REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 6301 OF 2011
|Union of India Through Director of Income Tax |.. Appellant(s) |
Versus
|M/s Tata Chemicals Ltd. |.. Respondent(s) |
W i t h
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O R D E R
1. Leave granted.
2. The issue that arise for our consideration and decision in this
batch of appeals is, whether the revenue is legally responsible under
Section 244A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short, “the Act”) for payment
of interest on the refund of tax made to the resident/deductor under
Section 240 of the Act.
3. At the outset, it is relevant to notice that the assessment
years in all these appeals are on and after 01.04.1989, that is after the
admittance of Section 244A of the Act by Direct Tax Laws (Amendment) Act,
1987 (4 of 1988) with effect from 01.04.1989, whereby provision for
interest on refunds on any amount due to the assessee under the Act was
introduced.
FACTS:-
4. We would refer to the facts in Civil Appeal No. 6301 of 2011.
The respondent is a company incorporated under the provisions of Companies
Act, 1956. It is engaged in the manufacture of nitrogenous fertilizer.
During the assessment year 1997-98, the respondent-company had commissioned
its naptha desulphurization plant and to oversee the operation of the said
plant it had sought the assistance of two technicians from M/s. Haldor
Topsoe, Denmark. M/s. Haldor Topsoe had raised an invoice aggregating to
US$ 43,290,06/- as service charges for services of the technicians (US$
38,500/-) and reimbursements of expenses (US$ 4,790/-).
5. The resident/deductor had approached the Income Tax Officer
under Section 195 (2) of the Act inter alia requesting him to provide
information/ determination as to what percentage of tax should be withheld
from the amounts payable to the foreign company, namely, M/s. Haldor
Topsoe, Denmark. On the request so made, the Assessing Officer/ Income Tax
Officer had determined and passed Special order under Section 195 (2) of
the Act directing the resident/ deductor to deduct/ withhold tax at the
rate of 20% before remitting aforesaid amounts to M/s.Haldor Topsoe.
Accordingly, the resident/ deductor had deducted tax of Rs.1,98,878/- on
the entire amount of US$ 43,290.00/- and credited the same in favour of the
Revenue.
6. After such deposit, the resident/ deductor had preferred an
appeal before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) against the
aforesaid order passed by the Assessing Officer/ Income Tax Officer under
Section 195 (2) of the Act. The appellate authority while allowing the
appeal so filed by the resident/ deductor, had concluded, that, the
reimbursement of expenses is not a part of the income for deduction of tax
at source under Section 195 of the Act and accordingly, directed the refund
of the tax that was deducted and paid over to the Revenue on the amount of
US$ 4790.06/- representing reimbursement of expenses by order dated
12.07.2002.
7. After disposal of the appeal, the resident/ deductor had
claimed the refund of tax on US$ 4790/- (amounting to Rs.22,005/-) with the
interest thereon as provided under Section 244A(1) of the Act by its letter
dated 09.12.2002.
8. The Assessing Officer/ Income Tax Officer while declining the
claim made, has observed, that, Section 244A provides for interest only on
refunds due to the assessee under the Act and not to the deductor and since
the refund in the instant case is in view of the circulars viz. Circular
No. 769 and 790 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (for short “the
Board”) and not under the statutory provisions of the Act, no interest
would accrue on the refunds under Section 244A of the Act. Therefore, the
Assessing Officer/Income Tax Officer while granting refund of the tax paid
on the aforesaid amount has refused to entertain the claim for interest on
the amount so refunded by order dated 29.07.2003.
9. Since the Assessing Officer/Income Tax Officer had declined to
grant the interest on the amount so refunded, the resident/ deductor had
carried the matter by way of an appeal before the Commissioner of Income
Tax (Appeals). The First Appellate Authority by its order dated 28.03.2005
has approved the orders passed by the Assessing Officer/ Income Tax Officer
and declined the claim of the deductor/resident on two counts : (a) that
the refund in the instant case would fall under two circulars viz. Circular
No. 769 and 790 issued by the Board which specifically provide that the
benefit of interest under Section 244A of the Act on such refunds would not
be available to the deductor/ resident and (b) that a conjoint reading of
Section 156 and the explanation appended to Section 244A (1)(b) of the Act
would indicate that the amount refunded to the deductor/resident cannot be
equated to the refund of the amount(s) envisaged under Section 244A(1)(b)
of the Act, wherein only the interest on refund of excess payment made
under Section 156 of the Act pursuant to a notice of demand issued on
account of post-assessment tax is contemplated and not the interest on
refund of tax deposited under self-assessment as in the instant case.
10. The deductor/resident, aggrieved by the aforesaid order, had
carried the matter before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (for short,
“the Tribunal”). The Tribunal while reversing the judgment and order
passed by the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has opined, that, the
tax was paid by the deductor/ resident pursuant to an order passed under
Section 195 (2) of the Act and the refund was ordered under Section 240 of
the Act, therefore, the provisions of Section 244A(1)(b) are clearly
attracted and the revenue is accountable for payment of interest on the
aforesaid refund amount. Accordingly, the Tribunal has allowed the appeal
of the deductor/ resident and directed the Assessing Officer/ Income Tax
Officer to acknowledge the claim and allow the interest as provided under
Section 244A(1)(b) of the Act on the aforesaid amount of refund, by order
dated 28.06.2008.
11. The Revenue being of the view that they are treated unfairly by
the Tribunal had carried the matter by way of Income Tax Appeal before the
High Court. The High Court has refused to accept the appeal filed by the
Revenue by the impugned judgment and order, dated 18.06.2009. That is how
the Revenue is before us in these appeals.
12. We have heard the learned counsel appearing for the Revenue and
the respondent-assessee in these appeals and also carefully perused the
orders passed by the forums below.
RELEVANT PROVISIONS:-
13. To appreciate the view point of the learned counsel for the
Revenue, we require to notice certain provisions of the Act prior to the
insertion of Section 244A of the Act. The sections that require to be
noticed are; Sections 156, 195(2), 240 and 244 of the Act. A perusal of
these sections essentially would indicate the procedure whereby the tax
amount is paid and the refund of excess amount is claimed by the assessee.
The relevant part of the said sections is sequentially reproduced:
“Section 156. Notice of demand
When any tax, interest, penalty, fine or any other sum is payable in
consequence of any order passed under this Act, the Assessing
Officer shall serve upon the assessee a notice of demand in the
prescribed form specifying the sum so payable.
*** *** ***
Section 195. Other sums-
(1) Any person responsible for paying to a non-resident, not being a
company, or to a foreign company, any interest or any other sum chargeable
under the provisions of this Act (not being income chargeable under the
head ‘Salaries’) shall, at the time of credit of such income to the account
of the payee or at the time of payment thereof in cash or by the issue of a
cheque or draft or by any other mode, whichever is earlier, deduct income-
tax thereon at the rates in force:
Provided that in the case of interest payable by the Government or a
public section bank within the meaning of clause (23D) of Section 10
or a public financial institution within the meaning of that clause,
deduction of tax shall be made only at the time of payment thereof in
cash or by the issue of chaque or draft or by any other mode:
Provided further that no such deduction shall be made in respect of
any dividends referred to in Section 115-O.
Explanation.- For the purpose of this section, where any
interest or other sum as aforesaid is credited to any account,
whether called ‘Interest payable account’ or ‘Suspense account’ or
by any other name, in the books of account of the person liable to
pay such income, such crediting shall be deemed to be credit of such
income to the account of the payee and the provisions of this
section shall apply accordingly.
(2) Where the person responsible for paying any such sum chargeable
under this Act other than salary to a non-resident considers that
the whole of such sum would not be income chargeable in the case of
the recipient, he may make an application to the Assessing Officer
to determine, by general or special order, the appropriate
proportion of such sum so chargeable, and upon such determination,
tax shall be deducted under sub-section (1) only on that proportion
of the sum which is so chargeable.
*** *** ***
Section 240. Refund on appeal, etc.
Where, as a result of any order passed in appeal or other proceeding
under this Act, refund of any amount becomes due to the assessee,
the Assessing Officer shall, except as otherwise provided in this
Act, refund the amount to the assessee without his having to make
any claim in that behalf.
*** *** ***
Section 244. Interest on refund where no claim is needed
(1) Where a refund is due to the assessee in pursuance of an order
referred to in section 240 and the Assessing Officer does not grant
the refund within a period of three months from the end of the month
in which such order is passed the Central Government shall pay to
the assessee simple interest at fifteen per cent per annum on the
amount of refund due from the date immediately following the expiry
of the period of three months aforesaid to the date on which the
refund is granted.
(1A) Where the whole or any part of the refund referred to in sub-
section (1) is due to the assessee, as a result of any amount having
been paid by him after the 31st day of March, 1975, in pursuance of
any order of assessment or penalty and such amount or any part
thereof having been found in appeal or other proceeding under this
Act to be in excess of the amount which such assessee is liable to
pay as tax or penalty, as the case may be, under this Act, the
Central Government shall pay to such assessee simple interest at the
rate specified in sub-section (1) on the amount so found to be in
excess from the date on which such amount was paid to the date on
which the refund is granted:
Provided that where the amount so found to be in excess was paid in
instalments, such interest shall be payable on the amount of each
such instalment or any part of such instalment, which was in excess,
from the date on which such instalment was paid to the date on which
the refund is granted:
Provided further that no interest under this sub-section shall be
payable for a period of one month from the date of the passing of
the order in appeal or other proceeding:
Provided also that where any interest is payable to an assessee
under this subsection, no interest under sub-section (1) shall be
payable to him in respect of the amount so found to be in excess.
(2) * * *
(3) The provisions of this section shall not apply in respect of any
assessment for the assessment year commencing on the 1st day of
April, 1989, or any subsequent assessment years.
14. Section 156 of the Act talks about payment of tax, interest,
penalty, fine or any other sum payable in consequence of any order passed
under the Act on service of notice of demand issued by the assessing
officer to the assessee specifying the said amounts.
15. Section 195(1) casts an obligation upon every person in this
Country to deduct tax at the prevailing rates from out of any sum which is
remitted to a non resident/Foreign Company. Sub Section (2) of Section 195
provides that where a person responsible for paying any such sum chargeable
under the Act to a non resident/Foreign Company considers that the whole of
such sum would not be the income chargeable in the case of recipient, he
may make an application to the assessing officer/income tax officer to
determine, by general or special order, the appropriate proportion of such
sum so chargeable. The assessing officer is expected to determine such
sum/tax which are deductible out of remittance to be sent to the recipient
and only after deduction and payment of such sum/tax, the balance amount is
to be remitted to the non-resident. We clarify here that it is the
statutory obligation of the person responsible for paying such sum to
deduct tax thereon before making payment, if such application is not filed.
16. Section 240 of the Act provides for refund on appeal etc. The
Section envisages that if an amount becomes due to the assessee by virtue
of an order passed in appeal, reference, revision, rectification or
amendment proceedings, the assessing officer is bound to refund the amount
to the assessee without the assessee being required to make any claim in
that behalf. The expression ‘other proceedings under the Act’ used in
Section 240 of the Act, are wide enough to include any order passed in
proceedings other than the appeals under the Act.
17. Section 244 of the Act provides for interest on refunds where
no claim is made or required to be made by the assessee. The said section
envisages that where a refund is due to the assessee in pursuance of an
order passed under Section 240 of the Act, and the assessing officer does
not grant the refund within a period of three months from the end of the
month in which such order is passed, the Central Government shall pay to
the assessee a simple interest of 15% per annum on the amount of refund due
from the date immediately following the expiry of the period of three
months as aforesaid to the date on which the refund is granted.
18. Since there was disconcert in the minds of both the assessee
and the Revenue regarding the cases where payment of interest was required
to be made to the assessee by the Revenue, the Parliament has thought it
fit to insert a new Section 244A in the place of Sections 214, 243 and 244
in respect of assessments for the assessment year 1989-90 and onwards. The
Section is extracted:
“244A. Interest on refunds.
(1)Where refund of any amount becomes due to the assessee under this
Act, he shall, subject to the provisions of this section, be
entitled to receive, in addition to the said amount, simple interest
thereon calculated in the following manner, namely:-
(a) Where the refund is out of any tax paid under section 115WJ or
collected at source under section 206C or paid by way of advance tax
or treated as paid under section 199, during the financial year
immediately preceding the assessment year, such interest shall be
calculated at the rate of one-half per cent for every month or part
of a month comprised in the period from the 1st day of April of the
assessment year to the date on which the refund is granted.
Provided that no interest shall be payable if the amount of refund
is less than ten per cent of the tax as determined under sub-section
(1) of section 115WE or sub-section (1) of section 143 or on regular
assessment;
(b) in any other case, such interest shall be calculated at the
rate of one-half per cent for every month or part of a month
comprised in the period or periods from the date or, as the case may
be, dates of payment of tax or penalty to the date on which the
refund is granted.
EXPLANATION.- For the purpose of this clause, "date of payment of
tax or penalty" means the date on and from which the amount of tax
or penalty specified in the notice of demand issued under section
156 is paid in excess of such demand.
(2) * * *
(3) * * *
(4) The provisions of this section shall apply in respect of
assessments for the assessment year commencing on the 1st day of
April, 1989, and subsequent assessment year”
(emphasis supplied)
19. The objects and reasons for introduction of the aforesaid
Section is clarified by the Board in its Circular No. 549, dated
31.10.1989. Relevant paragraphs of which are as under:
“11.2 Insertion of a new section 244A in lieu of sections 214, 243
and 244,- Under the provisions of section 214, interest was payable
to the assessess on any excess advance tax paid by him in a
financial year from the 1st day of April next following the said
financial year to the date of regular assessment. In case the refund
was not granted within three months from the date of the month in
which the regular assessment was completed, section 243 provided for
further payment of interest. Under section 244, interest was
payable to the assessee for delay in payment of refund as a result
of an order passed in appeal, etc., from the date following after
the expiry of three months from the end of the month in which such
order was passed to the date on which refund was granted. The rate
of interest under all the three sections was 15 per cent annum.
11.3. These provisions, apart from being complicated left certain
gaps for which interest was not paid by the Department to the
assessee for money remaining with the Government. To remove this
inequity, as also to simplify the provisions in this regard, the
Amending Act, 1987, has inserted a new Section 244A in the Income
Tax Act, applicable from the assessment year 1989-90 and onwards
which contains all the provisions for payment of interest by the
Department for delay in the grant of refunds. The rate of interest
has been increased from the earlier 15 per cent annum to 1.5% per
month or part of a month, comprised in the period of delay in the
grant of refund. The Amending Act, 1987, has also amended sections
214, 243 and 244 to provide that the provisions of these sections
shall not apply to the assessment year 1989-90 or any subsequent
assessment years.”
(emphasis supplied)
SUBMISSIONS:-
20. Shri Arijit Prasad, learned counsel appearing for the Revenue
would submit, that, if the tax is paid under Section 195(2) of the Act,
then while refunding the amounts so paid, the Revenue need not be burdened
with payment of interest on the amount so refunded. He would submit that
while Section 244A(1)(a) specifically provides for the four instances under
specific provisions where the interest would be payable on the refund of
tax paid, Section 244A(1)(b) does not provide for any specific instance but
mentions “any other cases” and the explanation appended to the said Section
requires payment of refund to be made in cases where notice of demand was
issued under Section 156 of the Act and since no demand notice was issued
to the assessee under Section 156 of the Act the assessee would not be
covered even by the aforesaid provision and hence, no interest is payable
to the assessee by the Revenue. It is further submitted that interest
under Section 244A is to be granted in case where refund of any amount
becomes due to an assessee under this Act and the refund of tax deducted at
source made to the deductor/resident is not under any statutory provisions
of the Act, the deductor/ resident is not entitled for interest on the
amount of tax deducted and deposited with the revenue.
21. Per contra, learned senior counsel appearing for the
resident/deductor would submit that since the payment made under Section
195(2) is payment made under the Act pursuant to an order passed by the
assessing officer which in turn would be sheltered under the provisions of
Section 156 of the Act, by virtue of clause(b) of sub-Section(1) of Section
244A of the Act, the Revenue is obliged to refund the tax with interest.
DISCUSSION:-
22. It is cardinal principle of interpretation of Statutes that the
words of a Statute must be understood in their natural, ordinary or popular
sense and construed according to their grammatical meaning unless such
construction leads to some absurdity or unless there is something in the
context or in the object of the Statute to the contrary. The golden rule
is that the words of a Statute must prima facie be given their ordinary
meaning. It is yet another rule of construction that when the words of a
Statute are clear, plain and unambiguous, then the Courts are bound to give
effect to that meaning irrespective of the consequences. It is said that
the words themselves best declare the intention of the law giver. The
Courts have adhered to the principle that efforts should be made to give
meaning to each and every word used by the legislature and it is not a
sound principle of construction to brush aside words in a Statute as being
inapposite surpluses, if they can have proper application in circumstances
conceivable within the contemplation of the Statute (See Gurudevdatta VKSSS
Maryadit v. State of Maharashtra [2001] 4 SCC 534).
23. It is also well settled principle that the courts must
interpret the provisions of the Statute upon ascertaining the object of the
legislation through the medium or authoritative forms in which it is
expressed. It is well settled that the Court should, while interpreting
the provisions of the Statute, assign its ordinary meaning.
24. This Court in Shyam Sunder vs. Ram Kumar (2001) 8 SCC 24 has
observed that in relation to beneficent construction, the basic rules of
interpretation are not to be applied where (i) the result would be re-
legislation of a provision by addition, substitution or alteration of words
and violence would be done to the spirit of legislation, (ii) where the
words of a Provision are capable of being given only one meaning and (iii)
where there is no ambiguity in a provision, however, the Court may apply
the rule of beneficent construction in order to advance the object of the
Act.
25. Before the insertion of Section 244A as a composite Section by
the Direct Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 1987, the liability to pay interest on
refund of pre-paid taxes was contained in Sections 214, 243 read with
Section 244 (1A) of the Act. The Parliament has introduced a new Section
in the place of Sections 214, 243 and 244 in respect of assessment for the
assessment year 1989-90 and onwards.
26. The language of the Section is precise, clear and unambiguous.
Sub-Section (1) of Section 244A speaks of interest on refund of the amounts
due to an assessee under the Act. The assessee is entitled for the said
amount of refund with interest thereon as calculated in accordance with
clause (a) & (b) of sub-Section (1) of Section 244A. In calculating the
interest payable, the section provides for different dates from which the
interest is to be calculated.
27. Clause(a) of sub-Section(1) of Section 244A talks of payment of
interest on the amount of tax paid under Section 155WJ, tax collected at
source under section 206C, taxes paid by way of advance tax, taxes treated
as paid under Section 199 during the financial year immediately preceding
the assessment year. Under this clause, the interest shall be payable for
the period starting from the first day of the assessment year to the date
of the grant of refund. No interest is payable if the excess payment is
less than 10% of the tax determined under Section 143(1) of the Act or on
regular assessment. Clause(b) of Sub-Section(1) of Section 244A opens with
the words "in any other case" that means in any case other than the amounts
paid under Clause(a) of Sub-section(1) of Section 244A. Under this clause,
the rate of interest is to be calculated at the rate of one and a half per
cent per month or a part of a month comprised in the period or the periods
from the date or, as the case may be, either the dates of payment of the
tax or the penalty to the date on which the refund is granted. An
explanation is appended to clause(b) of the aforesaid sub-Section to
explain the meaning of the expression "date of payment of tax or penalty".
It clarifies that the “date of payment of tax or penalty” would mean the
date on and from which the amount of tax or penalty specified in the notice
of demand issued under section 156 is paid in excess of such demand.
28. Having glanced through the relevant sections and the settled
legal principles of interpretation of Statute, let us revert back to the
factual situation placed before us in this appeal.
29. In the present case, the resident/ deductor had approached the
assessing authority inter alia requesting him to determine the tax that
requires to be deducted at source before the payment is made to a non-
resident/foreign company. On such a request the assessing officer had
passed an order under Section 195(2) of the Act directing the resident/
deductor to deduct tax at a particular rate. The resident/ deductor had
appealed against the said order, but had deposited the tax as directed by
the assessing officer/Income Tax Officer by the aforesaid order in
accordance with the provisions of Section 200 of the Act. When the
resident/deductor succeeded in the appeal, a direction was issued by the
appellate authority for refund of tax so paid. In observance of the same,
the assessing authority had granted the refund of the tax amount under
Section 240 of the Act, but declined to grant interest on the said refund
amount. The conclusion arrived at by the assessing officer was accepted by
the first appellate authority on the ground, inter alia, that the conjoint
reading of Section 156 and the explanation appended to Section 244A(1)(b)
of the Act would indicate that the amount refunded to the resident/
deductor cannot be equated to the refund contemplated under Section
244A(1)(b) of the Act, whereunder only the interest on refund of excess
payment made under Section 156 of the Act on account of post-assessment tax
is contemplated and not the interest on refund of tax deposited under self-
assessment. However, the Tribunal has rejected the aforesaid rationale of
the assessing authority as well as the first appellate authority and
granted the claim of the resident/deductor. The High Court has endorsed the
view of the Tribunal and dismissed the appeals filed the Revenue.
30. The refund becomes due when tax deducted at source, advance tax
paid, self assessment tax paid and tax paid on regular assessment exceeds
tax chargeable for the year as a result of an order passed in appeal or
other proceedings under the Act. When refund is of any advance tax
(including tax deducted/collected at source), interest is payable for the
period starting from the first day of the assessment year to the date of
grant of refund. No interest is, however, payable if the excess payment
is less than 10 percent of tax determined under Section 143(1) or on
regular assessment. No interest is payable for the period for which the
proceedings resulting in the refund are delayed for the reasons
attributable to the assessee (wholly or partly). The rate of interest and
entitlement to interest on excess tax are determined by the statutory
provisions of the Act. Interest payment is a statutory obligation and non-
discretionary in nature to the assessee. In tune with the aforesaid general
principle, Section 244A is drafted and enacted. The language employed in
Section 244A of the Act is clear and plain. It grants substantive right of
interest and is not procedural. The principles for grant of interest are
the same as under the provisions of Section 244 applicable to assessments
before 01.04.1989, albeit with clarity of application as contained in
Section 244A.
31. The Department has also issued Circular clarifying the purpose
and object of introducing Section 244A of the Act to replace Sections 214,
243 and 244 of the Act. It is clarified therein, that, since there was
some lacunae in the earlier provisions with regard to non-payment of
interest by the revenue to the assessee for the money remaining with the
Government, the said section is introduced for payment of interest by the
Department for delay in grant of refunds. A general right exists in the
State to refund any tax collected for its purpose, and a corresponding
right exists to refund to individuals any sum paid by them as taxes which
are found to have been wrongfully exacted or are believed to be, for any
reason, inequitable. The statutory obligation to refund carried with it
the right to interest also. This is true in the case of assessee under the
Act.
32. The question before us is, whether the resident/deductor is
also entitled to interest on refund of excess deduction or erroneous
deduction of tax at source under Section 195 of the Act.
33. We would begin our discussion by referring to circular No. 790,
dated 20.04.2000, issued by the Board. Omitting what is not necessary, the
material portion of the circular is extracted:
“........
6. Refund to the person making payment under Section 195 is
being allowed as income does not accrue to the non-resident. The
amount paid into the Government account in such cases, is no longer
‘tax’. In view of this, no interest under section 244A is admissible
on refunds to be granted in accordance with this Circular or on the
refunds already granted in accordance with Circular No. 769.”
34. What the deductor/ resident primarily contend is that, what has
been deposited by him is a tax, may be for and on behalf of non-resident/
foreign company and when the beneficial circular provides for refund of tax
to the deductor under certain circumstances, the refund of tax should carry
interest.
35. The circular issued by Central Board of Direct Taxes (“the
Board” for short) is binding on the department. Binding nature of the
circular is explained by this Court in the case of UCO Bank v. CIT 237 ITR
889, wherein this Court has observed that the circulars issued by the Board
in exercise of its powers under Section 119 of the Act would be binding on
the income tax authorities even if they deviate from the provisions of the
Act, so long as they seek to mitigate the rigour of a particular Section
for the benefit of the assessee. Therefore, we cannot be taking exception
to the reasoning and conclusion reached by the authorities under the Act.
However, the Tribunal and the High Court, have granted interest on the
amount of tax deposited by the resident/ deductor from the date of payment
on the ground, firstly, the refund of tax is directed by the first
appellate authority in the appeal filed by the deductor/ resident under
Section 240 of the Act and secondly, the Revenue for having retained the
sum by way of tax has to compensate the person who had deposited the tax.
36. Section 240 of the Act provides for refund of any amount that
becomes due to an assessee as a result of an order in appeal or any other
proceedings under the Act. The phrase “other proceedings under the Act” is
of wide amplitude. This Court has observed, that, the other proceedings
under the Act would include orders passed under Section 154 (rectification
proceedings), orders passed by the High Court or Supreme Court under
Section 260 (in reference), or order passed by the Commissioner in revision
applications under Section 263 or in an application under Section 273A.
37. A “tax refund” is a refund of taxes when the tax liability is
less than the tax paid. As per the old section an assessee was entitled
for payment of interest on the amount of taxes refunded pursuant to an
order passed under the Act, including the order passed in an appeal. In the
present fact scenario, the deductor/assessee had paid taxes pursuant to a
special order passed by the assessing officer/Income Tax Officer. In the
appeal filed against the said order the assessee has succeeded and a
direction is issued by the appellate authority to refund the tax paid. The
amount paid by the resident/ deductor was retained by the Government till a
direction was issued by the appellate authority to refund the same. When
the said amount is refunded it should carry interest in the matter of
course. As held by the Courts while awarding interest, it is a kind of
compensation of use and retention of the money collected unauthorizedly by
the Department. When the collection is illegal, there is corresponding
obligation on the revenue to refund such amount with interest in as much as
they have retained and enjoyed the money deposited. Even the Department
has understood the object behind insertion of Section 244A, as that, an
assessee is entitled to payment of interest for money remaining with the
Government which would be refunded. There is no reason to restrict the
same to an assessee only without extending the similar benefit to a
resident/ deductor who has deducted tax at source and deposited the same
before remitting the amount payable to a non-resident/ foreign company.
38. Providing for payment of interest in case of refund of amounts paid
as tax or deemed tax or advance tax is a method now statutorily adopted by
fiscal legislation to ensure that the aforesaid amount of tax which has
been duly paid in prescribed time and provisions in that behalf form part
of the recovery machinery provided in a taxing Statute. Refund due and
payable to the assessee is debt-owed and payable by the Revenue. The
Government, therebeing no express statutory provision for payment of
interest on the refund of excess amount/tax collected by the Revenue,
cannot shrug off its apparent obligation to reimburse the deductors lawful
monies with the accrued interest for the period of undue retention of such
monies. The State having received the money without right, and having
retained and used it, is bound to make the party good, just as an
individual would be under like circumstances. The obligation to refund
money received and retained without right implies and carries with it the
right to interest. Whenever money has been received by a party which ex ae
quo et bono ought to be refunded, the right to interest follows, as a
matter of course.
39. In the present case, it is not in doubt that the payment of tax
made by resident/ depositor is in excess and the department chooses to
refund the excess payment of tax to the depositor. We have held the
interest requires to be paid on such refunds. The catechize is from what
date interest is payable, since the present case does not fall either under
clause (a) or (b) of Section 244A of the Act. In the absence of an express
provision as contained in clause (a), it cannot be said that the interest
is payable from the 1st of April of the assessment year. Simultaneously,
since the said payment is not made pursuant to a notice issued under
Section 156 of the Act, Explanation to clause (b) has no application. In
such cases, as the opening words of clause (b) specifically referred to “as
in any other case”, the interest is payable from the date of payment of
tax. The sequel of our discussion is the resident/deductor is entitled not
only the refund of tax deposited under Section 195(2) of the Act, but has
to be refunded with interest from the date of payment of such tax.
40. In the result, the appeals fail. Accordingly, the appeals are
dismissed. No order as to costs.
.....................J.
(H.L. DATTU)
.....................J.
(S.A. BOBDE)
NEW DELHI;
FEBRUARY 26, 2014.
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 6301 OF 2011
|Union of India Through Director of Income Tax |.. Appellant(s) |
Versus
|M/s Tata Chemicals Ltd. |.. Respondent(s) |
W i t h
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 2534 of 2012
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CIVIL APPEAL NO. 2541 of 2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 2542 of 2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 2543 of 2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 2944 of 2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 2945 of 2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 3445 of 2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 3446 of 2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3508 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.14048/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3509 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.14050/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3510 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.14051/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3511 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.14049/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3512 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.20154/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 5408 OF 2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3513 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.27453/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3514 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.27454/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3515 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.27455/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3516 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.27456/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3517 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.27457/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3518 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.27458/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3519 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.27459/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3520 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.27460/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3521 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.27461/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3522 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.27462/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3523 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.27463/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3524 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.27677/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 7596 of 2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 2589 of 2013
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3525 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.25727/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3526 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.14768/2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO.3527 of 2014 @SLP(C) NO.5730/2013
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 7772 of 2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 3436 of 2012
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 3427 of 2012
O R D E R
1. Leave granted.
2. The issue that arise for our consideration and decision in this
batch of appeals is, whether the revenue is legally responsible under
Section 244A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short, “the Act”) for payment
of interest on the refund of tax made to the resident/deductor under
Section 240 of the Act.
3. At the outset, it is relevant to notice that the assessment
years in all these appeals are on and after 01.04.1989, that is after the
admittance of Section 244A of the Act by Direct Tax Laws (Amendment) Act,
1987 (4 of 1988) with effect from 01.04.1989, whereby provision for
interest on refunds on any amount due to the assessee under the Act was
introduced.
FACTS:-
4. We would refer to the facts in Civil Appeal No. 6301 of 2011.
The respondent is a company incorporated under the provisions of Companies
Act, 1956. It is engaged in the manufacture of nitrogenous fertilizer.
During the assessment year 1997-98, the respondent-company had commissioned
its naptha desulphurization plant and to oversee the operation of the said
plant it had sought the assistance of two technicians from M/s. Haldor
Topsoe, Denmark. M/s. Haldor Topsoe had raised an invoice aggregating to
US$ 43,290,06/- as service charges for services of the technicians (US$
38,500/-) and reimbursements of expenses (US$ 4,790/-).
5. The resident/deductor had approached the Income Tax Officer
under Section 195 (2) of the Act inter alia requesting him to provide
information/ determination as to what percentage of tax should be withheld
from the amounts payable to the foreign company, namely, M/s. Haldor
Topsoe, Denmark. On the request so made, the Assessing Officer/ Income Tax
Officer had determined and passed Special order under Section 195 (2) of
the Act directing the resident/ deductor to deduct/ withhold tax at the
rate of 20% before remitting aforesaid amounts to M/s.Haldor Topsoe.
Accordingly, the resident/ deductor had deducted tax of Rs.1,98,878/- on
the entire amount of US$ 43,290.00/- and credited the same in favour of the
Revenue.
6. After such deposit, the resident/ deductor had preferred an
appeal before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) against the
aforesaid order passed by the Assessing Officer/ Income Tax Officer under
Section 195 (2) of the Act. The appellate authority while allowing the
appeal so filed by the resident/ deductor, had concluded, that, the
reimbursement of expenses is not a part of the income for deduction of tax
at source under Section 195 of the Act and accordingly, directed the refund
of the tax that was deducted and paid over to the Revenue on the amount of
US$ 4790.06/- representing reimbursement of expenses by order dated
12.07.2002.
7. After disposal of the appeal, the resident/ deductor had
claimed the refund of tax on US$ 4790/- (amounting to Rs.22,005/-) with the
interest thereon as provided under Section 244A(1) of the Act by its letter
dated 09.12.2002.
8. The Assessing Officer/ Income Tax Officer while declining the
claim made, has observed, that, Section 244A provides for interest only on
refunds due to the assessee under the Act and not to the deductor and since
the refund in the instant case is in view of the circulars viz. Circular
No. 769 and 790 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (for short “the
Board”) and not under the statutory provisions of the Act, no interest
would accrue on the refunds under Section 244A of the Act. Therefore, the
Assessing Officer/Income Tax Officer while granting refund of the tax paid
on the aforesaid amount has refused to entertain the claim for interest on
the amount so refunded by order dated 29.07.2003.
9. Since the Assessing Officer/Income Tax Officer had declined to
grant the interest on the amount so refunded, the resident/ deductor had
carried the matter by way of an appeal before the Commissioner of Income
Tax (Appeals). The First Appellate Authority by its order dated 28.03.2005
has approved the orders passed by the Assessing Officer/ Income Tax Officer
and declined the claim of the deductor/resident on two counts : (a) that
the refund in the instant case would fall under two circulars viz. Circular
No. 769 and 790 issued by the Board which specifically provide that the
benefit of interest under Section 244A of the Act on such refunds would not
be available to the deductor/ resident and (b) that a conjoint reading of
Section 156 and the explanation appended to Section 244A (1)(b) of the Act
would indicate that the amount refunded to the deductor/resident cannot be
equated to the refund of the amount(s) envisaged under Section 244A(1)(b)
of the Act, wherein only the interest on refund of excess payment made
under Section 156 of the Act pursuant to a notice of demand issued on
account of post-assessment tax is contemplated and not the interest on
refund of tax deposited under self-assessment as in the instant case.
10. The deductor/resident, aggrieved by the aforesaid order, had
carried the matter before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (for short,
“the Tribunal”). The Tribunal while reversing the judgment and order
passed by the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has opined, that, the
tax was paid by the deductor/ resident pursuant to an order passed under
Section 195 (2) of the Act and the refund was ordered under Section 240 of
the Act, therefore, the provisions of Section 244A(1)(b) are clearly
attracted and the revenue is accountable for payment of interest on the
aforesaid refund amount. Accordingly, the Tribunal has allowed the appeal
of the deductor/ resident and directed the Assessing Officer/ Income Tax
Officer to acknowledge the claim and allow the interest as provided under
Section 244A(1)(b) of the Act on the aforesaid amount of refund, by order
dated 28.06.2008.
11. The Revenue being of the view that they are treated unfairly by
the Tribunal had carried the matter by way of Income Tax Appeal before the
High Court. The High Court has refused to accept the appeal filed by the
Revenue by the impugned judgment and order, dated 18.06.2009. That is how
the Revenue is before us in these appeals.
12. We have heard the learned counsel appearing for the Revenue and
the respondent-assessee in these appeals and also carefully perused the
orders passed by the forums below.
RELEVANT PROVISIONS:-
13. To appreciate the view point of the learned counsel for the
Revenue, we require to notice certain provisions of the Act prior to the
insertion of Section 244A of the Act. The sections that require to be
noticed are; Sections 156, 195(2), 240 and 244 of the Act. A perusal of
these sections essentially would indicate the procedure whereby the tax
amount is paid and the refund of excess amount is claimed by the assessee.
The relevant part of the said sections is sequentially reproduced:
“Section 156. Notice of demand
When any tax, interest, penalty, fine or any other sum is payable in
consequence of any order passed under this Act, the Assessing
Officer shall serve upon the assessee a notice of demand in the
prescribed form specifying the sum so payable.
*** *** ***
Section 195. Other sums-
(1) Any person responsible for paying to a non-resident, not being a
company, or to a foreign company, any interest or any other sum chargeable
under the provisions of this Act (not being income chargeable under the
head ‘Salaries’) shall, at the time of credit of such income to the account
of the payee or at the time of payment thereof in cash or by the issue of a
cheque or draft or by any other mode, whichever is earlier, deduct income-
tax thereon at the rates in force:
Provided that in the case of interest payable by the Government or a
public section bank within the meaning of clause (23D) of Section 10
or a public financial institution within the meaning of that clause,
deduction of tax shall be made only at the time of payment thereof in
cash or by the issue of chaque or draft or by any other mode:
Provided further that no such deduction shall be made in respect of
any dividends referred to in Section 115-O.
Explanation.- For the purpose of this section, where any
interest or other sum as aforesaid is credited to any account,
whether called ‘Interest payable account’ or ‘Suspense account’ or
by any other name, in the books of account of the person liable to
pay such income, such crediting shall be deemed to be credit of such
income to the account of the payee and the provisions of this
section shall apply accordingly.
(2) Where the person responsible for paying any such sum chargeable
under this Act other than salary to a non-resident considers that
the whole of such sum would not be income chargeable in the case of
the recipient, he may make an application to the Assessing Officer
to determine, by general or special order, the appropriate
proportion of such sum so chargeable, and upon such determination,
tax shall be deducted under sub-section (1) only on that proportion
of the sum which is so chargeable.
*** *** ***
Section 240. Refund on appeal, etc.
Where, as a result of any order passed in appeal or other proceeding
under this Act, refund of any amount becomes due to the assessee,
the Assessing Officer shall, except as otherwise provided in this
Act, refund the amount to the assessee without his having to make
any claim in that behalf.
*** *** ***
Section 244. Interest on refund where no claim is needed
(1) Where a refund is due to the assessee in pursuance of an order
referred to in section 240 and the Assessing Officer does not grant
the refund within a period of three months from the end of the month
in which such order is passed the Central Government shall pay to
the assessee simple interest at fifteen per cent per annum on the
amount of refund due from the date immediately following the expiry
of the period of three months aforesaid to the date on which the
refund is granted.
(1A) Where the whole or any part of the refund referred to in sub-
section (1) is due to the assessee, as a result of any amount having
been paid by him after the 31st day of March, 1975, in pursuance of
any order of assessment or penalty and such amount or any part
thereof having been found in appeal or other proceeding under this
Act to be in excess of the amount which such assessee is liable to
pay as tax or penalty, as the case may be, under this Act, the
Central Government shall pay to such assessee simple interest at the
rate specified in sub-section (1) on the amount so found to be in
excess from the date on which such amount was paid to the date on
which the refund is granted:
Provided that where the amount so found to be in excess was paid in
instalments, such interest shall be payable on the amount of each
such instalment or any part of such instalment, which was in excess,
from the date on which such instalment was paid to the date on which
the refund is granted:
Provided further that no interest under this sub-section shall be
payable for a period of one month from the date of the passing of
the order in appeal or other proceeding:
Provided also that where any interest is payable to an assessee
under this subsection, no interest under sub-section (1) shall be
payable to him in respect of the amount so found to be in excess.
(2) * * *
(3) The provisions of this section shall not apply in respect of any
assessment for the assessment year commencing on the 1st day of
April, 1989, or any subsequent assessment years.
14. Section 156 of the Act talks about payment of tax, interest,
penalty, fine or any other sum payable in consequence of any order passed
under the Act on service of notice of demand issued by the assessing
officer to the assessee specifying the said amounts.
15. Section 195(1) casts an obligation upon every person in this
Country to deduct tax at the prevailing rates from out of any sum which is
remitted to a non resident/Foreign Company. Sub Section (2) of Section 195
provides that where a person responsible for paying any such sum chargeable
under the Act to a non resident/Foreign Company considers that the whole of
such sum would not be the income chargeable in the case of recipient, he
may make an application to the assessing officer/income tax officer to
determine, by general or special order, the appropriate proportion of such
sum so chargeable. The assessing officer is expected to determine such
sum/tax which are deductible out of remittance to be sent to the recipient
and only after deduction and payment of such sum/tax, the balance amount is
to be remitted to the non-resident. We clarify here that it is the
statutory obligation of the person responsible for paying such sum to
deduct tax thereon before making payment, if such application is not filed.
16. Section 240 of the Act provides for refund on appeal etc. The
Section envisages that if an amount becomes due to the assessee by virtue
of an order passed in appeal, reference, revision, rectification or
amendment proceedings, the assessing officer is bound to refund the amount
to the assessee without the assessee being required to make any claim in
that behalf. The expression ‘other proceedings under the Act’ used in
Section 240 of the Act, are wide enough to include any order passed in
proceedings other than the appeals under the Act.
17. Section 244 of the Act provides for interest on refunds where
no claim is made or required to be made by the assessee. The said section
envisages that where a refund is due to the assessee in pursuance of an
order passed under Section 240 of the Act, and the assessing officer does
not grant the refund within a period of three months from the end of the
month in which such order is passed, the Central Government shall pay to
the assessee a simple interest of 15% per annum on the amount of refund due
from the date immediately following the expiry of the period of three
months as aforesaid to the date on which the refund is granted.
18. Since there was disconcert in the minds of both the assessee
and the Revenue regarding the cases where payment of interest was required
to be made to the assessee by the Revenue, the Parliament has thought it
fit to insert a new Section 244A in the place of Sections 214, 243 and 244
in respect of assessments for the assessment year 1989-90 and onwards. The
Section is extracted:
“244A. Interest on refunds.
(1)Where refund of any amount becomes due to the assessee under this
Act, he shall, subject to the provisions of this section, be
entitled to receive, in addition to the said amount, simple interest
thereon calculated in the following manner, namely:-
(a) Where the refund is out of any tax paid under section 115WJ or
collected at source under section 206C or paid by way of advance tax
or treated as paid under section 199, during the financial year
immediately preceding the assessment year, such interest shall be
calculated at the rate of one-half per cent for every month or part
of a month comprised in the period from the 1st day of April of the
assessment year to the date on which the refund is granted.
Provided that no interest shall be payable if the amount of refund
is less than ten per cent of the tax as determined under sub-section
(1) of section 115WE or sub-section (1) of section 143 or on regular
assessment;
(b) in any other case, such interest shall be calculated at the
rate of one-half per cent for every month or part of a month
comprised in the period or periods from the date or, as the case may
be, dates of payment of tax or penalty to the date on which the
refund is granted.
EXPLANATION.- For the purpose of this clause, "date of payment of
tax or penalty" means the date on and from which the amount of tax
or penalty specified in the notice of demand issued under section
156 is paid in excess of such demand.
(2) * * *
(3) * * *
(4) The provisions of this section shall apply in respect of
assessments for the assessment year commencing on the 1st day of
April, 1989, and subsequent assessment year”
(emphasis supplied)
19. The objects and reasons for introduction of the aforesaid
Section is clarified by the Board in its Circular No. 549, dated
31.10.1989. Relevant paragraphs of which are as under:
“11.2 Insertion of a new section 244A in lieu of sections 214, 243
and 244,- Under the provisions of section 214, interest was payable
to the assessess on any excess advance tax paid by him in a
financial year from the 1st day of April next following the said
financial year to the date of regular assessment. In case the refund
was not granted within three months from the date of the month in
which the regular assessment was completed, section 243 provided for
further payment of interest. Under section 244, interest was
payable to the assessee for delay in payment of refund as a result
of an order passed in appeal, etc., from the date following after
the expiry of three months from the end of the month in which such
order was passed to the date on which refund was granted. The rate
of interest under all the three sections was 15 per cent annum.
11.3. These provisions, apart from being complicated left certain
gaps for which interest was not paid by the Department to the
assessee for money remaining with the Government. To remove this
inequity, as also to simplify the provisions in this regard, the
Amending Act, 1987, has inserted a new Section 244A in the Income
Tax Act, applicable from the assessment year 1989-90 and onwards
which contains all the provisions for payment of interest by the
Department for delay in the grant of refunds. The rate of interest
has been increased from the earlier 15 per cent annum to 1.5% per
month or part of a month, comprised in the period of delay in the
grant of refund. The Amending Act, 1987, has also amended sections
214, 243 and 244 to provide that the provisions of these sections
shall not apply to the assessment year 1989-90 or any subsequent
assessment years.”
(emphasis supplied)
SUBMISSIONS:-
20. Shri Arijit Prasad, learned counsel appearing for the Revenue
would submit, that, if the tax is paid under Section 195(2) of the Act,
then while refunding the amounts so paid, the Revenue need not be burdened
with payment of interest on the amount so refunded. He would submit that
while Section 244A(1)(a) specifically provides for the four instances under
specific provisions where the interest would be payable on the refund of
tax paid, Section 244A(1)(b) does not provide for any specific instance but
mentions “any other cases” and the explanation appended to the said Section
requires payment of refund to be made in cases where notice of demand was
issued under Section 156 of the Act and since no demand notice was issued
to the assessee under Section 156 of the Act the assessee would not be
covered even by the aforesaid provision and hence, no interest is payable
to the assessee by the Revenue. It is further submitted that interest
under Section 244A is to be granted in case where refund of any amount
becomes due to an assessee under this Act and the refund of tax deducted at
source made to the deductor/resident is not under any statutory provisions
of the Act, the deductor/ resident is not entitled for interest on the
amount of tax deducted and deposited with the revenue.
21. Per contra, learned senior counsel appearing for the
resident/deductor would submit that since the payment made under Section
195(2) is payment made under the Act pursuant to an order passed by the
assessing officer which in turn would be sheltered under the provisions of
Section 156 of the Act, by virtue of clause(b) of sub-Section(1) of Section
244A of the Act, the Revenue is obliged to refund the tax with interest.
DISCUSSION:-
22. It is cardinal principle of interpretation of Statutes that the
words of a Statute must be understood in their natural, ordinary or popular
sense and construed according to their grammatical meaning unless such
construction leads to some absurdity or unless there is something in the
context or in the object of the Statute to the contrary. The golden rule
is that the words of a Statute must prima facie be given their ordinary
meaning. It is yet another rule of construction that when the words of a
Statute are clear, plain and unambiguous, then the Courts are bound to give
effect to that meaning irrespective of the consequences. It is said that
the words themselves best declare the intention of the law giver. The
Courts have adhered to the principle that efforts should be made to give
meaning to each and every word used by the legislature and it is not a
sound principle of construction to brush aside words in a Statute as being
inapposite surpluses, if they can have proper application in circumstances
conceivable within the contemplation of the Statute (See Gurudevdatta VKSSS
Maryadit v. State of Maharashtra [2001] 4 SCC 534).
23. It is also well settled principle that the courts must
interpret the provisions of the Statute upon ascertaining the object of the
legislation through the medium or authoritative forms in which it is
expressed. It is well settled that the Court should, while interpreting
the provisions of the Statute, assign its ordinary meaning.
24. This Court in Shyam Sunder vs. Ram Kumar (2001) 8 SCC 24 has
observed that in relation to beneficent construction, the basic rules of
interpretation are not to be applied where (i) the result would be re-
legislation of a provision by addition, substitution or alteration of words
and violence would be done to the spirit of legislation, (ii) where the
words of a Provision are capable of being given only one meaning and (iii)
where there is no ambiguity in a provision, however, the Court may apply
the rule of beneficent construction in order to advance the object of the
Act.
25. Before the insertion of Section 244A as a composite Section by
the Direct Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 1987, the liability to pay interest on
refund of pre-paid taxes was contained in Sections 214, 243 read with
Section 244 (1A) of the Act. The Parliament has introduced a new Section
in the place of Sections 214, 243 and 244 in respect of assessment for the
assessment year 1989-90 and onwards.
26. The language of the Section is precise, clear and unambiguous.
Sub-Section (1) of Section 244A speaks of interest on refund of the amounts
due to an assessee under the Act. The assessee is entitled for the said
amount of refund with interest thereon as calculated in accordance with
clause (a) & (b) of sub-Section (1) of Section 244A. In calculating the
interest payable, the section provides for different dates from which the
interest is to be calculated.
27. Clause(a) of sub-Section(1) of Section 244A talks of payment of
interest on the amount of tax paid under Section 155WJ, tax collected at
source under section 206C, taxes paid by way of advance tax, taxes treated
as paid under Section 199 during the financial year immediately preceding
the assessment year. Under this clause, the interest shall be payable for
the period starting from the first day of the assessment year to the date
of the grant of refund. No interest is payable if the excess payment is
less than 10% of the tax determined under Section 143(1) of the Act or on
regular assessment. Clause(b) of Sub-Section(1) of Section 244A opens with
the words "in any other case" that means in any case other than the amounts
paid under Clause(a) of Sub-section(1) of Section 244A. Under this clause,
the rate of interest is to be calculated at the rate of one and a half per
cent per month or a part of a month comprised in the period or the periods
from the date or, as the case may be, either the dates of payment of the
tax or the penalty to the date on which the refund is granted. An
explanation is appended to clause(b) of the aforesaid sub-Section to
explain the meaning of the expression "date of payment of tax or penalty".
It clarifies that the “date of payment of tax or penalty” would mean the
date on and from which the amount of tax or penalty specified in the notice
of demand issued under section 156 is paid in excess of such demand.
28. Having glanced through the relevant sections and the settled
legal principles of interpretation of Statute, let us revert back to the
factual situation placed before us in this appeal.
29. In the present case, the resident/ deductor had approached the
assessing authority inter alia requesting him to determine the tax that
requires to be deducted at source before the payment is made to a non-
resident/foreign company. On such a request the assessing officer had
passed an order under Section 195(2) of the Act directing the resident/
deductor to deduct tax at a particular rate. The resident/ deductor had
appealed against the said order, but had deposited the tax as directed by
the assessing officer/Income Tax Officer by the aforesaid order in
accordance with the provisions of Section 200 of the Act. When the
resident/deductor succeeded in the appeal, a direction was issued by the
appellate authority for refund of tax so paid. In observance of the same,
the assessing authority had granted the refund of the tax amount under
Section 240 of the Act, but declined to grant interest on the said refund
amount. The conclusion arrived at by the assessing officer was accepted by
the first appellate authority on the ground, inter alia, that the conjoint
reading of Section 156 and the explanation appended to Section 244A(1)(b)
of the Act would indicate that the amount refunded to the resident/
deductor cannot be equated to the refund contemplated under Section
244A(1)(b) of the Act, whereunder only the interest on refund of excess
payment made under Section 156 of the Act on account of post-assessment tax
is contemplated and not the interest on refund of tax deposited under self-
assessment. However, the Tribunal has rejected the aforesaid rationale of
the assessing authority as well as the first appellate authority and
granted the claim of the resident/deductor. The High Court has endorsed the
view of the Tribunal and dismissed the appeals filed the Revenue.
30. The refund becomes due when tax deducted at source, advance tax
paid, self assessment tax paid and tax paid on regular assessment exceeds
tax chargeable for the year as a result of an order passed in appeal or
other proceedings under the Act. When refund is of any advance tax
(including tax deducted/collected at source), interest is payable for the
period starting from the first day of the assessment year to the date of
grant of refund. No interest is, however, payable if the excess payment
is less than 10 percent of tax determined under Section 143(1) or on
regular assessment. No interest is payable for the period for which the
proceedings resulting in the refund are delayed for the reasons
attributable to the assessee (wholly or partly). The rate of interest and
entitlement to interest on excess tax are determined by the statutory
provisions of the Act. Interest payment is a statutory obligation and non-
discretionary in nature to the assessee. In tune with the aforesaid general
principle, Section 244A is drafted and enacted. The language employed in
Section 244A of the Act is clear and plain. It grants substantive right of
interest and is not procedural. The principles for grant of interest are
the same as under the provisions of Section 244 applicable to assessments
before 01.04.1989, albeit with clarity of application as contained in
Section 244A.
31. The Department has also issued Circular clarifying the purpose
and object of introducing Section 244A of the Act to replace Sections 214,
243 and 244 of the Act. It is clarified therein, that, since there was
some lacunae in the earlier provisions with regard to non-payment of
interest by the revenue to the assessee for the money remaining with the
Government, the said section is introduced for payment of interest by the
Department for delay in grant of refunds. A general right exists in the
State to refund any tax collected for its purpose, and a corresponding
right exists to refund to individuals any sum paid by them as taxes which
are found to have been wrongfully exacted or are believed to be, for any
reason, inequitable. The statutory obligation to refund carried with it
the right to interest also. This is true in the case of assessee under the
Act.
32. The question before us is, whether the resident/deductor is
also entitled to interest on refund of excess deduction or erroneous
deduction of tax at source under Section 195 of the Act.
33. We would begin our discussion by referring to circular No. 790,
dated 20.04.2000, issued by the Board. Omitting what is not necessary, the
material portion of the circular is extracted:
“........
6. Refund to the person making payment under Section 195 is
being allowed as income does not accrue to the non-resident. The
amount paid into the Government account in such cases, is no longer
‘tax’. In view of this, no interest under section 244A is admissible
on refunds to be granted in accordance with this Circular or on the
refunds already granted in accordance with Circular No. 769.”
34. What the deductor/ resident primarily contend is that, what has
been deposited by him is a tax, may be for and on behalf of non-resident/
foreign company and when the beneficial circular provides for refund of tax
to the deductor under certain circumstances, the refund of tax should carry
interest.
35. The circular issued by Central Board of Direct Taxes (“the
Board” for short) is binding on the department. Binding nature of the
circular is explained by this Court in the case of UCO Bank v. CIT 237 ITR
889, wherein this Court has observed that the circulars issued by the Board
in exercise of its powers under Section 119 of the Act would be binding on
the income tax authorities even if they deviate from the provisions of the
Act, so long as they seek to mitigate the rigour of a particular Section
for the benefit of the assessee. Therefore, we cannot be taking exception
to the reasoning and conclusion reached by the authorities under the Act.
However, the Tribunal and the High Court, have granted interest on the
amount of tax deposited by the resident/ deductor from the date of payment
on the ground, firstly, the refund of tax is directed by the first
appellate authority in the appeal filed by the deductor/ resident under
Section 240 of the Act and secondly, the Revenue for having retained the
sum by way of tax has to compensate the person who had deposited the tax.
36. Section 240 of the Act provides for refund of any amount that
becomes due to an assessee as a result of an order in appeal or any other
proceedings under the Act. The phrase “other proceedings under the Act” is
of wide amplitude. This Court has observed, that, the other proceedings
under the Act would include orders passed under Section 154 (rectification
proceedings), orders passed by the High Court or Supreme Court under
Section 260 (in reference), or order passed by the Commissioner in revision
applications under Section 263 or in an application under Section 273A.
37. A “tax refund” is a refund of taxes when the tax liability is
less than the tax paid. As per the old section an assessee was entitled
for payment of interest on the amount of taxes refunded pursuant to an
order passed under the Act, including the order passed in an appeal. In the
present fact scenario, the deductor/assessee had paid taxes pursuant to a
special order passed by the assessing officer/Income Tax Officer. In the
appeal filed against the said order the assessee has succeeded and a
direction is issued by the appellate authority to refund the tax paid. The
amount paid by the resident/ deductor was retained by the Government till a
direction was issued by the appellate authority to refund the same. When
the said amount is refunded it should carry interest in the matter of
course. As held by the Courts while awarding interest, it is a kind of
compensation of use and retention of the money collected unauthorizedly by
the Department. When the collection is illegal, there is corresponding
obligation on the revenue to refund such amount with interest in as much as
they have retained and enjoyed the money deposited. Even the Department
has understood the object behind insertion of Section 244A, as that, an
assessee is entitled to payment of interest for money remaining with the
Government which would be refunded. There is no reason to restrict the
same to an assessee only without extending the similar benefit to a
resident/ deductor who has deducted tax at source and deposited the same
before remitting the amount payable to a non-resident/ foreign company.
38. Providing for payment of interest in case of refund of amounts paid
as tax or deemed tax or advance tax is a method now statutorily adopted by
fiscal legislation to ensure that the aforesaid amount of tax which has
been duly paid in prescribed time and provisions in that behalf form part
of the recovery machinery provided in a taxing Statute. Refund due and
payable to the assessee is debt-owed and payable by the Revenue. The
Government, therebeing no express statutory provision for payment of
interest on the refund of excess amount/tax collected by the Revenue,
cannot shrug off its apparent obligation to reimburse the deductors lawful
monies with the accrued interest for the period of undue retention of such
monies. The State having received the money without right, and having
retained and used it, is bound to make the party good, just as an
individual would be under like circumstances. The obligation to refund
money received and retained without right implies and carries with it the
right to interest. Whenever money has been received by a party which ex ae
quo et bono ought to be refunded, the right to interest follows, as a
matter of course.
39. In the present case, it is not in doubt that the payment of tax
made by resident/ depositor is in excess and the department chooses to
refund the excess payment of tax to the depositor. We have held the
interest requires to be paid on such refunds. The catechize is from what
date interest is payable, since the present case does not fall either under
clause (a) or (b) of Section 244A of the Act. In the absence of an express
provision as contained in clause (a), it cannot be said that the interest
is payable from the 1st of April of the assessment year. Simultaneously,
since the said payment is not made pursuant to a notice issued under
Section 156 of the Act, Explanation to clause (b) has no application. In
such cases, as the opening words of clause (b) specifically referred to “as
in any other case”, the interest is payable from the date of payment of
tax. The sequel of our discussion is the resident/deductor is entitled not
only the refund of tax deposited under Section 195(2) of the Act, but has
to be refunded with interest from the date of payment of such tax.
40. In the result, the appeals fail. Accordingly, the appeals are
dismissed. No order as to costs.
.....................J.
(H.L. DATTU)
.....................J.
(S.A. BOBDE)
NEW DELHI;
FEBRUARY 26, 2014.
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