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MANPOWERGROUP SERVICES INDIA PVT. LTD. v. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (TDS)-1, NEW DELHI ANR.
Structured Summary of the Provided Opinion
Factual and Procedural Background
The petitioner, a wholly owned subsidiary of Manpower Holdings Inc. (USA) engaged in manpower services, challenged an order dated 29 June 2020 passed by respondent No.2 under Section 197 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 refusing to grant a certificate for tax deduction at source (TDS) at nil rate. The petitioner alleged very low profit margins (net margin circa 0.26% for FY 2018-19), a high ratio of TDS to profits in prior periods and large refunds outstanding (figures in the petition indicate refunds in the range of hundreds of crores).
The petitioner applied on 28 February 2020 under Section 197 for a low tax deduction certificate (LTDC) at nil rate. The application was rejected by the order dated 29 June 2020. An earlier writ (WP(C) 4511/2020) resulted in a direction (24 July 2020) to furnish reasons; the respondent supplied reasons by letter dated 31 July 2020 indicating fixation of TDS at 0.50% under Section 194C and 1.50% under Sections 194J and 194I for FY 2020-21. The petitioner challenged the order and reasons in the present writ petition.
Legal Issues Presented
- Whether the writ petition is maintainable, given the availability of an alternate remedy by way of revision under Section 264 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
- Whether the decision-making process adopted by the assessing officer/respondent in fixing the TDS rates complied with the mandatory procedure in Rule 28AA of the Income Tax Rules (i.e., whether the assessing officer determined existing and estimated liability using the prescribed parameters and produced computations).
- Whether the impugned order fixing TDS rates (0.50% under Section 194C and 1.50% under Sections 194J/194I) suffers from non-application of mind or arbitrary attribution such that it must be quashed and remanded for fresh consideration in accordance with law.
Arguments of the Parties
Petitioner's Arguments
- The impugned order violated the rule of consistency: the 1.50% rate for Sections 194J and 194I was three times higher than the 0.50% rate determined by the respondent in the immediately preceding year.
- The respondent itself admitted estimated tax liability for FY 2020-21 was nil, average tax-to-turnover rate over three years was 0.12%, TAN demand was nil and PAN demand was minimal compared with large refunds; despite this, respondent fixed higher TDS rates without any working or computation.
- The conditions of Rule 28AA were satisfied (as admitted), yet the respondent arbitrarily set TDS rates without complying with the computation mandated by Rule 28AA.
- The writ is maintainable because the impugned order was passed after approval from the Commissioner (via the TRACES portal), and therefore a revision under Section 264 before the Commissioner would be ineffectual (submission supported by a Karnataka High Court judgment cited by petitioner).
- The petitioner also submitted that principles of res judicata and estoppel are not applicable to taxation matters and cannot be used to block valid claims in subsequent years (citing Installment Supply P. Ltd. v. Union of India).
Respondent's Arguments
- The writ petition was not maintainable because the petitioner had not exhausted the alternate efficacious remedy of revision under Section 264; the petitioner had used that remedy in the immediately preceding year.
- Reliance was placed on Sis Live vs. Income Tax Officer (2011) 333 ITR 13 (Del.) where the Court declined to entertain a similar writ and directed filing of a revision petition.
- The scope of judicial review of an order under Section 197 is limited to the decision-making process; interference is only justified where there is patent illegality, error apparent on the face of the record or non-application of mind by the officer.
- The revenue relied on details in the impugned reasons: projected rise in turnover for FY 2020-21 (over 77%), historical changes in profit-before-tax as percentage of gross revenue, and selection of the applicant for scrutiny due to large refunds and deductions claimed; respondent asserted proposed rates were to protect revenue interest.
- The respondent noted earlier LTDCs and revisions (for FY 2019-20 a LTDC and a subsequent revision under Section 264 changing rates to 0.50%) and argued the assessing officer's proposal took into account facts such as revenue foregone and scrutiny selection.
Table of Precedents Cited
| Precedent | Rule or Principle Cited For | Application by the Court (as stated in the opinion) |
|---|---|---|
| Sis Live vs. Income Tax Officer, (2011) 333 ITR 13 (Del.) | Refusal by Court to entertain writ where revision remedy under Section 264 is available; direction to file revision petition. | The Court noted respondent's reliance on this decision but distinguished it as having been rendered before CBDT Notification No.08/2018; consequently, Sis Live was held not to apply to the present facts. |
| National Petroleum Construction Company vs. Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax (Judgment dated 20 Dec 2019) | Used by respondent to illustrate limits on contentions about nature of payments and scope of review (as relied upon in respondent's submissions). | The Court recorded the respondent's reliance on the judgment (concerning the nature/description of payments); the judgment was part of respondent's argument about the limits of judicial review and consistent pleadings, but the Court's decision does not rest solely on this precedent. |
| CIT vs. Smt. Annapoornama Chandrashekar (Karnataka High Court, reported at 17 taxmann.com 120 (Kar)) | On the scope of revisional jurisdiction of the Commissioner where an order was passed after prior approval by the Commissioner — approval implies application of mind and ordinarily precludes revision by the same authority. | The Court relied on this reasoning to hold that where an order has been passed with concurrence/approval of the Commissioner on the TRACES portal, directing the petitioner to file a revision to the same authority would be an exercise from "Caesar to Caesar" and therefore futile. |
| Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) vs. The Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax (Writ Petition No.2701/2017, decided 25 Jan 2018) | Relevant to whether revision before the same authority who gave concurrence is an efficacious remedy. | The Court relied on this authority to support the proposition that an alternative remedy which is in effect from the same authority who approved the order would be futile and not efficacious. |
| Ram & Shyam Co. v. State of Haryana, 1985 (3) SCC 267 | Principle that an alternative remedy which is futile/empty formality is not an efficacious remedy. | The Court cited this decision to support the position that where the alternative remedy is effectively from the same authority (thus futile), the writ petition can be entertained. |
| Bently Nevada LLC vs. Income Tax Officer, Ward-1(1)(2), (2019) 107 taxmann.com 440 (Del.) | Authority where this Court entertained writ petitions against orders under Section 197 (referred to by petitioner). | The petitioner relied upon this decision to show precedents for entertaining writs under Section 197; the Court recorded the reliance in its analysis of maintainability. |
| Installment Supply P. Ltd. vs. Union of India, AIR 1962 SC 53 (Constitution Bench) | Principle that res judicata and estoppel are not ordinarily applicable to taxation matters to defeat legitimate claims in subsequent years. | The petitioner cited this decision; the Court recorded the submission but its primary holdings rested on other grounds (Rule 28AA and non-application of mind). |
| Amarjit Singh Ahluwalia vs. State of Punjab & Ors, 1975 (3) SCR 82 | Principle that the Government is bound to follow rules and standards the Government itself has prescribed; failure can invalidate action. | The Court cited this authority (with Ramana Dayaram Shetty) to emphasise that the assessing officer cannot ignore the mandatory procedure in Rule 28AA. |
| Ramana Dayaram Shetty vs. International Airport Authority of India & Ors, (1979) 3 SCC 489 | Supports the proposition that administrative authorities must follow prescribed rules and standards; government actions inconsistent with its own rules are liable to be invalidated. | Used alongside Amarjit Singh Ahluwalia to reinforce that the assessing officer was bound to follow Rule 28AA and could not proceed on any other basis. |
| Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (referred) | Referenced precedent (context: revisional powers and concurrence/approval issues), though the opinion states this decision would not apply on the present facts. | The Court observed that Larsen & Toubro would not apply because, in the present case, the impugned order was recorded as issued/decided with concurrence of the CIT (TDS), distinguishing Larsen & Toubro. |
Court's Reasoning and Analysis
The Court's analysis proceeded in a sequence of discrete steps, each grounded in the material set out in the impugned order, the reasons supplied and applicable rules and authorities:
- Maintainability: The Court examined whether the writ was maintainable in view of the alternative remedy under Section 264. It concluded that where an order under Section 197 has been passed after prior approval/concurrence of the Commissioner (as admitted by respondent and recorded on the TRACES portal), a revision before the Commissioner would amount to asking the petitioner to seek remedy "from Caesar to Caesar" — an empty formality. The Court relied on CBDT Notification No.08/2018 (31 Dec 2018) which mandates that decisions under Section 197 are to be taken by the Commissioner after application of mind, and on case law holding that revision before the same approving authority is not an efficacious remedy.
- Scope of judicial review: The Court acknowledged that judicial review of an order under Section 197 is confined to the decision-making process (i.e., whether there was application of mind, patent illegality or error apparent). It reiterated that the Court would not ordinarily interfere with the substantive decision unless the process was vitiated.
- Rule 28AA — mandatory procedure: Rule 28AA prescribes that determination of "existing and estimated liability" for TDS rate-setting is to be made after considering specified items (tax payable on estimated income; tax on returned/assessed/estimated incomes for last four years; existing liabilities; advance tax and TDS/TCS etc.). The Court held these considerations are mandatory and the assessing officer is bound to determine yearly TDS rates on these four parameters.
- Failure to comply with Rule 28AA and lack of computation: The Court found no reference in the impugned reasons to any computation under Rule 28AA. The Court had earlier granted an opportunity (order dated 8 Dec 2020) for the respondent to place on record the computation; despite that, no computation or reasonable explanation was filed. Consequently, the Court concluded there was non-application of mind by the assessing officer and that the decision-making process was contrary to law.
- Distinguishing relied precedents: The Court examined and distinguished precedents relied upon by the respondent (notably Sis Live) on the basis that they pre-dated the CBDT Notification No.08/2018 and thus were not applicable to the factual matrix where approval by the Commissioner on TRACES had been taken. The Court relied on authorities (e.g., CIT vs. Smt. Annapoornama Chandrashekar, Tata Teleservices) to conclude that revision under Section 264 would not be efficacious where the order was passed with prior approval of the Commissioner.
- Relief as appropriate: Given the lack of adherence to Rule 28AA and the absence of requisite computations (and thereby non-application of mind), the Court set aside the impugned order and reasons and remanded the matter to respondent No.2 for a fresh determination in accordance with law. The Court directed expedition (preferably within two weeks).
- Interim direction: As an interim measure, the Court directed that the petitioner be given the benefit of the revised TDS rates prescribed for FY 2019-20 (respondent No.1's order dated 7 Nov 2019) read with the 25% rebate announced by the Ministry of Finance on account of the COVID-19 crisis (Press Release dated 13 May 2020), until fresh determination is made.
Holding and Implications
Core Holding: The Court held that the impugned order dated 29 June 2020 (and the reasons dated 31 July 2020) suffer from non-application of mind because the assessing officer did not comply with the mandatory procedure in Rule 28AA and failed to produce the required computations; accordingly, the Court set aside the impugned order and reasons and remanded the matter for fresh determination.
Relief granted and immediate consequences:
- The impugned order and reasons are quashed and the matter is remanded to respondent No.2 for fresh determination in accordance with law (Court requested expedition, preferably within two weeks).
- Interim direction: the petitioner is to be given the benefit of the revised TDS rates applicable for FY 2019-20 (order dated 7 Nov 2019) read with the 25% rebate announced by the Ministry of Finance (Press Release dated 13 May 2020) until a fresh determination is made.
- Respondents were directed to ensure compliance with the order forthwith.
Broader implications: The opinion emphasises that when an order under Section 197 is passed after prior approval/concurrence of the Commissioner (as recorded on TRACES and pursuant to CBDT Notification No.08/2018), a revision under Section 264 before the Commissioner may not be an efficacious alternative remedy; where the alternative remedy is effectively from the same authority that approved the order, the writ may be maintainable. However, the Court's final remedial action in this matter was limited to quashing the impugned order for non-compliance with Rule 28AA and remanding for fresh consideration. The opinion does not expressly declare a new binding precedent beyond its application to the facts before it.
Relief / Disposition
Final Disposition: The writ petition is allowed; the impugned order and reasons are set aside and the matter remanded to respondent No.2 for fresh determination in accordance with law. Pending applications stand disposed of.
Judges: MANMOHAN, J. and SANJEEV NARULA, J. — Date of decision: December 21, 2020.
MANMOHAN, J
1. Present writ petition has been filed challenging the order dated 29 June, 2020 passed by respondent No.2 under Section 197 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as Act) refusing to grant a certificate of tax deduction at source at Nil rate to the petitioner company. WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 2 of 17
2. Petitioner is a wholly owned subsidiary of Manpower Holdings Inc USA and is engaged in the business of providing manpower related services. In the petition, it has been averred that the petitioner has been operating on very low profit margin and as per the latest available audited accounts for financial year (FY) 2018-19, the net margin of petitioner is @ 0.26%. It is further averred that in the case of petitioner, the ratio of tax deduction at source (hereinafter referred to as TDS) to profits has been as high as 1758% in the recent past and the petitioner company has refunds due and payable totalling to Rs. 128 crores, which have arisen essentially on account of high rate of TDS. BRIEF FACTS
3. It is stated that for the financial year 2020-2021, the petitioner vide application dated 28th February, 2020 under Section 197 of the Act, gave a detailed representation to the respondent no.2 for issuance of low tax deduction certificate [hereinafter referred to as LTDC ] at Nil rate. The said application was decided vide order dated 29th June, 2020 (impugned order) wherein the petitioners request for Nil rate certificate was rejected. The petitioner challenged the said order before this Court by way of WP(C) 4511/2020 which was disposed of vide order dated 24th July, 2020 with a direction to the respondent to furnish reasons for the impugned order. In pursuance to the order dated 24th July, 2020 passed by this Court, the respondent vide letter dated 31st July, 2020 (impugned reasons) supplied the detailed reasons to the petitioner as to why it had fixed the rate of 0.50% under Section 194C and 1.50% under Sections 194J and 194I of the Act. Being aggrieved by the impugned order and reasons, the petitioner is before this Court. WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 3 of 17
4. Mr. Piyush Kaushik, learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the impugned order was contrary to the rule of consistency as the 1.50% rate with respect to payment under Sections 194J and 194I of the Act specified in the impugned order was three times higher than the 0.50% rate of tax deduction at source determined in the immediately preceding year by the respondent. ARGUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE PETITIONER
5. He stated that though the respondent itself admitted in the impugned order/reasons that the estimated tax liability of petitioner for financial year 2020-21 was Nil; that the average tax rate to turnover was 0.12% for the last
3 years; that the existing TAN demand was Nil (as on the date of filing of application under Section 197) and the PAN demand was Rs.1,49,530 as against the huge outstanding refund of Rs.138 crores (as on the date of filing of application under Section 197), yet the respondent stipulated TDS rate of 1.50% under Sections 194J and 194I and TDS rate of 0.50% under Section 194C on an arbitrary basis which was not based on any working. He emphasised that it was an admitted position that vide the impugned order/reasons, the conditions of mandatory Rule 28AA were satisfied, yet the respondent had arbitrarily prescribed the aforesaid TDS rates.
6. Per contra, Ms. Lakshmi Gurung, learned senior standing counsel for respondent submitted that the present writ petition was not maintainable as the petitioner had not exhausted the alternate efficacious remedy of revision available under Section 264 of the Act. She emphasized that the petitioner ARGUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE RESPONDENT WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 4 of 17 had availed this remedy in the immediately preceding year. She relied upon the judgment of this Court in the case of Sis Live vs. Income Tax Officer, (2011) 333 ITR 13 (Del.) wherein the Court declined to entertain a similar writ petition and directed the petitioner to file a revision petition. The relevant portion of the same is reproduced hereinbelow:-
6. Mr. Sanjeev Sabharwal, learned counsel appearing for the Revenue, submitted that the petitioner can challenge the said order in a revision under section 264(2) of the Act.
7. In view of the aforesaid, we are not inclined to entertain the writ petition at present. However, we state that if the petitioner would file a revision within a period of two weeks challenging the order passed by the Assessing Officer on all grounds including that the said authority could not have taken recourse qua the Act, the revisional authority, namely, the Commissioner, Income-tax, shall decide the revision adverting to all the issues within a period of three weeks positively.
7. She further submitted that the scope of judicial review of an order passed under Section 197 of the Act is limited as it is directed not against the rate prescribed in the certificate, but against the decision making process. She submitted that it is settled law that till there is a patent illegality and/or error apparent on the face of the decision or non-application of mind by the Officer, this Court would not interfere with the decision arrived at by such officer. In support of her submission, she relied upon the judgment dated 20th
8. Learned senior standing counsel for the respondent contended that the petitioner had misrepresented facts before this Court. She pointed out that in December, 2019 passed by this Court in National Petroleum Construction Company vs. Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Circle- 2(2)(2). WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 5 of 17 the application made by the Petitioner for LTDC under Section 197, it had stated that the nature of payments, for which deductions under Section 194J were claimed, was professional services for which the statutory rate for TDS was 10%; however in the present writ petition, petitioner had changed its stand and was claiming that the payments due to it were for technical services for which a rate of 2% was applicable under the statute.
9. She emphasised that the petitioner had been provided relief by the Income Tax Department by extension of certificate for financial year 2019-
20 upto June 2020 at the same rate as financial year 2019-20. She stated that in financial year 2019-2020 on an application filed under Section 197, the petitioner had been issued LTDC at the rate of 1% under Sections 194C and 194I(a), 4% under Section 194J and 2% under Section 194I(b).
10. She pointed out that against the said LTDC, the petitioner had filed a revision petition under Section 264 of the Act, wherein the rates were revised to 0.50% under Sections 194C, 194I(a), 194I(b) and 194J w.e.f. 07th
11. She also relied upon the impugned reasons provided vide letter dated November, 2019. She submitted that the tax liability depended on the estimated profits, which in turn, depended on the turnover. She stated that in financial year 2020-21, the petitioner had itself projected a rise of more than 77.85% in the turnover.
12. Since Ms. Lakshmi Gurung had relied upon para 4 of the impugned July, 2020 to contend that there had been a drastic decrease in the profit before tax as a percentage of Gross Revenue. She stated that while in the financial year 2016-17 profit before tax was 1.66%, in the financial year 2017-2018 it was 1.51%; while in 2019-2020 it was 0.25% and the projected ratio for financial year 2020-2021 was 0.19%. WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 6 of 17 reasons framed by respondent as provided vide letter dated 31st
4. The applicant had been issued Lower Deduction certificate of 1% u/s l94C, 1% 194I(a), 4% u/s l94J, and 2% for 194I(b) for FY 2019-20 which was revised to 0.50% u/s I94C, 1941(a), 194J, 194I(b) with effect from 07.11.2019 by an order u/s 264 of the Income Tax Act, 19.61 . July, 2020, the same is reproduced hereinbelow:- Rate of Low Tax Deduction Certificate issued on 09.05.2019 Revised Order u/s
264 Dated 07.11.2019 Average Rate for the year (approx) 2019-20 1% u/s 194C 0.50% u/s 194C 0.78% 1% 194I(a) 0.50% u/s 194I(a) 0.78% 4% 194IJ 0.50% u/s 194J 2.45% 2% 194I(b) 0.50% u/s 19I(b) 1.35%
13. She lastly stated, without prejudice to aforesaid, that if the petitioner applies afresh with correct description of nature of service, the Department will expeditiously issue a certificate within two weeks, keeping in view peculiar facts of the present case.
14. In rejoinder, Mr. Piyush Kaushik, learned counsel for petitioner stated that an order under Section 197 of the Act is to be passed after a final decision is taken by the CIT on the application. He pointed out that in para No.7 of the impugned order it was stated that the approval from CIT had been sought on the TRACES Portal. Consequently, according to him, the order under Section 197 of the Act cannot be subject to revision under Section 264 of the Act by the CIT. In support of his submission, he relied upon the judgment of the Karnataka High Court in CIT vs. Smt. REJOINDER ARGUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE PETITIONER WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 7 of 17 Annapoornama Chandrashekar, 17 taxmann.com 120 (Kar) wherein it has been held that an assessment order passed after approval from Commissioner cannot be subject to revision by Commissioner.
15. He also stated that this Court had entertained writ petitions against orders issued under Section 197 of the Act. In support of his submission, he relied upon the judgment of this Court in Bently Nevada LLC vs. Income Tax Officer, Ward-1(1)(2), (2019) 107 taxmann.com 440 (Del.). He pointed out that the said judgment had been passed after the petitioner had filed a revision petition for the preceding year.
16. He further submitted that in taxation matters the principles of res judicata and estoppel were not applicable and the same cannot be invoked to debar any valid claim of assessee in subsequent years. In support of his submission, he relied upon the Constitution Bench judgment of the Supreme Court in Installment Supply P. Ltd. vs. Union of India, AIR 1962 SC 53.
17. He lastly stated that the petitioner had not claimed anywhere in the present petition that the payments received by it were in the nature of technical services subject to 2% rate as sought to be contended by the respondent. COURTS REASONING
18. This Court is of the view that the present writ petition is maintainable as there is no efficacious alternate remedy available to the petitioner to challenge the impugned order. In fact, the Commissioner of Income Tax SINCE THE IMPUGNED ORDER WAS PASSED AFTER AN APPROVAL FROM THE CIT, IT CANNOT BE CHALLENGED BY WAY OF A REVISION PETITION BEFORE THE CIT UNDER SECTION 264 OF THE ACT. TO HOLD OTHERWISE, WOULD AMOUNT TO DIRECTING THE PETITIONER TO FILE AN APPEAL FROM CAESAR TO CAESAR WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 8 of 17 can entertain a revision petition under Section 264 only when the order, which is the subject matter of revision is passed by an authority subordinate to him. Further, the Notification No.08/2018 dated 31st December, 2018 issued by the CBDT mandates that the decision under Section 197 with effect from 31st
19. Consequently, this Court finds merit in the submission of the petitioner that since the impugned order was passed after an approval from the CIT, it cannot be challenged by way of a revision petition before the CIT under Section 264 of the Act. To hold otherwise, would amount to directing the petitioner to file an appeal from Caesar to Caesar. December, 2018 has to be taken by the Commissioner i.e. after a conscious application of mind. It has also been unequivocally admitted by respondent in para 7 of the impugned order that approval of higher authorities was taken on the online TRACES portal.
20. The Karnataka High Court in CIT vs. Smt. Annapoornama Chandrashekar (supra), while discussing the scope of revisional jurisdiction of the CIT with respect to an order passed after approval of CIT under Section 158BC read with Section 158BG, held as under:-
11. It was contended that it is an administrative order. Even the order of assessment is an administrative order and therefore the previous approval to make such an order valid cannot be other than an administrative approval. But, the question is, once an approval is accorded by the Commissioner can he sit in judgment over such an order and find fault with such order on the ground that it is erroneous and is prejudicial to the interest of the revenue. The question arises if to make the said order, previous approval of the Commissioner is a condition precedent, was Commissioner not expected to look into the draft block assessment order placed before him for approval to find out whether the said order is lawful and whether the said order is prejudicial to the interest of the revenue. If it was prejudicial to the interest of the revenue or if it is not WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 9 of 17 lawful he was not obliged to accord approval. What he proposes to do under Section 263 of the Act, he should have done at the of stage approval. Because in a block assessment proceedings, the tax to be levied under Section 113 of the Act is 60% and it is in respect of an undisclosed income which will have serious consequences on the assessee the legislature thought it fit to introduce Section 158BG providing for previous approval to ensure that the said provision is not abused by the lower authorities. In fact the word 'approval' is not defined under the Act. The dictionary meaning of the word 'approval' means 'to agree in P. Ramanatha Aiyar's The Law Lexicon' the word 'approval' and is clearly brought about as under: - '''Approval' and 'permission' Ordinarily the difference between the approval and permission is, that in the first the act holds goods until disapproved, while in the other case it does not become effective until permission is obtained. But permission subsequently obtained may all the same validate the previous Act. Approval of a person means that, and only that, which he has, with full knowledge, approved. Approve. To accept as good or sufficient for the purpose intended. To pronounce good. To accept as good or sufficient for the purpose intended; to confirm authoritatively. Approved. When one of the parties to a bargain writes 'approved' at the end of the draft of the agreement and adds his signature, he thereby makes the draft a binding contract, and does not merely express approval of its form after the manner of conveyances."
14. Therefore, it is clear approval means to agree with full knowledge of the contents of what is approved and pronounce it as good. In other words confirm authoritatively. When the power of such approval is vested in a higher authority, when such higher authority approves an order of the lower authority, which means he has gone through the order of the lower authority, he has no reason to disagree he finds no fault with that order and therefore he WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 10 of 17 confirms the order by his approval. It is to be seen that the statute has not used merely the word approval. The word used is previous approval. Therefore, unless the approval is previously taken, the assessment order would have no value at all. Therefore, when previous approval is a condition precedent and approval means to agree, i.e., to concur, to give mutual assent, to come into harmony, it is possible only after application of mind by the authority according approval. xxx xxx xxx
17. Therefore, this power conferred on the Commissioner is in the nature of supervisory power. If he finds that the order passed by the Assessing Officer is erroneous and also prejudicial to the interest of the Revenue, after examining the record or any proceedings under the Act to rectify such error and to protect the interest of the Revenue he can exercise the said power, because, the Commissioner becomes aware of such erroneous orders prejudicial to the revenue after looking into the record.
21. The Bombay High Court in Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Vs. The Deputy Commissioner of Income tax, (Writ Petition No.2701/2017, decided on 25 But, if he has looked into the record, applied his mind and agreed with the order of the Assessing Authority, this power of revision under Section 263 is not available to him after according approval to such order............... (emphasis supplied)
15. However, as correctly pointed out by the Petitioner in this case, the impugned order dated 23 October 2017 as recorded therein, has been issued/ decided with the concurrence of the CIT (TDS). This was not so in the case of Larsen & Toubro (supra). January, 2018), has also held as under:- It is also not disputed before us that in this case, the Revision would be before the same authority who gave the concurrence or to an authority of equal rank/designation
16. In the above view, the decision of this Court in Larsen & Toubro Ltd., (supra) would not apply to the present facts. WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 11 of 17 in this case, the Revision i.e. alternative remedy would in facts be from "Caesar to Caesar." Therefore, in such a case an alternative remedy would be a futile/empty formality and not an efficacious remedy. (Please see Ram & Shyam Co. v/s. State of Haryana 1985 (3) SCC 267).
22. It is pertinent to note that the decision of this Court in the case of Sis Live (supra) was passed prior to the introduction of procedure vide CBDT Notification No. 08/2018 dated 31 (emphasis supplied) December, 2018 requiring approval of the CIT for the purpose of an application under Section 197 of the Act. Consequently, the decision in Sis Live (supra) does not apply to the present case.
23. In the present writ petition, the petitioner has not claimed that the payments received by it are in the nature of technical services subject to 2% rate. Further, the respondent has itself admitted in para 7 of the impugned reasons that the nature of services of petitioner is Consultancy which falls under definition of "fees for technical services" subject to TDS rate of 1.50% for the current financial year 2020-21. Consequently, there is no need for any direction to be given to the petitioner to file a fresh application under Section 197 of the Act. THERE IS NO NEED FOR ANY DIRECTION TO BE GIVEN TO THE PETITIONER TO FILE A FRESH APPLICATION UNDER SECTION 197 OF THE ACT AS THE PETITIONER HAS NOT CLAIMED THAT THE PAYMENTS RECEIVED BY IT ARE IN THE NATURE OF TECHNICAL SERVICES SUBJECT TO 2% RATE. FURTHER, THE RESPONDENT HAS ITSELF ADMITTED IN PARA 7 OF THE IMPUGNED REASONS THAT THE NATURE OF SERVICES OF PETITIONER IS CONSULTANCY WHICH FALLS UNDER DEFINITION OF "FEES FOR TECHNICAL SERVICES" WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 12 of 17
24. This Court is also of the view that the reliance placed by the respondent upon para no.4 of the impugned reasons is misplaced inasmuch as the rates mentioned therein have been superseded by the subsequent order dated 7 THE RESPONDENT COULD NOT HAVE RELIED UPON THE INITIAL RATES OF 2019-20, WHICH HAVE BEEN SET-ASIDE/SUPERSEDED, TO DETERMINE THE AVERAGE RATE OF TDS. FURTHER, RESPONDENTS RELIANCE ON PARA 4 OF THE IMPUGNED ORDER IS MISPLACED AS THE BASIS/REASONING FOR THE IMPUGNED ORDER IS TO BE FOUND IN PARA 7.
7. Thus on the basis of the above mentioned analysis of the facts and circumstances of the business by the Assessing Officer at his level, the following was recommended separately to the higher authorities on the TRACES portal for grant of approval of LTDC certificate against the request of the applicant : M/s MANPOWER SERVICES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED (the assessee) is a company engaged in the business of Consultancy services. The assessee has applied certificate for deduction at lower rate u/s 197 of Income-tax Act, 1961 (the Act) @ 0% in respect of receipts under section 194C. November, 2019 passed by the CIT under Section 264 of the Act. Accordingly, the respondent could not have relied upon the initial rates of 2019-20, which have been set-aside/superseded, to determine the average rate of TDS. Further, respondents reliance on para 4 of the impugned order is misplaced as the basis/reasoning for the impugned order is to be found in para 7 and not para 4. Para 7 of the impugned order reads as under:- SECTION No. of Parties AMOUNT
1 194C 186 953,24,98,788/-
2 194J 153 2682,85,26,105/-
3 1941(b) 2 3,51,90,000/- Total 3639,62,14,893/- WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 13 of 17 F.Y. 1.Financials: Gross Receipt Gross Total Income/Loss Returned Income as ITR/computation Tax Paid /payable %tax 2017-2018 14666200000 210239198 265872434 (under MAT) 56741431 (under MAT) 0.38 2018-2019 19543760722 115230429 Nil Nil 0 2019- 20(prov.) 20463730388 86830446 Nil Nil 0 2020- 21(Prov.) 36396214893 109972137 Nil Nil 0
2. Comparison of projected and provisional for last two FY: FY 2019-20 FY 2018-19 Turnover Total income Turnover Total income Projected (last year) Provisional (this year) Projected (last year) Provisional (this year) Projected (last year) Audited (this year) Projected (last year) Audited (this year) 24398297372 20463730388 152053220 (MAT) Nil 19543760722 17041375792 74760313 (MAT) 3.TDS/TCS deducted Advance Tax Paid: Advance Tax/self assessment tax Paid TDS/TCS deducted Refund 2017-18 334708508 277967077 2018-2019 - 790469276 790469280 2019-20 - 584687229 584687229 2020-21 - 727924298 691760424 4.143(3) Assessment proceedings: Income as per Assessee Income determine by AO 2013-14 Unabsorbed deprecation Rs. 50,49,283/- Same is accepted by AO and declared income as Rs. NIL 2014-15 Unabsorbed deprecation/Loss 40075064/- Same is accepted by AO and declared income at Rs. NIL 2015-16 B/F losses but assessee paid tax on MAT 38494030/- Same is accepted by AO and declared income at Rs. NIL 2017-18 Income declared Rs.5,48,76,570/- AO enhance income to Rs. 5,49,43,160/- WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 14 of 17 5.TAN/PAN demands: TAN Demand Nil/- PAN Demand 1,49,530/- Form 3CD Defaults: Form 3CD 40a(ia)Disallowances LPI 2015-16 Yes - - 2016-17 Yes - - 2017-18 Yes - - Average tax rate to Turnover is 0.12% for last 3 years. 6.Tax rates: Projected rate of tax for this FY 202-21 is 0%. Requested for LTDC @ 0% (u/s 194 C & 194J) LTDC issued was @ 1% u/s 194C, 1% 1941(a) and 4% u/s 194J and 2% for 1941(b) for FY 2019-20. However, revenue foregone was Rs.106,14,44,080/-. Order u/s 264 was passed u/s 1941(a), 1941(b) & 194C @ 0.50% for FY 2019-20. Proposed rate by AO is @ 0.50% u/s 194C, @ 1.50% 194J & 1941(b) for FY 2020-21. 7.Revenue forgone: The revenue foregone as per propose rate will be Rs.2426403350/- The case of the applicant has been selected under scrutiny for AY 18-19 with CASS reasons which include claim of large value refund and substantial deduction under Chapter VI-A/ The propose rate will protect revenue interest and it is proposed after consideration of facts of the case. So, the application is being forwarded for your kind consideration and direction. For your kind information. Yours sincerely Sd/- ACIT C-75(1) TDS, Delhi WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 15 of 17
25. However, this Court is in agreement with the submission of learned standing counsel for the respondent that it is the decision making process and not the decision that can be impugned in a writ petition. To appreciate the decision making process, it is necessary to outline the provision under which the TDS rates have to be determined under Section 197 of the Act. Rule 28AA of the Income Tax Rules prescribes the procedure to be followed by the assessing officer in determining the 'existing and estimated liability'. The relevant portion of Rule 28AA of the Income Tax Rules reads as under:- THE ASSESSING OFFICER CANNOT IGNORE THE MANDATE OF RULE 28AA AND PROCEED ON ANY OTHER BASIS AS THE GOVERNMENT IS BOUND TO FOLLOW THE RULES AND STANDARDS THEY THEMSELVES HAD SET ON PAIN OF THEIR ACTION BEING INVALIDATED. CONSEQUENTLY, THE IMPUGNED ORDER IS QUASHED ON THE GROUND THAT THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS IN THE PRESENT CASE IS CONTRARY TO LAW. 28AA . (1) Where the Assessing Officer, on an application made by a person under sub-rule (1) of rule 28 is satisfied that existing and estimated tax liability of a person justifies the deduction of tax at lower rate or no deduction of tax, as the case may be, the Assessing Officer shall issue a certificate in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 197 for deduction of tax at such lower rate or no deduction of tax. (2) The existing and estimated liability referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be determined by the Assessing Officer after taking into consideration the following:
(i) tax payable on estimated income of the previous year relevant to the assessment year;
(ii) tax payable on the assessed or returned [or estimated income, as the case may be, of last four] previous years;
(iii) existing liability under the Income-tax Act, 1961 and Wealth-tax Act, 1957; WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 16 of 17
(iv) advance tax payment [tax deducted at source and tax collected at source for the assessment year relevant to the previous year till the date of making application under sub- rule (1) of rule 28]
26. Perusal of the aforesaid Rule shows that the considerations prescribed under clause (2) are mandatory and the department is bound to determine the yearly TDS rates on the four parameters prescribed therein. (emphasis supplied)
27. It is settled law that the Government is bound to follow the rules and standards they themselves had set on pain of their action being invalidated [See: Amarjit Singh Ahluwalia Vs. State of Punjab & Ors.; 1975 (3) SCR
82 and Ramana Dayaram Shetty Vs. International Airport Authority of India & Ors.; (1979) 3 SCC 489]. Consequently, the assessing officer cannot ignore the mandate of Rule 28AA and proceed on any other basis.
28. However, in the present case, the assessing officer has not followed the aforesaid rule as there is no reference in the impugned reason to any computation carried out under Rule 28AA.
29. In fact, this Court vide order dated 8th December, 2020 had granted time to the respondent to place on record the computation of TDS rates under Rule 28AA, if any. Despite the said opportunity, neither any computation was filed nor was any reasonable explanation given as to why the computation under Rule 28AA was not carried out. Consequently, this Court is of the opinion that the impugned order is liable to be quashed on the ground that the decision making process in the present case is contrary to law. WP(C) 5865/2020 Page 17 of 17
30. In view of the aforesaid discussion, this Court finds that there is non- application of mind which vitiates the impugned order and reasons. Accordingly, we set aside the impugned order and reasons and remand the matter to respondent no.2 for fresh determination in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of two weeks. RELIEF
31. In the interim, we direct that the benefit of revised TDS rates prescribed for financial year 2019-2020 (by respondent no.1 vide order dated 7th November, 2019) read with rebate of 25% given by Ministry of Finance on account of Covid-19 crisis from the rates applicable in the preceding year 2019-20 vide Press Release dated 13th
32. Respondents should ensure compliance of this order forthwith. May, 2020 be given to the petitioner.
33. With the aforesaid directions, the writ petition is allowed and pending application(s) stand disposed of. MANMOHAN, J SANJEEV NARULA, J DECEMBER 21, 2020
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