Writ filed by Assessee challenging order of rejection of stay application in a cryptic manner

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Writ filed by Assessee challenging order of rejection of stay application in a cryptic manner

Short Overview: Where Pr. CIT rejected assessee’s application for stay of recovery of demand in a cryptic manner and directed assessee to deposit 20% of amount demanded merely relying on CBDT Instruction No. 1914, dt. 21-3-1996, matter was remanded back to Pr. CIT for disposal afresh in accordance with law.

Assessee sought interim stay of recovery of demand. AO denied this. In persuance thereto assessee filed second stay application before Pr. CIT who rejected assessee’s application and relying on CBDT Instruction No. 1014, dt. 21-3-1996 directed assessee to deposit 20 per cent of the demand amount. Assessee challenged order passed by Pr. CIT by way of writ petition before High Court.

 it is held that impugned order passed by Pr. CIT merely relying of CBDT instruction was cryptic and non-speaking as CBDT circular/instruction could not serve as a series of guidelines in the matter of grant of stay. Therefore, order passed without application of mind was set aside and Pr. CIT was directed to pass a reasoned and speaking order in accordance with law.

Decision: In assessee’s favour.

Referred: CIT v. Mahendra Mills (2000) 243 ITR 56 (SC) : 2000 TaxPub(DT) 1304 (SC).

 

IN THE MADRAS HIGH COURT

ANITA SUMANTH, J.

Shriram Finance v. Pr. CIT

W.P. No. 5425 of 2019, WMP Nos. 6166 & 6168 of 2019

1 March, 2019

Petitioner by: R. Sivaraman

Respondent by: Hema Muralikrishnan, Sr. Standing Counsel

ORDER

This Writ Petition is disposed at the stage of adjourned admission by consent expressed by both learned counsel, Mr. R. Shivaraman, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Ms. Hema Mulikrishnan, learned senior standing counsel appearing for the respondents.

2. The Writ Petition challenges an order dated 7-2-2019, passed by the 1st respondent rejecting the application for stay filed by the petitioner. The petitioner had suffered an order of re-assessment in respect of assessment year 2011-12 dated 20-12-2018. The order is pending appeal before the Commissioner (Appeals)/3rd respondent.

3. Pending appeal, the petitioner has approached the 2nd respondent praying for the grant of stay of recovery. The stay petition is extracted below :–

“8-1-2019

To:

The Income Tax Officer,

Non Corporate Ward-2(4), Chennai.

Sir,

Sub.: Payment of Tax–Assessment Year 2011-12–Time request for

Ref.: Order under section 143(3) read with section 147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 dated 20-12-2018.

We are in receipt of the assessment order cited under reference.

You have raised a demand of Rs. 62,77,980 for this assessment year as a result of addition of Rs. 96,78,267 at the time of scrutiny assessment we have explained that we are maintaining cash system of accounting and income has been recognized accordingly in tune with the system of accounting continuously followed by us, and the matching principle cannot be applied to our case.

We have pointed out that we have contested similar issue before the ITAT, Chennai in one of our group cases viz., M/s. Shriram Investments and the “B” Bench of the ITAT Chennai in its order in ITA No. 995/CHNY/2017, dt. 19-7-2018 held that the matching principle will not apply to cases where accounts are maintained on cash basis. Further, the Commissioner (Appeals)-02, Chennai, has allowed our appeal on similar issue in the case M/s. Shri Kavery Commercial Corporation vide order dt. 20-12-2018 in ITA No. 299/2016-17. These decisions are squarely applicable to our case.

In view of the above facts, we request you to kindly keep the tax of Rs. 62,77,980 in abeyance till the disposal of appeal.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

For Shriram Finance,

Authorised Signatory.”

4. The aforesaid stay petition has been rejected by the 2nd respondent on 17-1-2019. Pursuant to that, the petitioner has filed a second stay application before the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax I, arrayed as first respondent. The petitioner was awaiting a notice of hearing in respect of the stay application but received instead the impugned order dated 7-2-2019 in the following terms —

‘C.No. 233/Pr.CIT-1/2018-2019

Dated 7-2-2019

To,

The Income Tax Officer,

Non-Corporate Ward 2(4),

Chennai.

Sir,

Sub.: Stay Petition filed by the assessee M/s. Shriram Finance, Mookambika Complex, 4th floor, 4 Lady Desikachari Road, Mylapore, Chennai-600 004 — dated 4-2-2018 — PAN AAAFS2596P–Reg.

Ref.: Assessee’s petition filed in 4-2-2019

Kindly refer to the above.

I am directed to convey the comments of the Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax-1, Chennai as follows :–

“Petition rejected vide Board’s Instruction.

Assessing officer to collect 20% demand.”

Yours faithfully,

(G. RADHAKRISHNAN)

Income Tax Officer (HQ)

O/o. Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax-1

Chennai.

Copy to:

1. The JCIT NCR-2, Chennai.

2. The assessee,

M/s. Shriram Finance Mookambika Complex, 4th floor, 4 Lady Desikachari Road, Mylapore, Chennai.’

It is as against the aforesaid order, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition before this Court.

5. This Court had occasion to consider challenge to orders in stay applications that cryptic and non speaking relying wholly on the circular issued by Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). I have, in the aforesaid order, concluded that circulars/instructions issued by the CBDT only set out a series of guidelines to the assessing officers in the matter of grant of stay, holding in the case of Mrs. Kannammal v. ITO [W.P. No. 3849 of 2019, dt. 13-2-2019] as follows :–

‘7. The parameters to be taken into account in considering the grant of stay of disputed demand are well settled — the existence of. ‘Financial stringency’ would include within its ambit the question of ‘irreparable injury’ and ‘undue hardship’ as well. It is only upon an application of the three factors as aforesaid that the assessing officer can exercise discretion for the grant or rejection, wholly or in part, of a request for stay of disputed demand.

8. In addition, periodic Instructions/Circulars in regard to the manner of adjudication of stay petitions are issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) for the guidance of the Departmental authorities. The one oft-quoted by the assessee is Office Memorandum F.No.1/6/69 ITCC, dt. 21-8-1969 that states as follows :–

‘1. One of the points that came up for consideration in the 8th Meeting of the Informal Consultative Committee was that income-tax assessments were often arbitrarily pitched at higher figures and that the collection of disputed demand as a result thereof was also not stayed in spite of the specific provision in the matter in section 220(6) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

2. The then Deputy Prime Minister had observed as under :–

“……….Where the income determined on assessment was substantially higher than the returned income, say twice the latter amount or more, the collection of the tax in dispute should be held in abeyance till the decision on the appeal provided there were no lapses on the part of the assessees.”

3. The Board desire that the above observations may be brought to the notice of all the Income Tax Officers working under you and the powers of stay of recovery in such cases up to the stage of first appeal may be exercised by the Inspecting Assistant Commissioner/Commissioner of Income Tax.’

9. Thereafter, Instruction No. 1914 was issued by the CBDT on 21-3-1996 and states as follows :–

1. Recovery of outstanding tax demands

[Instruction No. 1914 F.No. 404/72/93-ITCC, dt. 2-12-1993 from CBDT]

The Board has felt the need for a comprehensive instruction on the subject of recovery of tax demand in order to streamline recovery procedures. This instruction is accordingly being issued in supersession of all earlier instructions on the subject and reiterates the existing Circulars on the subject.

2. The Board is of the view that, as a matter of principle, every demand should be recovered as soon as it becomes due. Demand may be kept in abeyance for valid reasons only in accordance with the guidelines given below :–

A. Responsibility:

(i) It shall be the responsibility of the assessing officer and the TRO to collect every demand that has been raised, except the following: (a) Demand which has not fallen due; (b) Demand which has been stayed by a Court or ITAT or Settlement Commission; (c) Demand for which a proper proposal for write-off has been submitted; (d) Demand stayed in accordance with paras B & C below.

(ii) Where demand in respect of which a recovery certificate has been issued or a statement has been drawn, the primary responsibility for the collection of tax shall rest with the TRO.

(iii) It would be the responsibility of the supervisory authorities to ensure that the assessing officers and the TROs take all such measures as are necessary to collect the demand. It must be understood that mere issue of a show cause notice with no follow-up is not to be regarded as adequate effort to recover taxes.

B. Stay Petitions:

(i) Stay petitions filed with the assessing officers must be disposed of within two weeks of the filing of petition by the tax-payer. The assessee must be intimated of the decision without delay.

(ii) Where stay petitions are made to the authorities higher than the assessing officer (DC/CIT/CC), it is the responsibility of the higher authorities to dispose of the petitions without any delay, and in any event within two weeks of the receipt of the petition. Such a decision should be communicated to the assessee and the assessing officer immediately.

(iii) The decision in the matter of stay of demand should normally be taken by assessing officer/TRO and his immediate superior. A higher superior authority should interfere with the decision of the AO/TRO only in exceptional circumstances; e.g., where the assessment order appears to be unreasonably high-pitched or where genuine hardship is likely to be caused to the assessee. The higher authorities should discourage the assessee from filing review petitions before them as a matter of routine or in a frivolous manner to gain time for withholding payment of taxes.

C. Guidelines for staying demand:

(i) A demand will be stayed only if there are valid reasons for doing so. Mere filing an appeal against the assessment order will not be a sufficient reason to stay the recovery of demand. A few illustrative situations where stay could be granted are :–

It is clarified that in these situations also, stay may be granted only in respect of the amount attributable to such disputed points. Further where it is subsequently found that the assessee has not co-operated in the early disposal of appeal or where a subsequent pronouncement by a higher appellate authority or court alters the above situation, the stay order may be reviewed and modified. The above illustrations are, of course, not exhaustive.

(ii) In granting stay, the assessing officer may impose such conditions as he may think fit. Thus he may — (a) require the assessee to offer suitable security to safeguard the interest of revenue; (b) require the assessee to pay towards the disputed taxes a reasonable amount in lump sum or in instalments; (c) require an undertaking from the assessee that he will co-operate in the early disposal of appeal failing which the stay order will be cancelled. (d) reserve the right to review the order passed after expiry of a reasonable period, say up to 6 months, or if the assessee has not co-operated in the early disposal of appeal, or where a subsequent pronouncement by a higher appellate authority or court alters the above situations; (e) reserve a right to adjust refunds arising, if any, against the demand.

(iii) Payment by instalments may be liberally allowed so as to collect the entire demand within a reasonable period not exceeding 18 months.

(iv) Since the phrase “stay of demand” does not occur in section 220(6) of the Income Tax Act, the assessing officer should always use in any order passed under section 220(6) [or under section 220(3) or section 220(7)], the expression that occurs in the section viz., that he agrees to treat the assessee as not being default in respect of the amount specified, subject to such conditions as he deems fit to impose.

(v) While considering an application under section 220(6), the assessing officer should consider all relevant factors having a bearing on the demand raised and communicate his decision in the form of a speaking order.

D. Miscellaneous:

(i) Even where recovery of demand has been stayed, the assessing officer will continue to review the situation to ensure that the conditions imposed are fulfilled by the assessee failing which the stay order would need to be withdrawn.

(ii) Where the assessee seeks stay of demand from the Tribunal, it should be strongly opposed. If the assessee presses his application, the CIT should direct the departmental representative to request that the appeal be posted within a month so that Tribunal’s order on the appeal can be known within two months.

(iii) Appeal effects will have to be given within 2 weeks from the receipt of the appellate order. Similarly, rectification application should be decided within 2 weeks of the receipt t hereof. Instances where there is undue delay in giving effect to appellate orders, or in deciding rectification applications, should be dealt with very strictly by the CCITs/CITs.

3. The Board desires that appropriate action is taken in the matter of recovery in accordance with the above procedure. The assessing officer or the TRO, as the case may be, and his immediate superior officer shall be held responsible for ensuring compliance with these instructions.

4. This procedure would apply mutatis mutandis to demands created under other Direct Taxes enactments also.’

10. Instruction 1914 was partially modified by Office Memorandum dated 29-2-2016 taking into account the fact that assessing officers insisted on payment of significant portions of the disputed demand prior to grant of stay resulting in extreme hardship for tax payers. Thus, in order to streamline the grant of stay and standardize the procedure, modified guidelines were issued which are as follows :–

(A) In a case where the outstanding demand is disputed before Commissioner (Appeals), the assessing officer shall grant stay of demand till disposal of first appeal on payment of 15% of the disputed demand, unless the case falls in the category discussed in pars (B) hereunder.

(B) In a situation where, —

(a) the assessing officer is of the view that the nature of addition resulting in the disputed demand is such that payment of a lump sum amount higher than 15% is warranted (e.g. in a case where addition on the same issue has been confirmed by appellate authorities in earlier years or the decision of the Supreme Court/or jurisdictional High Court is in favour of Revenue or addition is based on credible evidence collected in a search or survey operation, etc.) or,

(b) the assessing officer is of the view that the nature of addition resulting in the disputed demand is such that payment of a lump sum amount lower than 15% is warranted (e.g. in a case where addition on the same issue has been deleted by appellate authorities in earlier years or the decision of the Supreme Court or jurisdictional High Court is in favour of the assessee, etc.), the assessing officer shall refer the matter to the administrative Pr. CIT/CIT, who after considering all relevant facts shall decide the quantum/proportion of demand to be paid by the assessee as lump sum payment for granting a stay of the balance demand.’

11. Instruction 1914 was further modified by Office Memorandum bearing number F.No. 404/72/93-ITCC, dt. 31-7-2017 as follows :–

Office Memorandum F.No. 404/72/93-ITCC, dt. 31-7-2017

Subject: Partial modification of Instruction No. 1914, dt. 21-3-1996 to provide for guidelines for stay of demand at the first appeal stage.

Reference: Board’s O.M. of even number dated 29-2-2016

Instruction No. 1914, dt. 21-3-1996 contains guidelines issued by the Board regarding procedure to be followed for recovery of outstanding demand, including procedure for grant of stay of demand.

Vide O.M. No. 404/72/93-ITCC, dt. 29-2-2016 revised guidelines were issued in partial modification of Instruction No. 1914, wherein, inter alia, vide para 4(A) it had been laid down that in a case where the outstanding demand is disputed before Commissioner (Appeals), the assessing officer shall grant stay of demand till disposal of first appeal on payment of 15% of the disputed demand unless the case falls in the category discussed in para (B) thereunder. Similar references to the standard rate of 15% have also been made in succeeding paragraphs therein.

2. The matter has been reviewed by the Board in the light of feedback received from field authorities. In view of the Board’s efforts to contain over pitched assessments through several measures resulting in fairer and more reasonable assessment orders, the standard rate of 15% of the disputed demand is found to be on the lower side. Accordingly, it has been decided that the standard rate prescribed in O.M. dated 29-2-2016 be revised to 20% of the disputed demand, where the demand is contested before Commissioner (Appeals). Thus all references to 15% of the disputed demand in the aforesaid O.M dated 29-2-2016 hereby stand modified to 20% of the disputed demand. Other guidelines contained in the O.M. dated 29-2-2016 shall remain unchanged.

These modifications may be immediately brought to the notice of all officers working in your jurisdiction for proper compliance.’

12. The Circulars and Instructions as extracted above are in the nature of guidelines issued to assist the assessing authorities in the matter of grant of stay and cannot substitute or override the basic tenets to be followed in the consideration and disposal of stay petitions. The existence of a prima facie case for which some illustrations have been provided in the Circulars themselves, the financial stringency faced by an assessee and the balance of convenience in the matter constitute the ‘trinity’, so to say, and are indispensable in consideration of a stay petition by the authority. The Board has, while stating generally that the assessee shall be called upon to remit 20% of the disputed demand, granted ample discretion to the authority to either increase or decrease the quantum demanded based on the three vital factors to be taken into consideration.

13. In the present case, the assessing officer has merely rejected the petition by way of a non-speaking order reading as follows :–

‘Kindly refer to the above. This is to inform you that mere filing of appeal against the said order is not a ground for stay of the demand. Hence your request for stay of demand is rejected and you are requested to pay the demand immediately. Notice under section 221(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is enclosed herewith.’

14. The disposal of the request for stay by the petitioner leaves much to be desired. I am of the categoric view that the assessing officer ought to have taken note of the conditions precedent for the grant of stay as well as the Circulars issued by the CBDT and passed a speaking order. Of course the petition seeking stay filed by the petitioner is itself cryptic. However, as noted by the Supreme Court in the case of CIT v. Mahendra Mills (2000) 243 ITR 56 (SC) : 2000 TaxPub(DT) 1304 (SC) in the context of grant of depreciation, the Circular of the Central Board of Revenue (No. 14 (SL-35) of 1955, dt. 11-4-1955) requires the officers of the department ‘to assist a taxpayer in every reasonable way, particularly in the matter of claiming and securing reliefs….. Although, therefore, the responsibility for claiming refunds and reliefs rests with the assessees on whom it is imposed by law, officers should draw their attention to any refunds or reliefs to which they appear to be clearly entitled but which they have omitted to claim for some reason or other…….’. Thus, notwithstanding that the assessee may not have specifically invoked the three parameters for the grant of stay, it is incumbent upon the assessing officer to examine the existence of a prima facie case as well as call upon the assessee to demonstrate financial stringency, if any and arrive at the balance of convenience in the matter.’

6. My observations and conclusions in the above order would apply equally to the facts and circumstances of the present case and may be read as part and parcel of this order.

7. In the light the above, I am inclined to set aside the impugned order dated 7-2-2019, as being mechanical and passed without application of mind.

8. In the light of the above, the Writ Petition is disposed in the following terms :–

(i) The petitioner will appear before the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax-1, the first respondent herein, on 8-3-2019 at 02:30 pm along with a stay petition covering the three (3) aspects as referred to aforesaid.

(ii) After hearing the petitioner, the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax shall pass a reasoned and speaking order in accordance with law and in accordance with the circulars issued by Central Board of Direct Tax (CBDT) within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of conclusion of the personal hearing, i.e., on or before 22-3-2019.

(iii) Till the disposal of stay application, status quo, as of today, shall be maintained with regard to recovery.

Consequently, Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. No costs.

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