CHATTERJEE MANAGEMENT SERVIVES PVT. LTD.,KOLKATA vs. THE DCIT, CIR-8, KOLKATA, KOLKATA

PDF · subscribers
ITA 1333/KOL/2016Status: DisposedITAT Kolkata15 December 2017AY 2005-20064 pages
AI SummaryPartly Allowed

What did the Tribunal hold?

The Tribunal found that while some disallowance was justified, the percentages made by the AO and confirmed by the CIT(A) were on the higher side. Therefore, the disallowance for travel and conveyance expenses was reduced from 20% to 10%, and for office expenses from 10% to 5%.

What were the facts?

The assessee, engaged in consultancy services, claimed travel and conveyance expenses, including a portion for the director. The Assessing Officer (AO) disallowed 20% of the director's expense due to lack of substantiation, which was upheld by the CIT(A). Similarly, for office expenses, the AO disallowed 10% due to a significant increase compared to the previous year and lack of details.

What were the issues?

Whether the disallowance of travel/conveyance and office expenses made by the AO and confirmed by the CIT(A) was justified, and if not, to what extent the disallowance should be reduced.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 143(1),Section 143(3)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, KOLKATA BENCH “A” KOLKATA

Before: Shri Veeravalli Durga Rao & Shri Waseem Ahmed

आदेश /O R D E R PER Veravalli Durga Rao, Judicial Member:- This appeal filed by the assessee is directed against the order passed by of Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-15, Kolkata in appeal No.179/CIT(A)-15/15-16/Cir-8/R&T/Kol dated 21.03.2016. 2. Facts in brief are that assessee is in the business of consultancy services, filed return of income declaring total loss at ₹2,35,95,212/-. The return of income filed by assessee was processed u/s 143(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’) after following due procedure assessment is completed u/s. 143(3) of the Act.

1.

A.Y. 2005-06 C.M.S.P. Ltd. Vs. DCIT, Cir-8 Kol. Page 2 3. During the course of assessment proceedings, the Assessing Officer has observed that assessee has claimed travel and conveyance expenses of ₹20,59,268/- includes a sum of ₹7,23,054/- is expense incurred for the director. The assessee has not filed any bill & vouchers etc. The AO of the opinion that above expenses are personal in nature in the absence of details 20% of ₹7,23,054/- i.e. ₹1,44,620/- being disallowed.

4.

On appeal before Ld. CIT(A) the Ld. CIT(A) has confirmed the order of AO.

5.

Before us Ld. counsel for the assessee has submitted that all the bills and vouchers file before AO without examining the simply the AO has disallowed 20% of the expense incurred by the assessee which are for the purpose of business and same is confirmed by Ld. CIT(A) without any basis. Ld. DR has submitted that no details were filed before the AO even before Ld. CIT(A). He strongly supported the order passed by Authorities Below.

6.

We have heard both the parties and perused the record and gone through the order of Authorities Below. We find that assessee has incurred conveyance expense of ₹7,23,054/- and before AO assessee is not able to substantiate that these expenses are incurred fully for the purpose of business. Therefore, the AO has disallowed 20% of the expense incurred by assessee by considering it as personal expense. Ld. CIT(A) confirmed the order of AO subsequently. We find that by taking into consideration of entire facts and circumstance of the case and in the interest of justice the disallowance made by AO is higher side under the same is scaled down to 10%. Accordingly, we set aside the order passed by Ld. CIT(A). The ground of appeal is allowed partly. AO is directed accordingly.

7. Next ground relates to office expense. A.Y. 2005-06 C.M.S.P. Ltd. Vs. DCIT, Cir-8 Kol. Page 3 8. In the assessment order, the AO has observed that assessee has incurred a sum of ₹17,00,719/- towards office management as against the expense of ₹6,00,105/- incurred in preceding previous year which is approximately three times where the consultancy fee received has been increased only 60% from the preceding year. The assessee has not submitted any details or cogent bills. In the absence of details, the AO of the opinion that the entire expense incurred by assessee cannot be considered for the purpose of assessee’s business. Therefore, he is disallowed 10% of total expense of ₹17,00,719/- is being disallowed i.e. ₹1,70,172- being in personal nature.

9. An appeal before Ld. CIT(A) confirmed the order of AO

10. Before us Ld. counsel for assessee has submitted that so far as the order to consider the assessee has received a fee which is 60% more than the earlier year. Therefore the assessee has to incur more expense to increase the business of assessee. This fact is not disputed by the AO. The case of assessee before AO is that some of the expense must have incurred for personal purpose and therefore he has disallowed 10% of the expense incurred submitted that entire expense by the assessee are related to only business of assessee and same may be allowed. On the other hand, Ld. DR has submitted that has not filed any details before AO even before Ld. CIT(A). Therefore, he confirmed the order of AO.

11.

We have heard both the sides and gone through facts and circumstances of the case. We find that assessee had incurred an expense for the purpose of office expense which is connected with the business of assessee and there is increase of consultancy fee received is more than 60% in this year under consideration comparatively earlier year. The case of the Assessing Officer is that assessee has not filed any details in respect of expense incurred by the assessee. Therefore, he is of the opinion that there is A.Y. 2005-06 C.M.S.P. Ltd. Vs. DCIT, Cir-8 Kol. Page 4 possibility of incurring personal expense. Therefore it is disallowe 10% of the total expense incurred by the assessee and same is confirmed by Ld. CIT(A). We have considered the facts and circumstances and we are of the opinion that disallowance made by the AO is higher side. Therefore, we scale down the disallowance made by AO from 10% to 5%. In view of the above, we set aside the order passed by Ld. CIT(A). The ground raised by assessee is partly allowed. AO is directed accordingly.

Recent GST High Court judgments

Search GST case law →