DCIT CORPORATE CIRCLE 2(2), CHENNAI vs. HI-TECH HOUSING PROJECTS PVT. LTD., CHENNAI

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ITA 1655/CHNY/2018Status: DisposedITAT Chennai29 November 2021AY 2013-144 pages

In favour of the assessee: the Revenue's appeal was dismissed. From the AI summary of this appeal.

AI SummaryDismissed

What did the Tribunal hold?

The Tribunal held that no disallowance under Section 14A can be made if the assessee has not earned any exempt income, affirming the CIT(A)'s order. It also held that such disallowance cannot be added while computing book profit under Section 115JB.

What were the facts?

The Revenue appealed against the CIT(A)'s order deleting disallowance of expenses made under Section 14A read with Rule 8D. The AO had disallowed expenses related to exempt income, but the CIT(A) deleted it stating no exempt income was earned.

What were the issues?

Whether disallowance under Section 14A is permissible when no exempt income is earned, and whether such disallowance should be added for book profit computation under Section 115JB.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 14A,Section 115JB

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ‘C’ BENCH, CHENNAI

Before: SHRI MAHAVIR SINGHAND SHRI G. MANJUNATHA

Hearing: 29.11.2021Pronounced: 29.11.2021

आदेश /O R D E R PER MAHAVIR SINGH, VP: This appeal by the Revenue is arising out of the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-6, Chennai in dated 27.02.2018. The assessment was framed by ACIT (OSD), Corporate Range-2, Chennai for the assessment year 2013-14 u/s. 143(3) of the Income Tax Act (hereinafter the ‘Act’), vide his order dated 30.03.2016.

2.

The first issue in this appeal of Revenue is against the order of CIT(A) deleting disallowance of expenses made by the AO by stating that the assessee has not earned any exempt income and hence, there is no application of provision of Section 14A of the Act read with Rule 8D of the Income Tax Rules, 1962 (hereinafter the ‘Rules’). For this, the Revenue has raised following Ground Nos.2.1 & 2.2:- “2.1 The CIT(A) erred in directing the AO to delete the disallowance made u/s.14A as the assessee has not earned any exempt income, when there is no such exception provided in Rule 8D of IT Rules.

1.

2.2 The CIT(A) ought to have appreciated the fact that the CBDT circular No.5/2014 wherein it is clarified that, disallowance u/s.14A r.w.r. 8D has to be made even if the taxpayer in a particular year not earned any exempt income.”

3.

We have heard the ld. senior Department Representative and gone through facts and circumstance of the case. We noted that the AO has made disallowance of expenses relatable to exempt income by invoking the provisions of section 14A r.w.r 8D of the Rules. The AO had made disallowance u/s.8D(2)(ii) at Rs.1,41,10,978/- i.e., interest disallowance and administrative expenses being amount equal to 0.5% of average value of investment under Rule 8D(2)(iii) at Rs.3,02,89,388/-, thereby

Rs.4,44,00,366/-. The CIT(A) deleted disallowance by stating that there was no exempt income and hence, there cannot be any disallowance. We also noted that now Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Maxopp Investment Ltd vs. CIT, 402 ITR 640, has held that once there is no exempt income, no disallowance can be made by invoking the provisions of section 14A r.w.r 8D of the Rules. Hence, we find no infirmity in the order of CIT(A) and the same is affirmed. The appeal of Revenue on this issue is dismissed.

4.

The next issue in this appeal of Revenue is as regards to the order of CIT(A) deleting the disallowance of expenses made by the AO by invoking the provisions of section 14A of the Act r.w.rule 8D of the Rules, while computing book profit u/s.115JB of the Act. For this, Revenue has raised following Ground No.3.1:- “3.1 The CIT(A) failed to appreciate the fact that when the AO made disallowance u/s.14A which has to be necessarily added to the income of the assessee while computing the book profit u/s.115JB of the Act.”

5.

At the outset, it is noticed that this issue is squarely covered by the decision of Special Bench of ITAT, Delhi in the case of Vireet Investment P. Ltd. in & CO No.68/Del/2014,

Special Bench held that no adjustment of disallowance can be made while making computation u/s.115JB of the Act. We noted that Special Bench of this Tribunal observed while holding that disallowance u/s.14A r.w.rule 8D cannot be added while computing book profits as per section 115JB of the Act, as Explanation to that section does not specifically mention the provisions of section 14A of the Act. Hence, we find no infirmity in the order of CIT(A) and the same is affirmed. This issue of Revenue’s appeal is also dismissed.

6.

In the result, the appeal of the Revenue is dismissed.

Order pronounced in the open court on 29th November, 2021 at Chennai.

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