Court affirms tax benefit for returning non-resident under Income-tax Act section 115H

Commissioner of Income-Tax Versus NP. Mathew (Decd.).

Commissioner of Income-Tax Versus NP. Mathew (Decd.). - [2006] 280 ITR 44 Issues:
1. Entitlement to benefit under section 115H of the Income-tax Act for the assessee.
2. Applicability of provisions for a non-resident individual becoming a resident and the reliance on previous Tribunal orders.
3. Consideration of the issue on merits without relying on a previous order for the subsequent year.

Issue 1 - Benefit under section 115H:
The case involved an assessee who was a non-resident and claimed a concessional tax rate under section 115H upon returning to India. The Assessing Officer disallowed the claim, but the Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) allowed it. The Tribunal upheld the decision based on a previous order benefiting the assessee for a subsequent year. The Revenue argued against the benefit, but the Court analyzed the relevant sections, including 10(4)(ii), 115H, and 115E(1), to establish the legislative intent of providing a concessional tax rate to non-residents on certain income. The Court emphasized the need for a strict interpretation of tax statutes but also highlighted the principle of construing exemptions liberally when enacted with a beneficial objective. The Court concluded that the assessee was entitled to the benefit under section 115H as the provisions were clear, and no other interpretation was possible.

Issue 2 - Applicability of provisions and reliance on previous orders:
The Tribunal relied on a previous order benefiting the assessee in a subsequent year to allow the claim for the assessment year in question. The Revenue contested this reliance, arguing that the Tribunal should have considered the issue on its merits without referring to the previous order. The Court examined the consistency in applying tax provisions, noting that section 115H applies when a non-resident becomes a resident and is liable for taxation. The Court emphasized the need for the Revenue to be consistent in its treatment of assessees and not differentiate between them. Citing precedents and the principle of uniform application of tax laws, the Court upheld the Tribunal's decision and dismissed the Revenue's appeal.

Issue 3 - Consideration of the issue on merits:
The Revenue raised concerns about the Tribunal not considering the issue on its merits for the assessment year without relying on a previous order. However, the Court found that the Tribunal's decision was consistent with the provisions of section 115H and the legislative intent behind providing a concessional tax rate to non-residents. The Court emphasized the need for a strict but beneficial interpretation of tax laws, ultimately supporting the Tribunal's decision and dismissing the Revenue's appeal.