Tribunal Rules Legal Fees as Legitimate Business Expenses, Directs Deduction Approval for Company Defense Costs.

Legal and professional charges incurred by the assessee company were disallowed by the Assessing Officer (AO) on the grounds that they were capital expenditure and personal expenses not wholly and exclusively for business purposes. The Tribunal held that no payment was made as penalty, and the expenses were incurred for defending the company in the ordinary course of business to protect its image and ensure smooth conduct of operations. The payments were made through banking channels after TDS deduction, with identifiable payees, and supported by documentary evidence. They did not fall under the ambit of Explanation 1 to Section 37 as penal, capital or personal in nature. The Tribunal opined that the payments were mere fees paid to advocate..... .....

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