Case Law Details
DCIT Vs Kortek Electronics (India) Ltd. (ITAT Delhi)
ITAT Delhi Rules in Favor of Kortek Electronics (India) Ltd., Deletes Additions for GP Ratio Fall
The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Delhi recently delivered a verdict in the case of DCIT Vs Kortek Electronics (India) Ltd. for the assessment year 2010-11. The ITAT’s decision pertained to the addition of income and the disallowance of expenses.
Background: Kortek Electronics (India) Ltd. is involved in the business of manufacturing electronics goods, components, and Set-Top Boxes. In the assessment year 2010-11, the company filed its return with an income declaration of Rs. 20,28,59,210.
Scrutiny Assessment: The Income Tax department selected the company’s return for scrutiny assessment. During the assessment, the Assessing Officer (AO) noted that the company had shown a Gross Profit (GP) rate of 11.25%, significantly lower than the previous year’s GP rate of 12.8%. The AO sought detailed explanations and justifications for this decline in GP and requested itemized purchase details and manufacturing expense explanations.
Inability to Produce Records: The company cited an inability to provide necessary documents and records, as its factory had been closed since September 17, 2013. The AO, unable to obtain these documents, applied the previous year’s GP rate of 12.8% and made an addition of Rs. 6,86,84,246 to the company’s income.
Disallowance of Expenses: In addition to the GP rate issue, the AO also disallowed Rs. 7,00,000 of miscellaneous expenses, freight transport, distribution expenses, and repair and maintenance expenses.
Challenge Before CIT(A): Kortek Electronics challenged these additions before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) [CIT(A)] and submitted its books of accounts, along with supporting documents and evidence. The CIT(A) directed the AO to examine these documents and provide a factual report.
CIT(A)’s Decision: After analyzing the submissions, the CIT(A) deleted the additions related to the low GP rate and reduced the disallowance of miscellaneous and other expenses from Rs. 7,00,000 to Rs. 3,50,000.
Appellate Tribunal’s Ruling: The ITAT reviewed the entire case, including the AO’s examination of the company’s books of accounts and supporting documents. It found that the AO had accepted the documents and, therefore, upheld the CIT(A)’s findings. Consequently, the ITAT dismissed the appeal of the revenue.
In this case, the ITAT’s decision underscores the importance of producing comprehensive documentation during the appeal process. While the initial assessment may have posed challenges, the company’s ability to provide proper documentation allowed it to successfully challenge the additions and disallowances made by the tax authorities. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining accurate and thorough records to substantiate income and expenses in income tax matters.
FULL TEXT OF THE ORDER OF ITAT DELHI
This appeal by the revenue is preferred against the order of the CIT(A)-5, New Delhi dated 29.07.2019 pertaining to A.Y. 2010-11.
2. The grievance of the revenue read as under:-
1. That on the facts and circumstances of the case & in law, the Ld. CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition of Rs.6,86,84,246/-.
2. That on the facts and circumstances of the case & in law, the Ld. CIT(A) erred in restricting the disallowance of Rs.3,50,000/- instead of Rs.7,00,000/- made on account of miscellaneous expenses.
3. That the appellant craves leave to add, alter amend or forego any ground(s) of the appeal raised above at the time of hearing.
3. Briefly stated the facts of the case are that the assessee is engaged in the business of manufacturing of electronics goods and components and Set Top Box. Return for the year was electronically filed on 30.09.2010 declaring income of Rs.20,28,59,210/-. The return was selected for scrutiny assessment and accordingly statutory notices were issued and served upon the assessee.
4. While scrutinizing the return the AO found that the assessee has shown GP rate of 11.25% against the turnover of Rs.4438110526/-. The AO further noticed that in the immediately preceding year the assessee has shown GP rate of 12.8% against the turnover of Rs. 5155725007/-. The assessee was asked to justify the fall in the GP rate by giving item wise purchase detail of raw-material and selling price of finished goods along with justification of increase in the manufacturing expenses. Since the factory is closed from 17.09.2013 the Counsel showed his inability stating that all the book of accounts and documents are in the premises and, therefore, could not be produced. The AO applied GP rate of 12.8% and made addition of Rs. 68684246/-.
5. Proceeding further the AO disallowed of Rs. 7,00,000/- out of miscellaneous expenses, freight transport and distribution expenses and repair and maintenance expenses.
6. The assessee challenged the additions before the CIT(A) and produce the book of accounts and other related documents/ evidences in support of its trading results. The CIT(A) issued directions to the AO to submit a factual report after examination of the documents. The AO submitted his report vide letter dated 25.10.2018 and admitted that the assessee has submitted copies of vouchers, copy of invoices and other documents/ evidences in respect of claim of expenditure.
7. After considering the submissions and the remand report and after the verification of book of accounts by the AO the CIT(A) deleted the additions made on account of low GP rate. In so far as disallowance of miscellaneous and other expenditure of Rs. 7 lacs is concerned the CIT(A) on facts restricted the disallowance to Rs. 3,50,000/-.
8. Before us the DR strongly supported the findings of the AO. The Counsel for the assessee reiterated what has been stated before the lower authorities and furnished the following chart of trading results :-
9. We have carefully considered the orders of the authorities below. It is true that at the assessment stage the assessee did not produce books of account and related documents/ evidences but it is equally true that before the first appellate authorities the assessee submitted all the evidences along with books of account. It is an undisputed fact that the CIT(A) called for a remand report directing the AO to examine the book of accounts and other related documents.
10. We find that not only the AO examined the book of accounts along with bills and vouchers but also accepted the same. On these facts we do not find any reason to interfere with the findings of the CIT(A). The ground No.1 is dismissed.
11. In so far as ground No.2 is concerned we find that the CIT(A) has restricted the disallowance considering the facts of the case to Rs.3,50,000/- which calls for no interference.
12. In the result, the appeal of the revenue is dismissed.
13. Decision announced in the open court on 28.08.2023.
