ITAT determined a deemed dividend under Section 2(22)(e)...

ITAT determined a deemed dividend under Section 2(22)(e) involving inter-corporate loans/advances between related companies. The tribunal distinguished between loan and deposit transactions, emphasizing essential legal characteristics. Critically, the assessee failed to provide substantive evidence supporting the transaction's nature as an inter-corporate deposit (ICD). Key findings included absence of interest expense documentation, lack of tax deducted at source (TDS) details, and no comprehensive repayment records. The transaction's routing through an intermediary company raised significant credibility concerns. Ultimately, the tribunal concluded the advance primarily benefited the assessee's investment, thereby dismissing the appeal and confirming the deemed dividend treatment.

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