DCIT CIR 4(2)(1), MUMBAI V. M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD, MUMBAI

ITA 1811/MUM/2019

• Counselvise Citation: [2020] 109 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 9263 (ITAT-MUMBAI)
• Duration Of Justice: 1 year(s) 8 month(s) 9 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 07-12-2020
• Appeal Filed By: Department
• Order Result: Dismissed
• Bench Allotted: G
• Assessment Year: 2014-2015
• Appeal Filed On: 28-03-2019
• Result in Favour of: Assessee
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Department Lawyers: M M GALVALA
• Assessee Lawyers: T S KHALSA
• Keywords: Transfer pricing; Fair market value
• Section: 143(3); 142(1); 143(1); 143(2); 2(A); 194J; 13

Judgement Text

0 IN THE INC OME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL G BENCH, MUMBAI BEFORE SHRI S . RIFAUR RAHMAN, AM & SHRI RAM LAL NEGI, JM ./ I.T.A. NO . 1811 /MUM/2019 ( / ASSESSMENT YEAR: 2014 - 15 ) DCIT CIR 4(2)(1), R. NO. 642, 6 TH FLOOR, AAYKAR BHAVAN, M. K. ROAD, MUMBAI - 400 020 / VS. M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD. C/O - KALYANIWALL & MISTRY, ARMY & NAVY BLDG, 3 RD FLOOR, 148 M. G. ROAD, FORT, MUMBAI - 400 001 ./ ./ PAN NO. A A JCS5661H ( / APPELLANT ) : ( / RESPONDENT ) / APPELLANT BY : SHRI M. M. GALVALA, DR / RESPONDENTBY : SHRI T. S. KHALS A , AR / DATE OF HEARING : 05.11.2020 / DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT : 07.12.2020 / O R D E R PER S. RIFAUR RAHMAN (ACCOUNTANT MEMBER) : THE PRESENT A PPEAL HAS BEEN FILED BY THE REVENUE AGAINST THE ORDER OF LD. COMMIS S IONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS) - 9 , 2 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD MUMBAI , IN SHORT LD. CIT(A) D ATED 24.01.2019 FOR AY 2014 - 15 . 2 . THE BRIEF FACTS OF THE CASE ARE , ASSESSEE IS ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF SH ARE BROKING AND PROVIDING PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT SERVICES. THE RETURN OF INCOME DECLARING TOTAL INCOME OF RS. 5,66,12,850/ - WAS FILED BY THE ASSESSEE ON 30.11.2014. THE RETURN WAS PROCESSED U/S 143(1) OF THE ACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE CASE WAS SELECTED FOR SC RUTINY AND NOTICES U/S 143(2) AND 142(1) WERE ISSUED AND SERVED ON THE ASSESSEE. IN RESPONSE, AR OF THE ASSESSEE FILED THE RELEVANT INFORMATION AS CALLED FOR. 3. DURING THE COURS E OF ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS, ASSESSEE WAS ASKED TO SUBMIT THE DETAILS OF PAYM ENT OF RS. 15, 68,37,988/ - AS SUB - BROKERAGE. IN RESPONSE, ASSESSEE VIDE ITS LETTER DATED 08.11.2016, SUBMITTED THE DETAILS AS WELL AS DETAILED STUDY REPORT IN RESPECT OF TRANSFER PRICING STUDY. 4. AFTER CONSIDERING THE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSEE, AO PASSED ASS ESSMENT ORDER U/S 143(3) OF THE ACT BY MAKING DISALLOWANCE OF RS. 2,61,29,097/ - AS SUB - BROKER PAYMENT TO RELATED PARTIES . 5 . AGGRIEVED BY THE ABOVE ORDER OF AO, ASSES SEE PREFERRED APPEAL BEFORE CIT(A) AND LD. CIT(A) AFT ER CONSIDERING THE CASE 3 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD OF ASSESSEE , ALLOWED THE APPEAL OF THE ASSESSEE BY RESPECTFULLY FOLLOWING THE DECISION OF COORDINATE BENCH OF ITAT IN ASSESSEES OWN CASE IN EARLIER ASSESSMENT YEARS. 6 . NOW BEFORE US, THE REVENUE HAS PREFE RRED THE APPEAL CHALLENGING THE ORDER OF LD. CIT(A) ON THE GR OUNDS MENTIONED BELOW: - 1. 'ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE AND IN LAW, THE LD. CIT(A) ERRED IN NOT ACCEPTING THE FACT THAT THE PAYMENT MADE TO M/S. STOCK HOLDING CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD., BEING A HOLDING COMPANY OF THE ASSESSEE FALLS WI THIN THE PREVIEW OF SECTION 194J OF THE I. T. ACT.' 2. 'ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE AND IN LAW, THE LD. CIT(A) FURTHER ERRED IN NOT CONFIRMING THE ACTION OF THE AO THAT THE PAYMENTS OF SUB - BROKERAGE PAID BY THE ASSESSEE FALLS UNDER SE CTION 194H OF THE I. T. ACT.' 3. 'ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE AND IN LAW, THE LD. CIT(A) ERRED IN DELETING THE TOTAL SUB - BROKERAGE OF RS. 2,61,29,097/ - INCURRED BY THE ASSESSEE'. 4 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD 4. 'THE APPELLANT CRAVES LEAVE TO AMEND OR ALTER ANY GROU ND OR ADD NEW GROUND WHICH MAY BE NECESSARY.' 7 . AT THE OUTSET, LD. AR APPEARING ON BEHALF OF THE ASSESSEE SUBMITTED THAT TH E GROUNDS RAISED BY THE REVENUE ARE SQUARELY COVERED BY THE ORDER OF COORDINATE BENCH OF HONBLE ITAT IN ITA NO. 5743/MUM/2014, 1777 /MUM/2015 AND 279/MUM/2017 FOR AY 2010 - 11 TO 2012 - 13 IN ASSESSEES OWN CASE . THE REVENUE FILED APPEAL BEFORE HONBLE HIGH COURT AND THE HONBLE HIGH COURT DISMISSED THE REVENUE APPEAL IN ITA NO. 1272 OF 2017 AND ITA NO. 1486 OF 2016 FOR THE RESPECTIVE ASSE SSMENT YEARS 2010 - 11 AND 2011 - 12. 8 . ON THE OTHER HAND, LD. DR SUPPORTED THE ORDERS PA SSED BY THE REVENUE AUTHORITIES, HOWEVER HE CONCEDED THE ABOVE GROUNDS ARE COVERED BY THE ORDER OF COORDINATE BENCH OF ITAT. 9 . CONSIDERED THE RIVAL SUBMISSIONS AND MAT ERIAL PLACED IN RECORD. WE FIND THAT THE IDENTICAL GROUND S RAISED IN THE PRESENT APPEAL HAS ALREADY BEEN DECIDED BY THE COORDINATE BENCH OF ITAT IN ITA NO. ITA NO. 5743/MUM/2014, 1777/MUM/2015 AND 279/MUM/2017 FOR AY 2010 - 11 TO 2012 - 13 IN ASSESSEES OWN CA SE ON MERIT AS WELL AS THE HONBLE BOMBAY HIGH COURT IN 5 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD ASSESSEES OWN CASE FOR ASSESSMENT YEAR 2010 - 11 & 2011 - 12 R ACTIFIED THE SAME . FOR THE SAKE OF CLARITY, ORDER OF COORDINA TE BENCH OF ITAT IN ITA NO. 5743/MUM/2014 FOR ASSESSMENT YEAR 2010 - 11 IS REPRODU CED BELOW: - 5. ON A PERUSAL OF THE TRIBUNALS ORDER IN ASSESSEES OWN CASE, WE FIND THAT THE ISSUE IN THE APPEAL OF THE ASSESSEE IS SQUARELY COVERED IN ITS FAVOUR WHEREIN THE TRIBUNAL OBSERVED AND HELD AS UNDER: - 7. WE HAVE HEARD BOTH PARTIES AND PERUSED THE ORDERS OF LOWER AUTHORITIES, CASE LAWS RELIED ON AND THE MATERIAL EVIDENCE PLACED BEFORE US. THE ASSESSEE IS A STOCK BROKER AND A MEMBER OF STOCK EXCHANGE CARRYING ON THE BUSINESS OF SALE AN PURCHASE OF SHARE AND SECURITIES IN THE NAME AND STYLE OF S HCIL SERVICES LTD. THE ASSESSEE ENTERED INTO AGREEMENT WITH STOCK HOLDING CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD. FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS AS SUB - BROKER IN SHARES AND SECURITIES ON BEHALF OF ITS CLIENTS WITH THE STOCK BROKER. THE ASSESSEE DURING THIS ASSESSMENT YEAR HAS PAID SUB - BROKERAGE TO STOCK HOLDING CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD., A HOLDING COMPANY. THE AO WAS OF THE VIEW THAT SUCH COMMISSION IS ATTRACTED THE PROVISIONS OF SEC. 194J OF THE ACT AS THE ASSESSEE PAID AMOUNTS TO HOLDING COMPANY AND THESE AMOUNTS WOULD FALL U NDER FEES FOR 6 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD TECHNICAL SERVICES WITHIN THE MEANING OF SEC. 194J OF THE ACT. 7.1. IT WAS THE CONTENTION OF THE ASSESSEE THAT THE SUB - BROKERAGE PAID TO THE SUB - BROKER WILL FALL U/S. 194H WHICH IS A SPECIFIC PROVISION FOR COMMISSION AND BROKERAGE BUT NOT UND ER THE PROVISIONS OF SEC. 194J OF THE ACT. FURTHER IT WAS SUBMITTED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 194H ARE NOT ATTRACTED FOR THE SUB - BROKERAGE PAID ON DEALING WITH SECURITIES IN VIEW OF THE PROVISO WHICH EXEMPTS SUCH BROKERAGE. HOWEVER, THE AO REJECTING T HE CONTENTIONS AND ON SECURITIES TREATED THE SAID AMOUNT OF SUB - BROKERAGE PAID BY THE ASSESSEE AS FEES FOR TECHNICAL SERVICES WITHIN THE PROVISIONS OF SEC. 194J OF THE ACT. THE LD. CIT(A) ACCEPTED THE CONTENTION OF THE ASSESSEE THAT THE PAYMENT MADE BY THE ASSESSEE WOULD FALL UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SEC. 194H AND SINCE THE SECURITIES ARE EXEMPT, PROVISIONS OF SEC. 194H HAVE NO APPLICATION. HOWEVER, HE INVOKED THE PROVISIONS OF SEC. 40A(2) OF THE ACT AND RESTRICTED THE DISALLOWANCE TO 50% OF BROKERAGE. ACCOR DING TO HIM THERE IS EXCESS PAYMENT OF SUB - BROKERAGE BY THE ASSESSEE. HE HELD THAT IT IS FOR THE ASSESSEE TO PROVE BEYOND ALL DOUBT THAT THE PAYMENT MADE CONSTITUTED THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE SERVICES RECEIVED. AS FAR AS THE FINDINGS OF THE LD. CIT(A) T HAT THE PAYMENTS ARE ATTRACTED THE PROVISIONS OF SEC. 194H IS CONCERNED, WE COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THE LD. 7 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD CIT(A) THAT SINCE THERE IS A SPECIFIC PROVISION DEALING WITH COMMISSION AND BROKERAGE, THE SAME WOULD ATTRACT TO THE PAYMENTS MADE BY THE ASSESSEE AND NOT THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 194J OF THE ACT. WE ALSO FIND THAT SEC. 194H CARVES OUT AN EXCEPTION IN RESPECT OF TRANSACTIONS IN SECURITIES AND THEREFORE NO TAX IS DEDUCTIBLE IN RESPECT OF SUBBROKERAGE PAID. THE DECISIONS OF THE MUMBAI BENCH AND KOLKATA B ENCH IN THE CASE OF S.J. INVESTMENT AGENCIES PVT. LTD. (SUPRA) AND NOBLE ENCLAVE & TOWERS (P) LTD (SUPRA) ARE TO THIS EFFECT. 7.2. HOWEVER, IN RESPECT OF THE FINDING THAT THE PROVISIONS OF SEC. 40A(2)(B) ARE ATTRACTED AND THE SUB - BROKERAGE PAID IS IN EXCES S, WE DO NOT AGREE WITH THE FINDINGS OF THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE LD. CIT(A). 7.3. IN THE COURSE OF THE ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS AS WELL AS THE APPELLATE PROCEEDINGS, THE ASSESSEE VERY MUCH CONTESTED THAT THE PAYMENT OF SUB - BROKERAGE IS NOT UNUSUAL THAT IT RAN GES MORE THAN 50%. THE ASSESSEE ALSO FURNISHED LIST OF SUB - BROKING COMPANIES WHO PAID SUB - BROKERAGE IN THE RATIO OF 60:40 AND 80:20. THE ASSESSEE ALSO GIVEN AN INSTANC E IN THE CASE OF A BROKER NAME KAONAIN SECURITIES PVT. LTD. WHERE 70% OF ITS BROKERAGE WA S PAID BY WAY OF SUBBROKERAGE. IT IS ALSO SUBMITTED BY THE ASSESSEE AS UNDER: 8 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD A) THAT THE GENUINENESS OF THE EXPENDITURE WAS NOT IN DOUBT. B) A LIST OF ENTITIES WHO IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE APPELLANT PAY SUB - BROKERAGE IN EXCESS OF 60% OF THE TOTAL BROK ERAGE EARNED, GOING PROGRESSIVELY UPWARDS TO 80% C) COPY OF AN ARTICLE FROM ECONOMIC TIMES DATED 26 TH DECEMBER, 2008 TO THE EFFECT THAT SEVERAL BROKERS HAVE AGREED FOR A 30 - 70 ARRANGEMENT FAVOURING THE SUB - BROKER. D) A ADVERTISEMENT GIVING PARTICULARS OF A N ENTITY, NAMELY KAONAIN SECURITIES PVT. LTD., APPEARING ON THE INTERNET, SHOWING THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO PART WITH 70% BY WAY OF COMMISSION TO A FRANCHISEE PARTNER. E) BALANCE SHEET OF INTERCONNECTED STOCK EXCHANGE OF INDIA LTD. TO SHOW THAT THE SAID ENT ITY IS PAYING SUB - BROKERAGE TO THE TUNE APPROXIMATELY 80% F) THAT THE SUB - BROKERAGE IS PAID TO STOCK HOLDING CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD. WHICH IS A HIGHLY PROFITABLE ENTITY AND HAS OFFERED THE SAID INCOME TO TAX, AS IS CONFIRMED BY THE ASSESSING OFFICER HIM SELF IN THE ASSESSMENT ORDER - AND THAT THE ENTIRE ARRANGEMENT IS DRIVEN BY COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND NOT WITH ANY INTENTION TO AVOID TAX. 9 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD G) THAT EVEN AS PER DATABASES, THE PROFITABILITY OF THE APPELLANT, EVEN AFTER PAYMENT OF SUB - BROKERAGE, IS BETTER T HAN THE COMPARABLES. 7.4. NONE OF THESE SUBMISSIONS OF THE ASSESSEE HAVE BEEN REBUTTED BY THE LOWER AUTHORITIES. THUS, THE OBSERVATION OF THE LD. CIT(A) THAT IT IS FOR THE APPELLANT TO PROVE BEYOND ALL DOUBT THAT THE PAYMENT MADE CONSTITUTED THE FAIR MAR KET VALUE OF THE SERVICES RECEIVED IS NOT JUSTIFIED SINCE ASSESSEE HAS GIVEN INSTANCES WHERE THE SUB - BROKERAGE WAS PAID AT 70% OF THE COMMISSION RECEIVED. FURTHER A LIST OF PARTIES WERE SUBMITTED TO SHOW THAT THE SUB - BROKERAGE PAID WAS IN THE RATIO OF 60: 40 AND 80:20 DEPENDING ON THE MARKET CONDITIONS. THE LOWER AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT MADE ANY ENQUIRIES TO DISPROVE THE SUBMISSIONS OF THE ASSESSEE. 8. IN THE CASE OF ORCHARD ADVERTISING (P) LTD. (SUPRA), THE MUMBAI BENCH OF THE TRIBUNAL HELD AS UNDER: WE SEE MERITS IN THE PLEA OF THE ASSESSEE. THE IMPUGNED DISALLOWANCE UNDER SECTION 40A(2)(B) VIZ PROVIDES THAT WHERE THE ASSESSEE INCURS ANY EXPENDITURE IN RESPECT OF WHICH PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE TO SPECIFIED PERSON, AND THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS OF OPINION THAT S UCH EXPENDITURE IS EXCESSIVE OR UNREASONABLE HAVING REGARD TO THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE SERVICES FOR WHICH THE PAYMENT IS MADE OR THE 10 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD LEGITIMATE NEEDS OF THE BUSINESS OR PROFESSION OF THE ASSESSEE OR THE BENEFIT DERIVED BY OR ACCRUING TO HIM THEREFROM, SO MUCH OF THE EXPENDITURE AS IS SO CONSIDERED BY HIM TO BE EXCESSIVE OR UNREASONABLE SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED AS A DEDUCTION. THE SCHEME REQUIRES THE ASSESSING OFFICER TO ESTABLISH THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE SERVICES FOR WHICH PAYMENT IS MADE AND ANY AMOUNT THAT HE FINDS TO HAVE BEEN PAID BY THE ASSESSEE IN EXCESS OF SUCH FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE SERVICES ALONE CAN BE DISALLOWED UNDER THE SAID SECTION. IT IS, THEREFORE, CONDITION PRECEDENT WITHOUT RESORTING TO THE DISALLOWANCE UNDER SECTION 40A(2)(B). SO FAR AS THE EXPENDITURE BEING EXCESSIVE OR UNREASONABLE HAVING REGARD TO THE FAIR MARKET SERVICES IS CONCERNED, THAT THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF SUCH SERVICES IS TO BE DETERMINED FIRST. UNLESS THIS BENCHMARK IS SET, THERE CANNOT BE ANY QUESTION OF RESORTING TO DI SALLOWANCE UNDER SECTION 40A(2)(B) FOR EXCESSIVE PAYMENT VIS - - VIS FAIR MARKET VALUE OF SERVICES. IN THE CASE OF BATLIVALA & KARANAI VS ACIT (2 SOT 379), A COORDINATE BENCH OF THIS TRIBUNAL HAS OBSERVED AS FOLLOWS . SECTION 40A(2) PROVIDES THAT WHERE THE AS SESSING OFFICER IS OF THE VIEW THAT EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY THE ASSESSEE, IN RESPECT OF WHICH PAYMENT IS MADE TO THE SPECIFIED PERSONS, IS EXCESSIVE OR UNREASONABLE HAVING 11 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD REGARD TO THE MARKET VALUE OF GOODS, SERVICES OR FACILITIES FOR WHICH THE PAYMENT IS MADE, OR THE LEGITIMATE NEEDS OF THE BUSINESS OF THE ASSESSEE OR THE BENEFIT DERIVED BY OR ACCRUING TO HIM THEREFROM, SO MUCH OF THE EXPENDITURE AS IS CONSIDERED TO BE EXCESSIVE OR UNREASONABLE SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED AS DEDUCTION. THE EMPHASIS IS ON THE MAR KET VALUE OF THE GOODS OR SERVICES .. THE CIT(A) HAS ALSO DEALT WITH THE MATTER AT AN EQUALLY SUPERFICIAL LEVEL BY ONLY MODIFYING THE QUANTUM AND WITHOUT GIVING ANY COGENT FINDING ABOUT THE CONDITIONS OF APPLICABILITY OF SECTION 40A(2) BEING SATISFIED. UNL ESS THERE IS A CLEAR FINDING THAT THE MARKET VALUE OF THE SERVICES TAKEN FROM THE SISTER CONCERN IS LESS THAN THE PRICE AT WHICH THE SERVICES ARE OBTAINED, THERE CANNOT BE AN OCCASION TO APPLY THE DISABLING PROVISIONS OF SECTION 40A(2). THIS EXERCISE, THER EFORE, NECESSITATES A FINDING ABOUT THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF SUCH SERVICES. FOR THIS REASON ALONE, THE DISALLOWANCE UNDER SECTION 40A(2) IS INHERENTLY UNSUSTAINABLE IN LAW ON THE FACTS OF THIS CASE. 9. IN THE CASE OF ARADHANA BEVERAGES & FOODS CO. (P) LTD VS DCIT 51 SOT 426, THE DELHI BENCH HELD AS UNDER: THE OPENING WORDS OF SECTION 40A(1) INDICATE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL HAVE EFFECT NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN ANY OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT RELATING TO THE 12 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD COMPUTATION OF INCOME UNDER THE HEAD PROFITS AND GAINS OF BUSINESS OR PROFESSION. IN OTHER WORDS, SECTION 40A IS AN OVERRIDING PROVISION WHICH OPERATES INSPITE OF ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN ANY OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE ACT RELATING TO THE COMPU TATION OF INCOME UNDER THE HAD PROFITS AND GAINS OF BUSINESS OR PROFESSION. SUB - SECTION 2(A) OF SECTION 40A PROVIDES THAT WHERE THE ASSESSEE INCURS ANY EXPENDITURE IN RESPECT OF WHICH PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE OR IS TO BE MADE TO THE PERSONS SPECIFIED IN THAT SECTION AND THE AO IS OF OPINION THAT SUCH EXPENDITURE IS EXCESSIVE OR UNREASONABLE HAVING REGARD TO THE MARKET VALUE OF THE GOODS, SERVICES OR FACILITIES FOR WHICH THE PAYMENT IS MADE OR THE LEGITIMATE NEEDS OF BUSINESS OR PROFESSION OF THE ASSESSEE OR TH E BENEFIT DERIVED BY OR ACCRUING TO THE ASSESSEE THEREFROM, SO MUCH OF THE EXPENDITURE AS IS SO CONSIDERED BY HIM TO BE EXCESSIVE OR UNREASONABLE SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED AS A DEDUCTION. IN OTHER WORDS, IF THE EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY THE ASSESSEE IS CONSIDERED BY THE AO TO BE OF EXCESSIVE OR UNREASONABLE, HAVING REGARD TO THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE GOODS, SERVICES OR FACILITIES FOR WHICH THE PAYMENT IS MADE OR THE LEGITIMATE NEEDS OF THE ASSESEE FOR BUSINESS OR PROFESSION OR THE BENEFIT DERIVED BY THE ASESSEE OR ACCRUING TO THE ASSESSEE FOR PAYMENT, THEN SO MUCH OF THE EXPENDITURE AS IS SO CONSIDERED BY THE AO TO BE EXCESSIVE OR UNREASONABLE SHALL NOT BE 13 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD ALLOWED AS A DEDUCTION. IF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS ARE FULFILLED, THE AO CAN DISALLOW THE EXPENDITURE TO THE E XTENT HE CONSIDERS IT EXCESSIVE OR UNREASONABLE BY THE ABOVE OBJECTIVE STANDARDS OR OTHERWISE. THE OBJECT, SCOPE AND EFFECT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF SECTION 40A(2)(A) WAS EXPLAINED BY THE BOARD IN ITS CIRCULAR NO.6P OF 1968 DATED 6.7.1968 AND IN THAT CIRCULA R AT PARA 74, THE BOARD HAS STATED THAT WHERE PAYMENT FOR ANY EXPENDITURE IS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN MADE OF A RELATIVE OR ASSOCIATE CONCERN FALLING WITHIN THE SPECIFIED CATEGORIES, IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR THE AO TO SCRUTINIZE THE REASONABLENESS OF THE EXPENDI TURE WITH REFERENCE TO THE CRITERIA MENTIONED IN THE SECTION. IT WAS FURTHER STATED THAT THE AO IS EXPECTED TO EXERCISE HIS JUDGEMENT IN A REASONABLE AND FAIR MANNER, AND IT SHOULD BE BORNE IN MIND THAT THIS PROVISIONS IS MEANT TO CHECK EVASION OF TAX THRO UGH EXCESSIVE OR UNREASONABLE PAYMENTS TO RELATIVES AND ASSOCIATE CONCERNS AND SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED IN A MANNER, WHICH WILL CAUSE HARDSHIP IN BONAFIDE CASES. 10. IN THE CASE OF EDWISE CONSULTANTS PVT. LTD VS DCIT (SUPRA), THE CO - ORDINATE BENCH OF THIS TR IBUNAL HELD AS UNDER: WE HAVE EARLIER NOTICED THAT ALL THE DIRECTORS ARE IN CHARGE OF THE ENTIRE OPERATIONS OF THE ASSESSEE COMPANY AND THE FINANCIAL/OPERATIONAL RESULTS OF THE 14 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD COMPANY ARE GROWING EVERY YEAR. HENCE, ON THAT COUNT ALONE, THE SALARY AND INC ENTIVE PAID TO THE DIRECTORS COULD BE JUSTIFIED AND COULD NOT BE FOUND FAULT WITH, WITHOUT BRINGING THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF SERVICES. IN OUR VIEW, THE FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL RESULTS, JUSTIFY THE PAYMENTS MADE TO THE DIRECTORS. AT THIS JUNCTURE, IT IS P ERTINENT TO REFER TO THE BINDING DECISION RENDERED BY THE HONBLE JURISDICTIONAL BOMBAY HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF CIT VS. INDO SAUDI SERVICES (TRAVEL) (P) LTD (2009)(310 ITR 306), WHEREIN THE HONBLE BOMBAY HIGH COURT REFERRED TO THE CIRCULAR ISSUED BY CBD T WITH REGARD TO SEC. 40A(2)(A) AS UNDER: - UNDER THE CBDT CIRCULAR NO. 6 - P, DATED 6 TH JULY, 1968 IT IS STATED THAT NO DISALLOWANCE IS TO BE MADE UNDER SECTION 40A(2) IN RESPECT OF PAYMENTS MADE TO RELATIVES AND SISTER CONCERNS WHERE THERE IS NO ATTEMPT T O EVADE TAX. IN THE CASE BEFORE THE BOMBAY HIGH COURT, THE REVENUE WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO SHOW AS TO HOW THE ASSESSEE THEREIN EVADED PAYMENT OF TAX BY ALLEGED PAYMENT MADE TO ITS SISTER CONCERN, SINCE THE SISTER CONCERN WAS ALSO PAYING TAX AT HIGHER RAT E AND HENCE THE DISALLOWANCE MADE U/S 40A(2)(A) WAS DELETED. WE FURTHER NOTICE THAT THE HONBLE BOMBAY HIGH COURT HAS EXPRESSED IDENTICAL VIEW IN THE CASE OF V.S. DEMPO & CO. (P) LTD (336 ITR 209) ALSO. THE HONBLE PUNJAB 15 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD & HARYANA HIGH COURT HAS ALSO EXPR ESSED SIMILAR VIEW IN THE CASE OF CIT VS. SIYA RAM GARG (HUF) (2011)(237 CTR 321). RESPECTFULLY FOLLOWING THE SAID ORDER, WE HOLD THAT THE PROVISIONS OF SEC. 194H ARE ATTRACTED TO THE PAYMENTS MADE TOWARDS SUB - BROKERAGE BUT NOT THE PROVISIONS OF SEC. 194J AND WE REVERSE THE ORDER OF THE LD. CIT(A) IN HOLDING THAT PROVISIONS OF SEC. 40A(2) ARE ATTRACTED. THE GROUNDS RAISED BY THE ASSESSEE ARE ALLOWED. 10 . T HEREFORE , RESPECTFULLY FOLLOWING THE DECISION OF COORDINATE BENCH OF ITAT AS WELL AS HONBLE BOMBAY HI GH COURT , WHICH IS APPLICABLE MUTATIS MUTANDIS IN THE PRESENT CASE, WE ARE INCLINED TO ACCEPT THE SUBMISSION OF AR. ACCORDINGLY, THE GROUNDS RAISED BY THE REVENUE ARE DISMISSED. 11 . IN THE NET RESULT, THE APPEAL FILED BY THE REVENUE STA NDS DISMISSED . 12 . ORDER PRONOUNCED IN THE OPEN COURT 07/12/ 2020. SD/ - SD/ - (R. L. NEGI ) (S. RIFAUR RAHMAN ) / JUDICIAL MEMBER / ACCOUNTANT MEMBER MUMBAI ; DATED : 07.12 .2020 SR.PS. DHANANJAY 16 I.T.A. NO. 1811 /MUM/201 9 M/S SHCIL SERVICES LTD / COPY OF THE ORDER FORWARDED TO : 1. / THE APPELLANT 2. / THE RESPONDENT 3. ( ) / THE CIT(A) 4. / CIT - CONCERNED 5. , , / DR, ITAT, MUMBAI 6. / GUARD FILE / BY ORDER, . / (DY./ASSTT.REGISTRAR) , / ITAT, MUM BAI