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Facts
M/s Varun Resources Limited failed to get its accounts audited under Section 44AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961, for AY 2017-18, despite its turnover exceeding Rs. 1 crore, leading to a penalty of Rs. 1,50,000/- u/s 271B. The company was under liquidation since 2018, and the CIT(A) dismissed the assessee's appeal, deeming it infructuous due to the ongoing liquidation process.
Held
The Tribunal held that the provisions of the IBC Code, 2016, prevail over the Income Tax Act, 1961, limiting the Income Tax authorities' jurisdiction to assess tax dues but not allowing recovery during moratorium. The CIT(A) erred by dismissing the appeal without adjudicating on merits. Consequently, the Tribunal set aside the CIT(A)'s order and restored the case for fresh adjudication on merits after providing the assessee an opportunity of hearing.
Key Issues
The key issues were whether the IBC 2016 overrides the Income Tax Act 1961 regarding assessment and penalty proceedings against a company under liquidation, and if the CIT(A) erred in not adjudicating the appeal on merits due to the ongoing liquidation process.
Sections Cited
Section 271B of the Income Tax Act, 1961, Section 44AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961, Section 143(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, Section 446 of the Companies Act, 1956, Section 238 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, Section 178(6) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, Section 14 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, Section 33(1) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, Section 33(5) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, Section 147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, Section 144 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, Section 69A of the Income Tax Act, 1961
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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ‘ F ‘ BENCH
आदेश / O R D E R PER SUNIL KUMAR SINGH (J.M): 1. This appeal has been preferred against the impugned order dated 30.10.2023 passed by learned CIT (A) in appeal no. ,NFAC/2016–17/10066801, for the Assessment Year 2017–18, wherein learned CIT(A) has dismissed assessee’s appeal against the penalty order
2 ITA No 4517/MUM/2023. M/s. Varun Resources Limited, dated 29.12.2021 passed under section 271 B of the income tax act 1961, hereinafter referred to as an 'Act’. On account of assessee’s failure to get its accounts audited u/s. 44AB of the Act. 2. The brief facts leading to the appeal state that the assessee filed its return of income electronically on 28.11.2017 for the Assessment year 2017–18, declaring a total loss of Rs. 47,06,21,218/–. The case was selected for scrutiny under CASS. The assessment was completed Under Section 143(3) of the Act at a loss of Rs. 45267456/– on 25.12.2018. Authorities under the Act learnt from the website of ministry of Corporate affairs that the assessee was under liquidation before the NCLT during the course of assessment proceedings. It was also learnt that assessee’s turnover was Rs. 2481251472/– for the relevant Assessment year 2017–18. The assessee company was found to have failed to get his accounts audited as required Under Section 44AB of the Act as its turnover exceeded one crore. Hence, the penalty of Rs. 1,50,000/– was imposed vide order dated 29.12.2021 u/s. 271B of the Act. Assessee went in appeal before CIT(A) who dismissed assessee’s appeal as not
3 ITA No 4517/MUM/2023. M/s. Varun Resources Limited, maintainable and having become infructuous due to the pendency of liquidation process. This led the Assessee/through liquidator to approach this Tribunal. 3. The appellant/assessee has filed this appeal on the following grounds: “A. On the facts and circumstances of the case, Commissioner of Income Tax- Appeals (the CIT Appeals) erred in levying the penalty of Rs. 1,50,000/- u/s 271B as the assesse has failed to get its books audited u/s 44AB. B. The learned CIT Appeals and AO erred in not appreciating the fact that: i. The company is under liquidation process under IBC Code, 2016 since 4th December, 2018. ii. The official liquidator is in charge of all the legal proceedings as well as affairs of the company. iii. CIT Appeals and AO were aware of the fact that the assesse was under liquidation still went on with levying the penalty. iv. As per IBC Code 2016 and also specific order passed by NCLT, Mumbai no proceedings can proceed on the assesse under liquidation. v. Therefore the order passed is bad in law. C. The appellant, therefore, prays that penalty order may please be quashed.” 4. In response to the notice issued by the tribunal, Learned Representative for the department appeared and participated in the hearing of the case. 5. We have gone through the materials available on record and Heard learned representatives for both the parties. 6. The following points are to be determined under appeal.
4 ITA No 4517/MUM/2023. M/s. Varun Resources Limited, I. Whether, the provisions of the IBC code 2016 would prevail over the Income Tax Act 1961, and if so to what extent? II. Whether learned CIT(A) erred in not adjudicating the issue on merit, merely because of the pendency of the liquidation process against the assessee corporate debtor? III. Whether assessee is entitled to any relief? 7. At the very outset, it is pertinent to mention that all the Income Tax Authorities had knowledge of the fact that the appellant assessee/corporate debtor was admitted into corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) vide order dated 14.06.2017 passed by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Mumbai bench (NCLT is an adjudicating authority under IBC). Mr. Sanjeev maheshwari was appointed as Interim Resolution professional. Due to non approval of Resolution Plan by the committee of creditors within the statutory period, adjudicating authority passed liquidation order dated 04.12.2018 under section 33(1) of the IBC in respect of the assessee/Corporate debtor.
5 ITA No 4517/MUM/2023. M/s. Varun Resources Limited, 8. Learned representative for the assessee has submitted that since liquidator was appointed on 4th December, 2018 by NCLT, no legal proceedings could be initiated subsequent there to. He has referred Deutsche Bank vs S.P.Kala Official Liquidator of Sea, ,[1990]67COMPCAS474(BOM). The relevant para 6 reads as under: “………Section 446 of the Companies Act provides that, when a winding up order is made or the official liquidator is appointed as provisional liquidator, no suit or legal proceedings should be commenced or if pending on the date of the winding, winding-up order, shall be proceeded with, against the company, Except with the leave of the court and subject to such terms as may be imposed. Sub-section (2) further lays down that the court which is winding-up the company shall, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law in force, have jurisdiction to entertain or dispose of, inter alia, any suit or proceeding by or against the company, whether such suit or proceeding has been instituted or is instituted. A careful examination of these provisions of law makes it clear that once a winding-up order is made or the official liquidator is appointed as provisional liquidator, no proceedings can continue or be instituted against the company without the permission of the court……….” 9. Learned Representative for the revenue department has submitted that no leave of the adjudicating authority is necessary to be obtained by the Revenue Department in respect of assessment proceedings. He has referred Official Liquidator, High Court,…Vs Commissioner of
6 ITA No 4517/MUM/2023. M/s. Varun Resources Limited, Income Tax, West Bengal, AIR 1970 CAL349, in support of his arguments. The relevant para 49a read as under: “49a. Assessment proceedings and recovery proceedings, although both are proceedings under the Income-tax Act, do not, to my mind, stand on the same footing in so far as leave under Section 446(1) of the Companies Act, 1956 is concerned. So long as the duty of assessment is not performed, the right to recover does not arise at all. Assessment validly done in accordance with the provisions of the Income-tax Act is the only way of creating a debt in favour of the Department and does not affect the assets and properties of the company or the scheme of administration thereof or the winding up of the company in any way. When any debt for payment of taxes arises on an assessment, it is open to the Department to prove the debt in liquidation, claim payment thereof and the debt of the Department will be paid in the same manner as the debt of other creditors of the same class) It may also be open to the Department to seek to enforce its right of recovery of the debt in accordance with the provisions of the Income-tax Act. But the right to enforce recovery by taking recourse to recovery proceeding against the assets of the company in liquidation is and cannot be an unfettered right. This right to recover in enforcement of the recovery proceedings under the Income-tax Act is controlled by Section 446(1) of the Companies Act, 1956 and is subject to necessary leave of Court,……..” 10. It is true that the IBC is more recent statute. Section 238 of IBC reads as under: “238. Provision of this Code to override other laws.- The Provisions of this Code shall have effect, notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being in force or any instrument having effect by virtue of any such law.” 11. The non–obstante clause in the above referred Section 238 clarifies that the IBC Code shall have the
7 ITA No 4517/MUM/2023. M/s. Varun Resources Limited, effect of overriding the provisions of other laws. Section 178 of the Act makes provision in respect of the ‘company in liquidation’. The relevant Section 178(6) of the Income Tax Act reads as under: “(1)………………. (2)………………… (3)…………………. (4)…………………. (5)………………….. (6) The provisions of this section shall have effect notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other law for the time being in force [except the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016].” 12. Above referred Sub Section 6 of Section 178 of the Act was amended by Section 247 r/w 3rd schedule of IBC with effect from 01.11.2016. This provision makes it clear that IBC code will override the provisions of Income Tax Act 1961. The three judges bench of Hon’ble Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 7667 of 2021, Sundaresh Bhatt, Liquidator of ABC Shipyard V. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, vide order dated 26.08.2022, has held that the respondent could only initiate assessment or re–assessment of the duties and other levies, once a moratorium is imposed in terms of Section 14 or 33(5) of the IBC as the case may be, the
8 ITA No 4517/MUM/2023. M/s. Varun Resources Limited, respondent authority, only has limited jurisdiction to assess/determine the quantum of the customs duty and other levies. The respondent authority does not have the power to initiate recovery of dues. Liquidator has an obligation to ensure that assessment is legal and he has been provided with sufficient power to question any assessment if he finds the same to be excessive. 13. We accordingly, on the basis of aforesaid binding precedent, hold that the provisions of IBC 2016 would prevail over the Income Tax Act. However, Income Tax authorities have limited jurisdiction to assess/determine the quantum of Income Tax dues, but have no authority to initiate recovery of such dues at its own during the period of moratorium in violation of Section 14 or 33(5) of the IBC. The Income Tax Authorities are like any other creditor, may stake their claim before liquidator in the statutory limitation period provided under the IBC. The first point is accordingly determined in positive in favour of the assessee.
9 ITA No 4517/MUM/2023. M/s. Varun Resources Limited, 14. Secondly, in view of the findings given at point no.1, it is easily concluded that Learned CIT(A) has erred in not adjudicating the matter which was with respect to the determination of tax dues only, more so, when the liquidator, himself, was pursuing the matter. The second point is accordingly determined in positive in favour of the assessee and against the revenue department. 15. Now coming thirdly and lastly on the merits of the case, learned CIT(A) has not adjudicated the issues involved before him on merit despite no legal impediments. The learned representative of the assessee company has filed electronically generated copy of the order dated 02.04.2024, passed against the reassessment order dated 17.05.2023 passed u/s. 147 r.w.s 144 of the Income Tax Act for the relevant Assessment Year 2017–18, wherein the part of additions were not found sustainable due to moratorium imposed upon the appellant corporate debtor u/s. 33(5) of IBC. This apart, part of additions u/s. 69A of the Act have also not been adjudicated. This submission of appellant is not fruitful in view of our findings recorded at point No. 1 in respect of the fact that the income tax
10 ITA No 4517/MUM/2023. M/s. Varun Resources Limited, authorities are not barred from determining the tax dues during the moratorium imposed upon the appellant assessee/corporate debtor in terms of section 14 or section 33(5) of the IBC 2016. In view of our finding given at point No. 1 and 2 above, the case deserves to be restored back to the file of learned CIT(A). It is clarified that we have not made any observations in respect of the merits of the case. The appeal is liable to be partially allowed. 16. In the result, the appeal is partially allowed. The impugned order dated 30.10.2023, is set aside. The case is restored back to the file of learned CIT(A) for passing order afresh on merit in accordance with law after affording an opportunity of hearing to the appellant assessee/corporate debtor. Order pronounced on 27.05.2024.
Sd/– Sd/– (OM PRAKASH KANT) (SUNIL KUMAR SINGH) ACCOUNTANT MEMBER JUDICIAL MEMBER Mumbai; Dated 27/05/2024 Anandi Nambi, steno
11 ITA No 4517/MUM/2023. M/s. Varun Resources Limited, Copy of the Order forwarded to : 1. The Appellant 2. The Respondent. 3. CIT 4. DR, ITAT, Mumbai 5. Guard file. //True Copy//
BY ORDER,
(Asstt. Registrar) ITAT, Mumbai