Category: Taxation of Entities

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Mere fact that one donation received by it may be bogus would not establish that activities of trust were not genuine or that activities were not being carried out in accordance with objects of trust, just as one swallow does not make the summer

However, if there were multiple bogus transactions of similar kind, it would lead to conclusion that activities of trust were not genuine and, in such a case, registration granted to it could be cancelled under section 12AA(3)

 

Jagannath Gupta Family Trust[2017] 86 taxmann.com 104 (Calcutta) SEPTEMBER  18, 2017

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No frivolous cancellations of Trust registrations, says CBDT Circular dtd 27-05-2016

CBDT has clarified that the process for cancellation of registration is to be initiated strictly in accordance with section 12AA(3) and 12AA(4) after carefully examining the applicability of these provisions. CBDT has also cautioned that since cancellation of registration of trust shall invite accereted income tax as per Finance Act 2016, authorities are, therefore, advised not to cancel the registration of a charitable institution granted u/s 12AA just because the proviso to section 2(15) comes into play. CBDT has sternly forbidden to cancel registration merely on the ground that the cut-off specified in the proviso to section 2(15) of the Act is exceeded in a particular year without there being any change in the nature of activities of the institution [Circular 21/2016, Dated: May 27, 2016]

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Inter Trust Charity between sister societies where both societies exchanged donation

Comments:

  1. 13(3)(b) covers a person whose total contribution up to end of financial year is more than 50,000/-. Since both trusts exchanged more than Rs. 50,000/-, both stood covered by 13(3)(b). Further as per S.13(1)(c), if any part of income or property of the trust is used or applied for the benefit of person covered by 13(3), exemption u/s 11 is not available . Further as per 12AA(4) introduced by Finance Act 2014, registration may be cancelled and as per S.115TD introduced by Finance Act 2016, tax on MMR is payable on aggregate market value of assets less liabilities.

Held by ITAT that:

  1. Explanation below Section 11(2) only prohibits inter trust charity out of income accumulated u/s 11(2) and not out of current income
  2. As per 2nd proviso to S.11(3A), payment or credit of money to trust registered u/s 12AA or Institution u/s 10(23C)(iv),(v),(vi),(via) is permitted in case of dissolution of the trust in the year in which trust or institution is dissolved.
  3. There is no apparent bar on payment or credit to such other organizations out of previous year’s income subject to the provisions of section
  4. When the donation given by one trust to another trust out of current year’s income is permitted in section 11 of the Act as an application of income, the same cannot be curtailed by another provision of the Act (i.e section 13(1)(c ) (ii) read with section 13(3) of the Act) as it would defeat the very purpose of such provision.
  5. It is not the case of the revenue that the funds of the trust have been applied /diverted for the private benefit of the trustees, settlors or any individuals /relatives. This is what is the true intention of section 13(1)(c ) of the Act.
  6. In the instant case, it is a case of simple donation by one public charitable trust to another public charitable trust, wherein no individual could hold any substantial interest.
  7. In view of the above findings, we hold that the payment of donation by assessee trust to another registered public charitable trust is not in violation of section 13(1)(c) of the Act as the said payment is not made for the benefit of any person either directly or indirectly referred to in section 13(3) of the Act.

[St. Joseph’s Convent Chandannagar Educational Society [2016] 70 taxmann.com 21 (Kolkata – Trib.)

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In case of reconstitution of partnership firm who will be liable to pay tax, interest or penalty

Without prejudice to the provisions of section 90, all the partners of the firm prior to the date of reconstitution and after the date of reconstitution shall jointly and severally, be liable to pay tax, interest or penalty due from firm which is reconstituted, for any period before its reconstitution.

(ICAI FAQ PUBLICATIONS 06-09-2017 Liability in other cases : FAQ NO. 18)

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Liability in case of discontinuation of business by HUF / AOP / firm

Where a taxable person is a firm or an association of persons or a Hindu Undivided Family and such firm, association or family has discontinued business—
1. the tax, interest or penalty payable under this Act by such firm, association or family up to the date of such discontinuance may be determined as if no such discontinuance had taken place; and                                                                            2. every person who, at the time of such discontinuance, was a partner of such firm, or a member of such association or family, shall, notwithstanding such
discontinuance, jointly and severally, be liable for the payment of tax and interest determined and penalty imposed and payable by such firm, association or family, whether such tax and interest has been determined or penalty imposed prior to or after such discontinuance and subject as aforesaid, the provisions of this Act shall, so far as may be, apply as if every such person or partner or member were himself a taxable person.

(ICAI FAQ PUBLICATIONS 06-09-2017 Liability in other cases : FAQ NO. 17)