ITAT Annual Digest [Part-23]

This yearly digest analyzes all the ITAT stories published in the year 2023 at taxscan.in
ITAT - ANNUAL DIGEST - PART 23 - ITAT ANNUAL DIGEST - ITAT ANNUAL DIGEST PART 23 - taxscan

No disallowance can be made u/s 14A of the IT Act for Computing Book Profit u/s 115JB of Act: ITAT

Dy. Commissioner of Income Tax vs Bannari Amman Sugars Ltd. CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 965

The Chennai bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has recently held that no disallowance could be made under Section 14A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 for computing book profit under Section 115JB of Income Tax Act, 1961.

The two-member bench of V. Durga Rao, (Judicial Member) and Dr. Manish Borad, (Accountant Member) after considering the facts, dismissed the appeal filed by the revenue and held that the AO had erred in considering disallowance under Section 14A of the Income Tax Act, for the purpose of computing book profit under Section 115JB.

No Penalty u/s 271B of Income Tax Act when there is Reasonable Cause for not getting Audited u/s 44AB: ITAT

Shri Palabathuni Chandra Ravi vs Income Tax Officer CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 966

The Hyderabad bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has recently held that no penalty should be levied under Section 271B of the Income Tax Act 1961 when there is reasonable cause for not getting audited under Section 44AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Therefore, the two-member bench of Shri R.K. Panda, (Accountant Member) and K. Narasimha Chary (Judicial Member) allowed the appeal filed by the assessee and restored the issue to the file of the CIT(A) with a direction to grant one last opportunity to the assessee.

Benefit of Cost of Acquisition in construction of roof rights in property: ITAT direct to consider Valuation Report

Manoj Mediratta vs Income-tax Officer CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 967

The Delhi Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has directed to consider valuation report for giving the benefit of cost of acquisition in construction of roof rights in property.

The two-member Bench of Kul Bharat, (Judicial Member) and Pradip Kumar Kedia, (Accountant Member) allowed the appeal and set aside the impugned order directing fresh adjudication observing that, “it is an admitted that that the assessee had sold a floor which was constructed based on construction of the roof rights in property. In our considered view the authorities below ought to have given the benefit of cost of acquisition to’ the assessee. During the course of hearing the assessee has also filed a technical report by the approved valuer.”

Mere non-compliance to Furnish Transportation details is not non-compliance of Section 194C(6) for Disallowance under Section 40(a) (ia): ITAT in Chandigarh

Freight Carrier vs Pr. CIT CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 968

The Delhi Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has held that mere non-compliance to furnish transportation details could not be said to be the non-compliance of Section 194C(6) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 for making disallowance under Section 40(a)(ia) of the Act.

The Bench further held that the assessee’s failure to provide the required information to the Revenue authorities cannot be used to infer that the assessee has not met with the first statutory requirement, which is to collect the payees’ PANs.

Relief to Canara Bank-Bad Debt written off be First Adjusted Against Credit Balance and only Excess be Claimed as Deduction: ITAT deletes Disallowance u/s 36(1)(vii)

M/s.Canara Bank vs The Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 969

The Bangalore Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has granted relief to Canara Bank by deleting the disallowance under Section 36(1)(vii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 holding that bad debt written off should be first adjusted against the credit balance and only excess could be claimed as deduction.

The Division Bench of George K., (Judicial Member) and Laxmi Prasad Sahu, (Accountant Member) deleted the addition made under Section 36(1)(vii) Income Tax Act and allowed the ground for AYs 2011-12 and 2012-13 noticing similar decisions in assessee’s own case which had rendered in favour of the assessee.

No Addition can be made u/s 69 of Income Tax Act on Money kept for Treatment of Grand Mother: ITAT

Yeddula Harsha Vardhan Reddy vs Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 970

The Hyderabad bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has recently held that no addition could be made under Section 69 Income Tax Act, 1961 on money kept for treatment of grandmother.

Hence, the two-member bench of Ramakanta Panda, (Accountant Member) and K. Narasimha Chary, (Judicial Member) allowed the appeal and confirmed that the amount seized from the assessee’s residential premise were kept for the treatment of assesee’s grandmother.

Notice u/s 143(2) not issued by AO: ITAT quashes Income Tax Assessment Order

Community For Social Work vs ITO CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 971

The Kolkata Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has quashed the assessment order holding that notice under Section 143(2) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 was not issued by the assessing officer (AO) who completed assessment.

The Bench further held that, a valid order under Section 127 of the Income Tax Act which was required to be passed for transferring a case from one Assessing Officer to another Assessing Officer could not be brought on record, though claimed to have been mentioned in the referred documents.

Production of Foundation Seeds amounts to ‘Agricultural Activity”: Eligible for Income Tax Exemption, rules ITAT

Dy. Commissioner of Income Tax vs M/s. Pravardhan Seeds Pvt. Ltd CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 972

The Hyderabad bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) recently ruled that the production of foundation seeds qualifies as agricultural activity, making it eligible for tax exemption under Section 10(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

 The two member tribunal Bench consisting of an Accountant Member Shri Rama Kanta panda, and Judicial Member Shri K. Narasimha Chary, observed that “Seed is a product of agricultural activity. When such agricultural activity is conducted and seeds are produced, merely because such seeds were sold commercially, the basic agricultural operations also cannot be dubbed as ‘commercial activities’, and not ‘agricultural activities’”. The appeal filed by revenue was dismissed.

ITAT deletes Additions on Unexplained Cash Deposit u/s 69A and 68 due to Proper Explanation by Assesse

Joint Commissioner of Income Tax vs Sri Siva Prasad Nidamarthy CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 973

The Hyderabad bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) deleted the additions on unexplained cash deposits under Sections 69A and 68 of Income Tax Act, 1961 upon receipt of proper explanation by assessee.

The two-member tribunal bench consisting of Account Member, Rama Kanta panda and Judicial Member, K. Narasimha Chary observed that there was no denial of the deposits and withdrawals. Further, such a fact was verified by the assessing officer also and admitted in the remand report. Both the appeals were dismissed and cross objections were allowed.

No Disallowance of Part of Director’s Remuneration and Depreciation When Business Stopped Due to Temporary Lull: ITAT

Shri Devkripa Textile Mills (P) Ltd vs ACIT CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 974

The Jodhpur Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) no disallowance shall be made on the part of director’s remuneration when the business is stopped due to temporary lull.

The two-member Bench of B. R. Baskaran, (Accountant Member) and S. Seethalakshmi, (Judicial Member), in view of the decision of the DelhiTribunal in the case of Ishwar Builders P Ltd vs. DCIT the Bench allowed this ground of appeal and held that there was no requirement of disallowing part of director’s remuneration and depreciation when the business was stopped due to temporary lull.

Carbon Credit Receipt is Capital Receipt: ITAT deletes Income Tax Addition

The Dy. Commissioner of Income Tax vs M/s.Bannari Amman Sugars Ltd. CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 975

The Chennai Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), deleted income tax addition and ruled that carbon credit receipt is capital receipt.

The Two- Member Bench of Manish Borad, Accountant Member and V. Durga Rao, Judicial Member observed that” Respectfully following the judicial precedents fail to find any infirmity in the findings of the CIT(A) holding the Carbon Credit receipt as a capital receipt.”

Sales Reversal Entry is not Unexplained Expenditure: ITAT quashes Revision Proceedings

Chotanagpur Petroleum Agency vs Pr. CIT CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 976

The Kolkata Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), quashed revision proceedings under Section 263 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and held that the sales reversal entry is not unexplained expenditure.

“Though the policy adopted by the assessee is not at par with the settled accounting policies since the cash is entered in the books without actually receiving the cash, however, going through the flow of the transactions it is in the nature of sales reversal” the Bench concluded.

MSBTE is ‘state’ under Article 12 and exempted from Income Tax:

ITAT vs Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 977

The Mumbai Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has held that the Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) would be state under the purview of Article 12 of the Indian Constitution and is exempted from income tax.

The Two-member Bench of Prashant Maharishi (Accountant Member) and Kavitha Rajagopal (Judicial Member) dismissed the appeal filed by the revenue holding that, “The objectives of the assessee board were evident to categories it to be a ‘state’ under Article 12 of the Constitution of India and the assessee would fall within the term ‘state’ as the assessee was controlled by either the Central or State Government completely and they would also become instrumentality of the Government.”

Assessment Order Framed against Non-Existing Company Illegal and Void Ab Initio: ITAT

DCIT vs BJN Holdings Ltd CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 978

The Delhi Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has held that an assessment order framed in the name of a non-existing company would be illegal and void ab initio.

The two-member Bench of Saktijit Dey, (Judicial Member) and B. R. R. Kumar, (Accountant Member), quashed the assessment order and allowed the appeal, examining the judgement of Delhi High Court in Skylight Hospitality LLP, Spice Infotainment Ltd. v. Commissioner of Service Tax, PCIT Vs. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd and in PCIT Vs. ITA. The Bench further held that since the Assessing Officer had knowledge of the dissolution of the company as established from the Assessment Order itself, the order would be void ab initio.

Section 263 cannot be invoked on mere Non-Reference of Cash Transaction by AO: ITAT

Anjay Surana vs Income Tax Officer CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 979

The Raipur Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has held that Section 263 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 could not be invoked on mere non reference of cash transactions.

The two member Bench of Ravish Sood, (Judicial Member) and Arun Khodpia, (Accountant Member) allowed the appeal filed by the assessee holding that, even if the aforementioned cash transactions were to be brought within the meaning of cash loans that were raised/repaid in contravention of the prescribed modes contemplated in Section 269SS and 269T of the Income Tax Act, a mere non reference of the same by the A.O in the body of the assessment order would not render the assessment order as erroneous in so far it was prejudicial to the interest of the revenue under Section 263 of the Income Tax Act.

 No Income Tax Penalty if Addition is Made on Estimated Basis on Alleged Bogus Purchase: ITAT

M/s. Goldstar Finvest Pvt. Ltd. vs The Assitt. Commissioner of Income Tax CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 980

The Mumbai Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has held that no income tax penalty could be imposed on an alleged bogus purchase if the addition was made on an estimated basis.

The revenue rather made the addition on the basis of information received from the Sales Tax Department without conducting any independent enquiry as to the alleged bogus purchases, the Bench further observed.

Provision of S.56(2)(viia) of IT Act shall apply to Underlying Investments Received by Amalgamated Entity on Account of Merger: ITAT

ACIT vs Vertex Projects LLP CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 981

The Hyderabad Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has recently held that the provision of Section 56(2)(viia) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 shall apply to underlying investments received by amalgamated entities on account of merger.

The two-member bench of RamaKanta Panda, Accountant Member and Laliet Kumar, Judicial Member allowed the appeal of the revenue and restored the order of AO invoking the provision of Section 56(2)(viia) of the Income Tax Act.

Incriminating Statements by Third Parties Cannot Be Used for Addition in Income Tax Assessment: ITAT

Smt. Shantha Natarajan vs Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 982

The Hyderabad bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) recently ruled that the incriminating statements by third parties cannot be used for addition in Income Tax assessment.

No addition can be made in the hands of the assessee based on the statement recorded by the Investigating Wing by a third party. The statement of a third party already recorded under Section 132(4) of the Income Tax Act cannot be considered as an incriminating document for the purpose of making the addition under Section 153A of the Income tax Act. Appeal of the assessee got allowed.

No evidence linking instances of TDS deduction with Unconsumed challan: ITAT directs Readjudication

M/s. Country Club Hospitality & Holidays Limited vs Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 985

The Hyderabad Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) restored the files to the Assessing Officer to verify the correction statement of Tax Deduction at Source linking the unconsumed challan with the instances of Tax Deduction at Source (TDS), giving an opportunity to the assessee.

Further stated that because of the pendency of this appeal, the Assessing Officer is not entertaining the application under section 154 of the Income Tax Act. The tribunal has set aside the impugned order of the CIT(A) and allowed the appeals of the assessee statistical purposes.

Unsecured FCCDs issued to Holding Companies for Business Operations in India are Debts, not Equity Instruments: ITAT

M/s. Fairfield Developments Limited vs Dy. Commissioner of Income Tax CITATION:2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 986

The Hyderabad bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has recently held that unsecured FCCDs issued to holding companies for business operations in India are debts which are not equity instruments.

Two-members bench of R.K. Panda, Accountant Member and Laliet Kumar, Judicial Member dismissed the appeal filed by the assessee and held that “FCCDs are debt, therefore, the benchmarking done by the learned lower authorities are correct by applying LIBOR plus 200 points, which is in consonance with the RBI guidelines issued for the purposes of FDI.”

Property Not Used for Business Purpose cannot be Treated as Business Assets: ITAT disallows Expenses

M/s. Dream BuildconPvt. Limited vs Income Tax Officer CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 987

The Kolkata Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has disallowed the expenses holding that property which was not used for business purposes could not be treated as business assets.

The two-member Bench of RajpalYadav (Vice-President) and Manish Borad (Accountant Member) disallowed this ground of appeal filed by the assessee observing that, “Though the assessee has argued that these expenditures were incurred for the purpose of business but in the accounts, it has not been demonstrated as to how these properties were treated as a business asset and not as an investment. Unless the properties are being used for the purpose of the business expenditure attributable to maintaining them cannot be allowed.”

ITAT deletes Addition Due to Disallowance of Discounts/Subventions in the Income Tax Assessment U/s. 40A

M/s.VST Motor Ltd. vs The Asst. Commissioner of Income Tax CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 988

The Chennai bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) deletes the addition due to the disallowance of discounts or subventions in the Income Tax Assessment under Section 40 A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

The bench of two members, the Judicial Member Manomohan Das and the Accountant Member Dr. Manish Borad observed that since the alleged payment of Rs.16,31,588/- has been paid by the assessee to M/s.Tata Motors Ltd., towards professional and technical services for developing of web-enabled software SIBIL for marketing related information, which is in the view is payment for technical services and the same is subject to deduction of tax at source.

However, since the assessee has not deducted TDS and the amount has been adjusted in the overall accounting of other transactions of purchase of goods from M/s.Tata Motors Ltd, the appeal filed by the assessee for the AY 2011-12 was partly allowed for statistical purposes.

ITAT declares Assessment Order without Quoting DIN as Non-Issued U/s.263 of Income Tax Act

SiddaVenkata Surya Prakasa Rao vs Asst. Commissioner of Income Tax CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 989

The Hyderabad Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has declared that an assessment order issued without quoting the Document Identification Number (DIN) will be considered as non-issued under Section 263 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

The bench consisting of two members, the Judicial Member K. Narasimha Chary and the Accountant Member Rama Kanta Panda observed that all communication must contain a computer-generated DIN. Failure to do so would render the communication invalid.

The ITAT Bench further added that the order passed under section 263 of the Act did not contain any reasons or statement in the prescribed format to explain Paragraph 4 of the circular clearly states that any communication not in conformity with paragraphs 2 and 3 shall be treated as invalid and deemed to have never been issued. Therefore, any reason other than the exceptions mentioned in paragraph 3 would not save a communication issued without a DIN. Appeal filed by the assessee got allowed in result.

Assessee’sBonafide Belief on TDS Exemption for Foreign Travel LTC Protects from Default u/s. 201(1) and 201(1A) of the Income Tax Act, Rules ITAT

State Bank of India Corporate Centre vs CIT(A) CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 991

The Mumbai Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) recently provided opportunity of re-adjudication on TDS exemption for foreign travel Leave Travel Concession (LTC) default under Sections 201(1) and 201(1A) of the Income Tax Act due to Bonafide belief of Assessee.

The Bench consisting of two members, the Judicial Member KavithaRajagopal and the Accountant Member Om Prakash Kant remanded the issues back to the file of the Assessing Officer for verifying whether the employees have declared the said LTC in their return of income and have duly paid taxes on the same.

The tribunal bench further added that “We direct the Assessing Officer to give sufficient opportunity of being heard to the assessee. As we have not adjudicated the other grounds of appeal raised by the assessee, they are left open for adjudication if required. Therefore, the appeals filed by the assessee are allowed for statistical purposes.”

ITAT Orders full TDS Credit after AO withdraws TDS Benefit on Advance Rent and Fails to carry forward for 20 years

Besto Electronics Pvt. Ltd vs DCIT CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 992

In a significant case the Delhi bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has recently ordered full Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) credit after the assessing office withdrew TDS benefit on advance rent and failed to carry forward for 20 years.

The two-member bench of the tribunal comprising C. M. Garg (Judicial Member) and B. R. R. Kumar (Accountant Member) allowed the appeal filed by the assessee and ordered AO to call for the record of assessment year 2002-03 and pass appropriate rectification order giving full credit for the TDS amounts to the assessee and issue refund of tax which the assessee is entitled consequent to such rectification order.

ITAT dismisses Addition U/s. 68 of Income Tax Act Due to Insufficient Evidence of Bogus Transaction

Anup Trade And Transport (P) Limited vs Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 993

The Kolkata Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) deletes Addition under Section 68 of Income Tax Act, 1961 due to Insufficient Evidence of Bogus Transaction. The issue of the case is CIT (Appeals) had erred in confirming the addition of Rs.20,00,000/-, which was added by the Assessing Officer.

The Bench consisting of Account Member Manish Borad and Vice-President RajpalYadav directed the Assessing officer to examine the issue afresh and provide an opportunity of hearing to the assessee. The tribunal also directed that if the statement of the person recorded by the Investigation Wing is being relied upon, the assessee should be given an opportunity to cross-examine him. The information received from another ITO was also not treated as a gospel truth and had to be examined. The appeal of the assessee was allowed for statistical purposes.

ITAT quashes Reopening of Assessment Due to Lack of Live Nexus between Reasons Recorded and Belief Formed by the Assessing Officer

AmritBrakewell Products Pvt Ltd vs ITO CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 994

The New Delhi Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has quashed the reopening of Assessment due to lack of live nexus between reasons recorded and belief formed by the Assessing Officer.

The Single Bench consisting of Judicial Member C. M. Garg observed that the Assessing Officer has acted solely on the basis of information received from the Investigation Wing without conducting an independent exercise at his own level. The tribunal bench thus held,” The reopening of assessment under Section 147 and issuance of notice under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act are therefore invalid and should be quashed, as they are based on a borrowed satisfaction and not supported by an independent assessment by the Assessing Officer.” Appeal for the assessee partly allowed and ordered for reopening of Assessment.

Provision of Sec. 92B not applicable for AMP Expenses incurred for Business purpose in India: ITAT Grants Relief to L’oreal India

L’oreal India Private Limited vs Asst. CIT CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 995

The Mumbai Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) recently held that Section 92B of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which defines International Transactions, does not apply to advertisement, marketing and promotion (AMP) expenses incurred for business purposes in India. As a result, relief was granted to L’Oreal India Private Limited, a subsidiary of the French conglomerate and leading supplier in the global cosmetic industry.

The two-member bench of Om Prakash Kant (Accountant Member) and KavithaRajagopal (Judicial Member) allowed the appeal filed by the assessee and observed that the AMP transaction incurred by the assessee for the purpose of business was not an international transaction as per Section 92B of the Income Tax Act.

No TDS U/s. 194H of IT Act applicable on amount paid to Distributors/Dealers for Sale of Pre-paid SIM card and Recharge Vouchers: ITAT deletes Penalty against Bharti Airtel

M/s. Bharti Airtel Limited vs JCIT-(TDS) CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 996

The Indore bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), while deleting penalty against Bharti Airtel held that no Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) is applicabe under Section 194H of the Income Tax Act, 1961 on amount paid to distributors/dealers for sale of prepaid SIM card and recharge vouchers.

The tribunal determined that transactions of sale of SIM Card and Recharge vouchers are in the nature of sale and discount allowed by the assessee to the distributors is not in the nature of commission attracting the provision of Section 194H Income Tax Act.

It was observed that the assessee has reasonable cause not to deduct the tax at source. Therefore, the action of non-deduction of tax in the present case will not attract the penalty under Section 271C of the Income Tax Act. Thus, the two-member bench of Vijay Pal Rao, Judicial Member and B.M. Biyani, Accountant Member allowed the appeal filed by the assessee.

Dissolved Company Exempted from Income Tax Assessment Proceedings U/s. 54(2) of IBC: ITAT

ACIT vs M/s. Indus Mobile Distribution Pvt. Ltd. CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 997

The Chennai Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) recently ruled that the dissolved company is exempt from Income Tax Assessment proceedings under Section 54(2) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

The Bench, consisting of an Advocate Member, G. Manjunatha, and a Judicial Member, Mahavir Singh, noted the NCLT order and observed that the company stood dissolved under Section 54(2) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, and once the company was dissolved, the entity had come to an end. No proceedings of any sort could be kept pending once the company was dissolved because the artificial entity had come to an end. The appeal filed by the revenue was dismissed in result.

ESOP Expenses Eligible for Deduction U/s. 37 of Income Tax Act: ITAT

M/s. Northern Operating Services Private Limited vs The Joint Commissioner of Income Tax CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 998

The Bangalore Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) recently ruled that the expenditure towards the Employees Stock Option Plan (ESOP) is eligible for deduction under Section 37 of Income Tax Act 1961.

The Bench consisting of Advocate Member Laxmi Prasad Sahu and Judicial Member George George K observed that “The expenditure in question was wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the business of the assessee and had to be allowed as deduction as a revenue expenditure. The facts of the instant case are identical to assessment year 2015-2016, following the co-ordinate Bench order in assessee’s own case for AY 2015-2016 (supra), we hold that the expenditure towards ESOP is an allowable deduction U/s. 37 of the Income Tax Act.” Thus, the appeal filed by the assessee was partly allowed.

Penalty U/s. 271AAC is not Applicable, if Tax U/s. 115BBE of Income Tax Act is NIL: ITAT directs Re-adjudication

Shri Vijay Kumar Reddy Challavs Asst. C. I. T. CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 999

The Hyderabad bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), while directing re-adjudication observed that penalty under Section 271AAC Income Tax Act, 1961 would not be applicable if tax under Section 115BBE of Income Tax Act was mentioned at zero.

It was observed by the tribunal that AO levied a penalty U/s. 271AAC on the ground that the assessee could not explain the source of Rs.45.00 lakhs from real estate activities by producing cogent documentary evidence, for which the addition was made U/s. 69A R/w. Sec. 115BBE of the Income Tax Act. While considering the statement of the assessee the tax U/s. 115BBE is mentioned at zero and therefore, no penalty U/s. 271AAC should be levied and also assessee is in a position to substantiate before the lower authorities as to how the penalty U/s. 271AAC is not leviable. The tribunal of Shri R.K. Panda, Accountant Member and Shri Laliet Kumar, Judicial Member allowed the appeal filed by the assessee and restored the matter for re-adjudication.

ITAT Quashes Invalid Penalty Order on Deceased Assessee U/s. 159(2) of Income Tax Act

Sri. Varadarajan Narayan Aiyarvs The Income Tax Office CITATION: 2023 TAXSCAN (ITAT) 1000

The Bangalore Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) hasquashed the invalid penalty order on deceased assessee under Section 159(2) of Income Tax Act, 1961.

The two-member Bench consisting of Judicial Member George George K and Account Member Laxmi Prasad Sahu observed that “According to Section 159(2) of the Income Tax Act, any proceedings against the deceased person are considered as being against their legal representative and can be continued from the stage they were at when the person passed away. In this case, the penalty order was issued in the name of the deceased assessee, making it invalid. Considering the aforementioned reasoning and judicial precedents, we quash the penalty order as it was imposed on a deceased person.” In result, the appeal filed by the assessee was partly allowed.

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