Free Gift Scheme Valid Business Promotion – ITAT Deletes ₹1.47 Cr Disallowance

Vimal Trading Company Vs ITO (ITAT Chennai) The assessee, a partnership firm engaged in trading of Asafoetida (hing), filed its return for AY 2018-19 declaring income of ₹22.42 lakh and claimed sales promotion expenses of ₹2.37 crore for distribution of stainless steel vessels as free gifts to customers under a promotional scheme. During assessment, the AO questioned the promotional scheme and observed discrepancies in purchase figures of vessels and the absence of advertisement for the scheme. Based on the assessee’s statement that vessels were given per kilogram of Asafoetida sold, the...