1994 (3) TMI 73 - HC - Income Tax

Court ruling on capitalization of interest for machinery & deductibility of termination payment.

The court ruled in favor of the Revenue regarding the capitalization of interest/discounting charges for machinery purchased under a deferred payment ... Actual Cost, Mining Business Issues involved: 1. Capitalization of interest/discounting charges for machinery purchased under deferred payment scheme for allowance of depreciation and development rebate. 2. Permissibility of deduction for a payment of Rs. 3 lakhs for the assessment year 1974-75.Issue 1: Capitalization of interest/discounting charges for machinery: The court referred to a previous decision and answered the question in the negative, favoring the Revenue.Issue 2: Permissibility of deduction for a payment of Rs. 3 lakhs: The assessee firm paid Rs. 3,00,000 to terminate its obligation to supply iron ore to another party. The Tribunal initially held that the payment arrangement was only between two other parties, but the court disagreed. It was established that the payment directly affected the business of the assessee-firm, as evidenced by a commitment made on its behalf. The court concluded that the payment was wholly incurred for the business purposes of the assessee-firm and constituted revenue expenditure. The Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) allowed this expenditure for the assessment year 1974-75, considering the commitment made prior to the relevant accounting year. Therefore, the court answered the question in the affirmative, in favor of the assessee.Final Decision: The court answered the first question in the negative and in favor of the Revenue, while the second question was answered in the affirmative and in favor of the assessee. No costs were awarded in this matter.