2013 (12) TMI 1718 - AT - Income Tax

Deduction u/s 10B - Business of granite export. - AO observed that the assessee s activity could not be termed as manufacture or production since the granite had only been made fit for transportation. - CIT(A) deleted the additions and allowed deduction. - HELD THAT- The assessee was allowed the benefit of section 10B by the ITAT 2011 (2) TMI 1415 - ITAT CHENNAI on the ground that the assessee had exported polished granite. While doing so, the Tribunal had observed that the assessee extracts granite blocks from the quarry, dresses them and polishes them before exporting. We have perused the Tribunal order and have considered the entire facts and evidence available before us. We are in agreement with the ld. CIT(A) that there is no change in the business of the assessee from earlier years and similar type of export is being done in this year too. Therefore, assessee becomes entitled to deduction u/s 10B under identical facts and circumstances. Decision in favor of assessee.

Summary

Issues involved: Appeal against order of Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) regarding disallowance/addition u/s 10B for assessment year 2008-09.

Summary:
The Revenue appealed against the Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) order for assessment year 2008-09, challenging the deletion of disallowance/addition u/s 10B amounting to Rs. 2,50,02,395. The Revenue argued that the CIT(A) erred in deleting the disallowance and should have upheld it. The assessee supported the CIT(A)'s decision, citing similarity in facts with a previous assessment year where deduction u/s 10B was allowed.

The assessee, a firm engaged in granite export, reported a loss in 2008. The Assessing Officer disallowed the deduction u/s 10B based on the nature of the exported granite, considering it unpolished and not meeting the criteria for "manufacture or production." This led to an addition in the assessee's total income.

The CIT(A) relied on a previous tribunal order for the assessment year 2007-08 and deleted the addition, leading to the Revenue's dissatisfaction. The Appellate Tribunal reviewed the case and noted that the Revenue failed to provide any distinction between the facts of the current and previous assessment years regarding the exported granite. Referring to the previous tribunal order, the Appellate Tribunal confirmed the CIT(A)'s decision to delete the disallowance, stating that the business activities remained consistent.

In conclusion, the Revenue's appeal was dismissed, upholding the CIT(A)'s decision to delete the disallowance/addition u/s 10B for the assessment year 2008-09.