INDU MAHAJAN,AMRITSAR vs. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF TAX CIRCLE-5 , AMRITSAR

The assessee has taken the following grounds: “

The AR mentioned that the appeal is filed with a delay of 88 days. The petition for condonation of delay is filed and the delay is duly explained. The ld. AR mentioned that by wrong advice of consultant, the appeal before ITAT was filed online. But no physical copy was filed. After realising the mistake, the appeal is filed physically before the bench. The ld. DR had not made any strong objection against the assessee. Accordingly, the delay for 88 days is condoned.

The brief fact of case is that the assessee has filed return u/s 139(1) for the impugned assessment year. By passing the audit report of the assessee the return was processed by CPC u/s 143(1) and the disallowance was made for late deposit of contribution made in respect of PF & ESI u/s 36 (1) (va) of the Act. The assessee filed the rectification petition U/s 154 of the Act for wrong adjustment of delayed payment of PF & ESI which was paid before filing of return U/s 139(1). By invoking section 36(1)(va) the rectification petition was rejected by the ld. Assessing Officer. Both the employer’s& employees’ contributions of PF & ESI amount to Rs. 308963/- was confirmed. Aggrieved assessee filed an appeal before the ld. CIT(A) against the order of the ld. AO, passed U/s 154 of the Act. The assessee placed that the entire amount of late contribution of PF & ESI is not the point of addition for violation of section 36(1)(va) of the Act. The entire amount is mixed in two parts. The assessee segregated the additions in two parts which are amount to Rs. 162,184 /- is related to employer’s contribution and the rest amount to Rs.146,769/- is related to the employees’ contribution. The rest amount to Rs.146,769/- is well accepted by the ld. AR of the assessee for addition with the total income by respectfully relying on the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Checkmate Services P. Ltd. Vs CIT (Civil Appeal No.2833 of 2016 dated 12.10.2022), [2022] 143 taxmann.com 178 (SC).But the assessee is contesting for the employer’s contribution amount to Rs. 162,184/- before us. The ld. AR placed that all the details were submitted before the ld. CIT(A). But without considering the assessees’s submission the order was passed and confirmed the assessment order. Being dissatisfied with the order of the CIT(A) the assessee filed an appeal before us.

The ld. AR filed a written submission which is kept in record. The ld. AR argued and placed that the nature of the payment of the PF & ESI is combined with employer and employee contribution. The ld. AR placed that the employer contribution is related to section 43B which is covered by the CBDTCircular No. 22/2015 dated 17.12.2015. The employer contribution should be allowed if the payment is done before the filing of return u/s 139(1). The extract of the Circular No. is below: “Circular No. 22/2015 F.No.279/Misc./140/2015-ITJ Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue Central Board of Direct Taxes ******

The ld. AR fully relied on this Circular and placed that the employer contribution amount to Rs.162,184/- would not be attracted under the purview of taxable income and the entire amount was paid before the filing the return u/s 139(1). Prayed that the addition amount to Rs. 162,184/- should be quashed. The ld. AR has drawn our attention in APB page-60 for list of month-wise contributions, APB pages 60-71, the statement showing details of EPF& ESI payments made after due date under the relevant Acts along with payment of challans.

The ld. DR fully relied on the order of the revenue authorities and not able to produce any contrary orders or Circular against the submission of the assessee. The ld. DR argued that the respective challan should be point of verification.

We heard the rival submission and considered the documents available in the records. On perusal of record, it reveals the CBDTCircular No. 22/2015 dated 17.12.2015is applicable on the ld. AO and other revenue authorities during processing of return U/s 143(1). The assessee has correctly relied on the section 154 and the mistake of the ld. AO is apparent from record. In appeal the ld. CIT(A) has wrongly invoking the section 36(1)(va) on employer’s contribution. Whereasthe same contribution is covered by the section 43B of the Act. Hence, we set aside the appeal order in this issue. Related to addition amount to Rs. 162,184/-, we fully relied on the Circulars of the CBDT. We respectfully consider the order of the Hon’ble Apex Court. The employer contribution is not under the purview of the order of the Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Checkmate Service Pvt. Ltd (supra). The Hon’ble Apex Court has only dealt with the delayed payment of employee’s contribution.Thepayment of employer’s contribution in EPF & ESI amount to Rs. 162,184/- is subject to verification by the ld. AO. Accordingly, we remit back the matter to the file of the ld. AO for limited verification of payment of employer’s contribution amount to Rs. 162,184/-on basis of the term indicated above. Both the ld. AR & ld. DR have respectfully accepted the direction of the bench.

In the result, the appeal of the assessee bearing no. is allowed for statistical purposes. Order pronounced in the open court on 08.11.2023 Sd/- Sd/- (Dr. M. L. Meena) (ANIKESH BANERJEE) Accountant Member Judicial Member AKV Copy of the order forwarded to: