Appeal Details
Counselvise Citation
[2022] 106 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 9528 (ITAT-PUNE)
Assessee PAN
Bench
Appeal Number
Duration Of Justice
2 year(s) 8 month(s) 26 day(s)
Appellant
Respondent
Appeal Type
Income Tax Appeal
Pronouncement Date
06-07-2022
Appeal Filed By
Assessee
Order Result
PartlyAllowed
Bench Allotted
A
Assessment Year
2016-2017
Appeal Filed On
10-10-2019
Judgement Text
IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL ‘A’ BENCH, PUNE SHRI S.S. GODARA, JM AND DR. DIPAK P. RIPOTE, AM ITA No. 353, 354 and 1593/PUN/2019 A.Y. 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17 Bharat Forge Ltd., Mundhwa Pune-411 036 PAN; AAACB 8519 L Appellant Vs. The Dy. CIT, Circle 1(1) Pune Respondent Appellant by : Shri Nikhil Pathak Respondent : Shri S.P. Walimbe Date of Hearing : 29-06-2022 Date of Pronouncement : 07-07-06-2022 ORDER PER S.S. GODARA, JM : These assessee’s three appeals for A.Y. 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17 arise against CIT(A) Pune’s as many order(s) dated 07-01-2019 in former twin appeals and dated 02-08-2019 (last assessment year) passed in case No.PN/CIT(A)-1/DCIT Cir.1/PN/761/16-17, PN/CIT(A)-1/DCIT Cir.1/PN/ 46/17- 18 and PN/CIT(A)-1/DCIT Cir.1/PN/185/18-19, respectively, involving proceedings u/s 143(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961, in short “the Act”. Heard both the parties. Case files perused. 2. It emerges at the outset that the assessee raises identical two substantial grounds in the instant batch of three cases. Its’ first and foremost substantive grievance common in all these three assessment years is that both the learned lower authorities have erred in law and on facts in invoking sec. 14A r.w. Rule 8D disallowance amounting to Rs. 75,20,908/-, Rs. 1,08,08,964/- and 9,15,39,570/-; case wise, respectively. 3. Learned counsel representing assessee submits at the outset that his sole substantive argument is that both the lower authorities have wrongly 2 ITA No. 353, 354 and 1593 of 2019 Bharat Forge Ltd. A.Y. 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17 computed the impugned disallowance thereby taking into consideration assessee’s entire investments than only those yielding exempt income(s) in the corresponding assessment year. He quotes Special Bench Order in ACIT Vs. Vireet Investments (P) Ltd. Vs. ACIT (2017) 165 ITD 27 (Del) (SB) and ACB India Ltd. Vs. CIT (2015) 374 ITR 108 (Del) in assessee’s favour. 4. The Revenue has placed strong reliance on the lower authorities’ action making this impugned disallowance. 5. We have given thoughtful consideration to the foregoing contentions and find merit in asssessee’s arguments. We note with able assistance coming from both the parties that not only foregoing case-law supports the assessee’s plea seeking to re-compute the disallowance in issue in light of only the dividend yielding investments but also learned co-ordinate bench order in its own case I.T.A No. 1229/PUN/2017 decided on 21-01-2020 has issued the very directions to the assessing authority. That being the case, we adopt judicial consistency to uphold the impugned disallowance in principle and direct the assessing authority to adjudicate the same as per law after considering only the dividend yielding investments in the relevant previous year(s). The assessee’s instant identical first substantive ground in all these cases is partly accepted in very terms. 6. Next comes identical disallowance of section 35(2AB) weighted deduction(s) involving Rs. 21,59,000/-, 4,95,000/- and Rs. 1,23,97,000/- casewise respectively. A perusal of the Assessing Officer’s assessment finding reveals that he had gone by Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)’s approval qua the sum(s) in issue. We note herein as well that this is a recurring issue between the parties wherein learned co-ordinate bench order (supra) has deleted the very disallowance in A.Y. 2014-15 as follows: 11. The second issue in ground Nos.2.1 to 2.6 is with respect to denial of claim of weighted deduction u/s 35(2AB) of the Act. 3 ITA No. 353, 354 and 1593 of 2019 Bharat Forge Ltd. A.Y. 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17 12. During the course of assessment proceedings, the Assessing Officer noticed that the assessee has claimed weighted deduction of Rs.49,09,03,622/- u/s 35(2AB) of the Act in respect of its in-house R&D facility as approved by the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR). The assessee was asked to furnish the details of expenditure incurred and the approval given by the DSIR. The Assessing Officer observed that the DSIR has not approved expenditure of Rs.4.05 lakhs out of total expenditure of Rs.2,454.52 lakhs claimed by the assessee. The assessee was asked to explain why proportionate deduction u/s 35(2AB) of the Act be not disallowed to the extent of the amount disallowed / not considered by the DSIR as a part of eligible expenditure on Research & Development activities of the company. The assessee made the submissions which were not found to be acceptable to the Assessing Officer. Accordingly, the Assessing Officer disallowed proportionate weighted deduction claimed u/s 35(2AB) of the Act of Rs.4.05 lakhs and added the same to the total income of assessee. Aggrieved by the order of Assessing Officer, assessee carried the matter before the CIT(A), who dismissed the appeal of assessee. 13. Aggrieved by the order of CIT(A), the assessee is now in appeal before us. 14. Before us the ld. AR reiterated the submissions made before the Assessing Officer and CIT(A) and further submitted that the issue is squarely covered in assessee‟s favour by the decision of Co-ordinate Bench of Pune in assessee‟s own case for A.Y. 2012-13. He also placed on record the copy of the order of Tribunal for A.Y. 2012-13 and submitted that the facts are identical to that of A.Y. 2012-13 and therefore following A.Y. 2012-13, the ground be decided in assessee‟s favour. 15. The ld. DR on the other hand supported the orders of Assessing Officer and CIT(A). 16. We have heard the rival submissions and perused the material on record. The issue in the ground Nos.2.1 to 2.6 is with respect to disallowance of weighted deduction u/s 35(2AB) of the Act. We find that Pune Tribunal in ITA No.805/PUN/2017, order dated 04.09.2019 for A.Y. 2012-13 on identical facts in assessee‟s own case has decided the issue in assessee‟s favour by observing as under:- “5. In ground No. 2 of the appeal, the assessee has assailed disallowance of weighted deduction claimed in respect of expenditure on in-house research & development activities u/s. 35(2AB) of the Act. We find that similar disallowance was made by the Assessing Officer in assessment year 2011- 12. The Tribunal decided this issue in favour of assessee by observing as under : “16. We have heard the rival contentions and perused the record. The issue before us is vis-à-vis weighted deduction claimed under section 35(2AB) of the Act. The assessee had recognized R&D facility, for which approval was given by DSIR. The assessee during the year under consideration had incurred expenditure of ₹ 15.05 crores (approx.), on which the assessee had claimed weighted deduction under section 35(2AB) of the Act. However, the said weighted deduction claimed under section 35(2AB) of the Act was curtailed by Assessing Officer by ₹ 18,42,000/- on the ground that DSIR had not approved the expenditure. The issue which arises is whether under the provisions of the Act, DSIR had any authority during the year under appeal to approve or disapprove the expenditure incurred by. assessee on R&D facility especially once the said R&D facility has been recognized by DSIR. 17. We find that similar issue arose before the 4 ITA No. 353, 354 and 1593 of 2019 Bharat Forge Ltd. A.Y. 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17 Pune Bench of Tribunal in the case of Cummins India Ltd. Vs. DCIT (supra) and the Tribunal noted the provisions of section 35(2AB) of the Act, the approval given by DSIR in Form No.3CL and consequent to the approval given, whether DSIR had any role in approving the expenditure claimed by assessee. The relevant findings of Tribunal are vide paras 38 to 46, which read as under:- “38. We have heard the rival contentions and perused the record. The issue which arises in the present appeal is against the claim of deduction under section 35(2AB) of the Act i.e. expenditure incurred on Research & Development activity. For computation of business income under section 35 of the Act, expenditure on scientific research is to be allowed on fulfilment of certain conditions which are enlisted in the said section. Under various subsections of section 35 of the Act, the conditions and the allowability of expenditure vary. Sub-section (1) to section 35 of the Act deals with expenditure on scientific research, not being in the nature of capital expenditure, is to be allowed to research association, university, college or other institution; for which an application in the prescribed form and manner is to be made to the Central Government for the purpose of grant of approval or continuation thereto. Before granting the approval, the prescribed authority has to satisfy itself about the genuineness of activities and make enquiries in this regard. Under sub-section (2B) to section 35 of the Act, a company engaged in the specified business as laid there on, if it incurs expenditure on scientific research or in-house Research & Development facility also needs to be approved by the prescribed authority, is entitled to deduction, provided the same is approved by the prescribed authority. 39. Now, coming to sub-section (2AA) to section 35 of the Act, it talks about granting of approval by the prescribed authority but the approval to the expenditure being incurred is missing under the said section. Similar is the position in sub- section (2A). Further in subsection (2AB), it is provided that facility has to be approved by the prescribed authority, then there shall be allowed deduction of expenditure incurred whether 100%, 150% or 200% as prescribed from time to time. Clause (2) to section 35 of the Act provides that no deduction shall be allowed in respect of expenditure mentioned in clause (1) under any provisions of the Act. Clause (3) further lays down that no company shall be entitled for deduction under clause (1) unless it enters into agreement with prescribed authority for cooperation in such R & D facility. The Finance Act, 2015 w.e.f. 01.04.2016 has substituted and 5 ITA No. 353, 354 and 1593 of 2019 Bharat Forge Ltd. A.Y. 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17 provided that facility has to fulfil such condition with regard to maintenance of accounts and audit thereof and for audit of accounts maintained for that facility. 40. Under Rule 6 of Income Tax Rules, 1962 (in short „the Rules), the prescribed authority for expenditure on scientific research under various sub clauses has been identified. As per Rule 6(1B) of the Rules for the purpose of sub-section 2AB of. section 35 of the Act, the prescribed authority shall be the Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research i.e. DSIR. Under sub-rule (4), application for obtaining approval under section 35(2AB) of the Act is to be made in form No.3CK. Under sub-rule (5A) of rule 6 of the Rules, the prescribed authority shall, if satisfied that the conditions provided in the rule and in sub-section (2AB) being fulfilled, pass an order in writing in form No.3CM. The proviso however lays down that reasonable opportunity of being heard is to be granted to the company before rejecting an application. So, the application has to be made under sub-rule (4) in form No.3CK and the prescribed authority has to pass an order in writing in form No.3CM. Sub-rule (7A) provides that the approval of expenditure under sub- section (2AB) of section 35 of the Act, shall be subject to the conditions that the facilities do not relate purely to market research, sales promotion, etc. Clause (b) to sub-rule (7A) at the relevant time provided that the prescribed authority shall submit its report in relation to the approval of in-house R & D facility in form No.3CL to the DG (Income-tax Exemption) within sixty days of its granting approval. Under clause (c), the company at the relevant time had to maintain separate accounts for each approved facility, which had to be audited annually. Clause (b) to sub rule (7A) has been substituted by IT (Tenth Amendment) Rules, 2016 w.e.f. 01.07.2016, under which the prescribed authority has to furnish electronically its report (i) in relation to approval of inhouse R & D facility in part A of form No.3CL and (ii) quantifying the expenditure incurred on in-house R & D facility by the company during the previous year and eligible for weighted deduction under sub-section 2AB of section 35 of the Act in part B of form No.3CL. In other words the quantification of expenditure has been prescribed vide IT (Tenth Amendment) Rules, 2016 w.e.f. 01.07.2016. Prior to this amendment, no such power was with DSIR i.e. after approval of facility. 41. Under the amended provisions, beside maintaining separate accounts of R & D facility, copy of audited accounts have to be submitted to the prescribed authority. These amendments to 6 ITA No. 353, 354 and 1593 of 2019 Bharat Forge Ltd. A.Y. 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17 rules 6 and 7a are w.e.f. 01.07.2016 i.e. under the amended rules, the prescribed authority as in part A give approval of the facility and in part B quantify the expenditure eligible for deduction under section 35(2AB) of the Act. 42. The issue which is raised before us relates to pre-amended provisions and question is where the facility has been approved by the prescribed authority, can the deduction be denied to the assessee under section 35(2AB) of the Act for non-issue of form No.3CL by the said prescribed authority or the power is with the Assessing Officer to look into the nature of expenditure to be allowed as weighted deduction under section 35(2AB) of the Act. The first issue which arises is the recognition of facility by the prescribed authority as provided in section 35(2AB) of the Act. 43. The Hon’ble High Court of Gujarat in CIT Vs. Claris Life sciences Ltd. (2010) 326 ITR 251 (Guj) have held that. weighted deduction is to be allowed under section 35(2AB) of the Act after the establishment of facility. However, section does not mention any cut-off date or particular date for eligibility to claim deduction. The Hon’ble High Court held as under:- “8. The Tribunal has considered the submissions made on behalf of the assessee and took the view that section speaks of: (i) development of facility; (ii) incurring of expenditure by the assessee for development of such facility; (iii) approval of the facility by the prescribed authority, which is DSIR; and (iv) allowance of weighted deduction on the expenditure so incurred by the assessee. 9. The provisions nowhere suggest or imply that R&D facility is to be approved from a particular date and, in other words, it is nowhere suggested that date of approval only will be cut- off date for eligibility of weighted deduction on the expenses incurred from that date onwards. A plain reading clearly manifests that the assessee has to develop facility, which presupposes incurring expenditure in this behalf, application to the prescribed authority, who after following proper procedure will approve the facility or otherwise and the assessee will be entitled to weighted deduction of any and all expenditure so incurred. The Tribunal has, therefore, come to 7 ITA No. 353, 354 and 1593 of 2019 Bharat Forge Ltd. A.Y. 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17 the conclusion that on plain reading of section itself, the assessee is entitled to weighted deduction on expenditure so incurred by the assessee for development of facility. The Tribunal has also considered r. 6(5A) and Form No. 3CM and come to the conclusion that a plain and harmonious reading of Rule and Form clearly suggests that once facility is approved, the entire expenditure so incurred on development of R&D facility has to be allowed for weighted deduction as provided by s. 35(2AB). The Tribunal has also considered the legislative intention behind above enactment and observed that to boost up R&D facility in India, the legislature has provided this provision to encourage the development of the facility by providing deduction of weighted expenditure. Since what is stated to be promoted was development of facility, intention of the legislature by making above amendment is very clear that the entire expenditure incurred by the assessee on development of facility, if approved, has to be allowed for the purpose of weighted deduction. 10. We are in full agreement with the reasoning given by the Tribunal and we are of the view that there is no scope for any other interpretation and since the approval is granted during the previous year relevant to the assessment year in question, we are of the view that the assessee is entitled to claim weighted deduction in respect of the entire expenditure incurred under s. 35(2AB) of the Act by the assessee.” 44. The Hon’ble High Court of Delhi in CIT Vs. Sandan Vikas (India) Ltd. (2011) 335 ITR 117 (Del) on similar issue of weighted deduction under section 35(2AB) of the Act held that the condition precedent was the certificate from DSIR, but the date of certificate was not important, where the objective was to encourage research and development by the business enterprises in India. In the facts before the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi, the assessee had approached DSIR vide application dated 10.01.2015. The DSIR vide letter dated 23.02.2006 granted recognition to in-house research and development facility of assessee. Further, vide letter dated 18.09.2006, DSIR granted approval for the expenses incurred by the company on inhouse research and development facility in the prescribed form No.3CM. The Assessing Officer in that case refused to accord the benefit of aforesaid provision on the ground that recognition and approval was given by DSIR in the next assessment year. The Tribunal allowed the claim of assessee relying on the decision of the Hon’ble High Court of Gujarat in CIT Vs. Claris Life sciences Ltd. (supra). The Hon’ble High Court of Delhi taking note of the decision of the Hon’ble High Court of Gujarat observed that it has been held that cut- off date mentioned in the certificate issued by DSIR would be of no relevance where once the certificate was 8 ITA No. 353, 354 and 1593 of 2019 Bharat Forge Ltd. A.Y. 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17 issued by DSIR, then that would be sufficient to hold that the assessee had fulfilled the conditions laid down in the aforesaid provisions. 45. The issue which is raised in the present appeal is that whether where the facility has been recognized and necessary certification is issued by the prescribed authority, the assessee can avail the deduction in respect of expenditure incurred on inhouse R&D facility, for which the adjudicating authority is the Assessing Officer and whether the prescribed authority is to approve expenditure in form No.3CL from year to year. Looking into the provisions of rules, it stipulates the filing of audit report before the prescribed authority by the persons availing the deduction under section 35(2AB) of the Act but the provisions of the Act do not prescribe any methodology of approval to be granted by the prescribed authority vis-à-vis expenditure from year to year. The amendment brought in by the IT (Tenth Amendment) Rules w.e.f. 01.07.2016, wherein separate part has been inserted for certifying the amount of expenditure from year to year and the amended form No.3CL thus, lays down the procedure to be followed by the prescribed authority. Prior to the aforesaid amendment in 2016, no such procedure / methodology was prescribed. In the absence of the same, there is no merit in the order of Assessing Officer in curtailing the expenditure and consequent weighted deduction claim under section 35(2AB) of the Act on the surmise that prescribed authority has only approved part of expenditure in form No.3CL. We find no merit in the said order of authorities below. 46. The Courts have held that for deduction under section 35(2AB) of the Act, first step was the recognition of facility by the prescribed authority and entering an agreement between the facility and the prescribed authority. Once such an agreement has been executed, under which recognition has been given to the facility, then thereafter the role of Assessing Officer is to look into and allow the expenditure incurred on inhouse R&D facility as weighted deduction under section 35(2AB) of the Act. Accordingly, we hold so. Thus, we reverse the order of Assessing Officer in curtailing the deduction claimed under section 35(2AB) of the Act by ₹ 6,75,000/-. Thus, grounds of appeal No.10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 are allowed.” 18. The issue arising before us is similar to the issue in Cummins India Ltd. Vs. DCIT (supra) and following the same parity of reasoning, we hold that where facility has been recognized by the prescribed authority and agreement has been entered into between facility and the prescribed authority and thereafter the role of Assessing Officer is to look into and allow the expenditure incurred on in-house R&D facility as weighted deduction under section 35(2AB) of the Act. Accordingly, we find no merit in the orders of authorities below in restricting weighted deduction claimed under section 35(2AB) of the Act by ₹ 18,42,000/- on the ground that DSIR had not approved the said expenditure. It may be pointed out herein itself that reasons for not approving expenditure have also not been made available to the assessee. 9 ITA No. 353, 354 and 1593 of 2019 Bharat Forge Ltd. A.Y. 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17 Consequently, the same cannot be basis for curtailing deduction claimed under section 35(2AB) of the Act. The Assessing Officer is thus, directed to allow weighted deduction under section 35(2AB) of the Act at ₹ 18,42,000/-. The grounds of appeal No.2.1 to 2.5 are thus, allowed. The issue in ground of appeal No.2.6 is without prejudice basis and the same does not stand. The grounds of appeal raised by assessee are thus, partly allowed.” 6. The Revenue has not brought before us any material to show any change in the facts in assessment year under appeal. Therefore, respectfully, following the decision of Co-ordinate Bench in assessee’s own case in immediately preceding assessment year, the ground No. 2 raised in the appeal by the assessee is allowed in the same terms.” 17. Before us, the Revenue has not placed any contrary binding decision in its support nor has placed any material on record to demonstrate that the decision of Pune Tribunal in assessee‟s own case (supra) has been set aside / overruled / stayed by Higher Judicial Forum. The Revenue has also not pointed to any distinguishable facts between the issue in the year under consideration and that of A.Y. 2012-13. In view of the aforesaid, following the decision of Co-ordinate Bench for A.Y. 2012-13, the Assessing. Officer is directed to allow the weighted deduction as claimed u/s 35(2AB) of the Act. Thus, the ground Nos.2.1 to 2.6 raised by the assessee are allowed.” 7. The Revenue is fair enough in not pointing any distinguishing facts or law in all these assessment years vis-à-vis 2014-15 as the assessee’s approved research and development facilities have remained the same. We thus adopt judicial consistency on the instant latter issue as well and accept the impugned section 32(2AB) weighted deduction claim. This latter substantive ground raised by the assessee succeeds. No other grounds or arguments have been pressed before us. 8. These assessee’s three appeals are partly allowed in above terms. A copy of this common order be placed in the respective case files. Order pronounced in the open Court on this 07 th day of July 2022 Sd/- sd/- (DR. DIPAK P. RIPOTE) (SATBEER SINGH GODARA) ACCOUNTANT MEMBER JUDICIAL MEMBER Pune; Dated, this 07 th day of July 2022 Ankam 10 ITA No. 353, 354 and 1593 of 2019 Bharat Forge Ltd. A.Y. 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17 Copy of the Order forwarded to : 1. The Appellant. 2. The Respondent. 3. The CIT (A)-, Pune. 4. The Pr. CIT – 1, Pune 5. The D.R. ITAT A’ Bench, Pune. 5. Guard File BY ORDER, Sr. Private Secretary ITAT, Pune. 11 ITA No. 353, 354 and 1593 of 2019 Bharat Forge Ltd. A.Y. 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17 Date 1 Draft dictated on 29-06-2022 Sr.PS 2 Draft placed before author 30-06-2022 Sr.PS 3 Draft proposed and placed before the second Member JM/AM 4 Draft discussed/approved by second Member AM/JM 5 Approved draft comes to the Sr. PS Sr.PS 6 Kept for pronouncement on 07-07-2022 Sr.PS 7 Date of uploading of order 07-07-20222 Sr.PS 8 File sent to Bench Clerk 07-07-2022 Sr.PS 9 Date on which the file goes to the Head Clerk 10 Date on which file goes to the A.R 11 Date of dispatch of order
