DHARMIK EXIM P.LTD,MUMBAI vs. ITO RG 9(1)(3), MUMBAI

This appeal filed by the assessee on 28.12.2015 is against the order of the CIT (A)-20, Mumbai dated 26.11.2015 for the assessment year 2007-2008. In this appeal, assessee raised the following grounds which read as under:- “1. The Ld CIT (A) has erred in disallowing Godown Rent Income amounting to Rs. 6,80,000/- and treating the same as Income From Other Sources, instead of Income from House Property and thus denying deduction u/s 24 of the Act.

At the outset, Ld Representatives of both the parties brought my attention to the Apex Court judgment Chennai Properties & Investments Ltd vs. CIT in CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4494 OF 2004, dated 9.4.2015, which originated from the judgment of the Hon‟ble Madras High Court in the case of CIT vs. Chennai Properties & Investments Ltd (2004) 266 ITR 685 (Mad.), which is relevant for the proposition that assessee, as owner of the building, was only exploiting the property as owner by leasing out the same and realising income by way of rent, and therefore, the rental was assessable under the head „income from house property‟ and not as „business income‟. It is prayed by both the parties that the issue may be remanded for fresh adjudication in the light of above cited judgment.

Considering the agreed position of Ld Representatives of both the parties for remanding the matter, I am of the opinion, the matter is required to be remanded to the file of the AO for deciding both the issues afresh ie proper head of income for taxing (i) rental income received from the house property and (ii) car hiring charges received by the assessee, in the light of the above cited judgment and on comparison with the facts of the present case. I order accordingly and AO is directed to grant a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the assessee as per the principles of natural justice. Thus, the grounds raised