Case Law Details
The Assessing Officer had noticed that grant of Rs. 35 crores was sanctioned by the Government in the said year to improve air connectivity in North-Eastern Region. The respondent- assessee had taken on lease four ATR-42-320 air crafts for five years from Ms/ Aviande Transport Regional (ATR).3 The respondent- assessee had authorized and had spread this grant over a period of five years as the lease period of the air crafts was sixty months. The Assessing Officer disagreed and held that once the respondent- assessee had received the grant of Rs. 35 crores from the Ministry of Finance and Company Affairs, the same could not have been spread over five years, i.e., the lease period, and the entire amount should be brought to tax in one year, i.e., year of receipt itself. The assessee was following mercantile system of accounting and the grant had accrued to the respondent- assessee in the period relevant to the present assessment year. Thus, addition of Rs. 27.71 crores was made.
The findings recorded by the two appellate authorities is that the standard followed by the respondent was as per accounting standard AS-12 prescribed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants. The said method of accounting cannot be faulted or ignored. It is further recorded that there was no dispute that the grant given to the respondent was based upon operations from which net profit/income had to be arrived at after deducting the expenditure. The grant had to be utilize over five years. They accordingly accepted that amount of Rs. 7.29 crores declared by the respondent, out of grant of Rs.35 crores should be treated as income of the year in question. Before us, the counsel for the Revenue has not been able to point out and state, how and why the reasoning can be faulted as the assessee had followed AS-12. Revenue has not disputed before us that the accounting standard, as prescribed by the institute, has been followed. On the first question, therefore, no substantial question of law arises.
HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
INCOME TAX APPEAL NO. 13/2013
Date of decision: 8th August, 2013
COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX-I
versus
AIRLINE ALLIED SERVICES LTD.
CORAM:
HONORABLE MR. JUSTICE SANJIV KHANNA
HONORABLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV SACHDEVA
ORDER
SANJIV KHANNA, J. (ORAL):
This appeal by the Revenue pertains to Assessment Year 2003- 04 and arises out of order passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal dated 15th June, 2012.
2. Revenue in this appeal has only raised two issues. First issue relates to deletion of addition of Rs. 27,71,00,000/- made by the Assessing Officer, by Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), which have been affirmed by the tribunal. The Assessing Officer had noticed that grant of Rs.35 crores was sanctioned by the Government in the said year to improve air connectivity in North-Eastern Region. The respondent- assessee had taken on lease four ATR-42-320 aircrafts for five years from Ms/ Aviande Transport Regional (ATR).
5. The findings recorded by the two appellate authorities is that the standard followed by the respondent was as per accounting standard AS-12 prescribed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants. The said method of accounting cannot be faulted or ignored. It is further recorded that there was no dispute that the grant given to the respondent was based upon operations from which net profit/ income had to be arrived at after deducting the expenditure. The grant had to be utilized over five years. They accordingly accepted that amount of Rs. 7.29 crores declared by the respondent, out of grant of Rs. 35 crores should be treated as income of the year in question. Before us, the counsel for the Revenue has not been able to point out and state, how and why the reasoning can be faulted as the assessee had followed AS-12. Revenue has not disputed before us that the accounting standard, as prescribed by the institute, has been followed. On the first question, therefore, no substantial question of law arises.
6. The second question relates to addition of Rs.534.79 lacs, which was made by the Assessing Officer but again deleted by the first appellate authority and upheld by the tribunal in the impugned order. The Assessing Officer has recorded that in the notes of the Auditor, they had qualified the accounts stating that details of inventories of Rs. 534.79 lacs could not be ascertained. The assessee in the reply had stated that the basic records were maintained by the Indian Airlines as per procedure and the reconciliation of the same was done at much later date. On the question of reconciliation, we may state that the tribunal has sustained addition of Rs. 34.31 lacs. On the question of inventories of Rs.534.79 lacs, the CIT (Appeals) has recorded that this amount was duly reflected in the Annual Report. He has made reference to Schedule IV of the Annual Report where under the head ‘inventories’ full details had been given. It is pointed out that the inventories were maintained by Indian Airlines and the figures given by them have been taken in the books. The Auditor had hedged his report and had stated that they could not ascertain inventories of Rs. 534.79 lacs in view of the said factual position, i.e., they had taken the figures given by Indian Airlines and had not examined the accounts/books of Indian Airlines.
7. During the course of the first appellate proceedings, in view of the response/contention of the appellant, a remand report from the Assessing Officer was called for. The Assessing Officer did not submit the remand report to contest the contention of the respondent‑assessee. CIT (Appeals) accordingly recorded that amount of Rs.534.79 lacs was not in dispute. The respondent- assessee succeeded. Before tribunal also, the Revenue could not contest the said position as has been recorded in paragraph 10 of the impugned order passed by the tribunal. Therefore, even on the second issue, we do not find any substantial question of law arises for consideration.
The appeal is dismissed.
SANJIV KHANNA, J.
SANJEEV SACHDEVA, J.
AUGUST 08, 2013
Receipts like subsidies, gransts, donations,prizes, scholarships,etc. are not received as a consideration or reward or remuneration.
These are paid by payer as a promotional effort to achieve particular objective which is generally a public purpose.
Such receipts are threfore, capital receipts. Even a capital receipt which is connected with business or profession is not income. Tax on income cannot be imposed on such capital receipts.
Government subsidies sholuld be specificaly considered as ‘capital receipts’.There is no purpsoe if government gives Rs.100 as a subsidy or incentive and take back Rs.34 as income-tax thereson.
On such issues there should be clarity and any dispute should not be allowed. This will save lot of time of our courts and national resources. Though I will be adverserly affected by such clear policy (no dispute mens no professional assignment and no fee for me)however, in interest of nation,and to avoid brain drain, I would like that situation and will try to findout other productive work.