SHRIRAM WEALTH ADVISORS LTD.,CHENNAI vs. DCIT, CHENNAI

This appeal of the assessee is directed against the order of the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) – 15, Chennai, dated 24.09.2015 and pertains to assessment year 2012- 13.

Shri R. Sivaraman, the Ld. counsel for the assessee, submitted that the first issue arises for consideration is with regard to disallowance of `35,852/- made under Section 14A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (in short "the Act") read with Rule 8D of the Income-tax Rules, 1962. The Ld. counsel submitted that the assessee has not received any dividend income during the assessment year under consideration and there was no fresh investment also. Even though the judgement of Delhi High Court in Chem Investments Limited v. CIT (234 Taxmann 761) and the judgement of Gujarat High Court in CIT v. Corrtect Energy Pvt. Ltd. (45 Taxmann.com 116) were brought to the notice of the authorities below, the Assessing Officer disallowed the claim of the assessee by applying third limb of Rule 8D(2) of the Income-Tax Rules, 1962.

On the contrary, Shri P. Radhakrishnan, the Ld. Departmental Representative, submitted that the Assessing Officer by applying third limb of Rule 8D(2) disallowed the amount equal to 0.5% of average value of investment, income from which does not or shall not form part of total income, as appearing in the balance sheet of the assessee on the first day and last day of the previous year. This computation made by the Assessing Officer was not found incorrect by the assessee, therefore, it is not correct to say that there was no investment during the year under consideration.

We have considered the rival submissions on either side and perused the relevant material available on record. It is a specific case of the assessee before this Tribunal that there was no investment during the year under consideration and there was no dividend income earned by the assessee. It is the case of the assessee that no expenditure was incurred to earn the dividend income. The Assessing Officer, however, computed the average investment and an amount equal to 0.5% of the same, the income from which does not form part of total income, and disallowed.

The next ground of appeal is with regard to credit for TDS for `33,536/-.

Shri R. Sivaraman, the Ld. counsel for the assessee, submitted that tax was deducted to the extent of `33,536/-.

We have heard Shri P. Radhakrishnan, the Ld. Departmental Representative also. The Ld. Departmental Representative has very fairly submitted that the Assessing Officer may be asked to verify the TDS credit and reconcile the TDS certificate and Form No.26AS and thereafter decide the issue in accordance with law.

We have considered the rival submissions on either side and perused the relevant material available on record. Tax deducted at source needs to be given credit as per the provisions of law in respect of the income which was offered for taxation. Therefore, it is for the assessee to reconcile the credit before the Assessing Officer. Therefore, the CIT(Appeals) has rightly directed the Assessing Officer to verify the TDS certificate and Form No.26AS and give due credit to the amount reflected therein after examination. Therefore, this Tribunal do not find any reason to interfere with the order of the lower authority and accordingly the same is confirmed.

In the result, the appeal of the assessee is partly allowed for statistical purpose.