43b disallowance for service tax

SHAH SHIVANI (CA Job) (24 Points)

04 June 2015  

Hello,

I need your valuable guidance in respect of below issue:

Case: Income tax_43B disallowance in case of unpaid service tax

Snyposis: Assessee follows mercantile system of accounting. It has significant amount of upaid liability of service tax reflected in Balance sheet. My concern is whether same unpaid amount would be disallowable under section 43B or not?

I have quoted below cases wherein it was held that same would not be dissallowed. Stand taken by department in all below cases is "Since service tax is not routed through P&L A/c, question of disallowbility does not arise. Disallowance  apply only when something is allowed earlier."

1. CIT vs. Noble And Hewitt (I) P. Ltd. [2008] 305 ITR 324 (Delhi).

2. ACIT vs. Real Image Media Technologies (P) Ltd. (ITAT Chennai).

3. Nafe Singh Gahlawat vs. ACIT

4. DCIT Vs. Ovira Logistics (P.) Ltd. (ITAT Mumbai)

However, law has used language " any sum payable by the assessee by way of tax, duty, cess or fee, (by whatever name called, under any law for the time being in force); " which includes excise, vat, service tax.

Kindly guide us for the way forward.

Thanks.