2017 (6) TMI 1124 - AT - Income Tax

Exempt income computed u/s 14A addition while computing book profit u/s 115JB - Held that - We answer the question referred to us in favour of assessee by holding that the computation under clause (f) of Explanation 1 to section 115JB(2) is to be made without resorting to the computation as contemplated u/s 14A read with Rule SD of the Income-tax Rules 1962. Applicability of section 14A - Held that - We hold that only those investments are to be considered for computing average value of investment which yielded exempt income during the year. As far as argument relating to meaning to be ascribed to the phrase shall not used in Rule 8D(2)(iii) is concerned the Revenue s contention is that it refers to those investments which did not yield any exempt income during the year but if income would have been yielded it would have remain exempt. There is no dispute that if an investment has yielded exempt income in a particular year then it will enter the computation of average value of investments for the purposes of Rule 8D(2)(iii). The assessee s contention that if there is no certainty that an income which is exempt in current year will continue to be so in future years and therefore that investment should also be excluded is hypothetical and cannot be accepted. The matter is restored back to the file of AO for recomputing the disallowance u/s 14A in terms of above observations. Thus revenue s appeal is dismissed and assessee s cross-objection on the issue in question stand allowed for statistical purposes in terms indicated above. Addition u/s 94(7)- Held that - No reason to interfere with the order of ld. CIT(A) because ld. CIT(A) has only referred the matter to AO for verifying the revised computation u/s 94(7) with reference to record date and not with respect to date of receipt of dividend. We do not find any infirmity in the order of CIT(A) on this issue. Addition made as assessee did not charge any interest from loanees - Held that - No reason to interfere in the order of ld. CIT(A) because the issue that only real income and not notional income is taxable is no more res-intgra particularly when no interest was paid by assessee on its borrowings. We therefore confirm the order of ld. CIT(A). This ground is dismissed.

Summary

Issues Involved:
1. Whether the expenditure incurred to earn exempt income computed u/s 14A could be added while computing book profit u/s 115JB of the Act.
2. The correctness of the method used by the AO for disallowance u/s 14A.
3. The addition made by AO under section 94(7) for disallowance of short-term capital gains.
4. The addition of notional interest income on interest-free loans and advances given by the assessee.
5. The delay in filing the cross-objection by the assessee.

Detailed Analysis of the Judgment:

Issue 1: Addition of Expenditure Incurred to Earn Exempt Income under Section 14A While Computing Book Profit under Section 115JB
The primary issue referred to the Special Bench was whether the expenditure incurred to earn exempt income computed under Section 14A could be added while computing book profit under Section 115JB of the Act. The Tribunal concluded that:

- Section 115JB is a complete code in itself and overrides other provisions of the Act.
- The term "expenditure relatable to" in clause (f) of Explanation 1 to Section 115JB(2) does not equate to the disallowance computed under Section 14A read with Rule 8D.
- The Tribunal relied on the decision of the Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of Pr. CIT v. Bhushan Steel Ltd., which held that disallowance under Section 14A read with Rule 8D cannot be added while computing book profits as per Section 115JB.
- The Tribunal noted that the decision in Goetze (India) Ltd. was based on a concession by the assessee and did not constitute a binding precedent.

Conclusion: The computation under clause (f) of Explanation 1 to Section 115JB(2) is to be made without resorting to the computation as contemplated under Section 14A read with Rule 8D.

Issue 2: Method of Disallowance under Section 14A
The assessee contended that only the value of investments yielding tax-exempt income should be considered for disallowance under Rule 8D(2)(iii). The Tribunal observed:

- The Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of CIT v. Holcin India Pvt. Ltd. held that if no exempt income is earned, Section 14A cannot be invoked.
- The Tribunal concluded that only those investments which yielded exempt income during the year should be considered for computing the average value of investments under Rule 8D(2)(iii).

Conclusion: The matter was restored to the AO for recomputing the disallowance under Section 14A in terms of the Tribunal's observations.

Issue 3: Addition under Section 94(7)
The AO made an addition under Section 94(7) for disallowance of short-term capital gains. The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s decision to refer the matter back to the AO for verifying the revised computation under Section 94(7) with reference to the record date.

Conclusion: The Tribunal found no reason to interfere with the CIT(A)'s order on this issue.

Issue 4: Addition of Notional Interest Income
The AO added notional interest income on interest-free loans and advances given by the assessee. The Tribunal noted:

- The assessee had not claimed any interest expenditure.
- Only real income, not notional income, should be taxed, as established by several decisions, including Shoorji Vallabhdas & Co. and Godhra Electricity Co. Ltd..

Conclusion: The Tribunal confirmed the CIT(A)'s order deleting the addition of notional interest income.

Issue 5: Delay in Filing Cross-Objection
The assessee filed a cross-objection with a delay of approximately 686 days. The Tribunal condoned the delay, considering the assessee's bona fide belief based on legal advice and the lack of effective hearings during the period.

Conclusion: The delay in filing the cross-objection was condoned to impart substantial justice.

Final Decision: The revenue's appeal was partly allowed, and the assessee's cross-objection was allowed for statistical purposes.