DIRECT TAXES

Supreme Court

Madhur Agrawal, Niraj Sheth & Nitesh Joshi

10. Deduction – Telecasting rights – Merchandise – S. 80HHC

Telecasting rights fall in the category of articles of trade and commerce and hence within the category of “merchandise” and would be eligible for deduction under section 80HHC.

Under Rule 9A and 9B the word ‘lease’ is included in the meaning of the word ‘sale’ and hence eligible for deduction under section 80HHC.

CIT vs. B. Suresh (2009) 313 ITR 149 (SC)

11. Foreign exchange fluctuation loss – Allowable – S. 37(1)

Loss suffered by the assessee on account of fluctuation in the rate of foreign exchange as on the date of balance sheet is an item of expenditure under section 37(1) of the Act.

CIT vs. Woodward Governor India P. Ltd (2009) 312 ITR 254 (SC)

12. Issue Management Expenses – Principle of consistency

The issue was of deduction of certain expenditure “issue management expenses” and the assessee succeeded only on the ground of consistency. Without going into the merits, the Supreme Court remitted back the matter to the High Court holding that the High Court should have examined the nature of the said expenditure.

CIT vs. Oswal Agro Mills Ltd. (2009) 313 ITR 24 (SC)

13. Leave Travel Concession – No evidence required by employer

Employer is not under any statutory obligation to collect evidence to show that employees have actually utilised the amount paid towards leave concession or conveyance allowance under section 10(5).

There is no circular of the CBDT requiring the employer to collect and examine the evidence supporting the declaration of the employees for the purpose of deduction of tax under section 192.

CIT vs. Larsen and Toubro Ltd & Anr. (2009) 313 ITR 1 (SC)

14. Penalty – Not leviable – Good and sufficient reason – S. 271C

Penalty under section 271C can only be levied on a person who does not have a good and sufficient reason for not deduction tax at source. The burden will be on the person to prove such good and sufficient reason.

CIT vs. Eli Lilly and Co. (India) P. Ltd. (2009) 312 ITR 225 (SC)

15. Reopening – Jurisdiction of High Court

The Commissioner (Appeals) confirmed the order of the assessing officer that the income is to be assessed as income from house property for the A.Y. 1997-98. The CIT(A) also directed that the A.Y. 1992-93 to 1999-00 should be reopened. The Tribunal reversed the order of the CIT(A) and held that the income is in the nature of business income and not income from house property. The High Court in the challenge to the reopening allowed the petition of the assessee.

On an appeal by the department, the Supreme Court held that it was not open for the High Court to direct by an omnibus order that all subsequent years were connected years and that all income should be treated as business income. The Supreme Court further held that the unit for assessment was a ‘year’ and this was not a case of block assessment.

Dy. CIT vs. Divya Investment P. Ltd (2009) 313 ITR 363 (SC)

16. Substantial question of law – Freight paid by AOP – To member of AOP – Liability to TDS

The question whether freight paid by the assessee (AOP) to truck owners who in turn are members of the said AOP is subject to TDS under section 194C(2) is a substantial question of law and the Supreme Court directed the High Court to decide the issue in accordance with law.

CIT vs. Sirmour Truck Operators Union (2009) 313 ITR 27 (SC)

17. TDS – Salary – S. 192(1), 9(ii)

The assessee was a joint venture between a foreign company and an Indian company. Four employees were deputed by the foreign company to work for the assessee. Salary was paid by the foreign company. Additional salary was also paid to the employees by the assessee, on which the assessee deducted tax at source under section 192(1).

The Supreme Court held that the provisions of section 192(1) would be applicable to the foreign salary received by the employees and that the assessee could be treated as an assessee in default for non deduction of tax at source on the foreign salary.

The deductions under provisions of chapter XVII are tentative deduction of income tax subject to regular assessments.

CIT vs. Eli Lilly and Co. (India) P. Ltd. (2009) 312 ITR 225 (SC)