COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. INTERNATIONAL PRINT-O-PACK LIMITED

* THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

% Judgment delivered on 06.02.2009


+ ITA 402/2005

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant


- versus –


M/S JINDAL EXPORTS LIMITED ... Respondent

WITH


+ ITA 1474/2006

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant


- versus –


M/S NESTLE INDIA LIMITED ... Respondent


AND

+ ITA 708/2007

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

BRIJBASI ART PRESS LIMITED ... Respondent


WITH

+ ITA 719/2007

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.1 of 44


- versus –

BIOSEED RESEARCH (INDIA) PVT LTD ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 791/2007

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

ALLIED STRIPS LIMITED ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 829/2007

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

CONTINENTAL PACKAGING PVT. LIMITED ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 907/2007

THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX-V … Appellant

- versus –

NIS SPARTA LIMITED ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 914/2007

THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX-V … Appellant

- versus –

NOKIA INDIA LIMITED ... Respondent

ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.2 of 44

AND

+ ITA 969/2007

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX-II … Appellant

- versus –

MITSUBISHI CORPORATION INDIA (P) LTD ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 986/2007

THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX-V … Appellant

- versus –

NEGOLICE INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED ... Respondent

AND
+ ITA 992/2007

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS (I) PVT LTD ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 1063/2007

THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX-V … Appellant

- versus –

OCL INDIA LIMITED ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 1350/2007

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.3 of 44

- versus –

E I DUPONT INDIA LIMITED ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 271/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

M/S INSILCO LIMITED ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 272/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

INTERNATIONAL PRINT-O-PACK LTD ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 295/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

INTERNATIONAL PRINT-O-PACK LIMITED ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 344/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

INDRAPRASTHA MEDICAL
CORPORATION LIMITED ... Respondent

ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.4 of 44

AND

+ ITA 407/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX-II … Appellant

- versus –

LEROY SOMER & CONTROLS (I) PVT LTD ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 453/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX-I … Appellant

- versus –

C.J. INTERNATIONAL HOTELS LIMITED ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 456/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

ANANT RAJ INDUSTRIES PVT LIMITED ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 462/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

ANANT RAJ INDUSTRIES PVT LIMITED ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 476/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.5 of 44


- versus –

AJANTA OFFSET & PACKAGING LIMITED ... Respondent

AND
+ ITA 477/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

IMI NORGREN HERION PVT. LIMITED ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 546/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

NEHRU PLACE HOTELS LIMITED ... Respondent

AND

+ ITA 701/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

SAMTEL COLOUR LIMITED ... Respondent

AND
+ ITA 801/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

COSMO FILMS LIMITED ... Respondent


AND
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.6 of 44

+ ITA 802/2008

THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

M/S SURYA ROSHNI LIMITED ... Respondent

AND
+ ITA 893/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

SAGE METALS LIMITED ... Respondent

AND
+ ITA 989/2008

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX … Appellant

- versus –

INDIAN SUGAR EXIM CORPORATION LTD ... Respondent


Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the Appellants : Mr R D Jolly with Ms. Rani Kiyala[in ITA Nos. 596/2005,
969/2007, 407/2008, 546/2008]
Ms Prem Lata Bansal, Mr Mohan Prasad Gupta and
Ms Anshul Sharma [in ITA Nos. 402/2005, 708/2007,
719/2007, 829/2007, 992/2007, 1350/2007, 271/2008,
272/2008, 295/2008, 344/2008, 453/2008, 456/2008,
462/2008, 476/2008, 477/2008, 701/2008, 893/2008,
989/2008]
Mr Sanjeev Sabharwal [in ITA Nos. 1474/2006, 802/2008]

For the Respondents : Mr Ajay Vohra with Ms Kavita Jha and Mr Sriram
Krishna [in ITA Nos. 907/2007, 344/2008, 701/2008]
Mr R. M. Mehta [in ITA No. 1063/2007]
Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Ms Aarti Saini, Ms Poonam Ahuja
[in ITA No. 986/2007, 989/2008]
Mr M.S. Syali, Sr. Advocate with Mr Satyen Sethi,
Mr Aseem Mawar and Ms Mahua C. Kalra [in ITA Nos.
1474/2006, 453/2008]
Mr V.P. Gupta and Mr Basant Kumar[ in ITA NoS.719/2007,
791/2007, 829/2007, 271/2008, 476/2008, 546/2008,
893/2008]
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.7 of 44

Mr C.S. Aggarwal, Sr. Advocate with Mr Prakash Kumar and
Mr Ravi Pratap Mall[in ITA Nos. 402/2005, 802/2008
and 989/2008
Mr Satyen Sethi and Mr Johnson Bara [in ITA Nos.
708/2007, 1350/2007, 801/2008]
Mr Karan Khanna in [ITA Nos. 456/2008 and 462/2008]
Mr S. Nanda Kumar and Mr Achin Goel [in ITA No. 992/07]
Mr R.M. Mehta [in ITA No. 1063/2007]
Mr Rajesh Mahna and Mr Ramanand Roy in ITA No.791/07


CORAM:-
HON'BLE MR JUSTICE BADAR DURREZ AHMED
HON’BLE MR JUSTICE RAJIV SHAKDHER

1. Whether Reporters of local papers may be allowed to
see the judgment ? YES

2. To be referred to the Reporter or not ? YES

3. Whether the judgment should be reported in Digest ? YES
BADAR DURREZ AHMED, J
The Questions:
1. In these appeals two sets of substantial questions of law have
been formulated. They are:-

Question A:
Whether the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was
correct in law in holding that rectification could not be
made by the Assessing Officer under Section 154 of
the Income Tax Act, 1961 as the issue regarding
charging of interest under Section 234-B of the Act
without giving set off of MAT credit available to the
Assessee was highly debatable ?

Question B:
Whether the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was
correct in law in holding that credit of tax paid under
Section 115-JAA can be given before computing
interest under Section 234C of the Income Tax Act,
1961 ?

ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.8 of 44

2. Question A has been formulated in ITA Nos. 402/2005 ,
407/2007, 907/2007, 914/2007, 969/2007, 989/2007, 1350/2007,
546/2008, 701/2008, and 893/2008. Question B has been framed in
ITA Nos. 1474/2006 , 708/2007, 719/2007, 791/2007, 829/2007,
986/2007, 992/2007, 1063/2007, 271/2008, 272/2008, 295/2008,
344/2008, 453/2008, 456/2008, 462/2008, 476/2008, 477/2008,
801/2008 and 802/2008. Essentially, these questions raise the common
issue as to whether interest under sections 234B and 234C is to be
charged before the tax credit (commonly referred to as MAT credit)
available under section 115JAA is set off against tax payable on total
income or after it is so set off? The additional issue is whether this
question was debateable and therefore the provisions of section 154
could not have been invoked ? The latter issue arises only in the first
set of appeals.

Rival Contentions – Summary:
3. All the appeals are in respect of assessment years prior to the
amendments to Explanation 1 after section 234B(1) and to the
Explanation after section 234C(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961
(hereinafter referred to as ―the said Act‖) by virtue of the Finance Act,
2006, w.e.f. 01.04.2007. According to the learned counsel for the
appellant/revenue, after the said amendments, there is no dispute that
credit of tax paid under section 115JAA read with section 115JA would
have to be set off before interest is computed under sections 234B and
234C. It was further contended that the said amendments were
substantive and prospective in nature. Consequently, it was submitted,
prior to 01.04.2007, there was no statutory prescription for first setting
off the tax credit and then computing the interest under sections 234B
and 234C of the said Act. Therefore, the revenue contended, the
Tribunal erred in holding that interest under sections 234B and 234C
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.9 of 44

was to be computed only after giving effect to the set off. With regard
to the rectification proceedings under section 154, it was contended that
the language of the provisions of section 234B and section 234C was
clear and unambiguous and, as such, there was no scope for any debate.
Thus, it was submitted, that rectification proceedings were in order.

4. The learned counsel who appeared for the assessees /
respondents submitted that the provisions of sections 234B and 234C
were compensatory in nature. On the basis of this premise they
contended that since the tax credit (MAT credit) was available with the
revenue, no loss was caused to the revenue and, therefore, the question
of compensation itself would not arise. It was also contended that the
amendments to the said Explanation 1 after section 234B(1) and the
Explanation after section 234C(1) were merely curative and
clarificatory of the legal position that applied even before 01.04.2007.
As regards the cases which involved the issue of section 154, it was
submitted, without prejudice to the aforesaid, that in any event the
position was not clear-cut and was highly debateable and therefore
could not be sought to be corrected by way of rectification proceedings
under section 154 of the said Act.

Rival contentions – in detail:-
Contentions on behalf of the Revenue
5. Broadly speaking, these were the submissions of the learned
counsel on both sides. However, before we embark upon a discussion
of the issues at hand we feel that it would be appropriate if the
contentions of the learned counsel are set out in somewhat greater
detail. It was submitted on behalf of the appellant/revenue that section
234B provides for charging of interest for defaults in payment of
advance tax. Where an assessee, who is liable to pay advance tax under
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.10 of 44

section 208, fails to pay such tax or where the advance tax paid by the
assessee under section 210 is less than 90% of the ―assessed tax‖ then
such assessee shall be liable to pay interest at the prescribed rate on the
―assessed tax‖ or on the difference between the ―assessed tax‖ and the
advance tax paid, as the case may be. It was submitted that
Explanation 1 after section 234(1) defines the term ―assessed tax‖ to
mean the tax determined under section 143(1) or upon a regular
assessment as reduced by the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS). The said
Explanation 1 , prior to its amendment with effect from 01.04.2007, did
not have any reference to MAT credit. Thus, in order to arrive at the
figure of ―assessed tax‖, the only permissible deduction from the tax
computed on total income, as determined under section 143(1) or upon
a regular assessment, was the amount of TDS.

6. Similarly, it was contended, in respect of section 234C that it
stipulated charging of interest for deferment of payment of advance tax.
It was submitted that the interest payable under this provision is to be
computed with reference to ―tax due on returned income‖, which
expression is defined in the Explanation after section 234C(1) to mean
the tax chargeable on the total income declared in the return of income
furnished by the assessee for the assessment year commencing on the
1st day of April immediately following the financial year in which the
advance tax is paid or payable, as reduced by the amount of TDS on
any income which is subject to such deduction or collection and which
is taken into account in computing such total income. Here, too,
according to the revenue, the only reduction permissible is in respect of
TDS.

7. It was further contended that this was the position in law
prior to 01.04.2007. Since this was causing hardship, various
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.11 of 44

representations were received by the Central Board of Direct Taxes to
treat the tax credit under section 115JAA (MAT credit) as advance tax.
Subsequently, the amendment to Explanation 1 after section 234B(1)
was brought about so as to specifically provide for reduction of the tax
determined under section 143(1) or upon a regular assessment by, inter
alia, the available tax credit under section 115JAA in addition to the
existing reduction of TDS so as to arrive at the figure of ―assessed tax‖
which formed the basis of the charge of interest. A similar amendment
was brought about in the Explanation after 234C(1).

8. In this context, the learned counsel for the revenue drew our
attention to Circular No.14/2006 which contains the ―Explanatory
Notes on provisions relating to Direct Taxes‖ under the Finance Act,
2006. The relevant portions of the said circular are as under:-
“38. Credit for payment of Minimum Alternate Tax
(MAT) and tax paid in a country or specified territory
outside India for the purposes of charge of interest
under sections 234A, 234B and 234C

38.1 Under the existing provisions of sections 234A and
234B an assessee is held liable to pay simple interest at the
rate of one per cent for every month or part of a month for
default in furnishing the return of income and for default in
payment of advance tax respectively. Similarly under the
existing provisions of section 234C in respect of deferment
of advance tax, the assessee is held liable to pay simple
interest at the rate of one per cent per month and if there is
shortfall of tax paid before the 15th March, one per cent on
the amount of the shortfall. While computing interest,
credit for advance tax paid and tax deducted or collected at
source is allowed. MAT credit under section 115JAA,
relief of tax under section 90 and deduction from income-
tax payable under section 91 are not taken into account
while charging interest under the aforesaid sections. Under
section 140A also, interest is required to be paid for any
delay in furnishing the return or for any default or delay in
payment of advance tax.

ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.12 of 44

38.2 It has been represented from several quarters that the
tax credit allowed under section 115JAA is no different
from the tax paid in advance and credit for having paid the
minimum alternate tax should be allowed against the tax
liability determined on assessment. On a similar analogy,
credit for taxes paid in a country outside India has also
been recommended to be allowed so that interest is not
charged on an amount that equals to the taxes paid outside
India. Accordingly, for calculating interest under sections
234A, 234B and 234C, the Finance Act, 2006 has provided
for

( a ) reduction of tax credit allowed to be set off under
section 115JAA from the tax on the total income;
and
( b ) reduction of the amount of relief of tax allowed
under section 90 and 90A and deduction from the
Indian Income-tax before furnishing the return of
income.

38.3 The credit for the above shall also be allowed under
section 140A for calculating tax and interest before
furnishing the return of income.

38.4 The above amendments will take effect from 1-4-2007
and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment
year 2007-08 and subsequent years.‖

9. On the strength of this Circular, it was contended that
reduction of MAT credit prior to computation of interest under sections
234B and 234C is permissible only after 01.04.2007, that is, for
assessment year 2007-2008 onwards. Since all these appeals relate to
prior assessment years, MAT credit cannot be set off prior to the
computation of interest under sections 234B and 234C.

10. Referring to the provisions of chapter XVII-C relating to
advance tax, it was submitted by the learned counsel for the revenue
that section 207 imposes the liability for payment of advance tax and
that section 208 stipulates that the advance tax must be paid in the
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.13 of 44

financial year itself. Section 209 prescribes the mode of computation
of advance tax and, as per sub-clause (d) of sub-section (1) thereof,
only the amount of TDS is to be reduced for arriving at the figure of
advance tax. A reference was then made to section 140A which lays
down the procedure for payment and computation of self-assessment
tax. This, too, according to the learned counsel for the revenue, speaks
of reduction of only the TDS amount from the tax payable. It was
submitted that whether it is the computation of advance tax or self-
assessment tax, the only reduction permissible is of the TDS amount
and there is no mention of MAT credit.

11. The learned counsel for the revenue referred to the Supreme
Court decision in Commissioner of Income-tax v. Xpro India Ltd: 300
ITR 337 wherein, while setting aside the order passed by the Calcutta
High Court that no substantial question of law arose, it held that the
question of interpretation of section 234B in the context of short
payment of interest on advance tax arose for determination before the
High Court which warranted interpretation of section 115JAA read
with sections 234B and 234C. Reference was then made to the
decision in Commissioner of Income-tax v. Anjum M.H. Ghaswala:
252 ITR 1 wherein the Supreme Court held that the provisions of
sections 234A, 234B and 234C were mandatory in nature and that the
Income Tax Settlement Commission, in exercise of its power under
section 245D(4) and (6), did not have the power to reduce or waive
interest statutorily payable under sections 234A, 234B and 234C except
to the extent of granting relief under the circulars issued by the Board
under section 119 of the Act.

12. Reliance was also placed by the learned counsel for the
revenue on the Bombay High Court decision in CIT v. Kotak
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.14 of 44

Mahindra Finance Ltd: 265 ITR 119 (Bom) for explaining the scope
of sections 234B and 234C. The Bombay High Court observed that:

―Section 234B and section 234C fall under Chapter XVII
of the Income-tax Act which deals with collection and
recovery. Chapter XVII-F deals with interest chargeable in
certain cases. Section 234B along with section 234A and
section 234C were inserted by the Direct Tax Laws
(Amendment) Act, 1987, with effect from April 1, 1989. It
is well settled that interest under section 234B is
compensatory in character. It is not penal in nature. So
also, interest under section 234C is compensatory in
character. It is for this reason that section 234B does not
envisage grant of hearing in so far as levy of interest is
concerned. The levy is automatic on it being proved that
the assessee has committed a default as governed by
section 234B. This reasoning also applies to levy of interest
under section 234C. Therefore, the question of equity, rules
of natural justice and justification for not making payment
do not arise for determination in cases where interest is
leviable under section 234B and section 234C.‖

13. It must be pointed out that this decision was in the context of
section 115J, the question being –

―Whether interest under section 234B and section
234C is chargeable even in a case where tax liability
arises only by applicability of section 115J ? ‖

The question was answered in the affirmative in favour of the revenue
and against the assessee. Of course, the questions in the present
appeals are entirely different.

14. With regard to the issue of rectification proceedings, it was
submitted that the provisions are clear. There is no scope for debate.
Moreover, the provisions being mandatory and automatic, there is no
question of waiver. That being the position, it was submitted, if
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.15 of 44

interest under section 234B or 234C is not originally charged, the same
can be corrected in proceedings under section 154 of the said Act.
Reliance was placed by the learned counsel for the revenue on CIT v.
Malayala Manorama Co. Ltd: 253 ITR 791 (Ker) and Nicco
Corporation Ltd v. CIT: 272 ITR 58 (Cal) .

15. Lastly, it was argued that hardship or inequity is no ground
for not charging interest under sections 234B and 234C before allowing
MAT credit. It was contended that it is a well established principle that
equity has no place in tax laws. It was therefore urged that the
questions be answered in favour of the revenue and the appeals be
allowed.

Contentions on behalf of the Respondents/Assessees
16. Mr C.S. Aggarwal, the learned senior counsel who appeared
for the respondent/assessee in ITA 402/2005, submitted that for an
assessee to be liable to pay interest under section 234B, the assessee
must first be liable to pay advance tax. The liability to pay advance
tax, in turn, arises under section 208 if the advance tax payable by the
assessee is Rs 5000/- or more. It was further contended that the
―advance tax payable‖ is to be computed in accordance with section
209(1)(a) whereunder the assessee is required to estimate its income
and calculate the tax payable thereon and thereafter to reduce from it
the TDS amount. It was further contended that by virtue of section
115JAA(4) the assessee is entitled to set off MAT credit at the stage at
which the tax has become payable. Consequently, it was submitted, that
the assessee is entitled to take into account the tax credit (MAT credit)
available to it under section 115JAA when it computes the tax payable
under section 209 of the said Act. It was submitted that the tax payable
by a company under section 209 is the tax payable on the current
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.16 of 44

income less the Tax credit available for set off. It was therefore
contended that the liability to pay interest under section 234B can only
be computed after the liability to pay advance tax is calculated, which,
in turn, depends on the tax payable on the current income. Such tax
payable has to be computed after setting of the Tax Credit available
under section 115JAA. Thus, interest under section 234B can only be
computed after the tax credit under section 115JAA is set off against
the tax payable on the current income.

17. Reliance was placed on paragraph 45 of Circular No. 763
(230 ITR 54 [St], 81) which contained the Explanatory Notes on
provisions relating to Direct Taxes in the Finance Act, 1997. The
relevant portions of the said paragraph 45 are as under:-
―Minimum alternative tax on companies
45.1 The minimum alternative tax (MAT) on
companies was introduced by the Finance (No.2) Act,
st
1996, with effect from the 1 April, 1997. This was
necessary due to a rise in the number of zero-tax companies
in view of tax preferences granted in the form of
exemptions, deductions and high rates of depreciation. The
rate of minimum tax was kept at a modest figure deeming
30 per cent of book profits as total income. This modest
amount is likely to go down further with the downward
revision of corporate tax rate to 35 per cent and abolition of
surcharge.

xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

45.4 The Act also inserts a new section 115JAA
to provide for a tax credit scheme by which the MAT paid
can be carried forward for set-off against regular tax
payable during the subsequent five-year period subject to
certain conditions:--

(1) When a company pays tax under MAT, the tax
credit earned by it shall be an amount which is the
difference between the amount payable under
MAT and the regular tax. The regular tax in this
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.17 of 44

case means the tax payable on the basis of normal
computation of total income of the company.

(2) MAT credit will be allowed carry forward facility
for a period of five assessment years immediately
succeeding the assessment year in which MAT is
paid. Unabsorbed MAT credit will be allowed to
be accumulated subject to the five-year carry-
forward limit.

(3) In the assessment year when regular tax becomes
payable, the difference between the regular tax
and the tax computed under MAT for that year
will be set off against the MAT credit available.

(4) The credit allowed will not bear any interest.

45.5 The rationale for allowing credit in respect
of taxes paid under MAT in the aforesaid manner is that a
company should always pay a minimum tax. The above
method will ensure that the company will always pay a
minimum tax even while offsetting the MAT credit against
the regular tax.

45.6 The amendment will take effect from the 1st April,
1997, and will accordingly, apply in relation to the
assessment year 1997-98 and subsequent years.‖


18. Mr Aggarwal then referred to section 234B(2) which
provides for situations where, before the date of determination of total
income under sub-section(1) of section 143 or completion of a regular
assessment, tax is paid by the assessee under section 140A or
otherwise. Mr Aggarwal placed emphasis on the expression ― or
otherwise ‖ appearing in the phrase ― tax is paid by the assessee under
section 140A or otherwise. ‖ Referring to CIT v. Atlas Cycle
Industries: 180 ITR 319 , which considered a similar provision
appearing in section 215(2), the learned senior counsel submitted that
the expression " or otherwise " in sub-section (2) of section 234B
signifies that in whatever manner tax is paid, it shall be taken note of in
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.18 of 44

calculating the interest. He submitted further that the expression ―or
otherwise‖ was wide enough to take within its sweep the available
MAT credit and since the MAT credit was available at the beginning of
the year, there would be no question of computing any interest on it.

19. It was further contended by Mr Aggarwal that the provision
of interest under section section 234B is not penal and is only by way
of compensation in respect of the tax withheld. It was submitted that
since MAT credit was available at the beginning of the year and had to
set off against the tax payable, no loss has been caused to the revenue
and, therefore, there is no question of charging any interest thereon by
way of compensation. Reliance was placed upon the decision of this
court in Dr. Prannoy Roy v. Commissioner of Income-tax: 254 ITR
755 (Del) . In that case the provisions of section 234A were in issue.
The question before the court was whether interest could be charged
under section 234A when, though the return had not been filed in time,
the tax had been paid. The argument raised on behalf of the revenue
that such payment of tax did not strictly comply with the meaning of
advance tax and would therefore have to be disregarded for the
purposes of charging interest under section 234A, was rejected. The
court also held that interest under section 234A was compensatory in
nature and unless any loss was caused to the revenue, the same could
not be charged from the assessee. Inter alia, referring to the definition
of ―advance tax‖ in section 2(1) of the said Act, the court also observed
as under:-
―The interpretation clause, as is well known, is not a
positive enactment. The interpretation clause also begins
with the word ―unless the context otherwise requires‖.
Advance tax has been defined to mean the advance tax
payable in accordance with the provisions of Chapter
XVII-C. Such a definition is not an exhaustive one. If the
word ―advance tax‖ is given a literal meaning, the same
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.19 of 44

apart from being used only for the purpose of Chapter
XVII-C may be held to be tax paid in advance before its
due date, i.e., tax paid before its due date. The matter might
have been otherwise, had there been an exhaustive
definition of the said provision. The scheme of payment of
the advance tax is that it will have to be paid having regard
to the anticipated income on September 15, December 15
and March 15. A person, who does not pay the entire tax by
way of advance tax, may deposit the balance amount of tax
along his return.

In the instant case, tax has been paid although no return has
been filed. The Revenue, therefore, has not suffered any
monetary loss.

We, therefore, are of the opinion that in this case if the
doctrine of purposive construction is not taken recourse to,
the same would betray the purport and object of the Act.
If the aforementioned construction is not resorted to, we
will have to read a penal provision in section 234A, which
was not and could not have been the object of the law for
the reasons stated hereinbefore.

It is further well known that in case of doubt or dispute,
taxation statute must be liberally construed.

We, therefore, are not in a position to assign stringent
meaning to the words ―advance tax‖ ….‖

20. Placing reliance on CIT v. J.H. Gotla: 156 ITR 323 ; CIT v.
Hindustan Bulk Carriers: 259 ITR 449 ; K.P. Varghese v. ITO: 131
ITR 597 (SC) , Mr Aggarwal contended that where the plain and literal
interpretation produces a manifestly absurd and unjust result which
could never have been intended by the legislature, the court may
interpret the language used in the statute in a manner so as to achieve
the obvious intention of the legislature which results in a rational
construction. According to Mr Aggarwal, if the provisions of section
234B are read in the manner suggested by the revenue, it would
produce a manifestly absurd and unjust result. Interest under section
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.20 of 44

234B is by way of compensation. If the revenue’s interpretation is
accepted, charging of interest under section 234B would be permissible
even when the revenue has suffered no loss and the occasion for
compensation itself does not arise.

21. It was then contended by Mr Aggarwal that amendment in
Explanation 1 after section 234B brought about by the Finance Act,
2006 with effect from 01.04.2007 is merely declaratory. He placed
reliance on the said Circular No. 14/2006 dated 28.12.2006 and upon
Allied Motors v. CIT: 224 ITR 677 (SC) and Suresh N. Gupta v. CIT:
297 ITR 322 (SC) . Consequently, what was introduced by way of
amendment was merely to clarify and declare in explicit terms what
was always the position in law.

22. Lastly, it was submitted by Mr Aggarwal, in the context of
applicability of section 154, that, in any event the issue was highly
debatable. This was so because, according to him, the Tribunal in
several cases had concluded that MAT credit has to be given prior to
computation of advance tax liability. Reference was made to 92ITD
441 (Chandigarh) and 83 TTJ 427 (Chennai). These demonstrate that
the issue was debateable and could not have the subject matter of
section 154 proceedings.

23. Mr Syali, senior advocate, appeared for the
respondent/assessee in ITA 1474/2006 in which the issue was with
regard to section 234C. In addition to the arguments of Mr C S
Aggarwal in respect of section 234B, which, according to Mr Syali,
would also be relevant in respect of section 234C, he (Mr Syali)
submitted that the revenue’s contention, that interest under section
234C has to be computed before the MAT credit is set off, is untenable.
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.21 of 44

He submitted that the absurdity of such a contention was obvious: the
department expects an assessee to first pay advance tax to the extent of
MAT credit already available and then claim refund of the same
amount.

24. He submitted further that the nature of interest under sections
234A, 234B and 234C was compensatory. Reliance was placed by him
on the decision of this court in Dr Prannoy Roy (supra) wherein it had
been held that interest under section 234A was compensatory in nature.
He submitted that the ratio of the decision is fully applicable to sections
234B and 234C of the said Act. He laid emphasis on the sentence at
p.766 of the said report which reads as follows – ― Interest is payable
when a sum is due not otherwise. ‖ Mr Syali also pointed out that the
Supreme Court has confirmed the view taken by this court inasmuch as
the appeal preferred therefrom by the revenue has been dismissed on
merits. He drew our attention to the Supreme Court judgment in CIT v.
Prannoy Roy [Civil Appeal No.448/2003] decided on 17.09.2008. The
Supreme Court noted that ― [t]he High Court, while accepting the writ
petition and setting aside the interest charged under section 234A of
the Act, has come to the conclusion that interest is not a penalty and
that the interest is levied by way of compensation to compensate the
revenue in order to avoid it from being deprived of the payment of tax
on the due date. ‖ The Supreme Court held:-
―Having heard counsel on both sides, we entirely agree
with the finding recorded by the High Court as also the
interpretation of Section 234A of the Act as it stood at the
relevant time.

Since the tax due had already been paid which was not less
than the tax payable on the returned income which was
accepted, the question of levy of interest does not arise..‖

ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.22 of 44

In this background, Mr Syali submitted that as the tax due stood paid
because of the available tax credit, there was no question of charging
interest under sections 234B or 234C of the said Act.

25. Mr Syali then submitted that the expression used in sub-
sections (4) and (5) of section 115JAA is ― set off ‖ and not ―deduction‖.
Tax credit is to be set off against tax payable. Consequently, the tax
payable in any year is only the amount after the tax credit under section
115JAA is set off.

26. It was also contended that the available tax credit has to be
set off mandatorily against the tax payable. The department has no
option in this regard. This is clear from the language employed in sub-
section (4) of section 115JAA which uses the expression ― the tax credit
shall be allowed set-off ..‖. Mr Syali submitted that as tax credit is to be
mandatorily set-off against tax payable, therefore, for computing
interest under sections 234B and 234C also, the tax credit is to be set-
off first and only thereafter the deductions of the TDS amount and the
advance tax paid are to be made.

27. In similar vein to what Mr Aggarwal had submitted, Mr
Syali also contended that it is a settled principle of law that literal
construction may be the general rule in construing taxing enactments,
but that does not mean that it should be adopted even if it leads to a
discriminatory or incongruous result. When a literal interpretation
leads to an absurd or unintended result, the language of the statute can
be modified to accord with the intention of the legislature and to avoid
absurdity. Reliance was placed on CWS (India) Ltd v. CIT: 208 ITR
649 (SC) and CIT v. J.H. Gotla: 156 ITR 323 (SC) . It was also
submitted that where two views are reasonably possible, the view in
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.23 of 44

favour of the assessee should be preferred. For this proposition,
reliance was placed on UOI v. Onkar S. Kanwar: 258 ITR 761 (SC)
and CIT v. Kulu Valley Transport Co. P. Ltd: 77 ITR 518 .

28. Mr Syali, lastly, submitted that the amendments to
Explanation 1 after section 234B(1) and the Explanation after section
234C(1) were introduced to mitigate the hardship caused and were in
that sense curative and clarificatory. Reliance was placed on Allied
Motors (supra) ; CIT v. Podar Cement Pvt Ltd: 226 ITR 625 (SC) and
CIT v. Gold Coin Health Food P Ltd: 304 ITR 308 (SC) .

29. Mr Ajay Vohra, the learned counsel appearing for the
respondents in some of the appeals, adopted the arguments of Mr
Aggarwal and Mr Syali and made additional submissions.

30. Mr Vohra’s first submission is that MAT credit is equivalent
to payment of tax in advance. According to him, MAT credit available
under section 115JAA is essentially credit for the tax paid by the
assessee in earlier years. Such credit is withheld by the government to
be set-off against tax payable in future years subject to fulfilment of
specified conditions. Consequently, it was submitted, the amount of
MAT credit is akin to tax paid in advance, lying with the government
for and on behalf of the assessee and available to the assessee, as a
matter of right, to be set off against the tax payable in future years. It
was contended that in the context of payment of advance tax, the courts
have held that tax paid within the previous year, though beyond the
stipulated date for payment of advance tax, has to be treated as payment
of advance tax for the purpose of calculation of interest and penalty
under the various sections of the said act. It was, therefore, submitted
that the case of MAT credit is on a much better footing inasmuch as the
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.24 of 44

sum representing MAT credit is available with the government even
prior to the commencement of the relevant previous year.
Consequently, MAT credit cannot be treated as anything but tax paid in
advance and is, therefore, to be set off against the tax payable before
computing interest under sections 234A, 234B and 234C of the said
act.

31. Mr Vohra’s second proposition is that interest is
compensatory in character. He submitted that interest is levied by the
government for tax legitimately belonging to the government which has
not been paid by the assessee in time. Conversely, interest is paid by
the government where the refund of taxes legitimately due to an assesse
are withheld by the government. Referring to the Supreme Court
decision in Sandvik Asia Ltd v. CIT: 280 ITR 643 , Mr Vohra
contended the Supreme Court held that the interest levied/granted
under the provisions of the said act being compensatory in nature, had
to be paid by the government even on refund of interest paid by the
assessee under the provisions of the act. In other words, the Supreme
Court directed grant of interest on interest on the principle that interest
being compensatory in character had to be paid to the assessee to
compensate for deprivation of the use of money, for the period such
monies were illegally detained by the government. He submitted that
the Supreme Court held that even outside the provisions of the said act,
interest had to be granted by the government, in a situation where the
government had withheld refund of taxes and interest was determined
to be due to the assessee. Based on the said decision, it was submitted
that MAT credit available to an assessee for being set-off against the
tax payable under the statutory enactment cannot be ignored while
determining shortfall of tax payable for the purposes of calculation of
interest under sections 234A, 234B and 234C of the said Act. To the
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.25 of 44

extent of the availability of MAT credit, monies are held by the
government and the assessee cannot be charged interest on the shortfall
of the tax, excluding the amount of MAT credit, when, in fact, such
credit is set off against the tax payable for the relevant previous year.
He submitted that two different criteria cannot be adopted, one, for
calculating the tax payable and the other for computing the amount of
interest payable by an assessee on the alleged shortfall of taxes.

32. The third submission of Mr Vohra was that the provisions
called for an equitable construction. He referred to the proviso to
section 115 JAA(2) of the said act which stipulated that the no interest
shall be payable on the tax credit allowed under subsection (1) of
section 115JAA. In the context of this provision, he submitted that no
interest is payable to the assessee on the amount of MAT credit. He
contended that if the construction advanced by the revenue was to be
accepted it would result in double ―jeopardy‖ to the assessee inasmuch
as while no interest was payable by the government, in law, on the
amount of MAT credit, on the one hand, interest would be charged
from the assessee on the alleged short payment of tax, without taking
into account of MAT credit, on the other. This, according to Mr Vohra,
would result in iniquity and injustice. He submitted that the Supreme
Court in CIT v. J.H. Gotla (supra) held that where the strict literal
construction leads to injustice, then, the equitable construction should
be preferred over the strict literal construction. In particular, he placed
reliance on the following portion of the said decision: --

―Where the plain literal interpretation of a statutory
provision produces a manifestly unjust result which could
never have been intended by the Legislature, the court might
modify the language used by the Legislature so as to achieve
the intention of the Legislature and produce a rational
construction. The task of interpretation of a statutory
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.26 of 44

provision is an attempt to discover the intention of the
Legislature from the language used. It is necessary to
remember that language is at best an imperfect instrument
for the expression of human intention. It is well to
remember the warning administered by judge Learned Hand
that one should not make a fortress out of the dictionary but
remember that statutes always have some purpose or object
to accomplish and sympathetic and imaginative discovery is
the surest guide to their meaning.

We have noted the object of s. 16(3) of the Act which has to
be read in conjunction with s. 24(2) in this case for the
present purpose. If the purpose of a particular provision is
easily discernible from the whole scheme of the Act, which
in this case is to counteract the effect of the transfer of assets
so far as computation of income of the assessee is concerned,
then bearing that purpose in mind, we should find out the
intention from the language used by the Legislature and if
strict literal construction leads to an absurd result, i.e., a
result not intended to be subserved by the object of the
legislation found in the manner indicated before, then if
another construction is possible apart from strict literal
construction, then that construction should be preferred to
the strict literal construction. Though equity and taxation are
often strangers, attempts should be made that these do not
remain always so and if a construction results in equity
rather than in injustice, then such construction should be
preferred to the literal construction…‖
(underlining added)

33. The fourth and final submission of Mr Vohra was that the
amendments made in sections 234A, 234B and 234C of the said Act
were curative and, therefore, had retrospective operation. The
amendments had been brought in to remove the unintended anomaly
and were clarificatory in nature. Reliance was placed on Allied Motors
(supra) ; CIT v. Raman Lal Hathi: 217 CTR 105 and CIT v. Suresh N.
Gupta (supra) .

ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.27 of 44

34. Supplementing the arguments of the other learned counsel
who appeared for the respondents/assessees in other appeals, Dr
Rakesh Gupta, submitted that ―tax‖ as defined in section 2(43) of the
said Act refers to income tax chargeable under the provisions of the
said Act which includes section 115JA and 115JAA. Hence, MAT
credit has to be set-off against the tax payable before computing the
liability to advance tax. He submitted that if the set-off is not allowed
in this manner, it would lead to absurd results. The assessee would be
required to pay tax twice. The first time, when the assessee qualifies
for the tax credit under section 115JAA and the second time when he is
required to pay the advance tax. After paying tax twice in this manner,
the assessee would then have to claim refund of the excess tax paid.
This was an unintended result and it is for this reason that the curative
and clarificatory amendments were brought in by the Finance Act,
2006. It was submitted that the Circular No.14/2006 itself recognizes
the curative nature of the amendments. Consequently, it was
submitted, the legislative intention was always that MAT credit be set-
off first and then interest be computed under sections 234A, 234B and
234C of the said Act.

35. The counsel for the respondents in all the other appeals
adopted the arguments of the various learned counsel for the
respondents/assesses mentioned above. In ITA 829/2007 the
comparative tax computation for the assessment year 2003-04 as per
the department and as per the assessee was placed before us. We are
reproducing the same below as it would greatly clarify the scope of the
issues at hand:-




ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.28 of 44

Particulars As per the Department
As per the
Company/Assessee
(Rs)
(Rs)
Taxable income as per
intimation u/s 143(1) dated
02.03.2004


77,44,490
77,44,490
Tax on above @ 36.75% 28,46,100 28,46,100
Less: MAT credit -- 5,48,075
28,46,100 22,98,025
Less: TDS 4,26,357 4,26,357
Less Advance Tax -- --
24,19,743 18,71,668

Add: Interest u/s 234B 2,31,376 1,64,666
Add: Interest u/s 234C 1,52,748 1,18,149
Tax + interest payable 28,03,867 21,54,483

--
Less: MAT credit 5,48,075
Total Tax + interest liability 22,55,792 21,54,483
Difference
1,01,309


36. The above table clearly illustrates the difference in the stands
adopted by the parties. While the MAT credit is the same, the point at
which it is set off makes all the difference. As per the department the
MAT credit is to be set off after interest under sections 234B and 234C
are computed. On the other hand, as per the assessee, the MAT credit
has to be set off against the tax payable, prior to the computation of
interest.

Rejoinder on behalf of the Revenue
37. In rejoinder, the learned counsel for the revenue/appellant
submitted that the case of Dr Prannoy Roy (supra) was not applicable
as the tax had been paid in the year in question. It was also contended
that availability of MAT credit could not be equated to advance tax
actually paid. The case of refunds was referred to. The learned counsel
submitted that each year is treated as an independent year and it cannot
be assumed that if there is refund for an earlier year, advance tax to that
extent for a later year stands paid. The respondents’ answer to this,
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.29 of 44

with which we agree, is that while refunds cannot be set off in a
subsequent year as there is no provision for it, MAT credit has to be set
off as a matter of right in view of the provisions of section 115JAA
itself.

Analysis and discussion:
Sections 234B, 208, 143(1), 140A et al
38. Having set out the contours of the controversy at hand, it is
time for us to examine the provisions. Section 234B of the said Act as
it stood prior to the amendments introduced by the Finance Act, 2006,
to the extent relevant, is as follows:-
“234B. Interest for defaults in payment of advance
tax. --(1) Subject to the other provisions of this
section, where, in any financial year, an assessee who
is liable to pay advance tax under section 208 has
failed to pay such tax or, where the advance tax paid
by such assessee under the provisions of section 210
is less than ninety percent of the assessed tax , the
assessee shall be liable to pay simple interest at the
rate of one and one-half per cent for every month or
part of a month comprised in the period from the 1st
day of April next following such financial year to the
date of determination of total income under sub-
section (1) of section 143 and where a regular
assessment is made, to the date of such regular
assessment on an amount equal to the assessed tax
or, as the case may be, on the amount by which the
advance tax paid as aforesaid falls short of the
assessed tax .

Explanation 1.—In this section, “assessed tax”
means the tax on the total income determined under
sub-section (1) of section 143 or on regular
assessment as reduced by the amount of tax
deducted or collected at source in accordance with
the provisions of Chapter XVII on any income
which is subject to such deduction or collection and
which is taken into account in computing such total
income.
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.30 of 44


Explanation 2.--Where in relation to an assessment
year, an assessment is made for the first time under
section 147, the assessment so made shall be
regarded as a regular assessment for the purposes of
this section.

Explanation 3--In Explanation 1 and in sub-section
(3), "tax on the total income determined under sub-
section (1) of section 143" shall not include the
additional income-tax, if any, payable under section
143.

(2) Where, before the date of determination of total
income under sub-section (1) of section 143 or
completion of a regular assessment, tax is paid by the
assessee under section 140A or otherwise,--
(i) interest shall be calculated in accordance
with the foregoing provisions of this
section up to the date on which the tax is so
paid, and reduced by the interest, if any,
paid under section 140A towards the
interest chargeable under this section;

(ii) thereafter, interest shall be calculated at the
rate aforesaid on the amount by which the
tax so paid together with the advance tax
paid falls short of the assessed tax.
xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx‖
(emphasis supplied)


39. Under sub-section (1), liability to pay interest for defaults in
payment of advance tax can arise in two situations. Both situations, of
course, are predicated on the liability of the assessee to pay advance tax
under section 208 of the said Act. The first situation arises where an
assessee who is liable to pay advance tax under section 208, fails to pay
such tax. The liability to pay interest is fixed at the prescribed rate on
the ―assessed tax‖. The second situation arises where an assessee who
is liable to pay advance tax under section 208, pays advance tax but to
an extent less than 90% of the ―assessed tax‖. In this situation, the
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.31 of 44

liability to pay interest for this default is fixed at the prescribed rate on
the difference between the tax paid and the ―assessed tax‖. The
expression ―assessed tax‖ is defined in Explanation 1 after section
234B(1) [as it stood prior to the amendment introduced by the Finance
Act,2006] to mean the ―tax on the total income‖ determined under sub-
section (1) of section 143 or on regular assessment as reduced by the
amount of tax deducted or collected at source in accordance with the
provisions of Chapter XVII on any income which is subject to such
deduction or collection and which is taken into account in computing
such total income.

40. Sub-section (2) indicates as to how the interest is to be
computed where, before the date of determination of total income
under section 143(1) or completion of regular assessment, tax is paid
by the assessee under section 140A or otherwise. Section 140A
provides for self-assessment. Sub-section (1) of section 140A as it
stood prior to the amendment by Finance Act, 2006 was as under:-

“140A. Self-assessment. --(1) Where any tax is
payable on the basis of any return required to be
furnished under section 139 or section 142 or section
148 or, as the case may be, section 158BC, after taking
into account the amount of tax, if any, already paid
under any provision of this Act, the assessee shall be
liable to pay such tax, together with interest payable
under any provision of this Act for any delay in
furnishing the return or any default or delay in
payment of advance tax, before furnishing the return
and the return shall be accompanied by proof of
payment of such tax and interest.‖


41. It is clear that prior to the filing of the return, the assessee is
to make a self-assessment of the tax payable on the basis of the return
which is to be furnished and has to pay the amount of such tax ― after
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.32 of 44

taking into account the amount of tax, if any, already paid under any
provision of this Act ‖. Such tax is to be paid together with interest
payable for any delay in furnishing the return (section 234A) or any
default or delay in payment of advance tax (Sections 234B and 234C).
The expression ―such tax‖ referred to in section 140A(1) means the tax
payable on the basis of the return minus the amount of tax, if any,
already paid under any provision of the Act. The MAT credit under
section 115JAA is nothing but credit for tax paid under section 115JA
of the said Act. Both the sections are part of the said act. MAT credit
is granted for tax already paid under section 115JA. Thus, the sum
represented by the available MAT credit would fall within the
expression ― tax….already paid under any provision of this Act ‖. This
means that the expression ―such tax‖ referred to in section 140A(1)
would mean the tax payable on the basis of the return minus, inter alia,
the available MAT credit which represents the tax already paid under a
provision (section 115JA) of the said Act. The adjustment or the set
off in respect of the available MAT credit is implicit in the meaning of
―such tax‖. However, after the amendment introduced by the Finance
Act, 2006, this has been made explicit. This would be immediately
clear by reading the section 140A(1) as it stands today, that is, after the
said amendment:-
“140A. Self-assessment. --(1) Where any tax is
payable on the basis of any return required to be
furnished under section 139 or section 142 or section
148 or section 153A or, as the case may be, section
158BC, after taking into account,—
(i) the amount of tax, if any, already paid under
any provision of this Act ;
(ii) any tax deducted or collected at source ;
(iii) any relief of tax or deduction of tax claimed
under section 90 or section 91 on account of
tax paid in a country outside India ;
(iv) any relief of tax claimed under section 90A
on account of tax paid in any specified
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.33 of 44

territory outside India referred to in that
section ; and
(v) any tax credit claimed to be set off in
accordance with the provisions of section
115JAA ,
the assessee shall be liable to pay such tax, together
with interest payable under any provision of this Act
for any delay in furnishing the return or any default
or delay in payment of advance tax, before furnishing
the return and the return shall be accompanied by
proof of payment of such tax and interest.‖


42. So, the amendment merely clarifies and makes explicit what
was already implicit. Even if the amendment had not been introduced,
the expression ―such tax‖ as appearing in section 140A would have
reference to the tax payable on the basis of the return minus, inter alia,
the MAT credit claimed to be set off in accordance with the provisions
of section 115JAA of the said Act.

43. The ―such tax‖ mentioned in section 140A(1), if paid prior to
the filing of the return, is what is referred to in section 234B(2) as the
tax paid by the assessee under section 140A. Going back to section
234B(2), we find that there is reference to tax paid under section 140A
as well as tax paid ―otherwise‖. It is obvious that tax paid otherwise
would take in within its sweep any tax paid under the provisions of the
said Act. It cannot be denied that an assessee who makes a payment of
tax under section 115JA makes such payment as per the provisions of
the said Act. However, not all of it is to be accounted in the year it is
paid. Part of it is accounted in the same year and the remainder is to be
carried forward as MAT credit under section 115JAA. To make it
clear, MAT credit under section 115JAA is not given in respect of the
entire tax (viz., Minimum Alternate Tax) paid under section 115JA in a
year. MAT credit is given only in respect of the amount of MAT which
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.34 of 44

is in excess of the tax payable for that year by the assessee under the
normal provisions (i.e., other than the special provisions of section
115JA). It represents the amount of tax paid by the assessee in excess
of what it would be required to make under the normal provisions only
because of the special provisions requiring company assessees to pay a
minimum tax each year. It is for this reason that credit is given to the
assessee for such payment and the assessee can, as a matter of right,
subject to certain conditions, carry forward and set off the tax credit
against the tax payable in a subsequent year. There can be no doubt
that the entire amount of MAT paid under section 115JA would be
towards tax. Part of it may be towards tax for that year and part of it,
for which credit is given, is towards tax for a subsequent year. Thus
the tax credit which has been carried forward and is available for set off
under the provisions of section 115JAA in a subsequent year would
qualify as tax paid ―otherwise‖. Since, it is available at the beginning
of the subsequent year, it is obvious that such tax credit would be tax
paid by the assessee before the date of determination of total income
under section 143(1) or completion of regular assessment.

44. This means that whether we take the route of ―section 140A‖
or ―otherwise‖, the available tax credit under section 115JAA would
fall within the meaning of tax paid prior to the date of determination of
total income under section 143(1) or completion of regular assessment.
And, significantly, this conclusion is not dependent upon the
amendment brought about by the Finance Act, 2006 which makes the
position explicit and beyond doubt. It is also noteworthy that the said
Circular No.14/2006 itself recognizes the fact that the amendment was
introduced because it had been represented from several quarters that
the tax credit allowed under section 115JAA was no different from the
tax paid in advance and credit for having paid the minimum alternate
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.35 of 44

tax ought to be allowed against the tax liability determined on
assessment. This circumstance is another indicator that the
amendments were clarificatory in nature.

45. The next step is to proceed to compute interest in terms of
section 234B(2). The said provision stipulates that where tax is so
paid, interest shall be calculated upto the date on which the tax is paid.
Since, we are dealing with tax credit which has been carried forward
from a prior year, it is obvious that the tax would be deemed to have
been paid on the very first day of the year in question, even prior to the
due dates of payment of advance tax. The implication of this is that no
interest would be chargeable on such amount. From this it follows that
interest under sections 234B is to be charged after the carried forward
tax credit (MAT credit) available under section 115JAA is set off. The
same logic would apply to the computation of interest for delayed
payments of advance tax under section 234C.

Sections 115JA and 115JAA
46. The relevant portions of sections 115JA and 115JAA are as
follows:-
― 115JA. Deemed income relating to certain
companies. --(1) Notwithstanding anything contained
in any other provisions of this Act, where in the case
of an assessee, being a company, the total income, as
computed under this Act in respect of any previous
year relevant to the assessment year commencing on
or after the 1st day of April, 1997 (hereafter in this
section referred to as the relevant previous year) is
less than thirty per cent. of its book profit, the total
income of such assessee chargeable to tax for the
relevant previous year shall be deemed to be an
amount equal to thirty per cent. of such book profit.

xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx"

ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.36 of 44

― 115JAA. Tax credit in respect of tax paid on
deemed income relating to certain companies. --(1)
Where any amount of tax is paid under sub-section
(1) of section 115JA by an assessee being a company
for any assessment year, then, credit in respect of tax
so paid shall be allowed to him in accordance with
the provisions of this section.

(2) The tax credit to be allowed under sub-section (1)
shall be the difference of the tax paid for any
assessment year under sub-section (1) of section
115JA and the amount of tax payable by the assessee
on his total income computed in accordance with the
other provisions of this Act:
Provided that no interest shall be payable on the tax
credit allowed under sub-section (1).

(3) The amount of tax credit determined under sub-
section (2) shall be carried forward and set off in
accordance with the provisions of sub-section (4) and
sub-section (5) but such carry forward shall not be
allowed beyond the fifth assessment year
immediately succeeding the assessment year in which
tax credit becomes allowable under sub-section (1).

(4) The tax credit shall be allowed set-off in a year
when tax becomes payable on the total income
computed in accordance with the provisions of this
Act other than section 115JA.

(5) Set off in respect of brought forward tax credit
shall be allowed for any assessment year to the extent
of the difference between the tax on his total income
and the tax which would have been payable under the
provisions of sub-section (1) of section 115JA for
that assessment year.

(6) Where as a result of an order under sub-section
(1) or sub-section (3) of section 143, section 144,
section 147, section 154, section 155, sub-section (4)
of section 245D, section 250, section 254, section
260, section 262, section 263 or section 264, the
amount of tax payable under this Act is reduced or
increased, as the case may be, the amount of tax
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.37 of 44

credit allowed under this section shall also be
increased or reduced accordingly.‖


47. Both these sections fall under Chapter XII-B which contains
special provisions relating to certain companies. Sub-section (1) of
section 115JA begins with a non-obstante clause and stipulates that
where the total income, as computed under the Act, of a company
assessee is less than 30% of its book profit, the total income of such
assessee chargeable to tax for the relevant previous year shall be
deemed to be an amount equal to 30% of such book profit. To clarify,
let us assume the following:-
Total income of a company assessee (as computed under the Act)
in year 0 = X
0

30% of its Book Profit in year 0 = Y
0

If X 0 is less than Y 0 , implying that the total income as computed under
the normal provisions of the Act is less than 30% of the book profit,
then, because of section 115JA(1), Y (i.e., 30% of the book profit)
0
shall be deemed to be the total income of the company assessee which
would be chargeable to tax. If the rate of tax in year 0 is t 0 %, the tax
payable (TJA 0 ) on this deemed total income by the company assessee
in respect of year 0 would be t /100 x Y . So, we see that the factum of
0 0
the total income computed under the normal provisions of the Act
being less than 30% of the book profit triggers the deeming provision
of sub-section(1) of section 115JA and then, the total income is deemed
to be 30% of the book profit. This implies that the floor income (total
income) which would be subject to tax would be 30% of book profit.
By employing this deeming fiction the Minimum Alternate Tax (TJA )
0
is computed on the deemed total income.

ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.38 of 44

48. But, the tax payable (T ) on the total income (X ) under the
0 0
normal provisions would have been equal to t /100 x X . Since the
0 0
actual total income (X 0 ) is less than the deemed total income (Y 0 ), the
tax payable (T 0 ) on actual total income would also be less than the tax
payable (TJA ) on the deemed total income. This brings in the
0
provisions of section 115JAA which stipulate that credit shall be
allowed to the company assessee to the extent of the excess of tax paid
(TJA 0 ) under section 115JA and the tax payable (T 0 ) under the normal
provisions of the said Act ie., Tax Credit in respect of year 0 (TC 0 ) =
TJA – T . Though such tax credit (TC ) is allowed in respect of year
0 0 0
0, no interest is payable thereon by the revenue. Such tax credit is to be
carried forward for no more than five years and is permitted to be set
off in a year when the total income of the company assessee as
computed under the normal provisions of the Act exceeds 30% of its
book profits or, to put it simply, where the actual total income exceeds
the deemed total income under section 115JA. Furthermore, by virtue
of sub-section (5) of section 115JAA, the set off in respect of brought
forward tax credit shall be allowed for any assessment year to the
extent of the difference between the tax on total income and the tax
which would have been payable under the provisions of sub-section (1)
of section 115JA for that assessment year.


49. The interplay of sections 115JA and 115JAA for computing
the tax credit and its set off in a subsequent year is explained in a
simple two year example below using the same symbology adopted
above.

Assume that: Total income in year 1 = X
1
30% of book profit in year 1 = Y 1
X > Y [therefore, set off is permissible]
1 1


ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.39 of 44

Then:
T 1 = t 1 /100 x X 1 ;
TJA = t /100 x Y
1 1 1
T 1 > TJA 1 [since, X 1 > Y 1 ]
Set off permissible in year 1 = T – TJA
1 1
But, actual set off would depend on whether (T – TJA ) is greater than
1 1
or less than or equal to TC 0 . There are these possibilities :-

(i) Set off (S 1 ) = (T 1 – TJA 1 ) – TC 0 [where, T 1 – TJA 1 > TC 0 ]

(ii) Set off (S 1 ) = T 1 – TJA 1 [where, T 1 – TJA 1 < TC 0 ]
[the balance credit (TC – [T –
0 1
TJA ]) shall be permitted to be
1
carried forward subject to the five
year limit in section 115JAA(5)]

(iii) Set off (S ) = TC [where, T – TJA = TC ]
1 0 1 1 0
[i.e., the entire tax credit is set off]

50. It is apparent that because of the manner in which the two
provisions work, it is ensured that a company assessee always pays its
minimum alternate tax computed on the basis of 30% of its book profit.
Even the tax credit which is allowed to the assessee can only be set off
against the tax payable in excess of the minimum alternate tax. It is
also apparent that the tax credit obtained in a particular year is a part of
the minimum alternate tax of that year. It represents tax paid by the
assessee to the government of India. In the year in which such tax
credit is set off in terms of section 115JAA, it is clear that such tax
credit was available on the first day of that year. So, in such a year, the
tax credit, to the extent it can be set off, represents tax already paid and
available as credit at the beginning of the year. Consequently, the
assessee cannot be charged interest on something which it had already
paid.


ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.40 of 44

Interest under sections 234A, 234B and 234C is Compensatory or
penal?

51. We have already noted above that the learned counsel for the
respondents had submitted in unison that the provisions of sections
234A, 234B and 234C are compensatory in nature. We agree with this
submission. In fact, even in CIT v. Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd:
(supra) , a decision strongly relied upon by the learned counsel for the
revenue, the Bombay High Court held that:-
―It is well settled that interest under section 234B is
compensatory in character. It is not penal in nature.
So also, interest under section 234C is compensatory in
character. It is for this reason that section 234B does
not envisage grant of hearing in so far as levy of
interest is concerned. The levy is automatic on it being
proved that the assessee has committed a default as
governed by section 234B. This reasoning also applies
to levy of interest under section 234C.‖


52. We are also of the view that sections 234A, 234B and 234C
are of the same genre. On going through these provisions it is clear
that interest is sought to be charged because the government is denied
of its revenues at the due dates. Under section 234A interest is charged
where tax which is payable upon self assessment at the time of filing of
a return is not paid at that point of time. Section 234B provides for
charging of interest for default in payment of advance tax and under
section 234C interest is charged for deferment in the payment of
advance tax from the appointed dates of payment. Under the Act,
Income tax is payable at different stages and through different modes.
Where specific dates by which parts of the tax are to be paid are clearly
stipulated, if such a schedule is not adhered to it can be said that the
government is deprived of its revenue as on those dates. To
compensate for such deprivation, interest is chargeable under
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.41 of 44

provisions of the Act such as sections 234A, 234B and 234C. The
scheme of the Act and the nature of these provisions reveal that they
are compensatory and not penal. Under these provisions interest is
chargeable by way of compensation and not by way of penalty. This is
also clear from the fact that none of the safe-guards such as stipulation
of opportunity of hearing and the like as are necessary accompaniments
of penal provisions are to be found in these sections. In any event, this
issue is now beyond the pale of controversy in view of the Supreme
Court decision in Dr Prannoy Roy (supra), wherein it accepted this
Court’s conclusion that interest charged under section 234A of the Act
is not a penalty and that the interest is levied by way of compensation
to compensate the revenue in order to avoid it from being deprived of
the payment of tax on the due date. This, in our view, would apply
with equal vigour to sections 234B and 234C. In the said decision the
Supreme Court also observed that ― [s]ince the tax due had already
been paid which was not less than the tax payable on the returned
income which was accepted, the question of levy of interest does not
arise. ‖ The learned counsel for the revenue referred to this sentence
and submitted that in Dr Prannoy Roy (supra) the tax had been paid but
the return was not filed and therefore that case stood on a different
footing. We are not impressed by this line of thought. What the
Supreme Court decided was that the provisions of section 234A were
compensatory in nature and since the tax stood paid there was no
question of levy of interest even though the return had not been filed
when the tax was paid.

53. In the present appeals, the tax due to the extent of available
MAT credit, stood paid. If that be the case, how would the question of
levy of interest arise ? The revenue had the amount representing the
MAT credit at the very beginning of the year. The revenue was not put
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.42 of 44

to any loss. There is no case made out for compensation. Unless it can
be shown that the interest sought to be charged was by way of
compensation of loss suffered by the revenue, such ―interest‖ cannot be
regarded as interest under sections 234B or 234C.

Purposive meaning to be ascribed to “advance tax”
54. We feel that it would be fruitful to remember what was said
by Sinha CJ (as his lordship then was), while speaking for a Division
Bench of this court in Dr. Prannoy Roy v. Commissioner of Income-
tax: 254 ITR 755 (Del), with regard to the interpretation to be placed
on the term ―advance tax‖ as defined in section 2(1) of the said Act. It
was observed that an interpretation clause, as is well known, is not a
positive enactment. It was specifically noticed that section 2 of the said
Act began with the word ―unless the context otherwise requires‖. The
Division Bench held that though ―advance tax‖ has been defined to
mean the advance tax payable in accordance with the provisions of
Chapter XVII-C, such a definition is not an exhaustive one and that
―advance tax‖, apart from being used only for the purpose of Chapter
XVII-C, may be held to be tax paid in advance before its due date. In
other words, the term ―advance tax‖ is not restricted to mean the
advance tax payable in accordance with the provisions of Chapter
XVII-C. If the context requires, ―advance tax‖ may extend beyond the
territory of Chapter XVII-C and could very well refer to any tax paid in
advance before its due date. MAT credit represents that portion of
MAT which was not actually payable by the company assessee but, has
all the same, been collected by the government. It represents the tax
paid before it is due. In our view, the MAT credit which is available
for set off in a year falls within the meaning of ―advance tax‖ because
the context requires us to give such a purposive meaning.

ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.43 of 44

Conclusions:
55. This discussion leads us to the conclusion that interest under
sections 234B and 234C is to be charged after the tax credit (MAT
credit) available under section 115JAA is set off against tax payable on
the total income of the year in question. This being the position and
rival stands taken by the revenue and the respondents as well as the
decisions of benches of the Tribunal [92ITD 441 (Chandigarh) and 83
TTJ 427 (Chennai)] do indicate that the Tribunal was correct in law in
holding that rectification could not be made by the Assessing Officer
under Section 154 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 as the issue regarding
charging of interest under Section 234-B of the Act without giving set
off of MAT credit available to the Assessee was highly debatable.
Consequently, we answer both the questions against the revenue and in
favour of the respondents / assessees. The appeals are dismissed. The
parties are left to bear their own costs.


BADAR DURREZ AHMED, J



RAJIV SHAKDHER, J
February 06, 2009
HJ
ITA Nos. 402/2005 & Others Page No.44 of 44