VXL India Ltd. V. Income Tax Officer

TAXAP/470/1999

AI Insights

The case involves VXL India Ltd., the appellant, contesting the decisions of the Income Tax Officer regarding the denial of investment allowance on the grounds of additional costs incurred due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The core legal questions pertained to the interpretation of sections 32A, 43A(1), and 43 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, particularly concerning when the costs associated with foreign exchange fluctuations should be recognized for tax purposes. The Tribunal had initially ruled against the appellant, following a Division Bench judgment, which was later overruled by a Larger Bench. The High Court, referencing the Full Bench judgment, reversed the Tribunal's decision, thereby favoring the appellant.

• Counselvise Citation: [2008] 140 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 805962 (HC-GUJARAT)
• Appeal Type: Others
• Pronouncement Date: 11-11-2008
• Assessment Year: misc
• Other Referred Cases: CIT Vs. Gujarat State Fertilizers Co. Ltd. (2003) 259 ITR 526, CIT Vs. Windsor Foods Ltd. (1999) 235 ITR 249
• Laws Referred To: Income Tax Act, 1961
• Result in Favour of: Others
• Court: HIGH COURT
• Department Lawyers: M M BHATT
• Assessee Lawyers: NITI SHETH; VAIBHAVI PARIKH
• Keywords: Assessment Year; Foreign Exchange; Incremental cost; Investment allowance; Rate of exchange fluctuations
• Section: 43; 32A; 43a(1)

Judgement Text

"TAXAP/46719/1999 1/3 JUDGMENT IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD TAX APPEAL No. 467 of 1999 WITH TAX APPEAL No. 468 of 1999 To TAX APPEAL No. 470 of 1999 For Approval and Signature: HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.A.MEHTA Sd/- HON'BLE SMT. JUSTICE ABHILASHA KUMARI Sd/- ========================================================= 1 Whether Reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment ? 2 To be referred to the Reporter or not ? 3 Whether their Lordships wish to see the fair copy of the judgment ? 4 Whether this case involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the constitution of India, 1950 or any order made thereunder ? 5 Whether it is to be circulated to the civil judge ? ========================================================= VXL INDIA LTD. - Appellant(s) Versus INCOME TAX OFFICER - Opponent(s) ========================================================= Appearance : MS NITI SHETH WITH MS VAIBHAVI PARIKH FOR MRS SWATI SOPARKAR for Appellant(s) : 1, MRS. M.M.BHATT for Respondent. NOTICE SERVED for Opponent(s) : 1, ========================================================= CORAM : HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.A.MEHTA and HON'BLE SMT. JUSTICE ABHILASHA KUMARI Date : 11/11/2008 ORAL JUDGMENT (Per : HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.A.MEHTA) TAXAP/46719/1999 2/3 JUDGMENT 1. The Appeals have been admitted on 16.10.2000 framing following identically worded substantial questions of law in each of the Appeal. “(1) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in law in holding that the appellant was not entitled to investment allowance under section 32A r/w section 43A(1) and section 43 of the I.T Act, 1961 in respect of the additional cost or any part thereof which it suffered in rupee term because of the fluctuations in the conversion rate of foreign exchange? (2) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was justified in concluding that the incremental cost arising on account of fluctuations in rate of exchange did not accrue in the current assessment year? (3) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was justified in concluding that the incremental cost arising on account of fluctuations in rate of exchange accrues only in the year of payment as per section 43A of the Income tax Act, 1961?\" 2. Heard learned Advocates appearing for the respective parties. It is common ground between the TAXAP/46719/1999 3/3 JUDGMENT parties that the issue raised by the questions is no longer res integra in light of Full Bench judgment of this Court in the case of CIT Vs. Gujarat State Fertilizers Co. Ltd. (2003) 259 ITR 526. 3. As can be seen from the impugned order of the Tribunal, which is a common order dated 16.06.1999, the Tribunal has followed the Division Bench judgment in the case of CIT Vs. Windsor Foods Ltd. (1999) 235 ITR 249 which has since been overruled by the Larger Bench decision in the case of CIT Vs. Gujarat State Fertilizers Co. Ltd. (supra). In the circumstances, it is not necessary to set out facts and contentions in detail. 4. All the questions are accordingly answered in the Negative i.e. in favour of the assessee and against the revenue in each of the Appeals. The Appeals are accordingly allowed in the aforesaid terms with no order as to costs. Registry is directed to place copy of this judgment in all connected matters. Sd/- (D.A. Mehta, J.) Sd/- (Smt. Abhilasha Kumari, J.) M.M.BHATT "