ITAT - DELHI
DR. PURAN CHAND DHARMARTH TRUST,
... VS ITO, GURGAON ON 4 MAY, 2018
Summarised
Judgement (Scroll for Complete Judgement)
Present appeal has been
filed by assessee against order dated 24/02/2011 passed by Ld. CIT (A),
Panchkula for assessment year 2007-08 on the following grounds of appeal:
That having regard to
the facts and circumstances of the case, Ld. CIT(A) has erred in law and on
facts in confirming the action of Ld. AO in denying the exemption u/s 11 &
12 and erred in making addition of Rs. 1,54,50,000/-, more so when there was no
violation of any statutory conditions.
2. That having regard to
the facts and circumstances of the case, Ld. CIT(A) has erred in law and on
facts in confirming the action of Ld. AO in denying the exemption u/s 11 by
holding that the case of appellant hit by section 13(1)(c) read with section
13(2)(a) and section 13(1)(d) and that too disregarding the Hon'ble Tribunal's
decision in appellant's own case and has further erred in giving direction to Ld.
AO to rework the taxable income of the appellant."
Facts of the Case:
Assessee filed its
return of income for year under consideration on 31/10/07 declaring nil income.
Assessee claimed income of the trust exempt under section 11 of the Act amounting
to Rs.9,39, 04, 141/-. The case was processed under section 143 (1) of the Act
and statutory notices were issued to assessee, in response to which
representatives of the assessee appeared before Ld. AO.
3. Assessee was granted
exemption under section 10 (23C) (vi) for assessment years 2005-06 to 2007-08
vide order dated 26.02.2007 which was withdrawn vide order dated 19.09.08 in
terms of violation of 13th proviso to sub section 23 of section 10 of the
income tax Act, as assessee had advanced loan of Rs.1,54,50,00,000/- to another
trust namely Hare Krishna Dharmarth Trust which was as per revenue was not
specified form of investment or deposit as per section 11 (5) of the Act.
Observation of AO:
"Since exemption
granted to you under section 10 (23C) for assessment year 2007-08 has been
withdrawn in terms of 13th proviso to clause 23C of section 10 by worthy Chief
Commissioner of Income Tax, Panchkula, vide order dated 19/09/08 by observing
that by advancement of loan of Rs.1,54,50,000/- to another trust, the assessee
has violated the terms of section 10 (23C) of the I T. Act, you are requested
to show cause as to why the total receipt of Rs.7,94,14,052/- be not
treated as your income for taxation under the income tax act 1961."
5. Ld. AO after considering
the submissions advanced by Assessee treated Rs. 1,54,50,000/-advanced as loan
to another trust as not an approved investing modes, specified in section 11(5)
of the Act and that it was advanced in violation of provisions of section 11(5)
of the Act. He accordingly added said sum in the hands of assessee. Aggrieved
by order of Ld. AO, Assessee preferred appeal before Ld. CIT (A).
Observation of Court:
In our considered
opinion Ld.CIT(A) has overlooked the applicability of Sec.13(2)(a) to the facts
of present case. Admittedly the money has been advanced as a loan to other
trust for which assessee has not received any securities or interest. The said
sum has been returned by the other trust during financial year ending on
31.03.2008 to assessee.
Authorities below are
alleging that these are common trustees and therefore s.13(1)(d) of the Act
comes into play. But nothing ahs been brought on record to establish that the
common trustees have substantial interest in the other trust.
We are therefore of
considered opinion that the amount advanced cannot be held to be in violation
of Sec.13(1)(d). Sec.11(5) cannot be applied to present facts as the money
advanced is not an investment but a loan.
Judgement:
We therefore reverse the
findings of Ld.CIT(A) and delete the disallowance made by Ld.AO.
In the result appeal
filed by the assessee stands allowed.
-------------------------------------------------
Complete Judgement
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal - Delhi
DR. PURAN CHAND DHARMARTH TRUST,
... VS ITO, GURGAON ON 4 MAY, 2018
IN
THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL
DELHI
BENCHES: BENCH "F" NEW DELHI
BEFORE
SRI R.K.PANDA, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER
AND
SMT.
BEENA A PILLAI, JUDICIAL MEMBER
ITA
No. 1994/Del/2011
A.Y.
2007-08
Puran
Chand Dharmarth Trust Vs. ITO
C/o.
M/s. RRA Taxindia,
Ward-1
D-28,
South Extension, Part-I
New
Delhi
Gurgaon
PAN:
AAATD7474 R
(Appellant) (Respondent)
Revenue
by: Sh. Atiq Ahmad, Sr.D.R.
Assessee
by: Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Sh. Ashwani Taneja
&
Sh. Shantanu Jain, Adv.,
Date
of hearing: 07.02.2018
Date
of Pronouncement: 04.05.2018
ORDER
PER BEENA A PILLAI,
JUDICIAL MEMBER Present appeal has been filed by assessee against order dated
24/02/2011 passed by Ld. CIT (A), Panchkula for assessment year 2007-08 on the
following grounds of appeal:
"1. That having
regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, Ld. CIT(A) has erred in law
and on facts in confirming the action of Ld. AO in denying the exemption u/s 11
& 12 and erred in making addition of Rs. 1,54,50,000/-, more so when there
was no violation of any statutory conditions.
2. That having regard
to the facts and circumstances of the case, Ld. CIT(A) has erred in law and on
facts in confirming the action of Ld. AO in denying the exemption u/s 11 by
holding that the case of appellant hit by section 13(1)(c) read with section
13(2)(a) and section 13(1)(d) and that too disregarding the Hon'ble Tribunal's
decision in appellant's own case and has further erred in giving direction to
Ld. AO to rework the taxable income of the appellant."
2. Brief facts of the
case are as under:
Assessee filed its
return of income for year under consideration on 31/10/07 declaring nil income.
Assessee claimed income of the trust exempt under section 11 of the Act
amounting to Rs.9,39, 04, 141/-. The case was processed under section 143 (1)
of the Act and statutory notices were issued to assessee, in response to which
representatives of the assessee appeared before Ld. AO.
3. Assessee was granted
exemption under section 10 (23C) (vi) for assessment years 2005-06 to 2007-08
vide order dated 26.02.2007 which was withdrawn vide order dated 19.09.08 in
terms of violation of 13th proviso to sub section 23 of section 10 of the
income tax Act, as assessee had advanced loan of Rs.1,54,50,00,000/- to another
trust namely Hare Krishna Dharmarth Trust which was as per revenue was not
specified form of investment or deposit as per section 11 (5) of the Act.
4. During assessment
proceedings, Assessing Officer issued questionnaire dated 23/11/09 to furnish
specific information regarding following points:
"Since exemption granted
to you under section 10 (23C) for assessment year 2007-08 has been withdrawn in
terms of 13th proviso to clause 23C of section 10 by worthy Chief Commissioner
of Income Tax, Panchkula, vide order dated 19/09/08 by observing that by
advancement of loan of Rs.1,54,50,000/- to another trust, the assessee has
violated the terms of section 10 (23C) of the I T. Act, you are requested to
show cause as to why the total receipt of Rs.7,94,14,052/- be not treated as
your income for taxation under the income tax act 1961."
5. Ld. AO after
considering the submissions advanced by Assessee treated Rs.
1,54,50,000/-advanced as loan to another trust as not an approved investing
modes, specified in section 11(5) of the Act and that it was advanced in
violation of provisions of section 11(5) of the Act. He accordingly added said
sum in the hands of assessee. Aggrieved by order of Ld. AO, Assessee preferred
appeal before Ld. CIT (A).
6. Ld. CIT (A) upheld
addition made by Ld. AO. Ld.CIT(A) further directed Ld.AO rework the taxable
income of the appellant keeping in view the provisions of S.11 to 13 of the
Act. 6.1. Aggrieved by the order of Ld. CIT(A) assessee is in appeal before us
now.
7. These grounds
relates to the denial of benefit of exemption under section 11 by invoking the
provision of section 13 (1)(d) of the Act on the ground that there has been
violation of mode of investment in terms of section 11(5) by advancing a loan
to another charitable trust.
8. Ld. Counsel
submitted that sum of Rs. 1,54,50,000/-was not a donation received but was loan
given to another Trust. It was submitted that during financial year 2004-05,
assessee advanced financial help to another trust, which was also registered
under section 12A(a) of the Act. He submitted that the funds were advanced out
of its accumulated amount of corpus fund which do not form part of its income.
It has been submitted that this transaction does not in any way contravene the
provisions of section 10(23C)(vi) or 11(5) of the Act. It is also been
submitted that the said amount has been returned back to assessee by the other
trust on 28/04/08 that is during the financial year 2008-09.
9. Ld.Counsel contended
that section 11(2) and Explanations
- 2 are applicable only
to clause (a) or clause (b) of section 11(1) of the Act. Ld. Counsel submitted
that loan advanced to other trust was covered under section 11(1)(d) of the Act
being, income in the form of voluntary contributions made with specific
directions, that they shall form part of the corpus of the other trust. He
further submitted that trust to which the loan was advanced, was engaged in
running of engineering College and was registered trust under section 12 A.
10. He placed reliance
upon following decisions wherein it has been held that loan given by a trust
constitutes application of income in furtherance of objects of the assessee
trust and the same cannot be treated as investment or deposit in view of
provisions of section 13(1)(d) of the Act. Reliance is placed on following
judgments :-
"1. Alarippu vs.
ITO 60 ITD 478(Del)
2. Director of
Income-tax (Exemption) vs. Alarippu 224 ITR 358 (Del)
3. Income-tax Officer
vs. Devanga Educational Association 8 ITD 490 ITAT (Madras)
4. ITO vs. Ramlalji
Dhapidevi Golchha Charity Trust 42 ITD 312 ITAT (Calcutta)
5. Director of Income
Tax (Exemption) vs. Acme Educational Society 326 ITR 146 (Del.) (HC)
6. Director of Income
Tax vs. Pariwar Sewa Sansthan 254 ITR 268 (Del.) (HC)."
11. Ld.Counsel thus
submitted that Ld.CIT(A) erred in opining that once Section 11(5) is violated,
disability u/s 13(1)(d) comes into play and exemption would not be available
u/s 11. In support he placed reliance on the following:
CIT vs. FR Mullers
Charitable Institution reported in 363 ITR 230 (Kar.) He submitted that in the
following decisions corpus donation also cannot be brought to tax even in case
of an unregistered society or trust -:
Shri Shankar Bhagwan
Estate vs. Income Tax Officer 61 ITD 196 (Cal.) · Income Tax Officer vs.
Gaudiya Granth Anuved Trust 65 SOT 137 (Agra) (Tribu.) · ITO (Exemption) vs.
Smt. Basanti Devi & Shri Chakhan Lal Garg Education Trust [IT Appeal No.
5082 (Delhi) of 2010, dated 30.1.2009] (para 6) and · Pentafour Software
Employee Welfare Foundation vs. Asstt. CIT [IT Appeal Nos. 751 & 752 (Mds) of
2007] (para 6)."
12. Ld.Counsel
submitted that sum advanced as loan to other trust has been subsequently
returned back to assessee in assessment year 2009-10 cannot be treated as
investments as specified under section 11 (5) of the Act.
13. On the contrary
Ld.Sr. DR by placing reliance upon observations of Ld. CIT (A) submitted that
assessee as well as the other trust were having common trustees, and therefore
provisions of section 13(1)(c) read with section 13(2)(a) would come into play.
He also submitted that whatever is not contributed as capital, will get hit by
section 11(5) of the Act. He submitted that Ld. CIT (A) has rightly denied the
exemption under section 11 of the Act and further in making addition of the
amount so advanced as it was not in accordance with section 11 (5) of the Act.
14. We have perused
submissions advanced by both sides and light of records placed before us.
15. It is observed that
Assessing Officer treated the amount of loan advanced out of corpus fund to
other charitable trust as not eligible for deduction under section 11 as it was
in contravention to the modes and forms as defined under section 11(5) of the
Act. Whereas Ld. CIT (A) traversed a step further by denying exemption under
section 11 and 10(23C) on the ground that assessee has violated the condition
of investment specified under section 11 (5) of the act. Thus the issues that
arises out of the impugned order is as under:
"Whether there is
any violation of Sec.11(5) of the Act?
Whether violation of
section 11(5) read with section 13(1)(c) or 13(1)(d) results in denial of
exemption under section 11 & 10(23C).
Whether violation of
section 11(5), read with section 13(1)(d), by assessee trust attracts maximum
marginal rate of tax on the entire income of the trust".
15. In the present
context, the provisions of sections 13(1)(c), 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of the Act,
are relevant. The same are discussed as follows :
Provisions of sections
13(1)(c) of the Act, for the sake of ready reference, the relevant part of
section 13(1)(c) of the Act, is reproduced as follows :
"13.
...................
(1) Nothing contained
in section 11 or section 12 shall operate so as to exclude from the total
income of the previous year of the person in receipt thereof--
(c) in the case of a
trust for charitable or religious purposes or a charitable or religious
institution, any income thereof--
(i) if such trust or
institution has been created or established after the commencement of this Act
and under the terms of the trust or the rules governing the institution, any
part of such income ensures, or
(ii) if any part of
such income or any property of the trust or the institution (whenever created
or established) is during the previous year used or applied, directly or
indirectly for the benefit of any person referred to in sub-section (3)"
16. From the aforesaid
provisions of section 13(1)(c)(ii), it may be seen that if any part of income
or any property of trust is applied directly or indirectly for benefit of any
trustee, etc, then the benefit of exemption under section 11 of the Act, will
not be available to the trust, in respect of such income.
17. We also refer to
Sec.11(5) of the Act, being allowable modes of investment, which is reproduced
here under. "Section 11(5) in The Income- Tax Act, 1995 (5) The forms and
modes of investing or depositing the money referred to in clause (b) of sub-
section (2) shall be the following, namely:-
(i) investment in
savings certificates as defined in clause (c) of section 2 of the Government
Savings Certificates Act, 1959 3 (46 of 1959 ), and any other securities or
certificates issued by the Central Government under the Small Savings Schemes
of that Government;
(ii) deposit in any
account with the Post Office Savings Bank;
(iii) deposit in any
account with a scheduled bank or a co- operative society engaged in carrying on
the business of banking (including a co- operative land mortgage bank or a co-
operative land development bank). Explanation.- In this clause," scheduled
bank" means the State Bank of India constituted under the State Bank of
India Act, 1955 (23 of 1955 ), a subsidiary bank as defined in the State Bank
of India (Subsidiary Banks) Act, 1959 (38 of 1959 ), a corresponding new bank
constituted under section 3 of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer
of Undertakings) Act, 19704 (5 of 1970 ) or under section 3 of the Banking
Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 198 05 (40 of 1980 ),
or any other bank being a bank included in the Second Schedule to the Reserve
Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934 );
(iv) investment in
units of the Unit Trust of India established under the Unit Trust of India Act,
1963 (52 of 1963 );
(v) investment in any
security for money created and issued by the Central Government or a State
Government;
(vi) investment in
debentures issued by, or on behalf of, any company or corporation both the
principle whereof and the interest whereon are fully and unconditionally
guaranteed by the Central Government or by a State Government;
(vii) investment or
deposit in any 6 public sector company];
(viii) deposits with or
investment in any bonds issued by a financial corporation which is engaged in
providing long- term finance for industrial development in India and which is
approved by the Central Government for the purposes of clause (viii) of sub-
section (1) of section 36;
(ix) deposits with or
investment in any bonds issued by a public company formed and registered in
India with the main object of carrying on the business of providing long- term
finance for construction or purchase of houses in India for residential
purposes and which is approved by the Central Government for the purposes of
clause (viii) of sub- section (1) of section 36;
(x) investment in
immovable property. Explanation.-" Immovable property" does not
include any machinery or plant (other than machinery or plant installed in a
building for the convenient occupation of the building) even though attached
to, or permanently fastened to, anything attached to the earth;]
(xi) deposits with the Industrial
Development Bank of India established under the Industrial Development Bank of
India Act, 1964 (18 of 1964 );] (Xii) any other form or mode of investment or
deposit as may be prescribed.] Provisions of section 13(1)(d) of the Act.
For the sake of ready
reference, the relevant part of section 13(1)(d) of the Act, is reproduced as
follows :
"13. Section 11
not to apply in certain cases. (1) Nothing contained in section 11 or section
12 shall operate so as to exclude from the total income of the previous year of
the person in receipt thereof--
(d) in the case of a
trust for charitable or religious purposes or a charitable or religious
institution, any income thereof, if for any period during the previous year--
(i) any funds of the
trust or institution are invested or deposited after the 28th day of February,
1983 otherwise than in any one or more of the forms or modes specified in
sub-section (5) of section 11; or
(ii) any funds of the
trust or institution invested or deposited before the 1st day of March, 1983
otherwise than in any one or more of the forms or modes specified in subsection
(5) of section 11 continue to remain so invested or deposited after the 30th
day of November, 1983; or
(iii) any shares in a
company, other than--
(A) shares in a public
sector company ;
(B) shares prescribed
as a form or mode of investment under clause (xii) of sub-section (5) of
section 11, are held by the trust or institution after the 30th day of
November, 1983:"
17. From the aforesaid
provisions of section 13(1)(d), it may be seen that if the conditions laid down
are not fulfilled, then trust will lose benefit of exemption under section 11
of the Act, in respect of income referred to therein.
Provisions of section
13(2) of the Act.
In the present context,
section 13(2) of the Act is also relevant. For the sake of ready reference,
section 13(2) of the Act, is reproduced as follows :
"13.Section 11 not
to apply in certain cases. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the
provisions of clause (c) and clause (d) of subsection (1), the income or the
property of the trust or institution or any part of such income or property
shall, for the purposes of that clause, be deemed to have been used or applied
for the benefit of a person referred to in sub-section (3),--
(a) if any part of the
income or property of the trust or institution is, or continues to be, lent to
any person referred to in sub- section (3) for any period during the previous
year without either adequate security or adequate interest or both;
(b) if any land,
building or other property of the trust or institution is, or continues to be,
made available for the use of any person referred to in sub-section (3), for
any period during the previous year without charging adequate rent or other
compensation;
(c) if any amount is
paid by way of salary, allowance or otherwise during the previous year to any
person referred to in sub-section (3) out of the resources of the trust or
institution for services rendered by that person to such trust or institution
and the amount so paid is in excess of what may be reasonably paid for such
services;
(d) if the services of
the trust or institution are made available to any person referred to in
sub-section (3) during the previous year without adequate remuneration or other
compensation;
(e) if any share,
security or other property is purchased by or on behalf of the trust or
institution from any person referred to in sub-section (3) during the previous
year for consideration which is more than adequate;
f) if any share, security
or other property is sold by or on behalf of the trust or institution to any
person referred to in sub- section (3) during the previous year for
consideration which is less than adequate;
(g) if any income or
property of the trust or institution is diverted during the previous year in
favour of any person referred to in sub-section (3): Provided that this clause
shall not apply where the income, or the value of the property or, as the case may
be, the aggregate of the income and the value of the property, so diverted does
not exceed one thousand rupees;
(h) if any funds of the
trust or institution are, or continue to remain, invested for any period during
the previous year (not being a period before the 1st day of January, 1971), in
any concern in which any person referred to in sub-section (3) has a
substantial interest."
18. From the aforesaid
provisions of section 13(2), it is observed that in respect of various
circumstances referred to in clauses (a) to (h) thereof, the income or property
of the trust or institution or any part of such income or property shall, for
the purposes of section 13(1)(c) and 13(1)(d), be deemed to have been used or
applied for the benefit of the trustee, etc. It clearly implies that section
13(2) is nothing but an extension of section 13(1)(c) / 13(1)(d).
19. Further, as per the
proviso to section 164(2), where the whole or any part of the relevant income
is not exempt under section 11 or section 12, by virtue of provisions of
section 13(1)(c) or section 13(1)(d), tax shall be charged on the relevant
income or part of relevant income, at the maximum marginal rate. In view of the
aforesaid proviso to section 164(2), the Courts have held that in case of
violation of conditions under section 13(1)(c) or 13(1)(d) of the Act, only
relevant income or part of such relevant income is liable to be taxed at
maximum marginal rate. It is also held that the violation of section 13(1)(c)
or 13(1)(d) does not result in denial of exemption under section 11, in respect
of the total income of the assessee. In other words, only the non-exempt
income, in view of the provisions of section 13(1)(c) / 13(1)(d) would fall in
the tax-net and the other income of the charitable trust / institution would
remain exempt under the provisions of section 11 of the Act.
20. Now coming to the
decisions relied upon by Ld. counsel, we shall deal with the decision as under:
CIT Vs Fr.Mullers
Charitable Institutions [2014] 363 ITR 230 (Karn) In this case, the assessee, a
charitable trust, for the AYs 2000-01 and 2001-02 claimed exemption under
section 11. The AO noticed that the assessee had advanced a sum of Rs.30 lakhs
during the AY 2000-01 and a sum of Rs.50 lakhs during the AY 2001-02,
respectively, to a company which was running a Kannada daily. According to the
AO, advancing of such a huge amount was in violation of section 11(5). Further,
as per section 13(1)(d), the trust shall not be entitled for exemption under
sections 11 and 12 of the Act. Accordingly, the AO assessed the aforesaid
advances to tax. However, the CIT was of the opinion that in view of violation
of section 11(5), the entire income of trust ought to have been assessed, as
the trust was not entitled to any exemption under sections 11 and 12 of the Act
and the CIT revised the order passed by the AO.
21. On appeal, the
Tribunal, after considering the matter in detail and on examining sections 11,
12, 13(1)(d) and section 164(2) of the Act, inter alia, held that the order
passed by the CIT was contrary to section 164(2) of the Act and the entire
income of the assessee could not be assessed. On appeal by the Revenue before
the High Court, one of the substantial question of law admitted was whether the
Tribunal was correct in holding that when a part of income is held to be
violative of the provisions of section 13(1)(d), only to the said extent,
maximum marginal rate of tax is to be levied and not for the whole income, more
particularly when there was violation of the provisions of section 11(5) of the
Act. It was held by the High Court that a reading of section 13(1)(d) of the
Act, makes it clear that it is only the income from such investment or deposit
which has been made in violation of section 11(5) of the Act, that is liable to
be taxed and that the violation of section 13(1)(d) does not tantamount to
denial of exemption under section 11 to the total income of the assessee.
Accordingly, the appeals of the IT Department were dismissed.
22. In the aforesaid
case, the Karnataka High Court has placed reliance on the judgement of the
Bombay High Court, in the case of DIT(E) Vs Sheth Mafatlal Gagalbhai Foundation
Trust [2001] 249 ITR 533 (Bom). Besides, a reference has also been made to the
judgement of Delhi High Court, in the case of DIT(E) Vs Agrim Charan Foundation
[2002] 253 ITR 593 (Del). In this context, the following observations of the
Hon. High Court, on page 238 of the Report are very relevant : "We are in
respectful agreement that the views expressed by the Bombay High Court as well
as the Delhi High Court for violating section 11(5) of the Act and the entire
income of the Respondent trust cannot be assessed for the tax" [Emphasis
added] Thus, it was made very clear that where the whole or part of the
relevant income is not exempted under section 11, by virtue of violation of
section 13(1)(d) of the Act, tax shall be levied on the relevant income or part
of the relevant income, at the maximum marginal rate. However, violation of
section 13(1)(d) does not result in the denial of exemption under section 11,
to the total income of the assessee. DIT(E) Vs Sheth Mafatlal Gagalbhai
Foundation Trust [2001] 249 ITR 533 (Bom).
23. In this case,
according to the AO, on account of violation of section 11(5) of the Act, the
assessee forfeited exemption under section 11, in respect of its entire income,
viz. dividend income plus interest income, whereas according to the assessee,
they were entitled to claim exemption and they were entitled to continuance of
exemption in respect of interest income, though they had forfeited the right to
claim exemption vis-a-vis the dividend income, as the assesses continued to
hold the shares in a non-Government company even after 31.3.1993. On appeal,
the CIT(A) came to the conclusion that the assessee was not entitled to the
benefit of exemption under section 11, in respect of the entire income. On
further appeal, the Tribunal came to the conclusion that in view of section
164(1), the income receivable by the trust was the relevant income. That a
portion of such relevant income only would suffer tax because of the violation
of the condition of investment prescribed under section 11(5). The Tribunal
found that non-fulfilment of such condition could not deprive the trust of the
exemption of its other income, which had been granted to it in the earlier
years. Hence, the Tribunal allowed the appeal of the assessee. Against the
aforesaid judgement of the Tribunal, an appeal was filed by the Department
before the High Court. The following question was raised before the Hon.High
Court :
"Whether violation
of section 11(5), r.w.s.13(1)(d), by the assessee trust attracts maximum
marginal rate of tax on the entire income of the trust".
24. It was held by the
High Court that section 164(2) refers to the relevant income which is derived
from property held under trust wholly for charitable or religious purposes. If
such income consists of severable portions, exempt as well as taxable, the
portion which is exempt is to be left out and the portion which is not exempt
is charged to tax as if it is the income of the association of persons.
Therefore, a proviso was inserted by the Finance Act, 1984, with effect from
1.4.1985, under which in cases where the whole or any part of the relevant
income is not exempt under section 11 or section 12, because of the
contravention of section 13(1)(d), then tax shall be charged on such income or
part thereof, as the case may be, at the maximum marginal rate. In other words,
only non-exempt income portion would fall in the net of tax, as if it was the
income of an association of persons. It was further held by the High Court that
as per proviso to section 164(2), it is, inter alia, laid down that in cases
where the whole or part of the relevant income is not exempt by virtue of
section 13(1)(d), tax shall be charged on the relevant income or part of the
relevant income at the maximum marginal rate. The phrase "relevant income
or part of relevant income" is required to be read in contradistinction to
the phrase "whole income" under section 161(1A). This is only by way
of comparison. Under section 161(1A) which begins with a non-obstante clause,
it is provided that where any income in respect of which a person is liable as
a representative assessee consists of profits of business, then tax shall be charged
on the whole of the income, in respect of which such person is so liable at the
maximum marginal rate. Therefore, reading the aforesaid two phrases show that
the Legislature has clearly indicated its mind in the proviso to section
164(2), when it categorically refers to forfeiture of exemption for breach of
section 13(1)(d), resulting in levy of maximum marginal rate of tax only to
that part of income, which has forfeited exemption. It does not refer to the
entire income being subjected to maximum marginal rate of tax. This
interpretation is also supported by Circular No.387, dt.8.7.1984 [152 ITR
(St)1]. It was also held that in law, there is a vital difference between
eligibility for exemption and withdrawal of exemption / forfeiture of exemption
for contravention of the provisions of law. These two concepts are different.
They have different consequences.
25. In the
circumstances, it was held that there was merit in the contention of the
assessee that in the present case, the maximum marginal rate of tax would apply
only to the dividend income from shares in Mafatlal Industries Ltd and not to
the entire income. Accordingly, the aforesaid question was answered in the
negative, that is, in favour of the assessee and against the Department. It is,
therefore, clearly established that the Bombay High Court approved the
judgement of the Tribunal to the effect that non-fulfilment of condition of
investment prescribed under section 11(5) of the Act, could not deprive the
trust of the exemption of its other income, which had been granted to it in the
earlier years. In other words, it is clearly established that violation of
section 13(1)(d) does not tantamount to denial of exemption under section 11 to
the total income of the assessee. We Shall also referred to the decision of
Allahabad High Court in the case of:
CIT Vs. Red Rose School
[2007] 163 Taxman 19 (All.) It was, inter alia, held in this case that language
used in section 12AA for registration of a trust, only requires activities of
trust or institution must be genuine, which, accordingly, would mean that they
are in consonance with objects of trust / institution and are not mere
camouflage, but are real, pure and sincere and are not against the objects of
the trust. The profit earning or misuse of income derived by charitable
institution from its charitable activities may be a ground for refusing
exemption only with respect to that part of the income, but cannot be taken to
be a synonym to the genuineness of the activities of the trust or institution.
26. In the light of the
discussion brought out in the preceding paragraphs, the following conclusions
are clearly established -:
1. As per provisions of
section 13(1)(d), it is only the income from such investment or deposit which
has been made in violation of section 11(5) of the Act, that is liable to be
taxed and violation under section 13(1)(d) does not result in the denial of
exemption under section 11 to the total income of the trust.
2. Similarly, as per
the provisions of section 13(1)(c), it is only the income or value of the
property misused by trustee that is liable to be taxed and violation under
section 13(1)(c) will not automatically result in denial of exemption under
section 11 of total income of the trust.
3. As regards the
provisions of section 13(2), the same being an extension of the provisions of
section 13(1)(c) / 13(1)(d), the violations there under will be dealt with on
similar lines as the violations under section 13(1)(c) / 13(1)(d) of the Act.
27. On the basis of the
above discussions and plethora decisions referred to hereinabove, we are of the
considered opinion that Ld.CIT(A) erred in denying benefit available to
assessee and registration granted u/s 10(23C) of the Act.
28. Now coming to
second Part of withdrawal of exemption u/s 11 on such funds advanced as loan to
another trust. In the present facts of the case, sum of Rs.1,54,40,000/- was a
loan given to another Trust. Neither the object of assessee before us has been
disputed, nor that of the recipient trust by authorities below.
29. In our considered
opinion Ld.CIT(A) has overlooked the applicability of Sec.13(2)(a) to the facts
of present case. Admittedly the money has been advanced as a loan to other
trust for which assessee has not received any securities or interest. The said
sum has been returned by the other trust during financial year ending on
31.03.2008 to assessee.
30. Authorities below
are alleging that these are common trustees and therefore s.13(1)(d) of the Act
comes into play. But nothing ahs been brought on record to establish that the
common trustees have substantial interest in the other trust.
31. Ld.CIT(A) placed
reliance on decision of Hon'ble Gujarat High Court in case of Sarla Devi
Sarabai Trust 40 Taxman 388 which approves the exception in Sec.13(2)(a).
Authorities below have not been able to bring on record anything to prove
contrary to what has been held by Hon'ble Gujarat High Court.
33. We are therefore of
considered opinion that the amount advanced cannot be held to be in violation
of Sec.13(1)(d). Sec.11(5) cannot be applied to present facts as the money
advanced is not an investment but a loan.
34. We therefore
reverse the findings of Ld.CIT(A) and delete the disallowance made by Ld.AO.
35. In the result
appeal filed by the assessee stands allowed.
Order pronounced in the
open court on 04.05.2018.
Sd/- Sd/-
(R.K.PANDA) (BEENA A PILLAI)
ACCOUNTANT MEMBER JUDICIAL MEMBER
Dt. 04th May, 2018
*BR* / Manga
Copy forwarded to: -
1. Appellant
2. Respondent
3. CIT
4. CIT(A)
5. DR, ITAT
By Order,
ASSISTANT REGISTRAR
ITAT Delhi Benches
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