2010 (6) TMI 52 - HC - Income Tax

Effluent treatment receipts exempt from tax, interest on investments taxable.

The Commissioner of Income Tax Versus M/s. Common Effluent Treatment Plant

The excess income over expenditure in respect of effluent treatment receipts was held to be exempt from income tax based on the principle of mutuality. ... Concept of mutuality – taxability of excess of income over expenditure – taxability of interest on bank fixed deposits, other deposits and income-tax refunds – held that: - The income is not generated out of dealings with any third party. The entire contribution originates in its members and is expended only in furtherance of the objects of the Association, for the benefit of the members. On these facts, both the Commissioner (Appeals) and the Tribunal were justified in coming to the conclusion that the surplus so generated falls within the purview of the doctrine of mutuality and was not exigible to tax. – interest on bank fixed deposits are taxable since the same did not arise out of mutuality – regarding taxability of other deposits and interest on income-tax refunds, matter remitted back to tribunal for fresh consideration. Issues Involved:1. Whether the excess of income over expenditure in respect of the effluent treatment receipts is exempt from income-tax on the principle of mutuality.2. Whether interest on bank fixed deposits, other deposits, and income-tax refunds is chargeable to tax on the principle of mutuality.Issue-Wise Detailed Analysis:RE: QUESTION AThe first issue concerns whether the excess of income over expenditure in respect of effluent treatment receipts is exempt from income-tax on the principle of mutuality. The assessee, an Association incorporated under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, was formed to provide a centralized treatment facility for industrial effluents. The income of the assessee consists of contributions by its members for setting up the effluent treatment facility. The principle of mutuality postulates that all contributors to the common fund must be entitled to participate in the surplus and that all participators in the surplus are contributors to the common fund. This principle was reiterated by the Supreme Court in Commissioner of Income Tax V/s. Bankipur Club Limited and Chelmsford Club V/s. Commissioner of Income Tax.The Tribunal noted that the assessee is a nonprofit company formed by units engaged in industrial activity with the object of setting up a common effluent treatment facility. Both the Commissioner (Appeals) and the Tribunal found that there is a complete identity between contributors and participators, applying the principle of mutuality to the excess of income over expenditure. The Court concluded that the surplus generated by the assessee, representing the excess of its income over expenditure, falls within the purview of the doctrine of mutuality and is not exigible to tax. The first question of law was answered in favor of the assessee and against the Revenue.RE: QUESTION BThe second issue pertains to the taxability of interest on bank deposits, other deposits, and income-tax refunds amounting to Rs. 45.46 lakhs. The Revenue argued that the interest income does not satisfy the test of mutuality since it is generated from third parties such as banks. Several High Courts, including those of Madras, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir, have held that interest earned on surplus funds parked with a bank does not satisfy the test of mutuality.The Gujarat High Court in Sports Club of Gujarat Limited V/s. Commissioner of Income Tax held that income derived from investment, whether by way of interest, dividend, or rent, is derived from a third party and not from contributions from the members of the club. The Karnataka High Court in Commissioner of Income Tax V/s. I.T.I. Employees Death & Superannuation Relief Fund and Commissioner of Income Tax V/s. Bangalore Club held that interest earned on surplus funds invested in banks does not fulfill the requirement of mutuality.The Madras High Court in Madras Gymkhana Club V/s. Deputy Commissioner of Income-tax also held that interest earned on surplus income derived in the course of the activities of the club and invested in fixed deposits does not satisfy the test of mutuality. The Jammu & Kashmir High Court in Amar Singh Club v/s. Union of India held that interest received on fixed deposits and bank deposits would not be covered by the principle of mutuality.The Court concluded that the interest generated on the investment of surplus funds is not income received from the members of the assessee but from third parties such as banks. The decision to invest the funds in bank fixed deposits is a prudent commercial decision motivated by the desire to earn interest, which does not fulfill the requirement of mutuality. The second question of law was answered in favor of the Revenue and against the assessee.Regarding the taxability of other deposits and interest on income-tax refunds, the Tribunal had not specifically dealt with or considered this issue. Therefore, the Court restored the question of the taxability of other deposits and income-tax refunds for decision by the Tribunal afresh.Conclusion:The appeal was disposed of with no order as to costs. The first question of law was answered in favor of the assessee, while the second question of law was answered in favor of the Revenue. The issue of the taxability of other deposits and income-tax refunds was remanded to the Tribunal for fresh consideration.