1998 (7) TMI 8 - HC - Income Tax

Tax Court Limits Export Deduction, Clarifies Travel Rule, Medical Reimbursement as Salary

The court upheld the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal's decision to disallow weighted deduction under section 35B for total export division expenditure, ... Export Markets Development Allowance, Weighted Deduction, Business Expenditure Issues involved:1. Weighted deduction under section 35B of the Income-tax Act for export division expenditure.2. Interpretation of rule 6D of the Income-tax Rules, 1962 regarding daily allowance limits.3. Treatment of medical reimbursement as salary under section 40(c)/40A(5) of the Income-tax Act.Issue 1: Weighted deduction under section 35B:The court examined whether the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal was correct in disallowing weighted deduction under section 35B for the total expenditure of the export division. The assessee claimed that as the export division was a separate department with distinct accounts, no disallowance should apply. However, the court found no evidence supporting the separate division or exclusive expenditure for export promotion. The Tribunal had limited the deduction to 75%, and without factual support, the court upheld the Tribunal's decision.Issue 2: Interpretation of rule 6D for daily allowance limits:The court analyzed the interpretation of rule 6D of the Income-tax Rules, 1962, concerning daily allowance limits. The assessee argued that the limits only covered actual travel expenses and not stays during travel. However, the court disagreed, stating that the term 'travelling' encompassed the entire period of absence from headquarters, including stays. The court highlighted that the rule and the Act referred to hotel expenses explicitly, indicating a broader definition of travel. The court ruled against the assessee, aligning with the Revenue's interpretation.Issue 3: Treatment of medical reimbursement as salary:Regarding the treatment of medical reimbursement under section 40(c)/40A(5) of the Income-tax Act, the court referred to a Supreme Court decision stating that cash allowances, even as medical expenditure reimbursements, should be considered part of salary. The Tribunal's decision to treat medical reimbursement as salary was upheld by the court, citing no error in the finding. Consequently, the court ruled in favor of the Revenue on all three questions, awarding costs to the Revenue.This judgment clarifies the application of tax laws related to deductions, daily allowance limits, and the treatment of specific reimbursements under the Income-tax Act, providing a detailed analysis of each issue raised by the assessee.