Appeal details
Counselvise Citation
156820114 RSA 2013
Assessee PAN
Bench
Appeal Number
Duration Of Justice
2 year(s) 7 day(s)
Appellant
Respondent
Appeal Type
Income Tax Appeal
Pronouncement Date
25-03-2015
Appeal Filed By
Assessee
Order Result
Allowed
Bench Allotted
E
Next Hearing Date
11-03-2015
Assessment Year
2009-2010
Appeal Filed On
18-03-2013
Judgement Text
IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL (DELHI BENCH E , NEW DELHI) BEFORE SHRI G. C. GUPTA, HONBLE VICE PRESDIENT, AN D SHRI T.S. KAPOOR, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER I.T.A. NO. 1568/DEL/2013 ASSESSMENT YEAR : 2009-10 M/S. MINDA CAPITAL LTD., VS. DCIT, CIRCLE 6(1), A-15, ASHOK VIHAR, PHASE I, NEW DELHI DELHI-110052 GIR / PAN: (APPELLANT) (RESPONDENT) APPELLANT BY : SHRI ASHWANI TANEJA, ADV. RESPONDENT BY : SHRI P DAM KANUNJHA, SR. DR DATE OF HEARING : 11.03.2015 DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT : 25.03.2015 ORDER PER T.S. KAPOOR, AM: THIS IS AN APPEAL FILED BY ASSESSEE AGAINST THE OR DER OF LD. CIT(A) DATED 06.02.2013. THE ONLY EFFECTIVE GROUND OF APP EAL RAISED BY ASSESSEE IS THE DISALLOWANCE MADE BY A.O. U/S 14A OF THE ACT WH ICH WAS CONFIRMED BY LD. CIT(A). 2. AT THE OUTSET, LD. A.R. SUBMITTED THAT THE A.O. HAS MADE DISALLOWANCE U/S 14A AS PER THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 8D WITHOUT RE CORDING SATISFACTION WHICH IS MANDATORY IN LAW AND THEREFORE, THE DISALL OWANCE IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. LD. A.R. SUBMITTED THAT HON'BLE DELHI HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF CIT VS TAIKISHA ENGINEERING INDIA LTD. IN I.T.A.NO. 115/2014 AND 119/2014 DATED 25.11.2014 HAS HELD THAT RECORDING O F SATISFACTION IS ITA NO.1568/DEL/2013 2 NECESSARY BEFORE PROCEEDING TO CALCULATE THE DISALL OWANCE U/S 14A OF THE ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 8D. LD. A .R. INVITED OUR ATTENTION TO PARA 4 OF THE ORDER OF HON'BLE HIGH COURT WITH A VIEW TO APPRISE THE BENCH THAT FACTS IN THE CASE OF ASSESSEE AND IN THE CASE DECIDED BY HON'BLE HIGH COURT ARE IDENTICAL. LD. A.R. TOOK US TO PARA 10 ONWARDS WHERE HON'BLE HIGH COURT HAD DEALT WITH THE ISSUE AND DE CIDED THE ISSUE IN FAVOUR OF ASSESSEE. 3. LD. D.R. ON THE OTHER HAND HEAVILY RELIED UPON T HE ORDERS OF AUTHORITIES BELOW. 4. WE HAVE HEARD RIVAL PARTIES AND HAVE GONE THROUG H THE MATERIAL PLACED ON RECORD. WE FIND THAT THE A.O. DURING ASSESSMEN T PROCEEDINGS OBSERVED THAT THE ASSESSEE HAD EARNED EXEMPT INCOME AND THER EFORE, VIDE QUESTIONNAIRE DATED 22.10.2010, THE ASSESSEE WAS AS KED TO EXPLAIN AS TO WHY DISALLOWANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF R ULE 8D SHOULD NOT BE MADE. NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REPLY OF ASSESSEE, TH E A.O. CALCULATED THE DISALLOWANCE AS PER THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 8D WITHO UT RECORDING ANY SATISFACTION REGARDING EXPLANATION SUBMITTED BY ASS ESSEE. WE FIND THAT HON'BLE DELHI HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF TAIKISHA EN GINEERING INDIA LTD. VIDE PARA 10 ONWARDS HAS DECIDED SIMILAR ISSUE IN F AVOUR OF ASSESSEE BY HOLDING AS UNDER: 10. HAVING HEARD THE COUNSEL FOR THE PARTIES, WE F EEL THAT THE RESPONDENT ASSESSEE IS ENTITLED TO SUCCEED ON SOMEWHAT DIFFERE NT GROUNDS AND REASONS, THAN THOSE ELUCIDATED BY THE TRIBUNAL. 11. SECTION 14A OF THE ACT IS RELEVANT AND REPRODUC ED BELOW:- 14A. (1) FOR THE PURPOSES OF COMPUTING THE TOTAL IN COME UNDER THIS CHAPTER, NO DEDUCTION SHALL BE ALLOWED IN RESPECT OF EXPENDITUR E INCURRED BY THE ASSESSEE IN RELATION TO INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME UNDER THIS ACT. (2) THE ASSESSING OFFICER SHALL DETERMINE THE AMOUN T OF EXPENDITURE INCURRED IN RELATION TO SUCH INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME UNDER THIS ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH METHOD AS MAY BE PRESCR IBED, IF THE ASSESSING OFFICER, HAVING REGARD TO THE ACCOUNTS OF THE ASSES SEE, IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE ITA NO.1568/DEL/2013 3 CORRECTNESS OF THE CLAIM OF THE ASSESSEE IN RESPECT OF SUCH EXPENDITURE IN RELATION TO INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INC OME UNDER THIS ACT. (3) THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-SECTION (2) SHALL ALSO AP PLY IN RELATION TO A CASE WHERE AN ASSESSEE CLAIMS THAT NO EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN INC URRED BY HIM IN RELATION TO INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME UNDER THIS ACT. PROVIDED THAT NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION SHA LL EMPOWER THE ASSESSING OFFICER EITHER TO REASSESS UNDER SECTION 147 OR PAS S AN ORDER ENHANCING THE ASSESSMENT OR REDUCING A REFUND ALREADY MADE OR OTH ERWISE INCREASING THE LIABILITY OF THE ASSESSEE UNDER SECTION 154, FOR ANY ASSESSME NT YEAR BEGINNING ON OR BEFORE THE 1ST DAY OF APRIL, 2001. SECTION 14A OF THE ACT POSTULATES AND STATES THAT N O DEDUCTION SHALL BE ALLOWED IN RESPECT OF EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY AN ASSESSEE IN R ELATION TO INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME UNDER THE ACT. UN DER SUB SECTION (2) TO SECTION 14A OF THE ACT, THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS REQUIRED T O EXAMINE THE ACCOUNTS OF THE ASSESSEE AND ONLY WHEN HE IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CORRECTNESS OF THE CLAIM OF THE ASSESSEE IN RESPECT OF EXPENDITURE IN RELATION TO E XEMPT INCOME, THE ASSESSING OFFICER CAN DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE WHI CH SHOULD BE DISALLOWED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH METHOD AS PRESCRIBED, I.E. RUL E 8D OF THE RULES (QUOTED AND ELUCIDATED BELOW). THEREFORE, THE ASSESSING OFFICER AT THE FIRST INSTA NCE MUST EXAMINE THE DISALLOWANCE MADE BY THE ASSESSEE OR THE CLAIM OF T HE ASSESSEE THAT NO EXPENDITURE WAS INCURRED TO EARN THE EXEMPT INCOME. IF AND ONLY IF THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS NOT SATISFIED ON THIS COUNT AFTER MAKING REFERENCE TO THE ACCOUNTS, THAT HE IS ENTITLED TO ADOPT THE METHOD AS PRESCRIBED I. E. RULE 8D OF THE RULES. THUS, RULE 8D IS NOT ATTRACTED AND APPLICABLE TO ALL ASSE SSEE WHO HAVE EXEMPT INCOME AND IT IS NOT COMPULSORY AND NECESSARY THAT AN ASSE SSEE MUST VOLUNTARILY COMPUTE DISALLOWANCE AS PER RULE 8D OF THE RULES. WHERE THE DISALLOWANCE OR NIL DISALLOWANCE MADE BY THE ASSESSEE IS FOUND TO BE UN SATISFACTORY ON EXAMINATION OF ACCOUNTS, THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS ENTITLED AND AUTHORISED TO COMPUTE THE DEDUCTION UNDER RULE 8D OF THE RULES. THIS PRE-COND ITION AND STIPULATION AS NOTICED BELOW IS ALSO MANDATED IN SUB RULE (1) TO R ULE 8D OF THE RULES. 12. RULE 8D OF THE RULES, AGAIN FOR THE SAKE OF CON VENIENCE, IS REPRODUCED BELOW:- 8D. (1) WHERE THE ASSESSING OFFICER, HAVING REGARD TO THE ACCOUNTS OF THE ASSESSEE OF A PREVIOUS YEAR, IS NOT SATISFIED WITH (A) THE CORRECTNESS OF THE CLAIM OF EXPENDITURE MADE BY THE ASSESSEE; OR (B) THE CLAIM MADE BY THE ASSESSEE THAT NO EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN INCURRED, IN RELATION TO INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME UNDER THE ACT FOR SUCH PRE VIOUS YEAR, HE SHALL DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE IN RELATION TO SUCH INCOM E IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-RULE (2). (2) THE EXPENDITURE IN RELATION TO INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME SHALL BE THE AGGR EGATE OF FOLLOWING AMOUNTS, NAMELY: (I) THE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE DIRECTLY R ELATING TO INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF TOTAL INCOME; (II) IN A CASE WHE RE THE ASSESSEE HAS INCURRED EXPENDITURE BY WAY OF INTEREST DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR WHICH IS NOT DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO ANY PARTICULAR INCOME OR RECEIPT, A N AMOUNT COMPUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING FORMULA, NAMELY : A B/C WHERE A = AMOUNT ITA NO.1568/DEL/2013 4 OF EXPENDITURE BY WAY OF INTEREST OTHER THAN THE AM OUNT OF INTEREST INCLUDED IN CLAUSE (I) INCURRED DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR ; B = THE AVERAGE OF VALUE OF INVESTMENT, INCOME FROM WHICH DOES NOT OR SHALL NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME, AS APPEARING IN THE BALANCE SHEET OF THE AS SESSEE, ON THE FIRST DAY AND THE LAST DAY OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR ; C = THE AVERAGE OF TOTAL ASSETS AS APPEARING IN THE BALANCE SHEET OF THE ASSESSEE, ON THE FIRST DAY AND THE LAST DAY OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR ; (III) AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO ONE-HALF PER CENT OF T HE AVERAGE OF THE VALUE OF INVESTMENT, INCOME FROM WHICH DOES NOT OR SHALL NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME, AS APPEARING IN THE BALANCE SHEET OF THE AS SESSEE, ON THE FIRST DAY AND THE SHALL MEAN, TOTAL ASSETS AS APPEARING IN THE BALANC E SHEET EXCLUDING THE INCREASE ON ACCOUNT OF REVALUATION OF ASSETS BUT INCLUDING THE DECREASE ON ACCOUNT OF REVALUATION OF ASSETS. SUB RULE (1) CATEGORICALLY AND SIGNIFICANTLY STATES THAT THE ASSESSING OFFICER HAVING REGARD TO THE ACCOUNT OF THE ASSESSEE AND ON NOT BEING SATISFIED WITH THE CORRECTNESS OF THE CLAIM OF EXPENDITURE MADE BY THE ASSESSEE OR CLAIM THAT NO EXPENDITURE WAS INCURRED IN RELATION TO INCOME WHIC H DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME UNDER THE ACT, CAN GO ON TO DETERMINE THE DISALLOWANCE UNDER SUB RULE (2) TO RULE 8D OF THE RULES. SUB RULE (2) WILL NOT COME INTO OPERATION UNTIL AND UNLESS THE SPECIFIC PRE-CONDITION IN SUB RULE ( 1) IS SATISFIED. THUS, SECTION 14A(2) OF THE ACT AND RULE 8D(1) IN UNISON AND AFFI RMATIVELY RECORD THAT THE COMPUTATION OR DISALLOWANCE MADE BY THE ASSESSEE OR CLAIM THAT NO EXPENDITURE WAS INCURRED TO EARN EXEMPT INCOME MUST BE EXAMINED WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOUNTS, AND ONLY AND WHEN THE EXPLANATION/CLAIM O F THE ASSESSEE IS NOT SATISFACTORY, COMPUTATION UNDER SUB RULE (2) TO RUL E 8D OF THE RULES IS TO BE MADE. 13. WE NEED NOT, THEREFORE, GO ON TO SUB RULE (2) T O RULE 8D OF THE RULES UNTIL AND UNLESS THE ASSESSING OFFICER HAS FIRST RECORDED THE SATISFACTION, WHICH IS MANDATED BY SUB SECTION (2) TO SECTION 14A OF THE A CT AND SUB RULE (1) TO RULE 8D OF THE RULES. 14. THE VIEW AND LEGAL RATIO EXPRESSED ABOVE IS NOT BEING ELUCIDATED FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE DELHI HIGH COURT IN MAXOPP INVESTMENT LTD . VS. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX [2012] 347 ITR 272, HAS OBSERVED:- SCOPE OF SUB-SECTIONS (2) AND (3) OF SECTION 14A SU B-SECTION (2) OF SECTION 14 A OF THE SAID ACT PROVIDES THE MANNER IN WHICH THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE INCURRED IN REL ATION TO INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME. HOWEVER, IF WE E XAMINE THE PROVISION CAREFULLY, WE WOULD FIND THAT THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS REQUIRE D TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF SUCH EXPENDITURE ONLY IF THE ASSESSING OFFICER, HAV ING REGARD TO THE ACCOUNTS OF THE ASSESSEE, IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CORRECTNESS OF THE CLAIM OF THE ASSESSEE IN RESPECT OF SUCH EXPENDITURE IN RELATION TO INCOME W HICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME UNDER THE SAID ACT. IN OTHER WORDS, TH E REQUIREMENT OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER EMBARKING UPON A DETERMINATION OF THE AMOUN T OF EXPENDITURE INCURRED IN RELATION TO EXEMPT INCOME WOULD BE TRIGGERED ONLY I F THE ASSESSING OFFICER RETURNS A FINDING THAT HE IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CORRECTNESS OF THE CLAIM OF THE ASSESSEE IN RESPECT OF SUCH EXPENDITURE. THEREFORE, THE CONDITION PRECEDENT FOR THE ITA NO.1568/DEL/2013 5 ASSESSING OFFICER ENTERING UPON A DETERMINATION OF THE AMOUNT OF THE EXPENDITURE INCURRED IN RELATION TO EXEMPT INCOME IS THAT THE A SSESSING OFFICER MUST RECORD THAT HE IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CORRECTNESS OF TH E CLAIM OF THE ASSESSEE IN RESPECT OF SUCH EXPENDITURE. SUB-SECTION (3) IS NOTHING BUT AN OFFSHOOT OF SUB-SECTION (2) OF SECTION 14A. SUB-SECTION (3) APPLIES TO CASES WH ERE THE ASSESSEE CLAIMS THAT NO EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN INCURRED IN RELATION TO INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME UNDER THE SAID ACT. IN OTHER WORDS , SUB-SECTION (2) DEALS WITH CASES WHERE THE ASSESSEE SPECIFIES A POSITIVE AMOUN T OF EXPENDITURE IN RELATION TO INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME UNDER THE SAID ACT AND SUB- SECTION (3) APPLIES TO CASES WHERE THE ASSESSEE ASS ERTS THAT NO EXPENDITURE HAD BEEN INCURRED IN RELATION TO EXEMPT INCOME. IN BOTH CASES, THE ASSESSING OFFICER, IF SATISFIED WITH THE CORRECTNESS OF THE CLAIM OF T HE ASSESSEE IN RESPECT OF SUCH EXPENDITURE OR NO EXPENDITURE, AS THE CASE MAY BE, CANNOT EMBARK UPON A DETERMINATION OF THE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE IN ACCOR DANCE WITH ANY PRESCRIBED METHOD, AS MENTIONED IN SUB-SECTION (2) OF SECTION 14A OF THE SAID ACT. IT IS ONLY IF THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CORRECTNESS OF THE CLAIM OF THE ASSESSEE, IN BOTH CASES, THAT THE ASSESSING OFFICER GETS JURISDICTION TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE INCURRED IN RELATION TO S UCH INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME UNDER THE SAID ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRESCRIBED METHOD. THE PRESCRIBED METHOD BEING THE METHOD STIP ULATED IN RULE 8D OF THE SAID RULES. WHILE REJECTING THE CLAIM OF THE ASSESS EE WITH REGARD TO THE EXPENDITURE OR NO EXPENDITURE, AS THE CASE MAY BE, IN RELATION TO EXEMPT INCOME, THE ASSESSING OFFICER WOULD HAVE TO INDICATE COGENT REASONS FOR THE SAME. RULE 8D AS WE HAVE ALREADY NOTICED, SUB-SECTION (2) OF SECTION 14A OF THE SAID ACT REFERS TO THE METHOD OF DETERMINATION OF THE AM OUNT OF EXPENDITURE INCURRED IN RELATION TO EXEMPT INCOME. THE EXPRESSION USED I S SUCH METHOD AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED . WE HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED ABOVE THAT BY VIRTUE OF NOTIFICATION NO.45 OF 2008, DATED MARCH 24, 2008, THE CENTRAL BO ARD OF DIRECT TAXES INTRODUCED RULE 8D IN THE SAID RULES. THE SAID RULE 8D ALSO MAKES IT CLEAR THAT WHERE THE ASSESSING OFFICER, HAVING REGARD TO THE A CCOUNTS OF THE ASSESSEE OF A PREVIOUS YEAR, IS NOT SATISFIED WITH (A) THE CORREC TNESS OF THE CLAIM OF EXPENDITURE MADE BY THE ASSES SEE; OR (B) THE CLAIM MADE BY THE ASSESSEE THAT NO EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN INCURRED IN RELATION TO INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME UNDER THE SAID ACT FOR SUCH PREVIOUS YEAR, T HE ASSESSING OFFICER SHALL DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF THE EXPENDITURE IN RELATION TO SUCH INCOME IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-RULE (2) OF RULE 8D. WE MAY OBSERVE THAT RULE 8D(1) PLACES THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 14A(2) AND (3) IN THE CORRECT PERSPECTIVE. AS WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN, WHILE DISCUSSING THE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTIONS (2) AND (3) OF SECTION 14A, THE CONDITION PRECEDENT FOR THE ASSESS ING OFFICER TO HIMSELF DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE IS THAT HE MUST RECORD HIS DISSATISFACTION WITH THE CORRECTNESS OF THE CLAIM OF EXPENDITURE MA DE BY THE ASSESSEE OR WITH THE CORRECTNESS OF THE CLAIM MADE BY THE ASSESSEE THAT NO EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN INCURRED. IT IS ONLY WHEN THIS CONDITION PRECEDENT IS SATISFIED THAT THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS REQUIRED TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF EXPE NDITURE IN RELATION TO INCOME NOT INCLUDABLE IN TOTAL INCOME IN THE MANNER INDICA TED IN SUB-RULE (2) OF RULE 8D OF THE SAID RULES. ITA NO.1568/DEL/2013 6 IT IS, THEREFORE, CLEAR THAT DETERMINATION OF THE A MOUNT OF EXPENDITURE IN RELATION TO EXEMPT INCOME UNDER RULE 8D WOULD ONLY COME INTO PL AY WHEN THE ASSESSING OFFICER REJECTS THE CLAIM OF THE ASSESSEE IN THIS R EGARD. IF ONE EXAMINES SUB-RULE (2) OF RULE 8D, WE FIND THAT THE METHOD FOR DETERMI NING THE EXPENDITURE IN RELATION TO EXEMPT INCOME HAS THREE COMPONENTS. THE FIRST COMPONENT BEING THE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE DIRECTLY RELATING TO INCOME W HICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME. THE SECOND COMPONENT BEING COMPUTED O N THE BASIS OF THE FORMULA GIVEN THEREIN IN A CASE WHERE THE ASSESSEE INCURS E XPENDITURE BY WAY OF INTEREST WHICH IS NOT DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO ANY PARTICULA R INCOME OR RECEIPT. THE FORMULA ESSENTIALLY APPORTIONS THE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE BY WAY OF INTEREST (OTHER THAN THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST INCLUDED IN CLAUSE (I)) INCURRE D DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR IN THE RATIO OF THE AVERAGE VALUE OF INVESTMENT, INCOME FR OM WHICH DOES NOT OR SHALL NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME, TO THE AVERAGE OF TH E TOTAL ASSETS OF THE ASSESSEE. THE THIRD COMPONENT IS AN ARTIFICIAL FIGURE ONE HALF PERCENT OF THE AVERAGE VALUE OF THE INVESTMENT, INCOME FROM WHICH DOES NOT OR SHALL NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME, AS APPEARING IN THE BALANCE SHEETS OF THE A SSESSEE, ON THE FIRST DAY AND THE LAST DAY OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR. IT IS THE AGGREGATE OF THESE THREE COMPONENTS WHICH WOULD CONSTITUTE THE EXPENDITURE IN RELATION TO EXE MPT INCOME AND IT IS THIS AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE WHICH WOULD BE DISALLOWED UND ER SECTION 14A OF THE SAID ACT. IT IS, THEREFORE, CLEAR THAT IN TERMS OF THE S AID RULE, THE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE IN RELATION TO EXEMPT INCOME HAS TWO ASPECTS (A) DIRECT AND (B) INDIRECT. THE DIRECT EXPENDITURE IS STRAIGHTAWAY TAKEN INTO ACCOU NT BY VIRTUE OF CLAUSE (I) OF SUB-RULE (2) OF RULE 8D. THE INDIRECT EXPENDITURE, WHERE IT IS BY WAY OF INTEREST, IS COMPUTED THROUGH THE PRINCIPLE OF APPORTIONMENT, AS INDICATED ABOVE. AND, IN CASES WHERE THE INDIRECT EXPENDITURE IS NOT BY WAY OF INTEREST, A RULE OF THUMB FIGURE OF ONE HALF PERCENT OF THE AVERAGE VALUE OF THE INVESTMENT, INCOME FROM WHICH DOES NOT OR SHALL NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME, IS TAKEN. 15. EVEN EARLIER THE BOMBAY HIGH COURT IN GODREJ AN D BOYCE MFG. CO. LTD. VERSUS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (2010) 328 ITR 81 (BOM.) HAD REFERRED TO SECTION 14(2) OF THE ACT AND OBSERVED:- UNDER SUB-SECTION (2), THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS REQ UIRED TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY AN ASSESSEE IN RE LATION TO SUCH INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME UNDER THE AC T IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH METHOD AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED. THE METHOD, HAVING REG ARD TO THE MEANING OF THE EXPRESSION 'PRESCRIBED' IN SECTION 2(33), MUST BE P RESCRIBED BY RULES MADE UNDER THE ACT. WHAT MERITS EMPHASIS IS THAT THE JURISDICT ION OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER TO DETERMINE THE EXPENDITURE INCURRED IN RELATION TO S UCH INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME, IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HE PRESCRIBED METHOD, ARISES IF THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE COR RECTNESS OF THE CLAIM OF THE ASSESSEE IN RESPECT OF THE EXPENDITURE WHICH THE AS SESSEE CLAIMS TO HAVE INCURRED IN RELATION TO INCOME WHICH DOES NOT PART OF THE TO TAL INCOME. MOREOVER, THE SATISFACTION OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER HAS TO BE ARR IVED AT, HAVING REGARD TO THE ACCOUNTS OF THE ASSESSEE. HENCE, SUB-SECTION (2) DO ES NOT IPSO FACTO ENABLE THE ASSESSING OFFICER TO APPLY THE METHOD PRESCRIBED BY THE RULES STRAIGHTAWAY WITHOUT CONSIDERING WHETHER THE CLAIM MADE BY THE A SSESSEE IN RESPECT OF THE EXPENDITURE INCURRED IN RELATION TO INCOME WHICH DO ES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL ITA NO.1568/DEL/2013 7 INCOME IS CORRECT. THE ASSESSING OFFICER MUST, IN T HE FIRST INSTANCE, DETERMINE WHETHER THE CLAIM OF THE ASSESSEE IN THAT REGARD IS CORRECT AND THE DETERMINATION MUST BE MADE HAVING REGARD TO THE ACCOUNTS OF THE A SSESSEE. THE SATISFACTION OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER MUST BE ARRIVED AT ON AN OBJE CTIVE BASIS. IT IS ONLY WHEN THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CLAIM O F THE ASSESSEE, THAT THE LEGISLATURE DIRECTS HIM TO FOLLOW THE METHOD THAT M AY BE PRESCRIBED. IN A SITUATION WHERE THE ACCOUNTS OF THE ASSESSEE FURNISH AN OBJEC TIVE BASIS FOR THE ASSESSING OFFICER TO ARRIVE AT A SATISFACTION IN REGARD TO TH E CORRECTNESS OF THE CLAIM OF THE ASSESSEE OF THE EXPENDITURE WHICH HAS BEEN INCURRED IN RELATION TO INCOME WHICH DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME, THERE WOULD BE NO WARRANT FOR TAKING RECOURSE TO THE METHOD PRESCRIBED BY THE RULES. FOR , IT IS ONLY IN THE EVENT OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER NOT BEING SO SATISFIED THAT RECOU RSE TO THE PRESCRIBED METHOD IS MANDATED BY LAW. SUB-SECTION (3) OF SECTION 14A PRO VIDES FOR THE APPLICATION OF SUB-SECTION (2) ALSO TO A SITUATION WHERE THE ASSES SEE CLAIMS THAT NO EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN INCURRED BY HIM IN RELATION TO INCOME WHIC H DOES NOT FORM PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME UNDER THE ACT. UNDER THE PROVISO, IT H AS BEEN STIPULATED THAT NOTHING IN THE SECTION WILL EMPOWER THE ASSESSING OFFICER, FOR AN ASSESSMENT YEAR BEGINNING ON OR BEFORE APRIL 1, 2001, EITHER TO REA SSESS UNDER SECTION 147 OR PASS AN ORDER ENHANCING THE ASSESSMENT OR REDUCING THE R EFUND ALREADY MADE OR OTHERWISE INCREASING THE LIABILITY OF THE ASSESSEE UNDER SECTION 154. 16. EQUALLY ILLUMINATING ARE THE FOLLOWING OBSERVAT IONS IN GODREJ AND BOYCE MFG. CO. LTD. (SUPRA) HOWEVER, IF THE ASSESSEE DOES NOT MAINTAIN SEPAR ATE ACCOUNTS, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THE ASSESSING O FFICER TO DETER-MINE THE PROPORTION OF EXPENDITURE INCURRED IN RELATION TO T HE DIVIDEND BUSINESS (I.E., EARNING EXEMPT INCOME). IT IS FOR EXACTLY SUCH SITU ATIONS THAT A MACHINERY/METHOD FOR COMPUTING THE PROPORTION OF EXPENDITURE INCURRE D IN RELATION TO THE DIVIDEND BUSINESS HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY WAY OF SECTION 14A(2) /(3) AND RULE 8D. 17. MORE IMPORTANT AND RELEVANT FOR US ARE THE OBSE RVATIONS IN GODREJ AND BOYCE MFG. CO. LTD. (SUPRA) ON REQUIREMENT AND STIPULATIO N OF SATISFACTION BEING RECORDED BY THE ASSESSING OFFICER WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOUNTS UNDER SECTION 14(2) OF THE ACT AND RULE 8D(1) OF THE RULES. IT WA S OBSERVED:- PARLIAMENT HAS PROVIDED AN ADEQUATE SAFEGUARD TO TH E INVOCATION OF THE POWER TO DETERMINE THE EXPENDITURE INCURRED IN RELATION T O THE EARNING OF NON-TAXABLE INCOME BY ADOPTION OF THE PRESCRIBED METHOD. THE IN VOCATION OF THE POWER IS MADE CONDITIONAL ON THE OBJECTIVE SATISFACTION OF T HE ASSESSING OFFICER IN REGARD TO THE CORRECTNESS OF THE CLAIM OF THE ASSESSEE, HA VING REGARD TO THE ACCOUNTS OF THE ASSESSEE. WHEN A STATUTE POSTULATES THE SATISFACTIO N OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER 'COURTS WILL NOT READILY DEFER TO THE CONCLUSIVENES S OF AN EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY'S OPINION AS TO THE EXISTENCE OF A MATTER OF LAW OR F ACT UPON WHICH THE VALIDITY OF THE EXERCISE OF THE POWER IS PREDICATED'. (M. A. RA SHEED V. STATE OF KERALA [1974] AIR 1974 SC 2249*). A DECISION BY THE ASSESSING OFF ICER HAS TO BE ARRIVED AT IN GOOD FAITH ON RELEVANT CONSIDERATIONS. THE ASSESSIN G OFFICER MUST FURNISH TO THE ASSESSEE A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW CAUSE ON THE CORRECTNESS OF THE CLAIM MADE BY HIM. IN THE EVENT THAT THE ASSESSING OFFICE R IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CORRECTNESS OF THE CLAIM MADE BY THE ASSESSEE, HE M UST RECORD REASONS FOR HIS CONCLUSION. THESE SAFEGUARDS WHICH ARE IMPLICIT IN THE REQUIREMENTS OF FAIRNESS ITA NO.1568/DEL/2013 8 AND FAIR PROCEDURE UNDER ARTICLE 14 MUST BE OBSERVE D BY THE ASSESSING OFFICER WHEN HE ARRIVES AT HIS SATISFACTION UNDER SUB-SECTI ON (2) OF SECTION 14A. AS WE SHALL NOTE SHORTLY HEREAFTER, SUB-RULE (1) OF RULE 8D HAS ALSO INCORPORATED THE ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF SUB-SECTION (2) OF SECTIO N 14A BEFORE THE ASSESSING OFFICER PROCEEDS TO APPLY THE METHOD PRESCRIBED UND ER SUB-RULE (2). 18. IT IS IN THIS CONTEXT WE FEEL THAT THE FINDINGS RECORDED BY THE CIT(A) AND THE TRIBUNAL ARE APPROPRIATE AND RELEVANT. THE CLEAR FI NDINGS ARE THAT THE ASSESSEE HAD SUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR MAKING INVESTMENTS IN SHARES A ND MUTUAL FUNDS. THE SAID FINDINGS COUPLED WITH THE FAILURE OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER TO HOLD AND RECORD HIS SATISFACTION CLINCHES THE ISSUE IN FAVOUR OF THE RE SPONDENT ASSESSEE AND AGAINST THE REVENUE. THE SELF OR VOLUNTARY DEDUCTIONS MADE BY T HE ASSESSEE WERE NOT REJECTED AND HELD TO BE UNSATISFACTORY, ON EXAMINATION OF AC COUNTS. JUDGMENTS IN TIN BOX CO. (SUPRA), RELIANCE UTILITIES AND POWER LTD. (SUP RA), SUZLON ENERGY LTD. (SUPRA) AND EAST INDIA PHARMACEUTICAL WORKS LTD. (SUPRA) WO ULD BE RELEVANT IF THE SATISFACTION OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS IN ISSUE, AND SUCH QUESTION OF SATISFACTION IS WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOUNTS. 19. HOWEVER, THE DECISIONS RELIED UPON BY THE TRIBU NAL IN THE CASE OF TIN BOX CO. (SUPRA), RELIANCE UTILITIES AND POWER LTD. (SUPRA), SUZLON ENERGY LTD. (SUPRA) AND EAST INDIA PHARMACEUTICAL WORKS LTD. (SUPRA) COULD NOT BE NOW APPLICABLE, IF WE APPLY AND COMPUTE THE DISALLOWANCE UNDER RULE 8D OF THE RULES. THE SAID RULE IN SUB RULE (2) SPECIFICALLY PRESCRIBES THE MODE AND M ETHOD FOR COMPUTING THE DISALLOWANCE UNDER SECTION 14A OF THE ACT. THUS, THE INTERPRETATION OF CLAUSE (II) TO SUB RULE (2) TO RULE 8D OF THE RULES BY THE CIT(A) AND THE TRIBUNAL IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. THE SAID CLAUSE EXPRESSLY STATES THAT WHERE THE ASSESSEE HAS INCURRED EXPENDITURE BY WAY OF INTEREST IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND THE INTEREST PAID IS NOT DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO ANY PARTICULAR INCOME OR RECEIPT THEN THE FORMULA PRESCRIBED WOULD APPLY. UNDER CLAUSE (II) TO RULE 8D(2) OF THE RULES, THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS R EQUIRED TO EXAMINE WHETHER THE ASSESSEE HAS INCURRED EXPENDITURE BY WAY OF INTERES T IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND SECONDLY WHETHER THE INTEREST PAID WAS DIRECTLY ATT RIBUTABLE TO PARTICULAR INCOME OR RECEIPT. IN CASE THE INTEREST PAID WAS DIRECTLY ATT RIBUTABLE TO ANY PARTICULAR INCOME OR RECEIPT, THEN THE INTEREST ON LOAN AMOUNT TO THI S EXTENT OR IN ENTIRETY AS THE CASE MAY BE, HAS TO BE EXCLUDED FOR MAKING COMPUTATION A S PER THE FORMULA PRESCRIBED. PERTINENTLY, THE AMOUNT TO BE DISALLOWED AS EXPENDI TURE RELATABLE TO EXEMPT INCOME, UNDER SUB RULE (2) IS THE AGGREGATE OF THE AMOUNT UNDER CLAUSE (I), CLAUSE (II) AND CLAUSE (III). CLAUSE (I) RELATES TO DIRECT EXPENDITURE RELATING TO INCOME FORMING PART OF THE TOTAL INCOME AND UNDER CLAUSE ( III) AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO 0.5% OF THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF VALUE OF INVESTMENT, APPEARIN G IN THE BALANCE SHEET ON THE FIRST DAY AND THE LAST DAY OF THE ASSESSEE HAS TO B E DISALLOWED. 20. HOWEVER, IN THE PRESENT CASE WE NEED NOT REFER TO SUB RULE (2) TO RULE 8D OF THE RULES AS CONDITIONS MENTIONED IN SUB SECTION (2 ) TO SECTION 14A OF THE ACT READ WITH SUB RULE (1) TO RULE 8D OF THE RULES WERE NOT SATISFIED AND THE ASSESSING OFFICER ERRED IN INVOKING SUB RULE (2), W ITHOUT ELUCIDATING AND EXPLAINING WHY THE VOLUNTARY DISALLOWANCE MADE BY T HE ASSESSEE WAS UNREASONABLE AND UNSATISFACTORY. WE DO NOT FIND ANY SUCH SATISFACTION RECORDED IN ITA NO.1568/DEL/2013 9 THE PRESENT CASE BY THE ASSESSING OFFICER, BEFORE H E INVOKED SUB RULE (2) TO RULE 8D OF THE RULES AND MADE THE RE-COMPUTATION. THEREFORE, THE RESPONDENT ASSESSEE WOULD SUCCEED AN D THE APPEAL SHOULD BE DISMISSED. 5. WE FIND THAT IN THE PRESENT CASE ALSO, THE A.O. VIDE QUESTIONNAIRE DATED 22.10.2010 HAD ASKED THE ASSESSEE TO EXPLAIN AS TO WHY DISALLOWANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 14A SH OULD NOT BE MADE AND THEREAFTER HOLDING THAT REPLY OF THE ASSESSEE WAS N OT SATISFACTORY HE PROCEEDED TO DISALLOW THE AMOUNT AS CALCULATED AS P ER PROVISIONS OF RULE 8D. THE A.O. DID NOT RECORD AS TO HOW THE EXPLANATION S UBMITTED BY ASSESSEE WAS NOT SATISFACTORY. THE A.O. SHOULD HAVE EXAMINE D THE CLAIM OF ASSESSEE AND THEN HE SHOULD HAVE RECORDED HIS SATISFACTION A S TO WHY THE REPLY OF ASSESSEE WAS UNSATISFACTORY. THEREFORE, RESPECTFUL LY FOLLOWING THE ORDER OF HON'BLE HIGH COURT IN THE SE OF TAIKISHA ENGINEERIN G INDIA LTD. (SUPRA), WE DELETE THE DISALLOWANCE CONFIRMED BY LD. CIT(A). 6. IN VIEW OF ABOVE, APPEAL FILED BY ASSESSEE IS AL LOWED. 7. ORDER PRONOUNCED IN THE OPEN COURT ON 25 TH MARCH, 2015. SD./- SD./- (G. C. GUPTA ) (T.S. KAPOOR ) VICE PRESIDENT ACCOUNTANT MEMBER DATE: 25 TH MARCH, 2015 SP COPY FORWARDED TO:- 1. THE APPELLANT 2. THE RESPONDENT 3. THE CIT 4. THE CIT (A)-, NEW DELHI. 5. THE DR, ITAT, LOKNAYAK BHAWAN, KHAN MARKET, NEW DEL HI. TRUE COPY. BY ORDER (ITAT, NEW DELHI). ITA NO.1568/DEL/2013 10 S.NO. DETAILS DATE INITIALS DESIGNATION 1 DRAFT DICTATED ON SR. PS/PS 2 DRAFT PLACED BEFORE AUTHOR SR. PS/PS 3 DRAFT PROPOSED & PLACED BEFORE THE SECOND MEMBER JM/AM 4 DRAFT DISCUSSED/APPROVED BY SECOND MEMBER AM/AM 5 APPROVED DRAFT COMES TO THE SR. PS/PS 25/3 SR. PS/PS 6 KEPT FOR PRONOUNCEMENT 25/3 SR. PS/PS 7 FILE SENT TO BENCH CLERK 25/3 SR. PS/PS 8 DATE ON WHICH THE FILE GOES TO HEAD CLERK 9 DATE ON WHICH FILE GOES TO A.R. 10 DATE OF DISPATCH OF ORDER
