SHREE BALAJI ASSOCIATES PUNE LLP,PUNE vs. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX, CPC, BENGALURU

ORDER PER SHRI PARTHA SARATHI CHAUDHURY, JM These appeals preferred by the above-mentioned assessees as per the captioned matter emanates from the respective orders of the CIT(A)/NFAC for the respective assessment years as appearing hereinabove, as per the following grounds of appeal.

2 ITA 552, 563, 564, 565, 580 & 582of 2021 Avinash M. Gothi (HUF) and others for A.Y. 2019-20 – Avinash Mulchand Gothi (HUF)

“1. On the basis of the facts, in the circumstances of the case and as per law, the NFAC sis not justified in confirming the disallowance on account of delayed payment of employees’ contribution to Provident Fund and Employees State Insurance Corporation Fund of Rs. 1,73,046/- made by CPC Bangaluru while processing the return of income u/s 143(1) of the Act.

2. On the basis of the facts and in the circumstances of the case and as per law, the NFAC is not justified in confirming the disallowance of Rs. 1,73,046/- made by CPC, Bangaluru on account of delay in payment of employees’ contribution to Provident Fund and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation Fund by relying on the Explanation 5 to sectionm43B of the Act particularly when the said Explanation is effective from 01-04-2021.

3. The appellant craves for the addition to, deletion, alteration, modification of the above grounds of appeal

.” for A.Y. 201819 – Kalokhe Stone Crusher

1. The ld. CIT(A)-12 Pune, erred in law and on facts in confirming the addition of Rs. 1,78,512/- on account of delay in depositing Employees’ Contribution to PF/ESI Act made by the Asstt. Director of Income-tax, CPC Bangalore.

2. The IT authorities ought to have appreciated that amendment to section 43B r.w.s. 36(1)(va) r.w.s. 143(1)(a)(iv) by Finance Act, 2021 is prospective i.e. effective from April 01, 2021 and thus not applicable in the instant case.

3. The IT authorities ought to have appreciated that the Employee Contribution to PF/ESI is allowable as deduction u/s 43B of the Act although disallowable u/s 36(1)(va) of the Act.

4. The ld. CIT(A) ought to have appreciated that prima facie adjustment u/s 1432(1) of the Act was not justified in view of the debateable and divergent view of different High court on allowability of employees” share of ESI/Provident fund.

5. The ld. CIT(A)-12, Pune erred in disregarding the decision of the jurisdictional High Court which is binding upon him. ITA No. 564 & 565/PUN/2021 for A.Y. 2017-18 & 2018-19 – Glazium Facades P.Ltd.

“1. In the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the CIT(A) has erred in considering the claim of deduction u/s 36(1)(va) r.w.s. 43B of the Act and have made an addition of Rs. 21,11,467/- on account of contributions to labour welfare funds which are in the nature of provident fund and employee State Insurance. The said addition being based on the surmises and conjecture; the same may please be deleted.

3. The appellant prays that in the interest of justice, it maybe allowed to furnish addental evidences which may be relevant to decide the issue under consideration.

3 ITA 552, 563, 564, 565, 580 & 582of 2021 Avinash M. Gothi (HUF) and others for A.Y. 2019-20 – Charan Satpal Anand

“1. On the facts and the circumstances of the case and in law, the CIT has erred in disallowing employees’ contribution to PF and ESIC u/s 36(1)(v)(a) though the same are paid before filing of return of income. 2. The appellant craves for leave to, add & amend the ground of appeal before or at the time of hearing of the appeal. A.Y. 2018-19 – Shree Balaji Associates Pune LLP “1. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the ld. CIT(a)-12 Pune has erred in confirming the addition made by the ld. A.O of Rs. 2,29,310/- under the head Profit and Gains from business and profession without appreciating the fact that though the payment of employees’ provident fund and employees’ State Insurance Contribution was made after the due date specified under relevant act but was made before the due date of filing of return of income u/s 139(1) of the Act and so no disallowance is warranted u/s 36(1)(va) r.w.s. 43B of the Act. The appellant hereby prays that the disallowance of Rs. 2,29,310/- may please be deleted.

2. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the ld. CIT(A)-12, Pune has erred in confirming the addition made by the ld. A.O of Rs. 2,29,310/- under the head Profit and Gains from Business and profession without appreciating the fact the explanation 2 to the section 36(1)(va) oof the Act was inserted by Finance Act, 2021 w.e.f. 01-04-2021 and hence not applicable to the A.Y. 2018-19. The appellant hereby prays that the disallowance of Rs. 2,20,310/- may please be deleted.

or delete or withdraw any of the ground of appeal/s.”

2. The facts and circumstances and the issues involved in all these appeals are absolutely identical and similar. Therefore, these cases were heard together and are disposed of by this consolidated order.

3. The only issue involved in all these appeals is the disallowance of employees’ contribution to Provident Fund as well as ESIC. It is the case of the assessees that as per various decisions of Pune Tribunal it has been held that if the employees’ contribution to provident fund is paid before the due date of filing of return of income, then it is deductible as per provisions of section 43B of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) and the amendment made by the Finance Act, 2021 inserting Explanation 2 to section 43B is applicable prospectively i.e. from A.Y. 2021-22. Admittedly, in all the present

4 ITA 552, 563, 564, 565, 580 & 582of 2021 Avinash M. Gothi (HUF) and others cases before us, the payment of impugned employees’ contribution to provident fund was before the due date of filing of return of income u/s 139(1) of the Act.

4. We find the issue is squarely covered by the decision of Pune Tribunal in the case of Prashant Arun Sangai Vs. ADIT, CPC, Bangaluru in for A.Y. 2019-20, order dated 22-06-2022 as well as in the case of SIP Moulds Pvt. Ltd. Vs. ITO Ward 2(1) Nashik in ITA No. 551/PUN/2021 for A.Y. 2019-20, order dated 28-06-2022. There is a consolidated order passed by the Tribunal in ITA No. 538/PUN/2021 and others in the case of Tilokchand Bhabutmal Shah Vs. ADCIT, CPC Bangaluru, etc., order dated 28-06-2022, where the facts before the Tribunal were that the A.O made disallowance on the ground that the assessee had not deposited the employees’ share of EPF and ESI etc. within due date prescribed under respective Statutes, but paid before due date for filing Return of Income under the provisions of section 139(1) of the Act. On appeal before the ld. CIT(A), the ld. CIT(A) confirmed the said disallowance. The Tribunal held as follows:

“6. When the matter was called on none appeared on behalf of the appellants listed at Sl. No.2 to 6 of above cause title, despite due service of notice of hearing, except in the case of Tilokchand Bhabutmal Shah (listed at Sl. No.1 of the above cause title). Therefore, we proceed to dispose of all the appeals on merits after hearing the ld. CIT-DR. 7. We heard the ld. CIT-DR and perused the material on record. The only issue raised through various grounds of appeal in this appeal is against the confirmation of disallowance of Rs.1,46,592/- made by the Assessing Officer u/s 36(1)(va) of the Act on account of late deposit of the Employees’ share of EPF and ESI etc.

8. At the outset, ld. AR appearing on behalf of the appellant Tilokchand Bhabutmal Shah listed at Sl. No.1 of above cause title filed a copy of recent decision of Co-ordinate Bench of this Tribunal in the case of Prashant Arun Sangai vs. ADIT in for the assessment year 2019-20 order dated 22.06.2022 stating that the identical issue was decided by the Tribunal (supra) in favour of the assessee. Referring to this decision of the Tribunal (supra), he submitted that principle of consistency should be applied to the facts of the present case. The ld. CIT-DR has expressed no objection on this submission of the assessee.

9. Considering the submission of the ld. AR and perusing the recent decision of the Tribunal (supra), we find that the identical issue was came up before this Tribunal in the case of Prashant Arun Sangai (supra) wherein the Tribunal decided the similar issue in favour of the assessee relying on the decision of the Hon’ble Himachal Pradesh High Court in the case of CIT vs. Nipso Polyfabriks Ltd. (2013)

5 ITA 552, 563, 564, 565, 580 & 582of 2021 Avinash M. Gothi (HUF) and others 350 ITR 327 (HP). The relevant paragraphs of the said decision of the Tribunal (supra) are extracted herein under :- “4. We have heard the ld. DR and gone through the relevant material on record. There is no appearance from the side of the assessee despite notice. We are, therefore, proceeding to dispose of the appeal ex parte qua the assessee on merits.

5. It is seen as an admitted position from the impugned order as well as the statement of facts before the ld. first appellate authority that the assessee did deduct employees’ share of EPF and ESI and paid the same after the due date under the respective legislations but before the time stipulated for filing return u/s 139(1) of the Act for the year under consideration. In our opinion, this issue is no more res integra in view of several judgments allowing deduction u/s 36(1)(va) of employees’ share of contribution deposited after due date under the respective Acts but before the date prescribed u/s 139 of the Act. The Hon’ble Himachal Pradesh High Court in CIT vs. Nipso Polyfabriks Ltd. (2013) 350 ITR 327 (HP) has held that there exists no difference between employees or employer’s contribution and both are to be allowed as deduction if deposited before the due date.

6. At this juncture, it is relevant to mention that the Finance Act, 2021 has inserted Explanation 2 below section 36(1)(va) providing that 5 the provisions of section 43B shall not apply for the purpose of determining the due date under this clause w.e.f. 01.04.2021. The effect of this amendment is that if the amount of employees’ contribution towards EPF, ESI, etc is delayed by an employer beyond the due date under the respective Acts, the disallowance will be called for notwithstanding the fact that it was deposited before the due date u/s 139 of the Act. The Memorandum explaining the provisions of the Finance Bill, 2021, provides that this amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2021 and will, accordingly apply in relation to assessment year 2021- 2022 and subsequent assessment years. Since the assessment year under consideration is 2019-20, which is anterior to the amendment carried out with effect from A.Y. 2021-22, we hold that the position of law as set out by various Hon’ble High Courts including the one in CIT vs. Nipso Polyfabriks Ltd. (supra) squarely applies to the facts and circumstances of the instant case, thereby not warranting any disallowance since the amount in question was admittedly deposited before due date u/s 139(1) of the Act. The addition is therefore, directed to be deleted.”

6 ITA 552, 563, 564, 565, 580 & 582of 2021 Avinash M. Gothi (HUF) and others Therefore, we are of the considered view that this issue is no more res integra in view of several judgments allowing deduction u/s 36(1)(va) of employees’ share of contribution deposited after the due date under the respective Statutes but before the date prescribed u/s 139(1) of the Act. In fact, it was held by Hon'ble Himachal Pradesh High Court in Nipso Polyfabrics Ltd. (supra) that there exists no difference between the employees’ or employers’ contribution and both are to be allowed as deduction if deposited before the due date. The relevant observations we need to mention at this juncture that the Finance Act, 2021 has inserted Explanation 2 below section 36(1)(va) providing that the provisions of section 43B shall not apply for the purpose of determining the due date under this clause w.e.f. 01-04-2021. The effect of this amendment is that if the amount of employees’ contribution towards EPF, ESI, etc. is delayed by an employer beyond the due date under the respective Acts, the disallowance will be called for notwithstanding the fact that it was deposited before the due date u/s 139(1) of the Act. The Memorandum explaining the provisions of the Finance Bill 2021, provides that this amendment will take effect from 1st April 2021 and will accordingly apply in relation to assessment year 2021-22 and subsequent assessment years. Before us, in the assessment year is 2019-20, in ITA No. 563/PUN/2021 the assessment year is 2018-19, in ITA No. 564 & 565/PUN/2021 the assessment years are 2017-18 & 2018-19, in 2018-19 and in ITA No. 582/PUN/2021 the assessment year is 2019-20. Since the assessment years under consideration are earlier to the amendment carried out with effect from A.Y. 2021-22, we hold that the position of law as set out by various Hon'ble High Courts’ decisions including Hon'ble Jurisdictional Bombay High Court in the case of Ghatge Patil Transports Ltd (supra) and Hon'ble Himachal Pradesh High Court in Nipso Polyfabrics Ltd (supra) squarely applies to the facts and circumstances

7 ITA 552, 563, 564, 565, 580 & 582of 2021 Avinash M. Gothi (HUF) and others of the instant cases thereby not warranting any disallowance since the amounts in question were admittedly deposited before the due date u/s 139(1) of the Act and also pertains to prior assessment years prior to A.Y. 2021-22. We direct the A.O to delete the additions made u/s 36(1)(va) of the Act from the hands of the above mentioned assessees as appearing in the above captioned matters.

Order pronounced in the open Court on this 27th September 2022.