ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, CIRCLE 2(1)(1), VADODARA, VADODARA vs. MADHYA GUJARAT VIJ CO. LTD., VADODARA

PER SIDDHARTHA NAUTIYAL - JUDICIAL MEMBER:

“1. That on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld.CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition of Rs.45,54,28,000/- made for computing book profit u/s 115JB of the Income-tax Act, 1961, being grant and subsidies, without appreciating the fact that the addition of Rs.45,54,28,000/- to net profit for the purpose of computing Book Profit u/s. 115JB of the Income-tax Act, 1961? 2. That on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld.CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition to book profits u/s. 115JB towards grants and subsidies by erroneously accepting the assessee’s reliance on CIT(A)’s order in the case of in the case of Paschim Gujarat Vij Co Ltd. for A.Y. 2014-15, wherein the issue stands restored to the file of assessing officer by the Hon’ble ITAT?

ACIT vs. Madhya Gujarat Vij Co. Ltd. Asst.Year –2013-14 - 2–

at the time of, or before, the hearing of appeal. It is prayed that the order of the CIT(A) on the above issues be set-aside and that of the Assessing Officer be restored.”

3. The brief issue for consideration before us is the deletion of addition of Rs. 45,54,28,000/- by Ld. CIT(A), made by the Assessing Officer for computing book profits under Section 115JB of the Act, towards grant and subsidies. The issue pertains to addition on account of subsidy / grants received by the assessee from Government and consumers. The assessee company has been receiving subsidy and grants towards cost of capital assets, besides consumer contribution towards capital assets. The outstanding balance as on 31.03.2014 was shown at Rs. 145457.39 lakhs by the assessee. The assessee has been transferring 10% of the subsidies / grants / consumer contribution every year to the Profit & Loss Account, as it’s income. The Assessing Officer noticed that these subsidies / grants / consumer contribution received by the assessee towards cost of assets should have been deducted from the cost of assets, on which 15% depreciation was claimed. Since the assessee has been transferring 10% of these subsidies / grants / consumer contribution every year to the Profit & Loss Account as his income, the Assessing Officer transferred a further sum of 5% of the subsidies / grants / consumer contribution, to the profit of the assessee company. The Ld. CIT(A) confirmed the aforesaid addition in the hands of the assessee. However, the Ld. CIT(A) deleted the aforesaid addition for the purpose of computing book profits under Section 115JB of the Act. The Ld. CIT(A) relied upon the decision of Ld. CIT(A) in the assessee’s own case for A.Y. 2012-13, wherein CIT(A) had held that addition made under normal provision on account of capital grants / subsidies cannot be made for purpose of computing to book profits under Section 115JB of the act. The Ld. CIT(A) was of the view that ACIT vs. Madhya Gujarat Vij Co. Ltd. Asst.Year –2013-14 - 3– the provisions of under Section 115JB of the Act do not provide for making additions on account of Government subsidy / grant. Accordingly, Ld. CIT(A) allowed the appeal of the assessee on this issue with the following observations:-

“5.7. The CIT(A)2, Vadodara in the case of - M/s. PASCHIM GUJARAT VIJ COMPANY LIMITED, for the A.Y.2014-15, held that addition made under normal provisions on account of capital grants/subsidies cannot be made to Book Profit u/s 115JB. Accordingly, the Assessing officer has been directed to delete the same. The facts of the case of the Appellant - M/s. MADHYA GUJARAT VIJ COMPANY LIMITED, for the A.Y.2013-14, is identical to the facts of the case of M/s. PASCHIM GUJARAT VIJ COMPANY LIMITED, for the A.Y.2014-15. Further, the same CIT(A)-Dr.Banwarilal, has passed the appeal order in the case of the Appellant - M/s. MADHYA GUJARAT VIJ COMPANY LIMITED, for the A.Y.2013-14 as well as in the case of - M/s. PASCHIM GUJARAT VIJ COMPANY LIMITED, for the A.Y.2014-15. Respectfully following the appeal order dated 17.11.2017 in the case of – M/s. PASCHIM GUJARAT VUJ COMPANY LIMITED, for the A.Y. 2014-15, the addition of Rs.45,54,28,000/- made to Book Profit u/s 115JB in the assessment order passed u/s 143(3) dated 21.11.2016 passed by the DCIT 2(1) (2) Vadodara, for the A.Y. 2013-14 in the case of the Appellant – M/s. MADHYA GUJARAT VIJ COMPANY LIMITED, is hereby DELETED, for the following reason: “addition made under normal provisions on account of capital grants/subsidies cannot be made to Book Profit u/s 115JB. Accordingly, the Assessing officer is directed to delete the same.”

“69.1 Besides the above, the assessee also filed an appeal against the addition made by the AO in the book profit computed under section 115JB of the Act by the amount of addition made on account of grants or subsidies. Since, the issue arises from the treatment of grants or subsidies which we have set aside to the file of the AO for de novo adjudication, we hereby set aside the issue of addition of book profit to the file of the AO for fresh adjudication accordingly. Hence the ground of appeal raised by the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.”