) was considered by the Supreme Court in the decision in Chennai Properties & Investments Ltd. (supra) wherein the appellant assessee was a company incorporated under the Companies Act with main objective, as contained in the Memorandum of Association, to acquire the properties in the city of Chennai, and to let out those properties. The assessee rented out such properties and the rental income received therefrom was shown as income from business in the return filed by the assessee. The Assessing Officer, however, refused to tax the same as business income. According to the Assessing Officer, since the income was received from letting out of the properties, it was in the nature of rental income. The Assessing Officer, thus held that it would be treated as income from house property, and taxed the same

After applying the aforesaid principle to the facts, which were there before the Court, it came to the conclusion that income had to be treated as income from business and not as income from house property. We are of the opinion that the aforesaid judgment in Karanpura Development Co. Ltd. Case [(1962) 44 ITR 362 (SC)] squarely applies to the facts of the present case.

No doubt in Sultan Bros. (P) Ltd. Case [Sultan Bros. (P) Ltd. v. CIT, AIR 1964 SC 1389 : (1964) 5 SCR 807], Constitution Bench judgment of this Court has clarified that merely an entry in the object clause showing a particular object would not be the determinative factor to arrive at the conclusion whether the income is to be treated as income from business and such a question would depend upon the circumstances of each case viz. whether a particular business is letting or not. This is so stated in the following words: (AIR p. 1391, para 7) “7. ... We think each case has to be looked at from a businessman's point of view to find out whether the letting was the doing of a business or the exploitation of his property by an owner. We do not further think that a thing can by its very nature be a commercial asset. A commercial asset is only an asset used in a business and nothing else, and business may be carried on with practically all things. Therefore, it is not possible to say that a particular activity is business because it is concerned with an asset with which trade is commonly carried on. We find nothing in the cases referred, to support the proposition that certain assets are commercial assets in their very nature."

We are conscious of the aforesaid dicta laid down in the Constitution Bench judgment. It is for this reason, we have, at the beginning of this judgment, stated the circumstances of the present case from which we arrive at the irresistible conclusion that in this case, letting of the properties is in fact is the business of the assessee. The assessee therefore, rightly disclosed the income under the head “income from business”. It cannot be treated as “income from the house property”. We, accordingly, allow this appeal and set aside the judgment [ CIT v. Chennai Properties & Investments Ltd., (2004) 186 CTR 680 (Mad)] of the High Court and restore that of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal. No orders as to costs.”

Adverting to the law as laid down in Chennai Properties & Investments Ltd. (supra), it is clear that what must be borne in mind for the Court is to consider the main objective of the assessee as contained in the Memorandum of Association, and that the deciding factor, is not the ownership of land or leases but the nature of the activity of the assessee and the nature of the operations in relation to them. It is the main objective of the company which needs to be the focal point, to consider the business of the assessees in considering whether any income derived from such properties is the “income from profits and gains of business or profession” or the same would be required to be regarded as "income from house property". In the present case, the income of the assessee is derived from letting out of the properties, which in fact, is the principal business of the assessee as seen from its main objectives of the assessee as contained in its memorandum of association, therefore, the assessee was correct in accounting such income under the head 'income from profits and gains of business', and not as 'income from house property'. For such reasons, there was an apparent error of law in the Tribunal holding that the assessee's income is required to be treated as “income from house property" and not the "income from profits and gains of business”.

5 The hon'ble Court emphasized that the nature of the assessee's business must be considered, and since the leasing/renting of properties was the main business, the income should be categorized as business income. The Court analyzed the relevant provisions of the Act and reviewed the decisions of the Supreme Court in East India Housing and Chennai Properties & Investments Ltd. The Court found that East India Housing was distinguishable as the nature of the assessee's business in that case was different. In contrast, in Chennai Properties, the Supreme Court held that when the main object of the company is letting out properties, the income should be considered business income. The Court referred to the Chennai Properties case, which was more applicable as it involved a company whose primary business was renting out properties.

6 In the case of Haware Infotech Ltd, Mumbai in ITA Nos. 281 & 291/Mum/2018A.Ys.2013-14 & 2014-15 dated 30th September, 2024,the hon'ble Bench made following observations in exactly identical facts of the case: “Further, we find that the Hon'ble High Court of Bombay in the case of PCIT, Central-1 Vs. M/s Classique Associate Ltd. (ITA No.1216 of 2016, dated 28.01.2019) concurring with the view taken by the Hon'ble Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Chennai Properties & acquiring and holding properties from such source would be its „business income" and not its income under the head “house property“. Also, we find that the Tribunal while disposing off the appeal in the case of the sister concern of the assessee in Haware Engineers and Builders Pvt. Ltd. Vs. DCIT, Central Circle-4(2), Mumbai [ITA No. 7155/Mum/2016, dated 10.10.2018], had concluded that if an immovable property in the shape of flats/shops is held by the assessee as stock-in-trade of its business, then it becomes part of its trading operations, and any income derived there from would be its business income and not Income from house property. On the basis of the aforesaid deliberations, the Tribunal while disposing off the aforesaid appeal had vacated the addition of the „ALV“ that was made by the lower authorities in respect of the flats/shops which were held by the assessee before them as stock-in-trade of its business of a real estate developer. In fact, the Tribunal while concluding as hereinabove, had primarily relied on the view earlier taken by it in the case of another sister concern" of the assessee viz. ACIT Vs. Haware Construction Pvt. ltd. [ITA No.3321/Mum/2018 & 3172/Mum/2016, dated 31.08.2018]. Apart there from, the Tribunal had also drawn support from the orders of the coordinate benches of the tribunal viz. (i) M/s Runwal Construction Vs. ACIT [ITA No. 5408/Mum/2016, dated 22.02.2018]; and (ii). Progressive Homes Vs. ACIT [ITA No.5082 /Mum/2016, dated 16.05.2018]. In the backdrop of the aforesaid facts, we are of the Ltd. [ITA No.3321/Mum/2018 & 3172/Mum/2016, dated 31.08.2018] had duly considered the judgment of the Hon “ble High Court of Delhi in CIT Vs. Ansal Housing Finance & Leasing Company Ltd. (2013) 354 ITR 180 (Del)."

7 The hon'ble Supreme Court in Chennai Properties & Investment Ltd. v. CIT(supra) laid down certain factors which are to be borne in mind while creating a charge over the income considered as income from house property: ◆ The “Dominant Intention” of the assessee to let out the property is important and relevant i.e. whether the assessee has the intention to let out the property merely as a house or the property is considered as a specialized commercial asset. ◆ The true nature of the transaction will determine whether the income is a business income or income from house property. The books of accounts, charter documents such as memorandum of association and articles of association or other entries in the business documents shall not determine the nature of income. ◆ Another point of discussion is whether the transaction of letting out or sub-letting of the property is a part of the business operations of the assessee. In case if the transaction is a part of the trading and business operation of the assessee, then the income shall be considered under the ambit of business income.

8 In Rayala Corporation Ltd. v. Asstt. CIT,(supra)the assessee company was a private company and had a house property, which was let out and earned a rental income from the premise. The main issue before the court was that whether the income so received should be taxed under the head “Income from House Property" or "Profit and gains of business or profession”. The reason for which the aforestated issue has arisen is that though the assessee is having the house property and is receiving income by way of rent, the case of the assessee is that the assessee company is in business of renting its properties and is receiving rent as its business income, the said income should be taxed under the Head “Profits and gains of business or profession" whereas the case of the Revenue is that as the income is arising from House Property, the said income must be taxed under the head "Income from House Property". As per its Memorandum of Association its business is to deal into real estate and also to earn income by way of rent by leasing or renting the properties belonging to the assessee company. The Supreme Court followed the Chennai Property case, and it was considered that the income earned will be income from business.

9 We would also like to mention here that in the case of sister concern of the assessee, identical issue was examined by the coordinate Bench of ITAT, Mumbai with only difference being the assessee therein claimed its similar income as Income from Business and Profession and not House property income. I.T.A. No 346/Mum/2019 in Arihant Estate Pvt. Ltd.6 January, 2021, "

The brief facts of the case are, assessee is engaged in the business of construction activity and filed its return of income on 29/09/2014 for assessment year 2014-15 declaring total income of Rs.4,65,800/-. Subsequently, the case was selected for scrutiny under compulsory basis. Accordingly, notices u/s 143(2) and 142(1) of the Act were issued and served on the assessee. In response, AR of the assessee filed the relevant information as called for. AR of the assessee submitted that since the assessee is into the business of construction and development of properties, the income from trading assets will not be chargeable to tax u/s.22 and thus, Section 23 would not have any application. Further, relying on the decision of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of M/s. Chennai Properties & Investments Ltd. vs. CIT, he submitted that since the assessee has constructed a mall/shopping complex with the intention to exploit it by way of complex commercial activities, such activity falls within the realm of the head 'profits and gains of business or profession' and accordingly, section 23 will not apply.

After considering the submission of the assessee, AO observed that the contention of the assessee is not found tenable on the following reasons:- a. As per the agreement of sale submitted by the assessee, it is seen that the developers have the sole and exclusive right to sell or lease shops, stalls, offices, storage spaces, other units and premises in the said Commercial Building being constructed by the developers on the said property and to enter into agreements and to receive the sale price in respect thereof. b. The developer received the possession of the land which is constructed the impugned building. The date, on which the assessee received the possession of the land, there is a transfer of the land within the meaning of Section 2(47)(v) and the assessee becomes the owner of the land and building thereon constructed by it. c. Since the assessee is owner of the building as discussed above, the assessee shall be liable for all the provisions of the Act in respect of the building. The property constructed and remained unsold during the year, shall be liable for tax under the head income from house property. d. Moreover, this being a debatable issue and on the same ground, the Department is in appeal before the Hon'ble ITAT in the assessee's own case for Assessment Year 2012-13. In view of the same, keeping the law of consistency in mind and with due respect to the CIT's decision, the computation of total income submitted by the assessee is not acceptable.

Therefore, AO proceeded to make assessment u/s 143(3) treating the total income at Rs.2,22,60,750/- by assessing the rental income under the head 'Income from House Property'.

Aggrieved with the above order, assessee preferred the appeal before Ld. CIT(A) and Ld. CIT(A) after considering the submission of assessee as well as following the decision of ITAT in assessee's own case for Assessment Year 2012-13, allowed the appeal of the assessee to assess the income under the head 'Income from Business'.

Aggrieved with the above order, revenue is in appeal before us by filing the following grounds of appeal, which are reproduced below:- 1. “Whether on the facts and in circumstances of the case and law, the Ld. CIT(A) was correct in deleting the addition made on account of income from House Property on shops /Commercial premises held as closing stock by assessee having regard to the nature of business of the assessee and having received Occupancy Certificate from the statutory authorities?

Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and law, the Ld. CIT(A) was correct in deleting the addition made on account of income from house property despite the facts that the assessee owns more than one property capable of fetching fair market rent and disregarding the provisions of section 23(4)(b) and section 23(l)(a) of the Act., which mandates taxability of notional rent in the hands of owner of such house property? „

Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and law, the Ld. CIT(A) was correct in deleting the addition made on account of income from house property despite the fact that the provision of the act does not distinguish or exempt any business asset being the closing stock in the instant case from chargeability of income from house property?”

At the outset, Ld. AR appearing on behalf of the assessee submitted before us that Ld. CIT(A) has discussed these issues elaborately in its order and he brought to our notice para no. 6 (6.1 to 6.3), wherein Ld. CIT(A) by following the decision of ITAT in ITA No. 6037/Mum/2016 in assessee's own case for Assessment Year 2012-13 on similar issues, has decided these grounds in favour of the assessee.

On the other hand Ld. DR relied upon the orders passed by AO, however he conceded that these grounds are covered by the order of Coordinate Bench of ITAT.

Considered the rival submissions and material placed on record. We notice from the record that the identical ground raised in the present appeal has already been decided by the Coordinate Benches of ITAT in ITA No. 6037/Mum/2016 in assessee's own case for Assessment Year 2012- 13 on merits. For the sake of clarity, which is reproduced below:-

We have heard the rival submissions, perused the orders of the authorities below. Identical issue has come up before the Coordinate Bench in the case of the M/s. Runwal Constructions v. ACIT (supra)and the Tribunal held as under: - "

The brief facts of the case are that the assessees, engaged in the business of builders and developers, filed return of income for A.Y. 2012- 13. The assessment was completed under Section 143(3) of Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter “the Act”) and while completing the assessment the AO computed the annual letting value in respect of unsold flats held as stock in trade by the assessees. The assessees contended before the AO that they are engaged in the business of builder, developers and construction and the property they purchased is stock in trade and the income from sale of such developed property into flats is assessable as business income. Therefore, the unsold flats which are in the stock in trade cannot be brought to tax under the head „income from house property simply because the flats remain unsold at the end of the year. The assessees also placed reliance on the decision of the Hon'ble Gujarat High Court in the case of CIT vs. Neha Builders Pvt. Ltd. (296 ITR 661) in support of their contentions. However, the AO referring to the decision of the Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of Ansal Housing Finance & Leasing Co. Ltd. (354 ITR 180) computed the notional annual letting value on the unsold flats and brought to tax .under Section 23 of the Act as income from house property.

On appeal the learned CIT(A) sustained the action of the AO in bringing to tax the notional annual letting value under the head „income from house property in respect of the unsold flats. Aggrieved, assessees are in appeal before us.

The learned A.R. before us strongly placing reliance on the decision of the Hon'ble Gujarat High Court in the case of Neha Builders Pvt. Ltd. (supra) ITA No. 4277/Mum/2013 dated 13.05.2015 and submitted that identical issue has been decided by the Coordinate Bench holding that in the case of property held as stock in trade the income should be assessable under the head „income from business and no income shall be brought to tax as notional annual letting value under the head „income from house property".

The learned D.R., on the other hand, vehemently supported the orders of Authorities below. He also placed reliance decision of the Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of Ansal Housing Finance & Leasing Co. Ltd. (supra)

We have heard the rival submissions and perused the orders of the authorities below and the decisions relied upon. It is an undisputed fact that the assessees are in the business of builders, developers and construction. Both the assessees have constructed various projects and the projects were treated as stock in trade in the books of account. Flats sold by the assessees were assessed under the head "income from business“. There were certain unsold flats in stock in trade which the AO treated as property assessable under the head “income from house property“and computed notional annual letting value on such unsold flats placing reliance on the decision in the case of Ansal Housing Finance & Leasing Co. Ltd. (supra). The action of the AO was upheld by the learned CIT(A).

The Hon'ble Gujarat High Court in the case of Neha Builders Pvt. Ltd. (supra) considered the question whether the rental income received from any property in the construction business can be claimed under head “income from property even though the said property was included in the closing stock. The Hon'ble Gujarat High Court held that if the business of the assessee is to construct the property and sell it or to construct and let out the same, then that would be the business and the business stocks, which may include movable and immovable, would be taken to be stock in trade and any income derived from such stocks cannot be termed as income from house property. While holding so the Hon'ble High Court observed as under: - “8. True it is, that income derived from the property would always be termed as 'income' from the property, but if the property is used as 'stock-in- trade', then the said property would become or partake the character of the stock, and any income derived from the stock, would be 'income' from the business, and not income from the property. If the business of the assessee is to construct the property and sell it or to construct and let out the same, then that would be the 'business' and the business stocks, which may include movable and immovable, would be taken to be 'stock- intrade', and any income derived from such stocks cannot be termed as 'income from property'. Even otherwise, it is to be seen that there was distinction between the 'income from business' and 'income from property' on one side, and 'any income from other sources'. The Tribunal, in our considered opinion, was absolutely unjustified in comparing the rental income with the dividend income on the shares or interest income on the deposits. Even otherwise, this question was not raised before the subordinate Tribunals and, all of sudden, the Tribunal started applying the analogy.

From the statement of the assessee, it would clearly appear that it was treating the property as 'stock-in-trade'. Not only this, it will also be clear from the records that, except for the ground floor, which has been let out by the assessee, all other portions of the property constructed have been sold out. If that be so, the property, right from the beginning was a 'stock-in-trade'."

Similarly the Coordinate Bench has considered similar issue as to whether the unsold property which is held as stock in trade by the assessee can be assessed under the head „income from house property by notionally computing the annual letting value from such property and the Coordinate Bench considering the decision of the Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of Ansal Housing Finance & Leasing Co. Ltd. (supra) which the AO relied upon and the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Chennai Properties & Investments Ltd. vs. CIT reported in 373 ITR 673, held that unsold flats which are in stock in trade should be assessed under the head „business income and there is no justification in estimating rental income from those flats and notionally computing annual letting value under Section 23 of the Act. While holding so the Coordinate Bench observed as under: - “3. The ld. AR placed the order of Bombay Tribunal in the case of M/s Perfect Scale Company Pvt. Ltd., ITA Nos.3228 to 3234/Mum/2013, order dated 6-9-2013, wherein it was held that in respect of assets held as business, income from the same is not assessable u/s.23(1) of the IT Act.

On the other hand, ld. DR relied on the order of Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of Ansal Housing Finance & Leasing Co. Ltd., 354 ITR 180 (Delhi) in support of the proposition that even in respect of unsold flats by the developer is liable to be taxed as income from house property.

We have considered rival contentions and perused the record. The issue under consideration has been restored by the CIT(A) to the file of AO to compute the annual value. Recently the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of M/s Chennai Properties & Investments Ltd. Vs. CIT, reported in (2015) 42 SCD 651, vide judgment dated 9-4- 2015 has held that where assessee company engaged in the activity of letting out properties and the rental income received was shown as business income, the action of AO treating the rental income as income from house property in place of income from business shown by the assessee was held to be not justified. The Honble Supreme Court held that since the assessee company's main object, is to acquire and held properties and to let out these properties, the income earned by letting out these properties is main objective of the company, therefore, rent received from the letting out of the properties is assessable as income from business. On the very same analogy in the instant case, assessee is engaged in business of construction and development, which is main object of the assessee company. The three flats which could not be sold at the end of the year was shown as stock-in-trade. Estimating rental income by the AO for these three flats as income from house property was not justified insofar as these flats were neither given on rent nor the assessee has intention to earn rent by letting out the flats. The flats not sold was its stock-in-trade and income arising on its sale is liable to be taxed as business income. Accordingly, we do not find any justification in the order of AO for estimating rental income from these vacant flats u/s.23 which is assessee"s stock in trade as at the end of the year. Accordingly, the AO is directed to delete the addition made by estimating letting value of the flats u/s.23 of the I.T.Act."

In the case on hand before us it is an undisputed fact that both assessees have treated the unsold flats as stock in trade in the books of account and the flats sold by them were assessed under the head „income from business". Thus, respectfully following the above said decisions we hold that the unsold flats which are stock in trade when they were sold they are assessable under the head „income from business" when they are sold and therefore the AO is not correct in bringing to tax notional annual letting value in respect of those unsold flats under the head „income from house property". Thus, we direct the AO to delete the addition made under Section 23 of the Act as income from house property.”

Admittedly in this case on hand the unsold property being shops were held as stock in trade. In the circumstances, respectfully following the above decision we uphold the order of the Ld.CIT(A) and reject the ground raised by the Revenue.

Therefore, respectfully following the above decision which is applicable mutatis mutandis in the present case, we are inclined to accept the submission of Ld. AR. Accordingly, the grounds raised by the revenue stands dismissed.

In the net result, the appeal filed by the revenue stands dismissed."

In so far as the reliance placed on the case of Ansal Housing is concerned, it is apparent that the said decision is distinguishable in as much it pertained towhether Ansal Housing, as a real estate developer, should be taxed on the notional rental income (Annual Letting Value or ALV) of unsold flats. Here in this the case issue involved is of letting out /leasing of warehouses or godowns and not unsold flat and there is no issue of any notional rent accruing.In the instant case, the main business activity of the assessee comprises of construction and letting out of warehouses on rent as part of it main activity.It is not case of stock in trade remaining vacant for temporary period.

1 In so far as the reliance placed on the decision of honble Bombay High Court in the case of Banzai estates Bombay is concerned, we find that here the Assessing Officer, treating the income from the MBC Tower property as “business income.” The Tribunal, ruled in favour of the assessee, referring past consistency in treating this income as "income from house property" and citing several Supreme Court decisions. The High Court upheld the Tribunal's decision, stating that the principles of consistency should apply. It noted that in previous years, the Revenue had accepted this income as “income from house property" without any material change in circumstances.

In view of the detailed discussion in preceding paras, we hold that there is no infirmity in the conclusion drawn by the AO which has been correctly upheld by the ld.CIT(A) after due consideration of the decisions of various courts of law including juri ictional High Court and hon'ble Supreme Court. Therefore, the grounds of appeal preferred by the assessee are dismissed.

In the result, the above appeal of the assessee is dismissed. 11. ІТА 3396/MUM/2024(A.Y. 2014-15)

ITA 3398/MUM/2024(A.Y. 2017-18)

Since appeals of the assessee filed for AYs 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2017-18 are identical, the decision rendered by us in para 9/10 above apply mutatis mutandis to these appeals aswell which also stand dismissed.

In the result, all the above appeals of the assessee are dismissed. Order pronounced in the open court on 09/09/2025. SANDEEP GOSAIN (न्यायिक सदस्य /JUDICIAL MEMBER) Place: मुंबई/Mumbai दिनांक / Date 09.09.2025 Lubhna Shaikh / Steno PRABHASH SHANKAR (लेखाकार सदस्य/ACCOUNTANT MEMBER) आदेश की प्रतिलिपि अग्रेषित/