Cancellation of registration post-donation not invalidate Section 35(1)(ii) deduction

Chemstar International Vs DCIT (ITAT Mumbai)

mere suspicion or cancellation of registration post-donation does not invalidate Section 35(1)(ii) deduction

Section 35(1)(ii) donation cannot be treated as bogus on Investigation wing report alone

The case of Chemstar International vs DCIT (ITAT Mumbai) revolves around the contentious issue of income tax deduction under section 35(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. This deduction is specifically related to donations made towards scientific research, with the taxpayer, Chemstar International, claiming deductions for donations made to Matrivani Institute of Experimental Research & Education and The School of Human Genetics and Population Health.

The controversy arose when the Assessing Officer (AO), relying on a report from the Investigation Wing, alleged that these donations were bogus and disallowed the deductions claimed by Chemstar International. However, the taxpayer contended that the donations were genuine, supported by proper documentation including receipts and recognition certificates under section 35(1)(ii) of the Act.

During the proceedings, it was highlighted that the Investigation Wing’s report lacked specific evidence implicating Chemstar International directly in any wrongdoing related to these donations. Furthermore, previous judicial precedents, such as those in the case of Sopariwala Exports Pvt. Ltd., supported the taxpayer’s claim that mere suspicion or cancellation of registration post-donation does not invalidate the initial eligibility for deduction.

The ITAT Mumbai, referring to these precedents and considering the lack of direct evidence against Chemstar International, ruled in favor of the taxpayer. The tribunal emphasized that the withdrawal of recognition post-donation does not retroactively affect the eligibility of the taxpayer for deduction under section 35(1)(ii) of the Act.

In conclusion, the decision of ITAT Mumbai in Chemstar International vs DCIT reaffirms the principle that taxpayers can claim deductions under section 35(1)(ii) for donations made towards scientific research, provided they meet the statutory requirements at the time of donation.

FULL TEXT OF THE ORDER OF ITAT MUMBAI

Both appeals filed by the assessee are directed against the orders passed by the Ld CIT(A), NFAC, Delhi and they relate to the assessment years 2014-15 & 2015-16.

2. In both the appeals, the assessee is aggrieved against the decision of the learned CIT(A) in confirming the disallowance of deduction claimed u/s 35(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter “the Act”).

3. The assessee is a partnership firm and is engaged in the business of export of dyes and dye intermediates, chemicals and allied industrial goods. In the financial year relevant to the assessment year 2015-16, the assessee had given donation of Rs.55,00,000/- to M/s. Matrivani Institute of Experimental Research & Education, Kolkata towards scientific research. Accordingly, the assessee claimed weightage deduction u/s 35(1)(ii) @ 175% of the donation amount, which worked out to Rs.96,25,000/-. In the financial year relevant to the assessment year 2014-15, the assessee had donated 75,00,000/- to M/s. School of Human Genetics and Population Health, Kolkata for Scientific Research and claimed deduction u/s 35(1)(ii) of the Act @ 175% of the donation amount, which worked out to Rs.1,31,25,000/-.

4. The Investigation Wing of Kolkata, carried out survey operations u/s 133A of the Act in the hands of both the organizations referred above and it was found that both these organizations were providing bogus donation certificates through various broker in lieu of receiving commission. Based on the above said information of the Investigation wing, the Assessing Officer (AO) took the view that the donation claimed to have been paid by assessee in both these years are bogus in nature and accordingly the deduction claimed u/s 35(1)(ii) of the Act in both the years under consideration are not to be allowed. Accordingly, he disallowed the deduction claimed in both the years by the assessee u/s 35(1)(ii) of the Act. The learned CIT(A) also confirmed the disallowance made in both the years. Hence the assessee has filed these appeals before the Tribunal.

5. The learned AR submitted that the assessee has given donations to both these organizations through banking channel. Further, the assessee has duly produced the donation receipts along with the recognition certificate for these institutions u/s 35(1)(ii) of the Act. Accordingly, the assessee has claimed deduction in both the years. The Ld A.R submitted that the AO has not found fault with any of the documents submitted by the assessee. On the contrary, the AO has relied upon the report given by the Investigation wing in disbelieving the claim of the assessee. The Ld A.R submitted that it is not the case of the AO that survey officials have specifically pointed out that the donations given by the assessee are bogus in nature. Hence the AO could not have relied upon the general report given by the Investigation wing. Further, the AO has not brought on record any material to show that the assessee has received back the money given by it as donations. Accordingly, the learned AR submitted that the tax authorities were not justified in placing the reliance on the report of the Investigation Wing and making the impugned disallowance in both the years.

6. On the contrary, the learned DR submitted that the Investigation Wing has conducted survey operations in the hands of both the Institutions and has clearly brought out the modus operandi adopted by these two institutions in issuing bogus donations in lieu of receiving commission. Since it is found that both these institutions are involved in issuing bogus donations receipts, the learned CIT(A) was justified in confirming the disallowance of deductions claimed by assessee u/s 35(1)(ii) of the Act in both the years.

7. We notice that the issue is squarely covered against the Revenue by the decision of the ITAT in the case of Sopariwala Exports Pvt. Ltd. (ITA No.2039/Mum/2018 vide order dated 17.6.2021) has decided the identical issue in favour of the assessee by observing as under :-

“11. Upon careful consideration we note that identical issue was decided in favour of the assessee in the aforesaid decisions of the ITAT. We may refer to the decision in the case of Kitchen Essentials (supra) as under:-

“We have heard the rival submissions and perused the material on record including the decisions cited by the Id. AR. The undisputed facts are that the assessee has made donations of Rs.50 lakhs to the “The School of Human Genetics and Population Health” and claimed deduction u/s.35(1)(ii) of the Act equal to Rs.87,50,000/- being 175% of the amount paid. A survey was conducted at the office premises of the school namely, “The School of Human Genetics and Population Health” u/s.133A of the Act on 27.01.2015 and it was observed by the survey team that this institute in connivance with donors, brokers and accommodation entry providers has indulged in a dubious scheme of tax evasion, under which bogus donations were received from donors and money used to be returned back to the donors in lieu of commission, even while the donor availed of deductions u/s.35(1)(ii) of the Act. The registration of the institution was cancelled by the Government of India with retrospective effect and it was held that the institution has misused the exemption. However, under similar facts and circumstances, various coordinate benches have taken the view that mere admission on the part of the office bearers of the body/trust, the assessee cannot be penalized and the amount of donations claimed by the assessee on account of payment to the said school cannot be denied. In the case of Narbheram Vishram Qua, ITA No.42&43/Kol/2018, order dated 27.07.2018, the Kolkata Bench of the Tribunal under similar circumstances and facts has held as under:-

“13 we have given a careful consideration to the rival submissions and perused the materials available on record, we note that the assesses has challenged disallowance of weighted deduction of Rs.4,81,25,0007- for A.Y. 2013-14 and disallowance of weighted deduction of Rs.10,50,00,000/-, for A.Y. 2014-15, claimed by him under section 35(l)(ii) of the Act in respect of the amounts of donations made to two Institutions viz. ‘Matrivani Institute Experimental Research & Education’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘Matrivani’) and ‘The School of Human Genetics and Population Health’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘SHG’). The Assessee Firm in A.Y. 2014-15, made donation of Rs,2,00,00,000/ to Matrivani and Rs,4,00,00,000/ to SHG and claimed weighted deduction of Rs.10,50,00,000 under section 35(l)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, being 175% of the aggregate sum of Rs.6,00,00,000/-(Rs,2,00,00,000 + Rs,4,00,00,000) donated to these two institutes which were approved by the Central Government for the purposes of section 35(1) (ii) of the Act read with Rule 5C and SE of the Income Tax Rules, 1962. In the assessment year 2013-14, the assessee claimed weighted deduction of Rs.4,81,25,000/-under section 35(1) (ii) of the Act, which is 175% of the amount of donation being the sum of Rs.2,75,00,0007- in respect of the donation given to ‘The School of Human Genetics and Population Health’. We note that the Notifications to this effect, that these two institutions viz. ‘Matrivani’ and ‘SHG’, were approved by the Central Government for the purpose of section 35(1)(ii) of the Act, was published in the Gazette of India. However, the deduction claimed by the assessee was denied by the Assessing Officer on the basis of the allegations contained in the report of the Investigation Wing of Kolkata that the said donations were bogus. The reasons stated therein, in short, were that statements of some key persons of these two donee institutions were recorded by the Investigation authority in course of survey proceedings in their cases. The said key person, in their statements, accepted to have received donations from various entities in lieu of cash returned to them after deducting commission there from.

14. We note that, during the course of hearing, before us, the Id Counsel for the assessee submitted that, the sums paid to “Matrivani and “SHG, were genuine donations and both of the Institutions were admittedly registered under section 12A of the Income Tax Act, 1961. We note that both of the said two Institutions viz, “Matrivani” and “SHG”, are Scientific Research Association approved as such by Central Government under section 35(l)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 vide Notification, bearing No. 229/2007 (F.N0.203/135/2007/ITA-II) dated 21.08.2007 and Notification No. 4/2010 (F. No. 2B/A/2009,/ITA-II dated 28.01.2010 respectively, published in Official Gazette of India. The assessee categorically denied that it ever received back the amounts of donations in cash or in kind from the said Institutions and from any person whatsoever in lieu of the various amounts donated to these two institutions, we note that in the statements, of key persons and alleged brokers recorded by the Investigation Wing in course of survey proceedings, in their cases and the extracts of which was provided to the assesses in the show cause notice, the name of the assessee firm does not appear anywhere. It is to be noted that none of those persons implicate the assessee to have made bogus donations and that cash was paid to the donors assessee in lieu of the alleged bogus donation after deducting their commission.

We note that the statements of the various parties and persons were recorded behind the back of the assessee and the Assessing Officer did not allow opportunity of cross examination. We note that in absence of opportunity of cross-examination no reliance could be made on such statements to draw any adverse inference against the assessee firm.

The assessee firm denied its knowledge of the statements made by these institutes which were relied on by the Investigation Wing and the Assessing Officer. We note that not providing the opportunity of cross- examination is against the principle of natural justice and for that we rely of-the judgment of Hon’ble Delhi High Court in the case of CIT vs. Dharam Pal Prern Chand Ltd. [2007] 295 ITR 105, 108 (del). We note that on identical facts, the similar proposition was upheld by the Coordinate Bench of Kolkata in the case of Rajda Polymers, ITA No.333/Kol/2017for Assessment Year 2013-14 wherein it was held as follows:-

“10. ….Thus we note from the entire facts and circumstances, that the AO got swayed away with the statement recorded on oath of Mr. Swapan Ranjan Dasgupta during survey conducted at the premises of M/s. Herbicure. We have reproduced Question no. 22 and 23 and answers given by Shri Swapan Ranjan Dasgupta, wherein he admits to provide accommodation entries in lieu of cash. This information we should say can be the tool to start an investigation when the assessee made the claim for weighted deduction. The general statement of Shri Swapan Ranjan Dasgupta against donation made the claim of assessee for deduction suspicious. However, when the AO investigated, Shri Swapan Ranjan Dasgupta has confirmed that M/s. Herbicure was in receipt of the donation and it has not given any refund in cash, then the sole basis of disallowance of claim as a matter of fact disappeared. It should be remembered suspicion howsoever strong cannot take the place of evidence. The confirmation from Shri Swapan Ranjan Dasgupla fortifies the claim of the assessee for weighted deduction u/s. 35(1)(ii) of the Act. The sole basis of the addition/disallowance based on statement recorded on oath during survey cannot be allowed as held by Hon’ble Supreme Court in Kader Khan & sons (supra). Moreover, we note that if the AO was hell bent determined to disallow the claim of the assessee, then he should have granted an opportunity to cross examine Shri Swapan Ranjan Das Gupta and Shri Kishan Bhawasingka as held by Hon’ble Supreme Court in Andaman Timber (supra).

11. In the light of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, we cannot sustain the order of the authorities below. Therefore, we set aside the impugned order and direct the AO to allow the deduction of Rs.26,28,500/- u/s. 35(l)(ii) of the Act.

15. Now, we deal with the arguments of Id DR for the Revenue. We note that the solitary grievance of the Id DR for the Revenue is that since the registration had been cancelled by the CBDT, with retrospective effect that is, with effect from 1sl April 2007, by issuing notification dated 06.09.2016, for both the institutions viz: ‘Matrivani’ and ‘The School of Human Genetics and Population Health’, therefore these institutions are not entitled to claim benefit under section 35 (1) (ii) of the Act. We note that the withdrawal of recognition u/s 35(l)(ii) of the Act in the hands of the payee organizations would not affect the rights and interests of the assesses herein for claim of weighted deduction u/s 35(1)(ii) of the Act, for that we rely on the judgment of the Coordinate Bench, Kolkata, in the case of M/s Maco Corporation India (P) Ltd, ITA No.l6/Kol/2017, for Assessment Year 2013-14, wherein it was held as follows:

“29. All the three High Courts after examining the issue, in the light of the object of Section 12A of the Act and Section 21 of the General Clauses Act held that the order of the CIT passed under Section 12A is quasi judicial in nature. Second, there was no express provision in the Act vesting the CIT with power of cancellation of registration fill 01.10.2004; and lastly. Section 21 of the General Clauses Act has no application to the order passed by the CIT under Section 12A because the order is quasi judicial in nature and it is for all these reasons the CIT had no jurisdiction to cancel the registration certificate once granted by him under Section 12A till the power was expressly conferred on the CIT by Section I2AAC3) of the Act w.e.f. 01.10.2004. We hold that the ratio decidendi of the aforesaid judgement of the Hon’ble Apex Court would squarely be applicable to the facts of the instant case. In fact the assessee’s case herein falls on a much better footing than the facts before the Hon’ble Apex Court. In the case before Hon’ble Apex Court, the power of cancellation of registration us 12A of the Act was conferred by the Act on the Id CIT w.e.f. 1.10.2004 and the Hon’ble Apex Court held that prior to that date , no cancellation of registration could happen. But in the instant case, there is absolutely no provision for withdrawal of recognition u/s 35(l)(ii) of the Act. Hence we hold that the withdrawal of recognition u/s 35(l)(ii) of the Act in the hands of the payee organizations would not affect the rights and interests of the assessee herein for claim of weighted deduction u/s35(1)(H) of the Act.”

16.1n view of the aforesaid findings in the facts and circumstances of the case and respectfully following the various judicial precedents relied upon hereinabove, we direct the Id AO to grant deduction u/s 35(1 )(ii) of the Act, in the sum of Rs. 4,81,25,000/- for A. Y, 2013-14 and in the sum of Rs. 10,50,00,000/-, for A. Y. 2014-15, as claimed by him under section 35(l)(ii) of the Act in respect of the amounts of donations made to two Institutions viz. ‘Matrivani Institute Experimental Research & Education’ and The School of Human Genetics and Population Health’. Accordingly, the Grounds 1 to 4 raised by the assessee for A.Y. 2013-14 and the Grounds 1 to 5 raised by the assessee for A. Y. 2014-15 are allowed.”

9. Similarly in various other decisions the issue has been decided by the Tribunal in favour of the assessee by disregarding the revenue’s contentions that the registration of the school has been cancelled by the CBDT with retrospective effect by issuing Notification and, therefore, the assessee is not entitled to benefit u/s.35(1)(ii) of the Act. The facts before us being materially same involving the same school, namely, “The School of Human Genetics and Population Health”, we, therefore, respectfully following the decisions of the coordinate benches of the Tribunal, hold that the deduction u/s. 35(1)(ii) of the Act cannot be denied to the assessee. Accordingly, we direct the AO to grant deduction u/s. 35(1)(ii) of the Act. Appeal of the assessee for the assessment year 2013-2014 (ITA No.6672/Mum/2017) is hereby allowed.

“12. We note that facts in the present case are identical. The withdrawal of the approval to the payee has taken place subsequent to the payment by the assessee. The assessee’s case duly follows under section 35(1)(ii) of the Act which read as under :-

Section 35(1)(ii) : an amount equal to one and one half times of any sum paid to a research association which has as its object the undertaking of scientific research or to a university, college or other institution to be used for scientific research :

Provided that such association, university, college or other institution for the purposes of this clause—

(A) is for the time being approved, in accordance with the guidelines, in the manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed; and

(B) such association, university, college or other institution is specified as such, by notification in the Official Gazette, by the Central Government:

Provided further that where any sum is paid to such association, university, college or other institution in a previous year relevant to the assessment year beginning on or after the 1st day of April, 2021, the deduction under this clause shall be equal to the sum so paid;

13. Hence the payee was duly approved when the payment was done. By no stretch of imagination it can be said that the assessee could have done the impossible and known that subsequently the approval will be withdrawn. Accordingly, following the above said precedent and noting that it is not the case that Hon’ble Bombay High Court has reversed the decision, we set aside the order of authorities below. The assessee is therefore held to be eligible for deduction under section 35(1)(ii) of the Act.”

7. In the instant case also, the AO has relied upon the report given by the Investigation wing. He did not make any independent enquiry to prove that the view expressed by the Investigation wing would be applicable to the assessee. The AO has not brought any material to disprove the evidences furnished by the assessee with regard to the donations paid by it to the institutions. There is also no proof to show that the cheque paid by the assessee has been ploughed back by way of cash to the assessee. It is settled proposition that the subsequent withdrawal of recognition granted u/s 35(1)(ii) will not be a bar for granting deduction to the donations paid earlier. Accordingly, for the reasons discussed above and also following the decision of the co-ordinate bench referred supra, we hold that the claim made by the assessee u/s 35(1)(ii) of the Act in both the years should be allowed.

8. Accordingly, we set aside the orders passed by Ld CIT(A) in both the years and direct the AO to allow the deduction claimed by the assessee u/s 35(1)(ii) of the Act in both the years under consideration.

9. In the result, both the appeals filed by the assessee are allowed.

Order pronounced in the open court on 05/07/2024