IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
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ITA 72/2012
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CIT ..... Appellant
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Through Mr. Abhishek Maratha, sr. standing
counsel
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versus
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RAMSONS ORGANICS LTD ..... Respondent
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Through
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CORAM:
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HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJIV KHANNA
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HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R.V.EASWAR
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O R D E R
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07.02.2012
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Ld. counsel for the Revenue in this appeal, which pertains to
assessment year 2007-08, submits that the exchange rate fluctuation had
resulted in enhanced income and the Assessing Officer was right in
holding that the income arising from the aforesaid fluctuation is
assessable under the head ?income from other sources? and not as income
from manufacturing or processing activity.
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2. To understand the controversy we may reproduce the stand of the
assessee before the Assessing Officer and the findings recorded by the
Assessing Officer :
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? The assessee company has shown income from Foreign Exchange
Fluctuation of Rs.49,86,549/- and Misc. Income of Rs.10,060/-. Vide
order sheet entry dated 10/09/2009, the AR of the assessee was asked as
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to why income from Foreign Exchange Fluctuation and Misc. Income should not be treated as income not from manufacturing activity claimed as
exempt u/s 10B. The AR vide letter dated 20/10/2009 replied as under :
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?Assessee is a 100% Export oriented unit. Export sales are
credited in books on date of sending the consignment to Buyers on the
basis of exchange rate prevailing at that time. How ever export
realization is received in foreign exchange after some time. Difference
of Actual proceeds realized and credited in books has been declared as
foreign exchange fluctuation as declared as income if proceeds are more,
and loss if proceeds are lower. In both cases, actual foreign exchange
proceeds realization gets reflected. There is no issue that this foreign
exchange fluctuation declared in profit and loss account is income from
other sources, other than as part of Export proceeds realized out of
export sales and eligible for deduction u/s 10 B of Income Tax Act.
Foreign Exchange fluctuation is part and parcel of Export proceeds
received by Assessee out of export sales made during the year.?
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The explanation of the assessee is not acceptable since income from
foreign exchange fluctuation is income of the assessee from other sources
and not from manufacturing of processing activity as claimed by it. The
assessee is not entitled to adjust business expenses from this income
i.e. foreign exchange fluctuation particularly considering the fact that
there are no expenses which appears to have been incurred for earning
this income. According the amounts of Rs.49,86,549/- and Rs.10,060/- are
treated as income of the assessee from other sources and added to the
total income of the assessee.?
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3. CIT(Appeals) examined the said contention in detail and has
recorded the finding that the respondent-assessee was a 100% export
oriented unit. The export sales were recorded in the books of accounts
on the date of sending of consignment. As the amount though payable in
foreign currency was to be written in Indian Rupees, the exchange rate at
that time was taken. The export proceeds in foreign currency were
received after some time. The difference between the actual proceeds
received on conversion into Indian rupees was debited/credited in the
books of accounts and shown as foreign exchange fluctuation. This is
added to the business income if proceeds were more or alternatively
reduced/subtracted if the proceeds were lower.
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4. We fail to understand as to why the aforesaid amount either as
addition or subtraction cannot be assessed as business income/loss as it
directly arises from the business transaction. We do not agree with the
contention of the Revenue that the aforesaid income/loss is not
income/loss derived from exports. The assessee was required and has made
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book entries. The book entries have to be in Indian Rupees. For this purpose the foreign currency was converted into Indian Rupees. The
export transaction was complete and fruitified when the remittance of
sale proceeds in foreign exchange was received and then converted into
Indian Rupees. Accordingly necessary entries at that time were made to
regularize and show the actual and true income. The aforesaid book
entries cannot be compared to deposit of money in banks/FDRs and earning
of interests. Examining the said aspect Bombay High Court in
Commissioner of Income Tax Vs. Gem Plus Jewellery India Ltd. (2010) 194
Taxman 192 (Bom.) has held that the aforesaid amount is entitled to
exemption/ deduction under Section 10A of the Act and is a part of
profits derived from exports. It is an amount received in course of
export transaction.
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5. Ld. counsel for the appellant Revenue submitted that export
transaction was complete when the invoice was raised and the goods were
dispatched to the exporter and the entry was made to the books of
account. The submission has to be rejected. The transaction is complete
when the sale proceeds in foreign exchange were received by the Indian
assessee. In fact, the section requires actual receipt of money.
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6. Accordingly, we do not find any merit in the present appeal and the
same is dismissed.
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SANJIV KHANNA, J
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R.V.EASWAR, J
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FEBRUARY 07, 2012
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vld
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$ 25
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