provident fund

This query is : Resolved 

Avatar

Querist : Anonymous

Profile Image
Querist : Anonymous (Querist)
26 March 2011 Sir , i have come across a situation in the course of audit i.e., payment of PF (employer's and employees) contribution by employer for Jan'11 was paid on 21-2-2011,because 20-2-2011 was sunday.

My query is that, what will be day for a payment if the due date is an holiday(i.e will it be on the following day or previous day of the holiday, the holiday is sunday.).Will this late payment be allowed under PF Act and the same will be allowed as a deduction under income tax act?

26 March 2011 Pf Deduction is allowed under income tax now even payment is made after due date............................recent case made a judgment about deduction of PF CIT VS AIMIL LIMITED

CIT VS.
COURT)

(110.3 KiB, 127 DLs)

AIMIL

LIMITED

(DELHI

HIGH

EVEN EMPLOYEES’ CONTRIBUTION TO PF
PAID BEFORE DUE DATE OF FILING ROI IS
ALLOWABLE U/S 43B

S. 2 (24) (x) provides that amounts received by an assessee from

employees towards PF contributions etc shall be “income”. S. 36 (1)

(va) provides that if such sums are contributed to the employees

account in the relevant fund on or before the due date specified in

the PF etc legislation, the assessee shall be entitled to a deduction.

The second Proviso to s. 43B (b) provided that any sum paid by the

assessee as an employer by way of contribution to any provident etc

fund shall be allowed as a deduction only if paid on or before the due

date specified in 36(1)(va). After the omission of the second Proviso

w.e.f 1.4.2004, the deduction is allowable under the first Proviso if the

payment is made on or before the due date for furnishing the return

of income. The High Court had to consider whether the benefit of s.

43B can be extended to employees’ contribution as well which are paid

after the due date under the PF law but before the due date for filing

the return. HELD deciding in favour of the assessee:

(i)

Though the revenue has argued that a distinction is to be made

between

contribution” and that employees’ contribution being in the

nature of trust money in the hands of the assessee cannot be

allowed as a deduction if not paid on or before the due date

“employers’

contribution”

and

“employees’

specified in the PF etc law, the scheme of the Act is that

employees’ contribution is treated as income u/s 2 (24) (x) on

receipt by the assessee and allowed as a deduction u/s 36 (1)

(va) on making deposit with the concerned authorities. S. 43B

(b) stipulates that such deduction would be permissible only on

actual payment;

(ii)

The question as to when actual payment should be made is

answered by Vinay Cements 213 CTR 268 where the deletion of

the second Proviso to s. 43B w.e.f 1.4.2004 was held applicable

to earlier years as well. As the deletion of the 2nd Proviso is

retrospective, the case has to be governed by the first Proviso.

Dharmendra Sharma 297 ITR 320 (Del) & P.M. Electronics 313

ITR 161 (Delhi) followed;

(iii)

If the employees’ contribution is not deposited by the due date

prescribed under the relevant Acts and is deposited late, the

employer not only pays interest on delayed payment but can

incur penalties also, for which specific provisions are made in

the Provident Fund Act as well as the ESI Act. Therefore, the Act

permits the employer to make the deposit with some delays,

subject to the aforesaid consequences. Insofar as the Income-

tax Act is concerned, the assessee can get the benefit if the

actual payment is made before the return is filed, as per the

principle laid down in Vinay Cement.

Note: In Alom Extrusions 319 ITR 306 (SC), the deletion of the

second Proviso has been held to be with retrospective effect.

See also: Radhakrishna Foodland vs. ACIT where the same

view on employees contribution was taken by the ITAT Mumbai.

Payments (of employer’s contribution) within the grace period

have been held allowable in WMI Cranes (Bom).

Related Judgements

CIT vs. Alom Extrusions (Supreme Court) The deletion of the second

proviso to s. 43B, and the amendment to the first proviso, by the

Finance Act, 2003 was to overcome implementation problems.

Consequently,

Parliament only with effect from 1.4.2004, were curative in nature and

would apply retrospectively w.e.f. 1.4.1988….

CIT vs. Vardhaman Polytex (P & H High Court) (Full Bench) (i) In

considering whether the interest paid by an assessee on loans raised

for acquisition of new asset, before the same was first put to use, is to

be added towards the cost of the asset or the same is to be granted as

a revenue expenditure for the…

CIT vs. Nicholas Piramal (Bombay High Court) As s. 192 requires the

employer to deduct tax on the “estimated income” of the employee,

the test is whether he acted in a bona fide and honest manner. Where

the employer allowed the employees deduction under sections 10(5)

and 10(14) only on the basis of declarations filed by…

the

amendments,

though

made

applicable

by

EVEN EMPLOYEES’ CONTRIBUTION TO PF
PAID BEFORE DUE DATE OF FILING ROI IS
ALLOWABLE U/S 43B

Feb 6, 2010 Income Tax Case Laws

S. 2 (24) (x) provides that amounts received by an assessee from

employees towards PF contributions etc shall be “income”. S. 36 (1)

(va) provides that if such sums are contributed to the employees

account in the relevant fund on or before the due date specified in

the PF etc legislation, the assessee shall be entitled to a deduction.

The second Proviso to s. 43B (b) provided that any sum paid by the

assessee as an employer by way of contribution to any provident etc

fund shall be allowed as a deduction only if paid on or before the due

date specified in 36(1)(va). After the omission of the second Proviso

w.e.f 1.4.2004, the deduction is allowable under the first Proviso if the

payment is made on or before the due date for furnishing the return

of income. The High Court had to consider whether the benefit of s.

43B can be extended to employees’ contribution as well which are paid

after the due date under the PF law but before the due date for filing

the return. HELD deciding in favour of the assessee:

(i)

Though the revenue has argued that a distinction is to be made

between

contribution” and that employees’ contribution being in the

nature of trust money in the hands of the assessee cannot be

allowed as a deduction if not paid on or before the due date

specified in the PF etc law, the scheme of the Act is that

employees’ contribution is treated as income u/s 2 (24) (x) on

receipt by the assessee and allowed as a deduction u/s 36 (1)

(va) on making deposit with the concerned authorities. S. 43B

(b) stipulates that such deduction would be permissible only on

“employers’

contribution”

and

“employees’

actual payment;

(ii)

The question as to when actual payment should be made is

answered by Vinay Cements 213 CTR 268 where the deletion of

the second Proviso to s. 43B w.e.f 1.4.2004 was held applicable

to earlier years as well. As the deletion of the 2nd Proviso is

retrospective, the case has to be governed by the first Proviso.

Dharmendra Sharma 297 ITR 320 (Del) & P.M. Electronics 313

ITR 161 (Delhi) followed;

(iii)

If the employees’ contribution is not deposited by the due date

prescribed under the relevant Acts and is deposited late, the

employer not only pays interest on delayed payment but can

incur penalties also, for which specific provisions are made in

the Provident Fund Act as well as the ESI Act. Therefore, the Act

permits the employer to make the deposit with some delays,

subject to the aforesaid consequences. Insofar as the Income-

tax Act is concerned, the assessee can get the benefit if the

actual payment is made before the return is filed, as per the

principle laid down in Vinay Cement.

Source

Decided By: High Court of Delhi, In the case of: Commissioner of

Income Tax VERSUS AIMIL Limited, Appeal No.: ITA No. 1063/2008,

Reserved on: December 04, 2009, Pronounced on: December 23,

2009

EMPLOYEES’

SOCIAL

BEFORE THE DUE DATE OF FILING

RETURN OF INCOME IS ALLOWABLE

CONTRIBUTIONS

SECURITY

SCHEMES

TO

PAID

Mar 20, 2010 Income Tax Case Laws

CIT Vs Aimil Ltd [2010-TIOL-125-HC-Del-IT]

Income tax – Sec 36(1)(va), 43B – Assessee deposits employer’s

contribution as well as employees’ contribution to PF and ESI

after due date – AO disallows and CIT(A) agrees with him –

Assessee files application u/s 154 for rectification of mistake and

CIT(A) deletes the addition as assessee had made payments

before the due date – Tribunal dismisses Revenue’s appeal –

held, if the employer deposits its contribution late it pays interest

and penalty under the PF Act – as long as it is deposited before

filing the return it is allowable – Assessee’s appeal allowed:DELHI

HIGH COURT;

Background and facts of the case:-Under the Indian Tax Law

(ITL), any sum received by a taxpayer from its employees as

contributions to any of the SSS is treated as income of the

taxpayer. The taxpayer is eligible for deduction of such sums if it

deposits them to the relevant SSS before the statutory due date.

Under

contributions are allowed as deduction on actual payment made

on or before the due date of filing ROl. Prior to tax year 2003-04,

the employer’s contributions were also required to be paid before

the statutory due date for being allowed as deduction. However,

in view of the amendment by Finance Act 2003, effective from

tax year 2003-04, these sums are currently allowed as deduction

if paid on or before the due date of filing ROl.

a

separate

provision

of

the

ITL,

the

employer’s

Dismissing the Special Leave Petition (SLP) of the Tax Authority

in the case of CIT v Vinay Cement Ltd (213 CTR 268)

Cement ruling), the Supreme Court (SC) held, by a short

decision, that the employer’s contributions paid before the due

date of filing ROl are allowable even prior to tax year 2003-04

(Refer Note – 1).

(Vinay

The present ruling relates to tax year 2002-03 i.e. before the

amendment by Finance Act 2003. The Taxpayer deposited its

employees’ and employer’s contributions after the statutory due

date but before the due date of filing ROl. The Tax Authority

denied the deduction in respect of both the contributions.

The Taxpayer appealed to the first appellate authority who

deleted

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) which dismissed the Tax

Authority’s appeal.

the

addition.

The

Tax

Authority

appealed

to

the

Being aggrieved by the ITAT’s order, the Tax Authority appealed

further to the HC. The question of law admitted by the HC was

restricted to deductibility of the employees’ contributions.

Contentions of the Tax Authority:-A distinction should be

made between payments representing the employees’ and the

employer’s

recovered from salaries/wages and, thus, represent money held

in trust by the taxpayers for the employees. For this reason, the

ITL provides for a rigorous condition for grant of deduction of

such amounts and requires that such sums should be paid on or

before the statutory due date.

contributions.

The

employees’

contributions

are

In the present case, since the Taxpayer did not pay the

employees’ contributions before the statutory due date, it is not

entitled to deduction of the said sums.

The Vinay Cements ruling is relevant in the context of the

employer’s contributions alone and cannot be applied to the

employees’ contribution.

Contentions of the Taxpayer :- In view of the Vinay Cements

ruling, the employees’ contributions are also allowable as

deduction if paid on or before the due date of filing ROl, although

such payments are paid after the statutory due date.

Ruling of the HC:- The scheme of the ITL, insofar as the

employees’ contributions are concerned, is that the recovery

from the employees is treated as income and the deposit is

allowed as deduction, subject to actual payment.

The SC, in the Vinay Cements ruling, specifically observed

that the taxpayer is entitled to deduction even during the pre-

amended period if the sums are deposited before the due date

of filing ROl. The dismissal of the SLP, by providing reasons,

amounts to an affirmation of the view taken by the underlying HC

in favor of the taxpayer against which the SLP was preferred by

the Tax Authority.

The Vinay Cements ruling is discussed and followed by the two

Delhi HC rulings in the case of CIT v Dharmendra Sharma [297

ITR 320] and CIT v. P.M. Electronics Ltd. [ITA No. 475/2007

dated 3 November 2008]. In view thereof, the amendment by

Finance Act 2003 permitting deduction for sums paid beyond the

statutory due date but before the due date of filing ROl needs to

be construed as having retrospective effect.

If the employees’ contributions are not deposited by the

statutory due date, the employer is required to pay interest

and penalty under the relevant statutes. Therefore, it can be

inferred that the statutes governing the relevant SSS permit

the employer to make the deposit with some delays. For tax

purposes, the taxpayer can get the benefit if the actual payment

is made before ROl is filed in terms of the Vinay Cements ruling.

Comments :-The law relating to deductibility of the employer’s

contributions to SSS was liberalized from tax year 2003-04

and such contributions are allowed as deduction if paid prior

to the due date of filing ROl. However, the issue pertaining to

deductibility of the employees’ contributions has been a subject

matter of debate in view of separate provisions applicable to

such contributions. Generally, it is advisable for taxpayers to

pay both the employees’ and the employer’s contributions within

the statutory due date to secure tax deduction. The present

ruling provides relief to those taxpayers who paid the employees’

contributions before the due date of filing ROl, although such

payments may be beyond the statutory due date.

Note:-

1.In a separate detailed decision in the case of Alom

Extrusions Ltd. [2009-TIOL-125-SC-IT], the SC held that

the amendment by Finance Act 2003 was curative in nature

and was introduced with a view to rationalize the tax

deduction for the employer’s contributions. The SC held

that the amendment applied to all prior years.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

ITA No. 1063 of 2006

ITA No.75 5 of 2008

ITA No. 204 of 2009

ITA No. 12 14/2008 with ITA No. 1246/2008

ITA No. 50/2009

ITA No. 78/2009

Reserved on: December 04, 2009

Pronounced on: December 23, 2009

1.

ITA No. 1063/2008

Commissioner of Income Tax . . . Appellant

through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal with

Mr. Paras Chaudhry, Advocates

VERSUS

AIMIL Limited . .. Respondent

through: Dr. Rakesh Gupta with

Ms. Poonam Ahuja, Advocates

2. ITA No. 12 14/2008

Nirmala Swami . . . Appellant

through: Mr. Satyen Sethi with

Mr. Johnson Bara, Advocates

VERSUS

Commissioner of Income Tax, Delhi - VIII . .. Respondent

through: Ms. Rashmi Chopra, Advocate

3. ITA No. 755/2008

Spearhead Digital Studio P. Ltd. . . . Appellant

through: Mr. Prakash Kumar, Advocate

VERSUS

Commissioner of Income Tax . .. Respondent

CORAM:-

THE HQN’BLE MR. JUSTICE A.K. SIKRI
THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SIDDHARTH MRIDUL

1.

Whether Reporters of Local newspapers may be allowed to
see the Judgment?
To be referred to the Reporter or not?
Whether the Judgment should be reported in the Digest?

2.
3.

A.K. SIKRI, J.

1.

Though the assessees are different in these appeals, the

aforesaid question is common in all these cases, which falls

for consideration in almost identical factual backdrop. In

fact, it is a matter of pure interpretation of the provisions

of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short, the ‘Act’),

particularly Section 36(1) (va) of the Act. However, in

order to understand the implication, it would be necessary

to take note of facts of one appeal. We, accordingly, are

stating the facts as they appear in ITA No. 1063/2008.

2.

The case relates to the assessment year 2002-03. The

respondent assessee had filed its return on 30.10.2002

declaring income at Rs.7,95,430/-. During the assessment

proceedings, the Assessing Officer (AO) found that the

assessee had deposited employers’ contribution as well as

employees’ contribution towards provident fund and ESI

after the due date, as prescribed under the relevant Act/

Rules. Accordingly, he made addition of Rs.42,58,574/-

being employees’ contribution under Section 36(1)(va) of

the Act and Rs.30,68,583/- being employers’ contribution

under Section 43B of the Act. Felt aggrieved by this

assessment order, the assessee preferred appeal before

the CIT(A), who decided the same vide orders dated

15.7.2005. Though the CIT(A) accepted the contention of

the assessee that if the payment is made before the due

date of filing of return, no disallowance could be made in

view of the provisions of Section 438, as amended vide

Finance Act, 2003, he still confirmed the addition made by

the AO on the ground that no documentary proof was given

to support that payment was in fact made by the assessee.

The assessee filed an application under Section 154 of the

Act before the CIT(A) for rectification of the mistake. After

having satisfied that payment had, in fact, been made, the

CIT(A) rectified the mistake and deleted the addition by

holding that the assessee had made the payment before

the due date of filing of the return, which was a fact

apparent from the record.

3.

It was now the turn of the Revenue to feel agitated by

these orders and, therefore, the Revenue approached the

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) challenging the

orders of the CIT(A). The department has, however,

remained unsuccessful as the appeal preferred by the

department is dismissed by the ITAT vide its impugned

decision dated 31.12.2007, which is the subject matter of

appeal before us.

Perusal of the order of the Tribunal would show that it

has relied upon the judgment of the Supreme Court in

the case of CIT v. Vinay Cement Ltd., 213 CTR 268, to

support its decision to the effect that if the employers’ as

well as employees’ contribution towards provident fund

and ESI is paid before the due date of filing of return, no

disallowance can be made by the AO.

4.

In some other appeals preferred by the assessees, the

ITAT has taken contrary view and upheld the addition

made by the AOs. Under these circumstances, all these

appeals were admitted and heard on the following

question of law:-

“Whether the ITAT was correct in law in deleting the addition

relating to employees’ contribution towards Provident Fund and

ESI made by the Assessing Officer under Section 36(1)(va) of

the Income Tax Act, 1961?”

Section 36 of the Act deals with certain deductions

5.

which shall be allowed in respect of matters dealt with

therein, in computing the income referred to in Section

28 of the Act. Different types of deductions are provided

therein in various clauses of Section 36. Clause (iv) of

sub-section (1) deals with deductions on account of

contribution towards a recognized provident fund or an

approved superannuation fund made by the assessee as

an employer, subject to certain limits and also subject to

certain conditions as the CBDT may think fit to specify.

Clause (v) of sub-section (1) of Section 36 enables the

assessee to seek deduction in respect of sum paid by

it as an employer by way of contribution towards an

approved gratuity fund created by him for the exclusive

benefit of his employees under an irrevocable trust.

Then comes clause (va) which deals about employees’

contribution in the provident fund and ESI and reads as

under :-

“(Va) any sum received by the assessee from any of his employees

to which the provisions of sub-clause (x) of clause (24) of section

2 apply, if such sum is credited by the assessee to the employee’s

account in the relevant fund or funds on or before the due date.

Explanation — For the purposes of this clause, “due date” means

the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to

credit an employee’s contribution to the employee’s account in

the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued

thereunder or under any standing order, award, contract or service

or otherwise;”

6.

It would also be appropriate to take note of Section

438 of the Act primarily for the reason that in Vinay

Cement (supra) it was this provision which came up for

discussion before the Supreme Court and also keeping in

view the contention of learned counsel for the Revenue

that this judgment would be of no avail to the assessee

while discussing the matter under Section 36(1)(va) of

the Act. Section 438 stipulates that certain deductions

are to be given only on actual payment. Clause (b)

thereof talks about contribution by the assessee as

employer to any provident fund or superannuation fund

or gratuity fund or any other fund for the welfare of the

employees. Since we are concerned only with clause (b),

we reproduce the same for clearer understanding:-

“43B. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of

this Act, a deduction otherwise allowable under this Act in respect

of

(b) any sum payable by the assessee as an employer by way

of contribution to any provident fund or superannuation fund or

gratuity fund or any other fund for the welfare of employees, (or)

shall be allowed irrespective of the previous year in which the

liability to pay such sum was incurred by the assessee according

to the method of accounting regularly employed by him only in

computing the income referred to in section 28 of that previous

year in which such sum is actually paid by him

Provided that nothing contained in this section shall apply in

relation to any sum which is actually paid by the assessee on or

before the due date applicable in his case for furnishing the return

of income under sub-section (1) of section 139 in respect of the

previous year in which the liability to pay such sum was incurred

as aforesaid and the evidence of such payment is furnished by the

assessee along with such return.”

7.

During the period in question with which we are

concerned, Section 438 contained second proviso also,

which stands omitted by the Finance Act, 2003 with

effect from 1.4.2004. Since, this provision existed at the

relevant time, it also needs to be reproduced :-

“Provided further that no deduction shall, in respect of any sum

referred to in clause (b), be allowed unless such sum has actually

been paid in cash or by issue of a cheque or draft or by any other

mode on or before the due date as defined in the Explanation

below clause (va) of sub-section (1) of section 36, and where such

payment has been made otherwise than in cash, the sum has been

realized within fifteen days from the due date.”

8.

As per the first proviso, if the payment is actually made on

or before the due date applicable in his case for filing the

return, it would be admissible as deduction. Thus, the ‘due

date’ is the date on which return is to be filed. The case

of the Revenue is that for employees’ contribution, the

2’ proviso was specifically incorporated and in the

present case, as we are concerned with non-deposit of the

employees’ contribution towards provident fund as well

as ESI contribution by the employer, only 2’ proviso be

looked into.

9.

What is sought to be argued is that distinction is to be

made

contribution on the one hand and employees’ contribution

on the other hand. It was submitted that when employees’

contribution is recovered from their salaries/wages, that is

trust money in the hands of the assessee. For this reason,

rigors of law are provided by treating it as income when the

assessee receives the employees’ contribution and enabling

the assessee to claim deduction only on actual payment by

due date specified under the provisions.

while

treating

the

case

related

to

employers’

10.

Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, learned counsel for the Revenue,

thus, argued that the second proviso to Section 438, as it

stood

deduction in respect of any sum referred to in clause (b)

shall not be allowed unless such sum has actually been

paid in cash or by issuance of cheque or draft or by any

other mode on or before the due date, as defined in the

explanation below clause (va) of sub-section (1) of Section

36. Thus, the assessee would earn the entitlement only if

the actual payment is made before the due date specified

in explanation below clause (va) of sub-section (1) of

Section 36 of the Act. As per the said explanation, ‘due

date’ means the date by which the assessee is required, as

an employer, to credit the employees’ contribution to the

employees account in the relevant fund under any Act,

rules, order or notification issued thereunder or under any

standing order award contract of service or otherwise.

at

the

relevant

time,

clearly

mentioned

that

11.

Before we delve into this discussion, we may take note of

some more provisions of the Act. Section 2(24) of the Act

enumerates different components of income. It, Inter alia,

stipulates that income includes any sum received by the

assessee from his employees as contributions to any

provident fund or superannuation fund or any fund set up

under the provisions of the Employees’ State Insurance

Act, 1948 (34 of 1948), or any other fund for the welfare of

such employees. It is clear from the above that as soon as

employees contribution towards provident fund or ESI is

received by the assessee by way of deduction or otherwise

from the salary/wages of the employees, it will be treated

as ‘Income’ at the hands of the assessee. It clearly follows

there from that if the assessee does not deposit this

contribution with provident fund/ESI authorities, it will be

taxed as income at the hands of the assessee. However, on

making

assessee

provisions of Section 36(1)(va) of the Act. Section 438(b),

however,

permissible only on actual payment. This is the scheme of

the Act for making an assessee entitled to get deduction

from

concerned. It is in this backdrop we have to determine as

to at what point of time this payment is to be actually

made.

deposit

becomes

with

entitled

the

concerned

to

authorities,

deduction

under

the

the

stipulates

that

such

deduction

would

be

income

insofar

as

employees’

contribution

is

12.

Since the ITAT while holding that the amount would qualify

for deduction even if paid after the due dates prescribed

under the Provident Fund/ESI Act but before the filing of

the income tax returns by placing reliance upon the

Supreme Court judgment in Vinay Cement (supra), at this

juncture we take note of the discussion of ITAT on this

aspect:-

“11. We have carefully considered the rival submissions in the light

of material placed before us. In the assessment order Ld. AO has

categorically stated that what the amount due was for which month

in respect of EPF, Family Pension, PF inspection charges and ES!

deposits and what were the due dates for these deposits and on which

date these deposits were made. The dates of deposits are mentioned

between 23rd May 2001 to 23rd April 2002. The latest payment is

made on 23rd April 2002 and assessee being limited company had

filed its return on 20th October, 2002 which is a date not beyond

the due date of filing of the return. Thus, it is clear beyond doubt

that all the payments which have been disallowed were made much

earlier to the due date of filing of the return. The disallowance is not

made by the AO on the ground that there is no proof of making such

payment but disallowance is made only on the ground that these

payments have been made beyond the due dates of making these

payments under the respective statute. Thus, it was not an issue that

the payments were not made by the assessee on the dates which have

been stated to be the dates of deposits in the assessment order. If

such is a factual aspect then according to latest position of law clarified

by Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT Vs Vinay Cement Ltd.

that no disallowance could be made if the payments are made before

the due date of filing the return of income. This issue came before

Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT Vs. Vinay Cement Ltd. which

was a special leave petition filed by the department against the High

Court Order of 26th June, 2006 in ITA No. 2/05 and ITA No. 56/03 and

ITA No. 80/03 of the High Court of Guwahati, Assam and it is order

dated 7th March, 2007. A copy of the said order is placed on record.

The observations of their Lordships on the issue are as under :-

“In the present case we are concerned with the law as it stood prior to

the amendment of Sec. 43B. In the circumstances the assessee was

entitled to claim the benefit in Sec. 43B for that period particularly in

view of the fact that he has contributed to provident fund before filing

of the return.

The special leave petition is dismissed.”

13.

It is clear from the above that in V/nay Cement (supra),

the SLP preferred by the Revenue against the judgment of

the Guwahati High Court was dismissed making the

aforequoted observations. The reasons are given and, thus,

it amounts to affirmation of the view taken by the High

Court of Guwahati.

14.

When we keep that proposition in mind and also take into

consideration various judgments where I//nay Cement

(supra) is applied and followed, it will not be possible to

accept the contention of the Revenue.

15. In CITy. Dharmendra Sharma, 297 ITR 320, this Court

specifically dealt with this issue and relying upon the

aforesaid judgment of the Guwahati High Court, as affirmed

by the Supreme Court in V/nay Cement (supra), the appeal

of the Revenue was dismissed. More detailed discussion is

contained in another judgment of this Court in CIT v. P.M

Electronics Ltd. (ITA No. 475/2007 decided on 3.11.2008).

Specific questions of law which were proposed by the

Revenue in that case were as under :-

“(a) Whether amounts paid on account of PF/ESI after due date are

allowable in view of Section 43B, read with Section 36(1)(va) of the

Act?

(b) Whether the deletion of the 2nd proviso to Section 43B by way of

amendment by the Finance Act, 2003 is retrospective in nature?”

16.

These questions were answered by the Division Bench in

the following manner :-

“7. Having heard the learned counsel for the Revenue, as well as,

the assessee, we are of the view that the view taken by the Tribunal

deserves to be sustained as it is no longer res integra in view of the

decision of the Supreme Court in the case of CITy V/nay Cement Ltd:

213 1TR 268 which has been followed by a Division Bench of this Court

in the case of CIT v. Dharmendra Sharma: 297 ITR 320.

8. Despite the aforesaid judgments, the learned counsel for the

Tribunal has contended that in view of the judgment of the Division

Bench of the Madras High Court in the case of CITy. Synergy financial

Exchange Ltd: (2007)288 ITR 366 and that of the Division Bench of

the Bombay High Court in the case of CIT v. M/s Pamwi Tissues Ltd:

(2008) Taxindiaon/inecom 104 (TJOL) the issue requires consideration.

According to us, in view of the dismissal of the Special Leave Petition

in the case of V/nay Cement (supra) by the Supreme Court by a

speaking order, the submission of the learned counsel for the Revenue

has to be rejected at the very threshold. The reason for the same is as

follows:

9 The Gauhati High Court in the case of CIT v. George Wililamson

(Assam) Ltd: (2006) 284 IT!? 619 (Gauhati dealt with the very same

issue. In the said judgment the Division Bench of the Gauhati High

Court noted a contrary view taken by the Kerala High Court in the

case of CIT v. South India Corporation Ltth (2000) 242 ITR 114. After

noting the said judgment the fact that the amendments had been

made to the provisions of Section 43B of the Act by virtue of Finance

Act, 2003 w.e.f 1.4.2004 it agreed with the submission of the learned

counsel for the assessee that by virtue of the omission of the second

proviso and the omission of Clauses (a), (c), (d), (e) and (f) without

any saving clause would mean that the provisions were never in

existence. For this purpose, in the said case the assessee had placed

reliance on the judgment of a Constitution Bench of the Supreme

Court in the case of Koihapur Canesugar Works Ltd v. Union of India:

(2000) 2 5CC 536 and Rayala Corporation P. Ltd v. Director of

Enforcement (1969) 2 ICC 412 and General Finance Co. v. Asst. CIT

(2002) 257 ITR 338 (SC). The said submissions found favour with the

Division Bench of the Guahati High Court and relying on earlier

decisions of its own Court in CiT v. Assam Tribune: (2002) 253 ITt? 93

and CIT v. Bha rat Bamboo and Tiber Suppliers: (1996) 219 IT)? 212

the Division Bench dismissed the appeal of the Revenue. It transpires

that the aforesaid matter was taken up in appeal alongwith other

matters including V/nay Cement (supra). The order in V/nay Cement

(supra) was passed by the Supreme Court on 7.3.2007 wherein it

observed as follows:- “Delay condoned. In the present case we are

concerned with the law as it stood prior to the amendment of Section

43-B. In the circumstances, the assessee was entitled to claim the

benefit in Section 43-B for that period particularly in view of the fact

that he has contributed to provident fund before filing of the return.

Special Leave Petition is dismissed.”

10. In view of the above, it is quite evident that the special

leave petition was dismissed by a speaking order and while

doing so the Supreme Court had noticed the fact that the

matter in appeal before it pertain to a period prior to the

amendment brought about in Section 43B of the Act. The

aforesaid position as regards the state of the law for a

period prior to the amendment to Section 43B has been

noticed by a Division Bench of this Court in Dharmendra

Sharma (supra). Applying the ratio of the decision of the

Supreme Court in V/nay Cement (supra) a Division Bench

of this Court dismissed the appeals of the Revenue. In

the passing we may also note that a Division Bench of the

Madras High Court in the case of CIT v. Nexus Computer

(P) Ltd by a judgment dated 18.8.08 passed in Tax Case

(A) No. 1192/2008 discussed the impact of both the

dismissal of the special leave petition in the case of George

Williamson (Assam) Ltd (supra) and V/nay Cement (supra)

as well as a contrary view of the Division Bench of its own

Court in Synergy Financial Exchange (supra). The Division

Bench of the Madras High Court has explained the effect

of the dismissal of a special leave petition by a speaking

order by relying upon the judgment of the Supreme Court

in the case of Kunhayammed and Others v. State of Kerala

and another: 119 fTC 505 at page 526 in Paragraph 40 and

noted the following observations: -

“It the order refusing leave to appeal is a speaking order,

ie., gives reasons for refusing the grant of leave, then

the order has two implications. Firstly, the statement of

law contained in the order is a declaration of law by the

Supreme Court within the meaning of Article 141 of the

Constitution. Secondly, other than the declaration of law,

whatever is stated in the order are the findings recorded

by the Supreme Court which would bind the parties thereto

and also the Court, Tribunal or authority in any proceedings

subsequent thereto by way of judicial discipline, the

Supreme Court being the Apex Court of the country, But,

this does not amount to saying that the order of the Court,

Tribunal or authority below has stood merged in the order

of the Supreme Court rejecting special leave petition or that

the order of the Supreme Court is the only order binding

as res judicata in subsequent proceedings between the

parties.”

11. Upon noting the observations of the Supreme Court in

Kunhayammed and Others (supra) the Division Bench of

the Madras High Court in the case of Nexus Computer Pvt

Ltd (supra) came to the conclusion that the view taken by

the Supreme Court in V/nay Cement (supra) would bind

the High Court as it was non declared by the Supreme

Court under Article 141 of the Constitution. 12. We are in

respectful agreement with the reasoning of the Madras High

Court in Nexus Computer Pvt Ltd (supra). Judicial discipline

requires us to follow the view of the Supreme Court in

Vinay Cement (supra) as also the view of the Division

Bench of this Court in Dharmendra Sharma (supra). 13.

In these circumstances, we respectfully disagree with the

approach adopted by a Division Bench of the Bombay High

Court in M/s Pamwi Tissues Ltd (supra).

14. In these circumstances indicated above, we are of the

opinion that no substantial question of law arises for our

consideration in the present appeal. The appeal is, thus,

dismissed.”

It also becomes clear that deletion of the 2nd proviso is

treated as retrospective in nature and would not apply at

all. The case is to be governed with the application of the l

proviso.

17.

We may only add that if the employees’ contribution is not

deposited by the due date prescribed under the relevant

Acts and is deposited late, the employer not only pays

interest on delayed payment but can incur penalties also,

for which specific provisions are made in the Provident

Fund Act as well as the ESI Act. Therefore, the Act permits

the employer to make the deposit with some delays,

subject to the aforesaid consequences. Insofar as the

Income Tax Act is concerned, the assessee can get the

benefit if the actual payment is made before the return is

filed, as per the principle laid down by the Supreme Court

in V/nay Cement (supra).

18.

We, thus, answer the question in favour of the assessee

and against the Revenue. As a consequence, the appeals

filed by the assessees stand allowed and those filed by the

Revenue are dismissed.

No costs.

(A.K. SIKRI)

JUDGE

(SIDDHARTH MRIDUL) JUDGE

December 23, 2009

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

ITANo.755of2008

Reserved on: December 04, 2009

Pronounced on: December 23, 2009

Spearhead Digital Studio P. Ltd. . . . Appellant

through: Mr. Prakash Kumar, Advocate

VEPSUS

Commissioner of Income Tax . .. Respondent

through: Mr. Sanjeev Sabharwal, Advocate

CORAM :-

THE HQN’BLE MR. JUSTICE A.K. SIKRI

THE HQN’BLE MR. JUSTICE SIDDHARTH MRIDUL

1. Whether Reporters of Local newspapers may be allowed to see

the Judgment?

2. To be referred to the Reporter or not?

3. Whether the Judgment should be reported in the Digest?

A.K. SIKRI, J.

For orders, see ITA No. 1063/2006.

(A.K. SIKRI)

JUDGE

(SIDDHARTH MRIDUL)

JUDGE

December 23, 2009

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

ITANo. 204of 2009

Reserved on: December 04, 2009

Pronounced on: December 23, 2009

Commissioner of Income Tax, Delhi-V . . . Appellant

through: Mr. N.P. Sahni, Advocate

VEPSUS

M/s. Net 4 India Ltd. . .. Respondent

through: Dr. Rakesh Gupta with

Ms. Poonam Ahuja, Advocates

CORAM :-

THE HQN’BLE MR. JUSTICE A.K. SIKRI

THE HQN’BLE MR. JUSTICE SIDDHARTH MRIDUL

1. Whether Reporters of Local newspapers may be allowed to see

the Judgment?

2. To be referred to the Reporter or not?

3. Whether the Judgment should be reported in the Digest?

A.K. SIKRI, J.

For orders, see ITA No. 1063/2006.

(A.K. SIKRI)

JUDGE

(SIDDHARTH MRIDUL)

JUDGE

December 23, 2009

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

ITA No. 1214/2008 with ITA No. 1246/2008

Reserved on: December 04, 2009

Pronounced on: December 23, 2009

1. ITA No. 12 14/2008

Nirmala Swami .. . Appellant

through: Mr. Satyen Sethi with

Mr. Johnson Bara, Advocates

VEPSUS

Commissioner of Income Tax, Delhi - VIII . .. Respondent

through: Ms. Rashmi Chopra, Advocate

2. ITA No. 1246/2008

M/s. Ekta Agro Industries Ltd. . . . Appellant

through: NEMO

VEPSUS

Income Tax Officer, Ward 11(1) . .. Respondent

through: NEMO

CORAM :-

THE HQN’BLE MR. JUSTICE A.K. SIKRI

THE HQN’BLE MR. JUSTICE SIDDHARTH MRIDUL

1. Whether Reporters of Local newspapers may be allowed to see

the Judgment?

2. To be referred to the Reporter or not?

3. Whether the Judgment should be reported in the Digest?

A.K. SIKRI, J.

For orders, see ITA No. 1063/2006.

(A.K. SIKRI)

JUDGE

(SIDDHARTH MRIDUL)

JUDGE

December 23, 2009

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

ITANo.50/2009

Reserved on: December 04, 2009

Pronounced on: December 23, 2009

Commissioner of Income Tax-Il . . . Appellant

through: Mr. Sanjeev Sabharwal, Advocate

VEPSUS

Modipon Ltd. . .. Respondent

through: Mr. Prakash Kumar, Advocate

CORAM :-

THE HQN’BLE MR. JUSTICE A.K. SIKRI

THE HQN’BLE MR. JUSTICE SIDDHARTH MRIDUL

1. Whether Reporters of Local newspapers may be allowed to see

the Judgment?

2. To be referred to the Reporter or not?

3. Whether the Judgment should be reported in the Digest?

A.K. SIKRI, J.

For orders, see ITA No. 1063/2006.

(A.K. SIKRI)

JUDGE

(SIDDHARTH MRIDUL)

JUDGE

December 23, 2009

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

ITA No. 78/2009

Reserved on: December 04, 2009

Pronounced on: December 23, 2009

Commissioner of Income Tax-Il . . . Appellant

through: Mr. Sanjeev Sabharwal, Advocate

VEPSUS

Modipon Ltd. . .. Respondent

through: Mr. Prakash Kumar, Advocate

CORAM :-

THE HQN’BLE MR. JUSTICE A.K. SIKRI

THE HQN’BLE MR. JUSTICE SIDDHARTH MRIDUL

1. Whether Reporters of Local newspapers may be allowed to see

the Judgment?

2. To be referred to the Reporter or not?

3. Whether the Judgment should be reported in the Digest?

A.K. SIKRI, J.

For orders, see ITA No. 1063/2006.

(A.K. SIKRI)

JUDGE

(SIDDHARTH MRIDUL)

JUDGE

December 23, 2009

Avatar

Querist : Anonymous

Profile Image
Querist : Anonymous (Querist)
26 March 2011 sir,
thanks for ur information, but i m having one more doubt regarding the payment of pf, i.e pf remittance for jan'11 is 15th of feb'11 or 20th of feb'11(grace period of 5 days)but payment is made on 21st feb'11, now i m in confusion that if last date of remitance i.e 20th feb'11 is sunday then wat will be the due date for payment whether the following day or previous day of holiday i.e sunday. pls help me out sir...


26 March 2011 In that case due date will be 21st Feb



You need to be the querist or approved CAclub expert to take part in this query .
Click here to login now

Join CCI Pro
CAclubindia's WhatsApp Groups Link


Similar Resolved Queries


loading


Unanswered Queries