Section 80-IA deduction will start as per option of Taxpayer, not from first year of commencement of operations :HC

JUDGMENT

Dr.Vineet Kothari, Actg., CJ. – Learned counsel appearing for both the parties submits that the controversy involved in the present Appeals is covered by a judgment of a Division Bench of this Court in Pr. CIT v. Prabhu Spinning Mills (P.) Ltd. [2016]  (Madras) in which, relying upon the Board’s Circular No.1/16 dated 15.12.2016, the Court allowed the Assessee to chose the initial assessment for claiming deduction under section 80-IA of the Income-tax Act, 1961 as per his own option.

2. The question of law suggested in the present case by the Revenue is as under:- “Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that the decision reported in the case of Velayudhaswamy Spinning Mills, 340 ITR 477 is applicable to the facts of the present case and thereby allowing the deduction on windmill income under section 80IA?”

3. The Division Bench of this court in Prabhu Spinning Mills (P.) Ltd. (supra) held as under:—

‘3. Even according to the learned Standing Counsel for the Department, this Court has consistently followed the decision in Velayudhaswamy Spinning Mills (P.) Ltd. v. Asstt. CIT [2012] 340 ITR 477, despite the Honourable Supreme Court ordering notice.

4. Interestingly, on the basis of the decision in Velayudhaswamy Spinning Mills (supra), the Central Board of Direct Taxes has issued Circular No.1/2016 dated 15.2.2016. It will be useful to extract the circular in entirety, which is as follows :

“Circular No.1/2016

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Direct Taxes

North Block, New Delhi, the 15th February, 2016

Subject: Clarification of the term ‘initial assessment year’ in section 80IA(5) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Section 801A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (‘Act’), as substituted by Finance Act, 1999 with effect from 1.4.2000, provides for deduction of an amount equal to 100% of the profits and gains derived by an undertaking or enterprise from an eligible business (as referred to in sub-section (4) of that section) in accordance with the prescribed provisions. Sub-section (2) of section 80IA further provides that the aforesaid deduction can be claimed by the assessee, at his option, for any ten consecutive assessment years out of fifteen years (twenty years in certain cases) beginning from the year in which the undertaking commences operation, begins development or starts providing services etc. as stipulated therein. Sub-section (5) of section 80IA further provides as under:

“Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this Act, the profits and gains of an eligible business to which the provisions of sub-section (1) apply shall, for the purposes of determining the quantum of deduction under that sub-section for the assessment year immediately succeeding the initial assessment year or any subsequent assessment year, be computed as if such eligible business were the only source of income of the assessee during the previous year relevant to the initial assessment year and to every subsequent assessment year up to and including the assessment year for which the determination is to be made.”

In the above sub-section, which prescribes the manner of determining the quantum of deduction, a reference has been made to the term ‘initial assessment year’. It has been represented that some Assessing Officers are interpreting the term ‘initial assessment year’ as the year in which the eligible business/manufacturing activity had commenced and are considering such first year of commencement/operation etc. itself as the first year for granting deduction, ignoring the clear mandate provided under sub-section (2) which allows a choice to the assessee for deciding the year from which it desires to claim deduction out of the applicable slab of fifteen (or twenty) years.

The matter has been examined by the Board. It is abundantly clear from sub-section (2) that an assessee who is eligible to claim deduction u/s 80IA has the option to choose the initial/first year from which it may desire the claim of deduction for ten consecutive years, out of a slab of fifteen (or twenty) years, as prescribed under that sub-section. It is hereby clarified that once such initial assessment year has been opted for by the assessee, he shall be entitled to claim deduction u/s 80IA for ten consecutive years beginning from the year in respect of which he has exercised such option subject to the fulfillment of conditions prescribed in the section. Hence, the term ‘initial assessment year’ would mean the first year opted for by the assessee for claiming deduction u/s 801A. However, the total number of years for claiming deduction should not transgress the prescribed slab of fifteen or twenty years, as the case may be and the period of claim should be availed in continuity.

The Assessing Officers are, therefore, directed to allow deduction u/s 80IA in accordance with this clarification and after being satisfied that all the prescribed conditions applicable in a particular case are duly satisfied. Pending litigation on allowability of deduction u/s 80 IA shall also not be pursued to the extent it relates to interpreting ‘initial assessment year’ as mentioned in sub-section (5) of that section for which the Standing Counsel/DRs be suitably instructed. The above be brought to the notice of all Assessing Officers concerned.”

5. Therefore, admittedly, the second question of law is covered by the above circular. Hence, the appeals deserve to be dismissed.

6. Accordingly, the above tax case appeals are dismissed. No costs.’

4. Accordingly, the present Appeals are disposed of on the same terms. No costs.