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2018 (9) TMI 142 - AT - Income Tax


Issues Involved:
1. Disallowance of deduction under section 80 IA on ICDs/CFS as inland ports.
2. Disallowance of deduction under section 80 IA on rail system (rolling stock).
3. Disallowance of depreciation on intangible assets (license from Indian Railways).
4. Disallowance of deduction on lease rent paid in advance on long-term lease.
5. Disallowance of expenditure under section 14A read with Rule 8D.
6. Depreciation on assets retired from active use.
7. Depreciation on assets not registered in the name of the assessee.

Detailed Analysis:

1. Disallowance of Deduction under Section 80 IA on ICDs/CFS as Inland Ports:
The assessee's claim for deduction under section 80 IA on ICDs/CFS was initially disallowed by the CIT(A) based on earlier Tribunal decisions. However, the Tribunal noted that the Hon’ble Delhi High Court and subsequently the Hon’ble Supreme Court had reversed the Tribunal’s earlier decisions, affirming that ICDs qualify as inland ports. The Tribunal, respecting the Supreme Court’s decision, allowed the assessee's claim for the deduction.

2. Disallowance of Deduction under Section 80 IA on Rail System (Rolling Stock):
The Tribunal referred to the Delhi High Court’s decision in the assessee’s own case, which allowed the deduction under section 80 IA for the rail system. The High Court had upheld the notification of ICDs as infrastructure facilities and clarified that the amendment removing the power to notify did not invalidate previously issued notifications. Following this precedent, the Tribunal allowed the assessee's claim.

3. Disallowance of Depreciation on Intangible Assets (License from Indian Railways):
The Tribunal observed that the issue of depreciation on the license fee paid to Indian Railways had been previously decided in favor of the assessee for earlier assessment years. The Tribunal held that the license constituted a commercial right eligible for depreciation under section 32(1)(ii) of the Act, following the Delhi High Court’s decision in Areva T&D India Ltd. The Tribunal, thus, allowed the depreciation claim.

4. Disallowance of Deduction on Lease Rent Paid in Advance on Long-Term Lease:
The Tribunal noted that this issue had been addressed in the assessee’s favor in earlier years. The Tribunal set aside the issue to the Assessing Officer (AO) to verify whether the claim pertains to depreciation or allowable expenditure, directing the assessee to furnish necessary details. The Tribunal allowed the ground for statistical purposes.

5. Disallowance of Expenditure under Section 14A Read with Rule 8D:
The Tribunal acknowledged that the AO had disallowed an expenditure under section 14A based on Rule 8D. The assessee argued that no direct expenses were incurred for earning exempt income. The Tribunal set aside the issue to the AO for recomputation of disallowance in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Maxopp Investments Ltd. The ground was allowed for statistical purposes.

6. Depreciation on Assets Retired from Active Use:
The Tribunal referred to its earlier decision and the Delhi High Court’s ruling in Yamaha Motor India Pvt. Ltd., which held that actual use of discarded machinery in the relevant financial year is not required for claiming depreciation. The Tribunal dismissed the revenue’s ground, following the High Court’s decision.

7. Depreciation on Assets Not Registered in the Name of the Assessee:
The Tribunal noted that the issue had been decided in favor of the assessee in earlier years and had not been challenged by the revenue before the High Court. The Tribunal dismissed the revenue’s ground, affirming that the view taken in earlier years had attained finality.

Conclusion:
The appeal filed by the assessee was largely allowed, with directions for recomputation in some cases, while the revenue’s appeal was dismissed, following precedents set by higher judicial authorities.

 

 

 

 

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