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ITA No.269/Chny/2022
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• The assessee tried to argue that the payment was made as consideration for
purchase of own shares and it is quid pro quo and that it is not a voluntary distribution to
qualify dividend. This argument of the assessee is not acceptable: First of all, it is not the
transaction of general purchase of shares; it is purchase of own shares; the shares
purchased are not available for resale as in any ordinary purchase, as such purchased
shares gets extinguished automatically. 'Reduction of capital' happens as part of the
transaction. It is deemed to be dividend u/s 2(22)(d). Meaning has to be taken specifically
from section 2(22ld) when there is capital reduction. 'Purchase of own shares' from
shareholders involved 'capital reduction' accompanied by payment from accumulated
profits to the shareholders and hence, section 2(22)(d) applies. In such cases, the
payment cannot be considered as consideration for purchase, but it has to be considered
as 'dividend' by operation of law as provided in section 2(22)(d).
• Assessee again tried to argue that only a distribution paripassu (in equal
proportion) amongst shareholders can be considered as 'distribution' for the purposes of
sections 2(22)(a) or 2(22)(d). This argument is also not acceptable. Assessee extrapolates
words into the Act, which is not permissible. Nowhere in section 2(22), there is such
stipulation. Assessee cannot go by any general meaning for the dividends u/ s 2(22). Legal
meaning as provided in the provisions of section 2(22) can only be looked into. In the
impugned transaction of the assessee, there is capital reduction, which is indisputable; and
that accompanied payment from accumulated profits to the shareholders; and the
impugned transaction is not buy-back u/s 77A. Then, as per the legal meaning of those
relevant provisions, it is dividend u/s 2(22)(d)/(a).