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Saturday, May 10, 2014

Important Verdict On Section 14A/ Rule 8D + Full Bench Verdict On CBDT Low Tax Effect Circular

Dear Subscriber,

 

The following important judgements are available for download at itatonline.org.

JM Financial Limited vs. ACIT (ITAT Mumbai)


No s. 14A/ Rule 8D disallowance for investment in shares of subsidiaries & Joint Ventures

In AY 2009-10, the assessee has specifically raised a point before the AO that 97.82% of the investment is in subsidiary companies and joint venture companies and, therefore, no expenditure was incurred for maintaining the portfolio on these investments or for holding the same. The assessee has also pointed out that these investments are long term investment and no decision is required in making the investment or disinvestment on regular basis because these investments are strategic in nature in the subsidiary companies on long term basis and, therefore, no direct or indirect expenditure is incurred. The department has not disputed this fact that out of the total investment about 98% of the investments are in subsidiary companies of the assessee and, therefore, the purpose of investment is not for earning the dividend income but having control and business purpose and consideration. Therefore, prima facie the assessee has made out a case to show that no expenditure has been incurred for maintaining these long term investment in subsidiary companies. The AO has not brought out any contrary fact or material to show that the assessee has incurred any expenditure for maintaining these investments or portfolio of these investments. In Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co it was held that s. 14A(2) does not ifso facto empower the AO to apply the method prescribed by Rule 8D straightaway without considering whether the claim made by the assessee is correct. Also, in Garware Wall Ropes it was held that a disallowance u/s 14A cannot be made if the primary object of investment is holding controlling stake in the group concern and not earning any income out of investment. Similarly, in Oriental Structural Engineers (approved by the Delhi High Court) it has been held that s. 14A disallowance cannot be made for investment in subsidiaries and SPVs out of commercial expediency


CIT vs. Shambhubhai Mahadev Ahir (Gujarat High Court – Full Bench)

CBDT's low tax effect circulars have prospective effect

Clause 11 of Instruction No. 3/2011 dated 9.2.2011 specifically states that "this instruction will apply to appeals filed on or after 9.02.2011. However, the cases where appeals have been filed before 9.02.2011 will be governed by the instructions on this subject, operative at the time when such appeal was filed." Similarly, clause 11 of instruction No. 5/2008 dated 15.5.2008 specifically provides that "this instruction will apply to appeals filed on or after 15.05.2008. However, the cases where appeals have been filed before 15.05.2008 will be governed by the instructions on this subject, operative at the time when such appeal was filed". There is, thus, no ambiguity in the instructions of either 2011 or 2008 as regards the applicability of those instructions in respect of the appeals, and, at the same time, it has also been made clear that if those appeals are not filed after the given dates mentioned in those instructions, the fate of the appeals will be governed in accordance with the instructions prevailing on the date of presentation of such appeals. In view of such clear legislative intention, we are unable to hold that even if an appeal is filed prior to 9.02.2011, the same would be barred notwithstanding the fact that at the time of filing such appeal, the same was not barred by the then instructions of the CBDT (Sureshchandra Durgaprasad Khatod reversed, Vijaya V. Kavekar (Bom), Madhukar K. Inamdar (Bom) & other judgements dissented from)


Regards,

 

Editor,

 

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