2013 (12) TMI 832 - HC - Income Tax

Court ruling on revenue, deductions, and income treatment under Income Tax Act Sections 37(4), 80-HH, and 80-I.

Commissioner Of Income Tax Versus Radico Khaitan Ltd.

Commissioner Of Income Tax Versus Radico Khaitan Ltd. - [2014] 360 ITR 462 Issues involved:1. Allowability of expenses and depreciation on a guest house under Section 37(4) of the Income Tax Act.2. Deduction under sections 80-HH and 80-I of the Income Tax Act on gross total income.3. Claiming deductions under sections 80-HH and 80-I independently or on the reduced balance.4. Treatment of interest income as business income instead of income from other sources.5. Treatment of various capital expenses as revenue expenses.Analysis:1. Allowability of expenses and depreciation on a guest house under Section 37(4) of the Income Tax Act:The judgment referred to the Supreme Court's decision in Britannia Industries Ltd case, where it was held that maintenance expenses for a guest house are not allowable. The court interpreted the legislative intent to exclude expenses towards rents, repairs, and maintenance of premises/accommodations used for a guest house. The question was decided in favor of the revenue and against the assessee.2. Deduction under sections 80-HH and 80-I of the Income Tax Act on gross total income:The judgment cited a previous case where it was established that sections 80-HH and 80-I are independent of each other. The court clarified that a new industrial unit can claim deductions under both sections on gross total income independently, rather than reducing the deduction under one section from the other. This question was decided against the revenue and in favor of the respondent-assessee.3. Claiming deductions under sections 80-HH and 80-I independently or on the reduced balance:The court found that this issue did not arise for consideration based on the facts and circumstances of the case.4. Treatment of interest income as business income instead of income from other sources:The judgment referred to a case where it was established that interest income arising from a loan advanced to a sister concern was not out of borrowed funds. The court ruled in favor of the assessee, considering the availability of sufficient funds with the assessee company for the loan advanced to the sister concern.5. Treatment of various capital expenses as revenue expenses:This question was not specifically addressed in the judgment.In conclusion, the Income Tax Appeal was disposed of with directions for the department to proceed accordingly based on the decisions made on the various issues raised in the case.