Case Law Details
Microsoft Regional Sales Pte. Ltd. Vs ACIT (ITAT Delhi)
While in the A.Y. 2018-19, the protective addition has been made in the hands of the assessee and the substantive addition has been made in the Mol Corporation during the A.Y. 2019-20, the substantive addition has been made in the case of assessee as the case of Mol Corporation has not picked up for scrutiny u/s 143(3) by CASS.
This led to an oxymoronic situation for the department. The revenue tried to triumph over such situation by imperfectly making the addition in this year in the case of the assessee instead of Mol Corporation. The justification given by the revenue is as under:
“28.5 On the ground no. 7, regarding taxation revenue from cloud services received by the assessee on substantive basis, the DRP held that in this case services are provided by MOLC and routed through the assessee. Accordingly, the same receipt cannot be added to the income of both the companies on substantive basis. In the earlier years the receipts were taxed on protective basis in the hands of assessee and substantive basis in the hands of MOLC. This year AO has taxed it in the hands of the assessee on substantive basis. There will be no material difference as the income is to be taxed in the hands of one company only. However, AO is directed to verify that the income has to be taxed in the hands of MOLC on protective basis only if the income in the hands of MOLC has been taxed on substantive basis same may be taxed on protective basis in the hands of assessee. Since, the case of the MOL Corporation (MOLC) is not selected for scrutiny through CASS. Accordingly, the revenue received by the assessee during the financial year 2018-19 from cloud services is being taxed on substantive basis in the hands of the assessee.”
Alas, with heavy heart, we hereby hold that such flip flop cannot be legally supported and hence the addition made in the hands of the assessee is liable to be deleted.
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