UNILEVER INDIA EXPORTS LIMITED,MUMBAI vs. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX CENTRAL CIRCLE - 5(2), MUMBAI, MUMBAI
In the result, both the appeals of the assessee for Assessment Years 2015–16 and 2016–17 are allowed
ITA 4157/MUM/2025[2016-17]Status: DisposedITAT Mumbai12 Feb 2026AY 2016-17
Bench: Shri Amit Shukla& Shri Makarand Vasant Mahadeokar & Unilever India Dcit Central Exports Limited, Circle-5(2), Unilever House, B. D. Vs. Room No. 427, 4Th Sawant Marg, Floor, Kautilya Chakala, Andheri Bhawan, C-41 To C- East, Sahar P & T 43, G Block, Bandra Colony, S. O. Kurla Complex, Mumbai-400 099 Bandra (East), Mumbai- 400 051. Pan/Gir No. Aaaci0991D (Applicant) (Respondent) Assessee By Ms. Karishma Phatarphekara/W Shri Harsh Shah & Shri Shreyas Sardesai, Ld. Ars Revenue By Shri Pankaj Kumar, Ld. Dr Date Of Hearing 13.01.2026 Date Of Pronouncement 12.02.2026
Section 143(3)Section 144C(13)Section 144C(5)Section 254
assessee undertook a structured and scientific search process:
- Databases used: Prowess and CapitalinePlus
- Manufacturing sales > 75%
- Positive net worth filter
- Minimum sales threshold
- AMP expenditure filter (< 3%)
- R&D expenditure filter (< 3%)
57. The rationale for AMP and R&D filters has been clearly explained in the submissions, namely that ... proposed entrepreneurial
FMCG entities with margins ranging from 20.12% to 23.87%, which are clearly full-fledged brand-owning manufacturers incurring substantial R&D and AMP expenditure. These cannot be compared to a limited-risk contract manufacturer.This reinforces that the benchmarking exercise of the assessee was aligned with its functional profile