MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LTD.,NEW DELHI vs. JCIT (OSD), NEW DELHI

In ITA No. 2553/Del/2013, following grounds have been raised by the assessee: “1.0 That the CIT(Appeals) erred on facts and in law in confirming the action of the Assessing Officer in not granting interest under section 244A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (‘the Act’) on the amount of refund of Rs.14,59,79,228/-, being the excess of tax liability on the assessed income over the taxes paid under section 143(1) of the Act.

In ITA No. 2641/Del/2013, following grounds have been raised by the revenue: “1. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the ld. CIT (A) has erred in not appreciating the provisions of section 244A(b) of the Income Tax Act which calls for calculating interest for every month or part of the month comprised in the period or periods from the date or dates of payment of tax as the case may be. That is the interest is to be computed for a

In ITA No. 468/Del/2014, following grounds have been raised by the assessee: “1.0 That the CIT(Appeals) erred on facts and in law in confirming the action of the Assessing Officer in not granting interest under section 244A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (‘the Act’) on the amount of refund, being the excess of tax liability on the assessed income over the taxes paid under section 143(1) of the Act.

In ITA No. 599/Del/2014, following grounds have been raised by the revenue: “1. Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case & in law, the ld. CIT (A) erred in directing the AO to allow interest u/s 244A to the assessee for the month in which payments/adjustments were made on the last day of the month?

The chronological events of the case are as under:  The assessee is a public limited company, engaged in the business of manufacture and sale of motor vehicles and spare parts. The assessee had, in respect of the previous year ended 31.03.1999, filed return of income on 28.12.1999 declaring total income of Rs.667,34,03,410/-.  The return was revised on 30.03.2001 at total income of Rs.667,41,40,340/-.  Assessment under section 143(3) followed by order u/s 154 of the Act, the total income of the assessee was determined at Rs. 1606.34 crores.  In pursuance to the directions of the ITAT, the Assessing Officer passed order under section 143(3) r.w.s. 254 of the Act on 23.03.2006 giving effect to the order of the ITAT, determining the income of the assessee at Rs. 1424.43 crores.

In the impugned order dated 24.02.2009 passed by the Assessing Officer giving appeal effect to the order dated 31.10.2008, the Assessing Officer omitted to calculate and allow interest under section 244A on the amount of refund of Rs.14,59,79,228/- on the basis of revised return of income {Rs. 14,57,21,304/- as per original return).

The tax paid by the assessee of Rs.186.78 cr. against the demand raised by the revenue by the way of assessment has been duly refunded by the assessee along with interest.

The AO did not allow interest u/s 244A(1)(a) on the amount of Rs.14.59 crores on the grounds that the refund was less than 10% of the tax determined u/s 254 r.w.s. 143(3). The ld. CIT (A) confirmed the order of the AO on the grounds that, to give effect to the provisions of Section 244A(3), the assessee had to mandatorily cross the limitations imposed u/s 244A(1)(a).

The main grievance is that while of the assessee is eligible for interest u/s 244A on the amount of original refund of Rs.14.59cr., the same has been declined by wrongly interpreting the provisions of Section 244A(1)(a) and Section 244A(3).

Before us, the ld. AR explained at length, the provisions of Section 244A and the amendments inserted by Direct Tax Laws

On the other hand, the ld. DR vehemently argued that the provisions of Section 244A(1)(a) clearly lays down an embargo on the interest payment, if the amount of refund is less than 10% of the tax as determined under sub-Section (1) of the Section 143 or on regular assessment. Hence, the assessee is not eligible for interest on the refund due in the instant case.

Heard the arguments of both the parties and perused the material available on record.

The provisions of Section 244A as applicable for the assessment year 1994-95/1999-2000 are as under: [Interest on refunds.

Section 244A(1)(a) deals with interest where refund is out of TDS or by way of advance tax. The proviso under sub-Section (a) has to be read with regard to sub-Section (a) and applies to sub-Section (a) only. A bare reading of sub-Section (b) do not portray any such provision/condition which is applicable to sub- Section (b). Hence, it has to be read that the provision restricts the interest on amount, if the refund is less than 10% of the tax as determined and is applicable only to the advance tax paid u/s 206 or FBT under 115WJ.

We find that the ld. CIT (A) treated the entire amount of Rs.14.60 cr. falls for the purpose of Section 244A(1)(a) and treated it as prepaid taxes. This is exactly where the ld. CIT (A) considered/read the provisions wrongly. The prepaid taxes consist of TDS, advance tax. The provisions of self-assessment tax are governed by Section 140A which is not covered by the provision u/s 244A(1)(a). The opening sentence of the Section 140A reads as under: (1) Where any tax is payable on the basis of any return required to be furnished u/s 139 ---------

This clearly gives a meaning that self-assessment tax which is payable on the basis of return do not constitute part of prepaid taxes.

Now, if one reads Section 244A(1)(b), it reads “in any other case the interest shall be calculated at the rate of one- half per cent”. Here “in any other case” signifies refund out of any tax paid, other than u/s 115WJ or collected at source u/s 206 or paid by the way of advance tax which treated as paid u/s 199 which have been duly mentioned u/s 244A(1)(a).

The difference between sub-Section (a) and (b) is with regard to the method of computation of interest on the refund. For calculation of interest on the refund of the taxes paid u/s 115WJ, Sec. 199, Sec. 206 and Sec. 209, the simple interest is calculated at the rate of one-half per cent from first day of the April of the assessment year whereas under sub-Section (b) i.e. in case of self-assessment tax or tax paid in excess of such demand as demanded u/s 156 it is from the date or dates of payment of the tax. The one-half per cent is the percent of interest on the refund is for every month or part of the month is common for all types of taxes paid by the assessee.

The ld. AR argued that the provisions of Section 244A(3) applies to the cases where the refund arised out of the order of the Tribunal but not out of the Section 143(1) or 143(3) and hence, the provisions of Section 244A(1)(a) are not applicable to the instant case.

The provisions of sub-Section (3) of Section 244A reads as under: “(3) Where, as a result of an order under[sub-section (3) of section 143 or section 144 or] section 147 or section 154 or section 155 or section 250 or section 254 or section 260 or section 262 or section 263 or section 264 or an order of the Settlement Commission under sub-section (4) of section 245D, the amount on which interest was payable under sub-section (1) has been increased or reduced, as the case may be, the interest shall be increased or reduced accordingly, and in a case where the interest is reduced, the Assessing Officer shall serve on the assessee a notice of demand in the prescribed form specifying the amount of the excess interest paid and requiring him to pay such amount; and such notice of demand shall be deemed to be a notice under section 156 and the provisions of this Act shall apply accordingly.”

This section connotes the procedure to be followed while computing the interest in accordance with the sub-Section (1) to Section 244A. The sub-Section (3) gives equal treatment to the refund arise out of the orders namely, order u/s 115WE(3), order u/s 115WF, order u/s 115WG, order u/s 143(3), order u/s 144, order u/s 147, order u/s 155, order u/s 250, order u/s 254, order u/s 260, order u/s 262, order u/s 263, order u/s 264, order u/s 245D(4). It directs the revenue authorities to re- compute the interest payable and to notify the assessee with a demand notice in case there is any increase in the interest payable by the assessee owing to such order. This is a

Provision to Section 244A(1)(a) deals with the refund determined u/s 143(1) or Section 143(3). The orders u/s 147, Sec. 154, Sec. 155 or Sec. 254, Sec. 255, Sec. 260, Sec.262, Sec. 263, Sec. 264, Sec. 245D(4) effectively directed to re- compute the refund determined u/s 143(1) or Sec. 143(3) and to pre-determine the quantum of the refund of the amount due afresh. Thus after receipt of the order under these sections, the tax payable/refund payable would be re-computed as provided u/s 244A(1). And consequently, the interest is determined as provided in the clause (a) i.e. from the first day of April and/or clause (b) i.e. from the date of payment of tax to Section 244A(1) as applicable. The sub-Section (3) doesn’t in any way nullify the provision below clause (a) to Section 244A (1).

We have also examined the arguments of the ld. AR with regard to Circular No. 549 dated 31.10.1989 of CBDT. We have also gone through the model computation Example III

Example III : Grant of refund as a result of appellate order - Interest payable by the Department under section 244A:

This example illustrates payment of interest on the refund from the date of payment of tax (01.05.1990) to the date of issue of refund. There is no dispute about this example and payment of interest on the tax paid post-assessment. We also concur to the fact that the assessee is eligible for interest on the refund on payment of self-assessment tax from the date of payment to the date of granting of refund as per the provisions of Section 244A(1)(b).

We have also examined the arguments of the ld. AR with regard to applicability of the judgment the Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Sandvik Asia Ltd. Vs CIT 280 ITR 643 (SC) wherein it was held that the assessee was entitled interest on delayed payment of interest. We find that the facts of this case is not applicable to the instant case as the judgment of in the case of Sandvik Asia Ltd. Vs CIT deals with payment of amount in the nature of compensation which was specific to the facts of that case.

We have also examined the arguments of the ld. AR relying on the judgment of the Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of CIT Vs H.E.G. 324 ITR 331. The ld. AR argued that “any amounts becomes due” will include the “interest which accrued to the assessee for not refunding the amounts”. The relevant observation of the Hon’ble Supreme Court which is as under:

Straight reading of the judgment, denotes that any “where refund of any amount becomes due” means any refund and on that refund simple interest is to be provided. The calculation of the simple interest is explained in the sub-Clause (a) in case of advance tax or tax u/s 206 and in sub-Clause (b) in any other case. The steps involved are determination of refund and then calculation of interest on such refund determined. The proviso kept back the interest in case the refund is less than 10% of the tax as determined under sub-Section (1) to Section 244A.

In the case of H.E.G, the revenue has not provided interest on the TDS i.e. the tax paid u/s 206 which the Court has ordered to pay interest on the TDS of Rs.45,73,528/- on the

However, this direction of the Hon’ble Apex Court has been interpreted in such a way that the interest on the delayed refund becomes part of the principle amount (the TDS of Rs.45,73,528/-) in the delayed interest includes the interest for not refunding the principle amount [i.e. TDS of Rs.45,73,528 (say ‘P’) + interest (say ‘Q’) = amount due Say ‘R’ = (P+Q)]. And then to pay interest on the amount treating ‘R’ as the amount due. We hold that this is not the correct way of interpreting the judgment. The Hon’ble Court directed that amount of ‘Q’ needs to be computed till the date of issue of refund as the amount of ‘P’ (Rs.45,73,528), since the revenue failed to pay the interest ‘Q’ on the amount of original refund ‘P’.

Owing to the confusion arising out of the interpretation as explained in the above para, the Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated December 3, 2009 further clarified as to what the judgment meant.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court has reiterated that the assessee is eligible for interest for delayed refund for the period of 01.04.19993 to 31.12.1997. In this case, the assessment year being 1993-94, the Hon’ble Apex Court has allowed the interest as per the computation prescribed for computing the simple interest in accordance with the provisions of Section 244A(1)(a). What has been elucidated and clarified by the Hon’ble Supreme Court is that when the refund order is issued, the same should include the interest payable on the amount which is refunded. If the refund doesn’t include the interest due and payable on the amount refunded, the revenue would be liable to pay interest on the shortfall.

However, the issue before us is dissimilar to the issue adjudicated by the Hon’ble Apex Court.

In the instant case, the question before us is whether no interest shall be payable on the amount of refund is less than 10% tax determined, if the refund is out of tax paid u/s 206/207/199. The Hon’ble Apex Court has extended the interest to TDS u/s 195 also in addition to the tax paid u/s 206/207/199. We have also gone through the judgment of Tata Chemicals Ltd. on the issue of proviso to Section 244A(1)(a). The Hon’ble Apex Court having gone through the provisions of Act has nowhere held that the proviso is unwarranted. At the cost of repetition, we hereby hold that the Courts have found no illegality on the proviso below Clause (a) to Sub-Section (1) to Section 244A.

Vide the provisions to Section 244A(1)(a), the legislature clearly laid down that in case the refund arise out of the prepaid taxes such as TCS/TDS/Advance Tax is less than 10% of the tax no interest is allowable. The statute is to be read as a whole in its content. It is unambiguous, straight, effective and workable. The proviso to Clause (a) to Sub-Section (1) is constitutionally valid and intra wires. In the absence of any confusion, arbitrariness or vagueness, the provision has to be read as it is.

If the language of the statute is clear and unambiguous, words must be understood in their plain meaning. The wordings of the Act must be construed according to its literal and grammatical meaning, whatever the result may be.

While interpreting tax statute, the function of the court of law is not to give words in the statute a strained and unnatural meaning to cover and extent its applicability to the areas not intended to be covered under the said statute. Vidarbha Irrigation Devs. Corpn. vs. ACIT [(2005) 278 ITR 521 (Bom)].

It is not permissible to construe any provision of a statute, much less a taxing provision, by reading into it more words than its contains. CIT vs. Vadilal Lallubhai [(1972) 86 ITR 2 (SC)]. Literal construction means that there is no room for any intendment. Nothing is to be read in, nothing is to be implied. One can only look fairly at the language used. Voltas Ltd. vs. State of Gujarat (2015) 12 STD 658 (SC)

Hence, we hold that the proviso to Clause (a) of Sub- Section (1) of Section 244A is applicable and has to be considered for computational purpose of the interest computable for the refund payable u/s 244A(1)(a).

We have gone through the judgment of Hon’ble Jurisdictional High Court in the case of CIT Vs Sutlej Industries Ltd. in ITA No. 1204/2005 order dated 15.03.2010 wherein the Hon’ble High Court held that where self-assessment tax paid by the assessee u/s 140A is refunded, the assessee should be entitled to interest thereon. The Hon’ble High Court held that the self-assessment tax falls within the expression “refund of any amount”. The computation of simple interest on self- assessment tax has to be in terms of Section 244A(1)(b), i.e., from the date of payment of such amount up to the date on which refund is actually granted. The judgment of the Hon’ble jurisdictional High Court was shored up by the judgment of Hon’ble Madras High Court in Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co. Ltd., the SLP against which order was dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Even otherwise, it is trite law that wherever the assessee is entitled to refund, there is statutory liability on the Revenue is to pay the interest on such refund on general principles to pay the interest on sums wrongfully retained.

The Hon’ble Jurisdictional High Court in the case of Engineers India Ltd. 373 ITR 377, based on the judgment of the Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Gujarat Flora Chemicals 358 ITR 291 held that the assessee is not entitled to get interest u/s 244A on the refund of self-assessment tax which was voluntarily

The Hon’ble Apex Court, having gone through the different views expressed by the Hon’ble Jurisdictional High Court, referred back the matter for adjudication by larger bench.

The Hon’ble High Court of Kolkata in the case of Birla Corporation Ltd. held that clause (1)(b) of Section 244A is residual in nature which prescribes interest on refund from the date of payment of tax in cases which are not covered by Section 244A(1)(a). Necessarily, it will cover interest on refund of excess self-assessment tax paid by the assessee. The proviso to section 244A (1)(a) would have no application as the tax paid was self-assessment tax u/s 140A. Hence according to mandate of section 244A(1)(b), interest is payable on refund of excess self assessment tax, from the date of payment of such tax to the date when the refund is granted. The Hon’ble Court of Kolkata has duly considered the judgment of Hon’ble High Court of Delhi in the case of CIT Vs Engineers India Ltd.

Similarly, the Hon’ble High Court of Bombay in the case of Stockholding Corporation of India Vs. CIT 373 ITR 282 has elaborately dealt with the question of interest on refund of excess self assessment tax and held that where the self- assessment tax paid by the assessee u/s. 140A is refunded, the assessee should be, in principle entitled to interest thereon since the self assessment tax falls within the expression “refund of any amount”. The computation of interest on self-assessment

Section 244A does not deny payment of interest in case of refund of amount paid under Section 140A. On the contrary, Clause-(b) being a residuary clause necessarily includes payment made u/s. 140A. Since, there is no proviso attached to sub-Clause (b), the embargo of 10% is not applicable for calculation of interest for the refund arising out of payment of self-assessment tax.

Further, in this aspect, we are guided by the judgment of Tata Chemicals Ltd. 6 SCC 335 as to what the tax refund is. It was held that the tax refund is a refund of taxes when the tax liability is less than the taxes paid. The Hon’ble Apex Court has held that the assessee was entitled for payment of interest on the amount of taxes refunded pursuant to an order passed under the Act including the order passed in an appeal. In the case of Tata Chemicals Ltd., the assessee has paid taxes pursuant to the order passed by the AO. In the appeal filed against the said order the assessee has succeeded and a direction is issued by the appellate authority to refund the tax paid. The amount paid by the resident/ deductor was retained by the Government till a direction was issued by the appellate authority to refund the same. When the said amount is refunded it should carry interest in the matter of course. As held by the Courts while awarding interest, it is a kind of compensation of use and retention of the money collected unauthorizedly by the Department. When the collection is illegal, there is

The question before the Hon’ble Apex Court is whether the resident/deductor is also entitled to interest on refund of excess deduction or erroneous deduction of tax at source under Section 195 of the Act. The Hon’ble Apex Court has ruled that the assessee is eligible to refund of excess tax deducted and also interest on such excess tax refunded.

The Hon’ble Apex Court held that the language of the Section is precise, clear and unambiguous. Sub-Section (1) of Section 244A speaks of interest on refund of the amounts due to an assessee under the Act. The assessee is entitled for the said amount of refund with interest thereon as calculated in accordance with clause (a) & (b) of sub-Section (1) of Section 244A. In calculating the interest payable, the section provides for different dates from which the interest is to be calculated.

The Hon’ble Apex Court held that Clause(a) of sub- Section(1) of Section 244A talks of payment of interest on the amount of tax paid under Section 155WJ, tax collected at source under section 206C, taxes paid by way of advance tax, taxes treated as paid under Section 199 during the financial year immediately preceding the assessment year.

Clause(b) of Sub-Section(1) of Section 244A opens with the words "in any other case" that means in any case other than the amounts paid under Clause(a) of Sub-section(1) of Section 244A. Under this clause, the rate of interest is to be calculated at the rate of one and a half per cent per month or a part of a month comprised in the period or the periods from the date or, as the case may be, either the dates of payment of the tax or the penalty to the date on which the refund is granted. An explanation is appended to clause(b) of the aforesaid sub- Section to explain the meaning of the expression "date of payment of tax or penalty". It clarifies that the “date of payment of tax or penalty” would mean the date on and from which the amount of tax or penalty specified in the notice of demand issued under section 156 is paid in excess of such demand.

Thus, the Hon’ble Apex Court brought the self-assessment tax under the ambit of tax u/s 244A(1)(b). The assessee is eligible for interest on the complete amount of the refund arising out of self-assessment tax. Whatever the money received by the department in excess is ought to be refunded ex-aequo et bono.

Ergo, the AO is hereby directed to pay interest on the refund eligible in accordance with the proviso to Section 244A(1)(a) with regard to the advance tax paid. With regard to the self-assessment tax paid, we hereby hold that the assessee is eligible for interest on the total amount of refund in accordance with provision of Section 244A(1)(b) as the bar contend in proviso to Clause (a) to Section 244A(1) is not applicable to the cases (A.Ys. 1999-2000 and 1994-95) before us. The ground no.3 of the assessee is treated as allowed.

The AO did not allow interest to the assessee on the amounts of tax paid on 31.01.2003 and 28.02.2003 on the grounds that a few hours cannot be construted as part of a month. The AO held that in order to qualify as part of a month at least one entire day should have been completed.

The ld. CIT (A) referred to the analogy provided u/s 234A, Sec. 234B & Sec. 234C wherein similar phrase has been used. Based on the phraseology, the ld. CIT (A) held that while interest is charged from the assessee when the date changes to the next day, similarly, the assessee is also eligible for receipt of interest when the date changes. Hence, it was held that the assessee who pays tax on 31.01.2003 at 23.59 hrs. and eligible

Having gone through the specific provisions of the Act, pertaining to computation of interest u/s 244A(1)(a) and Sec. 244A(1)(b) as well as Sec. 234A, Sec. 234B & Sec. 234C, we hereby hold that the rule of collection of interest on the taxes due from the taxpayer would be applicable in the comparable way while paying interest to taxpayer on the refund.

Hence, we hold that the assessee is eligible for interest on the,

In the result, the appeals of the assessee are allowed and the appeals of the revenue are dismissed. Order Pronounced in the Open Court on 31/08/2020.