1984 (6) TMI 103 - AT - Income Tax

ITAT Chandigarh rules in favor of assessee firm, partners not liable for income addition

The Appellate Tribunal ITAT Chandigarh allowed the appeal in favor of the assessee firm for the assessment year 1980-81. The Tribunal held that the ... - Issues:1. Addition of Rs. 10,000 to the total income of the assessee firm on account of low withdrawals by its partners in their household expenses.The judgment by the Appellate Tribunal ITAT Chandigarh addressed an appeal against the order of the AAC related to the assessment year 1980-81. The appeal had two grounds, with the first ground being withdrawn as the ITO had already provided necessary relief to the assessee on that issue. The only remaining ground concerned the addition of Rs. 10,000 to the total income of the assessee firm due to low withdrawals by its partners in household expenses. The assessee argued that such an addition was not justified as the firm and partners are distinct entities under the Income Tax Act, and income of one cannot be taxed in the hands of the other. The assessee cited the Supreme Court judgment in the case of CIT vs. VMRP Firm (1965) in support of this argument.The Departmental representative, on the other hand, relied on various judgments to support the addition made by the authorities below, contending that there was no misconception in the agreement regarding the addition. The Tribunal considered the arguments and referred to the Supreme Court judgment in the case of VMRP Firm, emphasizing that income must be taxable under the Act to be subjected to tax, and the ITO cannot impose tax on income not taxable under the Act based on a concessional agreement. The Tribunal also referred to a previous judgment related to the separate entity of a firm from its partners under the IT Act.The Tribunal concluded that the addition made to the firm's income due to low withdrawals by partners was not justified, as it went against established legal principles and relevant authorities. The Tribunal noted that the addition was based on low withdrawals and not on any credits in the partners' names, distinguishing it from cases where additions were justified. The Tribunal highlighted that the addition was in the hands of a different entity from the one with low withdrawals, leading to the deletion of the addition. As a result, the appeal was allowed in favor of the assessee.