1987 (6) TMI 120 - AT - Income Tax

Charitable trust granted exemption from gift tax assessment for 1970-71 based on Income-tax Act interpretation

Second Gift-Tax Officer. Versus Sakthi Charities.

The Tribunal dismissed the Revenue's appeal and upheld the AAC's decision to cancel the gift-tax assessment for the assessment year 1970-71. The assessee ... 1961 Act, Assessment Proceedings, Assessment Year, Gift Tax Assessment, Income Tax Act, Reassessment Proceedings Issues:1. Whether the assessee is entitled to exemption under section 11 of the Income-tax Act for the assessment year 1970-71.2. Whether the gift-tax assessment made on the assessee for the assessment year 1970-71 is valid.3. Interpretation of section 45(e) of the Gift-tax Act in relation to gifts made by an institution or fund exempt from income tax under section 11 of the Income-tax Act.Analysis:1. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 1970-71 and involves gift-tax proceedings. The Revenue initiated proceedings under section 16 of the Gift-tax Act due to the assessee not being entitled to exemption under section 11 of the Income-tax Act. The assessee made total donations of Rs. 25,500, with a portion exempt under section 5(1)(v). The AAC cancelled the gift-tax assessment for the year based on the assessee's charitable trust status under section 11, as upheld in previous income-tax proceedings. The Revenue challenged this decision on the grounds that the trust was not entitled to exemption under section 11 and cited pending appeals for other assessment years.2. The Revenue argued that the AAC erred in canceling the gift-tax assessment, contending that the trust did not qualify for exemption under section 11. They highlighted pending appeals and previous decisions regarding the trust's charitable status. The assessee's counsel clarified that for the assessment year 1980-81, the Tribunal had ruled in favor of the trust's exemption under section 11, with the matter under reference. The High Court's decision in a related case emphasized the validity of the trust deed and the limitations on modifying trust objects. The Revenue maintained that the trust did not meet the criteria for exemption under section 11 of the Income-tax Act.3. The assessee's counsel relied on section 45(e) of the Gift-tax Act, arguing that the provision exempted gifts made by an institution or fund exempt from income tax under section 11 of the Income-tax Act. They emphasized that since the re-assessment for the assessment year 1970-71 was canceled, and the original assessment granted exemption under section 11, no gift-tax assessment could be levied. The Tribunal analyzed the provisions of the Gift-tax Act and the Income-tax Act to determine the assessee's eligibility for exemption under section 11, concluding that no gift-tax assessment could be imposed for the year in question.In conclusion, the Tribunal dismissed the Revenue's appeal, upholding the AAC's decision to cancel the gift-tax assessment for the assessment year 1970-71 based on the assessee's exemption under section 11 of the Income-tax Act. The interpretation of section 45(e) of the Gift-tax Act played a crucial role in determining the tax liability for the assessee, considering the trust's charitable status and previous income-tax proceedings.