2016 (8) TMI 416 - AT - Income Tax

ITAT Mumbai: Ruling for Assessee in Income Tax Appeal

M/s. Sterlite Infra Ltd. (Earlier known as Sterlite Paper Ltd.) Versus Income Tax Officer 2 (3) (3), Mumbai and ACIT 2 (3), Mumbai Versus M/s. Sterlite Infra Ltd.

The appellate tribunal ITAT Mumbai ruled in favor of the assessee, dismissing the revenue's appeal. The tribunal held that the addition under section ... Addition u/s. 41(1) - Held that:- The case of the assessee is not within the ambit of remission or cessation liability exist upon the assessee which is not waived by the assessee as well as the creditors.We are of the view that the said amount is not required to be added to the income of assessee u/s.41(1) of the Act. Therefore, these issues are decided in favour of the assessee against the revenue. Disallowance of expenditure - business was not running - CIT(A) allowed the claim - Held that:- Assessing Officer has allowed the expenditure to the tune of ₹ 17,94,594/- on account of interest, finance, depreciation, rate and taxes and audit fees whereas denied the administrative and general expenses and depreciation which has been allowed by the CIT(A). The said expenses are in the nature of preserved and protected the assets of the company and according to the section 37 of the Act the expenses incurred to preservation and protected the assets of the company are liable to be deducted. See CIT Vs. Malayalam Plantations Limited (1964 (4) TMI 9 - SUPREME Court ) Therefore, in view of the said circumstances we are of the view that the CIT(A) has passed the order judiciously and correctly which does not require to be interfere with at this appellate stage - Decided against the revenue. Issues Involved:1. Confirmation of addition under section 41(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.2. Disallowance of expenses claimed by the assessee.Confirmation of Addition under Section 41(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961:The case involved the confirmation of an addition under section 41(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, concerning the liability of the assessee towards Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. and Prithvi Construction Co. The assessee contended that the liabilities reflected in the balance sheet could not be presumed as ceased merely due to their long outstanding period. The section 41(1) of the Act was discussed, emphasizing the conditions for its application, including the necessity of remission or cessation of liabilities. Relying on various legal precedents, it was concluded that the amount in question did not fall under the ambit of remission or cessation of liability, as there was no waiver by the assessee or the creditors. Consequently, the addition under section 41(1) was deemed unnecessary, and the issues were decided in favor of the assessee against the revenue.Disallowance of Expenses Claimed by the Assessee:The revenue contested the disallowance of expenses amounting to &8377; 38,30,671 claimed by the assessee, citing the absence of business activity since 1997. However, the CIT(A) allowed the expenses, noting that certain expenses were incurred for the preservation and protection of the company's assets. The CIT(A) highlighted that expenses related to interest, finance, depreciation, rate and taxes, administrative and general expenses, and depreciation were necessary for the business and hence deductible under section 37 of the Act. Legal precedents were cited to support this argument. The CIT(A)'s decision to allow these expenses was upheld, and it was concluded that the order was judicious and correct, not warranting interference at the appellate stage. Consequently, this issue was decided in favor of the assessee and against the revenue.In conclusion, the appellate tribunal ITAT Mumbai ruled in favor of the assessee, allowing their appeal and dismissing the revenue's appeal. The judgment provided detailed analyses of the issues involved, citing relevant legal provisions and precedents to support the decisions made regarding the addition under section 41(1) and the disallowance of claimed expenses.