Monthly Archives: August 2014


Idea Cellular Ltd. v Addln CIT (ITA No 3260 & 3493 (MUM.) OF 2008 dated13.05.2014) – Mumbai ITAT  Background: The assessee has incurred expenses on abandoned project of Rs. 3,94,75,619. The assessee was required to put up cell-sites for enabling its business. In certain cases the assessee had incurred expenses for putting up cellsites but this could not be completed and were therefore, abandoned. The assessee claimed that the expenses were incurred for the purpose of its business and, therefore, is allowable as business expenditure. The AO disallowed the claim of the assessee on the ground that the expenditure has been spent by the assessee on sites to bring into existence the new asset and new source of income. Accordingly the AO held that the loss incurred due to abandonment of project, is capital in nature and accordingly disallowed the deduction claimed by the assessee.  On appeal, the CIT(A) has concurred with the view of the AO and held that the expenses incurred on cell sites were definitely capital expenses, when such a project is abandoned, the entire expenditure incurred is a capital loss. 

Expenditure on abandoned project (in relation to existing business) is allowable as revenue expenditure – ...


Bellwether Microfinance Fund Pvt Ltd v ITO (ITA No. 1743/Hyd/2013 dated 27.06.2014)  Hyderabad ITAT  Background: Assessee is a non-banking financing company engaged in the business of investing in microfinance companies in India. Assessee entered into a fund management agreement with Caspian Advisors Pvt. Ltd. (‘CAPL’) on 27/05/2005 as per which the said company would render consultation services to the assessee in the matter of investment etc. as fund manager. CAPL was holding 18.7% shareholding in the assessee company. The fund manager was to be paid remuneration for the fund based services. During the course of assessment proceedings, the AO noticed that while computing its income, assessee has disallowed expenditure of Rs. 35,65,860/- under section 14A read with Rule 8D. The assessee under clause (i) of Rule 8D(2) i.e. amount of expenditure directly relating to income which does not form part of total income had already disallowed an amount of Rs 25,20,080 towards fund management fees. However, on the basis of the agreement with fund manager, AO worked out the fees paid to the fund manager and arrived at an amount of Rs 2,47,49,044 as fees paid. The AO then reworked the disallowance  and  added Rs. 1,97,36,624/- to the income of the assessee. 

Expenditure incurred in relation to exempt income earned only during that year to be considered ...


CIT v Kuldeep Singh (ITA No: 117/2014 dated 12th August, 2014) (Delhi High Court) Background: The assessee in his return had declared a taxable income of Rs.47,88,579/- after claiming benefit of Section 54 of the Act of Rs.37,86,273 on sale consideration of Rs.2 crores declared as income from capital gains on the sale of house property.  The Assessing Officer referred to the copy of the flat buyers agreement dated 9th February, 2006 between the assessee and the builder and observed that the ownership in the new property would be conferred on the date of issuance of occupation certificate. Further, the expected date of completion was 36 months from the date of the agreement dated 9th February, 2006 i.e. 8th February, 2009. He held that the assessee was not entitled to benefit of Section 54 as he had not purchased the new property within a period of one year before the sale of first property on 3rd June, 2005 or within two years from the date on which the transfer took place. The assessee had not constructed residential house within three years from 3rd June, 2005.  

Exemption u/s 54 cannot be denied merely because payment is made but possession is not ...