Klaus Multiparking System Pvt. Ltd. Vs ACIT (ITAT Pune)
As per bills raised by ‘S’ assessee had merely reimbursed octroi charges in addition to payment of transportation charges to said ‘S’. It was not requirement of law to deduct tax at source out of reimbursement of expenses, therefore, assessee could not be held to be in default and there was no merit in disallowance made under section 40(a)(ia).
FULL TEXT OF THE HIGH COURT ORDER / JUDGMENT
Both the appeals filed by assessee are against separate orders of CIT(A)-7, Pune, both dated 25.10.2016 relating to assessment years 2010-11 & 2011-12 against respective orders passed under section 143(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (in short ‘the Act’).
2. Both the appeals relating to the same assessee were heard together and are being disposed of by this consolidated order for the sake of convenience. In order to adjudicate the issues, reference is being made to the facts in ITA No.308/PUN/201 7, relating to assessment year 2010-11.
3. The assessee in ITA No.308/PUN/2017, relating to assessment year 2010-11 has raised the following grounds of appeal:-
1. The learned CIT(A) erred in law and on facts in sustaining the disallowance of Rs. 1,97,738/- paid to Saraswati Transport Company for alleged non-deduction of TDS on reimbursement of octroi expenses.
2. The learned CIT(A) erred in facts in making an observation that the appellant has not demonstrated the bifurcation between octroi charges and transport charges from any bill of transporter. The learned CIT(A) ought to have appreciated that the bills of the Saraswati Transport Company submitted by the appellant mention the said two elements separately.
3. The learned CIT(A) erred in law and on facts in sustaining the disallowance of amortization of expenses incurred on account of increase in share capital of the company in AY 2008-09 amounting to Rs. 23,300/-.
4. The issue in grounds of appeal No.1 and 2 raised by the assessee is against disallowance of ₹ 1,97,738/- paid to Saraswati Transport Company for non-deduction of TDS on reimbursement of octroi expenses.
5. Briefly, in the facts of the case, the assessee was engaged in the manufacturing and sale of automatic parking systems. The assessee during the year under consideration had furnished the return of income declaring Nil The case of assessee was picked up for scrutiny. The first issue which was taken up by the Assessing Officer was lower deduction of tax at source by the assessee out of certain payments. The assessee pointed out that it had deducted TDS out of payments made to Clearfast Air Cargo Agencies Ltd. and Saraswati Transport Company was @ 1% on the basis of certificate obtained from the Income Tax Department. The Assessing Officer on verification noted that beside the said concern in some other cases, the assessee had deducted tax at lower rates and disallowance of ₹ 4,45,662/- was made in the hands of assessee. Various other additions were also made by the Assessing Officer, which are not disputed before us and hence, no reference is being made in this regard, except for the issue raised vide ground of appeal No.3 against disallowance of amortization of expenses incurred on account of increase in share capital of ₹ 23,300/-.
6. The CIT(A) after considering explanation of assessee noted that the assessee had deducted tax at source @ 1 % and there was certificate for lower rate of deduction @ 1%. He further noted that the assessee had not deducted tax at source on octroi charges reimbursed to Saraswati Transport Company. From the details given, octroi charges were ₹ 1,97,738/- and transport charges were only ₹ 3,955/-. Further, as per TDS certificate, total amount paid to Saraswati Transport Company was only ₹ 3,82,501/-. The CIT(A) from the perusal of bill and TDS certificate observed that TDS was not deducted on octroi charges. He was of the view that the payments made to Saraswati Transport Company were more than ₹ 3,82,501/-. The plea of assessee that TDS was not required to be deducted out of reimbursement of expenses, was not accepted by the CIT(A) on the ground that the assessee had failed to demonstrate that there was such reimbursement. The CIT(A) held that in view of the provisions of section 40(a)(ia) of the Act, the assessee was in default in not deducting the tax at source out of payments of ₹ 1,97,738/-.
7. The assessee is in appeal against the order of CIT(A).
8. The learned Authorized Representative for the assessee before us pointed out that the perusal of invoices of Saraswati Transport Company along with octroi receipts filed before the authorities below, which clearly reflected that octroi payments were reimbursed to the said transporter. However, against transportation charges paid, tax was deducted at source and there is no dispute vis-à-vis the same. The learned Authorized Representative for the assessee also referred to form No. 16A issued to Saraswati Transport Company placed at page 49 of Paper Book, under which the TDS was deducted only out of transport charges and not out of octroi charges, since it was reimbursement of expenses.
9. The learned Departmental Representative for the Revenue placed reliance on the orders of authorities below.
10. We have heard the rival contentions and perused the record. The limited issue which arises in the present appeal is whether the assessee was in default in not deducting TDS out of payments made to Saraswati Transport Company on account of reimbursement of expenses of octroi charges. The assessee had utilized services of Saraswati Transport Company and had paid transport charges to the said concern. There is no default in deduction of tax at source out of aforesaid transport charges paid to said concern. However, the assessee was held to be in default in not deducting tax at source out of octroi The assessee before us has filed necessary evidence in this regard that in each of the bills raised by the said concern Saraswati Transport Company, separately the octroi charges and transport charges were shown; in addition the assessee has filed supporting evidence, receipt of octroi charges paid by the assessee. In the totality of the above said facts and circumstances, where in addition to the transport charges, the assessee had reimbursed octroi charges, then it is not the requirement of law to deduct tax at source out of reimbursement of expenses of octroi charges. The assessee having not deducted the same, cannot be held to be in default. Accordingly, we find no merit in the aforesaid disallowance made by invoking provisions of section 40(a)(ia) of the Act. We direct the Assessing Officer to delete disallowance of ₹ 1,97,738/-. Hence, the grounds of appeal No.1 and 2 raised by the assessee are thus, allowed.
11. The issue in ground of appeal No.3 raised by the assessee is against disallowance of expenses incurred on account of increase in share capital of the assessee company amounting to ₹ 23,300/-. The said expenses are capital in nature and hence, are not to be allowed in the hands of assessee. Accordingly, the ground of appeal No.3 raised by the assessee is dismissed. The grounds of appeal raised by the assessee are thus, partly allowed.
12. Now, coming to the appeal of assessee in ITA No.309/PUN/2017, relating to assessment year 2011-12. The grounds of appeal raised by the assessee are as under:-
1. The learned AO erred in law and on facts in taxing and learned CIT(A) erred in aw and on facts in confirming the taxation of “Industrial Promotion Subsidy” amoun ing to Rs26,37 000/- on the analogy that the same is not a capital receipt, but a revenue receipt chargeable to tax
2. The learned CIT(A) erred in law and on facts in drawing incorrect analogies and tests for deciding the nature and character of the Industrial Promotion subsidy. The learned CIT(A) ought to have appreciated that “mode of payment of subsidy is d ffere t from “purpose of subs dy”, and viewed from “purpose test”, th industrial promotion subsidy received is capital in nature.
13. The assessee is aggrieved by the orders of authorities below in holding that subsidy received by the assessee under the Industrial Promotion Subsidy Scheme is chargeable to tax in the hands of assessee as against the plea of assessee that it was a capital receipt. The learned Authorized Representative for the assessee referred to the Package Scheme Incentive, 2007 of the Govt. of Maharashtra, which is placed at pages 44 to 72 of Paper Book. He also referred to the letter of provisional sanction of Industrial Promotion Subsidy Scheme dated 31.08.2012, placed at page 43 of Paper Book. He stressed that the assessee was eligible to get the said subsidy under PSI Scheme of 2007 and the said receipt in the hands of assessee was a capital receipt. He further stated that the issue stands covered by the order of Tribunal in the case of Innoventive Industries Ltd. Vs. DCIT in ITA Nos.601/PN/2013 and 21 5/PN/201 4, relating to assessment years 2009-10 and 2010-11, order dated 24.03.2017. He also referred to the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in CIT Vs. Shree Balaji Alloys (2017) 287 CTR 459 (SC).
14. The learned Departmental Representative for the Revenue on the other hand, placed reliance on the orders of authorities below.
15. We have heard the rival contentions and perused the record. The only issue which arises in the present appeal is the treatment of subsidy of ₹ 26,37,000/- received by the assessee from Govt. of Maharashtra. The assessee explained that under the Package Scheme of Incentive, 2007, the Govt. of Maharashtra had provided benefits for setting up of new projects, under which the incentive scheme was provided to the persons setting up the This scheme was revised from time to time and one such revision was on 03.05.2006 during which, units set up during the period from 01.04.2007 to 01.03.2011 were held to be eligible to claim the subsidy. The assessee further pointed out that it was eligible for industrial promotion subsidy of 25% of fixed capital investment being Medium Manufacturing Enterprise for a period of six year. In this regard, eligibility certificate was issued under PSI Scheme of 2007. The assessee has placed the copy of said certificate at pages 36 to 42 of Paper Book. As per said certificate, subsidy was granted only after setting up of industries and the same is claimed to be nothing but assistance given for the purpose of setting up of industries. The eligibility certificate states that electricity duty exemption for a period of 15 years from 01.03.2009 to 29.02.2024. It further states that Industrial Promotion Subsidy (IPS) equivalent to 40% of eligibility investment was ₹ 190.76 lakhs for the period of 96 months i.e. 01.03.2009 to 28.02.2017. The eligibility certificate further provides that in case unit is closed down or producing below normal production, incentive availed would be withdrawn. The case of assessee was that the said receipt was capital receipt in its hands. However, the case of Revenue is that the said receipt is revenue receipt chargeable to tax in the hands of assessee.
16. We find that the Tribunal in the case of Innoventive Industries Ltd. Vs. DCIT (supra) had considered the aforesaid scheme of PSI, 2007 and had relied on decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and on various decisions of Hon’ble High Courts and held as under:-
“15. We have heard the submissions made by the representatives of the rival sides and have perused the orders of authorities below. We have also considered various documents placed on record in the form of paper book and the judgments/decisions referred to by the representative of both sides during the course of making submissions.
Before we proceed to decide the nature of subsidy and the purpose for which the subsidy was received by the assessee, it would be relevant to first refer to the Preamble of Package Scheme Incentive, 2007 under which the assessee has received assistance from the State Government. The relevant extract of the Preamble of PSI, 2007 reads as under :
“PREAMBLE
In order to encourage the dispersal of industries to the less developed areas of the State, Government has been giving a Package of Incentives to New / Expansion Units set up in the developing region of the State since 1964 under a Scheme popularly known as the Package Schemes of Incentives.
The Package Scheme of Incentives, introduced in 1964, was amended from time to time. The last amended Scheme, commonly known as the 2001 Scheme is operative from the 1st April, 2001 to 31st March, 2007.
The State has declared the new Industrial, Investment, Infrastructure Policy 2006 to ensure sustained industrial growth through innovative initiatives for development of key potential sectors and further improving the conducive industrial climate in the State, for providing the global FRPpetitivL eLYe LI tDJ SLI te’s inWKstLI 6 TDe pHliVLI LQvisaVesU\rant o7 fiscal incentives to achieve higher and sustainable economic growth with emphasis on balanced Regional Development and Employment Generation through Greater Private and Public Investment in industrial development. The Package Scheme of Incentives 2007 outlines the eligibility criteria, quantum of incentives and monitoring mechanism for administering the LILQntivQs”
16. A further perusal of the scheme reveal that the State of Maharashtra been classified into different areas marked as Group A to Group D+, depending upon the development in the specified areas. The Classification of Areas under the scheme is given below :
“1.3 Classification of Areas :
For the purpose of the 2007 scheme, the classification of the areas of the State shall be as indicated below :
(i) Group A: comprising the developed areas, viz, Mumbai Metropolitan Regional (MMR) and Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR).
(ii) Group B : comprising the areas where some development has taken place.
(iii) Group C : comprising the areas, which are less developed than those covered under Group B.
(iv) Group D : comprising the lesser developed areas of the State not covered under Group A/Group B/Group C.
(v) Group D+ : comprising those least developed areas not covered under Group A/Group B/Group C/Group D.
(vi) No industry District : not covered under Group A/B/C/D & D+.”
17. The beneficiary of PSI, 2007 will be issued eligibility certificate by the implementing agency and the eligibility certificate will be issued with effect from the date of commencement of commercial production by the eligible unit. The assessee is classified as Mega Project. The Department of Industries, Government of Maharashtra vide letter dated 30-10-2007 has offered the status of Mega Project to the proposal of assessee on the basis of employment generation and has offered incentives subject to compliance of PSI, 2007.
18. The assessee has entered into Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Maharashtra on 15-10-2008 (placed on record at page 119 of the paper book). The relevant extract of the terms and conditions specified in Memorandum of Understanding for claiming benefit under the scheme are as under :
“1. ADAPL shall invest approximately Rs. 117 crores in the new project at village Sanaswadi, Tal.Shirur, Distt. Pune & will offer employment to 510 persons.
2. GoM will offer following benefits / incentives granted hereunder available with regard to the eligible investments for expansion and shall be payable to ADAPL on ADAPL complying with the requirements under PSI 2007.
2.1 Electricity Duty exemption for the period of 7 years from the date of commencement of commercial production.
2.2 100% exemption from payment of Stamp Duty.
2.3 Industrial Promotion Subsidy (IPS) equivalent to 75% of “ELIGIBLE INVESTMENTS (as defined in PSI 2007 )”made w.e.f 28th March, 2007 and made within such a period stipulated in the Package Scheme of Incentives 2007. The IPS will however be limited to 75% of ADAPL’s eligible investments less the amount of benefits availed at Sr.No.2.1 & 2.2 as per the period prescribed therein or to the extent of taxes paid to the State Government within a period of 7 years whichever is lower.
3. The IPS mentioned at 2.3 will be admissible only after the company employs 500 number of persons on regular basis within one year from the date of commencement of commercial production at the proposed project and at least 75% of these employees are local ”
19. A bare perusal of the Preamble to PSI, 2007 shows that the incentives are offered by the State Government to the entrepreneurs for making investment and setting up of new industries in the lesser developed areas of the State of Maharashtra. The scheme envisages grant of fiscal incentives to achieve higher and sustainable economic growth with emphasis on balanced regional development and employment generation through greater private and public investment in industrial development. In other words, through this scheme the State Government intends to attract investments in those area which are less developed so as to create a balanced development in the State and generate even employment opportunities throughout the State. Thus the prime motive behind PSI, 2007 is setting up of new industries.
20. A perusal of the terms and conditions of the Memorandum of Understanding reveal that the incentive/benefits under the scheme are offered to the assessee subject to the compliance of certain conditions. The benefits are in the form of exemption from payment of Electricity Duty, 100% exemption from payment of Stamp Duty on purchase of land etc., the Industrial Promotion Subsidy is given to the extent of 75% of eligible investment made during prescribed period (limit of 75% of the eligible investment shall be reduced by the amount of benefits offered in the form of electricity duty and exemption of stamp duty) or to the extent of taxes paid to the State Government within a period of 7 years, whichever is lower.
A close perusal of the above condition would make it unambiguously clear that it is not the choice of the beneficiary under the scheme to select the mode of subsidy. The beneficiary is entitled to subsidy subject to the limit of 75% of eligible investments as reduced by the amount of benefits availed on account of Electricity Duty and Stamp Duty exemption or the taxes paid to the State Government within a period of 7 years, whichever is lower. In the present case, the assessee has received Industrial Promotion Subsidy in the form of refund of sales tax paid to the State Government. The latter mode of payment of Industrial Promotion Subsidy is possible only when the beneficiary under the scheme has commenced production and its products are available in the market for sale. Until and unless the production starts and the products are sold in the market, there cannot be refund of sales tax. In the background of the above narrated facts, it would be wrong to conclude that since the assessee has received subsidy as refund of sales tax, therefore, it is a trade receipt. The assessee has received subsidy in the form of refund of sales tax for setting up of Mega Project in classified Area C of the State of Maharashtra and upon providing employment to more than 500 persons, as specified under the scheme.
21. One of the objection raised by the CIT(A) in rejecting the claim of assessee is that the assessee has failed to complied with only one of the two criterias laid down under the PSI, 2007 for claiming benefit of Industrial Promotion Subsidy, i.e. employment criteria. The other condition of minimum investment is not fulfilled. According to Memorandum of Understanding, the assessee was required to invest approximately Rs. 117 cores and offer employment to 510 persons. A perusal of the eligibility certificate dated 17-03- 2009 at page 112 of the paper book shows that as against expected investment of Rs. 117 crores the assessee had made investment of Rs. 94.53 crores between 28-03-2007 to 05-12-2008. The assessee had started commercial production on 01-12-2008. The total period of investment available with the assessee is from 28-03-2007 to 2 7-03-2012. Thus, there was still time available with the assessee to make further investment. The assessee vide letters dated 28-03-2007 and 31-11-2011 had requested the Government to consider the level of investment at Rs. 562 crores instead of Rs. 117 crores and to provide employment to around 1937 persons instead of 510 persons at industrial unit set up by the assessee at Village Sanaswadi, Taluka Shirur, District Pune. The Department of Industries, Energy and Labour, Government of Maharashtra vide letter at page 132 of the paper book has agreed to apply the incentives on the additional investment of Rs.445 crores, i.e. investment upto Rs.562 crores. The period for granting Industrial Promotion Subsidy was also increased from 7 years to 9 years. Thus, it is unambiguously clear that the assessee had reached the level of investment and had even gone much beyond the initial level of investment of Rs. 117 crores. Therefore, the said objection raised by the CIT(A) in rejecting the claim of the assessee is unwarranted.
22. To be eligible to claim the benefit of scheme the assessee was required to obtain eligibility certificate. In the present case, the eligibility certificate was issued with effect from the date of commencement of commercial production by the assessee. Thus, the assessee was eligible to claim the benefit of Industrial Promotion Subsidy for the period of 7 years starting from the date of production, i.e. 01-12-2008 to 30-12-20 15. Accordingly, the period relevant to the assessment year 2009-1 0 was the first year in which the assessee could have claimed the benefit of subsidy. The relevant extract of the eligibility certificate is reproduced herein below :
