PCIT Vs Pepsico India Holding Pvt. Ltd. (Delhi High Court)
Introduction: In a recent judgment by the Delhi High Court, a crucial matter concerning PepsiCo India Holding Pvt. Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “PepsiCo India”) was addressed. The case revolved around the late deposit of employees’ provident fund (PF) contribution due to a national holiday. The court’s decision has significant implications for employers and the treatment of such late deposits.
Detailed Analysis:
Background: PepsiCo India found itself embroiled in a legal dispute concerning the timing of its deposit of employees’ contributions to the provident fund. The dispute emerged from a scenario where the due date for this deposit coincided with a national holiday.
Questions of Law: The Delhi High Court initially formulated two questions of law for consideration:
1. Whether the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (referred to as the “Tribunal”) erred in law by concluding that late deposits of employees’ contributions to the provident fund and insurance would be eligible as deductions for the employer/assessee?
2. Whether, given the facts and circumstances of the case, PepsiCo India could claim a deduction under Section 36(1)(5)(A) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (referred to as the “Act”), regarding employees’ contributions to the Provident Fund amounting to Rs. 1,56,12,404/-, when the due date fell on a national holiday (15.08.2018) and the deposit was made on 16.08.2018?
Court’s Decision: The Delhi High Court first addressed the Tribunal’s stance on the first question. The Tribunal, relying on various judgments, including one by a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court in Commissioner of Income Tax vs. AIMIL Limited (2010) 321 ITR 508 (Del.), had ruled in favor of PepsiCo India. It held that as long as the amounts were deposited before filing the income tax return under Section 139(1) of the Act, no disallowance could be made, even if the deposits exceeded the specified timeframes set by provident fund and insurance regulations.
However, a recent judgment by the Supreme Court in Checkmate Services P Ltd vs. Commissioner of Income Tax [2022] 448 ITR 518 (SC) contradicted the Tribunal’s viewpoint. The Supreme Court’s judgment supported disallowance, creating a conflict.
Regarding the second question, the focus was on the specific deposit of Rs. 1,56,12,404 made on 16.08.2018, when the due date had been 15.08.2018, a national holiday. PepsiCo India argued that the deposit should be considered timely as they had initiated the process on 14.08.2018, but the national holiday had caused the actual deposit delay.
The court concurred with PepsiCo India, citing Section 10 of the General Clauses Act, 1897, which assisted the company in overcoming objections raised by revenue authorities. The court ruled that the deposit made on 16.08.2018 should be considered within the timeframe, given that the due date fell on a national holiday.
Conclusion: The Delhi High Court’s judgment in the case of PCIT vs. PepsiCo India Holding Pvt. Ltd. bears significant relevance for companies handling PF contributions. It upholds that when a due date for a deposit coincides with a national holiday, the deposit made on the subsequent working day should be considered as within the timeframe. This decision aligns with Section 10 of the General Clauses Act, providing clarity and safeguarding employers in similar situations.
FULL TEXT OF THE JUDGMENT/ORDER OF DELHI HIGH COURT
1. We heard the matter at some length on 12.01.2023, when we had admitted the appeal and framed two questions of law.
2. On 12.01.2023 we rendered our decision with respect to the first question of law. We answered the question in favour of the appellant/revenue and against the respondent/assessee.
3. Thus, we are left with the second question of law that was framed by us on 12.01.2023.
4. For the sake of convenience, the relevant parts of the order dated 12.01.2023 are set forth hereafter:
“6. According to us, the following questions of law arise for consideration:
(i) Whether the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal [in short, “Tribunal”] misdirected itself in law in concluding that even if employees’ contribution concerning provident fund and towards insurance was deposited beyond the date prescribed under the subject statute, it would be allowable as a deduction to the employer/assessee?
(ii) Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case, the respondent/assessee could claim deduction under Section 36(1)(5)(A) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 [in short, “Act”], concerning the employees’ contribution to Provident Fund amounting to Rs. 1,56,12,404/- which was deposited on 16.08.2018, as the due date fell on a national holiday i.e., 15.08.2018?
7. The Tribunal, based on judgments which hold [sic held] the field, including the judgment rendered by a Division Bench of this Court in Commissioner of Income Tax versus AIMIL Limited (2010) 321 ITR 508 (Del.) and another judgment dated 10.09.2018 delivered by this Court in ITA No.983/2018, titled PCIT vs Pro Interactive Service (India) Pvt.Ltd., ruled in favour of the respondent/assessee.
7.1 In sum, the Tribunal concluded, in line with the aforesaid judgments, that since the amounts in issue had been deposited before filing of income tax return under Section 139(1) of the Act, no disallowance could be made, although the deposits were not within the timeframe fixed under the statutes governing provident fund and insurance.
8. Mr Puneet Rai, learned senior standing counsel, who appears on behalf of the appellant/revenue, has drawn our attention to the judgment of the Supreme Court in Checkmate Services P Ltd vs. Commissioner of Income Tax, [2022] 448 ITR 518 (SC).
8.1 A careful perusal of the said judgment shows, that the Supreme Court has taken a contra view. Therefore, the view taken by the Tribunal would have to be reversed.
9. Mr Deepak Chopra, who appears on behalf of the respondent/assessee, has drawn our attention to paragraph 7 of the impugned order dated 20.06.2022 passed by the Tribunal, which adverts to the fact that the disallowance could not be made under Section 143(1) of the Act.
9.1 Furthermore, Mr Chopra has also drawn our attention to paragraph 4.2.7 of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)’s [in short, “CIT(A)”] order dated 25.03.2022, wherein, insofar as the respondent/assessee is concerned, the details of the deposits made towards provident fund and insurance are set forth. For the sake of convenience, the said table is extracted hereafter:
