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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, VISAKHAPATNAM ‘SMC’ BENCH, VISAKHAPATNAM
Before: SHRI DUVVURU RL REDDY, HON’BLE
PER DUVVURU RL REDDY, Judicial Member :
All the captioned appeals are filed by the assessee against the orders of the Ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) [Ld. CIT(A)], National Faceless Appeal Centre (NFAC), Delhi in various orders dated 26/12/2022; 27/12/2022 & 04/01/2023 for the AYs 2013-14 to 2016-17. Since the issues involved in all the appeals are identical, for the sake of convenience, these appeals are clubbed, heard together and disposed off in this consolidated order.
I.T.A. No.46 TO 62/Viz/2023
(AY: 2013-14; 2014-15 & 2015-16)
2. The assessee has raised four identical grounds in all the appeals pertaining to AY 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16.
Therefore, for the sake of reference the grounds of appeal raised in are extracted herein below:
“1. The CPC-TDS is not correct in levying the late filing fee U/s. 234E of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
2. The CPC-TDS erred in law to charge the fees U/s. 234E of the Income Tax Act, 1961 by way of intimation issued U/s. 200A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 in respect of defaults before 01/06/2015.
3. The CIT(A) should have seen that there is a reasonable and genuine reason for delay in filing of quarterly statements.
Any other ground that may be urged at the time of hearing of the appeal.”
Brief facts pertaining to the instant appeal (ITA No. 46/Viz/2023) are that the assessee is an individual and a Doctor. The assessee is the proprietor of Apex Hospitals, Rajahmundry. For the FY 2012-13 relevant to the AY 2013-14 the assessee filed the Quarterly TDS returns belatedly. These quarterly statements are processed and the Intimations U/s. 200A of the Act were issued to the assessee wherein the Ld. AO levied late filing fee u/s. 234E of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and raised the demand. Aggrieved by the order of the Ld. AO, the assessee preferred an appeal before the Ld. CIT(A).
4. On appeal, the Ld. CIT(A)-NFAC observed that there is an average inordinate delay of 976 days in filing the appeal before the Ld. CIT(A)-NFAC. After considering the submissions of the assessee on the issue of condonation of delay, the Ld. CIT(A)- NFAC discussed the issue at length and concluded (vide para 6.21 of his order) that in the absence of sufficient cause for huge delay, dismissed the appeal of the assessee without discussion on merits or on any other aspect. Aggrieved by the order of the Ld. CIT(A)-NFAC, the assessee is in appeal before the Tribunal.
Before me, at the outset, it is the contention of the Ld. Authorized Representative [Ld. AR] that the enabling provision for computation of fee while processing the statements was inserted in section 200A only w.e.f 1/6/2015 and therefore, the charging section i.e., section 234E cannot be enforced prior to 1/6/2015.
The Ld. AR further submitted that the amended provision applies for all the returns pertaining to the period after 1/6/2015 and not for the returns pertaining to the period prior to 01/06/2015 notwithstanding the fact that the returns pertaining to the period prior to 01/06/2015 were filed after 01/06/2015 or processed after 01/06/2015. The Ld. AR further submitted that in the present case (ITA No.46/Viz/2023), the due date for filing the TDS returns is 15/10/2012 (For Q2 of FY 2012-13) and the TDS returns were filed on 20/06/2013 therefore section 234E cannot be enforced since it is prior to 1/6/2015. The Ld. AR therefore submitted that the Ld. Revenue Authorities erred in levying and confirming the levy of late fee U/s. 234E of the Act while processing the TDS return U/s. 200A of the Act for the relevant period under consideration. In support of his view the Ld. AR relied on the judgment of the Hon’ble Karnataka High Court in the case of Fatheraj Singhvi vs. Union of India [2016] 73 taxmann.com 252 (Karnataka); judgment of the Hon’ble Kerala High Court in the case of United Metals vs. ITO (TDS) reported in [2022] 137 taxmann.com 115 (Kerala); decision of the Pune Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Medical Superintendent Rural Hospital, Nashik vs. DCIT, CPC (TDS), Ghaziabad in to 661/Pun/2018, dated 25/10/2018. The Ld. AR further submitted that since the Ld.CIT(A) relied only the judgments of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court in the case of Rashmikat Kundalia (supra) as well as the judgment of the Hon’ble Gujarat High Court in the case of Rajesh Kourani vs. Union of India (supra) and ignored the ratio laid down by the Hon’ble Karnataka High Court in the case of Fatheraj Singhvi (supra); judgment of the Kerala High Court in the case of United Metals (supra) and decisions of various Benches of the Tribunal which is against the spirit and the ratio laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT vs. M/s. Vegbetable Products Ltd (1973) 88 ITR 192 (SC) wherein it was held that when there is difference of opinion between different High Courts on the an issue, the one which is in favour of the assessee needs to be followed. The Ld. AR therefore pleaded that the decision of the Ld. Revenue Authorities may be set-aside and the assessee may be granted relief by deleting the late fee levied U/s. 234E of the Act.
On the other hand, Ld. Departmental Representative heavily relied on the decision of the Ld. AO who imposed the levy / imposition of late fee u/s. 234E of the Act. It is the submission of the Ld. DR that since the assessee filed its TDS statement beyond the stipulated time as per the TDS provisions, the late fee levied on account of default in furnishing the statements beyond the prescribed time limit is as per the provisions of the IT Act, 1961. The Ld. DR further submitted that the fee charged U/s. 234E is not in lieu of penalty as the fee charged under section 234E is not in the nature of penalty and is a fee which the deductor shall be liable to pay in the event of delay in filing the TDS statements as prescribed. The Ld. DR further submitted that the Fee charged U/s. 234E is a fixed fee charged in the case of statements are rendered beyond the stipulated time which is happened in the instant case. The Ld. DR also submitted that it is rightly observed by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court in the case of Rashmikant Kundalia vs. Union of India (supra) “because of late filing of TDS statements Department is overburdened with extra work which is otherwise not required if the TDS statements are furnished within the prescribed time limit.” The Ld. DR also heavily relied on the decision of the Hon’ble Gujarat High Court in the case of Rajesh Kourani vs. Union of India (supra) for the proposition that “a machinery provision (section 200A) cannot override the substantive provision of law”. The Ld. DR therefore pleaded that since the action taken by the Ld. Revenue Authorities is in accordance the provisions of the Act and also in accordance with law, as discussed above, and hence the order of the Ld. Revenue Authorities need not be disturbed / interfered with.
I have heard both the sides, perused the material available on record as well as the orders of the Ld. Revenue Authorities.
The main question that arises in this appeal is whether TDS returns pertaining to the period prior to 01/06/2015, if filed after 01/06/2015 and processed after 01/06/2015 whether they attract the amended provisions of Finance Act, 2012 and the specific provision for levy of “fee” under section 234E of the Act which was inserted w.e.f 1/6/2015. In the present case the assessee filed his TDS statement for the Quarter-2 of FY 2012-13 on 20/06/2013 whereas the due date for filing the TDS returns is 15/10/2012. The Ld. AO treating this filing / furnishing of TDS statement as a default since it is not filed within the stipulated time as per the TDS provisions and imposed late fees u/s. 234E of the Act. On appeal, the Ld. CIT(A) did not condone the delay in filing the appeal before the Appellate Authority and confirmed the action of the Ld. AO and dismissed the assessee’s appeal.
Considering the facts of the present case, I am of the considered view since the enabling provision for computation of fee while processing the statements was inserted in section 200A only w.e.f 1/6/2015 and therefore, the charging section i.e., section 234E cannot be enforced to the cases prior to 1/6/2015.
Further, I am of the view that the amended provision applies for all the returns pertaining to the period after 1/6/2015 and not for the returns pertaining to the period prior to 01/06/2015 notwithstanding the fact that the returns pertaining to the period prior to 01/06/2015 were filed after 01/06/2015 or processed after 01/06/2015.
The Hon’ble Karnataka High Court in the case of Fatheraj Singhvi vs. Union of India [2016] 73 taxmann.com 252 (Karnataka) observed that “one may at the first blush say that, since the section 234E is a charging section for fee, the liability was generated or had accrued, if there was failure to deliver or cause to be delivered the statement/s of TDS within the prescribed time. But section 234E cannot be read in isolation and is required to be read with the mechanism and the mode provided for its enforcement……”. The observations and relevant held portions in the judgment of the Hon’ble Karnataka High Court (supra) are extracted herein below for reference:
"21. However, if Section 234E providing for fee was brought on the state book, keeping in view the aforesaid purpose and the intention then, the other mechanism provided for computation of fee and failure for payment of fee under Section 200A which has been brought about with effect from 1.6.2015 cannot be said as only by way of a regulatory mode or a regulatory mechanism but it can rather be termed as conferring substantive power upon the authority. It is true that, a regulatory mechanism by insertion of any provision made in the statute book, may have a retroactive character but, whether such provision provides for a mere regulatory mechanism or confers substantive power upon the authority would also be a aspect which may be required to be considered before such provisions is held to be retroactive in nature. Further, when any provision is inserted for liability to pay any tax or the fee by way of compensatory in nature or fee independently simultaneously mode and the manner of its enforceability is also required to be considered and examined. Not only that, but, if the mode and the manner is not expressly prescribed, the provisions may also be vulnerable. All such aspects will be required to be considered before one considers regulatory mechanism or provision for regulating the mode and the manner of recovery and its enforceability as retroactive. If at the time when the fee was provided under Section 234E, the Parliament also provided for its utility for giving privilege under Section 271H(3) that too by expressly put bar for penalty under Section 272A by insertion of proviso to Section 272A(2), it can be said that a particular set up for imposition and the payment of fee under Section 234E was provided but, it did not provide for making of demand of such fee under Section 200A payable under Section 234E. Hence, considering the aforesaid peculiar facts and circumstances, we are unable to accept the contention of the learned counsel for respondent-Revenue that insertion of clause (c) to (f) under Section 200A(1) should be treated as retroactive in character and not prospective.
It is hardly required to be stated that, as per the well established principles of interpretation of statute, unless it is expressly provided or impliedly demonstrated, any provision of statute is to be read as having
prospective effect and not retrospective effect. Under the circumstances, we find that substitution made by clause (c) to (f) of sub-section (1) of Section 200A can be read as having prospective effect and not having retroactive character or effect. Resultantly, the demand under Section 200A for computation and intimation for the payment of fee under Section 234E could not be made in purported exercise of power under Section 200A by the respondent for the period of the respective assessment year prior to 1.6.2015. However, we make it clear that, if any deductor has already paid the fee after intimation received under Section 200A, the aforesaid view will not permit the deductor to reopen the said question unless he has made payment under protest."
Further, the Hon’ble Kerala High Court in the case of United Metals vs. ITO (TDS) reported in [2022] 137 taxmann.com 115 (Kerala) observed as under:
“Amendment in section 200A by way of incorporating sub-clause (c) to clause (f) which referred to computation of fee payable under section 234E was brought into effect from 1/6/2015, therefore, demand raised for levying late fee under section 234E for period prior to 1/6/2016 would not be sustainable.”
The Pune Bench of the Tribunal vide its order dated 25/10/2018 in the case of Medical Superintendent Rural Hospital, Nashik vs. DCIT, CPC (TDS) (supra), has observed as under:
“16…………..the Assessing Officer while processing TDS returns / statements for the period prior to 01/06/2015 was not empowered to charge late filing fees under section 234E of the Act, even in the cases where such TDS returns were filed belatedly after June, 2015 and even in cases where the Assessing Officer processed the said TDS returns after June, 2015. Accordingly……………the demand raised by charging late filing fee u/s 234E of the Act is not valid and the same is deleted.”
Thus, in the instant case since the period of default was before the said date ie., 01/06/2015, there is no merit in charging late filing fee U/s. 234E of the Act. Accordingly the Ld. AO is directed to delete the fee levied U/s. 234E of the Act in the order passed U/s. 200A of the Act. Since I hold that the no late filing fee is to be charged, the consequential interest charged U/s. 220(2) of the also does not survive. Thus, the grounds raised by the assessee are allowed.
With respect to to 62/Viz/2023, the grounds of appeal as well as the issue raised in these appeals are identical to that the of the grounds and the issue raised in the appeal ITA No. 46/Viz/2023, which is adjudicated in the above paragraphs of this order, my decision given thereof mutatis mutandis applies to the present appeals (ITA Nos. 47 to 62/Viz/2023) also. Accordingly, the appeals filed by the assessee are allowed.
In the result, all the instant appeals filed by the assessee are allowed. to 67/Viz/2023 (AY: 2016-17)
These appeals are filed by the assessee against the orders of the Ld. CIT(A)-NFAC, Delhi dated 04/01/2023 arising out of the orders passed u/s. 200A of the Act for the AY 2016-17.
The assessee has raised the following identical grounds of appeal in his appeals:
“1. The CPC-TDS is not correct in levying the late filing fee U/s. 234E of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
The Commissioner of Income Tax (appeals) should have seen that there is a reasonable and genuine reason for delay in filing of Quarterly statements.
3. Any other ground that may be urged at the time of hearing of the appeals.”
The crux of the issue involved in these appeal is whether the return pertaining to the period prior to 01/06/2015 but filed after 01/06/2015 and processed after 01/06/2015 attract the amended provisions of section 200A read with section 234E inserted w.e.f 01/06/2015 which is a specific provision for levy of fee for default in furnishing the TDS statements belatedly.
In the assessee’s appeal which is taken as lead appeal considering the similarity of the facts in all the instant appeals, the assessee filed his TDS statement for the Quarter-4 of FY 2015-16 on 07/06/2016 whereas the due date for filing of the TDS returns is 15th May, 2016. Accordingly, the Ld. AO vide order passed U/s. 200A, dated 10/06/2016 imposed a late fees U/s. 234E of the Act. In this case since the assessee has filed its TDS returns on 07/06/2016 whereas the due date is 15th May, 2016 which is after the date of insertion of specific provision for levy of late fee U/s. 234E ie., 01/06/2015.
Therefore, the action taken by the Ld. AO in levying the late fee for default in furnishing the TDS statement beyond the stipulated time is in accordance with law. As well, the Ld. CIT(A), NFAC without discussing the issue on merits, dismissed the assessee’s appeal on the issue of condonation of delay. Therefore, I have no hesitation to come to a conclusion that the orders of the Ld. Revenue Authorities invoking the provisions of section 234E in order to levy late fee for default in furnishing the TDS statement beyond the stipulated time is in accordance with law and accordingly the grounds raised by the assessee are hereby dismissed.
With respect to to 67/Viz/2023, since the issue involved in all these appeals are identical to that of the issue adjudicated by me while deciding the assessee’s appeal ITA No. 63/Viz/2023 (supra), my decision given therein mutatis mutandis applies to these appeals also. Accordingly, all the grounds raised by the assessee in these appeals are dismissed.
In the result, five appeals filed by the assessee are dismissed.
Pronounced in the open Court on 31st March, 2023.
Sd/- (दु�वू� आर.एल रे�डी) (DUVVURU RL REDDY) �या�यकसद�य/JUDICIAL MEMBER Dated : 31/03/2023 OKK - SPS आदेश क� ��त�ल�प अ�े�षत/Copy of the order forwarded to:- 1. �नधा�रती/ The Assessee– Rimmalpudi Bhaskara Pattabhi Ramana Choudary, D.No.75-6-23, Prakash Nagar, Rajahmundry. 2. राज�व/The Revenue – Income Tax Officer, TDS Ward-1, Income Tax Office, D.No.46-20-15, Danavaipeta, Rajahmundry. 3. The Principal Commissioner of Income Tax,