TMI Blog2021 (12) TMI 1331X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... efore, the claim of assessee is allowed. - ITA No. 16/ALLD/2021 - - - Dated:- 21-12-2021 - Shri. Vijay Pal Rao, Judicial Member For the Appellant : Mr. Ashish Bansal. Adv. For the Respondent : Mr. A.K. Singh, Sr. DR. ORDER VIJAY PAL RAO, JUDICIAL MEMBER : This appeal by the assessee is directed against the order dated 18.08.2021 of CIT (National Faceless Appeal Centre, Delhi), for the assessment year 2018-19. The assessee has raised the following grounds:- 1. Because the ld. CIT(A) has erred in law and on facts, in upholding an addition of Rs, 20,10,000/- that had been made in the processing of return under Section 143(1) of the Act, which represented employee s contribution to Provident Fund etc. by referring to and relying upon various other legal pronouncement (as have been referred to in the appellate order under reference itself.) 2. Because, where there are conflicting views of different courts then the view that the is favorable to the assessee should be applied, more so in the present case when the favorable view is of the Hon'ble Jurisdiction High Court which has a binding precedence on the authorities below. ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... 3B of Income Tax Act. He has submitted that the issue is covered by the judgment of Hon'ble Jurisdictional High Court on pre amended provision of Section 43B as well as 36(1)(va) read with Section 2(24)(x) of the Income Tax Act. He has further submitted that even after the amendment of this provision, by the Finance Act, 2021 this issue is covered by the decision of this Tribunal in the case of Bharat Pumps Compressors Limited Vs. Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax in ITA No. 147 148/Alld/2016, vide order dated 12.08.2021 . Thus, the Ld. AR had submitted that the disallowance made by the Assessing Officer and confirmed by the CIT(A) may be deleted. 4. On the other hand, the Ld. DR has submitted that the CIT(A) has followed various decisions of Hon'ble Gujarat High Court, Hon'ble Madras High Court and Hon'ble Kerala High Court on this issue and further there is an amendment to the provision of Section 43B, 36(i)(va) which is retrospective in nature and therefore, the delayed payment towards employee s contribution to EPF and ESI is not an allowable claim. He has relied upon the orders of the authorities below. 5. I have considered the rival submi ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ome u/s 139(1) of the 1961 Act. This issue was subject matter of different interpretation by different High Courts . The Hon ble Gujarat High Court and Hon ble Kerala High Court has decided this issue against the tax-payer and in favour of Revenue, while Hon ble Allahabad High Court, Hon ble Bombay High Court, Hon ble Karnataka High Court , Hon ble Rajasthan High Court, Hon ble Himachal Pradesh High Court , Hon ble Madras High Court have decided the issue in favour of assessee and against Revenue. It is pertinent to reproduce hereunder the decision of ITAT, Chennai in the case of DCIT v. Repco Home Finance Private Limited reported in (2020) 117 taxmann.com 233( in which one of us being Accountant Member was part of DB which pronounced the order) , wherein the tribunal discussed the relevant law in details and then decided the issue in favour of tax-payer by following the jurisdictional Madras High Court decision , by holding as under: 10. The next effective issue, which is agitated by Revenue before tribunal , is with respect of disallowance of ₹ 6,31,788/- made under Section 36(1)(va) read with section 2(24)(x) by A.O being employee contribution to P.F. which is dep ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... to assessee despite specific provision as is contained in Section 36(1)(va) read with Explanation 1 of the 1961 Act that deduction towards employees contribution to PF can be allowed only when the employer remits the said employee contribution to the credit of employee with relevant fund on or before the due date specified in statute governing PF, which admittedly was not complied by the assessee . Before us, the Ld. D.R. submitted that Section 36(1)(va) read with Explanation 1 of the 1961 Act clearly provides that employee contribution to Provident Fund amount should have been deposited before the due date as prescribed under the statute governing Provident Fund. By relying on the provisions of section 36(1)(va) of the Act so far as employees contribution is concerned, the learned DR relied upon the decision of Hon'ble Madras High Court in the case of The Principal C.I.T. v. M/s. Orchid Pharma Ltd., in Tax case appeal Nos.430 421 of 2019 CMP No.13978 of 2019 for ay:2013-14 and 2014-15, judgment dated 08.07.2019 and prayers were made by Ld. D.R. to restore the matter back to the file of learned CIT(A) for fresh adjudication after considering aforesaid decision of Hon'b ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... he relevant fund or funds on or before the due date. Explanation. For the purposes of this clause, due date means the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to credit an employee's contribution to the employee's account in the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued thereunder or under any standing order, award, contract of service or otherwise;] Certain deductions to be only on actual payment. 43B. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this Act, a deduction otherwise allowable under this Act in respect of- ** .** .** (b) any sum payable by the assessee as an employer by way of contribution to any provident fund or superannuation fund or gratuity fund or any other fund for the welfare of employees, ** .** .** shall be allowed (irrespective of the previous year in which the liability to pay such sum was incurred by the assessee according to the method of accounting regularly employed by him) only in computing the income referred to in section 28 of that previous year in which such sum is actually paid by him: [Provided that nothing contained ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... of such payment is furnished by the assessee along with such return: Provided further that no deduction shall, in respect of any sum referred to in clause (b), be allowed unless such sum has actually been paid during the previous year on or before the due date as defined in the Explanation below clause (va) of subsection (1) of section 36.] ** .** .** Thus, Section 43B of the 1961 Act as it stood vide amendment made by Finance Act, 1987 w.e.f. 01.04.1988 , inter-alia, provided that notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of the 1961 Act, a deduction which is otherwise allowable under the 1961 Act shall be allowed of any sum payable by the assessee as an employer by way of contribution to any provident fund or superannuation fund or gratuity fund or any other fund for the welfare of employees provided the said sum is actually paid during the previous year on or before the due date as defined in the Explanation below clause (va) of subsection (1) of section 36 viz. the date prescribed under the relevant statute governing PF/ESI and other employee welfare funds for deposit of the contribution payable by assessee as an employer to an provi ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... s is CIT v. Alom Extrusions Ltd. [Civil Appeal arising out of S.L.P. (C) No. 23851 of 2007]. Prior to the amendment of section 43B of the Act, vide Finance Act, 2003, the two provisos to section 43B of the Act read as under : Provided that nothing contained in this section shall apply in relation to any sum referred to in clause (a) or clause (c) or clause (d) or clause (e ) or clause (f), which is actually paid by the assessee on or before the due date applicable in his case for furnishing the return of income under sub-section (1) of section 139 in respect of the previous year in which the liability to pay such sum was incurred as aforesaid and the evidence of such payment is furnished by the assessee along with such return : Provided further that no deduction shall, in respect of any sum referred to in clause (b) , be allowed unless such sum has actually been paid in cash or by issue of a cheque or draft or by any other mode on or before the due date as defined in the Explanation below clause (va) of sub-section (1) of section 36, and where such payment has been made otherwise than in cash, the sum has been realized within fifteen days from the due date. ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... nder section 43B, it became mandatory for the assessee(s) to account for the afore- stated items not on Mercantile basis but on cash basis. This situation continued between 1-4-1984 and 1-4-1988, when the Parliament amended section 43B and inserted first proviso to section 43B. By this first proviso, it was, inter alia, laid down, in the context of any sum payable by the assessee(s) by way of tax, duty, cess or fee, that if an assessee(s) pays such tax, duty, cess or fee even after the closing of the accounting year but before the date of filing of the Return of income under section 139(1) of the Act, the assessee(s) would be entitled to deduction under section 43B on actual payment basis and such deduction would be admissible for the accounting year. This proviso, however, did not apply to the contribution made by the assessee(s) to the labour welfare funds. To this effect, first proviso stood introduced with effect from 1-4-1988. Vide Finance Act, 1988, the second proviso came to be inserted. It reads as follows: Provided further that no deduction shall, in respect of any sum referred to in clause (b), be allowed unless such sum has actually been paid during the ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... However, the Finance Act, 2003, bringing about this uniformity came into force with effect from 1-4-2004. Therefore, the argument of the assessee(s) is that the Finance Act, 2003, was curative in nature, it was not amendatory and, therefore, it applied retrospectively from 1-4-1988, whereas the argument of the Department was that Finance Act, 2003, was amendatory and it applied prospectively, particularly when the Parliament had expressly made the Finance Act, 2003, applicable only with effect from 1-4-2004. It was also argued on behalf of the Department that even between 1-4-1988 and 1-4- 2004, Parliament had maintained a clear dichotomy between payment of tax, duty, cess or fee on one hand and payment of contributions to the welfare funds on the other. According to the Department, that dichotomy continued up to 1-4-2004, hence, looking to this aspect, the Parliament consciously kept that dichotomy alive up to 1-4-2004, by making Finance Act, 2003, come into force only with effect from 1-4-2004. Hence, according to the Department, Finance Act, 2003 should be read as amendatory and not as curative [retrospective] with effect from 1-4-1988. 9. We find no merit in these civi ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... in the time allowed under the relevant Sales Tax law should be disallowed under section 43B of the Act while computing the business income of the previous year? That was a case which related to assessment year 1984-85. The relevant accounting period ended on 30-6-1983. The Income-tax Officer disallowed the deduction claimed by the assessee which was on account of sales tax collected by the assessee for the last quarter of the relevant accounting year. The deduction was disallowed under section 43B which, as stated above, was inserted with effect from 1-4-1984. It is also relevant to note that the first proviso which came into force with effect from 1-4-1988 was not on the statute book when the assessments were made in the case of Allied Motors (P.) Ltd. (supra). However, the assessee contended that even though the first proviso came to be inserted with effect from 1-4-1988, it was entitled to the benefit of that proviso because it operated retrospectively from 1-4-1984, when section 43B stood inserted. This is how the question of retrospectivity arose in Allied Motors (P.) Ltd.'s case (supra). This Court, in Allied Motors (P.) Ltd.'s case (supra) held that, when a proviso i ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... as retrospective. It would, therefore, operate from 1-4-1988, when the first proviso was introduced. It is true that the Parliament has explicitly stated that Finance Act, 2003, will operate with effect from 1-4-2004. However, the matter before us involves the principle of construction to be placed on the provisions of Finance Act, 2003. 10. Before concluding, we extract hereinbelow the relevant observations of this Court in the case of CIT v. J.H. Gotla [1985] 156 ITR 323, which reads as under: ...We should find out the intention from the language used by the Legislature and if strict literal construction leads to an absurd result, i.e., a result not intended to be subserved by the object of the legislation found in the manner indicated before, then if another construction is possible apart from strict literal construction, then that construction should be preferred to the strict literal construction. Though equity and taxation are often strangers, attempts should be made that these do not remain always so and if a construction results in equity rather than in injustice, then such construction should be preferred to the literal construction.... (p. 339) For the ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... to specify. Clause (v) of sub-section (1) of section 36 enables the assessee to seek deduction in respect of sum paid by it as an employer by way of contribution towards an approved gratuity fund created by him for the exclusive benefit of his employees under an irrevocable trust. Then comes clause (va) which deals about employees' contribution in the provident fund and ESI and reads as under :- (va)any sum received by the assessee from any of his employees to which the provisions of sub-clause (x) of clause (24) of section 2 apply, if such sum is credited by the assessee to the employee's account in the relevant fund or funds on or before the due date. Explanation - For the purposes of this clause, 'due date' means the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to credit an employee's contribution to the employee's account in the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued thereunder or under any standing order, award, contract or service or otherwise. 6. It would also be appropriate to take note of section 43B of the Act primarily for the reason that in Vinay Cement Ltd. 's case (supra) it was ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... of sub-section (1) of section 36, and where such payment has been made otherwise than in cash, the sum has been realized within fifteen days from the due date. 8. As per the first proviso, if the payment is actually made on or before the due date applicable in his case for filing the return, it would be admissible as deduction. Thus, the 'due date' is the date on which return is to be filed. The case of the Revenue is that for employees' contribution, the 2nd proviso was specifically incorporated and in the present case, as we are concerned with non-deposit of the employees' contribution towards provident fund as well as ESI contribution by the employer, only 2nd proviso be looked into. 9. What is sought to be argued is that distinction is to be made while treating the case related to employers' contribution on the one hand and employees' contribution on the other hand. It was submitted that when employees' contribution is recovered from their salaries/wages, that is trust money in the hands of the assessee. For this reason, rigours of law are provided by treating it as income when the assessee receives the employees' contribution a ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... employees' contribution is concerned. It is in this backdrop we have to determine as to at what point of time this payment is to be actually made. 12. Since the ITAT while holding that the amount would qualify for deduction even if paid after the due dates prescribed under the Provident Fund/ESI Act but before the filing of the income-tax returns by placing reliance upon the Supreme Court judgment in Vinay Cement Ltd.'s case (supra). at this juncture we take note of the discussion of ITAT on this aspect: - 11. We have carefully considered the rival submissions in the light of material placed before us. In the assessment order ld. Assessing Officer has categorically stated that what the amount due was for which month in respect of EPF, Family Pension, PF inspection charges and ESI deposits and what were the due dates for these deposits and on which date these deposits were made. The dates of deposits are mentioned between 23rd May, 2001 to 23rd April, 2002. The latest payment is made on 23rd April, 2002 and assessee being limited company had filed its return on 20th October, 2002 which is a date not beyond the due date of filing of the return. Thus, it is c ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... d.'s case (supra), the appeal of the Revenue was dismissed. More detailed discussion is contained in another judgment of this Court in CIT v. P.M. Electronics Ltd. [2009] 177 Taxman 1. Specific questions of law which were proposed by the Revenue in that case were as under : - (a) Whether amounts paid on account of PF/ESI after 'due date' are allowable in view of section 43B, read with section 36(1)(va) of the Act? (b) Whether the deletion of the 2nd proviso to section 43B by way of amendment by the Finance Act, 2003 is retrospective in nature (p. 2) 16. These questions were answered by the Division Bench in the following manner : - 7. Having heard the learned counsel for the revenue, as well as, the assessee, we are of the view that the view taken by the Tribunal deserves to be sustained as it is no longer res integra in view of the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of CIT v. Vinay Cement Ltd. 213 ITR 268 which has been followed by a Division Bench of this Court in the case of CIT v. Dharmendra Sharma [2008] 297 ITR 320. 8. Despite the aforesaid judgments, the learned counsel for the Tribunal has contended that in view ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... he circumstances, the assessee was entitled to claim the benefit in section 43B for that period particularly in view of the fact that he has contributed to provident fund before filing of the return. Special leave petition is dismissed'. 10. In view of the above, it is quite evident that the special leave petition was dismissed by a speaking order and while doing so the Supreme Court had noticed the fact that the matter in appeal before it pertain to a period prior to the amendment brought about in section 43B of the Act. The aforesaid position as regards the state of the law for a period prior to the amendment to section 43B has been noticed by a Division Bench of this Court in Dharmendra Sharma's case (supra). Applying the ratio of the decision of the Supreme Court in Vinay Cement Ltd. 's case (supra) a Division Bench of this Court dismissed the appeals of the revenue. In the passing we may also note that a Division Bench of the Madras High Court in the case of CIT v. Nexus Computer (P.) Ltd. by a judgment dated 18-82008 passed in Tax Case (A) No. 1192/2008 discussed the impact of both the dismissal of the special leave petition in the case of George Williamso ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ed above, we are of the opinion that no substantial question of law arises for our consideration in the present appeal. The appeal is, thus, dismissed. (p. 3) It also becomes clear that deletion of the 2nd proviso is treated as retrospective in nature and would not apply at all. The case is to be governed with the application of the 1st proviso. 17. We may only add that if the employees' contribution is not deposited by the due date prescribed under the relevant Acts and is deposited late, the employer not only pays interest on delayed payment but can incur penalties also, for which specific provisions are made in the Provident Fund Act as well as the ESI Act. Therefore, the Act permits the employer to make the deposit with some delays, subject to the aforesaid consequences. Insofar as the Income-tax Act is concerned, the assessee can get the benefit if the actual payment is made before the return is filed, as per the principle laid down by the Supreme Court in Vinay Cement Ltd. 's case (supra). 18. We, thus, answer the question in favour of the assessee and against the Revenue. As a consequence, the appeals filed by the assessees stand allowed and ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... 10.3.7 We have also observed that Co-ordinate Division Bench of Chennai Tribunal in ACIT v. SPEL Semiconductor Limited in I.T.A. No. 3263/Chny/2018 for ay:2013- 14 has decided this issue in favour of the tax-payer as in that case the employee contribution of the Provident Fund was deposited by employer to the credit of employees with respective PF fund after the due date as prescribed in the applicable PF Act, but was deposited before the due date as prescribed for filing of return of income under Section 139(1) of the 1961 Act, by relying on decision of Hon'ble Madras High Court in the case of CIT v. Industrial Security Intelligence India Private Limited (supra) . One of us namely Hon'ble Judicial member was part of the Division Bench who pronounced the order in the case of SPEL Semiconductor Limited (supra). 10.3.8 We have observed that most of the Hon'ble High Courts in India have taken a view on this issue of belated deposit of employee contribution towards PF/ESI and other employees welfare funds beyond the date prescribed under statute governing PF/ESI and other employee welfare funds bur deposited prior to due date for filing of return of income u/s 1 ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... o decision in the case of Popular Vehicles and Services Private Limited v. CIT reported in (2018) 96 taxmann.com 13(Ker.), wherein this issue is decided by Hon'ble Kerala High Court in favour of Revenue and with this background, Hon'ble Madras High Court remanded the matter back to the file of learned CIT(A) for fresh adjudication of the issue , after considering entire law in statute and decisions of Courts post the decision of Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of Aimil Limited (supra). We have observed that Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Alom Extrusion (cited supra) while adjudicating on applicability of amended provision of Section 43B of the 1961 Act by virtue of deletion of second proviso and amendment of first proviso by Finance Act, 2003 which was applicable wef 01.04.2004 , held the said amendments to be curative in nature and to apply retrospective wef 01.04.1988. The Hon'ble Supreme Court also referred to larger bench decision in the case of Allied Motors Private Limited (1997) 224 ITR 677(SC) to hold amendment made by Finance Act, 2003 to be retrospective . While holding the same to be retrospective, the Hon'ble Supreme Court referred to ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... held that if employees contribution is not deposited by the due date prescribed under the relevant Acts and is deposited late, the employer not only pays interest on delayed payments but can incur penalties also , for which specific provisions are made in the Provident Fund Act as well as the ESI Act. It further held that the statutes governing PF/ESI permits the employer to make the deposit with some delays , subject to the aforesaid consequences. Insofar as the 1961 Act is concerned, the assessee can get the benefit if the actual payment made is before the return of income is filed , as per the principle laid down by the Supreme Court in Vinay Cement Ltd.'s case(supra). However, Hon'ble Delhi High Court has now decided this issue in favour of Revenue in the case of CIT v. Bharat Hotels Limited reported in (2019) 410 ITR 417(Del.) , while impliedly reversing the stand taken in its earlier decision in the case of Aimil Limited (supra). However, the decision in the case of Aimil Limited (supra) was not brought to the notice of Hon'ble Judges of Delhi High Court while adjudicating in the case of Bharat Hotels (supra). The Hon'ble Punjab and Haryana High Court has dec ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... issue before Hon'ble Supreme Court while adjudicating appeal in the case of Alom Extrusion (supra) was never with respect of employees contribution to PF/ESI and it was only in context of employers contribution to PF/ESI , wherein amendments brought in by Finance Act, 2003 were held to be retrospective by Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Alom Extrusion (supra). The decision of Hon'ble Kerala High Court in the case of Popular Vehicles (supra) is reproduced as hereunder: 7. We will first notice the provisions. S.2(24) income includes - ** .** .** (x) any sum received by the assessee from his employees as contributions to any provident fund or superannuation fund or any fund set up under the provisions of the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 A(34 of 1948), or any other fund for the welfare of such employees . S.36. Other deductions (1) The deductions provided for in the following clauses shall be allowed in respect of the matters dealt with therein, in computing the income referred to in the section 28- ** .** .** (v) any sum paid by the assessee as an employer by way of contributio ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... chem Ltd.'s case (supra) applied in two different fields; the former with reference to Section 43B(b), being employer's contribution and the latter dealing with employee's contribution as covered by Section 36(1)(va). We would first deal with Alom Extrusions Ltd.'s case (supra)which has dilated upon the history of the legislation and the reason for the various amendments brought in. We first notice that the question which arose for consideration in Alom Extrusions Ltd. 's case (supra)was as to whether omission (deletion) of the second proviso to section 43B of the Income-tax Act, 1961, by the Finance Act, 2003, operated with effect from April 1, 2004, or whether it operated retrospectively with effect from April 1, 1988 (sic para 4). The Hon'ble Supreme Court noticed that prior to Finance Act, 2003, the second proviso to Section 43B restricted the deduction in respect of any sum payable by an employer by way of contribution to provident fund/superannuation fund or any other fund for the welfare of employees, unless it stood paid within the specified due date. 10. Here we have to notice that sub-clause (b) of Section 43B speaks of sum payable by the ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ns to labour welfare funds. The reason also stated by the Hon'ble Supreme Court to be that the employer(s) should not sit on the collected contributions and deprive the workmen of the rightful benefits under social welfare legislations by delaying payment of contributions to the welfare funds (sic - para 16). It is this declaration by the Hon'ble Supreme Court which is relied on by the learned Counsel for the appellant to contend that the Hon'ble Supreme Court was considering the question of employee's contribution also. Otherwise, there would not have been a reference to an 'employer sitting on the collected contribution', is the compelling argument. 12. We have to understand this statement with reference to the question framed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court at the first instance in the opening paragraph of the judgment. We also have to notice that even otherwise the Explanation to sub-clause (va) of Section 36(1) took care of the employee's contributions; which was introduced by the Finance Act, 1987 with effect from 01.04.1988, from which date the statute recognised the distinction between employee's and employer's contribution. In ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ns are otherwise allowable. Primarily it is to be noticed that it is a restrictive clause, the amendments to which or the deletion of a proviso in which cannot lead to it being converted as an enabling provision permitting deduction even when there was no deduction permissible by the other provisions of the Act. The non- obstante clause has no effect insofar as the employee's contribution which is specifically covered by sub-clause (va) of Section 36(1). By virtue of the Explanation below subclause (va), no deduction could be claimed if the contribution has not been paid, after collection from the employees by way of deduction from their salaries, within the due date under the EPF MP Act. The deletion of a proviso under Section 43B cannot render otiose the Explanation under Section 36(1)(va). 15. Merchem Ltd.'s case (supra), we notice, dealt with the specific question of disallowance of employee's contribution when the same was not paid within the time provided under the statute under which the welfare fund was created and held so in paragraph 19: '19. Therefore, income of the assessee includes any sum received by the assessee from his employee as co ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... s year relevant to the assessment year commencing on the 1st day of April, 1983 or any earlier assessment year) in which the liability to pay such sum was incurred by the assessee, the assessee shall not be entitled to any deduction under this section in respect of such sum in computing the income of the previous year in which the sum is actually paid by him. Therefore, according to us, since the Respondent has admittedly not paid the deduction so made within the due date as provided under Sec. 36(1)(va), the Respondent was not entitled to get deduction of the amounts deducted thereunder for and on behalf of the employees'. 16. The learned Judges had elaborately considered the decision in Alom Extrusions Ltd.'s case (supra) and has found the provisions having application in different fields. Section 43B(b) dealt with the employer's contribution and sub-clause (va) of Section 36(1) was concerned with the employees contribution as rightly held. We do not find ourselves persuaded to take a different view with respect to employee's contribution and we respectfully follow the decision of the Division Bench of this Court in Merchem Ltd. 's case (supra ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... d as income under Section 2(24). On remittance of this contribution, within the due date, it is allowed as a deduction under Section 36. If it is not paid to the welfare fund within the due date provided under the relevant statute, it remains as an income in the books of accounts of the assessee/employer Company. The said contribution having not been paid to the applicable welfare fund within the due date provided, the assessee for all time is deprived of claiming such a remittance, made subsequently, as deduction from the income. This, as the Hon'ble Supreme Court noticed, is looking at the spirit behind the labour welfare legislation and the need for the employer to satisfy the remittance within the time provided under the statute creating the welfare fund. At least with respect to the employee's contributions, which the employer deducts from the salary of the employees, if it is not remitted into the fund within the due date, the employer not only has defaulted the stipulation in the labour legislation but has received an income; albeit an illegal enrichment. Sub-section (v) is with respect to and confined to a gratuity fund and does not have any relevance here. We, henc ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... the 1961 Act . So , what is important for entering into provisions of Section 43B of the 1961 Act is that the deduction ought to be firstly allowable under the provision of the 1961 Act before recourse to Section 43B of the 1961 Act can be taken. Provisions of Section 36(1)(va) allows deduction towards employees contribution to PF/ESI and other welfare funds of employees which is required to be deposited by employer to the credit of employee with relevant fund on or before the due date as is prescribed under the relevant statute applicable for PF/ESI and other welfare funds of employees , otherwise deduction u/s 36(1)(va) of the 1961 Act is not allowable and employee contribution towards PF/ESI and other employees welfare funds received by employer shall be deemed to be income of the assessee u/s 2(24)(x) of the 1961 Act. Thus, firstly to get deduction u/s 36(1)(va) of the 1961 Act of the employee contribution received by employers towards PF/ESI which constitute income in the hands of employer by virtue of Section 2(24)(x) of the 1961 Act, the employers is required to deposit the employees contribution to the credit of employees with relevant funds on or before the due date prescr ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... deals with allowing deduction on payment basis provided the deduction is otherwise allowable under the provisions of the 1961 Act. Section 36(1)(va) of the 1961 Act is a provision which entitles taxpayer to claim deduction from the income and hence the provision is to be strictly construed and the onus is on the assessee to prove that it fulfills all the conditions as stipulated under Section 36(1)(va) read with Explanation before claiming deduction from its income. The decision of Constitution Bench of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Commissioner of Customs (Imports) v. Dilip Kumar Co. reported in (2018) 9 SCC 1 is relevant . The recent decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Ramnath Co. v. CIT reported in (2020) 116 taxmann.com 885(SC) is relevant (refer para 17 to 20) , which is reproduced hereunder: Dilip Kumar Co. 17. The core question referred for authoritative pronouncement to the Constitution Bench in the case of Dilip Kumar Co. (supra) was as to what interpretative rule should be applied while interpreting a tax exemption provision/notification when there is an ambiguity as to its applicability with reference to the entitlement ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... s construction, unlike charging provision, has to be tested on different touchstone. In fact, an exemption provision is like an exception and on normal principle of construction or interpretation of statutes it is construed strictly either because of legislative intention or on economic justification of inequitable burden or progressive approach of fiscal provisions intended to augment State revenue. But once exception or exemption becomes applicable no rule or principle requires it to be construed strictly. Truly speaking liberal and strict construction of an exemption provision are to be invoked at different stages of interpreting it. When the question is whether a subject falls in the notification or in the exemption clause then it being in nature of exception is to be construed strictly and against the subject, but once ambiguity or doubt about applicability is lifted and the subject falls in the notification then full play should be given to it and it calls for a wider and liberal construction. (emphasis supplied) ** .** .** 58. In the above passage, no doubt this Court observed that: (Parle Exports case, SCC p. 357, para 17) 17. when two ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... pelling reasons to differ, taking a contra view, from this. We respectfully record our concurrence to this view which has been subsequently, elaborated by the Constitution Bench in Hari Chand case (emphasis in bold supplied) 17.2. The Constitution Bench decision in Hari Chand Shri Gopal (supra) was also taken note of, inter alia, in the following:- 50. We will now consider another Constitution Bench decision in CCE v. Hari Chand Shri Gopal (hereinafter referred as Hari Chand case , for brevity). We need not refer to the facts of the case which gave rise to the questions for consideration before the Constitutional Bench. K.S. Radhakrishnan, J., who wrote the unanimous opinion for the Constitution Bench, framed the question viz. whether manufacturer of a specified final product falling under the Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 is eligible to get the benefit of exemption of remission of excise duty on specified intermediate goods as per the Central Government Notification dated 11- 8-1994, if captively consumed for the manufacture of final product on the ground that the records kept by it at the recipient end would indicate its intended use ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... subject to strict interpretation, the benefit of such ambiguity cannot be claimed by the subject/assessee and it must be interpreted in favour of the Revenue. 66.3. The ratio in Sun Export case is not correct and all the decisions which took similar view as in Sun Export case stand overruled. (emphasis in bold supplied) 17.4. Obviously, the generalised, rather sweeping, proposition stated in the case of Sun Export Corporation (supra) as also in other cases that in the matters of taxation, when two views are possible, the one favourable to assessee has to be preferred, stands specifically disapproved by the Constitution Bench in Dilip Kumar Co. (supra). It has been laid down by the Constitution Bench in no uncertain terms that exemption notification has to be interpreted strictly; the burden of proving its applicability is on the assessee; and in case of any ambiguity, the benefit thereof cannot be claimed by the subject/assessee, rather it would be interpreted in favour of the revenue. 18. It has been repeatedly emphasised on behalf of the appellant that Section 80- O of the Act is essentially an incentive provision and, therefore, needs to be int ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... be expanded or widened and remains subject to strict interpretation but, once eligibility is decided in favour of the person claiming such deduction, it could be construed liberally in regard to other requirements, which may be formal or directory in nature. 10.3.11 Thus, keeping in view strict and literal interpretation of provisions of Section 36(1)(va) of the 1961 Act read with Explanation 1 and Section 2(24)(x) of the 1961 Act , the assessee will not be entitled for deduction as the employee contribution towards PF received by assessee was deposited late beyond the time stipulated under the relevant statute governing PF. But, it is equally true that the Constitutional Courts viz. Hon'be High Courts and Hon'ble Supreme Court in India have powers to read down the provisions of the 1961 Act to make it workable and to avoid absurdity. On perusal of the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Alom Extrusion (supra) , it is observed that Hon'ble Supreme Court has elaborately discussed provisions of Section 36(1)(va) ,2(24)(x) and amendments made by Finance Act, 2003 to Section 43B of the 1961 Act, which amendments to Section 43B of the 1961 Act were ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... said amounts ought to have been deposited by employer which it collected from its employees, to the credit of employee with relevant funds within time stipulated as due date by respective statute governing PF/ESI etc. but at the same time if the employer does not deposit the contribution towards PF/ESI etc within due date as prescribed under relevant statute governing PF/ESI etc, the employers are visited with Interest for delayed deposit of PF/ESI as well Penalties for late deposit beyond the time stipulated under the relevant statute governing PF/ESI and other employees welfare funds. Reference is drawn to Section 7Q and 14 of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 . Similarly, Hon'ble Madras High Court in the case of Industrial Security and Intelligence India Private Limited (supra) after considering and interpreting the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Alom Extrusion (supra) and Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of Aimil Limited (supra) held that deduction is to be allowed for belated payment of employee contribution to PF/ESI which is deposited beyond the due date stipulated under the relevant statutes governing ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... of Commissioner of Customs (Imports) v. Dilip Kumar Co. reported in (2018) 9 SCC 1 , in which Constitution Bench of Hon ble Supreme Court has held that Exemption notification should be interpreted strictly; the burden of proving applicability would be on the assessee to show that his case comes within the parameters of the exemption clause or exemption notification. When there is ambiguity in exemption notification which is subject to strict interpretation, the benefit of such ambiguity cannot be claimed by the subject/assessee and it must be interpreted in favour of the Revenue. The recent decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Ramnath Co. v. CIT reported in (2020) 116 taxmann.com 885(SC) is also relevant (refer para 17 to 20), which are reproduced hereunder: Dilip Kumar Co. 17. The core question referred for authoritative pronouncement to the Constitution Bench in the case of Dilip Kumar Co. (supra) was as to what interpretative rule should be applied while interpreting a tax exemption provision/notification when there is an ambiguity as to its applicability with reference to the entitlement of the assessee or the rate of tax? The reference ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... has to be tested on different touchstone. In fact, an exemption provision is like an exception and on normal principle of construction or interpretation of statutes it is construed strictly either because of legislative intention or on economic justification of inequitable burden or progressive approach of fiscal provisions intended to augment State revenue. But once exception or exemption becomes applicable no rule or principle requires it to be construed strictly. Truly speaking liberal and strict construction of an exemption provision are to be invoked at different stages of interpreting it. When the question is whether a subject falls in the notification or in the exemption clause then it being in nature of exception is to be construed strictly and against the subject, but once ambiguity or doubt about applicability is lifted and the subject falls in the notification then full play should be given to it and it calls for a wider and liberal construction. (emphasis supplied) ** .** .** 58. In the above passage, no doubt this Court observed that: (Parle Exports case, SCC p. 357, para 17) 17. when two views of a notification are possible, it ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... view, from this. We respectfully record our concurrence to this view which has been subsequently, elaborated by the Constitution Bench in Hari Chand case (emphasis in bold supplied) 17.2. The Constitution Bench decision in Hari Chand Shri Gopal (supra) was also taken note of, inter alia, in the following:- 50. We will now consider another Constitution Bench decision in CCE v. Hari Chand Shri Gopal (hereinafter referred as Hari Chand case , for brevity). We need not refer to the facts of the case which gave rise to the questions for consideration before the Constitutional Bench. K.S. Radhakrishnan, J., who wrote the unanimous opinion for the Constitution Bench, framed the question viz. whether manufacturer of a specified final product falling under the Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 is eligible to get the benefit of exemption of remission of excise duty on specified intermediate goods as per the Central Government Notification dated 11- 8-1994, if captively consumed for the manufacture of final product on the ground that the records kept by it at the recipient end would indicate its intended use and substantial compliance with proced ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... fit of such ambiguity cannot be claimed by the subject/assessee and it must be interpreted in favour of the Revenue. 66.3. The ratio in Sun Export case is not correct and all the decisions which took similar view as in Sun Export case stand overruled. (emphasis in bold supplied) 17.4. Obviously, the generalised, rather sweeping, proposition stated in the case of Sun Export Corporation (supra) as also in other cases that in the matters of taxation, when two views are possible, the one favourable to assessee has to be preferred, stands specifically disapproved by the Constitution Bench in Dilip Kumar Co. (supra). It has been laid down by the Constitution Bench in no uncertain terms that exemption notification has to be interpreted strictly; the burden of proving its applicability is on the assessee; and in case of any ambiguity, the benefit thereof cannot be claimed by the subject/assessee, rather it would be interpreted in favour of the revenue. 18. It has been repeatedly emphasised on behalf of the appellant that Section 80- O of the Act is essentially an incentive provision and, therefore, needs to be interpreted and applied liberally. In this re ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... t to strict interpretation but, once eligibility is decided in favour of the person claiming such deduction, it could be construed liberally in regard to other requirements, which may be formal or directory in nature. Thus, keeping in view strict and literal interpretation of provisions of Section 36(1)(va) of the 1961 Act read with Explanation 1 and Section 2(24)(x) of the 1961 Act , the assessee will not be entitled for deduction as the employee contribution towards PF received by assessee was deposited late beyond the time stipulated under the relevant statute governing PF. But, it is equally true that the Constitutional Courts viz. Hon'be High Courts and Hon'ble Supreme Court in India have powers to read down the provisions of the 1961 Act to make it workable and to avoid absurdity. On perusal of the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Alom Extrusion (supra) , it is observed that Hon'ble Supreme Court has elaborately discussed provisions of Section 36(1)(va) ,2(24)(x) and amendments made by Finance Act, 2003 to Section 43B of the 1961 Act, which amendments to Section 43B of the 1961 Act were held to be retrospective in nature. The Hon'b ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... aken by Hon ble Gujarat High Court and Hon ble High Court of Kerala, which view on the issue was decided by Hon ble Gujarat High Court and Hon ble High Court of Kerala in favour of Revenue. Thus, the applicable provision as is contained in Section 36(1)(va) is read down by most of the Constitutional Courts including our Jurisdictional High Court (barring Hon'ble Gujarat High Court and Hon'ble Kerala High Court) to make it workable as otherwise the tax-payer will lose the deduction for ever if the employee contribution is not deposited within due date as prescribed under relevant statute , although the said contribution stood deposited by employer belatedly before the due date for filing of return of income u/s 139(1) of the 1961 Act and the amount will stood brought to tax as income keeping in view provisions of Section 2(24)(x) of the 1961 Act so far employee share of contribution towards PF ,ESI and other employees welfare funds is concerned. No doubt it is well cherished objective that there should not be an unjust enrichment of the employer of the amount which it collects from its employees towards employees share of PF , ESI and other employees welfare funds and in the ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... rovisions of section 43B shall not apply and shall be deemed never to have been applied for the purposes of determining the due date under this clause , although the said amounts were deposited before the due date as prescribed for filing of return of income u/s 139(1) of the 1961 Act. The above amendment from the plain reading of the Section indicates that it ought to have retrospective effect , but on perusal of Memorandum to Finance Bill 2021, it transpires that the lawmakers have consciously made it applicable from ay: 2021-22 and subsequent assessment years. It is also recognised in the said Memorandum that some courts have applied the provision of section 43B on employee contribution as well and have decided this issue in favour of taxpayer. The said explanation was inserted to rationalise the provisions of Section 36(1)(va) and 43B of the 1961 Act and it is stated in Memorandum to Finance Bill, 2021 that the said explanation is inserted to provide certainty. It is specifically stated in Memorandum to Finance Bill, 2021 that these amendments to Section 36(1)(va) and 43B shall take effect from 01st April , 2021 and will accordingly apply to assessment year 2021-22 and subseq ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... the due date. Explanation to the said clause provides that, for the purposes of this clause, due date to mean the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to credit an employee's contribution to the employee's account in the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued there-under or under any standing order, award, contract of service or otherwise. Section 43B specifies the list of deductions that are admissible under the Act only upon their actual payment. Employer's contribution is covered in clause (b) of section 43B. According to it, if any sum towards employer's contribution to any provident fund or superannuation fund or gratuity fund or any other fund for the welfare of the employees is actually paid by the assessee on or before the due date for furnishing the return of the income under sub-section (1) of section 139, assessee would be entitled to deduction under section 43B and such deduction would be admissible for the accounting year. This provision does not cover employee contribution referred to in clause (va) of sub-section (1) of section 36 of the Act. Though section 43B of the Act covers only employe ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... #39;s stand is that the same has been paid before the due date of filing sec. 139(1) return and after the due date prescribed in the corresponding statutes; respectively. I notice in this factual backdrop that the legislature has not only incorporated necessary amendments in Sections 36(va) as well as 43B vide Finance Act, 2021 to this effect but also the CBDT has issued Memorandum of Explanation that the same applies w.e.f. 1-4-2021 only. It is further not an issue that the forergoing legislative amendments have proposed employers contributions; disallowances u/s 43B as against employee u/s 36 (va) of the Act; respectively. However, keeping in mind the fact that the same has been clarified to be applicable only with prospective effect from 1-4-2021, I hold that the impugned disallowance is not sustainable in view of all these latest developments even if the Revenue's case is supported by the following case law. (i) CIT v. Merchem Ltd, [2015] 378 ITR 443(Ker) (ii) CIT v. Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation [2014] 366 ITR 170 (Guj.) (iii) CIT v. South India Corporation Ltd. [2000] 242 ITR 114 (Ker) (iv) CIT v. GTN Textiles Ltd. [2004] 269 ITR ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... essee shall be entitled for deduction u/s 36(1)(va) of the 1961 Act. The assessee s counsel has filed tax-audit report in which detail/ bifurcations of employee share of PF/ESI along with date of payment is mentioned, but challans are not filed. The said tax-audit report is placed on record in file. Thus for limited purposes , we are directing AO to verify the challans evidencing deposit of aforesaid employee share of PF/ESI and that it was deposited before the due date prescribed for filing of return of income u/s 139(1), before allowing claim of deduction u/s 36(1)(va) of the 1961 Act. The assessee is directed to file before AO complete details/bifurcation of employees share of PF/ESI , to the tune of ₹ 13,14,725/- which was added to income of the assessee u/s 36(1)(va) read with Section 2(24)(x) along with relevant paid challans, for verification. We order accordingly. 6. Following the earlier decision of the Division Bench of this Tribunal, this issue is decided in favour of the assessee and against the Revenue. The Revenue has not disputed the fact that the Employee s contribution towards EPF and ESI was deposited by the assessee before the due date of return of ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
|
