TIRUPATI SERVICES PVT. LTD.,KANPUR vs. ACIT, NEW DELHI
In favour of the assessee: the assessee's appeal was allowed. From the AI summary of this appeal.
What did the Tribunal hold?
The Tribunal held that since the assessee had sufficient own funds and did not earn any exempt income, no disallowance under Section 14A was warranted. Regarding foreign travel, the Tribunal found the expenses were incurred for business purposes, and the AO's disallowance was without basis.
What were the facts?
The assessee claimed foreign travel expenses for its directors, which the AO disallowed as personal. The assessee argued the trip was for business to explore supply possibilities and interact with businessmen at a defense show. The AO also disallowed expenses related to Section 14A, stating no exempt income was earned.
What were the issues?
Whether disallowance under Section 14A is justified when no exempt income is earned, and whether foreign travel expenses incurred by directors were for business purposes.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Cases cited in this judgment(4)Show listHide list
Detected automatically from the text. Citations are also linked where they appear in the judgment. The count shows how many other judgments on BharatTax rely on the same authority.
- CIT v. Reliance Utilities & Power Ltd.2,118 citing313 ITR 340 · 2009 · HC
- Joint Investments Pvt. Ltd. v. CIT803 citing372 ITR 694 · 2015 · HC · Read judgment
- CIT v. Hero Cycles Ltd.470 citing323 ITR 518 · 2010 · HC · Read judgment
- CIT v. Taikisha Engineering India Ltd.252 citing370 ITR 338 · 2015 · HC · Read judgment
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, DELHI BENCH ‘G’, NEW DELHI
Before: Ms. Suchitra KambleDr. B. R. R. Kumar
Per Dr. B. R. R. Kumar, Accountant Member:
The present appeal has been filed by the assessee against the order of the ld. CIT(A)-33, New Delhi dated 06.07.2015.
Following grounds have been raised by the assessee:
1. Because the learned CIT (Appeals) erred in law and on facts in not considering the submission of the appellant with respect to sufficiency of own funds in investment in shares in the past as well as during the year out of own net funds ignoring the citation of judgments in the following cases:- i. CIT Vs. Reliance Utility Power Limited reported in 313 ITR 340 (Bom.) ii. CIT Vs. Hero Cycles Limited reported in 323 ITR 518 (P & H).
2 Tirupati Services Pvt. Ltd.
2. Because the learned CIT (Appeals) erred in law and on facts in not considering the judgments of jurisdictional High Court in the cases of CIT-VI Vs. Taikisha Engineering India Limited reported in 370 ITR 338 (Delhi)/2015 & in the case of Joint Investment Pvt. Limited Vs. CIT in reported in 372 ITR 694 (2015) (Delhi) that the disallowances cannot exceed the exempt income earned by the appellant giving the plea that judicial pronouncement relate to clause (i) of sub-note-2 of Rule 8D.
3. Because the leaned CIT(Appeals) erred in law and on facts in not considering the Foreign Travel Expenses being for business purposes and in confirming the sum of Rs.4,61,793/- without assigning reasons.
4. Because the disallowances confirmed by the learned CIT (Appeals) is unjustified, contrary to the facts, law and against the principals of natural justice.”
Disallowance u/s 14A:
Straight to the facts of the case:
The average investments : Rs.41,29,050/-. Dividend received : Nil The assessee’s own fund : Rs.5,72,72,655/-
From the above, it can be held that the assessee has sufficient own interest free funds available to make investments has not incurred any interest cost on the investment and also has not earned any dividend. In the absence of any earning of exempt income no disallowance is called for.
3 Tirupati Services Pvt. Ltd. Disallowance on account of Foreign Travel:
From the records, it is gathered that Sri Vineet Chandra & Smt. Nidhi Chandra, Directors of the Company undertook Journey to Paris via London w.e.f. 13.11.2009 to 20.11.2009. The invitation was received from Jonathan Whartman, Executive Vice President of MDT Armor, a US Corporation operating in Auburn, Alabama. MDT Armor organized a booth at the Milipol Defence Show in Paris on November, 17 to 20. Invitation was received for visiting the aforesaid booth at Paris. The photocopy of Invitation letter was furnished at the time of assessment proceedings. The invitation was put up before the Board of Directors for considering the necessity of visiting the booth at Paris. The assessee visited the place in the wider interest of business and to explore the possibilities of supplies of various kinds of vehicles and to interact with other businessmen. A copy of Resolution passed in the meeting of Board of Directors was also furnished before the learned AO. The A.O. observed that since there is no connection between the Paris Defense Equipments and vehicle show and held that the bookings done for three people was a pleasure trip in the garb of business trip and so, the said expenses being personal in nature are disallowed.
The fact that foreign tour to Paris was for the purpose of business was submitted before the learned AO. As per books of account the total amount of expenses on travelling head is Rs.13,22,932/-. Out of this, expenses incurred on foreign travelling by the directors is to the tune of Rs.7,97,915/-. Rest of the travelling expenses is Rs.5,25,017/- by directors and employees. It would be seen that the total amount on foreign
4 Tirupati Services Pvt. Ltd. travelling is disallowed at Rs.6,85,313/- which is inclusive of the following: a) Travelling expenses of foreign tour as Rs.4,61,793.00 per photocopy of bills attached with the assessment order b) Invoice No.36 dated 23.01.2010 of Rs. 23,520.00 Avikrit Travells. The amount is twice added, once it is basis of this Invoice and again it is disallowed against Voucher No.1193. Photocopies of Invoice and voucher are with the assessment order. c) Hotel Booking for Paris & Netherland on Rs.2,00,000.00 estimate basis TOTAL Rs. 6,85,313.00
The Ld. A.O. disallowed a sum of Rs. 2 lacs for hotel booking in Paris and Netherland on estimate basis whereas invoice No. 30 of Avikrit Travel is consisted of amount of Hotel Booking in Paris. Furthermore, in fact the aforesaid two directors neither stayed in Netherland nor the tour was aimed for the visit of Netherland. Besides, no expenses are incurred and accordingly no expenses are debited in the books of account for Netherland. Only VISA was obtained for Netherland in order to be an easier course in obtaining VISA for visiting Paris. As such, disallowance of Rs.2,00,000/- on estimate basis is without any base. Secondly the above two directors under took journey to abroad and none else was there. So the observation of the Ld. A.O. for three persons is incorrect and without any basis. Since, the expenditure is incurred for the Directors of the company in relation to the business affairs, no disallowance is called for in this case.
5 Tirupati Services Pvt. Ltd. 8. As a result, the appeal of the assessee allowed. Order Pronounced in the Open Court on 06/04/2021.
More judgments on Section 14A
- Blacksoil Capital Private Limited (As… vs DCIT, Circle-1(1), HyderabadITA 2217/HYD/2026[2017-18]Status: Disposed9 Oct 2026AY 2017-18
- Hiral Construction, Mumbai vs ITO Ward 42(1)(2), MumbaiITA 8431/MUM/2025[2017-18]Status: Disposed8 Oct 2026AY 2017-18
- The Dy DIT (It) 1(2), Mumbai vs M/S Citi Bank N.A, MumbaiITA 4981/MUM/2007[2002-2003]Status: Disposed8 Oct 2026AY 2002-2003
- M/S. Citi Bank N.A., Mumbai vs The Addl DIT (It) RG-1, MumbaiITA 4970/MUM/2007[2002-2003]Status: Disposed8 Oct 2026AY 2002-2003
- M/S American Express Bank Ltd., Mumbai vs The Jt DIT (It)1(1), MumbaiITA 9414/MUM/2004[2000-2001]Status: Disposed8 Oct 2026AY 2000-2001
Recent GST High Court judgments
Search GST case law →- Kamlasana Impex Private Limited vs. Director General Of GST Intelligence (Hq) Delhi) & Anr.Delhi · 27 Oct 2026
- Ritu Gautam Proprietor Of Ms Heritage International vs. Additional Commissioner Central Goods And Services Tax Appeals Ii Delhi & Anr.Delhi · 27 Oct 2026
- Sutha vs. The State Tax Officer(Inspection-3)Madras · 27 Oct 2026
- M/S.Sri Satya Sai Constructions vs. The State Of Andhra PradeshAndhra Pradesh · 27 Oct 2026
- Anisha Busa vs. Sibar Institute Of Dental SciencesAndhra Pradesh · 27 Oct 2026