(PER : HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.R. SHAH) Appellant-revenue is in appeal against the impugned order passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal dated 14/09/2012 by which the learned tribunal has confirmed the order passed by the Commissioner (Appeals) quashing and setting aside the order passed by the Assessing Officer in deleting the disallowance of Rs.6,93,372/- and Rs.76,00,509/- claimed by the assessee under Section 40(a)(ia) of the Income Tax Act.
It appears that the assessee claimed deduction under Section 40(a)(ia) of Rs.6,93,372/- towards reimbursement of CHA charges paid to C & F agent and Rs.76,00,509/- towards reimbursement of expenses towards consignment agents. The aforesaid expenses were disallowed by the Assessing Officer solely on the ground that the assessee has not deducted the TDS on the aforesaid accounts.
In an appeal by the assessee the Commissioner (Appeals) allowed such deductions observing that so far as the amount of Rs.6,93,372/- is concerned as such the agent had already deducted the TDS and deposited in the Government and, therefore, there was no further liability of the assessee to deduct the TDS. With respect to Rs.76,00,509/-, the CIT(A) observed that the said amount was towards the reimbursement of the expenses to the consignment agent, which was in fact incurred on behalf of the assessee and there was no profit element. The CIT(A) held that the assessee was not required to deduct the TDS on such reimbursement and, therefore, the Assessing Officer was not justified in making the above disallowance and accordingly directed to delete the same. Being aggrieved and dissatisfied with the order passed by the CIT(A) in holding the above, the appellant-revenue preferred appeal before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and by the impugned order the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal has confirmed the order passed the CIT(A). It is required to be noted that while confirming the order passed by the CIT(A) and deleting the disallowance, it has been specifically observed by the tribunal that in fact the expenses were incurred by the agent on behalf of the assessee for transportation and other charges, which has been spelt out in the bill itself including the commission to the agent. The learned tribunal also observed that the relation between the assessee and the agent is principal and an agent. The learned tribunal also observed that so far as the obligation to deduct tax at source from the payment of transport charges and other charges is concerned, the same was complied with by the agent, who had made payment on it s behalf. On the aforesaid facts the learned tribunal also observed that the circular relied upon by the revenue that it is the liability of the assessee as principal agent to deduct the TDS will not be applicable and the said circular would be applicable for payment made to principal to principal. Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case, when the learned tribunal has confirmed the order passed by the CIT(A) quashing and setting aside the order passed by the Assessing Officer in deleting the disallowance of Rs.6,93,372/- and Rs.76,00,509/- claimed by the assessee under Section 40(a)(ia) of the Income Tax Act, we see no reason to interfere with the same. No error has been committed by the learned tribunal in confirming the order passed by the CIT(A). No question of law, much less substantial question of law, arises in the present appeal. Hence, the present appeal deserves to be dismissed and is accordingly dismissed.
(M.R.SHAH, J.) (MS SONIA GOKANI, J.) Siji Page 3 of 3