TaxTMI 
TaxTMI 
TaxTMI 
2017 (2) TMI 631
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....epreciation on the assets of power generating units. (ii) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the ld. CIT(A) has erred in deleting the disallowance of Rs. 1,41,57,121/- made by the AO u/s 43B. ITA No. 681/JP/14 - AY 2009-10 (i) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the ld. CIT(A) has erred in annulling the assessment order by holding that reopening of the assessment u/s 147 of the Act in this case was merely change of opinion, and therefore, bad in law. (ii) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the ld. CIT(A) has erred in deleting the disallowance of Rs. 13,20,232/- made by the AO on account of withdrawal of additional depreciation claimed by the assessee in respect of machinery installed in its power generating units. (iii) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case the ld. CIT(A) has erred in deleting the disallowance of Rs. 61,71,580/- made by the AO on a/c of deduction claimed by the assessee u/s 43B by admitting additional evidence in violation of Rule 46A. 2. Firstly, we will take up appeal for AY 2008-09. In respect of ground no. 1, briefly the facts of the case are that the assessment u/s 143(3) of the Act was compl....
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....pening of assessment u/s 148 was bad in law and the order is ab-initio void in as much as the issue of depreciation and claim of deduction u/s 43B were considered by the then AO and therefore the reopening of assessment by the AO was merely a change of opinion.Hence, against the said order of ld CIT(A), the Revenue is in appeal before us. 6. The ld AR, at the outset, submitted that both the issues regarding the claim of additional depreciation on power plant and windmill, and the claim of deduction u/s 43B was examined in the course of assessment proceedings u/s 143(3) as under:- (a) AO vide query letter dt. 25.10.2010 in Point No. 3 and 9 required assessee to furnish assets register and file copy of accounts of all assets added or sold during the year so as to consider the assessee's claim of depreciation on these assets. In response to same, assessee vide reply dt. 09.11.2010 in Point No. 3 and 9 submitted that due to voluminous and detailed nature of transaction, FAR register will be submitted later on. However, AO vide letter dt. 03.12.2010 held that the details filed is in a routine manner and not as per queries raised vide letter dt. 25.10.2010 and thus required assessee t....
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....ngs has examined the issues of additional depreciation and deduction u/s 43B, on those very issues notice u/s 148 taken by him is only on account of change of opinion. On such change of opinion, re-assessment proceedings initiated by him, even within a period of 4 years, is illegal and bad in law. For this reliance is placed on following cases:- (a) CIT Vs. Hindustan Zinc Ltd. (2016) 241 Taxman 392 (Raj.) (HC): AO initiated reassessment proceedings on the ground that assessee had made incorrect claim of additional depreciation on captive power plant. On appeal, it was held that it is noticed that assessee had made true and full disclosure of all relevant facts relating to the claim of additional depreciation and also in respect of claim for grant of deduction u/s 80-IA. Further, a separate audit report in the prescribed form 10CCB in support of claim for deduction u/s 80- IA/80-IB was also duly submitted. The assessee had also submitted reply pursuant to all the queries made by the AO during assessment proceedings u/s 143(3) of the Act. Thus, the contention sought to be raised by the Revenue about non-disclosure on the basis of failure on the part of the assessee in mentioning bi....
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....s.147, it implies that the AO have formed an opinion at the first instance and later proposes or wants to take a different view. Question of change of opinion arises when an AO initially forms an opinion and decides not to make an addition accepting the assessee's position or stand. Reassessment proceedings in the said cases would be hit by the principle of "change of opinion". In case an issue or query is raised by the AO and answered by the assessee in the original assessment proceedings, and the AO does not make any addition, it has to be accepted that the issue has been examined but the AO did not find any ground or reason to make any addition, and thus, the reassessment would be invalid. Once there has been a full and true disclosure of all material and primary facts at the time of original assessment u/s 143(3), and the assessment is reopened in respect of a matter covered by the disclosure, it is a case of change of opinion and the assessment proceedings cannot be validly reopened even within four years. (c) ACIT Vs. Rolta India Ltd. (2011) 57 DTR 370 (Mum) (TM): Assessee capitalized the cost of software in the books of accounts & claimed the same as revenue expenditure in....
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....ich was retained, was valued and was reflected in the balance sheet. On sale of development rights of property, assessee declared capital gain and return was processed u/s 143(1). However, AO reopened the assessment, for the reason that assessee had paid municipal taxes which "appears to be for the change of usage". On local enquiries it is "understood" that the property in question was a factory building and now it stands developed as shops and marriage hall consisting of 110 units, known as "Oshiwara Plaza" and assessee had developed the property consisting of 110 units and sold the same during the period. In response to the show-cause notice, assessee furnished a detailed reply and upon going through the reply, AO noticed that the initial assumptions which were the basis for reopening of the assessment were wrong but, he proceeded to recompute the total income on the ground that the assessee is not entitled to the benefit of indexed cost of acquisition of the property, by treating the sale proceeds as capital gains. In the opinion of the AO, income on sale of property was assessable to tax under the head "Profits and gains of business and profession". Since assessee capitalized ....
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....d. 10. The ld DR is heard who has vehemently argued the matter and supported the reopening of assessment proceedings. He submitted that the both the issue of claim of additional depreciation as well as claim under section 43B was not examined by the AO in the original assessment proceedings and hence, there is no question of change of opinion. 11. We have heard the rival contentions and pursued the material available on record. The Revenue has challenged the order of the ld. CIT(A) wherein he has held that the claim of additional depreciation and claim of deduction u/s 43B were considered by the Assessing Officer while completing the original assessment u/s 143(3) of the Act. The ld. CIT(A) held reopening of the assessment by the AO as merely change of opinion which is bad in law and the order passed u/s 147 read with section 143(3) was held to be void ab-initio. During the course of hearing, the ld. AR has also submitted that both the issues regarding the claim of additional depreciation on power plant and windmill, and the claim of deduction u/s 43B were examined in the course of original assessment proceedings u/s 143(3) of the Act. It was further submitted that when the AO in....
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....r claims for depreciation of these assets." 12.2 Thereafter, on 03.12.2010, the Assessing Officer has asked the following further details alongwith necessary supporting evidences: "(10) As per note of computation, production in Mangalam Power Plant, Morak and Mangalam Wind Power Plant, Jaisalmer has started in October and September, 2007 respectively but no production and sales details have been shown in the books of accounts. Please furnish month wise details of production and sales alongwith documentary evidence of production commenced. Please also file complete details of income and expenditure details of above plants separately. (11) As per depreciation chart filed, investment of Rs. 79.44 crores and Rs. 33.62 crores has been shown in the case of Mangalam Power Plant, Morak but no WDV as on 01.04.2007 and addition made during the year has been mentioned separately. Please furnish block wise details alongwith purchase of bills and source of investment in the above plant. (12) As per deprecation chart, depreciation of 80% has been claimed in the case of Mangalam Wind Power Plant, Jaisalmer but no details of production and sales have been shown in the year under considera....
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....the details mentioned above, your goodself will find that a receipt of Rs. 2345.85 lacs from Power Plant and Rs. 47.69 lacs from wind mills is disclosed as per P&L account of the respective units. Since units generated were consumed by the cement plants for captive purpose, hence the receipt has been netted off from the power and fuel expenses of Mangalam Cement Ltd. Please refer Schedule 15 of Balance sheet. Hence depreciation claimed is allowable u/s 32 of the Income Tax Act, 1961." 12.4 For claim of depreciation, the assessee has to satisfy the requirements of section 32(1)(i) and section 32(1)(ii) of the Act wherein the assessee has to satisfy the test of ownership over the assets and the usage of the assets for the purpose of the business. Further depending on the nature of the assets - tangible/intangible assets and the period of usage, the rate of depreciation has been prescribed which can be claimed by the assessee. In the context of additional depreciation, the provisions are contained in section 32(1)(ii)(a) which provides that where a new machinery or plant (other than ships and aircraft) which has been acquired and installed after the 31st day of March, 2005 by the ass....
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....re us. There cannot be a situation where the additional claim of depreciation is disputed stating that the original claim of depreciation has been wrongly claimed but without disturbing (rather accepting) such original claim of depreciation. We are therefore of the considered view that the reasons recorded are self-contradictory and cannot form the basis to initiate reassessment proceedings. On this ground alone, the reopening of assessment u/s 147 cannot be held valid in law and is liable to be quashed. 12.6 Further, on review of the queries raised by the AO, it transpires that the same were related to examination of purchase of the assets during the year, the date on which they were first put to use, the production and sales in respect of the power plant and windmill and whether the production has been commenced during the year or not. These queries were raised by the AO after going through the computation of income and depreciation chart submitted by the assessee company in respect of power plant as well as wind mill wherein the assessee has claimed depreciation @ 80% on written down value as well as additional depreciation @ 20% on actual costs available at APB 30-31. In our v....
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....n view of amended provision of sec. 32(1)(iia), assessee's engaged in the business of generation or generation and distribution of power is allowed additional depreciation w.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14, meaning thereby, that they were not allowed additional depreciation during the year under consideration i.e. A.Y. 08-09. Accordingly, he disallowed the claim of additional depreciation. 13.3 The Ld. CIT(A) after considering the language of section 32(1)(i) held that the power plant of the assessee has to be treated as an undertaking of assessee generating power and therefore the assessee clearly falls in the first category and was eligible for depreciation. Secondly, the assessee's case is also covered by section 32(1)(iia) wherein additional depreciation is allowable if the assessee is engaged in the business of manufacture or production of any article or thing. The assessee was manufacturing cement (which has to be treated as an article or thing) and therefore was eligible for additional depreciation. 14. The ld AR submitted that for claim of additional depreciation u/s 32(1)(iia), what is required is that new P&M has been acquired and installed by an assessee engaged in the business of m....
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....ligible for additional depreciation u/s 32(1)(iia) in respect of windmill electricity generating machinery acquired by it. JCIT vs. Mineral Enterprises Ltd. (2013) 144 ITD 680 (Bang.)(Trib.): The assessee was engaged in manufacture of article or thing. By exercising the option provided under second proviso to rule 5(1A), it claimed additional depreciation on wind mill. The AO disallowed the claim of additional depreciation on wind mill on the ground that provisions of the Act allowed depreciation only in case of any new machinery or plant (other than ships and aircraft) and not for wind mill, which was engaged in power generation. It was held that in view of the decision of Madras High Court rendered in case of CIT Vs. VTM Ltd. [2009] 319 ITR 336, assessee was entitled to additional depreciation on the wind mill. CIT Vs. VTM Ltd. (2009) 319 ITR 336 (Mad.)(HC): In this case, assessee is a company engaged in the business of manufacture of textile goods. It set up a windmill for generation of power and claimed additional depreciation u/s 32(1)(iia). AO held that setting up of a windmill has absolutely no connection with the manufacturing of textile goods and thus assessee is not e....
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....e in view of amended provision of sec. 32(1)(iia) whereby assessee's engaged in the business of generation or generation and distribution of power is allowed additional depreciation w.e.f. A.Y. 13-14, meaning thereby, that they were not allowed additional depreciation during the year under consideration i.e. A.Y. 08-09. The said amendment has been incorrectly interpreted by AO. The Hon'ble Chennai Tribunal in case of ACIT Vs. M. Satish Kumar (2012) 19 ITR (Trib.) 646, case pertaining to A.Y. 08-09, has given a finding on such amendment and has held that generation of electricity is a manufacturing activity entitling assessee to claim additional depreciation u/s 32(1)(iia). In this case, assessee was engaged in the business of sale of imported second hand machinery and generation of electricity through windmills. He installed two windmills. The 1st windmill was installed in Year 2005 and second in Sept. 2007 i.e. A.Y. 08-09. Assessee claimed 100% depreciation in respect of 2nd windmill installed as per provisions of sec. 32(1) and Item xiii of New Appendix 1 r.w.r. 5. AO rejected the claim of assessee for grant of additional depreciation on windmill installed during A.Y. 08-09 by ob....
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....ation is permissible to all assessees who are engaged in the business of manufacture or production of any article or thing. In the circumstances, the assessee who is desirous of claiming the additional depreciation need only to prove that during the relevant year he was engaged in the business of manufacture or production of any article or thing. Now the question to be decided is as to whether the assessee engaged in generation and distribution of electricity could be said to be engaged in the business of manufacture or production of any article or thing so as to be eligible for claiming additional depreciation u/s 32(1)(iia) of the Act. It is well settled that for the purpose of manufacture, an element of transformation is a pre- requisite. A particular item should undergo changes in its colour and character and become a separate and new marketable commodity after the manufacturing process. In the instant case, the assessee had set up hydel power and thermal power plant, wherein the water and coal gets converted into electricity through the manufacturing process. Hence it is undisputed that transformation from mere coal to electricity and from mere water to electricity happens pur....
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....d in new Appendix-1 . (1.2) As per second proviso to Rule 5(1A) an undertaking specified in clause (i) of section 32 may, instead if claiming deprecation specified in appendix 1A at its option be allowed depreciation as per Appendix-1, if such option is exercised before the due date for furnishing the return of income u/s 139(10 & the option once exercised shall be final & shall apply to all the subsequent A.Ys. (1.3) From the above provisions, I is clear that the undertaking engaged in generation of generation & distribution of Power has an option to claim the depreciation either u/s 32(1)(i) or 32(1)(ii). We have installed a power plant at Morak & a windmill at Jaisalmer in the year under consideration & have exercised the option of claiming the depreciation u/s 32(1)(ii). Therefore the additional depreciation has rightly been claimed and allowed to s in the assessment framed u/s 143(3). It may be noted that there is no prescribed form or method for exercising the option & therefore he claim made in the return of income and the audit report filed alongwith the return is sufficient for exercise of the option required under second proviso to rule 5(1A) as held by the ITAT Chenn....
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....ew of provisions of section 32 read with the rules, it is clear that an undertaking engaged in generation or generation & distribution of power has an option to claim the depreciation either u/s 32(1)(i) or 32(1)(ii) of the Act. There is no dispute that the assessee has claimed depreciation u/s 32 (1)(ii) of the Act. The AO has not disputed the said claim of the assessee in respect of claim of depreciation u/s 32(1)(ii) of the Act whereby the assessee has claimed depreciation @ 80% on the assets pertaining to the power plant at Morak and windmill at Jaisalmer in the year under consideration. 16.6 We now refer to the provisions of section 32(1)(ii)(a) of the Act which reads as under: "(iia) In the case of any new machinery or plant (other than ships and aircraft) which has been acquired and installed after the 31st Day of March, 2005by an assessee engaged in the business of manufacture or production of any article or thing or in the business of generation or generation and distribution of power, a further sum equal to twenty per cent of the actual cost of such machinery or plant shall be allowed as deduction under clause (ii)." 16.7 A reading of the above provisions makes it cle....
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....s been brought to our notice. In our view, the said amendment cannot be read to negate the settled legal position that generation of electricity is akin to manufacture or production of an article or thing. As held by Coordinate Bench in M Satish Kumar (supra), the said amendment by the Finance Act 2012 gives an impetus to the view that generation of electricity is a manufacturing process. In light of above, the assessee is held entitled to the additional claim of depreciation on the power plant and the windmill installed during the year. Hence the ground of the department is dismissed. 17. Now, coming to Ground No. 3 where on merits, the Revenue has challenged the action of ld CIT(A) in deleting the disallowance of Rs. 1,41,57,121/- u/s 43B made by the AO. 17.1 Briefly the facts of the case are that the assessee claimed deduction of Rs. 1,41,57,121/- u/s 43B being payment made under protest against demand of service tax and land tax and booked in other advances. The assessee filed detailed explanation on allowability of the claim. However, the AO held that explanation of the assessee is not acceptable and therefore disallowed the claim of the assessee. 17.2 The Ld. CIT(A....
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....n in the books is given a special status, and that is specifically called for but s. 43B is not one such section. The Tribunal was not correct in law in holding that where mercantile system is followed deduction of tax under s. 43B is impermissible unless the provision was made in the year in which the liability for tax accrued or arose. CIT Vs. Dharampal Satyapal Sons (P.) Ltd. 50 DTR 287 (Del.) (HC): Payment of pre-deposit by the assessee on the direction of CESTAT. Though the CESTAT had directed the assessee to make aforesaid payment by way of pre-deposit for stay of the impugned demand and pre-addition for hearing the appeal, indubitably this direction was given keeping in view the total excise duty demand raised by the adjudicating authority under the excise law, therefore, it had direct nexus and co-relation. Fact is that the assessee had made the payment towards excise duty albeit on the direction of the CESTAT as pre-deposit which therefore, would not seize to have the character of excise duty. Ultimate decision in the appeal will have no bearing on the issue. Amount is paid as a part payment against the excise duty demand raised by the excise authorities and since it was....