Commissioner of Income Tax vs Seethakathi Trust

P.D. Dinakaran, J.—The above tax case appeals are directed against the common order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in ITA Nos. 1188 and 1189/Mds/2004 dated 8.3.2006, raising the following substantial questions of law:

Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that the assessee is entitled for exemption u/s 10(22) of the Income Tax Act?

When the assessee has utilised the funds of the Trust for purposes that are not in consonance with the objects of the Trust, is not the assessing officer right in denying exemption to the assessee u/s 10(22) of the Income Tax Act?

The Revenue is the appellant. The relevant assessment years are 1996-97 and 1997-98. The assessee is a public charitable trust, which runs three educational institutions and a medical centre. They claimed exemption u/s 10(22) of the Income Tax Act for three assessment years, viz., 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98. For the assessment year 1996-97, the assessee filed a return on 5.2.97 declaring excess of, expenditure over income of Rs. 1,05,25,645/-. Since the similar expenditure was disallowed for the assessment year 1995-96, the assessing-officer denied the exemption for the assessment year 1996-97 also by order dated 31.3.2003. The assessing officer was of the opinion that the assessee has violated the provisions of Section 11(5) read with 13(1)(d) of the Act and accordingly, denied the benefits of Sections 11 and 12 of the Act, consequent to which, the assessing officer computed the income of the assessee at Rs. 73,25,645/-. Similarly, for the assessment year 1997-98, the assesses filed a return on 15.4.98 declaring excess of expenditure over income of Rs. 80,50,210/- and for the same reason that weighed the assessing officer with regard to the rejection of exemption u/s 10(22) of the Act for the assessment year 1996-97, the assessing officer denied the exemption u/s 10(22) of the Act and also denied the benefits of Sections 11 and 12 of the Act holding that the assessee violated the provisions of Section 11(5) read with 13(1)(d) of the Act for the assessment year 1997-98 also, by the same order dated 31.3.2003.

Aggrieved by the said order of the assessing officer dated 31.3.2003, the assessee preferred appeals before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), who, by order dated 12.2.2004, held that the assessee is entitled to exemption u/s 10(22) of the Act since educational institutions are entitled for the benefit under Sections 10(22), 10(22A) and 10(23C) of the Act and for the said purpose, it is not necessary to consider the assessee''s claim for deduction u/s 11 of the Act. Against the said order of the Commissioner, the Revenue went on appeal and the Tribunal, by order dated 8.3.2006, confirmed the order of the Commissioner taking note of its earlier order dated 5.1.2004 in the assessee''s own case for the assessment year 1998-99, wherein it was held that since the assessee trust had been maintaining separate statement of accounts for educational and charitable activities and were not mingled with both activities and as such, the assessee trust being carrying on the activity of educational purposes, it is entitled for exemption under Sections 10(22), 10(22A) and 10(23C) of the Act and in which case, it is not necessary to pass an order in respect of the alternative plea of the assessee trust in regard to the deduction u/s 11 of the Act.

That part, the Central Board of Direct Taxes, themselves, issued a circular bearing No. 712 dated 25.7.1995 to the effect that the educational institutions are entitled for exemption u/s 10(22) of the Act and consequently, the benefit conferred u/s 10(22) cannot be denied on the ground of violation of Section 11(5) of the Act. The said circular reads as follows:

Circular No. 712, dated 25th July, 1995. Subject: Investment of funds by educational institutions covered u/s 10(22) of the Income Tax Act Clarification regarding.

Under Section 10(22) of the Income Tax Act, any income of a University or other educational institution, existing solely for educational purposes and not for purposes of profit, is exempt from tax.

The Board have received representations from various institutions which fulfil the conditions laid down u/s 10(22) of the Act, but are denied exemption because their funds are not invested in accordance with the provisions of Section 11(5) of the Act. It is hereby clarified that since Section 10(22) does not impose any restriction regarding mode of investment of funds, such institutions are not required to invest their funds in the modes specified u/s 11(5) of the Income Tax Act. This clarification will not apply to the institutions seeking exemption u/s 11 of the Act.

(sd. ) Under Secretary to the Government of India.

Since the substantial questions of law raised in these appeals are centrifuged on the point whether the assessee is entitled for the benefit of Section 10(22) of the Act in view of the alleged violation of Section 11(5) read with 13(1)(d) of the Act, in view of the above circular of the C.B.D.T. dated 25.7.1995, we do not see any substantial question of law that arises for our consideration.

Accordingly, finding no substantial question of law arises for consideration, the appeals stand dismissed.