DEVRAJ BUILDERS,AHMEDABAD V. THE PR. CIT-3, AHMEDABAD

ITA 124/AHD/2022

AI Insights

The case involves Devraj Builders, a construction and development firm, appealing against an order by the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax - 3, Ahmedabad, which set aside the original assessment order. The original assessment had accepted the firm's declared income for the Assessment Year 2017-18, including a provision for defect liability. The PCIT later challenged this, viewing the provision as a contingent liability not allowable under Section 37(1) of the Income Tax Act, leading to the appeal. The Tribunal found that the PCIT's intervention was unjustified as the Assessing Officer had correctly allowed the provision based on consistent accounting methods and the specific terms of the contract with the Vadodara Municipal Corporation.

• Counselvise Citation: [2025] 140 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 34057 (ITAT-AHMEDABAD)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 06-01-2025
• Appeal Filed By: Assessee
• Order Result: Allowed
• Bench Allotted: D
• Assessment Year: 2017-2018
• Other Referred Cases: Rotork Controls India (P) Ltd. vs CIT
• Laws Referred To: Income Tax Act, 1961
• Result in Favour of: Assessee
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Department Lawyers: AARSI PRASAD
• Assessee Lawyers: M. K. PATEL
• Keywords: Set aside; Capital expenditure
• Section: 143(3); 143(2); 263; 13; 37; 37(1)

Judgement Text

"ITA No.124/Ahd/2022 Assessment Year: 2017-18 Devraj Builders vs. PCIT-3 Page 1 of 6 IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL AHMEDABAD “D” BENCH, AHMEDABAD BEFORE DR. BRR KUMAR, VICE PRESIDENT & Ms. SUCHITRA KAMBLE, JUDICIAL MEMBER ITA No.124/Ahd/2022 Assessment Year: 2017-18 Devraj Builders, B/4, Skylark Apartment, S,M. Road, Satellite, Ahmedabad – 380 015. [PAN – AAHFD 1140 R] Vs. The Principal Commissioner of Income Tax – 3, Ahmedabad. (Appellant) (Respondent) Assessee by Shri M.K. Patel, Advocate Revenue by Shri Aarsi Prasad, CIT-DR Date of Hearing 05.12.2024 Date of Pronouncement 06.01.2025 O R D E R PER SUCHITRA KAMBLE, JUDICIAL MEMBER: This appeal is filed by the Assessee against order dated 04.03.2022 passed by the PCIT-3, Ahmedabad for the Assessment Year 2017-18. 2. The assessee has raised the following grounds of appeal :- “1. The Ld. Pr. CIT grossly erred in law and on facts in passing the order under section 263 of the IT Act, 1961 because the assessment order passed by the AO on 18.07.2019 was neither erroneous nor prejudicial to the interest of revenue. 2. The Ld. PCIT grossly erred in law and on facts in not appreciating that there was no ground to invoke his jurisdiction under section 263 of the Act. 3. a) The Ld. PCIT grossly failed to appreciate that the amount of defect liability debited to the P&L Account of the year under reference was subsequently spent in the following years to meet such liability and ITA No.124/Ahd/2022 Assessment Year: 2017-18 Devraj Builders vs. PCIT-3 Page 2 of 6 surplus, if any, was offered to tax by crediting the P&L Account accordingly. b) The Ld. PCIT grossly failed to appreciate that the appellant has already paid due taxes on the surplus so generated after meeting the defect liability in the following years and any disallowance now in the year under reference will not only be illogical but will make the appellant liable for double taxation on the same income. 4. The Ld. PCIT grossly erred in law and on facts in not appreciating that the AO allowed the impugned amount after appreciating the method of accounting consistently being followed by the appellant in this regard. It is a settled principle of law that the Pr. CIT is not permitted under the provisions of section 263 of the Act to substitute his decision. 5. The Ld. PCIT grossly erred in law and on facts in wrongly treating the amount of Rs.90,03,270 debited to the P&L Account under the head Defect Liability, as contingent liability in total disregard to established accounting standards in this regard. 6. a) The Ld. PCIT grossly erred in law and on facts in not appreciating the fact that the Appellant as a contractor was bound by the terms and conditions the Tender laid down by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) i.e., the Contractee. b) The Ld. PCIT grossly erred in law and on facts to appreciate that as per the terms of tender defect liability was for 10 years for which Performance Guarantee was required to be given 5% of the total tender value to make sure the defects are corrected in the stipulated period. c) The Ld. POIT grossly erred in law and on facts to appreciate that since amount and period for defect liability was fixed by the VMC it could not be classified as contingent liability. 7. The Ld. PCIT grossly erred in law and on facts in appreciating that the impugned amount was debited to the Profit and Loss account of the relevant period was neither a personal expense nor a capital expenditure and was purely for business expediency therefore allowable under the provisions of section 37 of the Act. 8. It is prayed that the order of the Pr. CIT passed under section 263 of the IT Act 1961 be set aside and the order of the AO passed under section 143(3) be restored. 9. The appellant craves permission to add, withdraw, alter, amend withdraw grounds of appeal at any time before the completion of appellate proceedings.” ITA No.124/Ahd/2022 Assessment Year: 2017-18 Devraj Builders vs. PCIT-3 Page 3 of 6 3. The assessee firm M/s Devraj Builders is engaged in the business of construction and development of residential, commercial complexes and multiplexes. The assessee filed return of income for the Assessment Year 2017-18 on 08.10.2017 declaring total income of Rs.95,73,800/-. The case was selected for scrutiny by issuing notice under Section 143(2) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and assessment was finalised under Section 143(3) of the act on 18.07.2019 assessing the total income at Rs.95,73,800/- as per return of income. The PCIT noticed that deduction for provision for defect liability of Rs.90,03,270/- was claimed under the head “Site Miscellaneous Expenses in Profit & Loss Account”. The PCIT observed that as per Section 37(1) of the Act, any expenditure, not being expenditure of the nature described under Sections 30 to 36 and not being in the nature of capital expenditure or personal expenses of the assessee, laid out expended wholly or exclusively for the purpose of business or profession shall be allowed in computing the income chargeable under the head “Profit and Gains of Business and Profession”. The PCIT further observed that the provision for defect liability expenses claimed by the assessee was not ascertained or crystalised during the year under consideration and merely represented a provision for future contingencies and therefore the assessee is not entitled to claim it as deduction. The assessee has simply made a provision for future contingent liability and thus the expenses claimed on account of provision for defect liability of Rs.90,03,270/- is not allowable under Section 37(1) of the Act as observed by the PCIT. A show cause notice under Section 263 of the Act was issued on 03.01.2022 and subsequently the assessee filed reply dated 29.01.2022. The PCIT after giving finding, directed the Assessing Officer to make requisite enquiry and proper verification with regard to the said issue and set aside the Assessment Order. Being aggrieved by the order under Section 263 of the Act passed by the PCIT, the assessee file appeal before us. 4. The Ld. AR submitted that the PCIT failed to appreciate that the amount of defect liability debited to the Profit & Loss Account of the year under reference was subsequently spent in the following years to meet such liability and surplus, was offered to tax by crediting the Profit & Loss Account. The assessee has already paid due taxes on the surplus so generated after meeting the defect liability in the following years and any disallowance now in the year under reference will not only be illogical ITA No.124/Ahd/2022 Assessment Year: 2017-18 Devraj Builders vs. PCIT-3 Page 4 of 6 but will make the assessee liable for double taxation on the same income. The Assessing Officer allowed the impugned amount after appreciating the method of accounting consistently being followed by the assessee in this regard. The Ld. AR further submitted that it is a settled principle of law that the PCIT is not permitted under the provisions of Section 263 of the Act to substitute his decision. In fact, the PCIT was wrong in treating the amount of Rs.90,03,270/- debited to the Profit & Loss Account under the head “defect liability” as contingent liability in total disregard to established accounting standards in this regard. The Ld. AR further submitted that the assessee, as a contractor, is bound by the terms and conditions laid down in the Tender by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation i.e. Contractee. As per the terms of the said defect liability was for 10 years for which Performance Guarantee was required to be given at 5% of the total tender value to make sure the defects are corrected in the stipulated period. The Ld. AR further submitted that the PCIT did not appreciate the fact that since the amount and period for defect liability was fixed by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, it cannot be classified as contingent liability. The impugned amount was debited to the Profit and Loss Account of the relevant period was neither a personal expense nor a capital expenditure and was purely for business expediency, therefore, allowable under the provisions of Section 37 of the Act. Thus, the ld. AR submitted that the PCIT has not invoked Section 263 of the Act rightly. 5. The Ld. DR submitted that the PCIT has categorically mentioned in paragraph no.6.3 that admittedly, provisions in this regard has been made by mechanically applying 5% flat rate on the work certified at the year end. Thus, there was no thinking in respect of making the said provision. There is no utilisation of provision made from Financial Year 2014-15 to Financial Year 2018-19 and even thereafter, there is huge difference in the amount of provision made and actual utilisation. The Ld. DR submitted that in case of Rotork Controls India (P) Ltd. vs CIT (2009) 13 SCC 283 which was relied by the assessee will not be applicable in assessee’s case and in fact whenever there is a provision, the same has to be at the reasonable rate as per scientific method. In fact, the assessee is reversing the loss subsequently. The Ld. DR, therefore, submitted that the PCIT has rightly invoked Section 263 of the Act. 6. We have heard both the parties and perused all the relevant material available on record. At the time of hearing, the assessee submitted a chart of reversal of defect ITA No.124/Ahd/2022 Assessment Year: 2017-18 Devraj Builders vs. PCIT-3 Page 5 of 6 liability which categorically demonstrate that as regards the additional liability ratio of reversal of provision from the year 2014-15 to 2017-18 is that of 5% only and, therefore, there was no change of method. The said chart is reproduced as under:- Devraj Builders Defect Liability Provision Calculation-site wise Sr. No. F.Y. Manjalpur Harni-151 Harni-152 Tandalia Total Total to reverse Exp Done till year end DLP Reversed Ratio of reversal of provision 19.59% 34.70% 17.87% 27.85% A Defect Liability Provision (DLP) Made 2014-15 17,29,720 6,69,905 0 0 23,99,625 2015-16 27,00,212 49,77,320 0 0 76,77,532 2016-17 15,63,766 33,95,976 4,64,654 35,78,874 90,03,270 2017-18 11,80,836 36,72,493 60,81,633 66,27,521 1,75,62,483 Total A 71,74,534 1,27,15,694 65,46,287 1,02,06,395 3,66,42,910 B Break up of Defect Liability (refer Note below) Structur al Liability 30% of DLP for 10 years 21,52,360 38,14,708 19,63,886 30,61,919 1,09,92,873 Other Liability 70% of DLP for 5 years 50,22,174 89,00,986 45,82,401 71,44,477 2,56,50,037 Total B 71,74,534 1,27,15,694 65,46,287 1,02,06,395 3,66,42,910 C Reversal of Defect Liability to income (Refer Note Below) To be reversed Total to Reverse Exp Done till year end DLP Reversed Date of Completion 10/09/2016 29/04/2017 27/05/2018 14/11/2019 Year wise 2017-18 12,19,671 21,61,668 0 0 33,81,339 1,85,99,049 72,04,500 1,13,94,549 2018-19 12,19,671 21,61,668 11,12,869 0 44,94,208 2019-20 12,19,671 21,61,668 11,12,869 0 44,94,208 2020-21 12,19,671 21,61,668 11,12,869 17,35,087 62,29,295 2021-22 12,19,671 21,61,668 11,12,869 17,35,087 62,29,295 62,29,295 22,30,614 39,98,681 2022-23 2,15,236 3,81,471 11,12,869 17,35,087 34,44,663 34,44,663 15,72,270 50,41,850 2023-24 2,15,236 3,81,471 1,96,389 17,35,087 25,28,183 25,28,183 37,65,681 2024-25 2,15,236 3,81,471 1,96,389 17,35,087 25,28,183 25,28,183 2025-26 2,15,236 3,81,471 1,96,389 3,06,192 10,99,287 10,99,287 2026-27 2,15,236 3,81,471 1,96,389 3,06,192 10,99,287 10,99,287 2027-28 0 0 1,96,389 3,06,192 5,02,580 5,02,580 2028-29 0 0 0 3,06,192 3,06,192 3,06,192 2029-30 0 0 0 3,06,192 3,06,192 3,06,192 Total C 71,74,534 1,27,15,694 65,46,287 1,02,06,395 3,66,42,910 3,66,42,910 1,47,73,065 2,04,35,079 Note: Structural Liability to be written off in 10 years. Lift, Tubewell, Submersible, DG Set Solar Panel, Street Light and Common Light to be written off in 5 years. ITA No.124/Ahd/2022 Assessment Year: 2017-18 Devraj Builders vs. PCIT-3 Page 6 of 6 6.1 From the perusal of the order of the PCIT under Section 263 of the Act, the observation made by the PCIT that the defect liability is akin to warranty because the assessee is required to rectify the defects in the specified items of construction and allied goods during the period of 5/10 years free of cost has been outrightly rejected but the fact remains that the Vadodara Municipal Corporation categorically had the terms in the tender related to defect liability for ten years for which performance guarantee was required to be given at 5%. This fact was totally ignored by the PCIT and in fact the liability as mentioned by the assessee in the category of site miscellaneous expenses in Profit & Loss Account will become a revenue neutral at this juncture. Therefore, the Assessing Officer has taken plausible view. Thus, the PCIT thereby setting aside the Assessment Order is not justified as per provisions of Section 263 of the Act. Hence, appeal of the assessee is allowed. 7. In the result, appeal filed by the assessee is allowed. Order pronounced in the open Court on this 6th January, 2025. Sd/- Sd/- (DR. BRR KUMAR) (SUCHITRA KAMBLE) Vice President Judicial Member Ahmedabad, the 6th January, 2025 PBN/* Copies to: (1) The appellant (2) The respondent (3) CIT (4) CIT(A) (5) Departmental Representative (6) Guard File By order TRUE COPY Assistant Registrar Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Ahmedabad benches, Ahmedabad "