Tribunal grants appeal on CSR & SD expenses, rules against retrospective application. Justified expenses must comply with guidelines.

The Tribunal ruled in favor of the appellant, a government undertaking, in the appeal against the disallowance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development (SD) expenses for the Assessment Year 2013-14. The Tribunal held that Explanation 2 to section 37(1) introduced in 2015 was not applicable retrospectively to the year under consideration. As the expenses were in compliance with mandatory guidelines and had a direct nexus with business activities, the disallowance was deemed unjustified. The lower authorities' decision was overturned, directing the deletion of the disallowance of CSR and SD expenses.

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Issues:
1. Disallowance of claim of CSR and SD expenses under section 37.
2. Applicability of Explanation 2 to section 37(1) introduced by Finance Act(No.2), 2014.
3. Disallowance upheld by the CIT(A) for CSR and SD expenses.
4. Whether CSR and SD expenses have a direct nexus with business activities.

Analysis:
1. The appeal was filed against the order of the CIT(A) confirming the disallowance of CSR and SD expenses. The assessee argued that these expenses were allowable under section 37(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and the explanation 2 to section 37(1) inserted vide Finance Act(No.2), 2014 was prospective in nature and not applicable to the year under consideration. The appellant, being a government undertaking, incurred these expenses in compliance with mandatory guidelines, making them in accordance with the provisions of section 37(1). The assessee contended that these expenses had a direct nexus with business activities, and there was no legal basis for their disallowance.

2. The brief facts revealed that the assessee, engaged in technical consultancy services and turnkey contracts for hydel power, had filed its return of income for the Assessment Year 2013-14. The Assessing Officer disallowed CSR and sustainable development expenses, leading to an appeal before the CIT(A). The CIT(A) upheld the disallowance, citing explanation 2 to section 37(1) introduced by the Finance Act No. 2 of 2014. The CIT(A) held that even prior to the amendment, CSR expenses were disallowable, and confirmed the disallowance of sustainable development expenses as well, deeming them akin to CSR expenses.

3. The only issue in the appeal pertained to the disallowance of CSR and sustainable development expenses. The appellant argued that the explanation introduced in 2015 was not applicable to the assessment year 2013-14 and cited relevant decisions supporting this contention. The appellant submitted evidence of the nature and expenditure of CSR and sustainable development activities undertaken, along with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. The appellant maintained that these expenses were incurred in line with government guidelines, making them allowable.

4. After considering the contentions and reviewing the orders of the lower authorities, it was noted that the explanation 2 to section 37(1) introduced in 2015 applied from the assessment year 2015-16 only. The decision of the coordinate bench favored the assessee, stating that the explanation did not apply retrospectively. As no contrary decision was presented by the Revenue, the Tribunal held that for the assessment year 2013-14, CSR expenses could not be disallowed under the said explanation. Consequently, the order of the lower authorities was reversed, directing the Assessing Officer to delete the disallowance of CSR and sustainable development expenses. The appeal of the assessee was allowed accordingly.

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