2014 (8) TMI 1162 - AT - Income Tax

Issues of applicability of Net Profit Rate arising out in Revenue s appeal and with regard to inclusion of Bank Interest as income from other sources by the AO have been dealt in assessee s appeal in therefore, our order in assessee s appeal s identically applicable in the present appeal. Accordingly, all the grounds of the Revenue i.e. grounds No. 1 to 5 are dismissed.

Issues Involved:

1. Adoption of net profit rate by the Assessing Officer (AO).
2. Deletion of addition made on account of bank interest.
3. Inclusion of vehicle income in total contract receipts.
4. Applicability of Section 145(3) of the Income Tax Act.
5. Allowance of interest on capital, salary to partners, and depreciation on fixed assets.

Detailed Analysis:

1. Adoption of net profit rate by the AO:

The Revenue challenged the CIT(A)'s direction to the AO to adopt a net profit rate of 7% instead of 10% on the total contract receipts. The AO had applied a 10% net profit rate due to the assessee's failure to produce books of accounts, bills, and other documents, leading to the rejection of books under Section 145(3) of the Income Tax Act. The CIT(A) justified the 7% rate by considering the assessee's operational conditions in Srinagar, where profit margins are low due to harsh weather and intermittent work stoppages. The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s decision, referencing similar cases where a 7% net profit rate was deemed appropriate.

2. Deletion of addition made on account of bank interest:

The CIT(A) deleted the addition of Rs. 30,18,501/- made by the AO on account of bank interest. The CIT(A) found that the investment in FDRs was inextricably linked with the contract business, as the FDRs were created for securing bank guarantees necessary for contract allotment. The interest earned on these FDRs was considered business income, and the corresponding interest paid on borrowed funds was treated as business expenditure. The Tribunal upheld this view, noting no evidence was provided by the AO to show the interest income was not earned in the course of the business.

3. Inclusion of vehicle income in total contract receipts:

The CIT(A) directed the inclusion of vehicle income of Rs. 6,89,203/- in the total contract receipts before applying the net profit rate. This was based on the assessee's practice of using vehicles for both business purposes and hiring them out. The Tribunal agreed with this inclusion, ensuring the vehicle income was considered part of the business receipts.

4. Applicability of Section 145(3) of the Income Tax Act:

The Tribunal confirmed the CIT(A)'s decision to invoke Section 145(3) due to the assessee's failure to produce complete and correct books of accounts. This justified the rejection of the books and the estimation of income based on a reasonable net profit rate.

5. Allowance of interest on capital, salary to partners, and depreciation on fixed assets:

The assessee argued for the allowance of interest on capital, salary to partners, and depreciation on fixed assets, which the AO had disallowed. The Tribunal directed the AO to allow these claims after applying the net profit rate, subject to the income not falling below the returned income. The Tribunal referenced past cases and decisions where such allowances were granted even when profits were estimated.

Conclusion:

The Tribunal dismissed the Revenue's appeal, upholding the CIT(A)'s directions on all grounds. The net profit rate of 7% was deemed appropriate, the bank interest was considered business income, and vehicle income was included in total contract receipts. The invocation of Section 145(3) was justified, and the assessee's claims for interest on capital, salary to partners, and depreciation were allowed subject to conditions.

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