M/S IMPERIAL GRANITES PVT. LTD.,CHENNAI vs. ADIT, CPC, BENGALURU

आयकर अपीलीय अिधकरण ‘ए’ �ायपीठ चे�ई म�। IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL “A” BENCH, CHENNAI

माननीय �ी महावीर िसंह, उपा�� एवं माननीय �ी मनोज कुमार अ�वाल ,लेखा सद� के सम�। BEFORE HON’BLE SHRI MAHAVIR SINGH, VICE PRESIDENT AND HON’BLE SHRI MANOJ KUMAR AGGARWAL, AM

No. ITA No. AY Assessee Respondent Appellant by 1-2 146/Chny/2022 2018-19 Venus Rubbers, DCIT N. Arjunraj, CA for S. & & 333, Kalappanaickenpalayam, CPC, Sridhar, Advocate 147/Chny/2022 2019-20 Kanuvai, Coimbatore – 641 108. Bangalore – PAN: AABFV-0275-F 560 500 3 145/Chny/2022 2017-18 Avon Global Solutions Private Limited DCIT R. Meenakshi No. 42, Jaleel Towers K B Dasan Road, CPC/1718/U6/1 Sundaram, Advocate Teynampet, Chennai – 600 018. 957321506 PAN: AAGCA-4175-M Chennai. 4 55/Chny/2022 2017-18 Warsaw International DCIT Yeshwanth Kumar, 33-B, Vaikkal Thottam, CPC, CA Sheriff Colony, Tirupur – 641 604. Bengaluru- 560 PAN: AAAFW-2693-R 500. 5-6 39/Chny/2022 2017-18 M/s. Sun Tamilnadu Security ACIT S. Sridhar, Advocate & & Management Services P Ltd CPC, 40/Chny/2022 2019-20 D. No. 2, Plot No. 3, Bengaluru. SBI Officers, 2nd Colony, Ram Nagar, Bye Pass Road, Madurai – 625 010. PAN: AAPCS-9060-C 7 104/Chny/2022 2019-20 M/s. Imperial Granites Pvt Ltd., ADIT D. Palanivel, 76, Cathedral Road, CPC, Advocate Gopalapuram, Chennai – 600 086. Bengaluru. PAN: AAACI-2721-B 8. 121/Chny/2022 2018-19 Vaiyapuri Venkatasubramanian, DCIT S. Sridhar, Advocate 34-C, M.V. Compound, Brideway Colony, CPC, Thiruppur – 641 607. Bengaluru. PAN: ABWPV-1521-G सुनवाई क� तार�ख/Date of hearing : 11.04.2022 घोषणा क�तार�ख /Date of Pronouncement : 11.04.2022 आदेश / O R D E R ::Manoj Kumar Aggarwal (Accountant Member) ::

deduction of Employees’ Contribution to PF / ESI in terms of Sec.43B r.w.s. 36(1)(va) as well as 2(24)(x). During hearing before us, it was admitted position that the facts as well as issue was pari-materia the same in all the appeals and therefore, adjudication in any one appeal shall mutatis-mutandis apply to all the other appeals also. The lead order in these bunched matters has been passed by us separately in the matter of M/s Benco Thermal Technologies Private Ltd. V/s Asstt. Director of Income Tax (ITA No.281/Chny/2021 on 23.02.2022). Accordingly, our adjudication as contained therein would equally apply to all these consolidated appeals. All these appeals have been filed by the assessee for various assessment years and assail the denial of deduction of Employees’ Contribution to welfare funds like PF / ESI by revenue authorities. The same is in view of the fact that the payments have been made beyond due date as specified in relevant acts governing those welfare funds and the revenue authorities have invoked the provisions of Sec.36(1)(va) r.w.s. 2(24)(x). On the other hand, the assessee claims the deduction of contribution in terms of Sec.43B coupled with various judicial pronouncements favoring the assessee. The stand of the assessee is that since the payments have been made before due date of furnishing of return of income u/s 139(1), the deduction of the same would be available to the assessee. 2. In all the appeals, the revenue is represented by Shri ARV Sreenivasan (Additional Commissioner of Income Tax). The Ld. Sr. DR vehemently supported the denial of deduction and filed common written submissions which read as under: - …..It is submitted that under the provisions of Section 253(4) of the Act, the Assessing Officer, has a right to file Cross Objection within 30 days of the receipt of the notice in cases

considered fit. Hence, the appeal may be taken up for hearing after completion of the time available for filing cross objection. In case the Tribunal decides to proceed with the hearing of the appeal, I submit that the issues in the appeal have been dealt with by the learned CIT(A) by way of well reasoned order. I strongly rely upon the same and pray for the dismissal of the assessee's appeal. This written submission may kindly be taken on record in addition to the arguments made during the course of hearing. 3. The respective counsels appeared for assessee and made a statement at bar that the Employees’ Contribution has been paid well before due date of furnishing of return of income u/s 139(1). The learned ARs also submitted that legal grounds raised in this regard or any other ground raised in the appeals are not being pressed by the assessee. It was common plea that the adjudication may be restricted only to the merits without delving into the legal grounds or any other grounds raised by the assessee. 4. The registry has noted certain delay in these appeals, the condonation of which has been sought by the assessee by way of condonation petition along with the affidavits. The period of delay in the appeals is as under: - No ITA No. No. Of Day’s Delay 1 146/Chny/2022 69 days 2 147/Chny/2022 17 days 3 145/Chny/2022 22 days 4 55/Chny/2022 95 days 5 39/Chny/2022 2 days 6 40/Chny/2022 6 days 7 104/Chny/2022 3 days 8 121/Chny/2022 142 days

The Ld. Sr. Dr has opposed the condonation of delay. However, considering the fact that impugned orders were passed during lockdown period arising out of Covid-19 pandemic and keeping in view the contents of condonation petition / affidavit as filed by the assessee, we condone the delay in all the appeals and proceed for adjudication of the same on merits. 5. In the above background, the assessee’s ground on merit would succeed considering our order in M/s Benco Thermal Technologies Private Ltd. V/s Asstt. Director of Income Tax (ITA No.281/Chny/2021 on 23.02.2022), the operative portion of which read as under: - Our findings and Adjudication 4. We find that as per the provisions of clause (b) of Sec.43B of the Act, any sum payable by the assessee as an employer by way of contribution to any provident fund or superannuation fund and gratuity fund or any other fund for the welfare of employees would be allowed as deductions only on actual payment. However, the proviso to Sec. 43B provides that if the said sum is paid on or before due date for furnishing of return of income u/s. 139(1) of the Act, the deduction would still be available to the assessee. The term ‘Income’ as defined in Sec.2(24)(x) include any sum received by the assessee from his employees as contribution to any provident fund or superannuation fund or any fund set up under the provisions of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (ESI) or any other fund for the welfare of such employees. In other words, the contribution received by the assessee from its employees towards specified welfare funds is always treated as income of the assessee. However, the provisions of Sec. 36(1)(va) of the Act provides that any sum received by the assessee in terms of Sec. 2(24)(x) of the Act shall be allowed as deduction, if such sum is credited by the assessee to the employees’ account in the relevant fund or funds on or before the due date. The term ‘due date’ as per Explanation would mean the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to credit employees’ contribution to the employees’ account in the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued there-under or under any standing order, award, contract or service or otherwise. Thus, the contribution

received by the assessee from its employees’ towards welfare funds, though treated as income u/s 2(24)(x), would be allowed as deduction u/s 36(1)(va) provided the same is remitted to the concerned funds before due date as specified in statute governing those funds. Any payment made beyond that date would result into denial of deduction to the assessee.

behalf of the member employed by him directly or by or through a contractor, the contribution payable by such member (in this scheme referred to as the member's contribution). From bare perusal of sub-para (1) of paragraph 30, it is clear that the word 'contribution' is used not only to mean contribution of the employer but also contribution to be made on behalf of the member employed by the employer directly. The Paragraph 38 of the PF scheme provides for Mode of payment of contributions. As provided in sub-para (1), the employer shall, before paying the member, his wages, deduct his contribution from his wages and deposit the same together with his own contribution and other charges as stipulated therein with the provident fund or the fund under the ESI Act within fifteen days of the closure of every month pay. It is clear that the word 'contribution' used in clause (b) of section 43B means the contribution of the employer as well as the contribution of the employee. That being so, if the contribution is made on or before the due date for furnishing the return of income u/s 139(1), the employer is entitled for deduction.

In other words, the issue could be said to have attained finality since no merit was found in the revenue’s petition by Hon’ble Apex Court.

However, view against the assessee has been taken by Hon’ble Kerala High Court in Popular Vehicles & Services P. Ltd. V/s CIT (96 Taxmann.com 13; 02.07.2018) as well as Hon’ble Gujarat High Court in CIT V/s Gujarat State Road Transport Corpn. (supra). In these cases, the view of Hon’ble Courts is that the provisions of Sec.36(1)(va) and Sec.43B operate differently and therefore, any late remittance of Employees’ Contribution beyond due date as specified in relevant statutes governing those funds, would result into denial of deduction to the assessee in terms of Sec.36(1)(va) r.w.s. 2(24)(x).

However, in later decision titled as Unifac Management Services (India) P. Ltd. V/s DCIT (100 Taxmann.com 244; 23.10.2018), the single judge bench of Hon’ble Court has held that the scope of Section 43B and Section 36(1)(va) are different and thus, there is no question of reading both provisions together to consider as to whether assessee-employer is entitled to deduction in respect of sum belatedly paid towards employee contribution and therefore, for considering such question, application of section 36(1)(va) read with section 2(24)(x) alone is proper course. It was further held that though an amendment has been introduced to Section 43B, whereby actual date of payment is enough for considering deduction, if such date falls before date for filing return but in absence of any amendment made to section 36(1)(va), both contributions, viz., 'employees' and 'employers' cannot be brought under same scope and ambit of section 43B to claim deduction.

Keeping in view the fact that the decision in CIT v. Industrial Security & Intelligence India (P.) Ltd. (supra) has been rendered by co-ordinate bench, this decision shall have precedent over the decision of Unifac Management Services (India) P. Ltd. V/s DCIT (supra) which has been rendered by single judge bench.

explanation-2 has been inserted in Sec. 36(1)(va) which state that Section 43B would not apply and is presumed never to have been applied to establish the due date under this sub- section. Similarly, Explanation-5 has been inserted to Section 43B to explain that the rules of that section do not apply and are never regarded to have applied to any funds received by the assessee from employees. The controversy as to the date of applicability of amendment arises in view of the fact that both the Memorandum as well as the Finance Bill state that relevant amendment will take effect on 01/04/2021 and apply to Assessment Year 2021-22 and subsequent assessment years. The submissions of the revenue would be that the amendment is merely clarificatory in nature and would have retrospective operation. However, the assessee would maintain that the provisions would have prospective operations only and the pre-amended period would be largely guided by the ratio of judicial pronouncements favoring the assessee.

6.7 We noted from the judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court in Vatika Township (P.) Ltd. (supra), that there cannot be imposition of any tax without the authority of law and such law has to be unambiguous and should prescribe the liability to pay taxes in clear terms. In present case before us, as noted by CIT(A) that their exists divergent judgments of various High Courts. The CIT(A) has noted the case laws in favour of Revenue: 1. Popular Vehicles & Services (P.) Ltd. v. CIT [2018] 96 taxmann.com 13/257 Taxman 120/406 ITR 150 (Ker.) 2. CIT v. Gujarat Road Transport Corpn. [2014] 41 taxmann.com 100/223 Taxman 398/366 ITR 170 (Guj.) 3. CIT v. Merchem Ltd. [2015] 61 taxmann.com 119/235 Taxman 291/378 ITR 443 (Ker.) The CIT(A) himself noted the ambiguity in para 7.4 of his order, which reads as under:

7.4 While rendering above decisions the Hon'ble High Courts had the occasion to examine and distinguish a catena of judgements which are usually relied upon by appellants to advance the proposition that the provisions of section 43B encompass within its scope the employees' Contribution as well and therefore any such contribution though not remitted by the employer within due date specified by the PF/ESI Acts, will still be permissible deduction if the same is actually paid in pursuance of sec. 43B. The CIT(A) further noted the decisions in favour of assessee in para 7.7, and the same are as under: 1. CIT v. Alom Extrusions Ltd. [2009] 185 Taxman 416/319 ITR 306 (SC) 2. Aimil Ltd. (supra) 3. CIT v. Nispo Polyfabriks [2013] 350 ITR 327/213 Taxman 376/30 taxmann.com 90 (HP); 4. CIT v. Alembic Glass Industries Ltd. [2015] 279 ITR 331/149 Taxman 15 (Guj.); 5. CIT v. Sabari Enterprises [2008] 298 ITR 141 (Kar); 6. CIT v. Pamwi Tissues Ltd. [2009] 313 ITR 137 (Bom.); 7. Spectrum Consultants India (P.) Ltd. v. CIT [2013] 34 taxmann.com 20/215 Taxman 597 (Kar.); 8. CIT v. Udaipur Dugdh Utpadak Sahakari Sangh Ltd. [2013] 35 taxmann.com 616/217 Taxman 64 (Mag.)/[2014] 366 ITR 163 (Raj.) and 9. CIT v. Hemla Embroidery Mills (P.) Ltd. [2013] 37 taxmann.com 160/217 Taxman 207 (Mag.)/[2014] 366 ITR 167 (Punj. & Har.).

6.8 In the present case also, before insertion of Explanation 2 to section 36(1)(va) of the Act, there is ambiguity regarding due date of payment of employees' contribution on account of provident fund and ESI, whether the due date is as per the respective acts or up to the due date of filing of return of income of the assessee. As noted by Hon'ble Supreme Court an amendment made to a taxing statute can be said to be intended to remove hardship only of the assessee and not of the Department. Imposing of a retrospective levy on the assessee would be caused undue hardship and for that reason Parliament specifically chose to make the proviso effective from a particular date. In the present case also, the amendment brought out by Finance Act, 2021 w.e.f. 1-4-2021 i.e. for and from assessment year 2021-22 of Explanation 2 to s. 36(1)(va) of the Act and not retrospectively. 6.9 Thus, from the above, it is clear that the amendment brought in the statute i.e., by Finance Act, 2021, the provisions of section 36(1)(va) r.w.s. 43B of the Act amended by inserting Explanation 2 is prospective and not retrospective. Hence, the amended provisions of section 43B r.w.s. 36(1)(va) of the Act are not applicable for the assessment year 2018-19 but will apply from assessment year 2021-22 and subsequent assessment years. Hence, this issue of assessee's appeal is allowed. 14. So far as the argument of the Ld. DR that the employees’ interest would be adversely impacted, is concerned, we find that the respective Acts governing welfare funds would take care of those eventualities. In case of belated payment or non-payment, the employer not only pays interest on delayed payment but can incur penalties also for which specific provisions are made in the Provident Fund Act as well as the ESI Act. Therefore,

the consequences are already provided under those acts which would take care of the employees’ interest. However, we are concerned with a case wherein the contributions have already been deposited by the assessee before due date of furnishing of return of income u/s 139(1) and the assessee is claiming deduction of the expenditure under the scheme of the Act. Therefore, this argument of Ld. DR though may carry weightage from morality point of view but it would not be of much relevance to decide the issue as to whether the assessee is eligible to claim the expenditure keeping in view the scheme of the act. 15. Finally, the assessee’s appeal succeeds on merits. The revenue is directed to grant the deduction so claimed by the assessee and re-compute assessee’s income. The appeal stands allowed in terms of our above order. 16. 6. We find that facts as well as issue is pari-materia the same in all these appeals. Considering our lead order, we direct revenue authorities to allow the deduction of Employees’ Contribution to welfare funds like PF / ESI as claimed by the assessee in the return of income. The issue, on merits, stands decided in assessee’s favor. Considering the submissions of Ld. Sr. DR, a liberty is given to revenue to seek rectification of this order in accordance with law for any valid reasons or in case the dues are found to have been deposited by the assessee beyond due date of furnishing of return of income u/s 139(1). 7. All the appeals stand allowed in terms of our above order. Order pronounced on 11th April, 2022.

Sd/- Sd/- (MAHAVIR SINGH) (MANOJ KUMAR AGGARWAL) उपा�� /VICE PRESIDENT लेखा सद� / ACCOUNTANT MEMBER चे�ई / Chennai; िदनांक / Dated : 11-04-2022 JPV आदेश की �ितिलिप अ�ेिषत/Copy of the Order forwarded to : 1. अपीलाथ�/Appellant 2. ��यथ�/Respondent 3. आयकर आयु�त (अपील)/CIT(A) 4. आयकर आयु�त/CIT 5. �वभागीय ��त�न�ध/DR 6. गाड� फाईल/GF