THE TEA TRADE ASSOCIATION OF COCHIN,KOCHI vs. THE DCIT EXEMPTION , KOCHI

The sole substantive grievance of the assessee before us is denial of exemption claimed u/s.10 of the Act and in the alternate not granting deduction of 15% u/sec.11(1)(a).

We find that the assessee is a Trade organisation duly registered u/sec.12A of the Act. In the ITR the assessee claimed exemption u/sec.10 for Rs.13,83,000/- on ‘Doctrine of Mutuality’ received in respect of membership subscription(s) and admission fees. The CPC denied the claim solely for not mentioning the relevant section and further affirmed by the learned CIT(A). We find CBDT circular no.811/2008 dated 19.12.2008 reads as under :

“3.1. There are industry and trade associations who claim exemption from tax u/s.11 on the ground that their objects are for charitable purpose as these are covered under 'any other object of general public utility'.

Under the principle of mutuality, if trading takes place between persons who are associated together and contribute to a common fund for the financing of some venture or object and in this respect have no dealings or relations with any outside body, then any surplus returned to the persons forming such association is not chargeable to tax, in such cases, there must be complete identity between the contributors and the participants Therefore, where industry or trade associations claim both to be charitable institutions as well as mutual organizations and their activities are restricted to contributions from and participation of only their members, these would not fall under the purview of the proviso to section 2(15) owing to the principle of mutuality. However, if such organizations have dealings with non-members, their claim to be charitable organizations would now be governed by the additional conditions stipulated in the proviso to section 2 (15).”

On perusal of para 3.1 of the said CBDT’s order we find that the case of assessee is duly covered by the same and there being no fact placed by the Revenue, the amount deals with non-members, we are of the view that proviso to sec.2(15) shall not apply and the claim of assessee’s exemption u/sec.10 of the Act is allowable.

This assessee’s appeal is allowed in above terms.