Surya Merchants Ltd., New Delhi V. DCIT, Ghaziabad

ITA 180/DEL/2017

• Counselvise Citation: [2018] 119 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 0749 (ITAT-DELHI)
• Duration Of Justice: 1 year(s) 10 month(s) 19 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 30-11-2018
• Appeal Filed By: Assessee
• Order Result: Partly Allowed
• Bench Allotted: G
• Assessment Year: 2008-2009
• Appeal Filed On: 11-01-2017
• Result in Favour of: Partly Allowed
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Keywords: Search and seizure; Opportunity of being heard
• Section: 263; 132; 154; 40A(3); 153A; 80IB

Judgement Text

IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL DELHI BENCH G , NEW DELHI BEFORE S H. R.K. PANDA , ACCOUNTANT MEMBER AND M S . SUCHITRA KAMBLE, JUDICIAL MEMBER ITA NO. 178 TO 181 /DEL/201 7 ASSESSMENT YEAR: 2006 - 07 TO 2009 - 10 SURYA MERCHANTS LTD. 1010, FAIZ ROAD, KAROL BAGH NEW DELHI - 110005 PAN AAFCS9517A VS DCIT CENTRAL CIRCLE CGO COMPLEX - 1, HAPUR ROAD, GHAZIABAD (APPELLANT) (RESPONDENT) APPELLANT BY SH. ROHIT TIWARI , ADVOCATE RESPONDENT BY SH. ANOOP SINGH , SR. DR DATE OF HEARING: 11 /0 9 / 2018 DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT: 30 / 11 /2018 ORDER PER R.K. PANDA, AM: TH E ABOVE BATCH OF FOUR APPEALS FILED BY THE ASSESSEE ARE DIRECTED AGAINST THE COMMON ORDER DATED 28.10.2016 OF THE CIT (A) - I V , KANPUR RELATING TO A. Y. 200 6 - 07, 2007 - 08, 2008 - 09 A ND 2009 - 10 RESPECTIVELY. SINCE COMMON GROUNDS HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY THE ASSESSEE IN ALL THESE APPEALS, THEREFORE, THESE WERE HEARD TOGETHER AND ARE BEING DISPOSED OF BY THIS COMMON ORDER. 2 2. FIRST WE TAKE UP ITA NO. 178/DEL/2017 FOR A.Y. 2006 - 07 AS THE L EAD CASE. FACTS OF THE CASE , IN BRIEF , ARE THAT THE ASSESSEE IS A LIMITED COMPANY ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER S . A SEARCH U/S 132 OF THE IT ACT WAS CONDUCTED IN THE CASE OF THE ASSESSEE ON 06.02.2009. IN RESPONSE TO NOTICE U/S 153 A, T HE ASSESSEE FILED RETURN OF INCOME DECLARING TOTAL INCOME OF RS.1,11,96,568/ - . THE ASSESSEE FILED RETURN IN RESPONSE TO NOTICE U/S. 153 A . THE ASSESSMENT WAS COMPLETED U/S 143 (3) / 153 A VIDE ORDER DATED 22.07.2011 DETERMINING THE TOTAL INCOME AT RS.3,15 ,20,512/ - . THE ASSESSMENT ORDER WAS SET ASIDE BY THE CIT (CENTRAL), KANPUR U/S 263 OF THE IT ACT VIDE ORDER OF 28.3.2014. ACCORDINGLY FRESH NOTICE U/S 143 (2) WAS ISSUED. ON THE BASIS OF VARIOUS DETAILS FILED BY THE ASSESSEE TH E ASSESSING OFFICER IN THE ORDER DATED 31.03.2015 PASSED U/S 143 (3)/263/254/153A OF THE IT ACT DETERMIN ED THE TOTAL INCOME AT RS.3,51,82,390/ - WHEREIN THE ASSESSING OFFICER APART FROM OTHER ADDITIONS MADE ADDITION OF RS.54,52,697/ - U/S 40A(3) OF THE I. T. ACT, 1961 WHICH IS SUBJEC T MATTER OF APPEAL BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL . 3 . IN APPEAL LD. CIT(A) UPHELD THE ACTION OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER BY OBSERVING AS UNDER : - I HAVE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED THE WRITTEN SUBMISSION FILED AND FINDING OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER IN THE ASSESSMENT ORD ER. THE APPELLANT HAS ARGUED THAT CASH PAYMENTS MADE BY HIM SHOULD BE ALLOWED BECAUSE HIS CASE FALLS UNDER RULE 6J OF I. T. RULES FOR ALL THE YEARS AND 6J AND 6K BOTH FOR A. Y. 2005 - 06. DURING THIS APPEAL PROCEEDING, THE APPELLANT COULD NOT FULFILL THE N ECESSARY INGREDIENTS OF RULE 6J IN WHICH USE OF WORD REQUIRED SUGGEST THAT THE APPELLANT HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO MAKE PAYMENT ON HOLIDAYS. MOREOVER, FOR THE APPLICABILITY OF RULE 6K, THERE IS ALSO CONDITION PRECEDENT THAT APPELLANT WAS REQUISITE TO HAVE M ADE PAYMENT ON THE GIVEN DATE. THE APPELLANT COULD NOT PROVE AS TO HOW HE WAS REQUIRED TO MAKE PAYMENT ON GIVEN DATES. MOREOVER, THE APPELLANT ALSO COULD PROVE AS TO WHETHER HE HAS MADE TDS ON PAYMENTS TO AGENTS. IN VIEW OF THE ABOVE, I DO NOT FIND MERIT IN THE SUBMISSION AND VERBAL ARGUMENTS OF LD. A. R. THE ADDITION MADE BY A.O. BY INVOKING SECTION 40A(3) IS HEREBY CONFIRMED FOR ALL THE ASSESSMENT YEARS. 4. AGGRIEVED WITH SUCH ORDER OF CIT (A), THE ASSESSEE IS IN APPEAL BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL BY RA ISING FOLLOWING GROUNDS OF APPEAL : - 3 1 THAT ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, THE LEARNED CIT(A) - IV, KANPUR HAS ERRED IN UPHOLDING THE ADDITION MADE BY THE DCIT, CENTRAL CIRCLE, GHAZIABAD (HEREINAFTER CALLED 'AO' FOR SHORT) IN RESPECT OF PAYMENT MADE IN EXCESS OF RS. 20,000/ - SPECIFICALLY EXEMPT UNDER RULE 6DD(K) OF THE INCOME TAX RULES, 1962 IN SPITE OF THE DIRECTION OF HON'BLE ITAT, BENCH - G, DELHI IN PARAGRAPH 19 OF ITS ORDER DATED 18 - 02 - 2015 2 THAT ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, THE LEARNED CIT(A) - IV, KANPUR HAS ERRED IN UPHOLDING THE ADDITION OF RS.13,92,094/ - EQUIVALENT TO 20% OF RS. 69,60,469/ - WHICH WERE PAID IN EXCESS OF RS. 20,000/ - EXEMPT UNDER RULE 6DD(K) OF INCOME TAX RULES, 1962 ALLEGING THAT APPELLANT COULD NOT PROVE AS TO HOW IT WAS REQUIRED TO MAKE PAYMENT AS THE WORD REQUIRED TO MAKE PAYMENT IS AN IMPORTANT INGREDIENTS USED IN RULE 6DD(K). 3 THAT ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, THE LEARNED CIT(A) - IV, KANPUR HAS ERRED IN UPHOLDING THE ADD ITION OF RS. 13,92,094/ - EQUIVALENT TO 20% OF RS. 69,60,469/ - WHICH WERE PAID IN EXCESS OF RS. 20,000/ - EXEMPT UNDER RULE 6DD(K) OF INCOME TAX RULES, 1962 ALLEGING THAT THE APPELLANT COULD NOT PROVE AS TO WHETHER TDS HAS BEEN DEDUCTED ON PAYMENT TO AGENTS IGNORING THE FACT THAT THE PAYMENT WERE MADE TO SUPPLIERS BY AGENT ON BEHALF OF APPELLANT. 4. THAT THE APPELLANT CRAVES LIBERTY TO ADD, ALTER OR VARIES ANY GROUND OF APPEAL EITHER BEFORE OR AT THE TIME OF HEARING. 5 . T HE ASSESSEE HAS ALSO RAISED THE FOLL OWING ADDITIONAL GROUNDS : - 5. THAT WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO GROUND NO.1, 2 AND 3 ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, LD. CIT(A) - IV, KANPUR ERRED IN CONFIRMING THE ADDITION U/S 40 A (3) OF THE INCOME TAX ACT 1961 ( THE ACT ) WITHOUT APPRECIAT ING THAT DISALLOWANCE CANNOT BE MADE UNDER SECTION 40A (3) OF THE EXPENSES RECORDED IN THE MATERIAL SEIZED DURING THE COURSE OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE AS SECTION 40 A 93) IS NOT APPLICABLE ON THE SEARCH CASES. 6. THAT WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO GROUND NO.1, 2 & 3 ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, LD. CIT(A) - IV, KANPUR ERRED IN CONFIRMING THE ADDITION U/S 40A(3) OF THE INCOME TAX ACT 1961 ( THE ACT ) OF RS.19,67,536/ - WITHOUT APPRECIATING THAT ALL THE CASH EXPENSES WERE INCURRED AS A DECISION OF BU SINESS EXPEDIENCY THUS DISALLOWANCE CANNOT BE MADE UNDER SECTION 40A(3). RULE 6DD IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE BUT ILLUSTRATIVE. 4 6 . THE LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE R EFERRING TO THE DECISION OF HON BLE SUPREME COURT IN THE CASE OF JUTE CORPORATION OF INDIA LIMITED VS. CIT REPORTED I N 187 ITR 688 AND NTPC VS. CI T REPORTED IN 229 ITR 383 SUBMITTED THAT THE ABOVE ADDITIONAL GROUNDS BEING PURELY LEGAL IN NATURE SHOULD BE ADMITTED. HE SUBMITTED THAT ASSESSEE DID NOT TAKE TH E S E GROUND S EARLIER DUE TO IMPROPER LEGAL ADVI CE BY THE COUNSEL OF THE ASSESSEE. 7 . AFTER HEARING BOTH THE SIDES AND CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THE ABOVE GROUNDS BY THE ASSESSEE ARE PURELY LEGAL IN NATURE AND NO FRESH FACTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE INVESTIGATED, THEREFORE, THESE ARE ADMITTED FOR ADJUDICATI ON. 8 . THE LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE AT THE OUTSET FILED THE FOLLOWING CHART AND DREW THE ATTENTION OF THE BENCH TO THE CHRONOL OGY OF EV ENTS VI S - A - VI S ADDITION MADE U/S 40A(3) OF THE IT ACT WHICH ARE AS UNDER : - 2006 - 07 2007 - 08 2008 - 09 2009 - 10 UNACCOUNTED SALES CREDITED TO P&L (A) 4,06,07,447 6,64,28.623 8,97,71,527 7,44,08,448 UNACCOUNTED EXPENSES DEBITED TO P&L (B) 2,00,92,032 2,70,09,786 6,29,95,467 4,77,57,751 NET PROFIT AND LOSS AS PER SEIZED RECORDS (A - B) 2,05,15,415 3,94, 18,837 2,67,76,060 2,66,50,697 ADD: TAXABLE INCOME AS PER ORIGINAL ORDER U/S 143(3)/ORIGINAL ITR 55,06,710 91,21,372 1,67,24,561 71,76,143 GROSS TOTAL INCOME 2,60,22,125 4,85,40,209 4,35,00,621 3,38,26,840 LESS: DEDUCTION UNDER U/S 801 B( 10) 1,48 ,25,557 2,08,68,168 1,56,90,832 1,26,50,697 RETURN FILED U/S 153A 1,11,96,568 2,76,72,041 2,78,09,789 2,11,76,143 ADDITION MADE BY AO: - J(S] ADDITION U/S 40A(3) 54,52,697 50,20,997 4,67,76,756 2,02,09,000 (B) ADDITION OF DEDUCTION U/S 801 B(1 0) 1,48,25,557 2,08,68,168 1,56,90,832 1,26,50,697 ... ... .......... _.J (C) ADDITION U/S 40A(3) AS PER SPECIAL AUDIT REPORT - 21,414 - (D) INCOME TAX 4,01,284 - 5 TOTAL DISALLOWANCE 2,03,24,004 2,63,11,863 6,24,67,588 3,28,59,697 TAXABLE INCOME AS PER ASS ESSING OFFICER ORDER 3,15,20,572 5,39,83,904 9,02,77,377 5,40,35,840 RELIEF GIVEN BY CIT (A) DEDUCTION OF SECTION 80IB(10) 1,48,25,557 2,08,68,168 1,56,90,832 1,26,50,697 RULE 6DD (B) 26,66,832 1,79,66,600 RELIEF GIVEN BY ASSESSING OFFICER AFT ER ORDER U/S 263 DEDUCTION U/S 80IB (10) 20,93,067 12,40,143 1,07,26,664 37,64,991 TOTAL RELIEF 1,69,64,374 2,47,75,143 4,43,84,096 1,64,15,688 REVISED TAXABLE INCOME 1,45,56,198 2,92,08,761 4,58,93,281 3,76,20,152 9. THE LD. COUNSEL FOR THE AS SESSEE SUBMITTED THAT A LL THE EXPENSE COMPUTED ON THE BASIS OF SEIZED RECORDS WERE DULY ACCEPTED BY THE AO . HOWEVER DISALLOWANCE WAS MADE OF EXPENSES INCURRED IN CASH IN EXCESS OF I NR 20 , 000 / - UNDER THE PROVISION OF SECTION 40 A( 3 ) OF THE ACT. THE DETAILS O F EXPENSES AND DISALLOWANCES ARE AS UNDER: 6 10 . REFERRING TO THE ABOVE TABLE THE LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE SUBMITTED THAT THE ADDITION MADE U/S 40 A (3) CAN BE DIVIDED UNDER THREE CAT EGORIES I.E. (A) WHEN THE PAYMENTS WERE MADE ON BANK HOLIDAYS (B) WHEN THE PAYMENTS WERE MADE TO AGENT OF THE ASSESSEE NAMELY M/S. SURYA MARBLES AND (C) OTHER PAYMENTS. 2006 - 07 2007 - 08 2008 - 09 2009 - 10 TOTAL CASH EXPENDITURE IN EXCESS OF RS. 20,000 2,72,63,485 2,51,04,985 2,88,10,156 2,02,09,000 10,13,87,626 INITIAL ADDITION U/S 40A(3) BY THE LD. AO (20% FOR AY 2006 - 07 & 2007 - 08 AND 100% FOR AY 2008 - 09 2009 - 10) 54,52,697 50,20,997 2,88,10,156 2,02,09,000 5,94,92,850 RELIEF BY AO U/S 154 OF RULE 6DD(B) 1,33,34,160 OJHER RELIEF BY THE LD. AO 20,93,067 12,40,14 3 1,07,26,664 37,64,991 1,78,24,865 /BALANCE DISPUTED CASH EXPENDITURE IN EXCESS OF RS. 20,000 2,51,70,418 1,05,30,682 1,80,83,492 1,64,44,009 7,02,28,601 FINAL ADDITION U/S 40A(3) (20% FOR A Y 2006 - 07 & 2007 - 08 AND 100% FOR AY 2008 - 09 2009 - 10) 50,34,084 21,06,136 1,80,83,492 1,64,44,009 4,16,67,721 EXPENSES COVERED UNDER RULE 6DD(J) (PAYMENT ON NATIONAL /BANK HOLIDAYS) (PAYMENTS MADE ON PUBLIC HOLIDAY WAS DULY VERIFIED BY THE LD. AO VIDE REMAND RE PORT DATED 24.01.2013 AVAILABLE AT PAGE 26 & 27 OF PB) 39,12,033 : 1,26,24,000 84,60,000 2,49,96,033 EXPENSES COVERED UNDER RULE 6DD(K) (PAYMENT TO SURYA MARBLES I.E. AGENT OF THE APPELLANT FOR PURCHASE OF MARBLES) %/ (PAYMENTS MADE TO THE AGENT WAS DULY VERIFIED BY THE LD. AO VIDE REMAND REPORT DATED 24.01.2013 AVAILABLE AT PAGE 26 & 27 OF PB) 69,60,469 65,69,053 52,27,498 74,50,000 2,62,07,020 BALANCE EXPENSES (NOT COVERED DIRECTLY UNDER RULE 6DD) 1,82,09,949 49,596 2,31,994 5,34,009 1,90,25,548 T OTAL DISPUTED CASH EXPENSE IN EXCESS OF RS. 20,000 2,51,70,418 1,05,30,682 1,80,83,492 1,64,44,009 7,02,28,601 7 11 . SO FAR AS PAYMENTS MADE ON NATIONAL HOLIDAYS AND BANK HOLIDAYS ARE CONCERNED , T H E LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE DREW THE ATTENTION OF THE BENCH TO THE SUBMISSIONS MADE BEFORE THE CIT(A) ON VARIOUS DATES , COPIES OF WHICH ARE PLACED AT PAGE 13 TO 2 4 OF THE PAPER BOOK AND SUBMITTED THAT WHEN THE SAME WAS BROUGHT TO THE NOTICE OF THE CIT(A ), THE LD. CIT(A) CALLED FOR A REMAND REPORT FROM THE ASSESSING OFFICER. ALTHOUGH THE ASSESSING OFFICER HAS NOT DISPUTED THE PAYMENT OF RS.39,12,033/ - FOR A. Y . 2007 - 08, RS. 1 ,26,24, 000/ - FOR A. Y. 2008 - 09 AND RS.84,60,000/ - FOR A. Y. 2009 - 10 , O N BANK HOLI DAYS , H OWEVER, HIS OBJECTION WAS THAT ASSESSEE DURING THE COURSE OF ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS / REMAND PROCEEDINGS FAIL ED TO PROVE THE COMPULSION OF SUCH PAYMENT S ON BANK HOLIDAYS. REFERRING TO THE PROVISION S OF RULE 6DD ( J ) H E SUBMITTED THAT THE SAID PROVISIO N PROVIDES THAT PROVISIONS OF SECTION 4 0A( 3 ) WILL NOT BE APPLICA BLE W H ERE THE PAYMENT WAS REQUIRED TO BE MADE ON A DAY ON WHICH THE BANKS WERE CLOSED ON ACCOUNT OF HOLIDAYS OR STRIKES. HE SUBMITTED THAT THE ASSESSEE COMPANY IS A DEVELOPER OF COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE PROJECT S, THEREFORE, IT IS BOUND TO COMPLETE THE CONSTRUCTION TO OFFER THE POS SESSION IN AGREED TIME TO AVOID PENALTIES. THE ASSESSEE , THEREFORE , CARRIES THE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ROUND THE CLOCK EVEN ON SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS. T HE ASSESSEE HAD PROCURE D THE MATERIALS ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS TO AVOID ANY BREAK IN THE PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTION . HE SUBMITTED THAT THE CUSTOMERS GENERALLY VISIT THE SITES OF THE BUILDERS ON HOLIDAYS. SINCE THE ASSESSEE RECEIVED CASH ON HOLIDAYS F ROM THE CUSTOMERS , THEREFORE , PAYMENT S WERE MADE TO THE SUPPLIERS ON HOLIDAYS FOR PROCUREMENT OF THE MATERIALS. THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE AVAILABILITY OF CASH MAJORLY ON HOLIDAYS, THE ASSESSEE WAS BOUND TO MAKE CASH PAYMENTS OF PENDING DUES OF THE SUPPLIE RS ON THE HOLIDAYS ITSELF. 12. HE FURTHER SUBMITTED THAT THE ASSESSEE DID NOT MAKE ANY PAYMENT WHETHER ON HOLIDAYS OR WORKING DAYS TH ROUGH ACCOUNT PAYEE CHEQUE S / DEMAND DRAFTS A S THE ASSESSEE MADE THE PAYMENTS OUT OF UNACCOUNTED ON MONEY . T HEREFORE , THE QUESTION OF MAKING THE PAYMENT BY CROSSED ACCOUNT PAYEE CHEQUES/ BANK DRAFTS DOES NOT ARISE. HE ACCORDINGLY SUBMITTED THAT THE PAYMENTS MADE ON NATIONAL/ BANK HOLIDAYS ARE COVERED BY RULE 6DD ( J ) 8 OF THE IT ACT AND THEREFORE THE PROVISION OF SECTION 4 0A( 3 ) IS NOT APPLICABLE TO SUCH PAYMENTS. 1 3 . SO FAR AS THE SEC OND CATEGORY OF PAYMENTS ARE CONCERNED HE SUBMITTED THAT THESE RELATE TO PAYMENT TO ONE PARTY NAMELY M/S. SURYA MARBLES I.E. AGENT OF THE ASSESSEE. HE SUBMITTED THAT PROVISION S OF SECTION 40 A(3) ARE NOT APPLICABLE IN VIEW OF RULE 6DD(K) WHICH PROVIDES THAT WHERE THE PAYMENT IS MADE BY ANY PERSON TO HIS AGENT WHO IS REQUIRE D TO MAKE THE PAYMENT IN CASH FOR GOODS AND SERVICES ON BEHALF OF SUCH PERSON. R EFERRING TO THE SUBMISSION S FILED BEFORE THE CIT(A) ON VARIOUS DATES, COPIES OF WHICH ARE AVAILABLE AT PAGE 1 3 TO 2 4 OF THE PAPER BOOK H E SUBMITTED THAT IT WAS SUBMITTED BEFORE CIT(A) THAT M/S. SURYA MARBLES HAVING ITS OFFICE AT GHAZIABAD WAS APPOINTED AS AGENT FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF VARIOUS TYPE S OF MARBLES ON BEHALF OF THE ASSESSEE FROM MAKRANA AND RAJGARH VIDE MOU DATED 01.04.2004. COPY OF THE SAID MOU WAS FILED BEFORE THE CIT(A) . H E SUBMITTED THAT THE REASONS FOR MAKING THE PAYMENT IN CASH TO SURYA (AGENT) WAS THAT MOST OF THE SUPPLIER S WERE N EW. A ) ONE SUPPLIER DID NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED QUANTITY. B ) THE REQUIRED QUALITY NOT NECESSARILY AVAILABLE WITH THE OLD ONES C ) THE RATE VARIATIONS AMONG THE SUPPLIERS D ) APART FROM IT THE MATERIAL HAD TO BE LOAD ED BY THE AGENT IN HIS PRESENCE ON THE DATE OF PURCHA SE ITSELF AVOIDING ANY CHANCE FOR CHANGING THE SELECTED MATERIAL. THEREFORE, THE AGENT ALWAYS USED TO CARRY CASH WITH HIM FOR FURTHER PAYMENT TO SUPPLIERS SITUATED AT MARKRNANA AND RAJGARH. 1 4 . HE SUBMITTED THAT THE ASSESSING OFFICER IN HIS REMAND REPOR T DATED 2 4 .01.2013, COPY OF WHICH IS PLACED AT PAGE NO.26 AND 27 OF THE PAPER BOOK HAS VERIFIED THAT SUCH PAYMENTS WERE MADE TO M/S. SURYA MARBLES. HOWEVER, HE HAS REJECTED THE SAME ON THE GROUND THAT SUCH AGENT IS THE S UPPLIERS OF THE ASSESSEE INSTEAD OF BEING AN AGENT. REFERRING TO PAGE 3 1 AND 3 2 OF THE PAPER BOOK LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE DREW THE ATTENTION OF THE BENCH TO THE AGREEMENT DATED 01.04.2004 BETWEEN M/S. SURYA 9 MERCHANTS LIMITED AND M/S. SURYA MARBLES WHEREIN IT WAS CLEARLY MENTIONED THAT M/S. SURYA MARBLES IS THE AGENT OF THE ASSESSEE. 1 5 . REFERRING TO PAGE 38 OF THE PAPER BOOK THE LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE DREW THE ATTENTION OF THE BENCH TO THE CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY M/S SURYA MARBLES DATED 19.02.2013 WHEREIN THEY HAVE CONFIRMED THAT M/S SURYA MARBLES WAS APPOINTED AS AGENT BY M/S. SURYA MERCHANTS LIMITED FOR SUPPLYING MARBLES VIDE AGREEMENT DATED 11.04.2004. REFERRING TO VARIOUS DECISION S HE SUBMITTED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 40A(3) ARE NOT APPLICABLE WHEN THE PAYMENT IS MADE IS CASH TO THE AGENT FOR GOODS OR SERVICES ON BEHALF OF SUCH PERSONS. 1 6 . SO FAR AS THE THIRD CATEGORY OF PAYMENTS ARE CONCERNED HE SUBMITTED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 4 0A(3) IS NOT APPLICABLE ON THE EXPENSES RECORDED IN UNACCOUNTED BOOKS OR MATERIA LS FOUND DURING THE COURSE OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE OPERATION. HE SUBMITTED THAT TH ESE PAYMENTS COULD NOT BE MADE OTHERWISE TH A N IN CASH AS THE INCOME AND EXPENSES BOTH WERE NOT RECORDED IN REGULAR BOOKS OF ACCOUNTS BUT THESE WERE RECORDED IN MATERIALS SEIZ ED DURING THE COURSE OF SEARCH PROCEEDINGS. REFERRING TO THE DECISION OF HON BLE SUPREME COURT IN THE CASE OF REVENUE PRE SID ENTIAL POL L AIR 1975 1682 , H E SUBMITTED THAT THE HON BLE SUPREME COURT IN THE SAID DECISION HAS HELD THAT THERE IS NO OBLIGATION TO DO IMPOSSIBLE THINGS. THE LAW DOES NOT COMPEL ONE TO DO THAT WHICH ONE CANNOT POSSIBL Y PERFORM. FURTHER, THE PAYMENTS OF CASH EXPENSES OF RS.20,000 WERE MADE FROM ON MONEY . RELYING ON VARIOUS DECISIONS HE SUBMITTED THAT PROVISION OF SECTION 40A(3) ARE NOT APPLICABLE IF THE PAYMENTS ARE UNACCOUNTED AND NOT RECORDED IN THE REGULAR BOOKS OF ACCOUNTS. THE LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE ALSO RELIED UPON THE FOLLOWING DECISIONS : - 1 . WESTERN INDIA BAKERS (P) LTD. VS. DY. CIT (2004) 84 TTJ (MUMBAI) 223 (2003) 87 ITD 607 (MUMBAI) 2 . ASSTT. CIT VS. DR. MOHAN LAL SWARNKAR 92005) 95 TTJ (JP) 969 3 . JANTA TILES VS. ASSTT. CIT (2000) 66 TTJ (PUNE) 695 10 4 . SMT. BOMMANA SWARNA REKHA VS. ASSTT. CIT (2005) 94 TTJ (VISAKH) 885. 5 . KIRTI FOODS LIMITED 60 DTR 96 1 7 . HE ACCORDINGLY SUBM ITTED THAT THE PROVISION OF SECTION 40A(3) ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THE FACTS OF THE PRESENT CASE. 1 8 . THE LD. DR ON THE OTHER HAND HEAVILY RELIED ON THE ORDERS OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER AND THE CIT(A). HE SUBMITTED THAT THE ASSESSEE HAS VIOLATED THE PROVI SION S OF SECTION 40A(3) BY MAKING CASH PAYMENTS IN EXCESS OF RS.20,000/ - OTHERWISE TH A N BY ACCOUNT PAYEE CHEQUE S OR ACCOUNT PAYEE DEMAND DRAFT S . HE SUBMITTED THAT THE PAYMENTS MADE ON BANK HOLIDAYS AND MADE TO AGENTS ARE AFTER THOUGHT A ND THERE WAS NO COM PULSION ON THE PART OF THE ASSESSEE TO MAKE SUCH PAYMENTS IN CASH. HE SUBMITTED THAT THE ASSESSING OFFICER IN THE REMAND REPORT HAS CLEARLY BROUGHT OUT THE FACTS THAT THERE WAS NO COMPULSION ON PART OF THE ASSESSEE FOR MAKING SUCH PAYMENT S IN VIOLATION OF PROVISION S OF SECTION 40A(3). HE ACCORDINGLY SUBMITTED THAT THE ORDER OF THE LD. CIT(A) BEING IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW SHOULD BE UPHELD. 1 9 . WE HAVE CONSIDERED THE RIVAL ARGUMENTS MADE BY BOTH THE SIDES AND PERUSED THE MATERIAL AVAILABLE ON RECORD. THER E IS NO DISPUTE TO THE FACT THAT ADDITION S HAVE BEEN MADE U/S 40A(3) OF THE IT ACT ON ACCOUNT OF CASH PAYMENTS MADE BY THE ASSESSEE IN EXCESS OF RS.20,000/ - TO VARIOUS PARTIES, OTHERWISE THAN BY ACCOUNT PAYEE CHEQUES/ BANK DRAFTS THE DETAILS OF WHICH HAVE BEEN GIVEN IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPH. IT IS THE SUBMISSION OF LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE THAT PROVISION OF SECTION 40A(3) ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO PAYMENTS MADE IN CASH IN EXCESS OF RS.20,000/ - ON BANK HOLIDAYS/ NATIONAL HOLIDAYS AND WHERE THE PAYMENTS W ERE MADE TO AGENTS . S O FAR AS OTHER PAYMENTS ARE CONCERNED , I T IS THE SUBMISSION OF THE LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE THAT SINCE TH E S E PAYMENTS ARE MADE OUT OF ON MONEY AND NOT RECORDED IN THE REGULAR BOOKS OF ACCOUNTS AND ARE FOUND FROM THE SEIZED DOCUME NTS, THEREFORE, THE PROVISION OF SECTION 40A(3) ARE NOT APPLICABLE. 11 20. SO FAR AS THE PAYMENTS MADE IN CASH IN EXCESS OF RS.20,000/ - ON BANK HOLIDAYS/ NATIONAL HOLIDAYS ARE CONCERNED , W E FIND THERE IS NO SUCH PAYMENT IN A. Y. 2006 - 07. HOWEVER, THE ASSESS EE HAS INCURRED SUCH EXPENSE S IN A. Y.2007 - 08 RS.39 , 12 , 033/ - , IN A. Y. 2008 - 09 OF RS.1,26,24 ,000 / - AND RS. 84,60,000/ - IN A. Y. 2009 - 10 . T HE ABOVE PAYMENTS ARE NOT IN DISPUTE. THE ASSESSING OFFICER IN THE REMAND REPORT ALSO ACCEPTED THAT SUCH PAYMENTS HAV E BEEN MADE ON BANK HOLIDAYS/NATIONAL HOLIDAYS. HOWEVER, IT IS THE CASE OF THE REVENUE THAT THERE WAS NO COMPULSION ON THE PART OF THE ASSESSEE TO MAKE SUCH PAYMENT S ON BANK HOLIDAYS. IT IS THE SUBMISSION OF THE LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE THAT ASSESSEE BEING A DEVELOPER OF COMMERCIAL/ RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS IS BOUND TO COMPLETE THE WORK IN A TIME BOUND MANNER AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ARE CARRIED OUT CONTINUOUSLY EVEN DURING HOLIDAYS. THEREFORE, WHEN THE ASSESSEE RECEIVES CASH FROM THE CUSTOMERS DURING HOLIDAYS AND PURCHASES MATERIALS ON THE SAME DAY OR MAKES THE PAYMENTS TO THE SUPPLIERS THE SAME SHOULD NOT BE DISALLOWED UNDER SECTION 40A(3) OF THE IT ACT. WE FIND SOME FORCE IN THE ABOVE ARGUMENTS ADVANCED BY THE LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE. THERE I S NO DISPUTE TO THE FACT THAT THE ABOVE AMOUNTS WERE PAID IN CASH IN EXCESS OF RS.20,000/ - ON BANK HOLIDAYS/ NATIONAL HOLIDAYS. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO COMPULSION ON THE PART OF THE ASSESSEE , HOWEVER , IT IS AN ADMITTED FACT THAT THE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES O F THE ASSESSEE WERE CARRIED ON DURING HOLIDAYS ALSO . T HEREFORE, WE FIND MERIT IN THE ARGUMENTS ADVANCED BY THE LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE THAT THE ASSESSEE HAD TO PROCURE MATERIALS ON SUNDAYS/ PUBLIC HOLIDAYS TO AVOID ANY BREAK I N THE PROCESS OF CONSTRUC TION. IT IS ALSO AN ADMITTED FACT THAT THE PAYMENTS, WERE MADE IN CASH DURING HOLIDAYS AS WELL AS WORKING DAYS . THEREFORE, IT CANNOT BE SAID THAT THE ASSESSEE HAS MADE CASH PAYMENTS ONLY ON BANK HOLIDAYS TO AVOID THE PROVISION OF SECTION 40A(3) OF THE I. T. ACT. WE FIND, THE TRIBUNAL V IDE ORDER DATED 18.02.2015 HAD RESTORED THE MATTER TO THE FILE OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER TO FIND OUT WHETHER THE PAYMENTS WERE MADE ON BANK HOLIDAYS OR NOT . THE RELEVANT OBSERVATIONS OF THE TRIBUNAL IN ITA NO.4309TO 4313/DEL/ 2013 READ AS UNDER: - 12 19. AS REGARD TO THE FIRST ISSUE RAISED VIDE GROUND NO.1, THE LD. AR FOR THE ASSESSEE SUBMITTED THAT THE PAYMENTS IN EXCESS OF RS.20,000/ - AMOUNTING TO RS.69,60,469/0 IN TOTAL WERE MADE ON THE DATES WHEN BANKS WERE CLOSED DUE TO HO LIDAY. THEREFORE, THE PAYMENT WERE COVERED UNDER RULE 6DD (K) OF THE INCOME TAX RULES, 1962 (HEREIN AFTER THE RULES) AND CBDT CIRCULAR NO. IN HIS RIVAL SUBMISSION THE LD. CIT DR STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE ORDERS OF THE AUTHORITIES BELOW AND FURTHER SUBMITTED THAT THE PAYMENT WERE MADE IN EXCESS OF RS.20,000/ - THEREFORE, THE DISALLOWANCE WAS RIGHTLY MADE BY THE ASSESSING OFFICER U/S 40A(3) OF THE ACT. 20. WE HAVE CONSIDERED THE RIVAL SUBMISSIONS OF BOTH THE PARTIES AND PERUSED THE MATERIAL AVAILABLE ON RECORD . IN THE INSTANT CASE, WE FIND THAT THE FACTS ARE NOT CLEAR AS TO WHETHER THE PAYMENTS WERE MADE ON THE HOLIDAYS WHEN THE BANKS WERE CLOSED. WE, THEREFORE, SET ASIDE THE IMPUGNED ORDER ON THIS ISSUES AND REMAND THE SAME BACK TO THE FILE OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER FOR FRESH ADJUDICATION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW AFTER PROVIDING DUE AND REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY OF BEING HEARD TO THE ASSESSEE. 21. T HE ASSESSING OFFICER IN THE REMAND REPORT HAS ADMITTED THAT SUCH PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE ON BANK HOLIDAYS. THE PROV ISION OF RULE 6DD ( J ) PROVIDES THAT PROVISION S OF SECTION 40A(3) SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE W H ERE THE PAYMENT WAS REQUIRED TO BE MADE O N A DAY ON WHICH THE B ANKS WERE NOT OPEN ON ACCOUNT OF HOLIDAYS OR STRIKE. SINCE THE ASSESSEE IN THE INSTANT CASE HA S ADMITT EDLY MADE THE PAYMENTS ON A DAY ON WHICH THE BANK S WERE NOT OPEN ON ACCOUNT OF HOLIDAYS AND THE ASSESSING OFFICER HAS ALSO ADMITTED THAT SUCH PAYME NTS WERE MADE ON BANK HOLIDAYS THEREFORE UNDER THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE WE ARE OF THE CONSIDER ED OPINION THAT PROVISION OF SECTION 40A(3) ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THE PAYMENTS MADE IN EXCESS OF RS.20,000/ - ON BANK HOLIDAYS WHICH ARE AS UNDER : - 1 . 2007 - 08 RS.39,12,033/ - 2 . 2008 - 09 RS.1,26,24000/ - 3 . 2009 - 10 RS.84,60,000/ - WE, THEREFORE, SET ASIDE THE ORD ER OF THE CIT(A) AND DIRECT THE ASSESSING OFFICER TO REMOVE THE ABOVE EXPENSES FROM THE PURVIEW OF PROVISION OF SECTION 40A(3) AS THESE EXPENSES ARE COVERED UNDER RULE 6DD( J ) OF THE IT RULES . 13 2 2 . NOW, COMING TO THE SECON D CATEGORY OF PAYMENT S I.E. THE P AYMENTS MADE TO THE AGENT OF THE ASSESSEE M/S. SURYA MARBLES IS CONCERNED , W E FIND FROM THE COPY OF THE AGREEMENT DATED 0 1.04.2004 THAT THERE IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ASSESSEE AND SURYA MARBLES WHEREIN SURYA MARBLES WAS APPOINTED AS AGENT FOR THE ASSESS EE COMPANY. FURTHER SURYA MARBLES VIDE CONFIRMATIONS DATED 19.02.2013 HAVE CERTIFIED THAT THEY WERE APPOINTED AS AGENT BY M/S. SURYA MERCHANTS LIMITED FOR SUPPLYING MARBLES VIDE AGREEMENT DATED 01.04.2004 . THE Y HAVE FURTHER CERTIFIED THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN THE C ASH FROM M/S. SURYA M ERCHANTS LIMITED FOR FURTHER PAYMENTS TO THE SUPPLIERS OF MARKRNANA AND RAJGARH . THE AGREEMENT COPY AND THE CERTIFICATE WERE FILED BEFORE THE CIT(A). WE FIND THE CIT(A) R EJECTED THE SAME ON THE BASIS OF REMAND REPORT OF THE ASSE SSING OFFICER WHO HAD STATED THAT RULE 6DD( K ) IS APPLICABLE IN EXCEPTIONAL OR UN AVOIDABLE CIRCUMSTANCES . F URTHER HE HAD REPORTED THAT M/S. SURYA MARBLES WAS SUPPLIER OF THE ASSESSEE COMPANY AND NOT A N AGENT . H OWEVER AT NO POINT OF TIME EITHER THE AGREEMENT DATED 01.04.2004 OR THE CERTIFICATE DATED 19.02.2013 ARE FOUND TO BE FALSE OR UNTRUE. THE ASSESSEE IN THE INSTANT CASE HAS DEMONSTRATED BY DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE THAT M/S. SURYA MARBLES WAS THE AGENT OF THE ASSESSEE COMPANY . U NDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN T HE PAYMENT WAS MADE TO THE AGENT OF THE ASSESSEE FOR THE PURCHASES OF MATERIALS ON BEHALF OF THE ASSESSEE , THEREFORE, WE ARE OF THE CONSIDERED OPINION THAT THE PROVISION S OF SECTION 40A(3) ARE NOT APPLICABLE , I N VIEW OF RULE 6DD( K ) WHICH PROVIDES THAT WHER E THE PAYMENT IS MADE BY ANY PERSON TO HIS AGENT WHO IS REQUIRE D TO MAKE PAYMENT IN CASH FOR GOODS OR SERVICES ON BEHALF OF SUCH PERSON, WE, THEREFORE, ARE OF THE OPINION THAT THE FOLLOWING PAYMENTS ARE COVERED UNDER RULE 6DD (K) AND THE PROVISIONS OF SECT ION 40A(3) WILL NOT BE APPLICABLE. 1 . A. Y. 2006 - 07 RS.69,60,469/ - 2 . A. Y. 2007 - 08 RS.65,69,053/ - 3 . A. Y. 2008 - 09 RS.52,25,498/ - 4 . A. Y. 2009 - 10 RS.74,50,000/ - 14 2 3 . THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS DIRECTED TO EXCLUDE THE ABOVE PAYMENTS FROM THE PURVIEW OF PROVISIONS OF SECTION 40A(3) OF THE I. T. ACT, 1961. 2 4 . SO FAR AS THE BALANCE EXPENSES ARE CONCERNED WE DO NOT FIND ANY MERIT IN THE ARGUMENTS OF LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE ARE THAT THE PROVISION OF SECTION 40A(3) ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO SUCH PAYMENTS MADE IN CASH I N EXCESS OF RS.20,000/ - . THE LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE COULD NOT SATISFACTORILY SUBS TANTIATE AS TO WHY PROVISION OF SECTION 40A(3)ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THE ABOVE PAYMENTS . W E, THEREFORE, ARE OF THE OPINION THAT PROVISION OF SECTION 40A(3) ARE APPLICAB LE FOR THE REMAINING PAYMENTS. THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS ACCORDINGLY DIRECTED TO MODIFY THE ORDER AND RE - COMPUTE THE DISALLOWANCE TO BE MADE U/S 40A(3) ON ACCOUNT OF THE REMAINING PAYMENTS. 2 5 . IN THE RESULT, THE ABOVE APPEAL S FILED BY THE ASSESSEE ARE P A RTLY ALLOWED. THE ORDER P RONOUNCED IN THE OPEN COURT ON 30 . 11 .2018 SD/ - SD/ - ( SUCHITRA KAMBLE ) ( R.K. PANDA ) JUDICIAL MEMBER ACCOUNTANT MEMBER *NEHA* DATE: - . 11 .2018 COP Y FORWARDED TO: 1 . APPELLANT 2 . RESPONDENT 3 . CIT 4 . CIT(APPEALS) 5 . DR: ITAT ASSISTANT REGISTRAR ITAT NEW DEL HI 15 DATE OF DICTATION 25 . 11 .2018 DATE ON WHICH THE TYPED DRAFT IS PLACED BEFORE THE DICTATING MEMBER DATE ON WHICH THE APPROVED DRAFT COMES TO THE SR.PS/PS DATE ON WHICH THE FAIR ORDER IS PLACED BEFORE THE DICTATING MEMBER FOR PRONOUNCEMENT DATE O N WHICH THE FAIR ORDER COMES BACK TO THE SR. PS/ PS DATE ON WHICH THE FINAL ORDER IS UPLOADED ON THE WEBSITE OF ITAT DATE ON WHICH THE FILE GOES TO THE BENCH CLERK DATE ON WHICH FILE GOES TO THE HEAD CLERK. THE DATE ON WHICH FILE GOES TO THE ASSIS TANT REGISTRAR FOR SIGNATURE ON THE ORDER DATE OF DISPATCH OF THE ORDER