EFUNDS INTERNATIONAL (P) LTD. v. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX
[Citation -2008-LL-0417-3]

Citation 2008-LL-0417-3
Appellant Name EFUNDS INTERNATIONAL (P) LTD.
Respondent Name DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX
Court ITAT
Relevant Act Income-tax
Date of Order 17/04/2008
Assessment Year 2001-02
Judgment View Judgment
Keyword Tags reconstruction of a business already in existence • concessional rate of interest • profits and gains of business • export of computer software • electronic payment service • new industrial undertaking • profit derived from export • carry forward and set off • manufacture or production • unabsorbed business loss • unabsorbed depreciation • business or profession • software development • brought forward loss • initial registration • export turnover • free trade zone • unabsorbed loss • interest earned • interest income
Bot Summary: 1998-99 pertaining to software development business of the appellant cannot be carried forward and set off against profits of subsequent years since the appellant has claimed deduction under s. 10A of the IT Act, 1961 from income arising from software development business in subsequent years. The EPS line of business was discontinued and it was decided not to make any further investments therein during the financial year 1989-90, it took another 4-6 months to complete the entire process of closing down the business in terms of the employees resigning from the services and disposal of the premises and assets of the business. 2000-01, a statutory provision, clearly lays down that the assessee is entitled to carry forward its business loss to the subsequent year and the further requirement, that the business in which the loss had been suffered must also be continued to be carried on, has been deleted by Finance Act, 1999 w.e.f. 1st April, 2000. Aggrieved with the order of the AO, the assessee filed an appeal before the CIT(A) and submitted before him that a combined reading of sub-s. and sub-s. of s. 10A of the Act would make it clear that the profit derived from export of computer software as per sub-s. is essentially a derivative of profit of the business of the undertaking as per sub-s. Accordingly, the section assumes that part of profits of the business of the undertaking as profit derived from export of computer software as is proportionate to the export turnover vis- a-vis the total turnover of the undertaking. The facts in the various decisions quoted by the appellant are different and also after the apex Court judgment in the case of Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals Fertilizers Ltd. vs. CIT 141 CTR 387: 227 ITR 172, there is no doubt that the various kinds of income earned by the assessee are required to be taxed under the various heads and the mere fact that the assessee carrying on business does not lead to the inference that all income is to be assessed under the head Business income. In the instant case, housing loan advanced by the assessee to its employees at a concessional rate of interest is a perquisite provided to employees in the course of assessee s business since the same has been undertaken with a view to provide an incentive to the employees and hence, is essentially and inextricably linked to business of the assessee. The case of the assessee company is falling under sub-s. 2(i) and not as held by the AO. The SSC unit of the assessee company has not been formed by splitting up or the reconstruction of a business already in existence but the SSC unit was in or the reconstruction of a business already in existence but the SSC unit was in existence and is being assessed from asst.


D.R. SINGH, J.M.: These two appeals, one filed by assessee and other filed by Revenue arose out of order of learned CIT(A) passed in Appeal No. 238/2003-04/CIT(A)-XIV/Del dt. 31st March, 2005. assessee in its Appeal No. 2661/Del/2005 took following grounds: That learned CIT(A) XIV has erred on facts and in law in upholding order of AO that entire losses (including unabsorbed depreciation) pertaining to asst. yr. 1998-99 cannot be carried forward and set off against profits of subsequent years though same not only carried forward but have also been set off in asst. yr. 2000-01. findings of learned CIT(A) are in excess of jurisdiction and otherwise too are unsustainable both on facts and in law. That learned CIT(A) has erred in upholding action of AO in adjudicating in instant assessment year, upon carry forward of losses (including unabsorbed depreciation) pertaining to asst. yr. 1998-99, where set off of such losses had already been adjudicated and duly allowed by AO himself in assessment order for asst. yr. 2000-01, and thereby sitting over judgment of his predecessor. That learned CIT(A) has erred in holding that proportion of losses (including unabsorbed depreciation) of asst. yr. 1998-99 pertaining to Electronic Payment System business cannot be carried forward for set off against taxable income of subsequent years. That learned CIT(A) has erred on facts in holding without any basis, that substantial portion of losses (including unabsorbed depreciation) pertaining t o asst. yr. 1998-99 was on account of software development business of appellant. That learned CIT(A) has erred in holding that proportion of losses (including unabsorbed depreciation) of asst. yr. 1998-99 pertaining to software development business of appellant cannot be carried forward and set off against profits of subsequent years since appellant has claimed deduction under s. 10A of IT Act, 1961 from income arising from software development business in subsequent years. That learned CIT(A) has erred in upholding findings of AO that interest income received by appellant from housing loans advanced to its employees, falls under head "Income from other sources" and is not eligible for deduction under s. 10A of Act. In its Appeal No. 2696/Del/2005, Revenue has taken following effective ground: "On facts and in circumstances of case and in law, CIT(A) has erred in deleting addition made by AO by way of disallowance of exemption of income claimed under s. 10A of IT Act, 1961 in respect of SSC unit, Gurgaon by assessee." Firstly, we shall deal with issue, whether entire losses including unabsorbed depreciation pertaining to asst. yr. 1998-99 could be allowed to be carried forward and set off against profits of subsequent years, involved in ground Nos. 1 to 5 of appeal of assessee. Briefly stated facts are that assessee company is in business of providing technology based solutions to efunds group entities and third party customers mainly outside India. These services are rendered through three units registered under Software Technology Parks of India ( STPI ) scheme, formulated by Government of India, viz. Software Development Centre (hereinafter referred to as SDC ) in Chennai, Shared Services Centre (hereinafter referred to as SSC ) in Gurgaon and Call Centre in Mumbai. During t h e subject assessment year, assessee had filed its return of income declaring income amounting to Rs. 32,74,42,418 (refer pp. 1-30 of paper book). entire income of Rs. 32,74,42,418 was claimed as deduction by assessee under s. 10A of IT Act, 1961 ( Act ). Further, assessee also derived interest income of Rs. 2,53,166 during assessment year and its tax liability on same amounted to Rs. 1,00,129. In asst. yr. 1998-99, AO has observed that assessee had claimed business loss of Rs. 4,35,46,015 and unabsorbed depreciation of Rs. 8,69,435. losses pertain to two activities of assessee i.e. Electronic Payment Service (EPS) and SDC at Chennai; s. 10A exemption has been claimed in subsequent year in respect of SDC at Chennai, therefore, losses of SDC at Chennai cannot be adjusted against profits of non-STP units. AO also observed that assessee company has not been able to clearly quantify exact amount of losses pertaining to said s. 10A unit at Chennai, therefore, he showed his inability to give credit/adjustment of losses brought forward for asst. yr. 1998-99 and held that losses primarily pertain to s. 10A units and as losses of Rs. 6,11,36,064 have already been adjusted in asst. yr. 2000-01, no credit of brought forward losses could be allowed to assessee. Aggrieved with order of AO, assessee filed appeal before CIT(A) and submitted that company was incorporated on 14th July, 1997. During asst. yr. 1998-99 appellant was primarily engaged in EPS business. Towards February, 1998, appellant set up SDC unit in Chennai. Though initial registration of SDC in STP was obtained on 9th Feb., 1998 SDC commenced manufacture or production of computer software in April, 1998 only relevant to asst. yr. 1999-2000. CIT(A) for asst. yr. 1998-99 allowed carried forward business loss of Rs. 3,22,20,205 (excluding pre- incorporation expenses of Rs. 1,13,25,910) and unabsorbed depreciation of Rs. 8,69,435 to be set off against profits of subsequent years. appellant discontinued its EPS business during financial year 1998-99 i.e. relevant to asst. yr. 1999-2000. appellant filed its return of income for asst. yr. 1999-2000 returning business loss of Rs. 5,24,99,307 and unabsorbed depreciation of Rs. 80,45,116. No assessment was undertaken under s. 143(3) of Act for said year. returned loss pertained to loss in both EPS business and SSC unit. For asst. yr. 2000-01 AO determined income under normal provisions of Act at Rs. 6,11,36,064 and set off same against losses brought forward from prior year. AO erred in law in adjudicating upon set off of business losses pertaining to asst. yr. 1998-99, in subject year i.e. asst. yr. 2001-02 since set off of such losses has already been allowed by learned AO during assessment proceedings of asst. yr. 2000-01 vide his order under s. 143(3) of Act. Further, s. 72(1)(i) of Act has been amended vide Finance Act, 1999 w.e.f. 1st April, 2000, whereby requirement of continuing business (in which loss had been incurred) in assessment year in which loss is to be set off, has been deleted and hence, is not applicable from asst. yr. 2000-01. Once unabsorbed loss of Rs. 3,22,20,205 pertaining to asst. yr. 1998-99 has already been adjusted by learned AO against profits of asst. yr. 2000-01 in terms of law applicable to that assessment year, he is debarred from re-examining availability of same in asst. yr. 2001-02; since no portion of unabsorbed loss for asst. yr. 1998-99 is available for being set off in asst. yr. 2001-02 and only brought forward loss for asst. yr. 1999- 2000 can be set off against assessed income. EPS line of business was discontinued and it was decided not to make any further investments therein during financial year 1989-90, it took another 4-6 months to complete entire process of closing down business in terms of employees resigning from services and disposal of premises and assets of business. EPS business was discontinued in financial year 1999-2000 but it was eligible to carry forward losses of asst. yr. 1999-2000 pertaining to EPS. It has been held by various High Courts that eligibility for set off of losses pertaining to prior assessment year is to be determined by AO undertaking assessment of assessment year in which such loses are to be set off since law applicable for set off of losses is law as applicable to assessment year in which losses are being set off. Reliance was placed on case of Reliance Jute & Industries Ltd. vs. CIT (1979) 13 CTR (SC) 186: (1979) 120 ITR 921 (SC). Accordingly, appellant was not eligible to set off losses of asst. yr. 1998-99 against asst. yr. 2000-01 and AO was entitled to adjudicate upon eligibility towards set off of brought forward losses pertaining to asst. yr. 1998-99. AO has wrongly concluded losses of asst. yr. 1998-99 pertain to SDC business and chose to ignore same. As already mentioned in asst. yr. 1998-99 appellant was engaged in EPS business and SDC unit was registered only on 9th Feb., 1998. Therefore, entire business loss and unabsorbed depreciation for asst. yr. 1998-99 pertains mainly to EPS business of appellant. bifurcation of losses of EPS business and SDC unit set up in February, 1998 is given. After considering submission, learned CIT(A) confirmed order of AO by making following relevant observations in his order: "In case of assessee it is submitted by assessee itself that EPS business was discontinued in financial year 1998-99 pertaining to asst. yr. 1999-2000, therefore, as per provisions of Act losses of discontinued business could not have been carried forward as per provisions then existing. para reproduced by appellant from Sampath Iyengar as noted above also does not help appellant because it relates to carry forward and adjustment of losses of business discontinued during year itself between various heads of income even if business is continued only for short period. In case of appellant it is not adjustment of discontinued business in asst. yr. 1999-2000 with other income but question is whether losses of discontinued business in 1999-2000 can be carried forward or not. provisions of s. 72 relate to carry forward and set off of business losses. When business is discontinued during year there is no question of carried forward of its business losses to subsequent years. When there is no carried forward to subsequent years question of set off also does not arise. Therefore, amendment in section w.e.f. 1st April, 2000 does not help appellant that carried forward losses can be adjusted of discontinued business also. Only if business has been discontinued in financial year 1999-2000 relevant to asst. yr. 2000-01 position would have been as argued by appellant s counsel. Therefore, losses of EPS business of asst. yr. 1998-99 would in any case are not available to appellant for adjustment in asst. yr. 2000-01 as they could not have been carried forward in asst. yr. 1999-2000 on ground that EPS business was discontinued. Therefore, losses of asst. yr. 1998-99 in any case whether of EPS business or SDC business were not available of readjustment in asst. yr. 2000-01 on ground that EPS business was discontinued in asst. yr. 1999-2000 and income of SDC units was claimed exempt subsequently under s. 10A of IT Act besides there being no quantification of losses of two units. Therefore, AO in asst. yr. 2001-02 rightly examined issue of carried forward losses and rightly held that no carried forward losses are available in asst. yr. 2001-02 for adjustment. action of AO is confirmed." We have considered rival submissions of both parties, perused We have considered rival submissions of both parties, perused records and carefully gone through orders of tax authorities below. In this case undisputed facts are that in asst. yr. 1998-99 business loss of STC unit aggregated to Rs. 67,42,507 as per P&L a/c and business loss of EPS unit aggregated to Rs. 3,76,73,040 and after order of CIT(A) it had been held to be at Rs. 2,55,32,652 (including depreciation of Rs. 2,63,47,131). order of CIT(A) had been upheld by Tribunal in ITA No. 2498/Del/2002, asst. yr. 1998-99 dt. 1st Dec., 2004, which was further confirmed by Hon ble Delhi High Court vide order dt. 12th Sept., 2006 in IT Appeal No. 680 of 2005 (copy of order has been placed at pp. 199-204 and at pp. 205-209 respectively of paper book). In order passed for asst. yr. 1998-99 AO had not held that loss of Rs. 3,76,73,040 was not business loss of EPS unit but was loss of SDC and CIT(A) too, without any specific material on record, held that this determined business loss in asst. yr. 1998-99 cannot be set off in asst. yr. 2001- 02 under consideration and remaining unabsorbed business loss could not be allowed to be carried forward, more so, when determined loss for asst. yr. 1999-2000 had already been allowed to be set off to extent of profit of that year in asst. yr. 2000-01. It is also important to mention here that s. 72(1) of IT Act from asst. yr. 2000-01 (i.e. after amendment had been made), statutory provision, clearly lays down that assessee is entitled to carry forward its business loss to subsequent year and further requirement, that business in which loss had been suffered must also be continued to be carried on, has been deleted by Finance Act, 1999 w.e.f. 1st April, 2000. Undisputedly in instant case EPS business was conducted till asst. yr. 1999-2000 and as such, when business was continued to be carried on for year 1999-2000, loss remaining unabsorbed had to be carried forward and set off in asst. yr. 2000-01 and thereafter. In fact, in instant case in asst. yr. 2000-01, AO had himself set off loss and it is only unabsorbed determined business loss and unabsorbed depreciation which are being claimed to be set off in year under consideration and what remains to be set off is claimed to be carried forward by assessee. Hence, for reasons stated above we are of opinion that tax authorities below were not justified in not allowing impugned unabsorbed business loss and unabsorbed depreciation to extent of profits to be set off in asst. yr. 2001-02 under consideration and, therefore, orders of tax authorities below in this regard are required to be set aside and accordingly same are set aside. issue involved in ground Nos. 1-5 of appeal of assessee is decided in favour of assessee and against Revenue. Consequently, ground Nos. 1-5 of assessee s appeal are allowed. Now, we shall deal with issue involved in ground No. 6 of appeal of assessee relating to eligibility of deduction under s. 10A of Act in respect of interest received by assessee from housing loans. Briefly stated, facts relating to this issue are that assessee received interest income from housing loan advanced to its employees and claimed deduction under s. 10A of Act but according to AO interest income earned by assessee from loan advanced to its employees has got nothing to do with export of computer software and so he assessed same under head Other sources by placing reliance on various decisions and declined deduction on amount claimed by assessee under s. 10A of Act. Aggrieved with order of AO, assessee filed appeal before CIT(A) and submitted before him that combined reading of sub-s. (1) and sub-s. (4) of s. 10A of Act would make it clear that profit derived from export of computer software as per sub-s. (1) is essentially derivative of profit of business of undertaking as per sub-s. (4). Accordingly, section assumes that part of profits of business of undertaking as profit derived from export of computer software as is proportionate to export turnover vis- a-vis total turnover of undertaking. Reliance in this regard was placed on following: (1) Asstt. CIT vs. Sharda Gums & Chemicals (2000) 66 TTJ (Jd) 256: (2001) 76 ITD 282 (Jd); (2) Shiva Shankar Granites (P) Ltd. vs. ITO (2002) 75 TTJ (Hyd) 535: (2002) 81 ITD 106 (Hyd). appellant had given housing loan to its employees at concessional rate of interest with view to provide perquisite/incentive to its employees. Hence such loan had been advanced by appellant in course of its business, with view to keep employees motivated to perform well. Hence interest income arising to appellant from same was directly linked to business of appellant. Accordingly, such income is in nature of profits or gains from business or profession and should not be taxed as income from other sources. Further, reliance in this regard has been placed on following judgments: (1) Infotech Enterprises Ltd. vs. Jt. CIT (2003) 80 TTJ (Hyd) 589: (2003) 85 ITD 325 (Hyd); (2) CIT vs. Paramount Premises (P) Ltd. (1991) 190 ITR 259 (Bom); (3) CIT vs. Tirupati Woollen Mills Ltd. (1992) 193 ITR 252 (Cal); (4) CIT vs. Madras Refineries Ltd. (1997) 137 CTR (Mad) 619: (1997) 228 ITR 354 (Mad). On considering submissions and rejecting same, CIT(A) upheld order of AO by making following observations in his order: "As far as contention of appellant is concerned that taking into consideration provisions of s. 10A(1) of Act, it is clear that profits of business is to be considered and, therefore, interest income is also to be considered is incorrect. There is no doubt that deduction is to be allowed in respect of profits of business but interest earned by appellant on loans advanced to its employees is not profits of business and is required to be assessed under head other sources. Therefore, as interest earned by appellant from loans advanced to its employees does not fall under head profits and gains of business, AO has rightly excluded same while giving deduction under s. 10A of Act and has rightly assessed same under head income from other sources. facts in various decisions quoted by appellant are different and also after apex Court judgment in case of Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. vs. CIT (1997) 141 CTR (SC) 387: (1997) 227 ITR 172 (SC), there is no doubt that various kinds of income earned by assessee are required to be taxed under various heads and mere fact that assessee carrying on business does not lead to inference that all income is to be assessed under head Business income ." Before us learned Authorised Representative for assessee in written submissions and in oral arguments reiterating submissions made before CIT(A) contended that tax authorities below have erred in interpreting provisions of s. 10A of Act as mode of computation of deduction has been provided in sub-s. (4) of s. 10A of Act and same should be followed strictly in arriving at deduction to be allowed under sub-s. (1) of s. 10A of Act. phrase profits of undertaking is wider than scope of phrase profits derived from export of computer software . In instant case, housing loan advanced by assessee to its employees at concessional rate of interest is perquisite provided to employees in course of assessee s business since same has been undertaken with view to provide incentive to employees and hence, is essentially and inextricably linked to business of assessee. Accordingly, interest income arising on such housing loans clearly falls within ambit of phrase profits of business of undertaking and hence, is eligible for deduction under s. 10A of Act computed under sub-s. (4). Reference is invited to decision of Jodhpur Tribunal in case of Asstt. CIT vs. Sharda Gums & Chemicals (supra). On other hand learned Departmental Representative for Revenue placing k reliance on reasoning given in orders of tax authorities below contended that interest on loans given to employees by assessee has no nexus between activity of assessee undertaking, hence, income by way o f interest on such loans cannot be termed as income from profits of business of undertaking as provided in sub-s. (4) of s. 10A of IT Act and, therefore, tax authorities below were fully justified in concluding that income earned by assessee from housing loans to its employees does not amount to profits of business as same has not been derived from export of computer software and so tax authorities below have rightly declined deduction claimed by assessee on interest income under s. 10A of Act. We have considered rival submissions of both parties, perused records and carefully gone through orders of tax authorities below. Before dealing with issue under consideration, we would like to refer to relevant provisions of s. 10A of Act and same are reproduced hereinunder: Sec. 10A(1) Subject to provisions of this section, deduction of such profits and gains as are derived by undertaking from export of articles or things or computer software for period of ten consecutive assessment years beginning with assessment year relevant to previous year in which undertaking begins to manufacture or produce such articles or things or computer software, as case may be, shall be allowed from total income of assessee: Provided that where in computing total income of undertaking for any assessment year, its profits and gains had not been included by application of provisions of this section as it stood immediately before its substitution by Finance Act, 2000, undertaking shall be entitled to deduction referred to in this sub-section only for unexpired period of aforesaid ten consecutive assessment years: Provided further that where as undertaking initially located in any free trade zone or export processing zone is subsequently located in special economic zone by reason of conversion of such free trade zone or export processing zone into special economic zone, period of ten consecutive assessment years referred to in this sub-section shall be reckoned from assessment year relevant to previous year in which undertaking began to manufacture or produce such articles or things or computer software in such free trade zone or export processing zone: Provided also that for assessment year beginning on 1st day of April, 2003, deduction under this sub-section shall be ninety per cent of profits or gains derived by undertaking from export of such articles or things or computer software: Provided also that no deduction under this section shall be allowed to any undertaking for assessment year beginning on 1st day of April, 2010 and subsequent years. Sec. 10A(4) For purposes of sub-ss. (1) and (1A) profits derived from export of articles or things or computer software shall be amount which bears to profits of business of undertaking, same proportion as export turnover in respect of such articles or things or computer software bears to total turnover of business carried on by undertaking." For computation of profits derived from export of articles or things or computer software sub-s. (4) provides that profits derived from such exports shall be amount which bears to profits of business, same proportion as export turnover in respect of such articles or things or computer software bears to total turnover of business. profits of business in given context would mean profits of business carried on by undertaking to which provisions apply. working formula for arriving at export profits will be as under: Export profits = Profits of undertaking x Export turnover Total turnover abovementioned formula makes it clear that profits derived from export of computer software is essentially derivative of profits of business of undertaking . Accordingly, profits of business in given context would mean profits of business carried on by undertaking to which provisions apply. It means that in this background we are required to decide whether interest income earned by assessee from housing loans advanced to its employees would also form part of profits from business carried on by undertaking for allowing deduction under s. 10A of Act. Undisputedly, assessee undertaking is in business of providing technology based solution to efund group entities and third party customers mainly outside India and these to efund group entities and third party customers mainly outside India and these services are rendered through three units registered under Software Technology Parks of India ("STPI") scheme. Hence, interest income earned by assessee on housing loans given to its employees would certainly not form part of profits of assessee undertaking as there is no nexus between activity carried on by assessee and income earned by way of interest on housing loans advanced to its employees. In view of discussion hereinabove assessee is not eligible to claim deduction under s. 10A of Act on income earned from interest on housing loan advanced to its employees. decision of Tribunal (Jodhpur Bench) in case of Sharda Gums & Chemicals (supra) relied upon by learned Authorised Representative for assessee does not apply to facts and issue under consideration; firstly because case law relates to deduction claimed under s. 80HHC of Act on interest earned by assessee on FDRs whereas in instant case we are concerned with deduction claimed under s. 10A of Act in respect of interest earned by assessee on housing loans advanced to employees; secondly because in sub-s. (3) of s. 80HHC of Act while computing profits in working formula for arriving at export profits, words used are profits of business , whereas, while working out same for deduction under s. 10A in sub-s. (4) of Act, words used are profits of undertaking . provisions of s. 10A and s. 80HHC of Act cannot, therefore, be held to be at par. Hence, case law (supra) relied upon by learned Authorised Representative for assessee is of no assistance to assessee for resolving issue under consideration. For reasons stated above, we hold that interest income earned by assessee from housing loans advanced to its employees does not form part of profits of business of assessee undertaking, hence, same is not eligible for deduction under s. 10A of Act and, therefore, orders of tax authorities below, in this regard, are upheld and ground No. 6 of appeal of assessee is rejected. Now, we shall deal with ground of appeal taken by Revenue. Briefly stated facts relating to issue are that AO noted in order passed in asst. yr. 2000-01 that assessee company had claimed deduction under s. 80HHE of Act in respect of SSC Gurgaon unit whereas in asst. yr. 2001-02, it is claiming deduction under s. 10A of Act for very first time. It was explained by assessee during course of assessment proceedings that no deduction was available under s. 10A of Act till asst. yr. 2000-01 as no tax holiday was available with respect to income of SSC unit as its activities did not fall within purview of prescribed services and only after amendment of s. 10A of Act w.e.f. 2001-02 scope of activities of assessee unit is eligible for tax holiday. AO observed once deduction is claimed under s. 80HHE of Act as per provisions of s. 80HHE(5) of Act, no deduction under any other provision of Act can be claimed and, therefore, no deduction under s. 10A is allowable in asst. yr. 2001-02. It has been further observed that principal object of provisions of s. 10A of Act is to encourage setting up of new industrial undertaking and in instant case, it will get defeated as no new industrial undertaking had been set up, appellant company has also not claimed deduction when unit started its manufacturing from asst. yr. 1999-2000. It was further observed that as per s. 10A(2)(ii) of Act, no deduction is allowable if assessee company is already in existence. notification of CBDT dt. 26th Sept., 2000 in reference to definition of computer software w.e.f. 1st April, 2001 was to encourage setting up of new industrial undertakings and not with intention to provide incentive to existing units. By observing this, AO disallowed claim of appellant of Rs. 17,16,18,562. In appeal, CIT(A) after considering various detailed submissions of assessee [as detailed in order of CIT(A)] as well as relevant provision of s. 80HHE, s. 10A(2) of Act] held that assessee was entitled to claim deduction under s. 10A of Act by making following observations in his order: "On going through sub-s. (2) of s. 10A of Act, it is observed that only conditions given in sub-section were required to be specified. case of assessee company is falling under sub-s. 2(i) and not (ii) as held by AO. SSC unit of assessee company has not been formed by splitting up or reconstruction of business already in existence but SSC unit was in or reconstruction of business already in existence but SSC unit was in existence and is being assessed from asst. yr. 1999-2000 itself. It is only that at that time, SSC unit could not claim exemption under s. 10A because it was not eligible to claim deduction and only after amendment of definition of computer software w.e.f. 1st April, 2001 SSC unit became eligible to claim deduction under s. 10A of Act. argument of AO that exemption has to be claimed from initial year of start of manufacture or produce articles or things or computer software itself as per s. 10A(1) is again misplaced. In fact, when section was amended by Finance Act, 1986 as per sub-s. (3) of s. 10A of Act, exemption was allowable only for any five consecutive assessment years falling within period of eight years beginning with assessment year relevant to previous year in which undertaking begins to manufacture or produce articles or things specified by assessee at this option. It is clear from above sub- section, it was not must that exemption is required to be claimed from first year of undertaking beginning to manufacture or produce articles or things but it was at option of assessee in which years it wanted to claim exemption only condition being that it would be within eight years of starting of manufacture or produce article or thing by industrial undertaking and once claimed should be claimed consecutively for five years. If for moment argument of AO is considered, then if in case which satisfies all conditions required to be fulfilled under s. 10A and it did not claim exemption under s. 10A, let us say for two years, due to any reason and in third year if it wants to claim exemption and it is satisfying all conditions laid down under s. 10A, exemption cannot be claimed? No, it cannot be so, exemption has to be allowed and only condition prescribed is that as it is available only for ten years from year in which industrial undertaking qualifies and, thus, it will be available only for eight years to concerned industrial undertaking. relevant portion of Hon ble Tribunal, Delhi decision in case of Legato Systems India (P) Ltd. vs. ITO, ITA Nos. 526 and 527/Del/2004 for asst. yr. 2001-02 dt. 30th Nov., 2004 is noted below: .... Upon harmonious reading of entire provision, our considered view, therefore, is that expression such profits as appearing in sub-s. (5) refers to profits of particular assessment year and section does not place restriction to shift for claim of deduction or exemption under any other provision in respect of profits for which no deduction has been claimed and allowed in previous year. Since both sections i.e. s. 80HHE and s. 10A entitle benefit, assessee would legitimately be entitled to benefit of that provision of law which enables larger benefit being earned by him. This finds support from decision of Supreme Court in CCE vs. Indian Petro Chemicals (1997) 11 SCC 318 and also by Hon ble High Court of judicature at Delhi in case of C.S. Mathur vs. CBDT (supra). We, therefore, do not find any justification in action of learned CIT(A) to uphold that assessee being old unit and once having claimed deduction under s. 80HHE was not entitled to claim exemption under s. 10A from profits of its unit. However, AO in assessment order has not dealt with submissions made by appellant that it has carried out all requisites envisaged in scheme of s. 10A before denying exemption. We, therefore, set aside orders of authorities below on this point and restore matter back to file of AO with direction to allow exemption under s. 10A in both years in case assessee is found to have satisfied all other requisites envisaged in scheme of s. 10A of Act. In case exemption under s. 10A cannot be allowed for reasons of not satisfying requisites, claim of deduction under s. 80HHE shall be allowed after providing opportunity to meet requisites...... In view of above discussion, as appellant satisfies all conditions prescribed in s. 10A of Act, AO has wrongly not allowed claim and is directed to allow same." Before us learned Departmental Representative for Revenue except placing reliance on reasoning given in order of AO was neither able to controvert factual observations recorded in order of CIT(A) nor was able to cite any case law wherein view contrary to view taken in case law relied upon by CIT(A) has been taken. On other hand learned Authorised Representative for assessee reiterating submissions made before tax authorities below submitted that assessee company when set up its business was not eligible to claim deduction under s. 10A but when definition to claim deduction in respect of computer software was amended it became eligible to claim deduction in assessment year under consideration, hence, assessee has rightly claimed deduction under s. 10A and same has been rightly allowed by CIT(A). In support of contention learned Authorised Representative for assessee placed reliance on decision of Tribunal, Delhi Bench in case of Legato Systems India (P) Ltd. vs. ITO (2005) 93 TTJ (Del) 828, which has subsequently been confirmed by Hon ble Delhi High Court in its decision dt. 12th July, 2005 in CIT vs. Legato Systems (I) (P) Ltd. (2006) 203 CTR (Del) 101. Learned Authorised Representative for assessee further relied upon consolidated order in unreported decision of Tribunal Chennai Bench in case of Covansys (I) (P) Ltd. vs. Dy. CIT, ITA No. 62/Mad/2003 asst. yr. 1998-99 and ITA No. 2246/Mad/2005 asst. yr. 2001-02 dt. 20th July, 2007 and on two other decisions of Tribunal Delhi Bench, in case of Dy. CIT vs. Interra Software (I) (P) Ltd., ITA No. 3832/Del/2005 asst. yr. 2002-03 dt. 7th Sept., 2007 [reported at (2007) 112 TTJ (Del) 982 Ed.] and in case of Mentor Graphics (Noida) (P) Ltd. vs. Dy. CIT, ITA No. 1968/Del/2006, asst. yr. 2000-01 dt. 11th Sept., 2006 and on decision in case of Techbook Electronics Services (P) Ltd. vs. Asstt. CIT (1975) 100 ITR 125 (sic), and submitted that in all cases (supra) it has been held that in case assessee satisfies all conditions of allowing exemption under s. 10A same is to be allowed to assessee irrespective of fact that for same unit in earlier assessment years assessee has been claiming benefit of deduction under s. 80HHE of Act. We have considered rival submissions of both parties, perused record and carefully gone through impugned order of tax authorities below as well as case law (supra) relied upon by learned Authorised Representative for assessee. In instant case according to AO assessee is not eligible to claim deduction under s. 10A in subsequent assessment year i.e. 2001-02 under consideration because assessee claimed deduction under s. 80HHE in earlier assessment year and same was allowed to assessee. Whereas, uncontrovertedly, assessee had filed revised return of income for asst. yr. 1999-2000 dt. 2nd Feb., 2000-01 and claimed no deduction under s. 10A of Act, as per paper book page Nos. 134-137. assessee had also not made claim of deduction under s. 80HHE in respect of SSC unit because it incurred loss and assessee simply claimed carry forward of losses, which meant that assessee had not claimed any deduction under s. 80HHE either in asst. yr. 2001-02 or in any of preceding assessment years. Similarly, even in asst. yr. 2000-01, though assessee was eligible to claim of deduction under s. 80HHE, yet, it did neither made or was allowed any such claim of deduction under s. 80HHE of IT Act, 1961 as per page Nos. 136-146 of paper book. Now question required to be determined by us is whether assessee i s entitled to claim deduction under s. 10A in view of amended provisions, which are applicable to asst. yr. 2001-02, for activities carried out by SSC unit of assessee when assessee had admittedly neither claimed deduction under s. 80HHE for asst. yr. 2001-02 nor claimed or was allowed same in previous assessment years. This issue now stands covered in favour of assessee by various decisions (supra) of Tribunal and by decisions (supra) o f jurisdictional High Court of Delhi confirming decision (supra) of Tribunal in case of Legato Systems India (P) Ltd. (supra) wherein in all cases (supra) it has been held that in case assessee fulfills criterion for claiming exemption as laid down under s. 10A of IT Act, 1961 in respect of profits of unit it is eligible to claim same even if assessee earlier either claimed deduction under s. 80HHE or is even entitled to claim deduction under s. 80HHE. We find that ratio of decisions (supra) fully applies to facts and issue involved in instant case under consideration before Tribunal, therefore, respectfully following decisions (supra) we consider it appropriate to set aside orders of tax authorities below on issue of exemption under s. 10A of IT Act, 1961 as directed by Tribunal in cases of Legato Systems India (P) Ltd. (supra) and Mentor Graphics (Noida) (P) Ltd. (supra) as well as in Interra Software (I) (P) Ltd. (supra) and restore matter to file of AO with direction to allow exemption to assessee under s. 10A in year under consideration in case assessee is able to satisfy all requisites as envisaged in scheme of s. 10A of Act in light of decisions (supra) of Tribunal as well as in accordance with law. For reasons stated above ground of appeal taken by Revenue in its appeal is allowed for statistical purposes. In result, instant appeal filed by assessee is partly allowed and appeal filed by Revenue is allowed for statistical purposes in terms of order. *** EFUNDS INTERNATIONAL (P) LTD. v. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX
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