2012 (9) TMI 727 - AT - Income Tax

Income form lease rent - business income OR income from other sources - Held that - Considering the main objects of assessee it is to develop residential and commercial complexes for the public at large and the ground rent was charged from immovable properties which were either sold or given on lease to various persons. Such land on which such development or construction activities were done by the assessee were made available by the Government on lease basis and such properties were also either sold on lease basis or leased out on rent fixed by the Government, therefore, such lease rent is directly connected with the objectives of the assessee, consequently, the character of such lease rent is business income, therefore, it was not income from other sources. Income from rent/rental - CIT(A) s direction to AO that the income from rent/rental is to be taxed as income from house property - Held that - the amount of Rs. 41,04,721/- was received by the assessee from letting out of buildings of the assessee which was claimed as such earning of such rental income is not the regular business of the assessee. Our view is fortified by the ratio of the decision in the case of Potdar Cements Private Limited and others; 226 ITR 625 and CIT vs. Dhoompalam Commercial Complex Industry Pvt. Ltd 2003 (1) TMI 52 - KARNATAKA HIGH COURT therefore, the learned CIT(A) rightly directed to treat such income as income from house property and not business income. Interest from deposits in the bank - Held that - As the surplus money deposited with the bank in itself is not sufficient to give it the character of business income. This interest income is the additional source to the assessee and is not directly linked with the business of the assessee. Surplus funds were deposited, therefore, such interest income is income from other sources. Interest on delayed payment- Held that - The interest on delayed payments is essentially connected with the main objects of the assessee which is obtained out of housing/commercial units/industrial units, as the case may be, and is not an independent source of income. It is also connected with the business activities of the assessee, therefore, the true character of such receipt is also part of business income.

Issues:
1. Characterization of lease rent as business income or income from other sources.
2. Tax treatment of rental income as income from house property.
3. Classification of interest on delayed payment as business income or income from other sources.

Analysis:

Issue 1: Characterization of Lease Rent
The appeal revolved around the characterization of lease rent received by the assessee. The Revenue contended that the lease rent should be treated as income from other sources, while the assessee argued that it falls within the scope of business income. The Tribunal examined the objects and functions of the assessee, emphasizing its role in developing residential and commercial complexes. The lease rent was directly connected to the objectives of the assessee, leading to the conclusion that it constituted business income. The Tribunal upheld the decision of the learned first appellate authority, affirming that the lease rent was not income from other sources but business income.

Issue 2: Tax Treatment of Rental Income
The next issue pertained to the tax treatment of rental income received by the assessee from letting out buildings. The Tribunal analyzed the main objects of the assessee, highlighting its primary function of acquiring land for development purposes. It was observed that earning rental income was not the regular business activity of the assessee. Relying on relevant legal precedents, the Tribunal concluded that such income should be taxed as income from house property rather than business income. Consequently, the direction of the learned CIT(A) to treat the rental income as income from house property was upheld.

Issue 3: Classification of Interest on Delayed Payment
The final issue focused on the classification of interest on delayed payments as either business income or income from other sources. The Tribunal examined two components of interest income received by the assessee. The first part, arising from surplus funds deposited in the bank, was deemed to be income from other sources as it was not directly linked to the business activities of the assessee. Legal precedents supported this classification. The second part, related to interest on delayed payments, was considered part of business income as it was connected to the main objects of the assessee and its business activities. The Tribunal affirmed the decision of the CIT(A) in treating the interest on delayed payments as business income.

In conclusion, the Tribunal dismissed the appeal of the revenue and the cross objection of the assessee, maintaining the tax treatment decisions made by the learned first appellate authority.

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