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Facts
The assessee, a partner in a firm, retired and received a sum of Rs.3,90,00,000/-. She agreed to accept a residential flat instead of this payment. The Assessing Officer treated this flat as over and above her capital, disallowing capital gains and exemption u/s 54F. The CIT(A) allowed the assessee's appeal.
Held
The CIT(A) relied on Supreme Court and High Court decisions, holding that amounts received by a partner upon retirement, including share of capital, profit, goodwill, etc., are not taxable as capital gains and exemption u/s 54F is valid. The ITAT restored the matter to the AO for verification.
Key Issues
Whether the receipt of a residential flat by a retiring partner in lieu of her capital outstanding and share in net assets is taxable as capital gains, and if exemption u/s 54F is admissible.
Sections Cited
54F, 143(3), 45(4), 28(ν)
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, MUMBAI BENCH “F” MUMBAI
Before: SHRI OM PRAKASH KANT & SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH
This appeal by the Revenue is directed against order dated 01.03.2024 passed by the Ld. Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) – National Faceless Appeal Centre, Delhi [in short ‘the Ld. CIT(A)’] for assessment year 2016-17, raising following grounds:
Jayshree Shailesh Savla 2 ITA No. 2304/MUM/2024
On the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. 1. On the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. 1. On the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) erred in holding that the flat of CIT(A) erred in holding that the flat of Rs.3,90,00,000/ Rs.3,90,00,000/- received by the assessee on account of her retirement from the firm does by the assessee on account of her retirement from the firm does by the assessee on account of her retirement from the firm does not amount to transfer not amount to transfer 2. On the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld.
On the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. 2. On the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) erred in allowing exemption in terms of section 54F of the CIT(A) erred in allowing exemption in terms of section 54F of the CIT(A) erred in allowing exemption in terms of section 54F of the Income tax Act, 1961 claimed on the cost of the flat, which is Act, 1961 claimed on the cost of the flat, which is Act, 1961 claimed on the cost of the flat, which is contrary to the findings that receipt of flat does not amount to the contrary to the findings that receipt of flat does not amount to the contrary to the findings that receipt of flat does not amount to the transfer so as to attract capital gains tax transfer so as to attract capital gains tax 3. On the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. 3. On the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. 3. On the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) erred in holding t CIT(A) erred in holding the nature of the flat as stock in trade he nature of the flat as stock in trade instead of treating it as capital asset instead of treating it as capital asset 2. Briefly stated, facts of the case are that the assessee was a Briefly stated, facts of the case are that the assessee was a Briefly stated, facts of the case are that the assessee was a partner in partnership firm namely M/s Faithful Developers. During partner in partnership firm namely M/s Faithful Developers. During partner in partnership firm namely M/s Faithful Developers. During the year under consideration, the assessee r the year under consideration, the assessee retired from the etired from the partnership firm on 31.10.2016 and retirement deed was executed. partnership firm on 31.10.2016 and retirement deed was executed. partnership firm on 31.10.2016 and retirement deed was executed. At the time of retirement a sum of Rs.3,90,00,000/- was found to At the time of retirement a sum of Rs.3,90,00,000/ At the time of retirement a sum of Rs.3,90,00,000/ be due and payable to the assessee against her capital outstanding, payable to the assessee against her capital outstanding, payable to the assessee against her capital outstanding, her share of profit and her share in net a her share of profit and her share in net assets of the firm as on the ssets of the firm as on the said date. However, against the consideration of Rs.3,90,00,000/- said date. However, against the consideration of Rs.3,90,00,000/ said date. However, against the consideration of Rs.3,90,00,000/ which was due at the time of the retirement, t at the time of the retirement, the assessee agreed for he assessee agreed for allotment of residential flat by the firm allotment of residential flat by the firm and the agreement for the the agreement for the same was entered into. Th was entered into. The consideration received as flat as flat in excess of her share, at the time of retirement was offered as full value of of her share, at the time of retirement was offered as full value of of her share, at the time of retirement was offered as full value of the consideration under the head ‘capital gain’ and the assessee the consideration under the head ‘capital gain’ and the assessee the consideration under the head ‘capital gain’ and the assessee offered the excess amount received from the partnership firm as offered the excess amount received from the partnership firm as offered the excess amount received from the partnership firm as capital gain and claimed exemption u/s 54 of the Income d claimed exemption u/s 54 of the Income-tax Act, d claimed exemption u/s 54 of the Income investment in the residential flat. 1961 (in short ‘the Act’ 1961 (in short ‘the Act’) towards investment in the residential flat. In the scrutiny assessment completed u/s 143(3) of the Act dated In the scrutiny assessment completed u/s 143(3) of the Act dated In the scrutiny assessment completed u/s 143(3) of the Act dated
Jayshree Shailesh Savla 3 ITA No. 2304/MUM/2024 28.12.2018, the Assessing Officer held the flat received by her as 28.12.2018, the Assessing Officer held the flat received by her as 28.12.2018, the Assessing Officer held the flat received by her as over and above her capital in the firm. The assessee did not file any and above her capital in the firm. The assessee did not file any and above her capital in the firm. The assessee did not file any document proof regarding investment document proof regarding investment in the firm including the firm including whether the said flat was given to the said flat was given to the assessee as part of share of the capital share of the capital on her retirement. Therefore, the Assessing Officer rejected the on her retirement. Therefore, the Assessing Officer on her retirement. Therefore, the Assessing Officer claim of the assessee of capital gain and also declined the claim of claim of the assessee of capital gain and also declined the claim of claim of the assessee of capital gain and also declined the claim of exemption u/s 54F.
On further appeal, the Ld. CIT(A) following the decision of the On further appeal, the Ld. CIT(A) following the decision of the On further appeal, the Ld. CIT(A) following the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court allowed the appeal of the assessee Hon’ble Supreme Court allowed the appeal of the assessee Hon’ble Supreme Court allowed the appeal of the assessee observing as under:
“7.2.2. I have considered the facts and circumstances of the case. have considered the facts and circumstances of the case. have considered the facts and circumstances of the case. In this regards the landmark case of ACIT v. Mohanbhai Pamabhai In this regards the landmark case of ACIT v. Mohanbhai Pamabhai In this regards the landmark case of ACIT v. Mohanbhai Pamabhai (1987) 165 ITR 166 (SC) had approved the decision of Hon'ble (1987) 165 ITR 166 (SC) had approved the decision of Hon'ble (1987) 165 ITR 166 (SC) had approved the decision of Hon'ble Gujarat HC - CIT v. Mohanbhai Pamabhai, (1973) 91 ITR 393(Guj) CIT v. Mohanbhai Pamabhai, (1973) 91 ITR 393(Guj) wherein it was held that when a partner retires from partnership was held that when a partner retires from partnership was held that when a partner retires from partnership firm and receives consideration, which includes proportionate firm and receives consideration, which includes proportionate firm and receives consideration, which includes proportionate share of goodwill therein, the same is not taxable as there is no share of goodwill therein, the same is not taxable as there is no share of goodwill therein, the same is not taxable as there is no 'transfer'. While approving the decision of the Gujarat HC, the Apex 'transfer'. While approving the decision of the Gujarat HC, the Apex 'transfer'. While approving the decision of the Gujarat HC, the Apex court relied on its decision in the case of Sunil Siddharthbhai v. relied on its decision in the case of Sunil Siddharthbhai v. relied on its decision in the case of Sunil Siddharthbhai v. CIT, (1985) 156 ITR 509 (SC). Relying on Mohanbhai Pamabhai, CIT, (1985) 156 ITR 509 (SC). Relying on Mohanbhai Pamabhai, CIT, (1985) 156 ITR 509 (SC). Relying on Mohanbhai Pamabhai, the Apex Court had in the case of CIT v. R.Lingamallu the Apex Court had in the case of CIT v. R.Lingamallu the Apex Court had in the case of CIT v. R.Lingamallu Raghukumar, (2001) 247 ITR 801 (SC) held that even if Raghukumar, (2001) 247 ITR 801 (SC) held that even if Raghukumar, (2001) 247 ITR 801 (SC) held that even if consideration paid to ret consideration paid to retiring partner, exceeds the balance in its iring partner, exceeds the balance in its capital account, the same shall not be chargeable to tax. A similar capital account, the same shall not be chargeable to tax. A similar capital account, the same shall not be chargeable to tax. A similar view was taken in (i) CIT v.P.H. Patel, (1988) 171 ITR 128 (AP) (ii) view was taken in (i) CIT v.P.H. Patel, (1988) 171 ITR 128 (AP) (ii) view was taken in (i) CIT v.P.H. Patel, (1988) 171 ITR 128 (AP) (ii) Prashant S. Joshi v. ITO, (2010) 324 ITR 154. Prashant S. Joshi v. ITO, (2010) 324 ITR 154. 7.2.3. In Principal Commissione 7.2.3. In Principal Commissioner of Income-tax, Central tax, Central-2, Mumbai v. Smt. Hemlata S. Shetty [2019] 104 taxmann.com 58 (Bombay), v. Smt. Hemlata S. Shetty [2019] 104 taxmann.com 58 (Bombay), v. Smt. Hemlata S. Shetty [2019] 104 taxmann.com 58 (Bombay), the Hon'ble Bombay High Court has held that amount received by the Hon'ble Bombay High Court has held that amount received by the Hon'ble Bombay High Court has held that amount received by a partner on her retirement from a partnership firm is not liable to a partner on her retirement from a partnership firm is not liable to a partner on her retirement from a partnership firm is not liable to capital gain tax in hands o capital gain tax in hands of said partner in view of section 45(4). f said partner in view of section 45(4). 7.2.4. In James P. D'Silva v. Deputy Commissioner of Income 7.2.4. In James P. D'Silva v. Deputy Commissioner of Income 7.2.4. In James P. D'Silva v. Deputy Commissioner of Income-tax, Circle-28(3) Mum [2019] 103 taxmann.com 167 (Mumbai 28(3) Mum [2019] 103 taxmann.com 167 (Mumbai - Trib.), 28(3) Mum [2019] 103 taxmann.com 167 (Mumbai the Hon'ble ITAT Mumbai has held that share of capital along with the Hon'ble ITAT Mumbai has held that share of capital along with the Hon'ble ITAT Mumbai has held that share of capital along with Jayshree Shailesh Savla 4 ITA No. 2304/MUM/2024 accrued profit, goodwi accrued profit, goodwill, brokerage/commission and payment ll, brokerage/commission and payment made to assessee in realisation of his share in net value of assets made to assessee in realisation of his share in net value of assets made to assessee in realisation of his share in net value of assets of firm on his retirement are not liable to be taxed as capital gains of firm on his retirement are not liable to be taxed as capital gains of firm on his retirement are not liable to be taxed as capital gains and also under section 28(v). and also under section 28(v). 7.2.5. Respectfully following the judgments of the 7.2.5. Respectfully following the judgments of the Hon'ble Supreme Hon'ble Supreme Court and the jurisdictional High Court and ITAT (supra), I am of Court and the jurisdictional High Court and ITAT (supra), I am of Court and the jurisdictional High Court and ITAT (supra), I am of the view that the amount received by the assessee at the time of the view that the amount received by the assessee at the time of the view that the amount received by the assessee at the time of retirement from the firm is not liable to be taxed as capital gains in retirement from the firm is not liable to be taxed as capital gains in retirement from the firm is not liable to be taxed as capital gains in the hands of the retiring partner. Fur the hands of the retiring partner. Further, it is held that the ther, it is held that the disallowance of exemption u/s 54F is incorrect in view of disallowance of exemption u/s 54F is incorrect in view of disallowance of exemption u/s 54F is incorrect in view of discussion as above. Therefore, the grounds of appeal stands discussion as above. Therefore, the grounds of appeal stands discussion as above. Therefore, the grounds of appeal stands allowed.”
4. Despite notifying none attended on behalf of the assessee. Despite notifying none attended on behalf of the assessee. Despite notifying none attended on behalf of the assessee.
We We have have heard heard submission of submission of the the Ld. Ld. Departmental Representative (DR). R . Relying on the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme elying on the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the Ld. CIT(A) has held that share of capital along with Court, the Ld. CIT(A) has held that share of capital along with Court, the Ld. CIT(A) has held that share of capital along with accrued profit, goodwill, brokerage/commission and payment made accrued profit, goodwill, brokerage/commission and payment made accrued profit, goodwill, brokerage/commission and payment made to the assessee at the time of realization of to the assessee at the time of realization of his share in net value of his share in net value of assets of the firm is not liable to be taxed as capital gains. But the assets of the firm is not liable to be taxed as capital gains. But the assets of the firm is not liable to be taxed as capital gains. But the fact that whether said residential flat was given as part of her share fact that whether said residential flat was given as part of her share fact that whether said residential flat was given as part of her share of the capital on retirement has not been verified before the retirement has not been verified before the retirement has not been verified before the Assessing Officer. Therefo Assessing Officer. Therefore, in facts and circumstances of the case, re, in facts and circumstances of the case, we restore the matter back to the file of the Assessing Officer for we restore the matter back to the file of the Assessing Officer for we restore the matter back to the file of the Assessing Officer for verification whether the residential flat allotted to the assessee was verification whether the residential flat allotted to the assessee was verification whether the residential flat allotted to the assessee was part of the payment received on retirement or was a separate part of the payment received on retirement or was a separate part of the payment received on retirement or was a separate transaction and then decide the issue in and then decide the issue in dispute in accordance with dispute in accordance with law, following the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court cited by ollowing the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court cited by ollowing the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court cited by the Ld. CIT(A). The grounds of appeal of the Revenue are the Ld. CIT(A). The grounds of appeal of the Revenue are the Ld. CIT(A). The grounds of appeal of the Revenue are accordingly allowed for statistical purposes. accordingly allowed for statistical purposes.
Jayshree Shailesh Savla 5 ITA No. 2304/MUM/2024
In the result, the appeal o In the result, the appeal of the Revenue is allowed for f the Revenue is allowed for statistical purposes.
Order pronounced in the open Court on nounced in the open Court on 31/07/2024. /07/2024.