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2021 (3) TMI 239 - DELHI HIGH COURTAddition u/s 56(2)(vii)(b) - projection/estimated figures as presented in the valuation report - Assessee has received share premium from various subscribers/equity partners - Determination of fair market values as per prescribed methodology - Cash Flow projections taken into account in the Discounted Cash Flow Method by the assessee are nothing but paper plans that have no relation with the reality - AO analysed the business profitability of the Respondent-Assessee only to the extent that such profitability was not commensurate with the actual financials provided by the Respondent-Assessee during the course of assessment proceedings - whether the AO after invoking the deeming provision under Section 56(2)(viib), could have determined the FMV of the premium on the shares issued at nil after rejecting the valuation report given by the Chartered Accountant based on one of the prescribed methods under the Rules adopted by the valuer? - HELD THAT:- Determination of fair market values as per prescribed methodology. Appellant-Revenue had the option to conduct its own valuation and determine FMV on the basis of either the DCF or NAV Method. Assessee being a start-up company adopted DCF method to value its shares. This was carried out on the basis of information and material available on the date of valuation and projection of future revenue. There is no dispute that methodology adopted by Assessee has been done applying a recognized and accepted method. Since the performance did not match the projections, Revenue sought to challenge the valuation, on that footing. This approach lacks material foundation and is irrational since the valuation is intrinsically based on projections which can be affected by various factors. We cannot lose sight of the fact that the valuer makes forecast or approximation, based on potential value of business. However, the underline facts and assumptions can undergo change over a period of time. The Courts have repeatedly held that valuation is not an exact science, and therefore cannot be done with arithmetic precision. It is a technical and complex problem which can be appropriately left to the consideration and wisdom of experts in the field of accountancy, having regard to the imponderables which enter the process of valuation of shares. The Appellant-Revenue is unable to demonstrate that the methodology adopted by the Assessee is not correct. AO has simply rejected the valuation of the Respondent-Assessee and failed to provide any alternate fair value of shares. As noted in the impugned order and as also pointed out by Mr. Vohra, the shares in the present scenario have not been subscribed to by any sister concern or closely related person, but by outside investors. Indeed, if they have seen certain potential and accepted this valuation, then Appellant-Revenue cannot question their wisdom. The valuation is a question of fact which would depend upon appreciation of material or evidence. The methodology adopted by the Respondent-Assessee, accepted by the learned ITAT, is a conclusion of fact drawn on the basis of material and facts available. The test laid down by the Courts for interfering with the findings of a valuer is not satisfied in the present case, as the Respondent-Assessee adopted a recognized method of valuation and Appellant-Revenue is unable to show that the assessee adopted a demonstrably wrong approach, or that the method of valuation was made on a wholly erroneous basis, or that it committed a mistake which goes to the root of the valuation process. No question of law.
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