2017 (1) TMI 450 - AT - Income Tax

TDS u/s 194I OR 194C - Short deduction of TDS - TDS on Passenger Service Fees - TDS on PSF and X-Ray charges to MIAL - Held that - both the sides agreed that the issue raised by the AO in the appeal for the year under consideration is covered against him by the order of the Tribunal(2016 (10) TMI 314 - ITAT MUMBAI). - Decided against the revenue.

Summary

Issues involved:
Challenging the order of CIT(A)-14 Mumbai, the Assessing Officer and the assessee filed appeal/Cross objections for three assessment years. The main issue revolves around the relief of tax and interest under sections 201(1) and 201(1A) of the Act for short deduction of TDS on Passenger Service Fees.

Analysis:

Issue 1: Relief of tax and interest for short deduction of TDS on Passenger Service Fees
In the appeal for the year under consideration, it was agreed by both sides that the issue raised by the AO is covered against him by a previous Tribunal order. The Tribunal analyzed the definition of "rent" under section 194-I of the Act, citing the case of Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. & others. The Tribunal held that PSF charges paid by the assessee did not qualify as rent under section 194-I. The charges were considered statutory liabilities, not payments for the use of land, and thus not subject to a higher TDS rate. The Tribunal also referred to a case involving cooling charges paid by customers of a cold storage facility, where it was clarified that such charges did not attract section 194-I. Consequently, the Tribunal upheld the order of the FAA, deciding the effective ground of appeal against the AO.

Final Decision:
The Tribunal dismissed the appeal filed by the AO and declared the Cross objections filed by the assessee as infructuous. The order was pronounced in open court on 3rd January 2017.