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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, MUMBAI B BENCH, MUMBAI
Per Pramod Kumar VP 1. These four appeals filed by the Assessing Officer are directed against four separate but materially similar order dated 09.03.2022, passed by the learned National Faceless Appeal Center in the matter of assessment u/s. 143 of the Income Tax Act 1961, for the Assessment years 2014-15 to 2017-18. 2. Common grievances in these appeals are as follows:- 1. "Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the Ld CIT(A) was justified in allowing the exemption u/s 11 to the assessee ignoring the findings of Assessing Officer that the activities of the assessee are in the nature of trade, commerce or business or any activity of rendering any service in relation to any trade, commerce or business for a cess or fee or any other consideration and are hit by the proviso to section 2(15) of the I.T. Act?"
.: 971 to 974/Mum/2022 Assessment years: 2014-15 to 2017-18 Page 2 of 8 2. "Whether on the facts and in circumstances of the case and in law the Ld CIT(A), Mumbai was correct in allowing the exemption u/s 11 to the assessee ignoring the fact that the predominant objects of assessee are for benefits of members and its activities are centered in helping members in their profession?" 3. "Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) was correct in ignoring the fact that the assesse is covered in the last Limb of the amended section 2(15) of the Act and with effect from 1st April 2009 onwards, the advancement of any other activities in nature of trade, business and commerce and providing the services in relation to business is not considered as charitable purpose? 4. "Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A), was correct in directing the AO to reconsider the corpus donation of Rs. 1,26,85,000/- as exempted income u/s 11 of the Act, ignoring the fact that activities of the assessee hit by the proviso to section 2(15) of the Act and not entitled for exemption u/s 11 of the Act and therefore receipt from corpus donation to be taxed as per provisions of section 28 to 43B of the Act? 5. "Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A), was correct in directing the AO to reconsider the administrative expenses of Rs.43,95,925/- allowable expenses on the basis of exemption allowable u/s 11 of the Act, ignoring the fact that activities of the assessee hit by the proviso to section 2(15) of the Act and not entitled for exemption u/s 11 of the Act and therefore receipt from corpus donation to be.
3. When this appeal came up for hearing it was noticed that as noted by the learned CIT(A) himself the issues in appeal are squarely covered in favour of the assessee by a co-ordinate bench decision dated 03.03.2021 for the assessment year 2011-12 and by other co-ordinate bench decision following the same. In the Tribunal order for assessment year 2011-12, the issue was decided in favour of the assessee and it was inter alia observed as follows: - 7. We have noted that while the Assesssing Officer has categorically observed that “the object of the assessee trust is solidarity and endowment to it‟s members” (emphasis supplied by us), and that this object extends “to encourage and advance the knowledge, study and practice of the science of medicine in all” ways among members (emphasis supplied by us), the aims and objectives of the assessee trust make no mention about restricting the beneficiaries to the members of the assessee trust. The aims and objectives of the assessee trust are as evident from the trust deed on record, are as follows:-
PART I : MEMORANDUM OF THE ASSOCIATION 1. The name of the Association is "The Association of Physicians of India."
The registered office of the Association shall be situated at Madras for the present.
The headquarters of the Association shall be at Mumbai.
Aims and Objectives ITA Nos.: 971 to 974/Mum/2022 Assessment years: 2014-15 to 2017-18 Page 3 of 8 4.1 To encourage and advance the knowledge, study and practice of the science of medicine in all ways. 4.2 To encourage research, including experimental work, in the science of medicine. 4.3 To organize, establish, conduct, superintend or control institutions for promoting, whether directly or indirectly, the study of and research in problems, prevention and control of various diseases relating to the science of medicine. 4.4 To hold meetings and organize conferences, exhibitions, study circles or conventions for the study and discussion of problems relating to and allied with the science of medicine. 4.5 To provide instruction and education to deserving persons in the science of medicine. 4.6 To make pecuniary grants by way of scholarships, donations, subscriptions, allowances, gratuities, guarantees arid otherwise to and for the benefit of deserving students, scholars and other persons who are worthy of receiving such grants by reasons of their skill and proficiency in the science of practice of medicine or their contribution to the cause of promotion of learning, research and practice of the science of medicine 4.7 To award prizes, medals or other certificates or diploma of proficiency in the science of medicine to persons found deserving after such tests, examinations or other forms of scrutiny as may be prescribed from time to time. 4.8 To make rules, prescribing standards of professional conduct for members of the Association in conformity with the relevant provision of Medical Council of India. 4.9 To establish and maintain libraries and reading rooms. 4.10 To print, publish, distribute or sell books, pamphlets, notices, pictures, periodicals, newspapers or magazines or any other literature on any matter concerning or relating to the science or practice of medicine or the life or work of eminent persons. 4.11 To suggest, study, offer opinion and advise on, or take part in, the framing of laws affecting the science of practice of medicine, medical education, health policies and health care activities. 4.12 To promote esprit de corps among persons studying or practicing the science of medicine and good feelings between them and members of the general public or public authorities. 4.13 To co-operate with other associations or individuals to promote the objects of the Association. 4.14 To construct, provide, regulate and maintain buildings, rooms or other structures for the purpose of the Association and to alter, add to or remove any of them. .: 971 to 974/Mum/2022 Assessment years: 2014-15 to 2017-18 Page 4 of 8 4.15 To receive any gift or legacy of moveable or immovable assets with or without conditions for promoting the objects of the Association. 4.16 To acquire by purchase, lease, or otherwise, any property, rights, or privileges for the purposes of the Association. 4.17 To improve, manage, develop, sell, mortgage, lease or let, under-lease or sub-let, dispose of, turn to account or otherwise deal with, all or any part of the property of the Association. 4.18 To act as trustees, agents or managers of property endowed by any person for objects similar to those of the Association, 4.19 To encourage formation of chapters/branches at local and state level and to appoint agents and correspondents whether in India or abroad for promoting all or any of the objects of the Association. 4.20 To draw, make, accept, endorse, execute, negotiate, purchase, lend money upon, discount, hold and dispose of cheques, promissory notes, bills of exchange, drafts and other instruments and to cancel or change such instruments as per statute of Government. 4.21 To lay out, advance, invest, and deal with the Association's funds for such investments and securities and generally in such manner as may be determined from time to time. 4.22 To engage such officials, servants or other persons as may be found necessary or useful for the conduct and management of the affairs of the Association. 4.23 To make bye-laws, rules and regulations of the Association and to delete, change, or add to the same from time to time. 4.24 To do all such other acts as may be necessary, incidental, conducive or convenient to the attainment of the above objects or any of them. EXPLANATION It is hereby declared that none of the objects or powers enumerated above shall be deemed subsidiary or auxiliary to the objects mentioned in any one or more them. 88 8. It is thus clear that the authorities below have proceeded on the misconception that the assessee trust has claimed tax exemption on the basis of mutuality principle alone. Learned CIT(A) has rather summarily dismissed the contention of the assessee with respect of exemption under section 11 by the virtue of being a charitable institution, and simply observed that “all the case laws relied upon by the AR are distinguishable”. Learned CIT(A) has observed that “in view of discussions at length in the preceding paras, the receipts from non-members hit by 6th limb of the amended proviso to Section .: 971 to 974/Mum/2022 Assessment years: 2014-15 to 2017-18 Page 5 of 8 2(15) of the Income Tax Act”, but has hardly elaborated upon that reasoning. Be that as it may, in our considered view quite clearly the object of the appellant trust is to promote education in the field of science of medicine and the profit on sale of books/journals is incidental thereto. In this view of the matter, proviso to Section 2(15) will have no application in the present case. It may be borne in mind that proviso to Section 2(15) comes into play only in respect of “any other object of general utility” and not in respect of relief to poor, education, medical relief etc. As long as object of the institution is charitable, as in our considered view, in this case, exemption cannot be declined merely on the ground that the assessee has received consideration for sale of training material or journal etc. incidental to furtherance of it‟s objective of imparting education. We may, in this regard, refer to the following observations made by Hon‟ble Jurisdictional High Court in the case of DIT vs Samudra Institute of Maritime Studies Trust [(2014) 369 ITR 645 (Bom)] as follows:- 5. We are of the opinion that the Tribunal has applied the correct test in concluding that the exemption under section 11 of the Act can be availed of by the Respondent – Assessee. In doing so, the Tribunal referred to the objects as set out in the Trust Deed of the Respondent – Assessee. They are to set up, administer and maintain technical training institution at various places in India for pre-sea and post-sea training for the ships and maritime industry as a Public Charitable Institute for education. That is to provide on-board and offshore training and continuing technical education for Officers, both on the deck and engine side. One of the object was to register with the Director General of Shipping and obtain other necessary approvals at the State and Central levels. We do not find that the ratio of the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court or of this Court, which may be dealing with section 10(22), has been applied to such an extent as complained by Mr Malhotra. In the present case, the Tribunal in paragraph 9.6 of the impugned order concludes that the Assessee is giving training in the above area to seamen. All the courses may not be approved by the Director General of Shipping but that by itself is no ground to hold that the purpose is not charitable. The exemption under section 11 can be claimed and bearing in mind the object of the Trust. We are of the opinion that the Tribunal and the CIT (Appeals) have approached the issue correctly and in the light of the definition so also the tests laid down came to a factual conclusion that the Respondent is entitled to exemption under section 11 of the Act. This is not a case where the purpose can be said to run a coaching class or a centre. This is an institution which imparts education in the area of pre-sea and post-sea training to seamen so as to prepare them for all duties. In such circumstances, we do not find that the concurrent findings of fact are vitiated by error of law apparent on the face of the record or perversity enabling us to entertain this Appeal. There is no substantial question of law. The Appeal is therefore dismissed with no order as to costs.
We find support for our conclusion from a co-ordinate bench decision in the case of Gujarat Safety Council vs ITO [(2020) 180 ITD 711 (Ahd)] wherein our esteemed colleagues have, inter alia, observed as follows:- .: 971 to 974/Mum/2022 Assessment years: 2014-15 to 2017-18 Page 6 of 8 11.1 The main thrust being on the objects of trust, will be apposite to reproduce the stated objects of the trust: “The objects of the Gujarat Safety Council is in general to promote the message of safety and to engage itself in safety activities as mentioned below within Gujarat State. 1. To devise effective method of safety protection and propagate them among employees, workers and public at large in factories, on roads, in homes and in farms. 2. To organise safety programmes, lectures, conferences and other activities. 3. To conduct educational campaigns, to arouse public opinion and interest of the employers and workers. 4. To enlist the co-operation of public and private organizations interested in the promotion of Safety. 5. To suggest improvements in the Central and State laws to prevent accidents. 6. To organize local Safety Centres in the State of Gujarat and to provide them organizational help and materials to promote the objects of the Safety. 7. To do all such work in the field of Safety.” 11.2 Section 2(15) of the Act which defines the term „charitable purpose‟ was substituted vide Finance Act, 2008 w.e.f. 2009-10 to provide that advancement of object of general public utility shall not be a „charitable purpose‟, if it involves carrying on of any activity in the nature of trade, commerce or business. This amendment has given rise to the present litigation. It is the case of the assessee that in order to carry on the charitable object, it is necessary to charge certain fee or consideration for the services rendered and such an act of trust cannot give colour of trade, commerce or business to the solemn objects carried out just for the reason that fee or charges are being recovered. 11.3 The courts have stated that if the activities are being carried on as part of charitable object, it cannot be said to be in the nature of trade, commerce or business. The Hon‟ble Supreme Court in the case of Queen‟s Educational Society vs. CIT [2015] 372 ITR 699 (SC) has held that a surplus arising from activities would not necessarily mean that institution is being carried on „for profit‟. The Hon‟ble Gujarat High Court in the case of DIT(Exemption) vs. Gujarat Cricket Association Tax Appeal No. 123 of 2014 judgment dated 27.09.2019 inter alia observed that the profits, if any, ploughed back into the very activities of promotion and development of sport of Cricket and therefore, the assessee cannot be termed to be carrying out commercial activities in the nature of trade, commerce or business. Drawing parallel in the instant case as the income of the trust are being stated to be ploughed back for the furtherance of objects of the trust, such activities would not portray the character of commercial nature. Therefore, applying the principles, the activities of the trust cannot be deemed to be a commercial venture. Thus, in our considered view, the activities of the assessee cannot be excluded from the ambit of definition of Section 2(15) of the Act where the registration of the assessee is in force.