Penalty / Fine for violation of procedural law cannot be disallowed- Bombay HC

CIT Vs. The Stock and Bond Trading Company (Bombay High Court)- Payments made by the Assessee to the Stock Exchange for violation of their regulation are not an account of an offence or which is prohibited by law. Hence, the invocation of explanation to section 37 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is not justified. In our opinion, in the facts and circumstances of the present case, no fault can be found with the decision of the ITAT.

HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY
INCOME TAX APPEAL NO. 4117 OF 2010

The Commissioner of Income Tax
Vs.

M/s. The Stock and Bond Trading Company

DATE : 14TH OCTOBER, 2011.

ORDER

1. Two questions of law raised by the Revenue in this Appeal read thus:

A Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the Tribunal was justified in deleting the additions made by the Assessing Officer under section 40(a)(ia) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 claimed by the assessee firm being VSAT charges amounting to Rs. 3,12,597/­ and NSE lease line charges amounting to Rs.1,66,301/­ and Transaction charges of Rs. 4,45,024/­ paid by the Assessee Firm to the National Stock Exchange, even though the Assessee had failed to deduct tax at source while making such payments as required under section 194J of the Income Tax Act, 1961?

B Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the Tribunal was justified in deleting the additions made by the Assessing Officer under proviso to section 37(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 being penalty imposed by the National Stock Exchange on the Assessee?