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2015 (2) TMI 894 - AT - Income Tax


Issues Involved:
1. Deduction under Section 35(2AB) of the Income Tax Act.
2. Deduction under Section 36(1)(iii) of the Income Tax Act.
3. Deduction of bad debts under Section 36(1)(vii) of the Income Tax Act.
4. Treatment of fees paid to Registrar of Companies for enhancement of authorized capital.
5. Disallowance of gratuity payment under Section 40A(7) of the Income Tax Act.
6. Disallowance of interest subsidy on housing loan under Section 40(ia) of the Income Tax Act.
7. Addition due to unreconciled bank balance.
8. Addition of prior period expenses.

Issue-wise Detailed Analysis:

1. Deduction under Section 35(2AB) of the Income Tax Act:
The assessee claimed an additional deduction under Section 35(2AB) for in-house scientific research, which was disallowed by the CIT(A) on the grounds that no in-house research was carried out. The CIT(A) referenced the assessee's failure to provide detailed expenditure specifically related to in-house research. The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s decision, noting that the assessee did not demonstrate any in-house research activity, and merely obtaining approvals and purchasing materials did not qualify as in-house research.

2. Deduction under Section 36(1)(iii) of the Income Tax Act:
The assessee's claim for interest paid on loans was disallowed by the CIT(A) because the interest earned on fixed deposits was assessed under the head "Income from Other Sources." The CIT(A) concluded that the borrowings were not for business purposes but were invested in FDs, thus disallowing the interest under Section 36(1)(iii). The Tribunal upheld this decision, stating that the assessee could not establish that the borrowings were for business purposes, and the interest expenditure could not be allowed without showing a direct nexus between the borrowings and the FDs.

3. Deduction of bad debts under Section 36(1)(vii) of the Income Tax Act:
The assessee's claim for bad debts was disallowed because the debts were not written off but credited to a "provision for doubtful debts" account. The CIT(A) and the Tribunal both held that under Section 36(1)(vii), bad debts are only allowable on actual write-off, not on provision.

4. Treatment of fees paid to Registrar of Companies for enhancement of authorized capital:
The assessee's claim for treating fees paid to the Registrar of Companies as revenue expense was disallowed, following the Supreme Court judgments in Brooke Bond India Ltd. and Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. The Tribunal upheld the disallowance but directed the Assessing Officer to ensure that if the amount was reversed and treated as income in the subsequent year, it should not be taxed again to avoid double taxation.

5. Disallowance of gratuity payment under Section 40A(7) of the Income Tax Act:
The assessee's claim for gratuity payment was disallowed under Section 40A(7), as it was covered by the Tribunal's decision in the assessee's own case for earlier years. The Tribunal upheld the disallowance, following the precedent set in previous years.

6. Disallowance of interest subsidy on housing loan under Section 40(ia) of the Income Tax Act:
The assessee's claim for interest subsidy on housing loans was allowed by the Tribunal, following its decision in the assessee's own case for earlier years. The Tribunal held that the interest subsidy was for maintaining harmonious relationships and welfare of employees, thus qualifying as business expenditure.

7. Addition due to unreconciled bank balance:
The addition of Rs. 53,000 due to an unreconciled bank balance was upheld by the Tribunal, as the assessee failed to provide any explanation or reconciliation for the difference in the bank account at Chennai.

8. Addition of prior period expenses:
The assessee's claim for prior period expenses was disallowed, as the expenses related to earlier years and the assessee could not establish that the liability for these expenses arose in the current year. The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s decision, noting that the assessee did not demonstrate that the expenses crystallized in the current year.

Conclusion:
The appeals for assessment years 2005-06 and 2006-07 were partly allowed, while the appeal for assessment year 2004-05 was dismissed. The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s decisions on most issues, except for the disallowance of interest subsidy on housing loans, which was decided in favor of the assessee.

 

 

 

 

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