SARASWATHI VENKATARAMAN,CHENNAI vs. ITO, CHENNAI
What did the Tribunal hold?
The Tribunal held that for determining the fair market value (FMV) of the land as on 01.04.1981, the average of the estimated guideline value and the fair market value as valued by the Registered Valuer appears to be reasonable and justified, as both parties have agreed for such estimation. The Tribunal noted that the AO's adopted value of Rs. 11.45 per sq.ft. was the guideline value and not the fair market value, and it was significantly lower than the fair market value. The Registered Valuer's valuation of Rs. 54 per sq.ft. was based on a transaction and adjustments. Considering these factors, the Tribunal directed the Assessing Officer to adopt Rs. 35 per sq.ft. as the FMV as on 01.04.1981 and re-compute the capital gains. Accordingly, Grounds Nos. 2 & 3 of the assessee were partly allowed. Regarding Ground No. 4, concerning the additional cost of construction, the Tribunal held that the Valuation Report submitted by the assessee valued the entire superstructure. Since no separate valuation was made for the additional construction, it was implied that the cost of construction was included in the valuer's overall valuation. Allowing it separately would amount to double deduction. Therefore, this ground of appeal was dismissed. The Tribunal did not expressly leave any issue undecided.
What were the facts?
This appeal by the assessee, Ms. Saraswathi Venkatraman, is against the order of the CIT(Appeals)-2, Chennai, for Assessment Year 2010-11. The dispute concerns the computation of long-term capital gains arising from the sale of a property on 12.09.2009 for Rs. 6.00 crores. The assessee, a co-owner with a 25% share, claimed the fair market value (FMV) of the land as on 01.04.1981 at Rs. 54 per sq.ft., based on a valuer's report. The Assessing Officer (AO) referred the valuation to the Sub-Registrar, who provided guideline values. The AO adopted an average of these guideline values, resulting in an FMV of Rs. 11.45 per sq.ft. The CIT(Appeals) upheld the AO's computation. The assessee also claimed a deduction for additional construction cost incurred in FY 1991-92, which was rejected by both the AO and CIT(Appeals).
What were the issues?
1. Whether the Tribunal had to decide on the correctness of the CIT(Appeals)'s sustaining the computation of long-term capital gains made by the Assessing Officer without proper justification, as per Section 254 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 2. Whether the Tribunal had to decide on the CIT(Appeals)'s error in confirming the value of the land measuring 5954 sq.ft. at Rs. 11.45 per sq.ft. as on 01.04.1981, against the assessee's claim of Rs. 54 per sq.ft. based on a valuer's report, and whether the guideline value fixed by the registrar is the sole factor, as per Section 48 and Section 55 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 3. Whether the Tribunal had to decide on the CIT(Appeals)'s erroneous holding that the AO considered the whole value of the building, even though the valuation report covered only the building as on 01.04.1981, and whether the assessee is eligible for deduction of 1/4th of the cost of construction of Rs. 2,67,888/- for additions made in 1991-92 with indexation, as per Section 48 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Assessee's Contentions: - The AO incorrectly adopted the average of two guideline values from the Sub-Registrar's office for arriving at the FMV as on 01.04.1981, instead of accepting the Registered Valuer's report of Rs. 54 per sq.ft. - There is always a difference between guideline value and fair market value, and guideline value cannot be the fair market value. Relied on [2013] 30 taxmann.com 130 (Cochin-Trib) in Shri R. Vidhyadharan v. DCIT and CIT v. J. Chelladurai [2012] 17 taxmann.com 73 (Mad). - The assessee incurred additional cost of construction of Rs. 2,67,888/- for 576 sq.ft. in 1991-92 and should be allowed the indexed cost of construction for her 1/4 share. Revenue's Contentions: - The AO allowed the cost of construction as per the Valuation Report produced by the assessee in the Assessment Order, and no further additional cost of construction is required. - The additional cost of construction was already considered by the Registered Valuer while valuing the property, and allowing it separately would amount to double allowance.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
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discussed in the Assessment Order. Both are the estimated values, but not on the basis of any actual transaction. In the circumstance, we hold that the average of the estimated guideline value and the fair market value (as valued by the Registered Valuer) appears to be reasonable and justified and both the parties have agreed for such estimation.
Accordingly, we hold that Rs.35/- per sq.ft. is reasonable estimate for valuing the land of 5954 sq.ft. This view also supported by Hon’ble Jurisdictional High Court order in the case of Shri J. Chelladurai cited supra. Accordingly, we direct the Assessing Officer to adopt the rate of Rs.35/- per sq.ft as on 01.04.1981 as FMV and re-compute the capital gains. Ground Nos.2 & 3 of the assessee are partly allowed.
7.0 Ground No.4 is related to the additional cost of construction of Rs.2,67,888/- for 576 sq.ft. carried out in the FY 1981-82. The assessee :-6 -: claimed 1/4th of the additional cost of construction. For construction of 576 sq.ft. in 1991-92, the assessee’s share 1/4th being worked out to Rs.66,972/-. The Assessing Officer rejected the claim of the assessee for non-submission of the documentary evidence. The Ld. CIT(Appeals) confirmed the order of the Assessing Officer. The CIT (Appeals) observed that in the absence of bills and vouchers, it is not possible to accept the entries in the Books of Accounts submitted by the assessee.
8.0 Aggrieved by the order of the Ld. CIT(Appeals), the assessee appealed before us.
Appearing for the assessee, the Ld. AR argued that the assessee has incurred additional cost of construction of Rs.2,67,888/- for construction of 576 sq.ft. in 1991 and the assessee should be allowed the indexed cost of construction for her 1/4th share from the FY 1991-92. In support of the assessee’s claim, the AR produced the note book containing the details of cost of construction and building plan approvals which were produced before the Assessing Officer and pleaded to allow the additional cost of construction.
9.0 On the other hand, the Ld. DR argued that the Assessing Officer has allowed the cost of construction as per the Valuation Report produced by the assessee in the Assessment Order and hence no further additional
ITA No.1985/Mds/2016 :-7 -: cost of construction required to be allowed. According to the Ld.DR, the additional cost of construction was already considered by the Registered Valuer while valuing the property and allowing the additional cost of construction separately tantamount to double allowance of same expenditure. Therefore, the Ld.DR vehemently opposed the contentions of the representative of the assessee.
10.0 We heard the rival submissions and perused the material placed on record.
The assessee has submitted the Valuation Report from Shri P.S.H.Y.
Raju, a Registered Valuer, who has valued the entire super structure of the building at Rs.6,02,135/-. No separate valuation was made by the Registered Valuer from whom the assessee has submitted Valuation Report. Therefore, it was implied that the cost of construction of the building was included in the valuation made by the Valuer. Any further allowance amounts to double deduction of the same amount. The Assessing Officer duly considered the value of the building as per Valuation Report also. Therefore, we are of the considered opinion that no separate deduction needs to be allowed on account of additional cost of construction relating to 576 sq.ft. claimed by the assessee. Accordingly, this ground of the appeal is dismissed. :-8 -: 11.0 In the result, the appeal of the assessee is partly allowed.
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