Monday, April 6, 2015

Institute providing coaching to students appearing for competitive exams is eligible for sec. 10(23C) relief


A coaching institute imparting coaching to students for various competitive examinations is eligible for exemption under section 10(23C)(iiiad)

Facts:

a)The assessee-society was registered under section 12A with the object of providing coaching and training to students appearing in competitive examinations.

b)It claimed exemption under Section 10(23C)(iiiad) which was rejected by the Assessing Officer ('AO').

c)The AO opined that assessee-society could not be classified as a charitable institution as it was not created for imparting a systematic education.

d)On appeal, the CIT (A) held that the activities of the assessee were covered under the realm of 'education' and it was eligible for exemption under section 10(23C)(iiiad). The aggrieved-revenue filed the instant appeal before Tribunal

The Tribunal held in thefavour of assessee as under:

1)On examination of the definition of 'charitable purpose' under section 2(15), it is clear that education is one of the activities coming within the meaning of charitable purpose. It is a fact that the Supreme Court in case of Sole Trustee, LokaShikshana Trust v. CIT (1975) 101 ITR 234 observed that 'education' as used in section 2(15) could not be interpreted in a manner to mean that the expression 'education' envisaged under section 2(15) had to be given a restricted meaning and would only mean the education as imparted in schools and colleges.

2)If education was considered to mean training and developing the skill, knowledge, mind and character of students, then the activity of the assessee could be termed to be coming within the expression 'education' as used in section 2(15).

3)The provision contained under section 10(23C)(iiiad) uses the words 'Any University or other Educational Institution' solely for educational purpose and not for the purpose of profit. Thus, if the activities of the assessee' society had to be considered, it would be considered as other educational institution existing solely for educational purpose and without profit motive.

4)Thus, the coaching institute providing coaching to students appearing for competitive exams would be eligible for exemption under section 10(23C)(iiiad). - ADIT V. HYDERABAD STUDY CIRCLE - (2015) 55 taxmann.com 379 (Hyderabad - Trib.)