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2006 (10) TMI 454 - HC - Income TaxPayments to associate concerns - reimbursement of day-to-day expenses - cash payments exceeding ₹ 10,000 - Interpretation of the r. 6DD(j) - whether cash payments made by the assessee to the associate concerns would attract s. 40A(3)? - HELD THAT:- In our considered opinion, even though s. 40A(3) of the Act is not absolute, payments made in cash cannot automatically be allowed merely for the reason that the payments were made to associate concerns and such reason that weighed the CIT(A) is not only illogical, but also outside the scope of s. 40A(3) of the Act. If such reason is accepted, the transactions which frustrate s. 40A(3) would pave way for evading tax which is contrary to the object of s. 40A(3). The cumulative effect of Circular of CBDT dt. 31st May, 1977, r. 6DD(j) and s. 40A(3) is that the assessee should satisfy that there were exceptional and unavoidable circumstances of transactions in which payments were made in cash and that payment by way of crossed cheque or crossed bank draft was not practicable or the same would have caused genuine difficulty to the payee having regard to the nature of the transaction or there was necessity for expeditious settlement. In addition to that, the assessee should also furnish evidence to the satisfaction of the AO as to the genuineness of payments as well as the identity of payee. We fail to see that the assessee has satisfactorily explained the exceptional and unavoidable circumstances warranting the payment by cash; the payments by way of crossed cheque or crossed bank draft was not practicable; such payments would have caused genuine difficulties to the payee; and there was necessity for expeditious settlement. Even though it is found that the assessee made cash payments for day-to-day affairs of associate concerns, the reason given by the CIT(A) for deleting 20 per cent disallowance that the payments were made to associate concerns and hence, they were allowable cannot be a justifiable reason as it is outside the scope of s. 40A(3) of the Act. We are satisfied that the deletion of disallowance of 20 per cent the total amount frustrates s. 40A(3) of the Act. In the result, we answer the questions of law referred to above in favour of the Revenue and against the assessee. The appeal stands allowed. No costs.
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