DALMIA FINANCE LTD.,NEW DELHI vs. ADDL.CIT, SPECIAL RANGE-3, NEW DELHI
What did the Tribunal hold?
The Tribunal found that the Assessing Officer had made a finding about investments being made from borrowed funds, which the assessee disputed. To ensure proper verification, the issue was restored to the Assessing Officer for fresh adjudication.
What were the facts?
The assessee, a non-banking finance company, invested in equity shares. The Assessing Officer disallowed expenses under Section 14A read with Rule 8D, considering investments were made from borrowed funds. The CIT(A) upheld this disallowance.
What were the issues?
Whether expenses related to tax-exempt income were correctly disallowed under Section 14A read with Rule 8D, especially concerning the source of investment funds.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Cases cited in this judgment(1)Show listHide list
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- Maxopp Investment Ltd. v. CIT1,596 citing91 Taxmann.com 154 · 2018 · SC · Read judgment
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, DELHI BENCH ‘SMC’, NEW DELHI
Before: SH. R. K. PANDA
PER R.K. PANDA, AM:
1. This appeal filed by the assessee is directed against the order dated 15.05.2018 of the CIT(A)-34, New Delhi relating to A. Y. 2015-16.
2. The only effective ground raised
by the assessee reads as under :- “1. The learned CIT(A) erred in law and on facts in confirming an addition of Rs.1,35,696/- u/s. 14. A of the Act by applying Rule 8D though actually no expenses as such were incurred to earn the tax exempt income on very old investments as against the amount of Rs.31,780/- disallowed voluntarily by the assessee while ignoring the judgment of the Apex Court, facts, written submissions and evidences placed on record and rejecting the bonafide explanation of the assessee. Thus, the addition should be deleted.”
Facts of the case, in brief are that the assessee is a non banking finance company registered with RBI. It filed its return of income on 29.05.2015 declaring loss of Rs.1,06,067/-. The Assessing officer during the course of assessment proceedings compared the balance sheet as on 31.03.2014 and 31.03.2015 and noted that the company has shown to have invested its funds in equity shares, which stood at Rs.3,18,47,955/- as at the beginning of the year and at Rs.3,51,42,432/- as at the end of the year. However, the assessee has disallowed Rs.31,780/- as expenses which have been incurred to carry out the activity of investments and earning of exempt income. He, therefore, asked the assesee to explain as to why disallowance u/s. 14A r/w Rule 8D should not be made.
Rejecting the various explanation given by the assessee, the Assessing Officer made disallowance of Rs.1,35,696/-. While doing so, he computed the disallowance u/s. 14A r/w Rule 8 D at Rs. 1,67,476/-. After deducting the amount of Rs.31,780/- already disallowance by the assessee itself, the Assessing Officer made the disallowance of Rs.1,35,656/-.
In appeal the Ld. CIT(A) upheld the action of the Assessing Officer.
Aggrieved with such order of the CIT(A) the assessee is in appeal before the Tribunal.
The Ld. Counsel for the assessee submitted that no borrowed funds have been utilized for investment in share the income of which is exempt. He submitted that sine no interest expenditure has been incurred for investment in the shares and assessee has already suo moto disallowed an amount ofRs.31,780/- towards administrative expenses which is in consonance with preceedings years disallowance, therefore, no further disallowance is called for.
He relied upon the following decisions :-
Resurgere Mines & Minerals India Ltd. Vs. Additional CIT vide
PCIT Vs. Sintex Industries Ltd. 2018 TIOL-104-SC-IT 3. PCIT Vs. Sintex Industries Ltd. 2017-TIOL-104-SC-IT 4. PCTI Vs. Sintex Industries Ltd. 2017-TIOL-1025-HC- AHM-IT 5. Maxopp Investment Ltd. Vs, CIT [2018] 91 taxmann.com 154 (SC)
The Ld. DR on the other hand heavily relied on the order of the CIT(A).
I have considered the rival arguments made by both the sides and perused the material available on record. I have also considered the various decisions cited before me. I find the Assessing Officer invoking the provisions of section 14A r/w Rule 8D computed the disallowance of Rs.1,67,476/- as the expenses incurred in relation to earning tax free income. After deducting the disallowance of Rs.31,780/- made by the assessee itself, the Assessing Officer made addition of Rs.1,35,696/- to the total income of the assessee u/s. 14A rule 8D which has been confirmed by the CIT(A). I find the Assessing Officer while making the disallowance has given a finding that investment in shares and securities have been made out of borrowed funds. It is the submission of the Ld. Counsel for the assessee that no borrowed funds have been utilized for making the investment and no new investments have been made during the year. Considering the totality of the facts of the case and in the interest of justice I deem it proper to restore the issue to the files of the Assessing Officer with a direction to verify the records properly and decide the issue as per fact and law after giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the assessee. I hold and direct accordingly. The ground raised by the assessee is allowed for statistical purpose.
In the result, the appeal filed by the assessee is allowed for statistical purpose. Order pronounced in the open court on 13.06.2019.
More judgments on Section 14A
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- M/S American Express Bank Ltd., Mumbai vs The Jt DIT (It)1(1), MumbaiITA 9414/MUM/2004[2000-2001]Status: Disposed8 Oct 2026AY 2000-2001
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