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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ‘A’ BENCH, CHENNAI
Before: SHRI CHANDRA POOJARI & SHRI G. PAVAN KUMAR
आदेश / O R D E R PER G. PAVAN KUMAR, JUDICIAL MEMBER:
The appeals filed by the assessee are directed against common orders of the Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals)-VI,
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 2 -:
Chennai in ITA Nos 67, 65 & 66/11-12, Dated 28.03.2013 for the
assessment years 2006-07, 2007-08 & 2008-2009, passed u/s. 143(3)
and 250 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (herein after referred to as ‘the
Act’). The issues in these three appeals are common in nature,
hence these appeals are combined, heard together, and disposed off
by this common order for the sake of convenience.
We take up appeal of assessment year 2006-2007 for 2.
adjudication. The assessee company is in the business of Civil
contract works and engineering works and Return of income was filed
on 27.11.2006 with total loss of �76,15,506/- and the return was
processed u/s.143(1) of the Act on 26.03.2008. Subsequently, the
case was selected for scrutiny under CASS and notice u/s.143(2) was
issued. In compliance to the notice the ld. Authorised Representative
appeared from time to time and produced books of accounts for
verification. In the assessment proceedings, the Assessing Officer had
made disallowance and the same is dealt as under. On perusal of
Financial statements the assessee has provided information on
management fees, design fees and royalty fees payable to Non
residents and no TDS was deducted. But the ld. Assessing Officer by
applying provisions of Sec.40(a) added to the returned income. The
Assessing Officer dealt on the issue of deduction of TDS on
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reimbursement on cost of insurance and bank guarantee. The
assessee has incurred �82,17,897/- as Insurance premium payable to
VSL Switzerland during the current year and claimed as deduction and
it was submitted that in cases of reimbursement of expenses, the
provisions of Sec.40(a) of the Act are not applicable and in assessee’s
own case for the assessment year 2004-05 was allowed by
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) vide ITA No290/07-08, dated
06.03.2008. But ld. Assessing Officer by applying the decision of
Ashok Leyland Ltd, the Co-ordinate Bench of the Tribunal in ITA
No.1615/Mds/2006, Dated 3.1.2008 held that reimbursement of
expenses come within purview of Sec.195 of the Act and TDS is
required to be deducted on expenditure and made an addition of
�82,17,897/-. Similarly, the assessee claimed expenditure of
�11,33,565/- as Bank guarantee commission payable to Non Resident
Company M/s. VSL international Ltd and no TDS was deducted and
payment was towards reimbursement of expenses. The ld. Assessing
Officer based on decision of Ashok Leyland Ltd (supra) made an
addition. Aggrieved by the additions of the Assessing Officer, the
assessee filed an appeal before the Commissioner of Income Tax
(Appeals).
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 4 -:
2.1 The Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) in his order at
para No.4 gave direction to the Assessing Officer to allow the
payments claimed in respect of management fees, design fees and
royalty fees to VSL, Singapore where TDS paid in subsequent years.
On the issue of reimbursement of cost of insurance and bank
guarantee expenses, the company has contested the issue as it takes
the characteristic of reimbursement of cost by M/s.VSL India Ltd to
parent company and there is no element of profit or income which
attracts the provisions of TDS u/s.40(a)(i) of the Act. The ld.
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) deleted the addition.
Aggrieved by the deletion, the Revenue assailed an appeal before the
Tribunal.
2.2. Before us the ld. Departmental Representative argued that
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has erred in deleting the
disallowance made u/s.40(a)(i) of the Act on reimbursement on cost of
insurance and bank guarantee and further alleged that TDS needs to
be deducted when payments made to Non Resident and also relied on
decision of Co-ordinate Bench.
2.3 The ld. Authorised Representative contra to the submissions
of the ld. Departmental Representative argued that this is pure case
of reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of the company by
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parent company and was reimbursed on the basis of principle to
principle and there is no profit or income included for the application.
2.4 We after hearing the submissions of both the parties are of
the opinion that similar issue on re-imbursement of expenses was dealt
by the Co-ordinate Bench of Tribunal in assessee’s own case in ITA
No.1185/Mds/2008, Dated 24.06.2009 for the assessment year 2004-
05 and allowed in favour of the assessee. Respectfully following the
above decision, we upheld the order of Commissioner of Income Tax
(Appeals) on this ground.
The second ground raised by the Revenue is that 3.
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in allowing Professional
Tax of �51,059/- as deduction. The assessee company submitted that
Professional Tax paid is allowable as deduction vide Circular No.16
and 18/1969. But the ld. Authorised Representative could not
substantiate payments with any evidence whether expenditure is
incurred for the business and therefore, the Assessing Officer
disallowed the claim.
3.1 In the appellate proceedings, the Commissioner of Income
Tax (Appeals) has allowed the ground based on the applicability of
circular and considered that such professional tax is not personal and
directed the Assessing Officer to delete the addition.
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 6 -:
3.2 Before the Tribunal, the ld. Departmental Representative
has contested that the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has
erred in directing the Assessing Officer to delete the addition inspite of
assessee has not produced any documentary evidence and not
explained the nature of expenditure.
3.3. Contra, the ld. Authorised Representative submitted that
professional tax is pertaining to employee is deducted and paid to the
Government. Hence it is wholly and exclusively incurred for the
purpose of business and Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has
rightly allowed the deduction.
3.4 We are of the opinion that the ld. Authorised Representative
substantively argued that Professional Tax paid pertains to employees
but there is no supporting evidence filed before lower authorities or
before us. Considering the facts we are of the opinion that the matter
has to be verified by the Assessing Officer subject to assessee
producing required documents and proof in hearing proceedings and
we remit the issue back to the file of the Assessing Officer for
adjudication.
The third ground raised by the Department with regard to
interest paid on delayed payments of sales tax and service tax. In
hearing proceedings, the ld. Authorised Representative submitted that
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�18,51,471/- was wrongly added back and that should be allowed in
view of Supreme Court decision in the case of M/s.Swadeshi Cotton
Mills Company Ltd vs. CIT 223 ITR 1989 and M/s. Malwa Vanaspathi
and Chemical Company vs. CIT 225 ITR 383 as interest payment takes
the character of compensatory nature and be allowed. The ld.
Assessing Officer found that no evidence was produced and the
interest is penal in nature not compensatory considering the collection
of tax from clients and defaulted on payment of taxes to Government
not within the specified time is violation and made an addition.
4.1 The ld.CIT(A) based on the decisions relied by the assessee
in the assessment proceedings and submissions considered that
interest paid on delayed payment of taxes is not penal in nature but
only compensatory for the default of the assessee in not remitting the
taxes collected in time and directed the Assessing Officer to delete the
addition.
4.2 Before the Tribunal, the ld. Departmental Representative
has raised ground that the ld.CIT(A) has erred in deleting the interest
disallowance as compensatory in nature and also no opportunity was
provided to the Assessing Officer to verify the payments and argued
further that there is violation of Rule 46A of Income Tax Rules.
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 8 -:
4.3 On the other hand, the ld.AR reiterated it is as
compensatory in nature and relied on Commissioner of Income Tax
(Appeals) order.
4.4 We heard both the parties and perused the material on
record. We are of the opinion that Assessing Officer was not provided
with opportunity for verification of details filed before Commissioner of
Income Tax (Appeals) wherther the payments are of compensatory in
nature. Considering the circumstances, of violation of Rule 46A of
Income Tax Rules, we set aside this ground to the file of the Assessing
Officer for examination and assessee should produce details of sales
tax and service tax payments with proofs before Assessing Officer
passing the order on merits.
The fourth ground raised by the Department is with regard
to CIT(A) erred in deleting the disallowance of Deprecation and finance
charges of Managing Director’s Vehicle. The company has filed fixed
asset schedule and vehicles stood in the name of Managing Director
and was utilized for the purpose of business. In the assessment
proceedings, the Assessing Officer called for explanation how vehicles
are in the name of Managing Director and same cannot be part of the
asset of the company though shown in the fixed asset schedule. The
assessee company is maintaining the vehicle and claiming finance
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 9 -:
charges and deprecation on the vehicles. The ld. Authorised
Representative submitted that Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)
in assesees own case for the assessment year 2004-05 has deleted the
addition. But the Assessing Officer on the ground that the assessee
company is not the legal owner of the vehicle and transfer was not
been effected and disallowed finance charges and deprecation of
�1,00,198/-
5.1 The ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) based on the
right of the ownership of the vehicles reflected in the fixed asset
schedule of the company and the vehicles are used for the purpose of
business and maintenance expenditure was debited in the books of
accounts of the appellant company and further relied on the decision
of Mysore Minerals Ltd 239 ITR 175(SC) and Poddar Cements (1997)
227 ITR 625(SC) and allowed the claim.
5.2 Before the Tribunal, the ld. Departmental Representative
agitated his grounds on usage of vehicle though the vehicle is the
name of Managing Director, and reflected in Fixed Assets schedule,
the assessee is not a legal owner of the asset and no compliance of
necessary conditions for claiming depreciation u/s.32 of the Act.
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5.3 On the other hand, the ld. Authorised Representative relied
on the findings of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) and
submitted that vehicles are used exclusively for the purpose of
business and falls within commercial expediency.
5.4 We heard the submissions of both the parties. The assessee
company claimed deprecation and fiancés charges on vehicle used for
Business, though it was registered in the name of the Managing
Director. Similar issue was dealt in assessee’s own case in ITA
No.1185/Mds/2008, dated 24.06.2009 for assessment year 2004-05.
But before us no information was filed whether the same vehicle Block
was carried forwarded from earlier year or new vehicles was purchased
in financial year 2005-06. In the absence of information, we are of the
opinion that issue should be examined and we following the decision of
Jurisdictional High Court M/s. TamilNadu Diary Development
Corporation Ltd vs. CIT 239 ITR 142 remit the issue in dispute to the
file of Assessing Officer for verification.
The last ground raised by the Department that the
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in deleting the
disallowance made towards provision of gratuity of �4,54,497/-
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6.1 The assessee made a provision for gratuity of �4,54,497/- in
the hearing proceedings, the ld. Authorised Representative submitted
that it is an actual payment and not a provision and the Assessing
Officer called for the details of name and address to whom the
gratuity is paid. In reply the assessee submitted that said amount was
paid by cheque. The assessee was asked to submit proof that Group
Gratuity scheme was recognized but ld.AR relied on the Sec.36(1)(v)
of the Act were contribution towards approved Gratuity Fund is
allowed. Considering the facts, the assessee company has not created
any trust for Gratuity , the Assessing Officer disallowed the amount.
6.2 The Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) considered the
residual deduction u/s.37(1) of the Act and allowed the deduction.
Considering that the payment made for the welfare of employees
though not contributed to any approved Gratuity Fund. Since gratuity
payment is actual, the ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)
directed the Assessing Officer to delete the addition.
6.3 Before, the Tribunal the ld.DR argued that the Commissioner
of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in deleting the disallowance made
towards provision of Gratuity treating it as actual payment to the
employees but not contribution to approved Gratuity Fund.
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 12 -:
6.4 On the other hand, the ld. Authorised Representative
submitted that as actual payment made to the employees by Cheque
and details are available. Though the fund are not approved, such
expenditure is not of personal nature and to be allowed as deduction.
6.5 We are of the opinion that the Gratuity payment has to be
considered on actual payment the ld. Authorised Representative
emphasized that it is an actual payment but the Assessing Officer has
not verified due to non availability of information. We therefore remit
the issue back to the file of the Assessing Officer for verification and
allow the deduction on actual payment basis.
In the result, the appeal of the Department in ITA
No.1701/Mds/2013 is partly allowed for statistical purpose.
We take up ITA No.1702/Mds/2013, assessment year 2007-
2008 for adjudication:- The assessee filed return of income on
30.10.2007 admitting loss of �21,86,87,962/- and the return was
selected for scrutiny under CASS and notice u/s.143(2) was issued on
12.09.2008. In response to the notice, the ld. Authorised
Representative appeared from time to time and produced books of
accounts for verification and examination. The Assessing Officer upon
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verification made disallowance to the returned income with other
disallowances.
8.1 The first ground raised by the Revenue that the
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in deleting the
disallowance made towards foreseeable loss of �18,49,199/-.
8.2 The ld. Assessing Officer on perusal of balance sheet and
profit and loss account of the assessee company found that the
assessee has claimed foreseeable loss of �18,49,199/- and assessee’s
Authorised Representative submitted that company is following
accounting standard 7 for Accounting on construction contract and as
per Accounting standard each project is evaluated and probable
expected losses has to be provided in the books of accounts in respect
of incomplete contracts. Similarly applying guideline and Accounting
standards the assessee company has shown �18,49,199/- as
foreseeable loss. The Authorised Representative relied on decision of
Mumbai Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Jacobs Eng. India Pvt. Vs.
ACIT (AIT 2009-285-ITAT) which allowed foreseeable loss. The
Assessing Officer is of the opinion that foreseeable loss determined in
respect of incomplete contract as per the accounting standard 7 is
conclusively a provision and same cannot be allowed. Further, the
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decision of Mumabi Bench, has not reached finality and
distinguishable and made an addition.
8.3 In the appellate proceedings, the Commissioner of Income
Tax (Appeals) relied on the submission and decision of Metal Box Co.
India Ltd (73 ITR 83) (SC) and Mazagon Dock Ltd (29 SOT 356)
Mumbai which has considered the case of Jacob Engineering India (P)
Ltd (supra) the method of arriving the deduction was based upon a
bonafide method with the consequence of effecting the profit of
subsequent years. In assessee’s case foreseeable loss has been arrived
after evaluating the work in progress which will reduce automatically
in subsequent years. With the findings, the Commissioner of Income
Tax (Appeals) has directed the Assessing Officer to delete the
disallowance.
8.4 Before the Tribunal, the ld. Departmental Representative
reiterated his submissions on the ground that Commissioner of Income
Tax (Appeals) erred in deleting the deduction of foreseeable loss
without considering uncompleted works contract and the assessee
deferred income by claiming notional loss. The ld. Departmental
Representative has substantiated his arguments and relied on the
decision of Co-Ordinate Bench of the Tribunal in the case of EDAC
Engineering Ltd. vs. DCIT (Chennai) 141 ITD 231 and Shivshahi
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Punarvsan Prakalp Ltd. Vs. ITO (Mumbai) 135 ITD 51 and vehemently
argued that only actual expenditure has to be allowed but not the
provisions under Accounting standard 7.
8.5 Contra, the ld. Authorised Representative has substantiated
his arguments with the submission on disallowance by giving details of
working of the project of the company alongwith work status and also
foreseeable losses and relied on the decisions of CIT vs. Triveni
Engineering Industries Ltd.: 336 ITR 374 and CIT vs Bilahari
Investments P. Ltd. [2008] 299 ITR 1 (SC).
8.6 We have heard the rival submissions of both the parties
and perused the material on record and also judicial decisions cited.
The assessee has claimed foreseeable loss of �18,49,199/- based on
Accounting Standard 7 applicable to construction contracts and
evaluated projects and calculated expected loss provided in the books
of Accounts for uncompleted projects. The question arises whether the
claim is ascertained liability if so, such liability is determined due to
terms of contract or law and claimed in the books of Accounts and if it
is a contingent liability such liability shall depend entirely on the
outcome of completion of projects in future and also whether such
claim was offered as income in subsequent assessment years. In our
opinion, If it is ascertained liability, the following conditions shall be
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 16 -:
fulfilled. The contract work shall have been completed. The assessee
shall have received bill for completed work for payment. The assessee
must have accepted the bill for payment. The assessee shall have
provided for payments in the books of accounts. The assessee shall
have deducted TDS and paid the TDS to the Government account. For
these reasons we are of the opinion that the issue in dispute needs to
be examined and verified in accordance with the terms of contract and
conditions laid down as above. We therefore, remit the issue for
limited purposes to the file of the Assessing Officer and pass the order
after giving adequate opportunity of being heard to the assessee. This
ground of the Department is partly allowed for statistical purpose.
The second ground by the Revenue that the Commissioner
of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in deleting the disallowance on
deprecation on intangible assets.
9.1 The assessee company claimed deprecation on intangible
assets @60% as against 25% and Assessing Officer disallowed the
excess claim.
9.2 The ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) considering
the grounds, the intangible assets consists of software rights and is
part of computer and required for utilization of computer and
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 17 -:
deprecation is allowable @60% and accordingly, allowed the assessee
claim.
9.3 Before the Tribunal, the ld. Departmental Representative
submitted that the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in
allowing deprecation @60% on software rights and such software
rights are eligible for deprecation @25% only.
9.4 On the other hand, the ld. Authorised Representative argued
that software is integral part of computer and therefore higher
deduction is allowable.
9.5 We after considering the usage and rely on the decision of
Tribunal of Delhi Bench in the case of Sony India (P) Ltd vs. Addl. CIT
56 DTR 156 where it was held that license for use of computer
software is eligible for deprecation @25% only. Hence, we set aside
the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) on this issue
and confirm the Assessing Officer order. The Revenue ground in this
appeal is allowed.
The last ground raised by the Revenue in this appeal is that
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in deleting the
disallowance made u/s.40(a)(i) on reimbursement of cost of insurance.
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 18 -:
10.1 The assessee company incurred an expense of �94,53,941/-
as insurance premium paid to parent company (VSL, Switzerland)
during the current year. The Assessing Officer noticed that the amount
was not taken into account while computing the disallowance
u/s.40(a)(i) of the Act. The ld. Authorised Representative argued that
this sum should be allowed as the similar issue for the assessment
year 2004-2005 was considered by the Tribunal in assessee own case
in ITA No.1185/Mds/2008, Dated 24.06.2009. However, the Assessing
Officer disallowed the claim stating that the order of the Tribunal has
not reached finality, and added a sum of �94,53,941/-.
10.2 The Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) considered the
reimbursement of cost of insurance and the company has contested
the issue as it takes the characteristic of reimbursement of cost from
VSL India to parent company and there is no element of profit or
income which attracts the provisions of TDS u/s.40(a)(i) of the Act.
The ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) deleted the addition.
Aggrieved by the deletion, the Revenue assailed an appeal before the
Tribunal.
10.3 Before us the ld. Departmental Representative argued that
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has erred in deleting the
disallowance made u/s.40(a)(i) of the Act on reimbursement on cost of
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 19 -:
insurance and alleged that TDS needs to be deducted when payments
made to Non Resident and Assessing Officer has considered the Co-
ordinate Bench decision and distinguished and not followed.
10.4 Before us, ld. Authorised Representative contra to the
submissions of the ld. Departmental Representative argued that this is
pure case of reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of the
company by parent company and was reimbursed on the basis of
principle to principle and there is no profit or income included for the
application.
10.5 We after hearing the submissions of both the parties are of
the opinion that similar issue on re-imbursement of expenses was dealt
by the Co-ordinate Bench of Tribunal in assessee’s own case in ITA
No.1185/Mds/2008, Dated 24.06.2009 for the assessment year 2004-
05 wherein held and allowed in favour of the assessee. Respectfully
following the above decision, we upheld the order of Commissioner of
Income Tax (Appeals) on this ground.
In the result, the appeal of the Department in ITA
No.1702/Mds/2013 is partly allowed for statistical purpose.
We take up ITA No.1703/Mds/2013 for assessment year
2008-2009 for adjudication:- The assessee company has filed return
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 20 -:
of income for the assessment year 2008-2009 admitting total income
of �4,61,02,690/-. Subsequently, the return was processed u/s.143(1)
of the Act and as per scrutiny norms the case was selected and notice
u/s.143(2) was issued on 24.08.2009. The ld. Authorised
Representative of the assessee appeared from time to time and filed
details called for. The Assessing Officer upon submissions of
information finalized assessment and found that assessee has
recognized income of �1,32,00,44,321/- but as per the TDS certificates
the income credit of �1,34,71,22,295/-. When the matter was put to
ld. Authorised Representative, it was explained that the difference has
arised due to receipt of advance from customers and TDS was
deducted by the customers. The contract income has been recognized
in subsequent financial years and mismatch of TDS certificate and
contract income has arised due to difference of advance. The
Assessing Officer on the ground that amount has been credited to
assesee’s account and takes the characteristic of professional services.
The assessee could not produce any parties from whom advance was
received and there was no reconciliation made with the ledger
accounts. The assessee company has claimed TDS credit but not
offered the receipts as income and there is a scope of mismatch. The
ld. Assessing Officer treated the difference amount in TDS certificate
as income and subjected to tax by making an addition.
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 21 -:
12.1 In the appellate proceedings, the Commissioner of Income
Tax (Appeals) observed that the Assessing Officer erred in stating
that TDS certificate has not mentioned the payments as advance
and no such categorization would be made in the TDS certificate.
The Assessing Officer should see whether any work has been
carried out against these monies received, by submitting a bill or
these monies were carried into the balance sheet as advance
received. The monies would attain the colour of the income only
when any work is carried out. The assessee has shown these
monies as ‘’advance’’ in the balance sheet and it is not correct for
the ld.AO to add as income merely because the TDS has been
deducted in the same year. Even though the receipts are not
offered as income in current year, based on these observations,
the ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) directed the
Assessing Officer to delete the addition.
12.2. Before us, the ld. Departmental Representative argued that
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in not making a
distinction and also payments were made to the assessee company on
account of contract and sub-contract and finding of the Commissioner
of Income Tax (Appeals) that the assessee has claimed TDS credit
though the income is not considered in the books but due to difference
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 22 -:
in contract receipts, TDS certificate, and profit and loss account, the
Assessing Officer considered receipts as unaccounted receipts. The
assessee has not reconciled the difference before the Assessing Officer
or Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) and not produced any
evidence, certificate or letter to the extent of advance received during
the year and also invoice copy was not produced. On verification of
the balance sheet there is huge difference of advance received and
also claim made by the assessee needs reconciliation and also TDS
credit to be considered proportionately and prayed for allowing the
appeal.
12.3 On the other hand, the ld. Authorised Representative
reiterated his submissions made before the Assessing Officer and
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) and argued that difference is
a advance amount, to be adjusted in subsequent assessment years
and relied on the decisions of Sadbhav Engineering Ltd. vs. DCIT 161
TTJ 116 Ahd and ACIT vs. Peddu Srinivasa Rao 30 CCH
0651Visakhpatnam Trib.
12.4 We heard the rival submissions of both the parties, perused
the material on record and also judicial decisions cited. We are of the
opinion that the assessee company having huge turnover and
following contract method for completed projects and TDS is deducted
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 23 -:
on advances received. It is duty of the assessee company to furnish
the confirmation letter. The advance received is not accounted as
contract receipts though the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)
observed and deleted the addition. The fact remains that the assessee
has not provided reconciliation of contract accounts in the assessment
proceedings or before Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals). In the
appellate proceedings the assessee not provided any bills, supporting
except financial statements. Even before us, the assessee could not
submit any information as alleged by the Department. We are of the
opinion the matter needs to be examined by the Assessing Officer and
the assessee should reconcile and provide substantive evidence for
advances received in the previous year on which the TDS is deducted
and has to establish whether it has offered to taxation in any
subsequent assessment year or not and the Assessing Officer shall
provide adequate opportunity of hearing to the assessee and allow the
TDS credit after due verification of the accounts. Accordingly, the
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) order to the extent is set aside
and remit the issue back to the file of the Assessing Officer for fresh
consideration.
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 24 -:
The second ground raised by the Revenue is that
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in deleting the
disallowance u/s.43B to the extent of �99,17,583/-
13.1 The Assessing Officer found that on verification of the tax
Audit report form 3CD that assessee has not paid the sums before
due date of filing of return u/s.139(1) of the Act and the same was
disallowed u/s.43B of the Act.
13.2 The ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) based on the
explanations by the ld. Authorised Representative that the assessee
company payments were not routed through profit and loss account
but dealt Via Balance sheet. Therefore no allowance or deductions
was claimed in the computation of income and relied on the decision in
the case of Noble and Hewitt India P. Ltd 305 ITR 324 and
disallowance U/Sec.43B consist of service tax, R & D cess and Sales
tax payments and observed in his order at page No.11 on each
disallowance as under:-
‘’Sec 68 of Finance Act read with Rule 6 of the Service tax rules stipulate that Service provider has to make payment only on the basis of receipt of consideration. Thus service tax liability is regulated with reference to receipt of consideration for the services rendered. So long as the consideration is not 'received, the service provider is not liable to make payment. Accordingly assessee has made mere provision for Service tax payable but it is not actually due as per relevant laws. This has been upheld in ACIT vs Real Image Media Technologies (P) Ltd 306 ITR 106. b) Research and Development Cess: Rs.20,52,737/=. .
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 25 -:
The Company had provided ₹53,94,005/- . towards Research & Development Cess during the Assessment year 2007-08 which was disallowed in Asst year 2007-08. Research and Development cess pertains to Technical consultancy fees, and Management fees' payable to parent/group companies. Consequent to waiver of amount payable to Parent/Group companies up to 31.12.2007, the provision for R&D Cess of Rs.53,94,005/- was also written back. R&D cess payable for the Management Fees and Technical fees for the period from 01.01.2008 to 31.03.2008 has been provided at ₹20,52,737/-. This has ₹53,94,005/- been duly adjusted and net figure ₹20,52,737/- is deducted from total income. c) Sales tax payments ₹14,58,203/- Under Sales Tax Act, works contract TDS are being deducted and adjusted against the amount payable to Contractor. In as much as the Contractor has deducted the TDS and deposited on or before the due date specified under relevant law, the sales tax payment needs the requirement of Sec.43B’’.
and ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) deleted the addition.
Aggrieved by the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals),
the Revenue has filed an appeal before the Tribunal.
13.3 Before us, the ld. Departmental Representative argued that
disallowance u/s.43B of the Act should be allowed only on payment
basis and it should be taken as part of the sales and to be routed
through Profit and Loss account only. Though the assessee made
transactions through balance sheet as discussed by the
ld.Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) but payment has to be
made before due date of filing of return u/s.139(1) of the Act. The
assessee company has not submitted any details in the assessment
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 26 -:
proceedings and also Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has not
called for the comments or remand report on this issue and ld.
Departmental Representative relied on the decision of Bartronics
India Ltd vs.ACIT 2012-TIOL-412-ITAT-Hyd and pleaded for set aside
OF the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) order.
13.4 On the other hand, the ld. Authorised Representative
vehemently argued and reiterated his submissions made before the
lower authorities and the findings of the Commissioner of Income Tax
(Appeals) are in accordance of law further submitted that the statutory
payments can also be routed through balance sheet though it is not
considered in the profit and loss account. When the assessee adopted
for this system, the collection of payments are separately considered
and taken into balance sheet. In support of arguments relied on the
decision of ACIT Vs. Real Image Media Technologies Pvt. Ltd., 306
ITR (AT) 106 and prayed for confirming the order of the Commissioner
of Income Tax (Appeals).
13.5 We are of the opinion that considering the circumstances
and evidence in respect of statutory liabilities under provisions of Sec.
43B payments made before filing of return of income u/s.139(1) of the
Act should be considered on actual payment. From the records, the
Assessing Officer could not verify the system of accounting routing
ITA Nos.1701 to 1703/2013. :- 27 -:
through balance sheet and assessee claiming that accepted the Accounting system. But the fact remains that information has to be examined with evidence. Considering the facts and circumstances, we set aside the issue to the file of the Assessing Officer to verify the statutory payments and allow the deduction. Accordingly, the ground of the Department is partly allowed for statistical purpose.
In the result, the appeal of the Department in ITA No.1703/Mds/2013 is partly allowed for statistical purpose.
In the result, the appeals of the Department in ITA Nos. 1701 to 1703/Mds/2013 are partly allowed for statistical purpose.
Order pronounced on Monday, the 1st day of February, 2016, at Chennai.
Sd/- Sd/- (चं� पूजार�) (जी. पवन कुमार) (G. PAVAN KUMAR) (CHANDRA POOJARI) �या�यक सद�य/JUDICIAL MEMBER लेखा सद�य /ACCOUNTANT MEMBER चे�नई/Chennai �दनांक/Dated:01.02.2016 KV आदेश क� ��त�ल�प अ�े�षत/Copy to: 1. अपीलाथ�/Appellant 3. आयकर आयु�त (अपील)/CIT(A) 5. �वभागीय ��त�न�ध/DR 2. ��यथ�/Respondent 4. आयकर आयु�त/CIT 6. गाड� फाईल/GF