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Issues involved:
The issue involves the deletion of an addition of Rs. 1,24,000 made on account of accrual of interest u/s the Income-tax Act. The main question is whether the Tribunal was right in law in deleting this addition. Comprehensive Details: Assessee's Explanation and Initial Assessment: The assessee, engaged in finance and hire purchase business, filed a return declaring a loss for the assessment year 1969-70. The Income Tax Officer (ITO) noticed an amount due from a debtor, Shri B. K. Bedi, and added interest of Rs. 1,24,000 due to non-charging of interest. The ITO found discrepancies in the financial position of Shri Bedi and the absence of confirmation by the board of directors regarding the non-charging of interest. Appeals and Tribunal Decision: The Appellate Authority upheld the ITO's decision, but the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal (Chandigarh Bench) later deleted the addition. The Tribunal considered Shri Bedi's weak financial position, evidenced by arrears of income tax and penalties, as justification for not charging interest. It concluded that since no income accrued, the amount could not be considered as the assessee's income. Arguments and Legal Precedents: The revenue argued that interest accrued to the assessee as per the mercantile system of accounting, citing a Bombay High Court decision. However, the assessee contended that the method of not charging interest from debtors with weak financial positions was consistent since 1963-64. The assessee relied on Supreme Court decisions emphasizing that tax liability arises only when income accrues. Court's Decision: The High Court agreed with the assessee, citing Supreme Court decisions that income tax is levied on actual income, not hypothetical income. It noted that the Bombay High Court decision relied upon by the revenue did not align with established legal principles. The Court held that the deletion of the interest addition was justified, as the amount due from Shri Bedi was not recoverable due to his financial position. Conclusion: The Court ruled in favor of the assessee, upholding the Tribunal's decision to delete the interest addition. It emphasized that under the mercantile system of accounting, an assessee can forgo irrecoverable debts, and such forgone amounts cannot be added to the income. The Court disagreed with the Bombay High Court decision and found in favor of the assessee, with no order as to costs. This summary provides a detailed overview of the judgment, including the issues, assessments, appeals, legal arguments, and the final decision of the High Court.
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