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2013 (2) TMI 748 - AT - Income Tax


Issues Involved:
1. Depreciation method under Section 32 of the IT Act.
2. Deduction under Section 80IA of the IT Act.
3. Recalculation of deduction under Section 80HHC.
4. Commission paid to M/s Ganesh Steel Rolling Mills Ltd.
5. Disallowance of club membership and subscription charges.
6. Disallowance of aircraft expenses.
7. Taxability of subsidy received on account of exemptions from sales tax, entry tax, and electricity duty.
8. Charging of interest under Section 234B.
9. Additional ground regarding computation of book profit under Section 115JB.

Detailed Analysis:

1. Depreciation Method under Section 32 of the IT Act:
The Assessing Officer (AO) had disallowed depreciation calculated using the Written Down Value (WDV) method, favoring the straight-line method instead. The CIT(A) allowed the WDV method based on the Tribunal's decision in the assessee's own case for the assessment year 2000-01. The Tribunal upheld this decision, noting that no specific format or procedure was prescribed for exercising the option and the assessee had claimed depreciation in accordance with the rules while filing the return for the relevant assessment year.

2. Deduction under Section 80IA of the IT Act:
The AO reduced the deduction under Section 80IA, arguing that the rate charged for captive consumption of power was inflated. The CIT(A) deleted the disallowance, following the Tribunal's decision in the assessee's own case for the assessment year 2001-02. The Tribunal upheld this decision, noting that the facts and circumstances remained the same, and the power was sold through a tripartite agreement involving the Chhattisgarh Electricity Board, similar to the earlier year.

3. Recalculation of Deduction under Section 80HHC:
The CIT(A) directed the AO to recompute the deduction under Section 80HHC after considering all disallowances upheld and reliefs granted. The Tribunal found no issue with this direction, noting that the AO is duty-bound to recompute the deduction accordingly.

4. Commission Paid to M/s Ganesh Steel Rolling Mills Ltd.:
The AO disallowed the commission paid, citing the non-existence of the payee based on earlier inquiries. The CIT(A) remitted the matter back to the AO for reconsideration. The Tribunal found that the assessee had provided sufficient evidence regarding the payee's existence, services rendered, and legitimate business needs, and thus allowed the commission payment.

5. Disallowance of Club Membership and Subscription Charges:
The AO disallowed Rs. 22,125 due to the lack of supporting documents. The CIT(A) upheld this disallowance. The Tribunal also upheld the disallowance, noting that the assessee failed to produce any evidence to substantiate the claim.

6. Disallowance of Aircraft Expenses:
The AO disallowed Rs. 5,47,530, attributing it to non-business purposes. The CIT(A) upheld this disallowance. The Tribunal found that the assessee failed to explain the purpose of the trips and upheld the disallowance, distinguishing it from the earlier year where the purpose of trips was explained.

7. Taxability of Subsidy Received:
The AO treated the subsidy received on account of exemptions from sales tax, entry tax, and electricity duty as revenue receipts. The CIT(A) upheld this view, citing the Supreme Court's decision in Goetze India Ltd. The Tribunal, applying the purpose test from the Supreme Court's decisions in Sawhney Steel & Press Works and Ponny Sugar & Chemicals Ltd., concluded that the subsidy was revenue in nature, as it was intended to assist in running the business more profitably, not for setting up the industry.

8. Charging of Interest under Section 234B:
The Tribunal dismissed this ground, noting that the provisions of Section 234B are mandatory and consequential.

9. Additional Ground Regarding Computation of Book Profit under Section 115JB:
The assessee raised an additional ground based on the Supreme Court's decision in Ajanta Pharma Ltd., which allows 100% deduction of export profit for computing book profit under Section 115JB. The Tribunal admitted and allowed this additional ground, directing the AO to recalculate the book profit accordingly.

Conclusion:
The appeal filed by the revenue was dismissed, while the appeal filed by the assessee was partly allowed. The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s decisions on most issues, with specific directions for recalculating the book profit under Section 115JB.

 

 

 

 

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