2008 (7) TMI 993 - HC - Income Tax

High Court grants tax exemption to society under Section 11(5) of Income Tax Act, overturning lower tribunal decisions.

M/s SOCIETY OF BRIDGETTINE SISTERS Versus ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX

The High Court ruled in favor of the society, setting aside the orders of the Assessing Officer, the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), and the Income ... - Issues involved:The judgment involves the denial of exemption under Section 11 of the Income Tax Act to a society registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, due to investments made in financial institutions contrary to Section 11(5) of the Act.Summary:Issue 1: Denial of exemption under Section 11 of the Income Tax ActThe assessee, a society created for charity, was denied exemption under Section 11 for the assessment year 1995-96 due to investments made in three financial institutions contrary to Section 11(5) of the Act. The Assessing Officer rejected the explanation offered by the assessee, leading to the assessment of taxable income. The appeal to the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) and the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal were dismissed, prompting the present appeal.Issue 2: Consideration of substantial questions of lawSeveral substantial questions of law were raised by the assessee, which were re-framed during the hearing. The main question revolved around whether the denial of exemption without considering the explanation offered by the assessee regarding misrepresentation by the investee company was legally valid.Issue 3: Interpretation of law and application of precedentsThe High Court considered the undisputed facts that the society was created for charity and had been granted exemption under Section 11 for previous and subsequent assessment periods. The explanation provided by the assessee regarding investments made due to inadvertence and misrepresentation was rejected by the authorities. The Court referred to a judgment of the Delhi High Court, which held that if the assessee was misled by misrepresentation, they were entitled to claim exemption under Section 11(1)(d) of the Income Tax Act.Conclusion:The High Court ruled in favor of the assessee, setting aside the orders of the Assessing Officer, the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), and the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal. It held that the society was entitled to exemption under Section 11(5) of the Act, as the investments were made due to inadvertence and misrepresentation by the investee companies, aligning with the principles established in the Delhi High Court's judgment.