2025 (3) TMI 1456 - AT - Income Tax

Denial of TDS credit claimed in the return of income only on the basis that the same did not appear in the 26AS of the Appellant - assessee who is the sole beneficiary of a trust on the ground that the tax was deducted in the name of the trust and consequently was reflected in Form No. 26AS of the trust rather than in the Form No. 26AS of the assessee. HELD THAT - It is the settled position that the Department grants credit for TDS only if the said amount appears in the Form No. 26AS of the relevant assessee. Since the TDS credit in the present case was not appearing in the Form No. 26AS of the assessee the AO relying strictly on procedural compliance declined to grant such credit. Ideally the assessee ought to have ensured that the deductor deducted tax in the hands of the assessee rather than in the name of the trust. However the crux of the matter is that the Department has neither granted credit for the TDS in the hands of the trust nor in the hands of the assessee. As a result the tax deducted at source continues to remain with the Government while at the same time a demand has been raised against the assessee. This amounts to an inequitable situation which cannot be countenanced in law. We note that the Ld. CIT(A) has already directed the Assessing Officer to verify the assessee s claim and grant TDS credit in accordance with the provisions of the Income-tax Act 1961. If such credit has not been granted till the date of passing of this order we hereby direct the AO to take necessary steps to address the request of both the assessee and the trust for the transfer of TDS credit from the Form No. 26AS of the trust to the Form No. 26AS of the assessee and thereafter to allow the credit in accordance with law. The grounds of appeal of the assessee are accordingly allowed for statistical purposes.

ISSUES PRESENTED and CONSIDERED

The core legal questions considered in this judgment include:

1. Whether the Centralized Processing Centre (CPC) correctly denied the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) credit of Rs. 12,38,459/- to the appellant, given that the TDS was reflected in the Form No. 26AS of the trust and not the appellant.

2. Whether the income from the assets held in a trust, where the appellant is the sole beneficiary, should be taxed in the hands of the appellant under section 161(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

3. Whether the appellant is entitled to TDS credit despite the trust not claiming the TDS credit in its return of income.

ISSUE-WISE DETAILED ANALYSIS

1. Denial of TDS Credit by CPC

Relevant legal framework and precedents: The Income-tax Act, 1961, particularly section 199 read with rule 37BA, governs the credit for TDS. The CPC's denial was based on the procedural requirement that TDS credit is granted only if it appears in the Form No. 26AS of the assessee.

Court's interpretation and reasoning: The Tribunal noted that the TDS was deducted in the name of the trust and appeared in its Form No. 26AS. The CPC, adhering to procedural compliance, denied the TDS credit to the appellant as it did not appear in the appellant's Form No. 26AS. However, the Tribunal recognized this as an inequitable situation since the TDS credit was neither granted to the trust nor the appellant, resulting in a demand against the appellant.

Key evidence and findings: The Tribunal found that the income from the trust was declared by the appellant, and the trust had not claimed the TDS credit in its return, which justified the appellant's claim for the TDS credit.

Application of law to facts: The Tribunal applied the principles of equitable treatment and fairness, directing the Assessing Officer to verify and allow the TDS credit as per the provisions of the Income-tax Act.

Treatment of competing arguments: The Tribunal balanced the procedural requirements with the equitable rights of the appellant, acknowledging the need for procedural compliance while addressing the inequitable outcome.

Conclusions: The Tribunal directed the Assessing Officer to verify the appellant's claim and allow the TDS credit, highlighting the need for a fair resolution.

2. Taxation of Trust Income in the Appellant's Hands

Relevant legal framework and precedents: Section 161(1) of the Income-tax Act mandates that income from a trust should be taxed in the hands of the beneficiary if the trust is created for the beneficiary's sole benefit.

Court's interpretation and reasoning: The Tribunal agreed with the appellant's contention that the income from the trust should be taxed in the appellant's hands, as the appellant is the sole beneficiary.

Key evidence and findings: The trust deed and the appellant's status as the sole beneficiary were pivotal in determining the taxation of the income.

Application of law to facts: The Tribunal applied section 161(1) to conclude that the income should be taxed in the appellant's hands, supporting the appellant's claim for TDS credit.

Treatment of competing arguments: The Tribunal considered the procedural stance of the CPC but prioritized the substantive rights of the appellant based on the trust's structure.

Conclusions: The Tribunal upheld the appellant's right to have the income taxed in their hands and directed the necessary verification for TDS credit.

SIGNIFICANT HOLDINGS

Preserve verbatim quotes of crucial legal reasoning: "The restriction of TDS by the CPC Bengaluru is held to be correct, because no TDS is reflected in Form 26AS of the Appellant, hence no credit was allowed by the CPC. However, the AO is directed to verify the claim of the Appellant and allow the TDS as per provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961."

Core principles established: The Tribunal emphasized the importance of equitable treatment in tax matters, especially when procedural requirements lead to an unjust outcome. It reinforced the principle that income from a trust should be taxed in the hands of the beneficiary when the trust is solely for their benefit.

Final determinations on each issue: The Tribunal allowed the appeal for statistical purposes, directing the Assessing Officer to verify the appellant's claim and grant the TDS credit as per the law, ensuring that the appellant's substantive rights are protected.

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