Showing posts with label Sec 40(a)(ia). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sec 40(a)(ia). Show all posts

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Payment of IPLC Charges subject to Tax Withholding - ITAT Chennai

In the case of Cognizant Technology Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. vs. ITO (2014-TII-131-ITAT-MAD-INTL) it is held that -
Payments made for International Private Leased Circuit (IPLC) are taxable as ‘Royalty’ for:
      i.        use or right to use commercial and scientific equipment u/s.9(1)(vi) of the Act read with explanation-2
     ii.        Alternatively, payment should be considered as payment for the use of the process provided by the assessee, whereby through the assured bandwidth, the customer is guaranteed the transmission of data and the voice.
Facts:
Assessee-company is engaged in the business of software development and export.It had made remittances to non-resident company M/s.Sprint USA for hiring International Private Leased Circuits, to receive bandwidth service, that enabled the assessee to communicate with its offices anywhere in the world through high speed connectivity via submarine cable. Through this dedicated high speed connectivity, the assessee was provided internet access and other telecommunication facilities. The foreign company, Sprint, USA, was responsible for installing and configuring the routers at the assessee’s customer’s site and backbone sites in US and Europe. The remittance made by the assessee to Sprint, USA, included the charges for router rental, installation, management and maintenance besides the software initialization charges.
The assessee remitted these amounts to the non-resident company without deduction of tax at source. arguing that these payments were for usage charges, recurring charges installation charges and also non usage charges which included service fee, access fee and equipment.
The Assessing Officer (AO) after analyzing the nature of services provided by Sprint USA to the assessee, held that the payments constituted 'royalty' for use of telecommunication equipment and other services and the assessee was liable for deducting tax at source under section 195. Accordingly, the AO disallowed the payment under section 40(a)(i) .
On appeal, the CIT(A) held that these payments were for international telecommunication services, which is a standard facility or service provided to all those willing to pay; that the assessee did not get any right to use any goods/equipment provided in such transmission. Therefore, the payments made to the overseas company were not in the nature of 'Royalty' for the use of equipment. The CIT(A) further held that M/s. Sprint USA did not have any permanent establishment in India and its income was in the nature of business income as it provided only 'service' to the assessee, who had not taken any equipment on lease. Thus, in the absence of PE, for the services rendered by Sprint, there was no necessity to pay taxes in India and as such the assessee was under no obligation to deduct tax under section 195 while making payments.
Order:


These are six appeals. Two appeals in ITA No.1535/Mds/2009 for the Assessment Year (AY) 2002-03 and ITA No.1536/Mds/2009 for the AY.2003-04 have been filed by the Revenue against the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax(Appeals)-XI, Chennai, dated 06-07-2009 passed u/s.201(1) and 201(1A) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (herein after referred to as 'the Act'). The CIT(Appeals) has passed common order for both the AYs.
ITA No.460/Mds/2010 relevant to the AY.2002-03 has been filed by the Revenue assailing the order of CIT(Appeals), LTU, Chennai dt.29-01-2010. The assessee has filed cross-objections in the said appeal.
ITA No.751/Mds/2010 relevant to the AY.2006-07 has been filed by the assessee against the order of CIT(Appeals), LTU, Chennai dt.12-03-2010. The Revenue has filed cross appeal in ITA No.864/Mds/2010 against the same order of CIT(Appeals).
ITA No.1922/Mds/2010 relevant to the AY.2006-07 has been filed by the Revenue assailing the order of CIT(Appeals), LTU, Chennai dt.31-08-2010 passed u/s.154 of the Act.
2. First we will take up the appeals of the Revenue in ITA No.1535 & 1536/Mds/2009 for the AYs.2002-03 & 2003-04 respectively assailing the order of CIT(Appeals) passed u/s.201(1) and 201(1A). The brief facts of the case are: The assessee-company is engaged in the business of software development and export. During the period relevant to the AYs under consideration, the assessee made remittances to M/s.Sprint USA for hiring International Private Leased Circuits [IPLC]. The aforesaid remittances made to non-resident company were without deduction of tax at source. M/s. Sprint USA is providing IPLC Bandwidth service to the assessee for internet access, business, data exchange, video conferencing and other telecommunication facilities to enable dedicated high speed connectivity. The details of the services provided by M/s.Sprint USA to the assessee are as under:
(a) International Private Leased Circuit (IPLC)
An IPLC is a point to point private line used by an organization to communicate between offices that are geographically dispersed throughout the World. An IPLC is used for internet access, business data exchange, video conferencing and any other form of telecommunication. This service entitles the customer to high speed connectivity anywhere in the world via submarine cable. It is stated that IPLC services are provided by two international career companies. Sprint is providing a US half channel and VSNL is providing India half channel. Congnizant is using IPLC services for their backbone connectivity and international customer connectivity.
(b) Private Leased Circuit (PLC)
A Private Leased Circuit is a direct or 'dedicated' line that connects customer specified locations, such as between the head office and a branch office, or a group company and a factory. Sprint provided private leased circuits in US and UK for connecting Cognizant customers to Cognizant US backbone.
(c) Frame Relay Circuit (FRC)
It is a cost effective data networking service that allows enterprises to connect to remote offices in a secure, private WAN environment. It is stated that the standard components include (i) ports – the customers' physical entry into the frame relay network from a particular site (ii) permanent virtual circuit (PVCs) – PVCs provide point to point connectivity between two sides like a private line (iii) local access/local loops – providing connectivity to the frame relay network. This is a dedicated access line from the end user's site to the nearest frame relay switch.
(d) Router Management
Sprint is responsible for installing/configuring the routers at Cognizant's customer's site in US and Europe and backbone sites in US and UK.
It is stated that Sprint provides equipment CSU/DSU (Customer Service Equipment/Digital Service Equipment) for terminating the circuits in Cognizant US Backbone and customer locations in US and Europe.
The payment to Sprint includes router rental charges, router management charges, router maintenance charges, software initialization charges, router installation charges.
After analyzing the nature of services provided by Sprint USA to the assessee, customer service agreement and services level agreement, the ITO (International Taxation-II) vide his order u/s.201(1) and 201(1A) held that the payments made to the nonresidents company constitutes 'Royalty' for use of telecommunication equipment and other services under the provisions of Income Tax Act. On the contrary, the stand of the assessee is that the remittances made by the assessee constitute payments for usage charges, recurring charges installation charges and also non usage charges which include service fee, access fee and equipment. The ld.Counsel for the assessee in order to support his contentions furnished customer service agreement with M/s. Sprint USA, copies of invoice raised by M/s. Sprint USA and copy of M/s. Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited [VSNL].
2.1 Aggrieved against the said order, the assessee preferred an appeal before the CIT(Appeals). The CIT(Appeals) held that the payments made by the assessee were for international telecommunication services which is a standard facility or service providing to all those willing to pay. The assessee does not get any right to use any goods/equipment provided in such transmission. Therefore, the payments made to the overseas company is not in the nature of 'Royalty' for the use of equipment. The CIT(Appeals) further held that M/s. Sprint USA does not have any Permanent Establishment [PE] in India. The income of the Sprint is in the nature of business income as it provides only 'service' to the assessee as the assessee has not taken any equipment on lease. In the absence of PE for the services rendered by Sprint, there is no necessity to pay taxes in India and as such the assessee is under no obligation to deduct tax u/s.195 of the Act while making payments.
2.2 Aggrieved by the order of CIT(Appeals), the Revenue has come in appeal before the Tribunal. The ld.DR vehemently supporting the order of ITO (International Taxation) submitted that the payments made to M/s. Sprint USA are in the nature of 'Royalty'. In order to support his contentions, the ld.DR relied on the recent judgment of the Hon'ble Madras High Court in the case of M/s.Verizon Communications Singapore PTE Ltd., Vs. ITO (International Taxation) reported as 361 ITR 575 (Mad) = 2013-TII-48-HC-MAD-INTL.
2.3 On the other hand, Shri Saroj Kumar, Advocate appearing on behalf of the assessee strongly supported the order of CIT(Appeals) and prayed for dismissal of the appeal of the Revenue.
2.4 We have heard the submissions made by the representatives of both the sides and have perused the orders of the authorities below. We have also examined the judgment of the Hon'ble jurisdictional High Court in the case of M/s. Verizon Communications Singapore PTE Ltd., Vs. ITO (International Taxation) (supra). We find that the issue in dispute is identical to the one adjudicated by the Hon'ble High Court in the aforesaid case. Similar issue, "Whether the services provided by the overseas company constitutes 'Royalty' or not"? came up before the Hon'ble High Court. In the said case, the non-resident company was engaged in the business of providing international connectivity services (bandwidth services/telecom services) in the Asia Pacific region including India for transmission of data and voice. The international leg of telecommunication services outside India was provided by the non-resident company. In Indian territory, the connecting services were provided by VSNL. VSNL transmitted the traffic of the customer in India from the customers office in India to a virtual point outside India and the non-resident company transmitted it up to the customer location outside India. The non-resident company used its telecom service equipment situated outside India in providing international half circuit. The gateway/landing station in India used in transmitting the traffic within India belong to VSNL and was used by VSNL for providing Indian end services in accordance with the contract with its customers.
The Assessing Officer came to the conclusion that the payment received by the non-resident company in providing international private leased circuit was taxable as a 'Royalty' for use or right to use commercial and scientific equipment u/s.9(1)(vi) of the Act read with explanation-2 and Article 12(3) of the Doubt Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and Singapore. In first appeal, the order of the assessee was upheld by the CIT(Appeals). On further appeal, the Tribunal held that even if the payments were treated as non-relating to the use of equipment, they should be considered as payment for the use of the process provided by the assessee, whereby through the assured bandwidth, the customer is guaranteed the transmission of data and the voice. The fact that the bandwidth is shared with others, however, has to be seen in the light of the technology governing the operation of the process and this by itself does not take the assessee out of the scope of royalty. Thus, the consideration being for the use and right to use of the process, it is 'Royalty', within the meaning of Clause-(iii) of Explanation-2 to section 9(1)(vi) of the Act. The Hon'ble High Court affirmed the findings of the Tribunal on the issue.
2.5 The facts in the present case are identical to the one adjudicated by the Hon'ble High Court. Thus, in view of the facts and circumstances of the case and the law laid down by the Hon'ble jurisdictional High Court, we find merit in the appeals of the Revenue. Accordingly, both the appeals of the Revenue are allowed.
3. ITA No.460/Mds/2010 (AY.2002-03) & C.O.No.27/Mds/2010:
The Revenue has raised as many as six grounds in its appeal. Ground Nos. 1 & 6 are general in nature and as such they are not taken up for adjudication.
3.1 The ground No.2 relates to exclusion of foreign currency expenditure from export turnover and total turnover while computing deduction u/s.10A of the Act. The ld.Counsel for the assessee submitted at the outset that the ground raised in appeal by the Revenue has already been adjudicated by the co-ordinate Bench of the Tribunal in favour of the assessee in ITA No.114/Mds/2011 (AY.2005-06) decided on 23-01-2013 = 2013-TIOL-745-ITAT-MAD. The ld.AR placed on record the copy of the order of the Tribunal in the aforesaid appeal. The co-ordinate bench of the Tribunal following the decision of Hyderabad Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Patni Telecom P. Ltd., Vs. ITO reported as 308 ITR (AT) 414 (Hyderabad) = 2008-TIOL-665-ITAT-HYD wherein it was held that expenses incurred in foreign exchange, as part of the export carried out by the assessee, cannot be excluded from the export turnover. The Chennai Bench held that the facts of the assessee's case are exactly similar to the facts in the case of Patni Telecom P. Ltd., Vs. ITO (supra) and directed the Assessing Officer to include foreign currency expenditure to form part of export turnover of the assessee in computing deduction u/s.10A of the Act. We find that in the AY under consideration, there is no change in the facts and thus the same ratio can be applied in AY.2002-03 as well. Accordingly, this ground of appeal of the Revenue is dismissed.
3.2 The ground No.3 raised in appeal by the Revenue is exclusion of telecommunication expenses from export turnover and total turnover while computing deduction u/s.10A. Following the same principle as laid down by the Hyderabad Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Patni Telecom P. Ltd., Vs. ITO (supra), we dismiss this ground of appeal of the Revenue.
3.3 In Ground No.4, the Revenue has assailed the findings of CIT(Appeals) for deleting the disallowance u/s.40(a)(i) in respect of payments made to M/s.Sprint USA towards lease line charges. The CIT(Appeals) deleted the disallowance u/s.40a(ia) for nondeduction of tax at source on payments made to M/s. Sprint USA for the reasons that, the CIT(Appeals)-XI, Chennai vide order dt.06-07-2009 passed u/s.201(1) and 201(1A) for the relevant AY has held that the assessee was under no obligation to deduct tax u/s.195 while making such payments as M/s.Sprint USA had no PE in India. Since, the said order of the CIT(Appeals)-XI, Chennai has been set aside by us, in the appeal of the Revenue in ITA No.1535/Mds/2009, this ground of appeal of the Revenue has to be allowed.
3.4 Ground No.5 raised in appeal by the Revenue is with regard to levy of interest u/s.234D. The ld.Counsel for the assessee has submitted that the provisions regarding the levy of interest u/s.234D were inserted by the Finance Act, 2003 w.e.f. 01-06-2003, therefore they cannot be applied in the AY.2002-03.
It is an undisputed fact that the provisions of section 234D were inserted by the Finance Act, 2003 w.e.f.01-06-2003, therefore, they have no retrospective applicability. Moreover, the Special Bench of the Tribunal in the case of ITO Vs. Ekta Promoters P. Ltd., reported as 113 ITD 719 = 2008-TIOL-337-ITAT-DEL-SB has held that the interest u/s.234D is chargeable from AY.2004-05 onwards. Accordingly, this ground of appeal of the Revenue is dismissed.
3.5 In cross-objections, the assessee has primarily raised two issues. Issue No.1 relates to exclusion of foreign currency expenditure from export turnover and total turnover for computing deduction u/s.10A and 10B. This issue has already been decided in favour of the assessee in Revenue's appeal. Therefore, the first cross-objection has become infructuous and is dismissed as such.
3.6 The second issue is raised in cross-objection No.2 to 4. The assessee has supported the order of CIT(Appeals) with regard to the disallowance u/s.40(a)(i) in respect of payments made to M/s. Sprint USA towards lease line charges. Since this issue has been adjudicated in favour of the Revenue in ITA No.1535/Mds/2009, the assessee was liable to deduct tax u/s.195 of the Act on remittances made to M/s.Sprint USA. The Assessing Officer has rightly made disallowance u/s.40(a)(i) on such payments. Accordingly, cross-objections 2 to 4 are dismissed.
3.7 In result, the appeal of the Revenue is partly allowed and the Cross-objections of the assessee are dismissed.
4. ITA No.751/Mds/2010 (AY.2006-07) by Assessee and ITA No.864/Mds/2010 (AY.2006-07) by Revenue:
Both the appeals are directed against the order of CIT(Appeals), LTU dt.12-03-2010. The assessee in its appeal has raised as many as 19 grounds. Ground Nos.1 and 19 are general in nature and are thus not taken up for adjudication. Ground No.2 & 3 relate to exclusion of expenditure incurred in foreign currency from export turnover and Ground No.4 to 7 relate to exclusion of telecommunication expenditure from export turnover for the purpose of computing deduction u/s.10A. The issues raised by the assessee in above grounds of appeal have already been adjudicated in favour of the assessee in the appeal of the Revenue i.e., ITA No.460/Mds/2010. Reliance has been placed on the decision of Hyderabad Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Patni Telecom P. Ltd., Vs. ITO (supra) for deciding the issue in favour of the assessee. Both the issues in the present appeal are thus allowed. The Assessing Officer is directed to include foreign currency expenditure as well as telecommunication expenditure as part of the export turnover.
4.1 In Ground Nos. 8 to 13, the assessee has assailed the findings of CIT(Appeals) with respect to set off of current year's losses of eligible units against the profits of other units eligible for deduction u/s.10A. The ld.Counsel for the assessee in support of his submissions relied on the judgment of the Hon'ble Karnataka High Court in the case of CIT & Anr. Vs. Yokogawa India Ltd. and Others, reported as 246 CTR (Kar) 226 = 2011-TIOL-711-HC-KAR-IT and the decision of the co-ordinate bench in assessee's own case in ITA No.114/Mds/2011 for the AY.2005-06 (supra). The relevant extract of the findings of the Tribunal are reproduced here under:
"In the present case the Assessing Officer adjusted the brought forward losses of the assessment year 2004-05 of the eligible units against the current year's profits of the eligible units before computing the deduction under section 10A. The very same issue was considered by the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal, B-Bench, Chennai, in the case of RR Donnelley India Outsource Pvt. Ltd. vs DCIT, in ITA Nos.1489 & 1490(Mds)/2010. Through their order dated 26-7-2012 the Tribunal, following the decisions of the Hon'ble Karnataka High Court in the case of CIT & Anr. Vs. Yokogawa India Ltd. and Others, 246 CTR (Kar) 226 = 2011-TIOL-711-HC-KAR-IT and in the case of CIT & Anr. Vs. Tata Elxsi Ltd. & Others, 247 CTR 334 = 2011-TIOL-684-HC-KAR-IT, has held that the current year's profit of the eligible units should not be reduced by setting off of the brought forward losses of earlier years even though relating to eligible units. The Assessing Officer has to give deduction under section 10A on eligible profits of the current assessment year. This issue is decided in favour of the assessee.
We find that in the AY under consideration, there has been identical set of facts and the issue in appeal is squarely covered by the findings of the co-ordinate bench of the Tribunal in ITA No.114/Mds/2011 for the AY.2005-06 (supra). Accordingly, this ground of appeal of the assessee is allowed.
4.2 The next issue raised in para Nos.14 to 17 in the grounds of appeal by the assessee relate to disallowance u/s.14A of the Act. The Assessing Officer has made disallowance u/s.14A by applying the provisions of Rule 8D on tax free income of Rs.3,80,10,340/-. The CIT(Appeals) upheld the findings of the Assessing Officer on the issue. The Hon'ble Bombay High Court in the case of Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd., reported as 328 ITR 81 (Bom) = 2010-TIOL-564-HC-MUM-IT has held that the provisions of Rule 8D are applicable w.e.f. AY.2008-09. The newly introduced provisions of Rule 8D have no retrospective applicability, the authorities below have erred in applying the same. The Tribunal in assessee's own case for the AY.2005-06 has upheld the action of the Assessing Officer in making the disallowance @2% of the exempt income. The Tribunal further accepted alternate contention of the aassessee that the profit for the purpose of section 10A will be enhanced to the extent of disallowance. Therefore, proportionate enhancement will be in the amount of deduction available u/s.10A. Respectfully following the same, we direct the Assessing Officer to disallow 2% of the exempt income u/s.14A and further make proportionate enhancement in the amount of deduction available u/s.10A. This ground of appeal of the assessee is partly allowed.
4.3 Ground Nos.18 in the appeal of the assessee relate to disallowance u/s.40(a)(i) in respect of professional/technical fee paid to Taras Consulting LLC and Epicor Software Pty. Ltd., both nonresident entities towards travel and other expenditure. The assessee's contention before Assessing Officer for not deducting tax on such payment u/s.195 was based on CBDT Circular No.786 dt.07-02-2000. However, the said circular has been withdrawn vide subsequent Circular No.7 of 2009. Even before CIT(Appeals), the assessee was unable to produce any details in support of its claim. Before us also, the ld.Counsel for the assessee has not been able to substantiate the claim of the assessee. Accordingly, this ground of appeal of the assessee is dismissed.
4.4 In view of our above findings, the appeal of the assessee is partly allowed.
5. ITA No.864/Mds/2010 (AY.2006-07):
The Revenue has raised six grounds in its appeal. Ground Nos.1 to 6 are general in nature and therefore they are not taken up for adjudication. Ground Nos.2 to 4 relate to exclusion of foreign currency expenditure and telecommunication expenditure from both export turnover and total turnover for the purpose of computing deduction u/s.10A. Both these issues are squarely covered in favour of the assessee by the decision of the Special Bench of the Tribunal in the case of CIT Vs. Saksoft Limited reported as 313 ITR (AT) (Madras) 553 = 2009-TIOL-187-ITAT-MAD-SB. The Special Bench has held that the expenses on freight, telecommunication charges or insurance attributable to the delivery of the articles or things or computer software outside India or expenses incurred in foreign exchange in providing technical services outside India which are required to be excluded from the export turnover should also be excluded from total turnover while computing deduction u/s.10B of the Act. Moreover, these issue have already been held in favour of the assessee in assessee's appeal No.751/Mds/2010 in para No.4 herein above. Accordingly, both the grounds in the appeal of the Revenue are dismissed.
5.1 In Ground No.5, the Revenue has assailed the order of CIT(Appeals) with respect to disallowance of provisions for expenses. The ld.DR has submitted that the CIT(Appeals) has erred in deleting the disallowance made by Assessing Officer to the tune of Rs.6,25,02,220/- towards various expenses on the ground that the expenses are contingent in nature and not pertaining to the AY under consideration.
On the other hand, the ld.Counsel for the assessee submitted that similar issue was raised by the Revenue in appeal before the Tribunal in ITA No.90/Mds/2011 for the AY.2005-06. The Tribunal vide order dt.23-01-2013 = 2013-TIOL-745-ITAT-MAD, dismissed this ground of appeal of the Revenue by placing reliance on the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the case of Bharat Earth Movers Vs. CIT reported as 245 ITR 428 = 2002-TIOL-123-SC-IT.
We examined the order of the co-ordinate bench of the Tribunal in ITA No.90/Mds/2011 (supra) = 2013-TIOL-745-ITAT-MAD. We find that the issue in hand is identical to the one adjudicated by the Tribunal in assessee's case in the appeal of the Revenue for the AY.2005-06. The relevant extract of the findings of the Tribunal in the said appeal are under:
"4.3 The next ground of the Revenue is that the provision made by the assessee for liabilities of expenditure was in the nature of provision and should not have been allowed by the Commissioner of Income-tax(Appeals) as an expenditure in computing the income. The assessee is providing provision for expenditure incurred in the previous year itself. The amount was not paid by the end of the year and in certain cases bills were not received by the end of the year and in such cases the assessee is making a provision for such expenditure already incurred during the relevant previous year. In the course of the next previous year the assessee is making the payment and the differential amount, if any, is adjusted in its profit and loss account. This is a consistent practice followed by the assessee. The provision for unpaid expenses is not in the nature of contingent expenditure. It is a provision made against actual expenditure. Therefore, the decision of the Hon'ble supreme Court rendered in the case of Bharat Earth Movers vs. CIT, 245 ITR 428 = 2002-TIOL-123-SC-IT, squarely applies here. The ground of the Revenue is dismissed".
Accordingly, this ground of appeal of the Revenue is dismissed for similar reasons.
5.2 In the result, the appeal of the Revenue is dismissed.
6. ITA No.1922/Mds/2010 (AY.2006-07):
In this appeal, the Revenue has assailed the order of CIT(Appeals), LTU Chennai dt. 31-08-2010 passed u/s.154 of the Act. The assessee had filed Miscellaneous Petition for rectification of the order dt.12-03-2010 passed by the CIT(Appeals), LTU, Chennai in ITA No.35/09-10/LTU(A) for the AY.2006-07. The CIT(Appeals) vide impugned order held that the issue raised in ground No.13 of the appeal was not adjudicated. The CIT(Appeals) while disposing off Miscellaneous Petition of the assessee decided the said ground. The relevant extract of the findings of the CIT(Appeals) are as under:
"5.1 I have carefully considered the petition by the appellant on this issue. I find that this ground (ground No.13) has not been adjudicated. Since separate expense has not been claimed by the appellant for earning of the dividend income, it may be accepted that the same was incurred from the business expenses. When part of the same is disallowed, business income would correspondingly increase. The AO is directed to allow enhanced deduction in respect of the additional income due to the disallowance of the expense. He is, however, directed to bifurcate the same between the income eligible for deduction u/s.10A and income which is not eligible for deduction u/s.10A. This ground is partly allowed".
6.1 The Revenue has come up in appeal against the aforesaid findings of the CIT(Appeals). We observe that the issue raised in appeal has already been adjudicated by us in the appeal of the assessee in ITA No.751/Mds/2010 in para No. 4.2 herein above. Therefore, for the reasons mentioned therein, the appeal of the Revenue is dismissed.
7. To sum up, ITA Nos. 1535/Mds/2009 and 1536/Mds/2009 of the Revenue are allowed. ITA No.460/Mds/2010 of the Revenue is partly allowed and C.O.No.27/Mds/2010 of the assessee is dismissed. The appeal of the assessee in ITA No.751/Mds/2010 is partly allowed. The appeals of the Revenue in ITA Nos.864/Mds/2010 and 1922/Mds/2010 are dismissed.




 
 

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

No disallowance for failure to withhold tax - If Payee has offered the amount to tax - 40(a)(ia)

Rajeev Kumar Agarwal vs. ACIT (ITAT Agra)
 
No s. 40(a)(ia) disallowance for failure to deduct TDS on payment if payee has offered amount to tax. Second Proviso to s. 40(a)(ia) inserted by Finance Act 2013 w.e.f. 1.4.2013 should be treated as curative and to have retrospective effect from 1.4.2005
 
The assessee incurred expenditure on payment of interest on which TDS u/s 194A was not deducted. The AO applied s. 40(a)(ia) and disallowed the claim for deduction of the expenditure. This was confirmed by the CIT(A). Before the Tribunal the assessee argued that the second proviso to s. 40(a)(ia), inserted by the Finance Act 2012, should be treated as clarificatory & retrospective in nature and that as the recipients of the interest have already offered the interest to income, no disallowance u/s 40(a)(ia) could be made. HELD by the Tribunal allowing the appeal:
The second proviso to s. 40(a)(ia), introduced by the Finance Act 2013 w.e.f. 01.04.2013, read with s. 201, provides that despite failure to deduct TDS, disallowance of the expenditure shall not be made if the resident payee has (i) furnished his return of income u/s 139, (ii) taken into account such sum for computing income in such ROI, (iii) paid the tax due on the income declared by him in such return of income and (iv) furnishes a certificate to this effect from an accountant in the prescribed form. The scheme of s. 40(a)(ia) is aimed at ensuring that an expenditure should not be allowed as deduction in the hands of an assessee in a situation in which income embedded in such expenditure has remained untaxed due to tax withholding lapses by the assessee. It is not a penalty for tax withholding lapse but it is a sort of compensatory deduction restriction for an income going untaxed due to tax withholding lapse. S. 40(a)(ia), as it existed prior to insertion of second proviso thereto, went much beyond the obvious intentions of the lawmakers and created undue hardships even in cases in which the assessee’s tax withholding lapses did not result in any loss to the exchequer. Now that the legislature has been compassionate enough to cure these shortcomings of provision, and thus obviate the unintended hardships, such an amendment in law, in view of the well settled legal position to the effect that a curative amendment to avoid unintended consequences is to be treated as retrospective in nature even though it may not state so specifically, the insertion of second proviso must be given retrospective effect from the point of time when the related legal provision was introduced. Accordingly, it is held that the insertion of second proviso to Section 40(a)(ia) is declaratory and curative in nature and it has retrospective effect from 1st April, 2005, being the date from which sub clause (ia) of section 40(a) was inserted by the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2004 (Bharati Shipyard 141 TTJ 129 (SB) applied/ distinguished, Rajinder Kumar 362 ITR 241 (Del) applied)

Reimbursement to associates for administrative & management support - Not subject to Tax Withholding

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX
CIRCLE-8, KOLKATA
Vs
M/s ERNST & YOUNG PVT LTD
PAN NO:AABCE9188P
Vs
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX
CIRCLE-8, KOLKATA
Whether payment made by the assessee as reimbursement to its associates for administrative and management support services rendered by the group concern is liable to deduction of tax at source - Whether Rule 8D is applicable for A.Y 2006-07.
 
A. The assessee is a member of Ernst & Young group. Ernst & Young Global Services LLP and Ernst Young UK LLP provide administrative and management support services to the assessee and other associate concerns of the group that share the costs


The assessee had claimed the payments made to its AEs, Ernst & Young Global Services LLP and Ernst & Young LLP, UK, towards reimbursement of its share of costs for providing these administrative and management support services in connection with technology updates, access to audit methodology updates, online knowledge updates, assistance in development of common programs and policies, besides making available professional and people resources to assist the assessee or its clients in all jurisdictions.

 
The AO disallowed both these amounts claimed by way of reimbursement of cost for services utilized in the assessee’s business. The AO held that the assessee was liable to deduct tax under section 195 on the payments made but having failed to do so, he disallowed the claim under section 40(a)(ia).
 
On appeal, the CIT(A) deleted this disallowance by following the decision of ITAT, Kolkata in assessee’s own case for AY 2003-04. The CIT(A) noted that the ITAT, Kolkata had held that, “"as per the provisions of section 195, before a TDS is required to be charged on any sum, it has to be shown that it is an income as per the provisions of section 195 because the very wording under section 195 "any other sum chargeable under the provisions of the Act" means that chargeable as income as per section 4 of the Income-tax Act. Unless and until it is chargeable, there is no requirement of withholding tax by any Indian person responsible for paying to any non-resident, not being a company, or to a foreign company, any sum payable on any account.
 
There is no rebuttal from the side of the department that the expenses are relating to reimbursement of expenses for supply of data as per the agreement stated to have been made amongst the global firms to which the assessee company is treated as one of the members. Therefore, both factually as well as legally the assessee has a case and on this issue the assessee, therefore. should succeed in our considered opinion as the amount is towards the reimbursement and with the passage of time, now globalization has been adopted by different countries for facilitating data and technical skill of different countries.
 
Simply because the supply of data pertains to technical services, the department should not be rigid for application of section 195 without examining the actual factual aspect of the matter that it is a result of an agreement in between the parties for sharing the data amongst the members firms in the globalization process."
 
B. The assessee has earned dividend income and claimed it as exempt. The assessee claimed that it had not incurred any expenditure to earn this dividend income. According to the assessee, it had invested the short term surplus funds available with it in Grindlays Cash Fund. These funds were not invested out of borrowed funds but out of surplus funds available with the company for a short period. The assessee filed complete details relating to the investment, and reinvestment of dividend along with bank statement.
 
The AO estimated the proportionate management expenses qua the exempted income at 10 per cent and, thereby, computed the disallowance.
 
On appeal, the CIT(A) invoked Rule 8D by noting that the Special Bench in the case of Daga Capital Management had held that Rule 8D read with section 14A is retrospectively applicable and, therefore, the assessee was asked to submit computation in terms of Rule 8D for making the disallowance. The CIT(A) thus restricted the disallowance at 1 per cent of the exempted income under section 14A.
 
C. A sum of Rs.1,54,71,071/- being the provision made for leave encasement in the current assessment year on the basis of actuarial valuation was disallowed and such disallowance was confirmed by the CIT(A).
 
In the cross appeals before the Tribunal, the Revenue submitted that the payment claimed as reimbursement of expenses should have been treated as fees for technical services paid to a non-resident while the assessee submitted that the issue was squarely covered in favour of the assessee and against Revenue.As for disallowance of leave encashment, the counsel for the assessee submitted that although Calcutta High Court in the case of Exide Industries Ltd. Vs. Union of India had stuck down the provisions of section 43B(f) of the Act as being arbitrary and ultra vires, the Supreme Court has stayed the judgment of the High Court and, therefore, he requested the bench to set aside this issue to the file of the AO with a direction that he will adjudicate the same as per the final judgment of Supreme Court in the case of Exide Industries Ltd. The CIT, DR fairly agreed that the issue can be restored back to the file of the AO.
 
Having heard the parties, the Tribunal held that,
 
Disallowance under section 40(a)(ia)
+ we find the factual position that the assessee company is a member of the international organization of Ernst & young and its several associate concerns worldwide. Ernst & Young Global Services LLP and Ernst Young UK LLP provide administrative and management support services in connection with technology updates, system and methodology and upgrades, training through webs etc. to the assessee and to other associate concerns of the Group. The assessee and its other associate concerns share the costs. A sum of Rs.6,88,12,554 was reimbursed to Ernst & Young Global Services LLP and a sum of Rs.23,78,781 to Ernst & Young UK LLP by the assessee during the current assessment year on account of its share of costs for such services. The said concerns were set up by member firms of Ernst & Young for providing resources to obtain best methodologies at a lower cost which in the present days of globalisation was imperative for any professional firm. Development of such methods by anyone concern would have been cost prohibitive apart from lacking uniformity and mutual compatibility. Accordingly, arrangement was arrived at for such services to be developed in pool by the said two concerns to which the member firms would have access to it and reimbursing their respective shares of cost incurred therefore. Such reimbursement was agreed on the basis of respective turnover of the member firms. These facts are not denied by revenue even now before us and these are reimbursement of expenses. Once these are reimbursement of expenses the assessee is not liable to deduct TDS u/s. 195 of the Act. Accordingly, we confirm the order of CIT(A) and this issue of revenue’s appeal is dismissed;
 
Dividend Income
 
+ we find that the relevant assessment year involved is AY 2006-07and Bombay High Court in the case of Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. vs. DCIT , held that Rule 8D of the Rules as inserted by the I. T (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2008 w.e.f. 24.3.2008 is prospective and not retrospective. The CIT(A) restricted the disallowance at 1% of the exempted income u/s. 14A of the Act by observing as under:"I find that the decision of Daga Capital has been reversed by Hon’ble Bombay High Court in their above mentioned order dtd. 12.08.2010. In this order Hon’ble Court has held that Rule 8D shall be applicable from assessment year 2008-09 onwards. Here, since the assessment year involved is 2007-08 therefore I hold that Rule 8D will not apply. However, in certain recent decisions Hon’ble ITAT Kolkata has held that out of the administrative expenses, expenses to the tune of 1% of the exempt income can be disallowed u/s. 14A. Following these decisions I hold that an amount of Rs.7,857/- shall be disallowable u/s. 14A.";
 
+ we find that the exempted income is to the extent of Rs.76,34,047/- in AY 2006-07. Rule 8D of the Rules is not applicable in this assessment year in the assessee’s case as held by Bombay High Court in the case of Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. being prospective. We direct the AO to restrict the disallowance at 1% of the exempted income. This issue of assessee’s appeals is partly allowed as directed above;
 
Leave Encashment:
 
+ we, after hearing both the side find that the Apex Court in the case of Exide Industries Ltd. has stayed the operation of the judgment of Calcutta High Court. Once this is the position, we restore back this issue to the file of AO to adjudicate the same afresh in terms of the decision of Apex Court in the case of Exide Industries Ltd.
 
Revenue's appeals dismissed & Assessee appeals partly allowed
 
Cases followed:

Decision of ITAT, Kolkata in assessee’s own case for AY 2003-04 in ITA No. 1750/Kol/2006 vide order dated 16th Nov. 2007
Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. vs. DCIT 2010-TIOL-564-HC-MUM-IT
Cases distinguished:
ITO Vs. Daga Capital Management Pvt. Ltd.
2008-TIOL-509-ITAT-MUM-SB
ORDER
Per: Bench:
This first appeal being ITA No.1159/K/2012 by revenue is arising out of order of CIT(A)-VIII, Kolkata in Appeal No. 50/CIT(A)-VIII/Kol/11-12 dated 17.05.2012.
 
2. The only issue in this appeal of revenue is against the order of CIT(A) granting interest u/s. 244A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act"). For this, revenue has raised following ground no.1:
 
"1. That on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) erred in granting interest u/s. 244A on interest and also holding that while issuing refund interest amount will take priority before principal amount."
 
3. We have heard rival submissions and gone through facts and circumstances of the case. We find that CIT(A) has factually noted errors committed by AO while computing interest u/s. 244A of the Act and he brought out the factual details under following eight aspects:
 
"a) In treating Rs.2,29,85,384/- refunded on 30.9.05 as refund out of tax paid even though it included Rs.31,63,564 towards interest u/s. 244A of the Income Tax Act,
b) In granting interest on Rs.1,49,79,822 for the period 1.10.2005 to 31.7.06 instead of granting interest on Rs.1,81,43,386 and consequently granting short interest;
c) In not granting interest on Rs.44,78,062 from 28.7.06 to 31.7.06 i.e. for 1 month as per provisions of Rule 119A of the Income Tax Rules;
d) In granting interest on Rs.1,94,57,884 for the period 1.8.06 to 28.2.07 instead of granting interest on Rs.2,26,21,448 and consequently granting short interest;
e) In granting interest on Rs.3,05,88,892 for the period 1.3.07 to 29.3.07 instead of granting interest on Rs.3,44,19,137 and consequently granting short interest;
f) In reducing Rs.6,66,681 being interest granted in order dt. 29.3.07 passed u/s. 154/251/143(3) of the Act twice. Once as refund granted on 29.3.07 and again as part of Rs.2,07,91,649 refunded on 30.3.07;
g)In reducing Rs.2,07,91,469 instead of Rs.2,07,91,649 refunded on 30.3.07 by adjustment against demand of AY 2005-06
h) In granting interest on Rs.97,97,423 for the period 1.4.07 to 31.3.09 instead of granting interest on Rs.1,42,94,169 and consequently granting short interest."
 
The Ld. CIT, DR stated that the computation of CIT(A) is wrong but he could not point out which part of CIT(A)’s order is wrong and how. He could not identify mistake in allowing interest u/s. 244A of the Act. Despite the entire facts available in the order of CIT(A), the Ld. CIT, DR could not point out any error, we feel that the directions of CIT(A) are as per law and we uphold the same. This appeal of revenue’s appeal is dismissed.
 
4. These cross appeals, being ITA No.1092/K/2009 by revenue and ITA No. 792/K/2009 by assessee, are arising out of order of CIT(A)-VIII, Kolkata in appeal no. 102/CIT(A)- VIII/KOL/CIRCLE-8/2008-09 dated 05.03.2009. Assessment was framed by DCIT, Circle-8, Kolkata u/s. 143(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the "Act") for AY 2006-07 vide his order dated 15.07.2008.
 
5. The only issue in this appeal of revenue (ITA No. 1092/K/2009) is as regards to the order of CIT(A) deleting the disallowance made by AO for non-deduction of TDS by invoking the provisions of section 40(a)(ia) of the Act on reimbursement of cost for providing access to system and management audit methodology updates etc. to EYGS LLP and Ernst & Young LLP, UK. For this, revenue has raised following sole ground:
 
"1. That Ld. CIT(A) erred on facts and in law in deleting the disallowance under section 40(a)(ia) of Income Tax Act, 1961 of a total sum of Rs.7,11,91,335/- which was made by the Assessing Officer for non-deduction of tax at source as per provision of Income Tax Act 1961."
 
6. Briefly stated facts are that the assessee claimed deduction for Rs.6,88,12,554/- and Rs.23,78,781/- being amount payable to EYGS LLP and Ernst & Young LLP, UK respectively towards reimbursement of costs for providing access to system & management audit methodology updates, knowledge updates through web etc. assistance in development of common programs and policies, endeavoring to ensure that professional and to other people resources are available to assist the firm or its clients in all jurisdiction. But the AO disallowed both these amounts claimed by way of reimbursement of cost for services utilized in the assessee’s business. According to him assessee is liable to deduct tax but it has failed to deduct tax under section 195 of the Act. He, accordingly, disallowed a sum of Rs.7,11,91,335/- paid towards ‘Cost of Reimbursements’ u/s. 40(a)(ia) of the Act. Aggrieved assessee preferred appeal before CIT(A) , who deleted the disallowance by following the decision of ITAT, Kolkata in assessee’s own case for AY 2003-04 in ITA No. 1750/Kol/2006 vide order dated 16th Nov. 2007, wherein it has been held as under:
 
"10. We went through the rival submissions of both the parties and perused the documents. In our considered view as per the provisions of section 195, we agree with the view taken by the Delhi Branch of the Tribunal that before a TDS is required to be charged on any sum, it has to be shown that it is an income as per the provisions of section 195 because the very wording under section 195 "any other sum chargeable under the provisions of the Act" means that chargeable as income as per section 4 of the Income-tax Act. Unless and until it is chargeable, there is no requirement of withholding tax by any India person responsible for paying to any non-resident, not being a company, or to a foreign company, any sum payable on any account. There is no rebuttal from the side of the department that the expenses are relating to reimbursement of expenses for supply of data as per the agreement stated to have been made amongst the global firms to which the assessee company is treated as one of the members. Apart from this factual aspect it has been observed that in the case law reported in 142 ITR 493 in the case of Dunlop India Ltd. the facts appear to be identical to that of the present case in hand. Therefore, both factually as well as legally the assessee has a case and on this issue the assessee, therefore. should succeed in our considered opinion as the amount is towards the reimbursement and with the passage of time, now globalization has been adopted by different countries for facilitating data and technical skill of different countries. Simply because thee supply of data pertains to technical services, the department should not be rigid for application of section 195 without examining the actual factual aspect of the matter that it is a result of an agreement in between the parties for sharing the data amongst the members firms in the globalization process. This aspect, in particular, has not been controverted by the department at any stage of the proceeding. Hence, we decide this issue in favour of the assessee and against the Revenue."
 
Aggrieved revenue came in appeal before us.
 
7. We have heard rival submissions and gone through facts and circumstances of the case. Before us, Ld. Counsel for the assessee stated that the issue is squarely covered in favour of assessee and against revenue. We find that the Tribunal is consistently deleting this disallowance as reproduced above one of the Tribunal’s decision in AY 2003-04. We find the factual position that the assessee company is a member of the international organization of Ernst & young and its several associate concerns worldwide. Ernst & Young Global Services LLP and Ernst Young UK LLP provide administrative and management support services in connection with technology updates, system and methodology and upgrades, training through webs etc. to the assessee and to other associate concerns of the Group. The assessee and its other associate concerns share the costs. A sum of Rs.6,88,12,554 was reimbursed to Ernst & Young Global Services LLP and a sum of Rs.23,78,781 to Ernst & Young UK LLP by the assessee during the current assessment year on account of its share of costs for such services. The said concerns were set up by member firms of Ernst & Young for providing resources to obtain best methodologies at a lower cost which in the present days of globalisation was imperative for any professional firm. Development of such methods by anyone concern would have been cost prohibitive apart from lacking uniformity and mutual compatibility. Accordingly, arrangement was arrived at for such services to be developed in pool by the said two concerns to which the member firms would have access to it and reimbursing their respective shares of cost incurred therefore. Such reimbursement was agreed on the basis of respective turnover of the member firms. These facts are not denied by revenue even now before us and these are reimbursement of expenses. Once these are reimbursement of expenses the assessee is not liable to deduct TDS u/s. 195 of the Act. Accordingly, we confirm the order of CIT(A) and this issue of revenue’s appeal is dismissed.
 
8. Coming to ITA No. 792/K/2009. The first issue in this appeal of assessee is against the order of CIT(A) in upholding the disallowance made by AO by invoking the provisions of section 14A of the Act read with Rule 8D of the I. T. Rules, 1962 (hereinafter referred to as the "Rules").
 
9. Briefly stated facts are that the assessee has earned dividend income at Rs.76,34,047/- and claimed the same as exempt. The assessee claimed that it had not incurred any expenditure to earn this dividend income. During the course of assessment proceedings the assessee explained before AO that it has invested short term surplus fund available with it in Grindlays Cash Fund. The assessee also filed complete details i.e. the date of investment, dividend reinvested, refund receipts and closing balance as on 31.03.2003. Completed copy of statement including bank statement was submitted. The assessee explained that these funds were not invested out of borrowed fund but were invested out of surplus funds available with the company for short period. The AO estimated the proportionate management expenses qua the exempted income at 10% and, therefore, computed the proportionate management expenses at Rs.35,23,840/-. Aggrieved, assessee preferred appeal before CIT(A), who invoked Rule 8D of the Rules by noting that the Special Bench in the case of ITO Vs. Daga Capital Management Pvt. Ltd. (2008) 119 TTJ 209 (Mum) (SB) = 2008-TIOL-509-ITAT-MUM-SB has held that Rule 8D read with section 14A of the Act is retrospectively applicable and, therefore, he asked the assessee to submit computation in term of Rule 8D for making the disallowance. Accordingly, he restricted the disallowance at Rs.14,75,086/-. Aggrieved assessee came in appeal before us.
 
10. We have heard rival submissions and gone through facts and circumstances of the case. We find that the relevant assessment year involved is AY 2006-07and Hon’ble Bombay High Court in the case of Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. vs. DCIT [2010] 328 ITR 81 (Bom.) = 2010-TIOL-564-HC-MUM-IT, held that Rule 8D of the Rules as inserted by the I. T (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2008 w.e.f. 24.3.2008 is prospective and not retrospective. The CIT(A) restricted the disallowance at 1% of the exempted income u/s. 14A of the Act by observing as under:
 
"I find that the decision of Daga Capital has been reversed by Hon’ble Bombay High Court in their above mentioned order dtd. 12.08.2010. In this order Hon’ble Court has held that Rule 8D shall be applicable from assessment year 2008-09 onwards. Here, since the assessment year involved is 2007-08 therefore I hold that Rule 8D will not apply. However, in certain recent decisions Hon’ble ITAT Kolkata has held that out of the administrative expenses, expenses to the tune of 1% of the exempt income can be disallowed u/s. 14A. Following these decisions I hold that an amount of Rs.7,857/- shall be disallowable u/s. 14A."
 
We find that the exempted income is to the extent of Rs.76,34,047/- in AY 2006-07. Rule 8D of the Rules is not applicable in this assessment year in the assessee’s case as held by Hon’ble Bombay High Court in the case of Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. (Supra) being prospective. We direct the AO to restrict the disallowance at 1% of the exempted income. This issue of assessee’s appeals is partly allowed as directed above.
 
11. The next issue in this appeal of assessee is against the order of CIT(A) confirming the disallowance of provision for leave encasement. For this, assessee has raised following ground no.2:
 
"2. The Ld. CIT(A) has also erred in not deleting the disallowance of a sum of Rs.1,54,71,071/- being the provision made for leave encasement in the current assessment year on the basis of actuarial valuation."
 
12. At the outset, Ld. counsel for the assessee Shri R. N. Bajoria, Sr. advocate stated that the assessee company has added a sum of Rs.1,54,71,071/- on account of provision for leave encasement. According to him, this amount was added back in the computation of income filed with original return of income in pursuance to section 43B(f) of the Act. He further stated that Hon’ble Calcutta High Court in the case of Exide Industries Ltd. Vs. Union of India (2007) 292 ITR 470 = 2007-TIOL-429-HC-KOL-IT stuck down the provisions of section 43B(f) of the Act as being arbitrary and ultra vires. Ld. counsel for the assessee stated that Hon’ble Supreme Court has stayed the judgment of Hon’ble Calcutta High Court in the case of Exide Industries Ltd. (supra) and, therefore, he requested the bench to set aside this issue to the file of the AO with a direction that he will adjudicate the same as per the final judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Exide Industries Ltd. On this, Ld. CIT, DR fairly agreed that the issue can be restored back to the file of the AO.
 
13. We, after hearing both the side find that the Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Exide Industries Ltd. in SLP (Civil) 22889 of 2008 = 2009-TIOL-110-SC-IT has stayed the operation of the judgment of Hon’ble Calcutta High Court. Once this is the position, we restore back this issue to the file of AO to adjudicate the same afresh in terms of the decision of Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Exide Industries Ltd. (supra). Accordingly, this issue of assessee’s appeal is allowed for statistical purposes.
 
14. Coming to ITA No. 870/K/2011. The first issue in this appeal of revenue is as regards to the order of CIT(A) deleting the disallowance made by AO for non-deduction of TDS by invoking the provisions of section 40(a)(ia) of the Act on reimbursement of cost for providing access to system and management audit methodology updates etc. to EYGS LLP and Ernst & Young LLP, UK. For this, revenue has raised following ground no.1:
 
"1. That Ld. CIT(A) erred on facts and circumstances of the case and in treating the amount paid to Ernst & Young LLP UK and Ernst & Young Global Services LLP as reimbursement of expenses instead of treating it as fees for technical services paid to a non resident."
 
We have already dealt this issue elaborately while adjudicating the ground of appeal of revenue in ITA No.1092/K/2009 and since we have dismissed this ground of appeal of revenue, following the same analogy we also dismiss this ground of appeal of revenue.
 
15. The next issue in this appeal of revenue is as regards to the order of CIT(A) allowing the claim of bad debt written off. At the outset, the Ld. Senior counsel for the Assessee stated that no such issue was before CIT(A). Hence, it cannot be raised before Tribunal as it is not arising from the order of CIT(A). On query from the bench, the Ld. CIT, DR fairly conceded that there is no such issue arisen from the order of CIT(A). Hence, the same is dismissed. This ground of appeal of revenue is dismissed.
 
16. These cross appeals being ITA No.1257/K/2011 by revenue and ITA No. 1215/K/2011 by assessee are arising out of order of CIT(A)-VIII, Kolkata in appeal no. 27/CIT(A)- VIII/Kol10-11 dated 13.07.2011. Assessment was framed by DCIT, Circle-8, Kolkata u/s. 143(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the "Act") for AY 2008-09 vide his order dated 24.05.2010.
 
17. The first issue in this appeal of revenue is as regards to the order of CIT(A) deleting the disallowance made by AO for non-deduction of TDS by invoking the provisions of section 40(a)(ia) of the Act on reimbursement of cost for providing access to system and management audit methodology updates etc. to EYGS LLP and Ernst & Young LLP, UK. For this, revenue has raised following ground no.1:
 
"1. That on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) erred in deleting the disallowance made by the AO u/s. 40(a)(ia) amounting to a total of Rs.24,22,61,039/- paid by the assessee to Ernst & Young LLP UK and Ernst & Young Global Services LLP without deducting tax at source u/s. 195 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in relation to assessment year 2008-09."
 
We have already dealt this issue elaborately while adjudicating the ground of appeal of revenue in ITA No.1092/K/2009 and since we have dismissed this ground of appeal of revenue, following the same analogy we also dismiss this ground of appeal of revenue.
 
18. The next issue in this appeal of revenue is as regards to the order of CIT(A) in restricting the disallowance made by AO by invoking the provisions of section 14A read with Rule 8D of the Rules qua the exempted income for AY 2008-09. For this, revenue has raised following ground no.2:
 
"2. That on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) erred in restricting the disallowance made by the AO u/s. 14A as per rule 8D to 1% of dividend income in relation to AY 2008-09."
 
19. Briefly stated facts are that the assessee company earned dividend income amounting to Rs.91,24,287/- in addition to dividend of equity shares of CAP Gemini SA amounting to Rs.69,853/-. This dividend received from CAP Gemini SA was offered to tax. The exempt income claimed on account of dividend was qua Rs.91,24,287/-. The AO during the course of assessment proceedings disallowed a sum of Rs.2,94,941/- by invoking the provisions of section 14A read with Rule 8D of the Rules by observing in para 4 as under:
 
"4. As per provisions of section 14A of the act read with rule 8D, a sum of Rs.2,94,941/- is disallowed. It includes sum of Rs.2,61,235/- which is 0.5% of the average investment and an amount of Rs.33,706/-, being proportionate interest."
 
Aggrieved, assessee preferred appeal before CIT(A), who restricted the disallowance at 1% of dividend income. Aggrieved, now revenue is in appeal before us.
 
20. At the outset, Ld. counsel for the assessee stated that Rule 8D of the Rules will apply w.e.f. AY 2008-09 and AO has rightly computed the disallowance. He conceded this issue. Accordingly, this issue of revenue’s appeal is allowed.
 
21. Coming to ITA No. 1215/K/2011. The first issue in this appeal of assessee is against the order of CIT(A) confirming the disallowance of provision for leave encashment. For this, assessee has raised following ground no.1:
 
"1. The Ld. CIT(A) has erred on facts and in law in not deleting the disallowance of a sum of Rs.2,04,00,156/- being the provision made for leave encashment in the current assessment year on the basis of actuarial valuation."
 
22. Since we have set aside this ground of appeal of assessee in ITA No. 792/K/2009 to the file of AO to adjudicate the same afresh in terms of the decision of Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Exide Industries Ltd. (supra), this issue also restored to the file of AO to adjudicate afresh. This ground of appeal of assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.
 
23. The next issue in this appeal of assessee is against the order of CIT(A) in not adjudicating the issue of withdrawal of interest u/s. 234D of the Act. For this, assessee has raised following ground No. 2:
 
"2. The Ld. CIT(A) has failed to adjudicate that interest withdrawn under section 244A is not refund granted under sub-section (1) of section 143 on which interest under section 234D can be levied."
 
24. At the outset, Ld. counsel for the assessee fairly stated that this issue is a consequential issue so, the AO can be directed to recomputed the disallowance as per the provisions of the Act. Ld. CIT, DR has not objected to the same. In view of the above submissions, we feel that this issue needs readjudication and AO will recompute the withdrawal of interest in terms of provisions of section 234D of the Act. This issue of assessee’s appeal is allowed for statistical purposes.
 
25. These cross appeals being ITA No.1160/K/2012 by revenue and ITA No. 1000/K/2012 by assessee are arising out of order of CIT(A)-VIII, Kolkata in appeal no. 28/CIT(A)-VIII/Kol/11-12 dated 17.05.2012. Assessment was framed by DCIT, Circle-8, Kolkata u/s. 143(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the "Act") for AY 2009-10 vide his order dated 18.05.2011.
 
26. Now, coming to ITA No. 1160/K/2012. The sole issue in this appeal of revenue is as regards to the order of CIT(A) deleting the disallowance made by AO for non-deduction of TDS by invoking the provisions of section 40(a)(ia) of the Act on reimbursement of cost for providing access to system and management audit methodology updates etc. to EYGS LLP and Ernst & Young LLP, UK. For this, revenue has raised following ground no.1:
 
"1. That on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT(A) erred in deleting the disallowance made by the AO u/s. 40(a)(ia) amounting to Rs.23,52,28,398/- paid by the assessee to Ernst & Young LLP UK and Ernst & Young Global Services LLP without deducting tax at source u/s. 195 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in relation to assessment year 2009-10."
 
We have already dealt this issue elaborately while adjudicating the ground of appeal of revenue in ITA No.1092/K/2009 and since we have dismissed this ground of appeal of revenue, following the same analogy we also dismiss this ground of appeal of revenue.
 
27. Coming to ITA No. 1000/K/2012. The sole issue in this appeal of assessee is against the order of CIT(A) confirming the disallowance of provision for leave encashment. For this, assessee has raised following ground no.1:
 
"1. The Ld. CIT(A) has erred on facts and in law in not deleting the disallowance of a sum of Rs.2,77,64,886/- being the provision made for leave encashment in the current assessment year on the basis of actuarial valuation."
 
28. Since we have set aside this ground of appeal of assessee in ITA No. 792/K/2009 to the file of AO to adjudicate the same afresh in terms of the decision of Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Exide Industries Ltd. (supra), this issue also restored to the file of AO to adjudicate afresh. This ground of appeal of assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.
 
29. In the result, revenue’s appeals are dismissed and that of assessee is partly allowed for statistical purposes.
 
30. Order is pronounced in the open court.
 

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