DCIT, NEW DELHI vs. M/S. HUGHES COMMUNICATION INDIA LTD., NEW DELHI

The above captioned cross appeals by the assessee preferred against order of the Commissioner of Income Tax [Appeals] - 11, New

Briefly stated, the facts of the case are that the assessee is engaged in the business of providing telecommunication services, which inter-alia, provide broadband and internet services. The assessee claimed income from the said services as eligible for deduction under section 80IA(4)(ii) of the Act and accordingly, in Assessment Year 2008-09 claimed deduction of Rs. 10,48,65,690/- u/s 80-IA of the Act.

During the course of scrutiny assessment proceedings, the Assessing Officer was not convinced with the claim of deduction mainly for the following reasons:

The assessee agitated the matter before the ld. CIT(A) but without any success.

Before us, the ld. counsel for the assessee vehemently stated that the findings of the Assessing Officer that the assessee is not maintaining separate books of account is not correct as the assessee has maintained ERP based account having separate code for each head of expenditure.

It is the say of the ld. counsel for the assessee that as per the provisions of section 80IA(7) of the Act, there is no requirement to maintain separate books of account and further stated that in the initial Assessment Year i.e. 2007-08, the Assessing Officer had allowed the claim of deduction u/s 80IA of the Act and following the settled principles of consistency, no adverse view should have been taken by the Assessing Officer in the impugned Assessment Year.

The ld. counsel for the assessee vehemently stated that as per the provisions of section 80IA(5) of the Act, for the purposes of determining the quantum of deduction u/s 80IA of the Act, under the said section, the deduction shall be computed as if such 80IA unit is the only source of income of the assessee during the previous year. The ld. counsel for the assessee also pointed out that the Assessing Officer has incorrectly held that other income to the extent of Rs. 1,70,48,316/- has not been properly allocated between eligible and non eligible unit.

Per contra, the ld. DR strongly supported the findings of the lower authorities and read the relevant portion of the assessment order and the order of the ld. CIT(A).

We have given thoughtful consideration to the orders of the authorities below. It is true that the assessee is maintaining ERP based account which have separate code for each head of expenses and this has been accepted by this Tribunal in the case of DCIT Vs. N.I.I.T in wherein this Tribunal has held that ERP software accounting system was sufficient compliance for the purpose of claiming deduction u/s 10B of the Act.

In so far as the allocation of expenses are concerned, the same can be seen from the following chart:

In our considered opinion, the AO has simply disbelieved the allocation made by the assessee on the ground that the expenses must have been allocated on revenue ratio of eligible and non eligible units whereas the allocation of expenses exhibited hereinabove clearly shows that either they are on actual basis or on revenue ratio basis and some of the expenses are directly attributable to the units. In our considered opinion, allocation is based on actual scientific basis duly certified by the CA in Form No. 10CCB and therefore, the same cannot be faulted with.

We further find that this claim is not for the first time but initial Assessment Year of claim is 2007-08 wherein the Assessing Officer has accepted the claim of deduction. In our considered view, unless the claim is disturbed in the initial Assessment Year, the same cannot be disturbed in the subsequent Assessment Years of the block.

Interestingly, the Assessing Officer had allowed claim of deduction in Assessment Year 2011-12 onwards also. Therefore, the Rule of Consistency squarely applies on the facts of the case.

In so far as the allocation of other income of Rs. 1,70,48,316/- is concerned, we find that the same was never claimed as eligible for deduction u/s 80IA of the Act. Therefore, the action of the Assessing Officer is without any basis. Considering the facts of the case in totality, as discussed hereinabove, we direct the Assessing Officer to allow the claim of deduction u/s 80IA of the Act as claimed by the assessee.

Ground No. 1 with all its sub-grounds is allowed.

Ground Nos. 2 and 3 were not pressed. The same are dismissed as not pressed.

The common grievance in Revenue’s appeal relates to the non confirming of the addition of Rs. 5,44,15,806/- on account of licence fee which was held as capital in nature by the Assessing Officer.

Briefly stated, the facts of the case are that the assessee has paid a sum of Rs. 7,25,54,408/- by way of licence fee in Assessment Year 2008- 09 to the Department of Telecommunication. The Assessing Officer was of the firm belief that the said payment was towards capital expenditure and after allowing depreciation of 25% disallowed balance amount of Rs. 5,44,15,806/- in Assessment Year 2008-09.

On appeal, the first appellate authority directed the Assessing Officer to verify whether the amount of licence fee so claimed contains any element of capital expenditure in terms of decision of the Hon'ble Jurisdictional High Court of Delhi in the case of Bharti Hexacom 221 Taxman 323.

Against such direction, the Revenue is before us.

At the very outset, we have to state that pursuant to the directions of the ld. CIT(A), the Assessing Officer, vide order dated 08.03,.2015 passed u/s 250 r.w.s 143(3) of the Act, deleted the addition made on account of licence fee paid to DOT by following the decision of the Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of Bharti Hexacom [supra]. Since the quarrel has now been settled, we do not find any merits in the appeals of the Revenue. The same are accordingly, dismissed.

In the result, the captioned appeals of the assessee in ITA Nos.