DCIT, CIRCLE- 7(1), NEW DELHI vs. DLF BRANDS LTD., NEW DELHI

Since, the issues involved in both the appeals are common, they were heard together and are being disposed off by common order.

Ground No. 1 in 4152/Del/2017 relates to deletion of the prior period expenses claimed by the assessee. The Assessing Officer held that the prior period expenses cannot be allowed in the relevant accounting year for the purpose of computing early profits and gains. It was held that every accounting year is independent and so the expenses of the earlier year cannot be allowed as deduction in the current year. Before us during the arguments, the ld. AR submitted that the expenses were pertaining to bills issued by the IBM and received in the current year. These expenses have not been claimed in the earlier year. Since, the expenses have been crystallized in the current year only they have been claimed in the current year. The ld. DR strongly argued on the issue of taxability of individual years as independent and stand alone years with regard to taxation provisions. & 4152/Del/2017 3 CO No. 196/Del/2017 DLF Brands Ltd.

Heard the arguments of both the parties and perused the material available on record. From the record, it transpire that the expenses have not been claimed in the earlier years, they could not have been claimed as the bills have not be received in the earlier years and the assessee has been continuously in losses for the earlier year, current year and subsequent year, thus, leading to conclusion that the revenue is not disadvantaged owing to claim of this expenditure in the current year. Reliance is placed on the judgment in the case of Saurastra Cement and Chemicals Industries Ltd. 213 ITR 523 (Guj.) and Shri Ram Pistons & Rings Ltd. 174 Taxman 147 (Del.), Jindal Drilling and Industries 301 ITR 304 in allowing the deduction on account of prior period expenses which have not been claimed earlier owing to non-crystallization of amount. Hence, we decline to interfere with the order of the ld. CIT (A).

Ground No. 2 of the revenue appeal in deals with the obsolete stock, the Assessing Officer made addition on the grounds that the complete details of the obsolete inventory has not been given. The Assessing Officer also held that the obsolete stock could have been sold as scrap sale. The ld. CIT (A) deleted the addition on the grounds that the determination of the obsolete stock is on estimate basis. During the arguments, before us the ld. DR argued that the amount debited on account of obsolete stock cannot be equated with guarantees provided by the manufacturing unit on defective pieces which is a result of faulty manufacturing problem. It was argued that the stock debited has to be quantifiable instead of on estimate basis. The ld. AR agreed to furnish the details of obsolete and slow moving stock. Hence, in the interest of justice the matter is restore back to the file of the ld. CIT (A) to go through the details of the stock statement submitted by the assessee and take a decision with regard to quantum allowable in accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961. & 4152/Del/2017 4 CO No. 196/Del/2017 DLF Brands Ltd.

Ground no. 3 relates to disallowance of interest u/s 36(1)(iii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Assessing Officer observed that the assessee has borrowed monies from its group company and paid interest of Rs.8.92 crores. It was held that the borrowed money has been in turn given as loans to group companies and not charging interest on par with the interest paid. The Assessing Officer held that the average cost debited on interest free advances an investments in the shape of purchase of shares or investment in capital work in progress against which the interest is not allowable as deduction u/s 36(1)(iii).

During the arguments before us, the ld. AR submitted that the assessee has got sufficient own funds to the tune of Rs.100 crores, as mentioned in the assessment order at para no. 5. The ld. DR supported the Assessing Officer’s observations. We find that this is a repeated issue stands adjudicated in the case of the assessee for the assessment year 2009-10 in ITA 4760/Del/2012 and also for the A.Y. 2010-11 by the Tribunal in dated 09.04.2018. Hence, keeping in view the principle of consistency, we hereby decline to interfere with the order of the ld. CIT (A).

Ground no. 4 relates to disallowance of amount u/s 14A. Prima facie it was brought to our notice, an undisputed fact that the assessee has not earned any dividend or other exempt income during the year. Hence, relying on the following judgments, � PCIT Vs IL&FS Energy Development Company Ltd. (Delhi High Court) � Cheminvest Ltd. v. Commissioner of Income Tax (2015) 378 ITR 33 (Del), � CIT v. Corrtech Energy Pvt. Ltd. [2015] 372 ITR 97 (Guj) & 4152/Del/2017 5 CO No. 196/Del/2017 DLF Brands Ltd.

We hold that the disallowance on account of Section 14A in the absence of earning of any exempt income is unwarranted. Accordingly, the order of the ld. CIT (A) is hereby confirmed.

Regarding the CO No. 196/Del/2017 and ground no. 1 of revenue appeal in it has been brought to our notice that the ground no. 1 stands un-adjudicated by the ld. CIT (A). On going through the record, we find that the plea of the assessee is correct. Both the parities agreed to the facts. Hence, the matter is hereby remanded back to the file of the ld. CIT (A) to adjudicate on this issue in accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Act.

In the result, both the appeals of the revenue are dismissed and Cross Objection of the assessee is allowed. Order Pronounced in the Open Court on 13/12/2019.