Indraprastha Logistics P.Ltd, New Delhi V. ACIT, circle-12(1), New Delhi

ITA 5708/DEL/2018

AI Insights

The case involves Indraprastha Logistics P. Ltd., which appealed against the order of the CIT(A)-22, New Delhi, which upheld the ad-hoc addition of Rs.31,80,000 to the returned loss on account of disallowance of salary expenses paid to related parties under section 40A(2)(b) of the Income Tax Act. The Assessing Officer had disallowed a total salary payment of Rs.63,60,000 made to 11 persons, relatives of the directors, on the grounds that the salaries were excessive compared to what could be paid to employees of similar qualifications and experience. The CIT(A) affirmed the AO's decision, leading to the appeal before the Tribunal.

• Counselvise Citation: [2023] 140 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 116173 (ITAT-DELHI)
• Duration Of Justice: 4 year(s) 11 month(s) 24 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 29-08-2023
• Appeal Filed By: Assessee
• Order Result: Allowed
• Bench Allotted: C
• Next Hearing Date: 07-08-2023
• Assessment Year: 2014-2015
• Appeal Filed On: 04-09-2018
• Laws Referred To: Income Tax Act
• Result in Favour of: Assessee
• Court: TRIBUNAL

Judgement Text

IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL DELHI BENCH ‘C’, NEW DELHI Before Sh. C. M. Garg, Judicial Member Dr. B. R. R. Kumar, Accountant Member ITA No. 5708/Del/2018 : Asstt. Year: 2014-15 Indraprastha Logistics P. Ltd., M-92, Greater Kailash, Part-II, New Delhi-110048 Vs. ACIT, Circle-12(1), New Delhi (APPELLANT) (RESPONDENT) PAN No. AABCI8635D Assessee by : Sh. Narendra Kr. Arora, CA Revenue by : Sh. Vivek Vardhan, Sr. DR Date of Hearing: 08.08.2023 Date of Pronouncement: 30.08.2023 ORDER Per Dr. B. R. R. Kumar, Accountant Member: The present appeal has been filed by the assessee against the order of ld. CIT(A)-22, new Delhi dated 27.06.2018. 2. The assessee has raised the following grounds of appeal: “1. The Ld. CIT(A) has erred both in law and in facts in upholding the Ad-Hoc addition of Rs.31,80,000/- made to the returned loss on account of disallowance of salary expenses made tor elated party covered u/s 40(A)(2)b) of IT Act ignoring the facts of the case justifying such payments.” 3. The assessee has made payment of Rs. 63,60,000/- to 11 persons which has been disallowed by the Assessing Officer u/s 40A(2)(b) of the Act. The Assessing Officer held that assessee has paid salary to the relatives of the directors who, as per their qualification and experience, are not eligible for such high ITA No. 5708/Del/2018 Indraprastha Logistics P Ltd 2 salary. The AO held that the assessee can hire employee of same qualification and experience on a one half of the salary given to the relatives. Therefore, the salary paid to the aforesaid relatives was considered excessive and 50% of Rs. 63,60,000/-, salary paid to the relatives was disallowed and added to the taxable income of the assessee. The ld. CIT(A) affirm the action of the AO holding that there is no justification and correlation between the payment of the salary and their contribution to the company. 4. Heard the arguments of both the parties and perused the material available on record. 5. We find that the AO has not brought anything on record by giving comparable cases to prove that the salary paid to these 11 persons are more than the market average. The disallowance made by the AO was certainly on ad-hoc basis and without any cogent material on record, hence, the disallowance made is hereby directed to be deleted. 6. In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed. Order Pronounced in the Open Court on 30/08/2023. Sd/- Sd/- (C. M. Garg) (Dr. B. R. R. Kumar) Judicial Member Accountant Member Dated: 30/08/2023 *Ajay Kumar Keot, Sr. PS* Copy forwarded to: 1. Appellant 2. Respondent 3. CIT 4. CIT(Appeals) 5. DR: ITAT ASSISTANT REGISTRAR