ITO 16(2)(2), MUMBAI V. MATUSHREE BUILDERS & DEVELOPERS, MUMBAI

ITA 6178/MUM/2014

• Counselvise Citation: [2016] 131 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 1589 (ITAT-MUMBAI)
• Duration Of Justice: 2 year(s) 2 month(s) 12 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 19-12-2016
• Appeal Filed By: Department
• Order Result: Dismissed
• Bench Allotted: B
• Assessment Year: 2011-2012
• Appeal Filed On: 07-10-2014
• Result in Favour of: Assessee
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Department Lawyers: NEIL PHILIP
• Assessee Lawyers: BEHARILAL
• Keywords: Business income; Opportunity of being heard; Principle of natural justice; Rule of consistency; Question of law
• Section: 143(3); 145

Judgement Text

B IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL B BENCH, MUMBAI BEFORE SHRI JOGINDER SINGH, JUDICIAL MEMBER AND SHRI RAMIT KOCHAR, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER ./ I.T.A. NO.6178 /MUM/2014 ( / ASSESSMENT YEAR : 2011-12) I.T.O. 16(2)(2), R. NO. 214, 2ND FLOOR, MATRU MANDIR, TARDEO ROAD, MUMBAI 400 007. / V. M/S MATUSHREE BUILDERS & DEVELOPERS, 8-A, GR. FLR., APOLLO HOUSE, B.S. MARG, FORT, MUMBAI 400 023. ./ PAN :AANFM0260F ( / APPELLANT ) .. ( / RESPONDENT ) REVENUE BY : SH RI NEIL PHILIP ASSESSEE BY : SHRI BEHARILAL / DATE OF HEARING : 01-11-2016 / DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT : 19-12-2016 / O R D E R PER RAMIT KOCHAR, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER THIS APPEAL, FILED BY THE REVENUE, BEING ITA NO. 6 178/MUM/2014, IS DIRECTED AGAINST THE APPELLATE ORDER DATED 23 RD JULY, 2014 PASSED BY LEARNED COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)- 27, MUMBAI (H EREINAFTER CALLED THE CIT(A)), FOR THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2011-12, THE APPE LLATE PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE LEARNED CIT(A) ARISING FROM THE ASSESSMENT ORDE R DATED 24 TH FEBRUARY, 2014 PASSED BY THE LEARNED ASSESSING OFFICER (HEREI NAFTER CALLED THE AO) U/S 143(3) OF THE INCOME-TAX ACT,1961 (HEREINAFTER CALL ED THE ACT). ITA 6178/MUM/2014 2 2. THE GROUNDS OF APPEAL RAISED BY THE REVENUE IN THE MEMO OF APPEAL FILED WITH THE INCOME-TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, MUMBA I (HEREINAFTER CALLED THE TRIBUNAL) READ AS UNDER:- 1. WHETHER ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE AND IN THE LAW, THE LD. CIT (A) WAS JUSTIFIED IN DELETING THE ADDITION OF 10% OF WORK IN PROGRESS AT RS. 1,23,39,676/- MADE BY THE AS SESSING OFFICER FOLLOWING PERCENTAGE COMPLETION METHOD AS AGAINST THE PR OJECT COMPLETION METHOD ADOPTED BY THE ASSESSEE WHICH LED TO POSTPONEMENT OF TAX LIABILITY. 2. THE APPELLANT CRAVES LEAVE TO AMEND OR ALTER ANY G ROUND OR ADD A NEW GROUND WHICH MAY BE NECESSARY. THE APPELLANT PRAYS THAT THE ORDER OF THE CIT (A) ON TH E ABOVE GROUNDS BE SET ASIDE AND THAT OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER BE RES TORED. 3. THE BRIEF FACTS OF THE CASE ARE THAT THE ASSESSE E IS ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING. THE ASSESSEE HAS UNDERTAKEN A PROJECT IN THE NAME OF QUANTUM TOWER, RAMBAUG, S.V. ROAD, MALAD (W), MUMBAI. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT WAS COMMENCED IN TH E FINANCIAL YEAR 2008-09. THE ASSESSEE IS FOLLOWING PROJECT COMPLETION METHO D OF ACCOUNTING AND HAS CLAIMED TO HAVE OFFERED TO TAX INCOME ON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT BY FOLLOWING PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD , WHILE REVENUE IS CONT ENDING THAT THE ASSESSEE HAS POSTPONED ITS TAX LIABILITY BY FOLLOWING PROJE CT COMPLETION METHOD AND INSTEAD THE ASSESSEE SHOULD HAVE FOLLOWED PERCENTA GE COMPLETION METHOD TO OFFER INCOME FOR TAXATION. THUS, THE CONTROVERSY R EVOLVED AROUND BRINGING TO TAX THE INCOME OF THE PROJECT BY THE BUILDER WHEREI N THE ASSESSEE HAVING FOLLOWED PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD WHILE THE REVE NUE IS CONTENDED THAT THE ASSESSEE SHOULD FOLLOW PERCENTAGE COMPLETION METHO D FOR OFFERING TO TAX INCOME EARNED ON THE PROJECT CARRIED ON BY THE ASSE SSEE. THE ASSESSEE HAS CONTENDED BEFORE THE A.O. THAT THE ASSESSEE IS BUIL DER , AND SINCE INCEPTION THE ASSESSEE IS FOLLOWING PROJECT COMPLETION METHO D WHICH IS ACCEPTED BY THE REVENUE , AS THE RETURN OF INCOME HAS BEEN FILED FO R ASSESSMENT YEARS 2009- 10 & 2010-11 BY THE ASSSSEE BY FOLLOWING PROJECT C OMPLETION METHOD WHEREIN ITA 6178/MUM/2014 3 NO INCOME WAS OFFERED TO TAX KEEPING IN VIEW THAT T HE PROJECT WAS NOT COMPLETED IN THE SAID YEARS AND SHALL BE OFFERED FO R TAXATION WHEN THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED BY FOLLOWING PROJECT COMPLETION METHO D. THE AO RELIED UPON DECISION OF MUMBAI-TRIBUNAL IN CHAMPION CONSTRUCTIO N COMPANY V. ITO , 5 ITD 495(MUM-TRIB) WHEREIN MUMBAI-TRIBUNAL HELD THAT INCOME OF THE PROJECT SHOULD BE COMPUTED AND TAXED YEAR WISE. THE TRIBUNA L HELD THAT THE TAX-PAYER SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN LICENSE TO PUT OFF HIS TAX LIAB ILITY FOR UNLIMITED PERIOD. THE ASSESSEE SUBMITTED THAT ACCOUNTING STANDARD AS-7 IS SUED BY THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA(ICAI) IS APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTOR AND NOT TO BUILDER . THE ASSESSEE SUBMITTED THAT WITH RESPECT TO BUILDER, THE ASSESSEE CAN FOLLOW PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD AND OFFER TH E TAX ON INCOME WHEN THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED. IT WAS SUBMITTED THAT IN CASE OF BUILDER, IF THE PROJECT IS NOT COMPLETED DUE TO ANY REASON, BUILDERS ARE COMPE LLED TO RETURN THE ADVANCE BOOKING AMOUNT RECEIVED . IT WAS SUBMITTED THAT WHILE IN THE CASE OF CONTRACTORS UNDERTAKING CONSTRUCTION WORK IS DONE O N BEHALF OF OTHER AND REVENUE BECOMES CRYSTALLIZED ON THE EXECUTION OF CO NTRACT WITH TIME AND MILESTONES AND HENCE PERCENTAGE COMPLETION METHOD I S STIPULATED BY AS-7 FOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES. IT WAS SUBMITTED THAT IN C ASE OF BUILDER , THE TAX-PAYER CAN FOLLOW PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD , WHILE AS PER AS -7 PERCENTAGE COMPLETION METHOD IS APPLICABLE TO THE CONTRACTORS. IT WAS FURTHER SUBMITTED THAT AS PER SECTION 145 OF THE ACT, THE REVENUE HAS NOT STIPULATED ANY METHOD FOR COMPUTING THE INCOME FOR THE BUILDERS AND HENCE THE ASSESSEE CAN FOLLOW PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD , AND SAME HAS BEEN CONSI STENTLY FOLLOWED BY THE ASSESSEE WHICH HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE REVENUE IN THE TWO IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING YEARS I.E. ASSESSMENT YEAR 2009-10 AND 20 10-11. THE A.O. REJECTED THE CONTENTION OF THE ASSESSEE AND COMPUTED THE INC OME @ 10% OF THE CLOSING WORK-IN-PROGRESS HELD BY THE ASSESSEE AS AT YEAR EN D OF RS. 39,93,42,253/-, WHEREIN INCOME WAS WORKED OUT TO BE RS. 3,99,34,225 /- AND THE SAME WAS ADDED TO THE INCOME OF THE ASSESSEE BY THE AO VIDE ASSESSMENT ORDER DATED 24-02-2014 PASSED BY THE AO U/S 143(3) OF THE ACT. ITA 6178/MUM/2014 4 4. AGGRIEVED BY THE ASSESSMENT ORDER DATED 24-02-20 14 PASSED BY THE A.O. U/S 143(3) OF THE ACT, THE ASSESSEE FILED APPEAL BE FORE THE LD. CIT(A). 5. THE LD. CIT(A) ACCEPTED THE CONTENTIONS RAISED B Y THE ASSESSEE AND HELD THAT CONSISTENCY HAS TO BE FOLLOWED AND SINCE THE R EVENUE HAS ACCEPTED THE METHOD OF ACCOUNTING FOLLOWED BY THE ASSESSEE IN TH E EARLIER YEARS, THE REVENUE CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO CHANGE THE METHOD OF A CCOUNTING IN THE IMPUGNED ASSESSMENT YEAR BY SHIFTING FROM THE PROJ ECT COMPLETION METHOD TO PERCENTAGE COMPLETION METHOD FOR OFFERING INCOME TO TAX. THE LEARNED CIT(A) ALSO ACCEPTED THE CONTENTION OF THE ASSESSEE, THAT IN CASE OF BUILDER PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD CAN BE FOLLOWED BY THE TAX-PAYER, VIDE APPELLATE ORDER DATED 23-07-2014 PASSED BY LEARNED CIT(A). 6. AGGRIEVED BY THE APPELLATE ORDER DATED 23-07-201 4 PASSED BY LD. CIT(A), THE REVENUE IS IN APPEAL BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL. 5. THE LD. D.R. RELIED ON THE ORDER OF THE A.O. AND SUBMITTED THAT THE ASSESSEE IS FOLLOWING PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD U NDER WHICH THE INCOME CANNOT BE CORRECTLY COMPUTED AND THE ASSESSEE SHOUL D HAVE FOLLOWED THE PERCENTAGE COMPLETION METHOD.THE LD DR RELIED UPON THE ASSESSMENT ORDER OF THE AO. 6. THE LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE SUBMITTED THAT THE ASSESSEE IS BUILDER AND HAD CONSISTENTLY FOLLOWING PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD AND THE INCOME HAS BEEN OFFERED FOR TAXATION IN THE YEAR WHEN THE PROJECT WAS COMPLETED, THE ASSESSEE HAS DULY PAID THE TAXES TO THE REVENUE ALB EIT IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS AND NO PREJUDICE IS CAUSED TO THE REVENUE. IT WAS S UBMITTED THAT THE ASSESSEE IS BUILDER AND THE ASSESSEE CAN FOLLOW PRO JECT COMPLETION METHOD AS IN THE CASE OF BUILDER, THE REVENUE GETS CRYSTALLIZ ED WHEN THE BUILDING IS ITA 6178/MUM/2014 5 COMPLETED AS IN CASE OF ANY DEFAULT , THE BUILDER M AY BE REQUIRED TO REFUND THE ADVANCE RECEIVED ON BOOKINGS FROM THE BUYERS OF THE FLAT. THE LD. COUNSEL SUBMITTED THAT REVENUE HAS DULY ACCEPTED THE PROJE CT COMPLETION METHOD FOLLOWED BY THE ASSESSEE IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDI NG TWO YEARS. THE LD. COUNSEL SUBMITTED THAT PRINCIPLE OF CONSISTENCY HAS TO BE MAINTAINED AND THE REVENUE CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO CHANGE THE METHOD OF A CCOUNTING SUDDENLY IN THE IMPUGNED ASSESSMENT YEAR WHILE ALLOWING THE ASS ESSEE TO FOLLOW PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD IN THE EARLIER YEARS .THE LD. CO UNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE RELIED UPON THE APPELLATE ORDERS OF THE LEARNED CIT (A). THE LEARNED COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE RELIED UPON FOLLOWING DECISIONS : (I) CIT V. MANISH BUILD WELL (P) LTD. 245 CTR (DEL) 39 7 (II) AWADHESH BUILDERS V. ITO 37 SOT 122 (MUMBAI)(TRIB ) (III) ITO V. PRATIKSHA ENTERPRISES 4 DTR (MUMBAI)(TRIB) 547 (IV) ABODE CONSTRUCTION LTD. V. ITO 95 TTJ (MUMBAI)(TR IB) 35 (V) ACIT V.RAJESH BUILDERS 3 SOT 917 (MUMBAI)(TRIB) 7. WE HAVE HEARD THE RIVAL SUBMISSIONS AND PERUSED THE MATERIAL INCLUDING THE CASE LAWS CITED BY BOTH THE PARTIES. THE ASSESSEE IS ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING NAMELY QU ANTUM TOWER, AT RAMBAUG, S.V. ROAD, MALAD (W), MUMBAI. THE CONSTRU CTION OF THE SAID BUILDING STARTED IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2008-09 . TH E ASSESSEE OBTAINED THE COMMENCEMENT CERTIFICATE IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 2 009 AND THE CONSTRUCTION WORK ALSO STARTED IMMEDIATELY. WE FIN D THAT THE ASSESSEE IS CONSISTENTLY FOLLOWING PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD OF ACCOUNTING AND THE SAME WAS ACCEPTED BY THE REVENUE IN THE PRECEDING TWO YE ARS I.E. ASSESSMENT YEAR 2009-10 AND 2010-11 AND THE LD. DR COULD NOT CONTRO VERT THE SAME BEFORE US. THE PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD OF ACCOUNTING HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY FOLLOWED BY THE ASSESSEE IN THE EARLIER YEARS FOR O FFERING INCOME TO TAX WHICH WAS ACCEPTED BY REVENUE IN THE PRECEDING YEARS 2009 -10 AND 2010-11 , AND ITA 6178/MUM/2014 6 IT IS THE CONTENTION OF THE ASSESSEE THAT NO PREJUD ICE HAS BEEN CAUSED TO THE REVENUE AS ALL DUE TAXES HAVE BEEN PAID TO REVENUE IN RESPECT OF THE SAID PROJECT QUANTUM TOWER, RAMBAUG, S.V. ROAD, MALAD (W), MUMBAI , ALBEIT IN THE SUBSEQUENT YEARS WHEN PROJECT WAS COMPLETED. TH E PROJECT IS STATED BY THE ASSESSEE TO HAVE BEEN COMPLETED IN THE FINANCIA L YEAR 2013-14. THE ASSESSEE HAS PLACED ON RECORD THE COPY OF PROVISION AL PROFIT & LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2013-14 (PAPER BOOK/PAGE 23) WHICH WAS ALSO SUBMITTED BEFORE LEARNED CIT(A)(PAPER BOOK/PAGE 22) , WHEREBY THE PROFIT EARNED BY THE ASSESSEE IS REFLECTED AT RS. 3.85 CRO RES ON TOTAL SALES OF RS. 42.10 CRORES WHILE CLOSING STOCK IS REFLECTED AT RS . 29.5 CRORES. HOWEVER, AUDITED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT AS WELL INCOME TAX RETURN FOR THE SAID FINANCIAL YEAR 2013-14 ARE NOT PLACED ON RECORD BEF ORE THE TRIBUNAL TO EVIDENCE THAT THE ENTIRE PROFITS ON THIS PROJECT Q UANTUM TOWER WAS OFFERED TO TAX BY THE ASSESSEE IN THE RETURN(S) OF INCOME FILE D WITH THE REVENUE ALBEIT IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS AND DUE TAXES WERE PAID TO REVENUE ON THE ENTIRE PROJECT BY FOLLOWING PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD. THE ASSESSEE HAS RELIED UPON FOLLOWING CASE LAWS : (VI) CIT V. MANISH BUILD WELL (P) LTD. 245 CTR (DEL) 39 7 (VII) AWADHESH BUILDERS V. ITO 37 SOT 122 (MUMBAI)(TRIB ) (VIII) ITO V. PRATIKSHA ENTERPRISES 4 DTR (MUMBAI)(TRIB) 547 (IX) ABODE CONSTRUCTION LTD. V. ITO 95 TTJ (MUMBAI)(TR IB) 35 (X) ACIT V.RAJESH BUILDERS 3 SOT 917 (MUMBAI)(TRIB) WE HAVE OBSERVED THAT THE COURTS/TRIBUNAL HAS CONSI STENTLY ALLOWED FOLLOWING PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD IN CASES OF BUILDERS AS THE BUILDERS ARE STATED TO HAVE EARNED PROFITS ON THE SALE OF THE FLATS AND ON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT AS ANY ABANDONMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE PROJECT DUE T O ANY REASON MID-WAY WILL ENTAIL REFUND OF BOOKING ADVANCE TO THE BUYERS VIS--VIS CONTRACTORS ITA 6178/MUM/2014 7 ENGAGED IN CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES FOR THEIR CLIENT S WHEREIN ANY ABANDONMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION BY THEIR CLIENT WILL NOT AFFECT THEIR REVENUE AS THEY ARE UNDERTAKING CONSTRUCTION ON BEHALF OF THE CLIENTS, AND MERELY PLEA RAISED BY REVENUE THAT UNDER PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD THE TRUE AND CORRECT PROFIT COULD NOT BE ASCERTAINED IS NOT SUPPORTED BY ANY MA TERIAL ON RECORD TO PROVE THAT THE ASSESSEE HAS USED THIS METHOD TO POSTPONE TAX LIABILITY INDEFINITELY AND/OR TO EVADE THE TAXES , AND WHICH NECESSITATED AND REQUIRED ADOPTION OF OTHER METHOD OF ACCOUNTING AS CONTEMPLATED U/S 145 OF THE ACT. IT IS NOT SHOWN BY LEARNED DR THAT GOVERNMENT HAS PRESCRIBED ADOPTION OF PERCENTAGE COMPLETION METHOD OF ACCOUNTING FOR BUILDERS U/S 14 5 OF THE ACT AND THE BUILDERS CANNOT FOLLOW PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD OF ACCOUNTING WITHIN THE MANDATE OF SECTION 145 OF THE ACT. IT IS ALSO NOT S HOWN THAT PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD FOLLOWED BY THE ASSESSEE IS IN IN FRINGEMENT OF CASH OR MERCANTILE METHOD OF ACCOUNTING AS STIPULATED U/S 1 45 OF THE ACT. THE REVENUE HAS ACCEPTED THE PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING TWO YEARS I.E. ASSESSMENT YEAR 2009-10 AN D 2010-11. IT IS ALSO NOT SHOWN BY LEARNED DR THAT THE PROJECT COMPLETION MET HOD OF COMPUTING INCOME IS NOT ALLOWED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT OR IT DOES NOT YIELD IN COMPUTING CORRECT INCOME OF THE ASSESSEE. IT IS WEL L SETTLED THAT PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD IS ONE OF RECOGNIZED METHOD OF AC COUNTING. THE ABOVE VIEW IS SUPPORTED BY DECISION OF HONBLE DELHI HIGH COUR T IN THE CASE OF CIT V. MANISH BUILD WELL PRIVATE LIMITED(SUPRA), WHEREIN H ONBLE DELHI HIGH COURT OBSERVED AS UNDER: 8. IT IS WELL SETTLED THAT THE PROJECT COMPLETION MET HOD IS ONE OF THE RECOGNIZED METHODS OF ACCOUNTING. IN CIT V. HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO. LTD. [2007] 291 ITR 482 / 161 TAXMAN 191 (SC) THE SUPREME COURT HELD AS FOLLOWS:- ITA 6178/MUM/2014 8 'LASTLY, THERE IS A CONCEPT IN ACCOUNTS WHICH IS CA LLED THE CONCEPT OF CONTRACT ACCOUNTS. UNDER THAT CONCEPT, TWO METHO DS EXIST FOR ASCERTAINING PROFIT FOR CONTRACTS, NAMELY, 'COMPLET ED CONTRACT METHOD' AND 'PERCENTAGE OF COMPLETION METHOD'. TO K NOW THE RESULTS OF HIS OPERATIONS, THE CONTRACTOR PREPARES WHAT IS CALLED A CONTRACT ACCOUNT WHICH IS DEBITED WITH VARIOUS COST S AND WHICH IS CREDITED WITH REVENUE ASSOCIATED WITH A PARTICULAR CONTRACT. HOWEVER, THE RULES OF RECOGNITION OF COST AND REVEN UE DEPEND ON THE METHOD OF ACCOUNTING. TWO METHODS ARE PRESCRIBE D IN ACCOUNTING STANDARD NO.7. THEY ARE 'COMPLETED CONTR ACT METHOD' AND 'PERCENTAGE OF COMPLETION METHOD'. THIS VIEW WAS REITERATED BY THE SUPREME COURT IN CI T V. BILAHARI INVESTMENT (P.) LTD. [2008] 299 ITR 1/168 TAXMAN 95 WITH THE FOLLOWING OBSERVATIONS: 'RECOGNITION/IDENTIFICATION OF INCOME UNDER THE 196 1 ACT IS ATTAINABLE BY SEVERAL METHODS OF ACCOUNTING. IT MAY BE NOTED THAT THE SAME RESULT COULD BE ATTAINED BY ANY ONE OF THE ACCOUNTING METHODS. THE COMPLETED CONTRACT METHOD IS ONE SUCH METHOD. SIMILARLY, THE PERCENTAGE OF COMPLETION METHOD IS A NOTHER SUCH METHOD. UNDER THE COMPLETED CONTRACT METHOD, THE REVENUE IS NOT RECOGNIZED UNTIL THE CONTRACT IS COMPLETE. UNDER THE SAID METHOD, CO STS ARE ACCUMULATED DURING THE COURSE OF THE CONTRACT. THE PROFIT AND L OSS IS ESTABLISHED IN THE LAST ACCOUNTING PERIOD AND TRANSFERRED TO THE PROFI T AND LOSS ACCOUNT. THE SAID METHOD DETERMINES RESULTS ONLY WHEN THE CONTRA CT IS COMPLETED. THIS METHOD LEADS TO OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE RESULTS OF THE CONTRACT. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE PERCENTAGE OF COMPLETION MET HOD TRIES TO ATTAIN PERIODIC RECOGNITION OF INCOME IN ORDER TO REFLECT CURRENT PERFORMANCE. THE ITA 6178/MUM/2014 9 AMOUNT OF REVENUE RECOGNIZED UNDER THIS METHOD IS D ETERMINED BY REFERENCE TO THE STAGE OF COMPLETION OF THE CONTRAC T. THE STAGE OF COMPLETION CAN BE LOOKED AT UNDER THIS METHOD BY TA KING INTO CONSIDERATION THE PROPORTION THAT COSTS INCURRED TO DATE BEARS TO THE ESTIMATED TOTAL COSTS OF CONTRACT. THE ABOVE INDICATES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COMP LETED CONTRACT METHOD AND THE PERCENTAGE OF COMPLETION METHOD.' (U NDERLINING OURS) 9. AFTER THE ABOVE JUDGMENTS OF THE SUPREME COURT IT CANNOT BE SAID THAT THE PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD FOLLOWED BY THE ASSES SEE WOULD RESULT IN DEFERMENT OF THE PAYMENT OF THE TAXES WHICH ARE TO BE ASSESSED ANNUALLY UNDER THE INCOME TAX ACT. ACCOUNTING STANDARDS 7 (A S7) ISSUED BY THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA ALSO RE COGNIZE THE POSITION THAT IN THE CASE OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS, THE ASS ESSEE CAN FOLLOW EITHER THE PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD OR THE PERCENTAGE COM PLETION METHOD. IN VIEW OF THE JUDGMENTS OF THE SUPREME COURT (SUPRA), THE FINDING OF THE CIT (A), UPHELD BY THE TRIBUNAL, DOES NOT GIVE RISE TO ANY SUBSTANTIAL QUESTION OF LAW. FURTHER, THE TRIBUNAL HAS ALSO FOU ND THAT THERE WAS NO JUSTIFICATION ON THE PART OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER TO ADOPT THE PERCENTAGE COMPLETION METHOD FOR ONE YEAR (THE YEAR UNDER APPE AL) ON SELECTIVE BASIS. THIS WILL DISTORT THE COMPUTATION OF THE TRU E PROFITS AND GAINS OF THE BUSINESS. FOR THESE REASONS, WE ARE OF THE VIEW THA T NO SUBSTANTIAL QUESTION OF LAW ARISES. WE, THEREFORE, DECLINE TO A DMIT QUESTION NOS. 2 AND 3. WE HAVE ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE TRIBUNAL IN THE CASE OF AWADHESH BUILDER V. ITO(SUPRA) HELD AS UNDER: ITA 6178/MUM/2014 10 2.6 WE HAVE PERUSED THE RECORDS AND CONSIDERED THE RIV AL CONTENTIONS CAREFULLY. THE ASSESSEE IS A BUILDER AND REAL ESTAT E DEVELOPER. THE DISPUTE IS REGARDING YEAR OF ACCOUNTING OF INCOME. THE DISPUTE IS NOT WHETHER THE ASSESSEE HAD UNDERESTIMATED THE INCOME IN A PARTICULAR YEAR. THE ASSESSEE HAS BEEN FOLLOWING PROJECT COMPL ETION METHOD AS PER WHICH INCOME HAS TO BE ACCOUNTED IN THE YEAR IN WHI CH PROJECT IS COMPLETE AND THE FLATS ARE SOLD. THE ASSESSEE IN TH E EARLIER TWO YEARS FOLLOWED THE SAME METHOD WHICH HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE DEPARTMENT. THOUGH THE EARLIER RETURNS WERE ACCEPTED SUMMARILY UNDER SECTION 143(1), THE FACT IS THAT THESE ASSESSMENTS HAVE BEC OME FINAL AND METHOD FOLLOWED BY THE ASSESSEE IN THESE YEARS STANDS ACCE PTED BY THE DEPARTMENT. HOWEVER, IN THE CURRENT YEAR, THE DEPAR TMENT HAS TRIED TO ASSESS THE INCOME ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGE COMPLE TION METHOD AS PER WHICH THE INCOME HAS TO BE ASSESSED ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGE OF WORK COMPLETED DURING THE YEAR. THE CASE OF THE DEPARTME NT IS THAT THE PROFIT IS INBUILT INTO THE QUANTUM OF WORK DONE BY THE ASSESS EE AND, THEREFORE, THE PROFIT HAS TO BE COMPUTED ANNUALLY ON THE BASIS OF WORK DONE IN A PARTICULAR YEAR. THE DEPARTMENT HAS PLACED RELIANCE ON THE JUDGMENT OF HONBLE HIGH COURT OF DELHI IN CASE OF TIRATH RAM A HUJA (SUPRA) AND ON THE JUDGMENT OF HONBLE HIGH COURT OF PATNA IN CASE OF SRI SUKHDEODAS JALAN (SUPRA). REFERENCE HAS ALSO BEEN MADE TO THE DECISION OF TRIBUNAL IN CASE OF CHAMPION CONSTRUCTION CO. (SUPRA). 2.7 HOWEVER, ON CAREFUL PERUSAL OF THE ABOVE ORDERS, W E FIND THAT THE SAME ARE DISTINGUISHABLE. THE CASE OF TIRATH RAM AH UJA (SUPRA) AND SRI SUKHDEODAS JALAN (SUPRA) RELATED TO THE PROFIT DECL ARED BY A CONTRACTOR. THE CASE OF A CONTRACTOR IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER. THE PROFIT EARNED BY A CONTRACTOR DEPENDS UPON THE QUANTUM OF WORK DONE AND IS NOT DEPENDENT ON WHETHER THE FLATS/SHOP S CONSTRUCTED ARE ITA 6178/MUM/2014 11 ACTUALLY SOLD BY THE OWNER OR NOT. THEREFORE, IN CA SE OF A CONTRACTOR, PROFIT CAN BE ESTIMATED ON THE BASIS OF WORK DONE. IN CASE OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, HE CAN EARN THE PROFIT ONLY WHEN THE SPA CE CONSTRUCTED SOLD. IN CASE, DUE TO SOME REASONS, THE PROJECT IS TERMIN ATED OR IS ABANDONED THE BUILDER HAS TO REFUND THE ADVANCES RECEIVED FRO M THE BUYERS AND IN THAT CASE, THERE CANNOT BE ANY PROFIT BECAUSE THE F LATS/SHOPS COULD NOT BE SOLD AS THE CONSTRUCTION REMAINED INCOMPLETE. IN THAT CASE, IT WILL BE ONLY A CASE OF INVESTMENT BY THE BUILDER PROFIT FRO M WHICH WILL ARISE ONLY ON SALE OF FLATS. SIMILARLY THE CASE OF CHAMPION CO NSTRUCTION CO. (SUPRA) IS ALSO DISTINGUISHABLE AS IN THAT CASE CONSTRUCTIO N WAS COMPLETE AND 80 PER CENT OF THE FLATS HAD BEEN SOLD. 2.8 IT IS ESTABLISHED LEGAL POSITION THAT AN ASSESSEE CAN FOLLOW ANY RECOGNISED METHOD OF ACCOUNTING AND CONDITION IS TH AT THE SAME METHOD HAS TO BE FOLLOWED CONSISTENTLY. IN CASE OF A BUILD ING PROJECT, THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA WHICH IS AN AUTHO RITY ON PRESCRIBING ACCOUNTING STANDARDS HAD PRESCRIBED ACCOUNTING STAN DARD AS-7 IN 1983 FOR ACCOUNTING OF INCOME IN RESPECT OF REAL ESTATE PROJECTS AND IN TERMS OF AS-7 WHICH WAS APPLICABLE TO BOTH CONTRACTOR AND RE AL ESTATE DEVELOPER, A PERSON IS FREE TO FOLLOW EITHER OF PROJECT COMPLE TION METHOD OR PERCENTAGE COMPLETION METHOD DEPENDING UPON THE NAT URE OF PROJECT. THE ASSESSEE, IN THIS CASE, HAS FOLLOWED PROJECT COMPLE TION METHOD WHICH IS ONE OF THE PRESCRIBED METHODS BY THE INSTITUTE OF C HARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA. THE ACCOUNTING STANDARD AS-7 WAS SUBSEQUE NTLY REVISED AND REVISED STATEMENTS WERE MADE APPLICABLE TO HOUSING PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN ON OR AFTER 1-4-2003 AND AS PER THE REVISED STANDAR DS, REVISED AS-7 WAS APPLICABLE ONLY TO A CONTRACTOR AND IN CASE OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, REVISED AS-9 WAS PRESCRIBED AS PER WHICH THE INCOME HAS TO BE ACCOUNTED ONLY ON COMPLETION OF PROJECT WHEN THE FL ATS ARE ITA 6178/MUM/2014 12 SOLD, I.E., WHEN LEGAL TITLE PASSES TO THE BUYER OR WHEN SELLER ENTERS INTO AGREEMENT WITH THE BUYER FOR THE SALE AND GIVES POS SESSION TO THE BUYER UNDER THE AGREEMENT. IN THIS CASE, THE PROJECT WAS NOT COMPLETE DURING THE YEAR AND, THEREFORE, THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF P ASSING ON OF THE TITLE OF OWNERSHIP OR HANDING OVER OF THE POSSESSION. THUS, EVEN IN TERMS OF THE REVISED ACCOUNTING STANDARD WHICH WAS APPLICABLE FO R MOST PART OF THE WORK DONE BY THE ASSESSEE THE INCOME HAD BEEN CORRE CTLY DECLARED AS PER PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD IN THE YEAR OF COMPLE TION. EVEN IF ONE APPLIES THE OLD ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ON THE GROUND THAT THE PROJECT OF THE ASSESSEE HAD BEEN UNDERTAKEN PRIOR TO 1-4-2003, THE ASSESSEE WAS FREE TO FOLLOW EITHER PERCENTAGE COMPLETION METHOD OR PR OJECT COMPLETION METHOD. THE ASSESSEE HAS FOLLOWED PROJECT COMPLETIO N METHOD WHICH WAS ONE OF THE PRESCRIBED METHODS AND THE SAME METHOD H AS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE EARLIER YEARS. DEPARTMENT, THEREFORE, CANNOT REJECT THE METHOD AND APPLY PERCENTAGE COMPLETION M ETHOD IN A SUBSEQUENT YEAR. THIS VIEW IS ALSO SUPPORTED BY SEV ERAL DECISIONS OF THE TRIBUNAL AS MENTIONED IN PARA 2.5 OF THIS ORDER EAR LIER WHICH HAVE BEEN RELIED UPON BY THE LEARNED AR OF THE ASSESSEE. THE ASSESSEE ALREADY, FOLLOWING THE SAME METHOD, HAS DECLARED THE ENTIRE INCOME IN ASSESSMENT YEAR 2007-08 WHEN THE PROJECT WAS COMPLE TE. THE SAME INCOME, THEREFORE, CANNOT BE ASSESSED IN THE EARLIE R YEAR BY REJECTING THE REGULAR AND RECOGNISED METHOD BEING FOLLOWED BY THE ASSESSEE. WE ARE, THEREFORE, UNABLE TO SUSTAIN THE ORDER OF CIT(A) UP HOLDING THE ORDER OF ASSESSING OFFICER REJECTING THE METHOD FOLLOWED BY THE ASSESSEE. THE ORDER OF CIT(A) IS SET ASIDE AND THE CLAIM OF THE A SSESSEE IS ALLOWED. WE ALSO FIND THAT THE ASSESSEE HAS CLAIMED TO HAV E DULY PAID THE ENTIRE TAXES FROM THE PROFIT EARNED ON THE SAID PROJECT BY FOLLO WING PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD ALBEIT IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS AND IT IS CLAIMED THAT NO PREJUDICE HAS ITA 6178/MUM/2014 13 BEEN CAUSED TO THE REVENUE. BUT, HOWEVER TO SUBSTAN TIATE THIS CONTENTIONS EVIDENCES ARE NOT PLACED ON RECORD BY THE ASSESSEE BEFORE US EXCEPT PROVISIONAL PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR FINANCIAL Y EAR 2013-14. AFTER CONSIDERING THE VARIOUS CASE LAWS CITED BY THE ASSE SSEE BASED ON PECULIAR FACTS OF THE CASE, WE ARE OF THE CONSIDERED VIEW TH AT CONSISTENCY HAS TO BE FOLLOWED AS THE REVENUE HAS ACCEPTED THE PROJECT C OMPLETION METHOD IN THE PAST . THE ENTIRE PROFIT FROM THIS PROJECT IS STATE D TO HAVE BEEN OFFERED FOR TAXATION AND DUE TAXES ARE STATED TO HAVE BEEN PAID TO THE REVENUE ALBEIT IN ASSESSMENT YEAR 2014-15. IN OUR CONSIDERED VIEW IN ORDER TO RENDER SUBSTANTIAL JUSTICE AND FAIR PLAY IN THE INSTANT CA SE KEEPING IN VIEW PECULIAR FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, WE ARE INCLINE D TO ACCEPT THE APPELLATE ORDER OF THE LD. CIT(A) SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY THE A.O. THAT THE ENTIRE PROFITS EARNED BY THE ASSESSEE FROM THIS PROJECT QUANTUM T OWER IN TOTALITY HAS BEEN OFFERED FOR TAXATION AND DUE TAXES ON THIS PRO JECT WERE DULY PAID TO REVENUE AS CONTENDED BY THE ASSESSEE , ALBEIT IN T HE SUCCEEDING YEARS BY FOLLOWING PROJECT COMPLETION METHOD , (INCLUDING, INTER-ALIA, PROFIT EARNED ON SALES OF RS. 42.10 CRORES AS WELL ON CLOSING STOCK OF RS.29.50 CRORES) FOR WHICH THE ASSESSEE IS DIRECTED TO PRODUCE RELEVANT EVIDEN CE BEFORE THE AO TO SUBSTANTIATE THAT ENTIRE INCOME FROM THIS PROJECT I N TOTALITY HAS SUFFERED TAX AND NO PREJUDICE IS CAUSED TO THE REVENUE . IN VIEW OF OUR DETAILED DISCUSSION AND REASONING AS DETAILED ABOVE, THE APPEAL FILED B Y THE REVENUE IS DISMISSED SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY THE A.O. THAT THE ENTIRE PROFITS FROM THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN OFFERED FOR TAXATION BY THE ASSESSEE ALBEIT IN SUCCEEDING YEARS AND DUE TAXES HAVE BEEN PAID BY THE ASSESSEE TO THE REVENUE WITH RESPECT TO THE PROJECT QUANTUM TOWER, ON RAMBAUG, S.V. ROAD, MAL AD (W), MUMBAI. THE ASSESSEE IS DIRECTED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE AO AND PR ODUCE RELEVANT EVIDENCE TO SUBSTANTIATE ITS CONTENTIONS BEFORE THE AO. NEEDLES S TO SAY THAT THE AO SHALL GRANT ASSESSEE PROPER AND SUFFICIENT OPPORTUNITY OF BEING HEARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL JUSTICE IN ACCORDANCE WI TH LAW. WE ORDER ACCORDINGLY. ITA 6178/MUM/2014 14 8. IN THE RESULT, APPEAL FILED BY THE REVENUE IN IT A NO. 6178/MUM/2014 FOR ASSESSMENT YEAR 2011-12 IS DISMISSED AS INDICAT ED ABOVE. ORDER PRONOUNCED IN THE OPEN COURT ON 19 TH DECEMBER, 2016. # $% &' 19-12-2016 ( ) SD/- SD/- (JOGINDER SINGH) (RAMIT KOCHAR) JUDICIAL MEMBER ACCOUNTANT MEMBER $ MUMBAI ; & DATED 19-12-2016 [ .9../ R.K. R.K. R.K. R.K. , EX. SR. PS !'#$%&%# / COPY OF THE ORDER FORWARDED TO : 1. / THE APPELLANT 2. / THE RESPONDENT. 3. : ( ) / THE CIT(A)- CONCERNED, MUMBAI 4. : / CIT- CONCERNED, MUMBAI 5. =>( 99?@ , ?@ , $ / DR, ITAT, MUMBAI A BENCH 6. (BC D / GUARD FILE. / BY ORDER, = 9 //TRUE COPY// / ( DY./ASSTT. REGISTRAR) , $ / ITAT, MUMBAI