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Facts
The assessee, a cooperative society, claimed deduction under Section 80P(2)(a)(i) and alternatively under Section 80P(2)(d) for interest income earned on deposits with cooperative banks. The Assessing Officer denied the deduction under Section 80P(2)(a)(i) and assessed a total income, which the CIT(A) sustained regarding the denial of Section 80P(2)(d) deduction. The assessee filed an appeal to the Tribunal after the CIT(A) partly allowed its appeal on other grounds.
Held
The Tribunal, relying on various High Court judgments and coordinate bench decisions, held that interest income derived by a cooperative society from deposits with other cooperative banks is eligible for deduction under Section 80P(2)(d). It set aside the CIT(A)'s order on this issue and directed the Assessing Officer to allow the claim for deduction, with the total aggregate claim including Section 80P(2)(d) deduction restricted to the original claim made under Section 80P(2)(a)(i).
Key Issues
Whether interest income earned by a cooperative society on deposits with other cooperative banks is eligible for deduction under Section 80P(2)(d) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Sections Cited
250, 80P(2)(a)(i), 80P(2)(d), 143(2), 142(1), 143(3), 80P(4), 263, 2(19)
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, PANAJI BENCH
ORDER
PER PAVAN KUMAR GADALE, JM:
The appeal is filed by the assesse against the order of NFAC/CIT(A) u/sec 250 of the Act. The assessee has raised the grounds of appeal challenging the order of the CIT(A) sustaining the denial of claim of deduction u/sec80P(2)(a)(i) of the Ac and without prejudice alternate relief u/sec80P(2)(d) of the Act on interest income earned on deposits with the cooperative banks.
At the time of hearing, it was brought to the knowledge of the bench, that there is a delay of 146 days in filling the Shri Basaveshwar Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamit . appeal before the Hon’ble Tribunal and the assesse has filed the application and affidavit for condonation of delay. Whereas, the facts mentioned in the affidavit are reasonable and the Ld. DR has no specific objections. Accordingly, condone the delay and admit the appeal.
The brief facts of the case are that, the assessee is registered under the Karnataka Souhard Sahakari act 1997 and is engaged in providing credit facilities to its members. The assessee has filed the return of income for the A.Y 2022-23 on 06.09.2022 disclosing a total income of Rs.NIL/- after claiming deduction u/sec80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act and the case was selected for compulsory scrutiny . Subsequently the Assessing Officer (A.O) has issued notice u/sec143 (2) and u/sec 142(1) of the Act calling for the details in respect of claims and the information supporting the return of income filed.The assesse has filed the information of members of the society along with interest income on deposits with the cooperative banks and societies. The Assessing Officer (A.O) has dealt on the submissions filed and find that the assessee is not eligible for claim of deduction under section 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act and has not made separate disallowance of interest income on deposits with the cooperative banks. Finally the A.O. was not satisfied with the explanations and dealt on the provisions and judicial decisions and denied the claim of deduction u/sec80P2(a)(i) of the act
4. Aggrieved by the order, the assessee has filed an appeal before the CIT(A), whereas the CIT(A) has considered the grounds of appeal, statement of facts and findings of the AO and has issued notices of hearing and the assessee has filed the details and submissions on the allow ability of claim. But the CIT(A) has sustained the denial of claim of deduction u/sec80P2(d) of the Act on interest earned on deposits with the cooperative banks and granted relief in other grounds of appeal and partly allowed the assessee appeal. Aggrieved by the order of the CIT(A), the assessee has filed an appeal before the Hon'ble Tribunal.
5. At the time of hearing, none appeared on behalf of the assessee. In the grounds of appeal, the assesse has submitted that the CIT(A) has erred in confirming the action of the A.O in treating the interest income earned from the cooperative banks is ineligible for deduction u/s 80P(2)(d)/u/sec80P2(a)(i) of the Act and the assessee has filed the written submissions. The Ld.DR supported the order of the CIT(A).
We heard the Ld.DR submissions and perused the material on record. The assessee in the grounds of appeal submitted that the CIT(A) has erred in holding that the interest income from cooperative banks is ineligible for deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) / u/sec80P2(a)(i) of the Act.
Shri Basaveshwar Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamit . Whereas The Honble Income Tax Tribunal Panaji Bench in ITA.No.158,159& other 27 numbers/PAN/20223/24&25 dated 28-11-2025 –Akshaya Co-Op Credit society & others Vs ITO dealt at Para 7 of the order on the subject matter of interest income from cooperative banks is eligible for deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) of the Act read as under:
“7.------“The Third disputed issue, where the AO and CIT(A) has not allowed the claim of deduction under section 80P(2)(d)of the Act, in the case of the cooperative society earns / receives interest on deposits maintained with the cooperative banks.
The assessee’s is co-operative society registered under the Karnataka Souharda Sahakari Act 1997 and similarly under the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act 1959 and is engaged in providing the credit facilities to its members. Whereas the Assessing officer found that the assessee earns/receives interest on deposits maintained with the cooperative banks and was not satisfied with the explanations of the assessee and dealt on the provisions and judicial decisions and denied the claim of deduction u/sec 80P2(d) of the Act and the CIT(A) has sustained the disallowance. On further appeal to Tribunal, the Ld.AR submitted that the CIT(A) has erred in confirming the action of the A.O in treating the interest income from cooperative banks is ineligible for deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) of the Act. Whereas, the CIT(A) has considered the facts on claim of deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) but took a different view. The Ld.AR emphasized that the claim has to be allowed as the cooperative bank is treated as a cooperative society for eligibility of deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) of the Act and substantiated the submissions with the judicial decisions. Per Contra, the Ld.DR relied on the order of the CIT(A) and submissions.
We heard the rival submissions and perused the material on record. The sole matrix of the disputed issue envisaged by the Assessee Representatives is in respect of granting of deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) of the Act to the Cooperative Society. The Ld. AR submitted that the interest income derived by a co- operative society from its deposits with the co-operative bank would be entitled for deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) of the Act. Whereas on the similar disputed issue, the Hon’ble Tribunal Panaji bench in the case ITA.No74/PAN/2024 of The Bardez Urban Co-Operative Credit Society Limited, Vs ITO Panaji dated 11-2-2025 has dealt at Para 6 to 8 of the order as under:
Shri Basaveshwar Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamit . “6. We heard the rival submissions and perused the material on record. The sole matrix of the disputed issue envisaged by the Ld.AR is in respect of granting of deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) of the Act to the Cooperative Society. The Ld. AR submitted that the interest income derived by a co-operative society from its deposits with the co-operative bank would be entitled for deduction U/sec 80P(2)(d) of the Act. The Ld.AR highlighted that the asssessee has received interest on fixed deposits with the Goa State Co-op Bank Limited and further the co-operative bank is treated as a cooperative society for eligibility of deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) of the Act. We find the Hon’ble Tribunal in Amore Commercial Premises Co-op Society Ltd vs. CPC Karnataka in & 2874/Mum/2022 dated 17-01-2023 has dealt on the taxability of interest earned on the deposits with the Cooperative Banks at page 2 Para 3 of the order, which is read as under:
3. Briefly stated facts necessary for consideration an adjudication of the issues at hand are :- Assessee being a CoOperative Society has claimed disallowance/deduction u/s. 80P (2)(d) in respect of the interest of Rs. 6,96,725/- for parking its funds with Saraswat Co-Operative Bank, Sham Vithal Rao CoOperative Bank and district central CoOperative Bank. However, centralized processing centre (CPC)/ Assessing Officer has disallowed the deduction Claimed by the Assessee u/s 143(1).
Assessee carried the matter before the Ld.CIT(A) by way of filing Appeals who has confirmed the addition by dismissing Appeals. Filling aggrieved Assessee has come up before the Tribunal by way of filing present Appeal.
We have heard the Ld. Authorized Representative of the parties to the Appeals, perused the order passed by the Lower Revenue Authorities and documents available on record in the light of the law applicable thereto.
6. Undisputedly Assessee Society has invested is surplus funds with Co-Operative banks and earned the interest income to the tune of Rs. 6,96,725/- and claimed it is deduction u/s. 80P (2)(d) of the Act, which has been disallowed by Assessing Officer & confirmed by the Ld.CIT(A) by relying upon decision rendered by Hon’ble Karnataka High Court in case of principle Ld.CIT Vs. Totgar’s Co- Operative Sales Society Ltd.
7. Issue as to the allow-ability of the deduction claimed by the Assessee u/s. 80P (2)(d) of the Act, is no longer Res-Integra having being decided by the co-ordinate Bench of the Tribunal in case of Palm Court M Premises Co-operative Society Ltd. in order dated 09.09.2022 by settling the issue in favour of the assessee by distinguishing the judgment rendered by Hon'ble Supreme Court in case of Totgar's Cooperative Sale Society Ltd. Vs. Income Tax Officer, 188 Taxman
Shri Basaveshwar Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamit . 282(SC) and by discussing the decision rendered by Hon'ble Bombay High and Hon'ble Gujarat High Court wherein it is held that interest income earned by the Co-operative Society on its investment made with co-operative bank would be eligible for claim of deduction under section 80P(2)(d) of the Act by returning following findings:
We have given a thoughtful consideration to the contentions advanced by the Id. Authorized representatives for both the parties in context of the aforesaid issue under consideration. As stated by the ld. A.R, and rightly so, the issue that interest received by a co-operative society on its deposits with cooperative banks would be eligible for deduction w/s 80P(2)(d) of the Act is covered in assessee's favour by orders of the various coordinate benches of the Tribunal in the following cases: (i). M/s Solitaire CHS Ltd. Vs. Pr.CIT-26, Mumbai, dated 29.11.2019 (ii). Land and Cooperative Housing Society Ltd. Vs. ITO (2017) 46 CCH 52 (Mum.) (iii). M/s C. Green Cooperative Housing and Society Ltd. Vs. ITO-21(3)(2), Mumbai (ITA No. 1343/Mum/2017, dated 31.03.2017. (iv). Marvwanjee Cama Park Cooperative Housing Society Ltd. V's. ITO-Range 20(2)(2), Mumbai (ITA NO. 6139/Mum/2014, dated 27.09.2017. (v). Kaliandas Udyog Bhavan Pemises Co-op. Society Ltd. Vs. ITO, 21(2)(1), Mumbai. In the aforesaid orders, it has been held by the Tribunal that though the cooperative banks pursuant to the insertion of subsection (4) to Sec. 80P of the Act would no more be entitled for claim of deduction u/s 80P of the Act, but as a co-operative bank continues to be a co- operative society registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 (2 of 1912) or under any other law for the time being in force in any State for the registration of co- operative societies, therefore, the interest income derived by a cooperative society from its investments held with a co-operative bank would be entitled for claim of deduction w/s 80P(2)(d) of the Act. We find that the aforesaid issue had exhaustively been looked into by the ITAT, "G" bench, Mumbai in the case of M/s Solitaire CHS Ltd, Vs. Pr.CIT-26, Mumbai dated 29.11.2019, wherein the Tribunal had observed as under: "6. We have heard the authorized representatives for both the parties, perused the orders of the lower authorities and the material available on record, as well as the judicial pronouncements relied upon by them. Our indulgence in the present appeal has been sought, for adjudicating, as to whether the claim of the assessee for deduction under section. 80P(2)(d) in respect of interest income earned from the investments/deposits made with the cooperative banks is in order, or not. In our considered view, the issue involved in the present appeal revolves around the adjudication of the scope and gamut of sub-section (4) of Sec. 80P as had been made available on the statute, vide the Finance Act 2006, with effect from 01.04.2007. On a perusal of the order passed by the Pr.CIT under Sec. 263 of the Act, we find, that he was of the view that pursuant to insertion of subsection (4) of Sec. 80P, the Shri Basaveshwar Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamit . assessee would no more be entitled for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2) (d) in respect of the interest income that was earned on the amounts which were parked as investments/deposits with cooperative banks, other than a Primary Agricultural Credit Society or a Primary Cooperative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank. Observing, that the co- operative banks from where the assessee was in receipt of interest income were not co-operative societies, the Pr. CIT was of the view that the interest income earned on such investments/deposits would not be eligible for deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(d) of the Act.
7. After necessary deliberations, we are unable to persuade ourselves to be in agreement with the view taken by the Pr. CIT. Before proceeding any further, we may herein reproduce the relevant extract of the aforesaid statutory provision, viz. Sec. 80P(2) (d), as the same would have a strong bearing on the adjudication of the issue before us. "80P(2) (d) (1). Where in the case of an assessee being a cooperative society, the gross total income includes any income referred to in sub- section (2), there shall be deducted, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this section, the sums specified in subsection (2), in computing the total income of the assessee. (2). The sums referred to in sub-section (1) shall be the following, namely:- (a)......................................................................................... ......... (b)………………………………………………………… ………………………………….. (c)………………………………………………………… …………………………………... (d) in respect of any income by way of interest or dividends derived by the co-operative society from its investments with any other co- operative society, the whole of such income;" On a perusal of Sec. 80P(2)(d), it can safely be gathered that interest income derived by an assessee cooperative society from its investments held with any other cooperative society shall be deducted in computing its total income. We may herein observe, that what is relevant for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(d) is that the interest income should have been derived from the investments made by the assessee co- operative society with any other co-operative society. We are in agreement with the view taken by the Pr. CIT, that with the insertion of sub-section (4) of Sec. 80P, vide the Finance Act, 2006, with effect from 01.04.2007, the provisions of Sec. 80P would no more be applicable in relation to any co-operative bank, other than a primary agricultural credit society or a primary co-operative agricultural and rural development bank. However, at the same time, we are unable to subscribe to his view that the aforesaid amendment would jeopardise the claim of deduction of a co-operative society under Sec. 80P(2)(d) in respect of its interest income investments/deposits parked with a co- operative bank. In our considered view, as long as it is proved that the interest income is being derived by a cooperative society from its investments made with any other co-operative society, the claim of deduction under the aforesaid statutory provision, viz. Sec. 80P(2)(d) would be duly available. We find that the term cooperative society" had been defined under Sec. 2(19) of the Act, as under:- "(19) "Co-operative Shri Basaveshwar Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamit . society" means a cooperative society registered under the Cooperative Societies Act, 1912 (2 of 1912), or under any other law for the time being in force in any state for the registration of cooperative societies;" We are of the considered view, that though the cooperative banks pursuant to the insertion of subsection (4) to Sec. 80P would no more be entitled for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P of the Act, but as a cooperative bank continues to be a co-operative society registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 (2 of 1912), or under any other law for the time being in force in any State for the registration of co- operative societies, therefore, the interest income derived by a cooperative society from its investments held with a cooperative bank would be entitled for claim of deduction under Sec.80P(2) (d) of the Act.
8. We shall now advert to the judicial pronouncements that have been relied upon by the Id. A.R. We find that the issue that a co- operative society would be entitled for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(d) on the interest income derived from its investments held with a cooperative bank is covered in favour of the assessee in the following cases: (i) Land and Cooperative Housing Society Ltd. Vs. ITO (2017) 46 CCH $2 (Mum) (ii) M/s C. Green Cooperative Housing and Society Ltd. Vs. ITO-21(3)(2), Mumbai (ITA No. 1343/Mum/2017, dated 31.03.2017 (iii) Marvwanjee Cama Park Cooperative Housing Society Ltd. Vs. ITO-Range-20(2)(2). Mumbai (ITA No. 6139/Mum/2014, dated 27.09.2017. (iv). Kaliandas Udyog Bhavan Pemises Co-op. Society Ltd. Vs. ITO, 21(2)(1), Mumbai. We further find that the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka in the case of Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax and Anr. Vs. Totagars Cooperative Sale Society (2017) 392 ITR 74 (Karn) and Hon'ble High Court of Gujarat in the case of State Bank Of India Vs. CIT (2016) 389 ITR 578 (Guj), had held, that the interest income earned by the assessee on its investments with a co-operative bank would be eligible for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(d) of the Act. Still further, we find that the CBDT Circular No. 14, dated 28.12.2006, also makes it clear beyond any scope of doubt that the purpose behind enactment of sub-section (4) of Sec. 80P was that the co-operative banks which were functioning at par with other banks would no more be entitled for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(4) of the Act. Insofar the reliance placed by the Pr. CIT on the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Totgars Co-operative Sale Society Ltd. vs. ITO (2010) 322 ITR 283 (SC) is concerned, we are of the considered view that the being distinguishable on facts had wrongly been relied upon by him. The adjudication by the Hon"ble Apex Court in the aforesaid case was in context of Sec. 80P(2)(a)(i), and not on the entitlement of a cooperative society towards deduction under Sec. 80P(2) (d) on the interest income on the investments/deposits parked with a co-operative bank. Although, in all fairness, we may observe that the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka in the case of Pr. CIT Vs. Totagars cooperative Sale Society (2017) 395 ITR 611 (Karn), had concluded that a co-operative society would not be entitled to claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2) (d). At the same time, we find, that the Hon'ble High Court of Shri Basaveshwar Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamit . Karnataka in the case of Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax and Anr. Vs. Totagars Cooperative Sale Society (2017) 392 ITR 74 (Karn) and Hon'ble High Court of Gujarat in the case of State Bank Of India Vs. CIT (2016) 389 ITR 578 (Guj), had observed, that the interest income earned by a co-operative society on its investments held with a cooperative bank would be eligible for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2) (d) of the Act. We find that as held by the Hon'ble High Court of Bombay in the case of K. Subramanian and Anr. Vs. Siemens India Ltd. and Anr (1985) 156 ITR 11 (Bom), where there is a conflict between the decisions of nonjurisdictional High Court's, then a view which is in favour of the assessee is to be preferred as against that taken against him. Accordingly, taking support from the aforesaid judicial pronouncement of the Hon'ble High Court of jurisdiction, we respectfully follow the view taken by the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka in the case of Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax and Anr. Vs. Totagars Cooperative Sale Society (2017) 392 ITR 74 (Karn) and Hon'ble High Court of Gujarat in the case of State Bank Of India Vs. CIT (2016) 389 ITR 578 (Guj), wherein it was observed that the interest income earned by a cooperative society on its investments held with a cooperative bank would be eligible for claim of deduction under Sec.80P(2)(d) of the Act.
9. Be that as it may, in our considered view, as the A.O while framing the assessment had taken a possible view, and therein concluded that the assessee would be entitled for claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2) (d) on the interest income earned on its investments/deposits with cooperative banks, therefore, the Pr. CIT was in error in exercising his revisional jurisdiction u/s 263 for dislodging the same. In fact, as observed by us hereinabove, the aforesaid view taken by the A.O at the time of framing of the assessment was clearly supported by the order of the jurisdictional Tribunal in the case of Land and Cooperative Housing Society Ltd. Vs. ITO (2017) 46 CCH 52 (Mum). Accordingly, finding no justification on the part of the Pr. CIT, who in exercise of his powers under Sec. 263, had dislodged the view that was taken by the A.O as regards the eligibility of the assessee towards claim of deduction under Sec. 80P(2)(d), we "set aside" his order and restore the order passed by the A.O under Sec. 143(3), date 14.09.2016." As the facts and the issue involved in the present case before us remains the same as were there before the Tribunal in the case of M/s Solitaire CHS Ltd. (supra), wherein the order passed by the Pr. CIT u/s 263 of the Act was quashed, we, thus, respectfully follow the same. Backed by our aforesaid deliberations, we are unable to uphold the view taken by the Pr. CIT that the failure on the part of the A.O to be disallow the assessee's claim for deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) had rendered the assessment order passed by him u/s 143(3) of the Act, dated 31.08.2017 as erroneous in so far it was prejudicial to the interest of the revenue.
Accordingly, on the basis of our aforesaid observations, we herein not finding favor with the view taken by the Pr. CIT that the order passed by the A.O u/s 143(3), dated 31.08.2017 was erroneous in so far it was prejudicial to the interest of the revenue within the meaning of Sec. 263 of Shri Basaveshwar Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamit . the Act set-aside the same and restore the order passed by the A.O u/s 143(3) of the Act, dated 31.08.2017."
8. Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka in case of Pr. CIT & Anr.Vs. Totgar's Co-operative Sale Society Ltd. (2017) 292 ITR 74 (Kar.) and Hon'ble Gujarat High Court in case of State Bank of India vs. CIT (2016) 389 ITR 578 (Guj.) had held that interest income earned by a co-operative society on its investment held with cooperative bank would be eligible for claim of deduction under section 80P(2)(d) of the Act.
9. So following the decision rendered by Hon'ble Karnataka High Court (supra) and Hon'ble Gujarat High Court (supra), we are of the considered view that assessee society who has earned an amount of Rs. Rs. 6,96,725/- from its investment of surplus fund with cooperative banks is entitled for deduction under section 80P(2)(d) of the Act. Resultantly, the Ld. CIT(A) has erred in upholding the denial of deduction by the AO to the assessee under section 80P(2)(d) of the Act.
We have considered the facts, circumstances and the ratio of the judicial decisions. The Honble Tribunal has dealt on the catena of judicial decisions were the co-operative society receives/earns interest on deposits with the co-operative bank is eligible for claim of deduction under section 80(2)(d) of the Act. Accordingly, we fallow the judicial precedence, and set aside the order of the CIT(A) on the disputed issue and direct the Assessing officer to allow the claim of deduction u/sec 80P(2)(d) of the Act to the extent of interest income included in the gross total income and such deduction under this chapter VIA should be restricted to the gross total income. And we allow the grounds of appeal in favour of the asssessee
8. In the result, the appeal filed by the appeal is allowed”
Hence We considering, the facts, circumstances and follow the judicial precedence and we set aside the order of the CIT (A) on this disputed issue and direct the Assessing officer to allow deduction u/sec80P(2)(d) of the Act as discussed above. And these grounds of appeal of the assesse are allowed in favour of the assessee.”
7. We considering the facts, circumstances, submissions and the ratio of the judicial decisions dealt in the above issues and also follow the judicial precedence. Accordingly, set aside the order of the CIT(A) on this disputed issue and Shri Basaveshwar Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamit . direct the assessing officer to allow deduction under section 80P(2)(d) of the Act in respect of interest income on deposits with cooperative banks on similar directions discussed and the total aggregate claim including deduction u/sec80P(2)(d) of the Act shall be restricted to original deduction u/sec80P(2)(a)(i) of the Act claimed in the return of income filed by the assessee. And the grounds of appeal are allowed in favour of the assessee.
8. In the result, the appeal filed by the assessee is allowed. Order pronounced in the open court on 17.03.2026.