M/S BIGWIG MOTORS PVT LTD, NAGPUR vs. INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD -1(1), NAGPUR

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ITA 106/NAG/2020Status: DisposedITAT Nagpur09 May 2024AY 2013-14Bench: SHRI SATBEER SINGH GODARA (Judicial Member)4 pages
AI SummaryRemanded

What did the Tribunal hold?

The Tribunal held that the issue of interest disallowance needed to be re-decided by the Assessing Officer. The assessee was directed to plead and prove all relevant facts regarding its fund position of interest-free versus non-interest-bearing funds.

What were the facts?

The assessee appealed against the disallowance of interest expenses under Section 36(1)(iii) of the Income Tax Act. The assessee argued that sufficient interest-free funds were available to cover the loans and advances in question.

What were the issues?

Whether the disallowance of interest expenses under Section 36(1)(iii) was justified, considering the availability of interest-free funds with the assessee.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 36(1)(iii),Section 143(3)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, NAGPUR “SMC” BENCH :NAGPUR [VIRTUAL HEARING]

Before: SHRI SATBEER SINGH GODARA

Hearing: 18.03.2024Pronounced: 09.05.2024

Date of Hearing : 18.03.2024 Date of Pronouncement : 09.05.2024 ORDER

This assessee’s appeal for assessment year 2013-14, arises against the CIT(A)-1, Nagpur, Nagpur's Order No.CIT(A)- 1/ 245/2015-16, dated 24.08.2020, in proceedings u/s.143(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (in short “the Act”).

Heard both the parties. Case file perused.

2.

The assessee pleads the following substantive grounds in the instant appeal :

1.

“The order passed U/s. 143(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961

is illegal, invalid and bad in law. 2. On the facts and circumstances the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-1, Nagpur erred in disallowances of interest expenses U/s.36(1)(iii) of Rs.27,92,725/-

2 ITA.No.106/NAG./2020 disallowed by assessing officer Rs.50,84,070/-, therefore order passed is unjustified, unwarranted and excessive.

3.

On the facts and circumstances the learned Commissioner

of Income Tax (Appeals)-1, Nagpur erred in not considering the total interest free loans and trade advances of Rs.1,11,73,053/- and without considering the same disallowance of interest expenses restricted at Rs.27,92,725/- is unjustified, unwarranted and excessive.

4.

On the facts and circumstances the learned Commissioner

of Income Tax (Appeals)-1, Nagpur ought have accepted interest free loans and advances available with the assessee at Rs.1,11,73,053/- and without considering the same the disallowance of interest expenses U/s.36(1) (iii) and restriction to Rs.27,92,725/- are unjustified, unwarranted and excessive.

5. On the facts and circumstances the learned Commissioner

of Income Tax (Appeals)-1, Nagpur ought to have considered loan and advances given to the directors and their associates and sister concerns for business purpose at Rs.2,16,60,415/- were out of interest free funds, therefore disallowances of interest expenses is unjustified, unwarranted and excessive.

6.

The appellant denies liability on interest U/s. 234A, 234B

and 234C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, without prejudice

3 ITA.No.106/NAG./2020 the levy of interest is unjustified, unwarranted and excessive.

7.

The appellant seeks permission to add any other ground of appeal or amend or alter the aforesaid ground of appeal at the time of hearing of the appeal.”

3. It is thus clear that the assessee’s sole substantive grievance herein seeks to reverse both the lower authorities action making sec.36(1)(iii) interest disallowance of Rs.39,60,622/- as restricted to Rs.27,92,725/- in the CIT(A)'s order. Learned counsel’s sole substantive argument is that the assessee was having much more non-interest bearing funds than the loans and advances in question which allegedly had been used for non-business purposes. This being the assessee’s case, I am of the considered opinion that the instant issue deserves to be re-decided by the learned Assessing Officer in light of the assessee’s fund position of his interest free vis-à-vis non-interest bearing ones, preferably within three effective opportunities of hearing. Learned DR’s vehement arguments supporting the same in principle are accepted to this limited extent and the foregoing sole issue is restored back to the file of Assessing Officer with a rider that it shall be the assessee’s risk and responsibility only to plead and prove all the relevant facts in consequential proceedings.

Ordered accordingly.

4 ITA.No.106/NAG./2020 4. No other ground has been pressed.

5.

This assessee’s appeal is allowed for statistical purposes in above terms.

Order pronounced in the open Court on 09.05.2024.

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