While completing the assessment for the assessment years 1993-94 and 1994-95 u/s. 143(3) of the Act, the Assessing Officer found that the assessee had reduced 90 per cent of the net commission while working out the profits of business under the Explanation (baa) to section 80HHC of the Act.
The Assessing Officer held that 90 per cent of gross commission receipts had to be deducted from the profits of the business and accordingly, allowed deductions under section 80HHC for the said assessment years on that basis.
Aggrieved against the said orders of the Assessing officer, the assessee filed appeals before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals). The Appellate authority held that only 90 per cent of the net commission had to be deducted from the profit of the business and accordingly, directed the Assessing Officer to redo the exercise.
Against the said orders of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), the Revenue preferred appeals before the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal.
The Income-tax Appellate Tribunal, by following the decision of the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench ‘E’ (Special Bench) in Lalsons Enterprises vs. Deputy CIT [2004] 89 ITD 25 (Delhi) [SB], held that only 90 per cent of the net commission had to be reduced from the profit of the business for determining deduction under section 80HHC of the Act.
Against the said order of the Tribunal, the Revenue filed the appeals before the High Court.
By following the ratio laid down in the CIT vs. Chinnapandi [2006] 282 ITR 389 (Mad), in which it was held that 90% of the gross interest had to be reduced from the profits of the business for determining deduction under section 80HHC, the High Court held that the reasons given by the Tribunal in the impugned order were not sustainable. Accordingly, the order of the Tribunal was set aside.
On appeal to the Supreme Court, it was held that these cases were covered by the decision in ACG Associated Capsules Private Ltd. (Formerly Associated Capsules Private Ltd.) vs. CIT [2012] 343 ITR 89 (SC). Accordingly, the issue arising in the appeal was answered in favour of the assessee and against the Revenue. The Supreme Court allowed the appeals and the order of the High Court was set aside and the matter was remanded to the Assessing Officer for a fresh consideration.,