Assessee wins higher 30% depreciation rate on hiring business assets despite CIT's section 263 revision challenge

ITAT Cuttack allowed assessee's claim for higher depreciation rate at 30% on assets used for hiring business, rejecting CIT's revision under section 263. CIT argued that since not all assets in the block were used for hiring, allowing 30% depreciation on entire block was erroneous. ITAT held that assets used for hiring business are eligible for higher depreciation regardless of quantum of income generated, citing SC precedent. Order directed AO to allow higher depreciation only on assets actually used in hiring business, modifying CIT's order accordingly.

---

---

Issues:
- Jurisdiction of CIT under section 263 of the IT Act
- Correctness of depreciation allowance on plant and machinery
- Dominant use of assets for determining depreciation rate

Jurisdiction of CIT under section 263 of the IT Act:
The appeal was filed against the order of the ld. CIT(A) by the assessee, challenging the jurisdiction of the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax (Pr. CIT) under section 263 of the Income Tax Act. The grounds of appeal included contentions that the order was arbitrary, illegal, and unjust, and that the Pr. CIT erred in exercising jurisdiction under section 263 without proper satisfaction of jurisdictional requirements. The appellant argued that the Pr. CIT's order lacked proper appreciation of facts and was passed without making a minimal inquiry, thus being liable to be quashed.

Correctness of depreciation allowance on plant and machinery:
The dispute centered around the depreciation claimed by the assessee on plant and machinery, particularly the rate of depreciation allowed. The Pr. CIT alleged that the depreciation claimed @30% on certain assets used for vehicle hiring was excessive, given the low involvement of the assessee in the hiring business. The Pr. CIT directed the AO to allow depreciation based on the dominant use of the assets. The appellant contended that the depreciation rate should be determined based on the purpose for which assets are used, citing the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in a specific case. The contention was that the Pr. CIT's allegation regarding the depreciation rate was incorrect, and the order under section 263 should be quashed.

Dominant use of assets for determining depreciation rate:
The Tribunal analyzed the assets claimed for depreciation by the assessee, noting a mix of assets used for construction business and those generating hiring income. Emphasizing the dominant use of assets, the Tribunal referred to the Supreme Court judgment, stating that income accrual should not solely determine the depreciation rate. Relying on this precedent, the Tribunal held that the assessee was eligible for a higher depreciation rate on assets used for hiring business, regardless of the income quantum. Consequently, the Tribunal modified the Pr. CIT's order to allow a higher rate of depreciation on assets used for the hiring business. The appeal was partly allowed based on this analysis.

This detailed analysis of the judgment highlights the key issues of jurisdiction under section 263, correctness of depreciation allowance, and the determination of depreciation rate based on the dominant use of assets.

---