2017 (5) TMI 1796 - AT - Income Tax

Tribunal directs Assessing Officer to delete disallowed amount, ruling in favor of appellant

National Dairy Developement Board Versus Dy. Commissioner of Income Tax, Anand Circle, Anand.

National Dairy Developement Board Versus Dy. Commissioner of Income Tax, Anand Circle, Anand. - TMI Issues Involved:1. Correctness of order dated 16th April 2014 passed by CIT(A) under section 143(3) r.w.s. 254 for assessment year 2003-04.2. Disallowance of grant given by appellant to Sabarmati Salt Farmers Society claimed as deductible expenditure u/s.36(1)(xii).3. Allowability of the disallowed amount as deduction u/s 36(1)(vii) or u/s 37/28 of the Income Tax Act.Analysis:1. The appeal challenged the correctness of the CIT(A)'s order for the assessment year 2003-04. The appellant contended that the order was erroneous and contrary to the law, specifically disputing the disallowance of a grant given to Sabarmati Salt Farmers Society under section 36(1)(xii) of the Income Tax Act.2. The Tribunal remitted the matter to the Assessing Officer for verification of whether the grants given by the appellant were from received grants and for re-adjudicating the disallowance. The Tribunal emphasized that expenditure incurred for authorized purposes is deductible under section 36(1)(xii) of the Act, and the appellant needed to provide fund utilization reports.3. The Assessing Officer disallowed a specific amount claimed as perspective plan expenditure by the appellant, citing lack of supporting documents like fund utilization reports, grant agreements, and director's recommendations. The CIT(A) upheld this disallowance, emphasizing the need for fund utilization reports and dismissing the appellant's argument for allowance under section 36(1)(vii).4. The Tribunal found that the disallowance was based on the possibility of the amount coming back to the appellant, which was not valid as the amount was advanced in the course of business and was no longer recoverable. The Tribunal criticized the hyper-technical approach of the authorities in interpreting the terms of remand and directed the Assessing Officer to delete the disallowance.5. Ultimately, the Tribunal allowed the appeal, directing the Assessing Officer to delete the disallowed amount of Rs.61,08,550, as the disallowance was found to be unsustainable in law and not supported by the facts of the case.This comprehensive analysis outlines the issues raised, the Tribunal's directions, the Assessing Officer's disallowance rationale, the CIT(A)'s decision, and the final judgment allowing the appeal and directing the deletion of the disallowed amount.