CBDT Circular No. 3 of 2018 impacts Revenue's appeal outcome. Assessee partially succeeds in interest expense dispute. Penalty revoked.

The Revenue's appeals were dismissed due to low tax effect as per CBDT Circular No. 3 of 2018. The assessee's quantum appeal was partly allowed, confirming the disallowance of Rs. 84,577 for interest expenses. The penalty appeal of the assessee was allowed, deleting the penalty of Rs. 26,81,000 imposed under section 271(1)(c).

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Issues Involved:
1. Deletion of interest expenses attributable to BOT projects.
2. Allowance of deduction under section 80IA.
3. Deletion of penalty imposed under section 271(1)(c).
4. Disallowance of interest expenditure attributable to eligible undertaking.
5. Calculation of interest expenses for earning tax-free income.
6. Confirmation of penalty under section 271(1)(c).

Detailed Analysis:

1. Deletion of Interest Expenses Attributable to BOT Projects:
The Revenue challenged the deletion of interest expenses of Rs. 42,77,609/- attributable to BOT projects by the CIT(A). However, the Tribunal found that the tax effect on each appeal was below Rs. 20 lakhs as per the CBDT Circular No. 3 of 2018, which prohibits filing appeals where the tax effect is below Rs. 20 lakhs. Consequently, the appeals by the Revenue were dismissed due to low tax effect. The Tribunal noted that if, upon re-verification, the tax effect was found to be more, the Department could approach the Tribunal for recall of the order within the prescribed time period.

2. Allowance of Deduction Under Section 80IA:
The Revenue's appeal challenging the allowance of deduction under section 80IA amounting to Rs. 32,83,582/- by the CIT(A) was also dismissed due to the same reason of low tax effect as per the CBDT Circular No. 3 of 2018.

3. Deletion of Penalty Imposed Under Section 271(1)(c):
The Revenue's appeal against the deletion of penalty imposed under section 271(1)(c) was dismissed due to the low tax effect as per the CBDT Circular No. 3 of 2018.

4. Disallowance of Interest Expenditure Attributable to Eligible Undertaking:
The assessee's appeal against the disallowance of interest expenditure of Rs. 21,94,475/- out of total expenses of Rs. 42,77,609/- was not pressed by the assessee and hence, rejected.

5. Calculation of Interest Expenses for Earning Tax-Free Income:
The assessee contested the calculation of interest expenses at Rs. 8,44,577/-. The CIT(A) had disallowed Rs. 26,83,618/- on the ground that interest-bearing funds were used for earning tax-free income. The CIT(A) accepted the assessee's calculation but erroneously confirmed the disallowance at Rs. 8,44,577/- instead of Rs. 84,577/-. The Tribunal found no justification for the calculation of Rs. 8,44,577/- and confirmed the disallowance to the extent of Rs. 84,577/-.

6. Confirmation of Penalty Under Section 271(1)(c):
The assessee's appeal against the confirmation of penalty of Rs. 26,81,000/- under section 271(1)(c) was allowed. The Tribunal noted that the AO had already imposed a penalty of Rs. 24,14,500/- in the first round, which the assessee accepted. Considering the reduced quantum on which taxes were evaded and the assessee's acceptance of the initial penalty, the Tribunal held that no second penalty should be imposed on the same addition. Thus, the penalty of Rs. 26,81,000/- was deleted.

Conclusion:
The appeals of the Revenue were dismissed due to low tax effect as per CBDT Circular No. 3 of 2018. The assessee's quantum appeal was partly allowed, confirming the disallowance of Rs. 84,577/- for interest expenses. The penalty appeal of the assessee was allowed, deleting the penalty of Rs. 26,81,000/- imposed under section 271(1)(c).

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