Examining the Eligibility of Credit Co-operative Societies for Deduction on Interest from Co-operative Bank Deposits 2024 (8) TMI 253 - ITAT AHMEDABAD - AT

Deciphering Legal Judgments: A Comprehensive Analysis of Judgment of Tribunal on Deductibility of Interest Income from Co-operative Banks u/s 80P(2)(d) Reported as: 2024 (8) TMI 253 - ITAT AHMEDABAD INTRODUCTION This article examines the legal issues surrounding the deductibility of interest income earned by credit co-operative societies from deposits made with co-operative banks u/s 80P(2)(d) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 . The core legal question presented is whether such interest income qualifies for deduction under the said provision, and if so, under what conditions. ARGUMENTS PRESENTED The primary contention of the assessees (credit co-operative societies) is that the interest income earned from deposits made with co-operative banks should be eligible for deduction u/s 80P(2)(d). They rely on judicial precedents, including decisions of the Hon'ble Gujarat High Court and the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), which have favored the allowance of such deductions. The Revenue, on the other hand, argues that the interest income in question does not qualify for deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) as it is not derived from the primary business activities of the co-operative societies, which is providing credit facilities to their members. COURT DISCUSSIONS AND FINDINGS The article analyzes the treatment of precedents and evaluation of evidence by various courts and tribunals on this issue. It examines the reasoning process adopted by the Hon'ble Gujarat High Court in cases like Surat Vankar Sahakari Sangh Ltd. v. ACIT and State Bank of India v. CIT, where the court held that interest income earned by co-operative societies from deposits with co-operative banks would be eligible for deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) . The article also discusses the decisions of the ITAT, Ahmedabad Bench, in cases like The Sardar Patel Co-operative Credit Society Ltd. v. ACIT and The Bhagyalaxmi Co.Op. Credit Society Ltd. v. DCIT, where the Tribunal followed the precedents set by the Hon'ble Gujarat High Court and allowed the deduction. Additionally, the article examines the Revenue's reliance on the decision of the Hon'ble Gujarat High Court in the case of Katlary Kariyana Merchant Sahkari Sarafi Mandali Ltd. v. ACIT, which initially favored the Revenue but was subsequently modified by the High Court in favor of the assessee. ANALYSIS AND DECISION Based on the analysis of judicial precedents and the reasoning process adopted by various courts and tribunals, the article concludes that interest income earned by credit co-operative societies from deposits made with co-operative banks should be eligible for deduction u/s 80P(2)(d) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 . The article highlights the legal principles established or applied in these cases, such as the interpretation of the term co-operative bank u/s 80P(2)(d) and the nexus required between the interest income and the primary business activities of the co-operative society. The implications of these rulings are also discussed, including the potential impact on the taxation of co-operative societies and the need for consistency in the application of legal principles across similar cases. DOCTRINAL ANALYSIS The article delves into the legal principles discussed in the various judicial pronouncements, such as the interpretation of Section 80P(2)(d) and the concept of income derived from the activities of a co-operative society. It examines the evolution of the doctrine surrounding the taxation of co-operative societies and the application of these principles in the current cases. The article also explores the interplay between Section 80P(2)(d) and other provisions of the Income-tax Act, such as Section 56 (Income from Other Sources), and how the courts and tribunals have reconciled these provisions in the context of interest income earned by co-operative societies. Furthermore, the article discusses the implications of these decisions on the broader taxation framework for co-operative societies and the potential impact on their business operations and financial planning. Full Text : 2024 (8) TMI 253 - ITAT AHMEDABAD