Penalty cannot be levied for difference in Income with form 26AS due to TDS deduction on Service Tax Component

This appeal by assessee has been directed against the order of the Ld. CIT(A)-2, New Delhi, dated 30t^h April, 2015 for the A.Y. 2012-2013, challenging the levy of penalty under section 271(1)(c) of the I.T. Act, 1961.

2. Briefly the facts of the case are that original return of income was filed declaring income of Rs.17.27 crores, later on, assessee-company revised its return of income declaring loss of Rs.17.66 crores. The assessee-company is engaged in the business of construction of wide range of structural building and selling and installation of tiles/grids. During the course of assessment proceedings, the assessee-company was provided the AIR information generated from system. In the said information, there was a difference of Rs.38,39,628 in the gross receipts as per reconciliation submitted by the assessee and 26AS. The assessee submitted that this difference should be added back to the total income. The A.O. accordingly, made addition of Rs.38,39,628. The A.O. also noted that he is satisfied that the assessee-company has furnished inaccurate particulars of such income. The A.O. initiated penalty proceedings under section 271(1)(c) of the Act and assessee replied before A.O. that his contractee M/s. Pioneer Urban Land & Infrastructure Ltd., had erroneously deducted TDS on the gross billing amount including service tax which they should not have done. It shows the billing amount of Rs.9,27,53,832 and by adding service tax of Rs.38,21,458 total would comes to Rs.9,65,75,290. This is the reason for the difference of Rs.38,21,458. The assessee, therefore, requested that penalty may not be imposed. The A.O. however, was not satisfied with the explanation of the assessee and held that assessee has concealed the particulars of income and furnished inaccurate particulars of income and liable to penalty under section 271(1)(c) of the I.T. Act and accordingly, levied the penalty.

3. The assessee challenged the penalty order before the Ld. CIT(A). The written submissions of the assessee is reproduced in the appellate order in which the assessee reiterated the same facts regarding service tax in respect of M/s. Pioneer Urban Land & Infrastructure Ltd., who have deducted TDS on the gross billing amount including the service tax. The observations of the A.O. that assessee had not filed any documentary evidence is not factually correct, as the assessee, as per copy of the reply, had furnished a statement giving complete details in respect of reconciliation of billing amounts, work done, service tax, TDS etc., in the statement in respect of M/s. Pioneer Urban Land & Infrastructure Ltd. The statement gave the break-up of service tax totaling to Rs.38,21,458 and the total amount inclusive of service tax and billing/work done at Rs.9,65,75,290. The gross amount/total amount as per statement and the TDS figures are verifiable and matched with 26AS, which gives complete break-up in respect of M/s. Pioneer Urban Land & Infrastructure Ltd., for assessment year under appeal. The details of tax deducted at source would also explained. The explanation given by the assessee is bonafide and factually correct and verifiable as such. It was submitted that penalty and quantum proceedings are different and independent proceedings. Merely because an addition has been made in the assessment order by itself would not lead to conclusion/inference of concealment of the particulars of income or furnishing inaccurate particulars of income. On mere difference in gross receipts as per TDS details as contained in 26AS would not lead to levy of penalty. The details have already been part of the receipts shown by the assessee. The assessee in its books of account had not included the service tax in its gross receipts which are routed through P & L A/c as per accounting practice. In otherwords, the service tax was not routed through the P & L A/c but was shown separately as an item of balance sheet. The Auditor has also quantified the same. Relevant photo copies are filed on record. The amount remaining unpaid as on 30^th September, 2012 appearing at Rs.82,04,104 has been duly added back in the return. In the statement of taxable income, a sum of Rs.1,35,91,766 has been disallowed and added back in the computation of income as per copy of the computation and income tax return which is separately enclosed. The Tax Auditor had not stated that the service tax was not passed through P & L A/c. Therefore, in the first instance, service tax of Rs.38,21,458 pertaining to M/s. Pioneer Urban Land & Infrastructure Ltd., should not form part of total income, as it was not an item of P & L A/c but an item of balance sheet, which was duly taken into consideration separately for the purpose of disallowance under section 43B of the I.T. Act. The Board has clarified that no TDS is required to be made on service tax component. The CBDT issued a clarificatory Circular No.1 of 2014 dated 13^th January, 2014 clarifying that wherever in terms of agreement/contract between the payer and the payee, the service tax component comprised in the amount payable to a resident is indicated separately, the tax shall be deducted at source under Chapter-XVIIB of the I.T. Act, on the amount paid/payable without including such service tax component. It was, therefore, submitted that as per the Circular, TDS was not required to be deducted on the service tax component and M/s. Pioneer Urban Land & Infrastructure Ltd., had wrongly deducted tax on service tax of Rs.38,21,458, resulting the same forming part of the gross amount for TDS purposes as shown in 26AS. The assessee relied upon certain case law in support of the contention that penalty is not leviable. In any case, it is highly debatable issue whether gross receipts as per 26AS which refers to TDS claim, can be made the basis for an addition. It is a bonafide mistake and would not invite levy of penalty.

4. The Ld. CIT(A) by referring to the contention of the assessee and Board Circular above, noted that since the assessee itself has conceded the addition of the aforesaid amount before A.O, therefore, penalty was correctly levied and dismissed the appeal of assessee.

5. We have heard the Learned Representatives of both the parties and perused the material on record. Learned Counsel for the Assessee reiterated the submissions made before the authorities below. Paper book, page-1 is reply before A.O. at the penalty stage supported by reconciliation of M/s. Pioneer Urban Land & Infrastructure Ltd., copy of which is filed at page-2 of the paper book. Paper Book-42 is particulars of sum referred under section 43B of the I.T. Act being the liability which was increased in the previous year. Paper Book, page-83 is computation of income showing entire amount of disallowance under section 43B of the I.T. Act. Therefore, it was a double addition and further, the difference is explained which was on account of TDS deducted by M/s. Pioneer Urban Land & Infrastructure Ltd. The service tax is not income of the assessee. The service tax is credited separately. The claim of the assessee has not been found incorrect. The A.O. has not noted in the penalty order as to under which limb of Section 271(1)(c) of the Act, he has levied the penalty. He has relied upon the order of ITAT, Delhi Bench in the case of Bengali Sweets Centre vs. ACIT ITA.No.2068 & 2069/ Del./2014 dated 20^th April, 2017, in which, on the same issue, penalty have been cancelled. He has also submitted that earlier Board Circular have been clarified on enactment of GST Act and the same principle have been reiterated vide Circular No.23 of 2017 dated 19^th July, 2017. He has, therefore, submitted that penalty may not be levied in the facts and circumstances of the case.

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