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Petitioner: Messrs KBS Steel, Gujranwala VS Respondent: The Commissioner Inland Revenue, LTO, Lahore
Court Name: Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue Judge(s): Nasir Mahmud, Ch. Anwaar-ul-Haq Title:Messrs KBS Steel, Gujranwala vs The Commissioner Inland Revenue, LTO,
Lahore Case No.: I.T.A. No.3228/LB of 2022 Date of Judgment:2022-10-03 Reported As: 2023 PTD 467 Result: Appeal allowed Judgment ORDER NASIR MAHMUD, JUDICIAL MEMBER. The titled appeal has been filed at the instance of M/s. KBS Steel Furnace, (the taxpayer/appellant") calling in question the Order dated 10-05-2022 passed under section 129(1) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 ("the Ordinance, 2001") by the learned Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals), Lahore. 2. The succinct facts of the case are that perusal of sales tax return for June, 2019 has revealed that appellant has declared closing stocks of Rs.1,300,453,000/- in its Annexure "F" attached therewith conversely: closing stock-in-trade as declared in income tax return is Rs.1,115,453,000/- leaving a difference of Rs. 185,000,000/- on this account. It is pertinent to mention here that closing stocks for the corresponding tax period of previous year as declared in Annexure-F" of sales tax return for June, 2018 works to be Rs.954,625,326/-. That shows that appellant has incurred expenditure on excess purchases of Rs.185,000,000/- in the year under consideration having not been declared in income tax return. Based on this, a show-cause notice under section 122(9) of the Ordinance, 2001 was issued requiring the appellant to explain the sources of these excess purchases failing which the suppressed purchases may not be added to his income under section 111(1)(c) of the Ordinance, 2001. 3. Having received a reply from the appellant the adjudication, proceedings before the learned Assistant/Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue culminated into an order dated 28-2-2022 and addition of 185,000,000 passed under section 122(1) of the Ordinance, 2001. 4. The appellant felt aggrieved and first appeal was preferred before the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals who after adverting to averments of the appellant annulled the assailed
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assessm ent order and remanded the case for de novo consideration vide Order-in-Appeal dated 10-05-2022 in exercise of power under section 129(1) of the Ordinance, 2001. Feeling aggrieved by this treatment, the appellant has preferred instant second appeal before this Tribunal on facts and grounds enumerated in the memo of appeal. 5. The learned counsel of the taxpayer at the very outset contested the veracity of the show-cause notice and consequent orders. The learned counsel averred that learned Commissioner of Appeals in matters involving assessm ent may pass such order as to confirm, modify or annul assessment order, after examining such evidence as required by him; and that he cannot remand the case for de novo consideration. It is averred that under the provisions of clause (a) of subsection (1) of section 129 of the Ordinance, 2001, an appeal case can either be confirmed, modified or annulled assessm ent order, but cannot be remanded back for de novo consideration to original assessing authority to afford an opportunity to fill out lacunas and to improve flagrant errors occurred therein. It is averred that the learned Commissioner of Appeals has no powers to 'Remand Back the case for De novo Consideration' which is illegal and unlawful due to prohibition expressly provided in the provisions of clause (a) of subsection (1) of section 129 of the Ordinance, 2001. The learned counsel referred and relied on Various judgments of superior courts [PLD 1965 SC 434], [1975 SCMR 221], [1976 SCMR 388], [1987 CLC 2425], [PLD 2003 SC 271] and [2001 SCMR 838]. 6. The learned counsel further averred that the appellant has been condemned unheard in negation to the principles of natural justice. The learned Inland Revenue Officer was not justified to issue order without providing a proper opportunity of being heard. As such, impugned order has been passed illegally against the facts of the case and needs to be deleted. He relies on the reported judgments that "no one should be condemned unheard" as the superior courts have laid great emphasis on it. The learned counsel averred that guidance can also be sought from the cases reported as (2012 PTD (Trib) 202), [2010 PTD 704], [2008 PTD 1691), (1994 SCMR 2232), [PLD 1990 SC 666], (PLD 1964 SC 673), [1988 CLC 1318], [1981 CLC 909], [1981 CLC 1654] and 2010 PTD (Trib.) 2219. 7. It is further averred that the provisions of section 122 of the Ordinance, 2001 starts with "Subject to this section" which restricts all further proceedings of amendment of an assessment. It can only be amended if they are covered by the provisions of this section. So before going further one should keep in mind that amendment for which the section has been prescribed cannot be made if the requirement and qualification prescribed therein are not completed before making such amendment of the assessm ent as held in a case reported at [2007 PTD (Trib.) 2601]. Although, the Inland Revenue is not competent to assume and to exercise jurisdiction under section 122(5) of the Ordinance, 2001 without acquiring "definite information through audit or otherwise". There is no cavil to the proposition of law that where assumption and exercise of jurisdiction is subject to fulfillment of statutory condition or existence of certain specified circumstances then those conditions- must be obeyed accurately and strictly and those circumstances must exist. No definite information is acquired through audit or otherwise as its mention is not found in the impugned order or the notice under Section 122(9) of the Ordinance, 2001 without which jurisdiction under section 122(5) of the Ordinance, 2001 cannot be exercised. The act performed disregard to those conditions or circumstances would be void ab initio and without lawful jurisdiction. The defective assumption/exercise of jurisdiction and eventual judgment has no i in the eyes of law. The learned counsel placed reliance on [2010 SCMR 1746], [2006 SCMR 129] and [1971 SCMR 681]. 8. The learned counsel further averred that the Order under sections 122(1) and 122(5) of the Ordinance, 2001 was passed without issuing a notice under Rule 68 of the Income Tax Rules, 2002 which is a mandatory prerequisite for assuming jurisdiction under section 122 of the Ordinance, 2001. The learned counsel placed reliance on the following judgments reported as [1971 SCMR 681],
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[2001 PTD 1633 HC], [2013 PTD (Trib.) 1335], [2006 PTD (Trib.) 429], [2011 PTD (Trib.) 321] and [2011 PTD Tribunal 1820]. 9. The learned counsel emphasized that until and unless specific and relevant subsection of section 122(5) of the Ordinance, 2001 is not selected/ticked, the Assessing Officer could not assume the jurisdiction for amending any assessment order. The selection/Ticking of a relevant subsection of section 122(5) is a sine qua non for assumption of jurisdiction to amend or to further amend any assessm ent order. Reliance in this regard is placed on the reported judgments of the apex Court [2002 PTD 2160], [2006 PTD 673], [2006 PTD 2729] and [2007 PTD 2319]. The Appellate Tribunal hold the same preposition in orders reported as [2008 PTD (Trib.) 1549], [2009 PTD (Trib) 1919], [2011 PTD (Trib) 2435], [2002 PTD (Trib) 1337], [2009 PTD (Trib) 1963], [1997 PTD 47] [2000 PTD (Trib) 2531] and [2013 PTD (Trib) 10]. 10. The learned counsel averred that likewise, making of addition on account of alleged suppressed purchases of Rs.185,000,000/- by the Inland Revenue Officer under section 111(1)(c) of the Ordinance, 2001 without giving any specific separate notice is illegal, unlawful and without any justification. He relied upon the reported judgments [2012 PTD 790] and [2015 PTD 1242] wherein it is resolved that addition under section 111(1)(c) of the Ordinance, 2001 cannot be made without providing opportunity of hearing to the appellant as enunciated in the principle "audi alteram partem", as reported in [2010 PTD 704 (SHC)]. The learned while reaffirming placed reliance on a very specific judgment of the August Supreme Court of Pakistan rendered in the case titled "The Commissioner Inland Revenue, Zone Bahawalpur v. M/s. Bashir Ahmed, Fort Abbass" passed in 2021 SCMR 1290 = 2021 PTD 1182. 11. The learned counsel iterated that the impugned order for addition in terms of section 111(1) (c) of the Ordinance, 2001 is quite against the facts of the case. The Order passed under section 122(1) read with section 122(5) of the Ordinance, 2001 by making an addition of Rs.185,000,000/- under section 111(1)(c) of the Ordinance, 2001, treating the stock-in-trade as expenditure whereas, expenditure is "what is paid out or away and is something which is gone irretrievably" as defined in judgment reported as [PLD 1982 Kar. 684]. Based on this, if any difference on account of stocks declared for the purpose of income tax and sales tax is found it cannot be added under section 111(1)(c) of the Ordinance, 2001 because it deals with expenditures and not with unexplained investment, money, assets or valuable articles owned by a person whose sources cannot explained adequately. 12. The learned counsel has emphatically argued that the summary of input tax as given in annexure "F" of sales tax return cannot be made basis for calculating stocks held on a particular date which in this case is 30th June, 2020 to make its comparison with that of closing stock-in- trade as declared in income tax return for this very tax year. The statistics as given in annexure "F" of sales tax return cannot be termed as stock-in-trade of a person who is registered for sales tax as well as income tax purposes. The learned counsel explains that the summary of input tax as shown in annexure "F" of sales tax return inter alia contains certain legal flaws and factual lacunas which are always existed to halt the Inland Revenue Officers to treat the statistical data so worked out on the basis of input tax summary to be stock-in-trade of a registered taxpayer in the presence of these factual and statistical infirmities no comparison of stocks worked out on the basis of input tax summary as given annexure "F" of sales tax returns can be made with that of stock-in-trade shown in income tax return. The learned counsel pointed that annexure "F" fails to cater the following tax situations:- (i) The annexure "F" of sales tax returns inter alia includes sales tax paid on plant and machinery, replacement parts, store and spare and other capital goods, etc which never becomes part of closing stocks of a registered taxpayer, however; its cost is capitalized for the purpose of income tax declarations.
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(ii) Similarly, sales tax paid on electricity, gas and other utilities which cannot otherwise; be stored or stocked are also included in the summary of input tax as given in annexure "F" of sales tax return but it has no nexus with the goods, declared as stock-in-trade for the purpose of income tax. (iii) It does not take into account debit and credit adjustment made in sales tax invoice as a result of a change in the nature of supply or change in value of supply or some such event the amount shown in the tax invoice needs to be modified, there shall always be issued a debit and a corresponding credit note to make necessary amendments therein. The debit and credit adjustments made in invoice under section 9 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 are not catered into the summary of input tax as given in its annexure "F". (iv) Any input tax credit not adjusted in sales tax return for a tax period due to prohibition of 90 percent adjustment of input tax needs to be carried forward under the provisions of 8B of the sales Tax Act, 1990 finds no place in annexure "F" of sales tax return. This input tax credit not adjusted in the relevant month becomes a part of input tax for the next month but it is not taken into account automatically in annexure "F" of sales tax return. (v) The annexure "F" only takes into account input tax as given in annexure "A" and annexure "B" of the sales tax return whereas any input tax incurred on account of tax paid at import stage as reflected in annexure "K" of sales tax return has not automatically appeared in annexure "F". The annexure "K" is the separate declaration of imports made on special rates of tax for import of re- meltable iron and steel scrap in respect of which input tax is allowed to a registered steel melter and steel re-roller under the Special Procedure for steel sector. (vi) The annexure "F" never take into account "sales and purchases of exempt goods" as declared in sales tax return. No stocks could be worked out without taking into account total sales and purchases made during a tax period whether taxable or exempt from sales tax. The situation where exempt goods not subject to levy of sales tax are involved or partially involved is not catered into this summary of input tax automatically as no input tax is incurred on purchase of exempt goods. (vii) Similarly, it is not out of context to mention here that purchases or imports made at zero percent rate of sales tax or under Duty and Tax Remission Scheme (DTRE) are not appeared in purchases viz-a-viz input tax summary as given in annexure "F". Conversely, all type of purchases is included in income tax declaration and towards stocks as declared for the purpose of income tax. (viii) The purchases made from unregistered persons are not automatically fetched into the summary as given in annexure "F" of the sales tax returns whereas all type of purchases whether made from registered or unregistered persons becomes the part of cost of goods meant for sales in income tax declarations. (ix) Nottheless, in case of goods purchased on auction, only treasury challan in his name bearing his sales tax registration number showing payment of sales tax is admissible for input tax adjustment or credit thereof under clause (iii) of subsection (2) of Section 7 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. Conversely its proportionate purchases and input tax thereof are not automatically appeared in annexure "F" of the sales tax return. (x) On the other hand, stocks for the purpose of income tax does include raw material, work-in- process and finished goods left unsold on certain point of time which may be 30th June of a tax year, whereas the summary of input tax as given in annexure "F" inter alia includes raw materials but does not include the goods work-in-process, semi finished goods or the finished goods. (xi) The summary of input tax as given in annexure "F" of sales tax return includes the input tax paid on the assessed duty paid value of imported goods as ascertained by the Customs authorities whereas for the purpose of income tax actual landed cost of such imported goods are booked into towards cost of goods meant for sales in income tax return. (xii) Input tax when "non-credited" due to prohibition of its adjustment under Section 8(1) (a) or 8(1) (b) or 8(1) (i) and (h) or under any other of its provisions or any notification issued by the
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Federal Government in exercise of powers under Section 8(1) (b) of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 are given effect in Annexure "F", whereas, these purchases constitute part of cost of goods sold in income tax declarations. (xiii) Similarly, debit and credit adjustment made after expiry of 180 days of issuance of tax invoice or submission of sales tax return, no amendment can be made for the purpose of sales tax however; in case of return of goods or due to some other event, the amount shown in invoice or in sales tax return cannot be modified whereas this adjustment can always be made for the purpose of income tax till the filing of its return for a tax year. (xiv) Nevertheless, cost of goods meant for sales as declared for the purpose of income tax does include incremental expenses incurred after its purchase or as the case may be imports whereas the expenses like carriage expenses, loading and unloading expenses, etc being non-taxable are not included in value of purchases or imports shown in annexure "F" of the sales tax return. 13. The learned counsel iterated that based on above instances, it is established on record that the order under section 122(1) coupled with section 122(5) of the Ordinance, 2001 has been passed without examining the veracity of facts and figures appearing in Annexure-F of sales tax return which can never constitutes value of closing stocks because two records viz. under income tax and sales tax are maintained and kept on set of principles different from each other. To further elaborate hi argument the learned counsel explains that, income tax return is bas on accounting records maintained on the basis of relevant International Financial Reporting Standards/Corporate laws; whereas transactions are reported in the sales tax records strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. So, the former has its own recognition/valuation principles and the later prescribes its own requirements for reporting of purchases, supplies, stocks, etc. Although the records under two different statutes could be compared analytically, yet the results of such analytics cannot directly be used for drawing any adverse inference as to the loss of government revenue, unless specific identification of such basis is confronted to the taxpayers. Additionally, the charges against a taxpayer on arbitrary basis and merely on the basis of suspicions, surmises and conjectures are not tenable in the eyes of law as well as in the light of decisions of the superior courts. 14. The learned counsel added that this Tribunal has held in its earlier judgments that the annexure "F" attached with sales tax return cannot be made basis for calculation of stocks of a registered taxpayer on certain point of time. This annexure is meant for summary of input tax as well as excess carry forward amount of sales tax credit. None of the provisions of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 or of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 has purported to deem the figures of carry forward summary to be closing stocks for the purpose of assessment of income tax as held in case of Mr. Arshad Shark, C/o M/s. A&A Pipes Industries, Lahore in LEA No.764/LB/2015. The learned counsel seeks and pleaded for same relies as granted by this Tribunal. 15. The learned DR appearing on behalf of the Revenue opposes the appeal and argued that the order passed by the Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals) has applied his judicial mind in the given facts the order passed is reasoned and just and merits to be sustained. The learned DR when confronted to legal infirmities pointed by the appellant, he failed to offer and satisfactory reply to the same. The learned DR however, reiterated reasons so enumerated in the orders passed by the officers below and pleaded for the dismissal of appeal, 16. Heard. We have assiduously examined the case record and have heard at length the arguments of the rival parties. The foremost legal defect as pointed that the learned Commissioner of Appeals cannot remand the case for de novo consideration without any lawful excuse. The scheme of law and under the existing provisions of law, learned Commissioner of Appeals in matters pertaining to assessm ent may pass such an order to confirm, modify or annul an assessm ent order, after examination such evidences as required by him respecting the matters
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arising in appear or causing such further enquires to be made as he deem fit; but shall not remand the case. 17. In order to ascertain strength in the arguments qua jurisdiction/legality of remand and for ease of reference, relevant excerpt of Section 129 is reproduced as under; "Section 129 Decision in Appeal:- (1) In disposing of an appeal lodged under section 127, the Commissioner (Appeals) may:- (a) Make an order to confirm, modify or annul the assessment order, after examining such evidence as required by him respecting the matters arising in appeal or causing such further enquiries to be made as he deems fit; or (1) In any other case, make such order as the Commissioner (Appeals) thinks fit. (2).... (3).... (4).... Provided..... Provided..... 18. We have taken into consideration the plane language of section 129 of the Ordinance, and there remains no ambiguity in our mind that the language of section 129(a) only empowers the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals to confirm modify or annul the assessment order and exception whereof in other case (other than assessment Order) is enumerated in clause (b) of section 129 of the Ordinance, which empowers the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals to make such order as Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals thinks fit. The express language of the law has unequivocally prescribed power of Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals under section 129 while dealing with the assessm ent order and explicitly describes Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals powers while dealing with other case. 19. We have examined Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals decision in the perspective of Section 129 and it is manifest that the matter in issue was an assessment Order and in such an eventuality, only resort to power described under section 129(1)(a) of the Ordinance could lawfully be made. This provision unequivocally eclipse and restricts Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals scope of power to confirm, modify or annual the assessment and the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals decision cannot be deemed to be outside the ambit of assessment. Since the Order impugned before the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals was made under section 122 of the Ordinance, so it will be feasible for ease of reference to reproduce definition of "assessment" as given Section 2(5) of the Income Tax Ordinance; Section 2(5) "Assessment" includes (provisional assessment,) re-assessment and amended assessment and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly" The fate of the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals order of remand rests on single point that if order passed by the assessm ent officer under section 122 is not assessment Order then the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals is clothed with the power to pass order as he thinks fit. However, the order passed by the assessing Officer under section 122 of the Ordinance if read in conjunction with the definition of assessment provided in section 2(5) of the Ordinance, there remains no vagueness that the order passed under section 122 of the Ordinance creating liability is an assessm ent order for all intents and purposes and can only be dealt under clause (a) of Section 129(a) and binds the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals only to confirm, modify or annul the assessm ent D order and does not in any manner confer jurisdiction on the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals to remand the matter to the assessing Officer. The issue qua Power of remand under section 129 of the Ordinance has also been dealt and decided in case reported as 2017 PTD 1663 Dewan Textile Mills Ltd. v. ACIR-B Audit D-1 LTU Karachi and 2013 PTD (Trib.) 1288. Moreover, the Strict Rule of Interpretation is one of the Principles used to
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interpret fiscal and penal statutes. According to the rule, plain, clear and direct meaning is given to words which are used in common parlance by the general public to which such law is applicable. There can be no presumption with respect to a particular meaning. A particular meaning cannot be given to a word which is not clear by making a presumption that particular meaning is the intention of the legislature. Court cannot under the guise of possible or likely intention of the legislature give meaning to the words which are not clear and where contextual meaning cannot be made out. 20. We have given our careful consideration to the Order passed by the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals whereby the appeal of the taxpayer was remanded back to the assessing officer. In legal parlance, the decision of the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals should be inconsonance with the provisions of Law and decision arrived and conclusion drawn must not vitiate the express provision of Law but in the instant matter the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals has exercised jurisdiction not vested in him and travelled beyond the mandate of law. 21. We have examined the veracity of the remand order and it is now established law that remand should not be directed in a light vein. In ultimate analysis a remand neither favours the revenue nor the assessee. In revenue matters, without an exception after remand the fate of an assessee never changes for the better. In most of the cases the remand order is rather employed by the assessing officer to make the fate of assessee even worse. All previous discrepancies are meticulously taken care of so that the assessee finds no favourable factual or legal proposition to urge before the appellate forum. 22. We may point that besides above legal…
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