Tribunal Partly Allows Appeals, Orders Further Investigation on Deductions, Interest Levies, and Expense Adjustments.

SHRI RAMA MULTI TECH LTD. Versus ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX.

SHRI RAMA MULTI TECH LTD. Versus ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX. - [2005] 92 TTJ 568 Issues Involved:
1. Addition of Interest Income
2. Disallowance of Purchase Expenses
3. Disallowance of Provisions for Bad Debts
4. Disallowance of Interest Expenses
5. Disallowance u/s 35D
6. Additional Grounds for Financial, Professional Charges, and Upfront Fees
7. Calculation of Deduction u/s 80-IA
8. Calculation of Deduction u/s 80HHC
9. Levy of Interest u/s 234B and 234C
10. Additional Grounds Raised by Assessee

Summary:

1. Addition of Interest Income:
The assessee contested the addition of Rs. 3,27,90,125 as interest income and its non-allowance for set-off against pre-operative expenses. The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s decision, treating the amount as "income from other sources" based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. vs. CIT.

2. Disallowance of Purchase Expenses:
The AO disallowed Rs. 83,90,690 as bogus purchases from M/s Sai Baba Sales Corporation. The Tribunal, citing the tax audit report and the Gujarat High Court's decision in CIT vs. M.K. Bros., found no evidence of bogus purchases and directed the deletion of the addition.

3. Disallowance of Provisions for Bad Debts:
The assessee conceded this ground, and the Tribunal dismissed it as not pressed.

4. Disallowance of Interest Expenses:
The Tribunal restored the issue of Rs. 32,02,200 disallowed interest expenses to the AO for a detailed probe, considering the assessee's claim that advances were for business purposes.

5. Disallowance u/s 35D:
The Tribunal restored the issue of Rs. 9,94,421 disallowed u/s 35D to the AO for reconsideration, directing a detailed examination of whether the expenses were capital or revenue in nature.

6. Additional Grounds for Financial, Professional Charges, and Upfront Fees:
The Tribunal allowed the assessee's claim for financial charges, legal and professional charges, and upfront fees as revenue expenses, directing the AO to allow these expenses under s. 36(1)(iii) and s. 37(1).

7. Calculation of Deduction u/s 80-IA:
The Tribunal restored the issue to the AO to recalculate the deduction under s. 80-IA, taking into account the correct calculation method as per the law.

8. Calculation of Deduction u/s 80HHC:
The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s decision to exclude 90% of the gross interest income from the profits for calculating the deduction under s. 80HHC, but restored the issue of netting off interest to the AO for recalculation.

9. Levy of Interest u/s 234B and 234C:
The Tribunal directed the AO to adjust the levy of interest under ss. 234B and 234C based on the final outcome of the other grounds.

10. Additional Grounds Raised by Assessee:
The Tribunal admitted additional grounds regarding interest earned on share application money and customs duty included in the closing stock, restoring these issues to the AO for reconsideration as per law.

Revenue's Appeal:

1. Deletion of Disallowance of Debenture Issue Expenses:
The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s deletion of Rs. 14,90,243, citing the Supreme Court's decision in India Cement Ltd. vs. CIT.

2. Deletion of Addition for Stamp Duty and Professional Fees for Term Loan:
The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s deletion of Rs. 14,00,000, considering these expenses as revenue in nature.

3. Direction to Allow Deferred Revenue Expenses:
The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s direction to allow Rs. 20,65,537 as deferred revenue expenses, referencing the Supreme Court's decision in India Cement Ltd.

4. Deletion of Disallowance of Interest Expenses:
The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s deletion of Rs. 14,48,879, noting that the interest charged by the assessee was justified.

5. Deletion of Interest Disallowance:
The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s deletion of Rs. 2,92,45,670, treating it as revenue expenses.

Conclusion:
Both appeals were partly allowed for statistical purposes, with several issues restored to the AO for reconsideration.