Case Law Details
Mitcon Forum for Social Development Vs CIT (Exemption) (ITAT Pune)
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Pune Bench, has delivered a significant ruling that clarifies the timelines for seeking final 80G approval under the Income Tax Act, 1961, particularly for charitable institutions that had already commenced their activities before obtaining provisional registration. The Tribunal set aside an order by the Commissioner of Income-tax (Exemption) [CIT(E)] that had rejected the application of Mitcon Forum for Social Development as time-barred.
Background of the Case
Mitcon Forum for Social Development had sought approval under Section 80G(5)(iii) of the Income Tax Act, which enables donors to claim deductions for contributions. The organization, registered under Section 13(1) of the Companies Act on December 28, 2023, and already holding a 12A registration, received provisional 80G approval on October 2, 2021, valid until Assessment Year 2024-25.
The core of the dispute arose when the CIT(E) rejected Mitcon Forum’s application for final 80G approval, filed on September 13, 2024. The CIT(E) argued that since the trust’s activities had commenced in Financial Year 2021-22 (before provisional approval), the application for final approval should have been filed within six months from the date of provisional approval, i.e., before April 1, 2022. Although the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had extended this date to June 30, 2024, the CIT(E) maintained that the September 13, 2024, filing was still beyond this extended deadline, rendering it time-barred.
Interpreting the Legislative Intent
The ITAT’s analysis focused on the precise interpretation of Clause (iii) of the first proviso to Section 80G(5). This clause states that an institution with provisional approval must apply for final approval “at least six months prior to expiry of the period of the provisional approval or within six months of commencement of its activities, whichever is earlier.”
To arrive at a harmonious interpretation, the Tribunal examined the legislative intent behind the 2020 amendments that introduced the concept of “provisional approval.” It referred to the Budget Speech of the Hon’ble Finance Minister in 2020 and the Memorandum to the Finance Bill, 2020. These documents explicitly stated that provisional registration was primarily introduced to “facilitate the registration of the new charity institution which is yet to start their charitable activities.” The legislative aim was to simplify compliance for both new and existing charitable institutions.
Judicial Precedent on Statutory Interpretation
The ITAT invoked the principle of statutory interpretation laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in K.P. Varghese Vs. ITO [1981] 131 ITR 597 (SC). In this landmark judgment, the Supreme Court held that while parliamentary speeches are generally inadmissible for interpreting statutory provisions, the speech of the mover of a Bill can be referred to for understanding the “mischief sought to be remedied” and the “object and purpose” of the legislation. K.P. Varghese also emphasized that statutory provisions should be construed to avoid “absurdity and mischief,” allowing courts to “do some violence” to literal interpretation to achieve the Legislature’s true intention and produce a “rational construction.”
ITAT’s Reasoning and Conclusion
Applying these principles, the ITAT reasoned that a literal interpretation of “within six months of commencement of its activities” to include organizations already performing charitable activities before obtaining provisional approval would lead to an absurd and unintended result. Such an interpretation would penalize existing trusts by imposing an impossibly short or retrospective deadline, contrary to the stated objective of simplifying procedures.
The Tribunal concluded that the phrase “within six months of commencement of its activities” in Section 80G(5)(iii) is specifically applicable to newly formed trusts or institutions that had not commenced their charitable activities at the time they secured provisional registration. For existing institutions that were already engaged in charitable work and subsequently obtained provisional approval, the relevant timeline for applying for final registration is “at least six months prior to expiry of the period of the provisional approval.”
Furthermore, the ITAT noted that even by a straightforward reading, Mitcon Forum received provisional approval on October 2, 2021, valid until AY 2024-25. The application for final registration was filed on September 13, 2024, which falls within the validity period of the provisional approval (ending with AY 2024-25). Therefore, the application was not time-barred.
Outcome
Based on this detailed analysis and harmonious construction of the law, the ITAT set aside the CIT(E)’s order. The matter has been remitted back to the CIT(E) for a de novo adjudication, with a clear directive to provide Mitcon Forum for Social Development a reasonable opportunity of being heard. This ruling provides crucial clarification for numerous charitable organizations, ensuring that the procedural requirements for 80G approvals are applied in a manner consistent with legislative intent.
FULL TEXT OF THE ORDER OF ITAT PUNE
This appeal filed by the assessee is against the order of ld.Commissioner of Income Tax-Exemption, Pune passed under section 80G(5) of the Income Tax Act, 1961; dated 19.02.2025.
2. The assessee has raised the following ground of appeal :
“1. ON the basis of facts and in the circumstances of the case and as per law, the commissioner of Income Tax,(Exemptions) Pune, is not justified in rejecting the approval on the basis of delayed submission of Form 10AB by the assessee. The delay of 74 days not being deliberate should have been condoned by CIT(E), Pune.
The application for approval u/s 80G be restored by condoning the delay of 74 days and setting aside his order dt 19/02/2025.
An affidavit explaining the reasons for delay shall be submitted at the time of hearing.
Without prejudice to Ground No.1 above, in the facts and circumstances of the cases as well as in law, the Comm of income a(Exemption) Pune be directed to treat Form 10AB filed on 13/09/2024 as fresh application for approval u/s 80G be restored setting aside his order dt 19/02/2025.
2. The appellant craves leave to add, alter, omit or substitute any of the grounds at the time of hearing of the appeal.”
Findings &Analysis :
3. We have heard both the parties and perused the records. In this case, Assessee has filed an application for approval under section 80G(5)(iii) of the Act on 13.09.2024. Ld.CIT(E) noted that activities of the Trust commenced in F.Y.2021-22. Ld.CIT(E) further held that since activities of the Assessee were already commenced as on the date of provisional approval, the Trust was required to file present application within six months from the date of provisional approval i.e.before 01.04.2022, however, CBDT has extended date to 30.06.2024. The ld.CIT(E) held that since assessee had not filed the application before 30.06.2024, the application of the assessee was time barred and rejected it.
4. On perusal of the paper book filed by the assessee, it is observed that Assessee is registered u/s.13(1) of the Companies Act, on 28.12.2023. Assessee is duly registered u/s.12A of the Act. Assessee received provisional approval on 02.10.2021 for a period from 02.10.2021 to A.Y.2024-25.
5. The question before us is whether the application of the assessee was time barred or not?
To decide this question, we have to first understand the relevant statutory provisions of the Income Tax Act.
5.1 The relevant part of Section 80G(5) of the Income tax Act is reproduced here as under :
80G. (1) In computing the total income of an assessee, there shall be deducted, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this section,—
(i) …
(ii) …..
(2) The sums referred to in sub-section (1) shall be the following, namely :—
(a) ………..
(b) …………
(c) ……………….
(d) …………….
(4) …………………………………
(5) This section applies to donations to any institution or fund referred to in sub-clause (iv) of clause (a) of sub-section (2), only if it is established in India for a charitable purpose and if it fulfils the following conditions, namely :—
(i) where the institution or fund derives any income, such income would not be liable to inclusion in its total income under the provisions of sections 11 and 12 or clause (23AA) or clause (23C) of section 10 :
Provided that where an institution or fund derives any income, being profits and gains of business, the condition that such income would not be liable to inclusion in its total income under the provisions of section 11 shall not apply in relation to such income, if—
(a) the institution or fund maintains separate books of account in respect of such business;
(b) the donations made to the institution or fund are not used by it, directly or indirectly, for the purposes of such business; and
(c) the institution or fund issues to a person making the donation a certificate to the effect that it maintains separate books of account in respect of such business and that the donations received by it will not be used, directly or indirectly, for the purposes of such business;
(ii) the instrument under which the institution or fund is constituted does not, or the rules governing the institution or fund do not, contain any provision for the transfer or application at any time of the whole or any part of the income or assets of the institution or fund for any purpose other than a charitable purpose;
(iii) the institution or fund is not expressed to be for the benefit of any particular religious community or caste;
(iv) the institution or fund maintains regular accounts of its receipts and expenditure;
(v) the institution or fund is either constituted as a public charitable trust or is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860), or under any law corresponding to that Act in force in any part of India or under section 2571of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), or is a University established by law, or is any other educational institution recognised by the Government or by a University established by law, or affiliated to any University established by law, or is an institution financed wholly or in part by the Government or a local authority;
(vi) in relation to donations made after the 31st day of March, 1992, the institution or fund is for the time being approved by the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner; (emphasis supplied)
(vii)………….
(viii)…………..
(ix)……………..
Provided that the institution or fund referred to in clause (vi) shall make an application in the prescribed form and manner to the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner, for grant of approval,—
(i) where the institution or fund is approved under clause (vi) [as it stood immediately before its amendment by the Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Act, 2020], within three months from the 1st day of April, 2021;
(ii) where the institution or fund is approved and the period of such approval is due to expire, at least six months prior to expiry of the said period;
(iii) where the institution or fund has been provisionally approved, at least six months prior to expiry of the period of the provisional approval or within six months of commencement of its activities, whichever is earlier; (emphasis supplied)
72[(iv) in any other case, where activities of the institution or fund have––
(A) not commenced, at least one month prior to the commencement of the previous year relevant to the assessment year from which the said approval is sought;
(B) commenced and where no income or part thereof of the said institution or fund has been excluded from the total income on account of applicability of sub-clause (iv) or sub-clause (v) or sub-clause (vi) or sub-clause (via) of clause (23C) of section 10 or section 11 or section 12 for any previous year ending on or before the date of such application, at any time after the commencement of such activities:]
Provided further that the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner, on receipt of an application made under the first proviso, shall,—
(i) where the application is made under clause (i) of the said proviso, pass an order in writing granting it approval for a period of five years;
(ii) where the application is made under clause (ii) or clause (iii) [or sub-clause (B) of clause (iv)] of the said proviso,—
(a) call for such documents or information from it or make such inquiries as he thinks necessary in order to satisfy himself about—
(A) the genuineness of activities of such institution or fund; and
(B) the fulfilment of all the conditions laid down in clauses (i) to (v);
(b) after satisfying himself about the genuineness of activities under item
(A), and the fulfilment of all the conditions under item (B), of sub-clause
(a),—
(A) pass an order in writing granting it approval for a period of five years; or
[(B) if he is not so satisfied, pass an order in writing,––
(I) in a case referred to in clause (ii) or clause (iii) of the first proviso, rejecting such application and cancelling its approval; or
(II) in a case referred to in sub-clause (B) of clause (iv) of the first proviso, rejecting such application,
after affording it a reasonable opportunity of being heard;]
(iii) …….
New Procedure for registration:
6. The new provision for Registration was introduced by Finance Act, 2020. There was amendment in the registration procedure by Finance Act, 2020. For the first time the Finance Act, 2020 introduced the concept of “Provisional Approval”. Also due to the amended, all the existing Trust/Institutions which were already having registration u/s.12AA or 80G(5) were asked to re-apply for registration as per the amendment brought in 2020 and a date was specified before which all those Trust/Institutions already having Registration was required to make a fresh application as per the amendment procedure.
7. In this background we have to interpret the relevant provisions. To interpret the provisions, we shall refer to the Budget Speech of the Hon’ble Finance Minister.
7.1 The Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of K P Varghese Vs. ITO [1981] 131 ITR 597 (SC) has observed as under regarding use of Speech of a Minister as a tool in interpretation:
Quote , “ Now it is true that the speeches made by the Members of the Legislature on the floor of the House when a Bill for enacting a statutory provision is being debated are inadmissible for the purpose of interpreting the statutory provision but the speech made by the mover of the Bill explaining the reason for the introduction of the Bill can certainly be referred to for the purpose of ascertaining the mischief sought to be remedied by the legislation and the object and purpose for which the legislation is enacted. This is an accord with the recent trend in juristic thought not only in western countries but also in India that interpretation of a statute being an exercise in the ascertainment of meaning, everything which is logically relevant should be admissible. In fact there are at least three decisions of this Court, one in Sole Trustee, Loka Shikshana Trust v. CIT [1975] 101 ITR 234, the other in Indian Chamber of Commerce v. CIT [1975] 101 ITR 796 and the third in Addl. CIT v. Surat Art Silk Cloth Manufacturers Association [1980] 121 ITR l/[1980] 2 Taxman 501, where the speech made by the Finance Minister, while introducing the exclusionary clause in section 2(15) of the Act, was relied upon by the Court for the purpose of ascertaining what was the reason for introducing that clause.”
7.2 The Hon’ble Supreme Court has approved use of the Hon’ble Minister’s speech as tool of interpretation to understand the intent of the Statute.
Extract of relevant part of Speech of Hon’ble Finance Minister:
8. The Hon’ble Finance Minister in Budget Speech 2020 has said as under :
Quote “In order to simplify the compliance for the new and existing charity institutions, I propose to make the process of registration completely electronic under which a unique registration number (URN) shall be issued to all new and existing charity institutions. Further, to facilitate the registration of the new charity institution which is yet to start their charitable activities, I propose to allow them provisional registration for three years. ” Unquote.
Finance Bill 2020 :
“(vi) an entity making fresh application for approval under clause (23C) of section 10, for registration under section 12AA, for approval under section 80G shall be provisionally approved or registered for three years on the basis of application without detailed enquiry even in the cases where activities of the entity are yet to begin and then it has to apply again for approval or registration which, if granted, shall be valid from the date of such provisional registration. The application of registration subsequent to provisional registration should be at least six months prior to expiry of provisional registration or within six months of start of activities, whichever is earlier”
9. Thus, these amendments were introduced to simplify the procedure of registration of Charitable Trusts/Institutions. The amendment made to simplify a procedure cannot be interpreted in a way that it causes prejudice to the Trust/institutions.
10. Thus, when we read the Budget Speech of the Hon’ble Finance Minister 2020 and the Memorandum of Finance Bill, 2020 together, it becomes clear that the concept of Provisional registration was mainly to facilitate the registration of newly formed Trust/Institutions which have not yet begun the activities. The parliament in its wisdom has decided to differentiate between the Trust which were newly formed and the trust which were already doing charitable activities. In the second category of cases, there are again two possibilities, one trust was already doing charitable activities and was already having Registration u/s 12AA or 80G(5) of the Act, such trust were directed to re-apply for registration under new procedure on or before 30th August, 2020 but due to Covid-19 pandemic this date was subsequently extended. There is Second category of trust/institutions which were already doing Charitable Activities but had never applied for registration u/s.80G(5) of the Act. It is not mandatory that every charitable trust/institution has to apply for registration u/s.80G(5) of the Act. However, there is no bar in the Act that such trust or institutions cannot apply for registration u/s.80G in the new procedure. In these kinds of cases, the Trust/Institute though doing charitable activity may apply first for the ‘Provisional Registration ‘under the Act. After getting the Provisional Registration the Trust/Institution have to apply for Regular Registration. These kind of Trust/Institutes will fall under sub clause (iii) of the Proviso to Section 80G(5) of the Act, since they have obtained Provisional registration.
10.1 In this background, we need to read the sub-clause (iii) of the Proviso to Section 80G(5) of the Act. For ready reference it is again reproduced here under :
“ iii) where the institution or fund has been provisionally approved, at least six months prior to expiry of the period of the provisional approval or within six months of commencement of its activities, whichever is earlier”
10.2 The sub-clause says that the Institution which have provisional registration have to apply at-least six months prior to expiry of the provisional registration or within Six months of commencement of activities, whichever is earlier.
10.3 In continuation of this when we read the ‘sub clause iii of Proviso’ of section 80G(5), which we have already reproduced above, it is clear that the intention of parliament in putting the word “or within six months of commencement of its activities, whichever is earlier” is in the context of the newly formed Trust/institutions. For the existing Trust/Institution, the time limit for applying for Regular Registration is within six months of expiry of Provisional registration if they are applying under sub clause (iii) of the Proviso to Section 80G(5) of the Act. This will be the harmonious interpretation.
11. In this context, we will like to refer to observations of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of K P Varghase(supra), where in the Hon’ble Supreme Court observed as under :
Quote, “It is a well-recognised rule of construction that a statutory provision must be so construed, if possible, that absurdity and mischief may be avoided. There are many situations where the construction suggested on behalf of the revenue would lead to a wholly unreasonable result which could never have been intended by the Legislature. Take, for example, a case where A agrees to sell his property to B for a certain price and before the sale is completed pursuant to the agreement and it is quite well known that sometimes the completion of the sale may take place even a couple of years after the date of the agreement – the market price shoots up with the result that the market price prevailing on the date of the sale exceeds the agreed price at which the property is sold by more than 15 per cent of such agreed price. This is not at all an uncommon case in an economy of rising prices and in fact we would find in a large number of cases where the sale is completed more than a year or two after the date of the agreement that the market price prevailing on the date of the sale is very much more than the price at which the property is sold under the agreement. Can it be contended with any degree of fairness and justice that in such cases, where there is clearly no understatement of consideration in respect of the transfer and the transaction is perfectly honest and bona fide and, in fact, in fulfilment of a contractual obligation, the asses-see who has sold the property should be liable to pay tax on capital gains which have not accrued or arisen to him. It would indeed be most harsh and inequitable to tax the assessee on income which has neither arisen to him nor is received by him, merely because he has carried out the contractual obligation undertaken by him. It is difficult to conceive of any rational reason why the Legislature should have thought it fit to impose liability to tax on an assessee who is bound by law to carry out his contractual obligation to sell the property at the agreed price and honestly carries out such contractual obligation. It would indeed be strange if obedience to the law should attract the levy of tax on income which has neither arisen to the assessee nor has been received by him. If we may take another illustration, let us consider a case where A sells his property to B with a stipulation that after sometime, which may be a couple of years or more, he shall resell the property to A for the same price. Could it be contended in such a case that when B transfers the property to A for the same price at which he originally purchased it, he should be liable to pay tax on the basis as if he has received the market value of the property as on the date of resale, if, in the mean-while, the market price has shot up and exceeds the agreed price by more than 15 per cent. Many other similar situations can be contemplated where it would be absurd and unreasonable to apply section 52(2) according to its strict literal construction. We must, therefore, eschew literalness in the interpretation of section 52(2) and try to arrive at an interpretation which avoids this absurdity and mischief and makes the provision rational and sensible, unless of course, our hands are tied and we cannot find any escape from the tyranny of the literal interpretation. It is now a well-settled rule of construction that where the plain literal interpretation of a statutory provision produces a manifestly absurd and unjust result which could never have been intended by the Legislature, the Court may modify the language used by the Legislature or even ‘do some violence” to it, so as to achieve the obvious intention of the Legislature and produce a rational construction –” Unquote.
11.1 Thus, as observed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, that the statutory provision shall be interpreted in such a way to avoid absurdity. In this case to avoid the absurdity as discussed by us in earlier paragraph, we are of the opinion that the words, “within six months of commencement of its activities” has to be interpreted that it applies for those trusts/institutions which have not started charitable activities at the time of obtaining Provisional registration, and not for those trust/institutions which have already started charitable activities before obtaining Provisional Registration. We derive the strength from the Speech of the Hon’ble Finance Minister and the Memorandum of Finance Bill. 2020.
11.2 Therefore, in these facts and circumstances of the case, we hold that the Assessee Trust had applied for registration within the time allowed under the Act. Hence, the application of the assessee is valid and maintainable.
12. Even otherwise, assessee had received provisional approval under section 80G(5) on 02.10.2021 and it was valid upto A.Y.2024-25. The assessee had applied for registration under section 80G on 13.09.2024 which was before A.Y.2024-25. Thus, assessee had applied for permanent registration under section 80G before the expiry of provisional approval. Therefore, the application of the assessee was not time barred.
13. In these facts and circumstances, we set-aside the order under 80G to ld.CIT(E) for denovo adjudication. The ld.CIT(E) shall give opportunity to the assessee of being heard. Accordingly, grounds of appeal are allowed for statistical purpose.
14. In the result, appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purpose.
Order pronounced in the open Court on 24th April, 2025.
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