DIGNUS SERVICES,NEW DELHI vs. ITO, WARD 29(6), NEW DELHI

आदेश /O R D E R PER C.N. PRASAD, J.M.

2. The Ld. Counsel for the assessee submits that the CPC while processing the return disallowed Rs.1,77,54,030/- representing both

I.T.A. Nos. 116 & 117/Del/2023 employee and employers contribution towards PF & ESI based on the tax audit report. The Ld. Counsel for the assessee submits that there is a mistake in tax audit report in mentioning the PF & ESI contributions in respect of employee and also the employer which was corrected by filing revised tax audit report which was not considered by the authorities below. The Ld. Counsel for the assessee submits that the actual position in respect of the contributions towards PF & ESI is as under: - S.No. Particulars Employee Employer Share Total Share 1. ESIC Contribution 2,06,175 5,58,104 7,64,279 deposited before Due Date under ESIC Act.

3. ESIC Contribution 1,256 3,404 4,660 deposited after Due date under ESIC Act and after due date of filing return u/s 139(1). Total ESIC Contribution 11,95,002 32,36,538 44,31,540 4. PF Contribution deposited 7,50,205 4,46,679 11,96,884 before Due date under PF Act.

5. PF Contribution deposited 73,46,711 64,03,621 1,37,50,332 after Due date under PF Act but before due date of filing return u/s 139(1). Total PF Contribution 80,96,916 68,50,300 1,49,47,216

I.T.A. Nos. 116 & 117/Del/2023

5. Heard rival submissions, perused the orders of the authorities below. In so far as the PF & ESI contributions in respect of employer are concerned the same are allowable as deduction if they are remitted before due date for filing of return of income. The assessee contends that these contributions were remitted before due date of filing of return of income which fact needs to be verified by the Assessing Officer. Therefore, we direct the AO to verify the contentions of the assessee and if these contributions are remitted

I.T.A. Nos. 116 & 117/Del/2023 before due date for filing of return of income the same be allowed as deduction.

“4. Heard rival submissions. Identical issue came up before the coordinate bench in the case of Rekha Vs. ITO, dated 09.08.2023 and also in the case of Sentinel Consultants Pvt. Ltd. Vs. ACIT, ITA No. 7 & 8/Del/2023 dated 12.06.2023. The coordinate bench in the case of Sentinel Consultants Pvt. Ltd. Vs. ACIT (supra) restored the issue to the file of the AO with the following observations: - “9. We have carefully considered the rival submissions and perused the material available on record. The disallowance of employees’ contribution to PF/ESIC for breach of condition under Section 36(1)(va) is in controversy. 9.1 We notice at the outset that an opportunity was given via electronic platform of the deptt. for the proposed adjustments and in the absence of e-response, the adjustments were carried out the CPC- Bangluru and intimation was issued enhancing the assessed income in the captioned assessment years. The CIT(A) in the first appeal has sustained the adjustments towards belated deposits of employees’ contribution to PF/ESIC in the light of the judgment rendered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Checkmate Pvt. Ltd. vs. CIT (2022) 143 taxmann.com 178 (SC). The contention of the Assessee that such additions cannot be made under the umbrella of S. 143(1) is covered against

I.T.A. Nos. 116 & 117/Del/2023 the assessee the decision of the co-ordinate bench in the case of Weather Comfort Engineers Private Limited vs. ACIT-CPC order dated 15/02/2023. The action of CPC and CIT(A) thus cannot be faulted where some opportunity was admittedly given for e- response. 9.2 We now turn to alternate plea on behalf of the assessee for grant of deduction under general provisions for deduction of expenditure under S. 37 of the Act. We do not see any merit in such plea that the belated deposit of employees contributions to PF/ESIC governed under Section 36(1)(va) is also simultaneously amenable to deduction under Section 37(1) of the Act. In terms of the provision, Section 37(1) permits deduction of expenditure which is not in the nature of expenditure prescribed in Sections 30 to 36 of the Act and also not being in the nature of capital expenditure or personal expenses of the assessee. Thus, in view of such mandate of law, the deduction of expenditure under the general clause of Section 37(1) would not extend to expenditure specially covered within the ambit of Section 36(1)(va) of the Act. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Checkmate Pvt. Ltd. (supra) itself explains this position in Para 32 of the Judgment. Such view also draws support from the observations made in recent judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Pr.CIT vs. Khyati Realtors (P) Ltd. (2022) 141 taxmann.com 461 (SC). The alternate plea is thus without any merit. 9.3 We also take note of yet another plea made out on behalf the assessee towards methodology of calculation of default under the relevant PF/ESIC Act. The Ld. Counsel contends that the month during which the disbursement of salary is actually made would be relevant for the purposes of determination of due date of deposit under the respective statute. The accrual of 5

I.T.A. Nos. 116 & 117/Del/2023 liability towards payment of salary without actual disbursement would not fasten obligation for deposits of employees contribution in the labour Acts per se. as observed by the co-ordinate bench in Kanoi Paper and Industries Ltd. vs. ACIT (2002) 75 TTJ 448 (Cal). This aspect has not been found to be examined by the Assessing Officer or CIT(A). Hence without expressing any opinion on merits on this aspect, we deem it expedient to restore the matter to the file of designated AO. It shall be open to the assessee to place factual matrix before the AO and take such plea for evaluation of the AO. The AO shall examine this aspect and fresh order in accordance with law after giving proper opportunity.”

Needless to say that the Assessing Officer shall provide adequate opportunity of being heard to the assessee, the assessee is at liberty to provide all the necessary information in support of its contention.

Ground no.1 of grounds of appeal is allowed for statistical purpose.

I.T.A. Nos. 116 & 117/Del/2023

Order pronounced in the open court on 26.09.2023