ALMECH ENTERPRISES, MUMBAI V. ACIT, CC-2(2), MUMBAI

ITA 2110/MUM/2023

AI Insights

Almech Enterprises appealed against the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-48, Mumbai, which upheld the addition of Rs. 17,88,512 as unexplained expenditure under section 69C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. This addition was initially made by the Assessing Officer following a survey that revealed a significant discrepancy between the actual cash found and the cash recorded in the company's books. The Tribunal, referencing similar cases and precedents, concluded that such a discrepancy alone does not justify the addition under section 69C, leading to the allowance of the appeal and deletion of the contested amount.

• Counselvise Citation: [2023] 140 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 124821 (ITAT-MUMBAI)
• Duration Of Justice: 4 month(s) 21 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 26-10-2023
• Appeal Filed By: Assessee
• Order Result: Allowed
• Bench Allotted: A
• Next Hearing Date: 25-09-2023
• Assessment Year: 2018-2019
• Appeal Filed On: 05-06-2023
• Other Referred Cases: CIT vs. Kesarwani Sheetalaya, Allahabad (2019) 110 taxmann.com 415 (All.), Sarang & Associates vs. DCIT (ITA No. 1227 to 1229/Mum/2012 decided on 21.03.2018
• Laws Referred To: Income Tax Act 1961
• Result in Favour of: Assessee
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Department Lawyers: RAGHUVEER MADANAPPA
• Assessee Lawyers: K. SHIVARAM LD. SENIOR
• Section: 69; 69C; 69A

Judgement Text

IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL “A” BENCH, MUMBAI BEFORE SHRI N. K. CHOUDHRY, JM & SHRI GAGAN GOYAL, JM I.T.A. No. 2110/Mum/2023 Assessment Year: 2018-19) Almech Enterprises 113-B, Hubtown Solaris, N.S. Phadake Marg, Near Khokle Flyover, Andheri (East), Mumbai- 400069. PAN No. AAAFA1594G Vs. ACIT, CC-2(2), Pratishtha Bhavan, 9 th Floor, M.K. Road, New Marine Lines, , Mumbai-400020. Appellant) : Respondent) Appellant/Assessee by : Dr. K. Shivaram Ld. Senior Advocate & Sh. Shashi Bekal, Ld. Adv. Revenue/Respondent by : Sh. Raghuveer Madanappa, Ld. DR Date of Hearing : 26.09.2023 Date of Pronouncement : 27.09.2023 O R D E R Per N. K. Choudhry, JM: The Assessee/Appellant herein has preferred this appeal against the order dated 02.05.2023 impugned herein passed by Ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-48, Mumbai {in short ‘Ld. Commissioner’} u/s 143(3) of the Income Tax Act 1961 (in short ‘the Act’). 2. In the instant case, as per revenue case, during the course of survey proceedings in the premises of the Assessee, actual cash of Rs. 11,800/- was found as against the cash in hand of Rs. 18,00,312/- which was shown in the books of account and therefore, there was a short fall to the tune of Rs. 17,88,512/-. Consequently the Assessee was show- 2 ITA No. 2110/Mum/2023 Almech Enterprises caused, as to why such short fall should not be treated as unexplained expenditure within the meaning of the provisions of section 69C of the Act. The Assessee not only failed to reconcile the difference but also failed to provide the requisite details asked for by the AO and therefore, the sum of Rs. 17,88,512/- was treated as unexplained expenditure and consequently added to the total income of Assessee under section 69C of the Act. 3. The Assessee being aggrieved challenged the said addition before the Ld. Commissioner and filed its written submissions challenging the legality of the addition. The Ld. Commissioner upheld the addition of Rs. 17,88,512/- under section 69C of the Act by observing that no evidences were furnished by the Assessee during the assessment order and the appellate proceedings. The onus was on the Assessee to furnish the details/documentary evidences expenses, which the Assessee failed to do so, hence, the addition of Rs. 17,88,512/- under section 69C of the Act is upheld . 4. The question emerge, as to whether on the basis of difference/shortfall between the actual cash found during the course of survey proceedings and the cash shown in the books of account, the addition u/s 69C of the Act is warranted, as made in this case. Dr. K. Shivaram Ld. Senior Advocate emphasized that Hon’ble Allahabad High Court of in the case of CIT vs. Kesarwani Sheetalaya, Allahabad (2019) 110 taxmann.com 415 (All.) also dealt the identical issue, wherein cash in hand in the books of account was found to be more than the actual cash found during the course of search. The Hon’ble High Court affirmed the decision of the Tribunal in holding that would not suffice to make addition under any of the provision under section 69 or section 69A 3 ITA No. 2110/Mum/2023 Almech Enterprises of the Act. The Hon’ble Co-ordinate Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Sarang & Associates vs. DCIT (ITA No. 1227 to 1229/Mum/2012 decided on 21.03.2018, also dealt with the identical issue and did not approve the making of addition under section 69C of the Act. The Ld. DR Sh. Raghuveer Madanappa, did not refute the said factual aspect. Hence, respectfully following the judgments referred to above, and considering the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case as the provisions of 69C of the Act are not attracted in this case, in our considered view, the addition is not warranted. Resultantly the same is deleted. 5. In the result, appeal filed by the Assessee stands allowed. Orders pronounced in the open court on 27-09-2023. Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- (GAGAN GOYAL) (N. K. CHOUDHRY) Accountant Member Judicial Member SK, Sr.PS. Copy of the Order forwarded to : 1. The Appellant 2. The Respondent 3. DR, ITAT, Mumbai 4. 5. Guard File CIT BY ORDER, (Dy./Asstt.Registrar) ITAT, Mumbai 4 ITA No. 2110/Mum/2023 Almech Enterprises Sr. No. Details Date Initial Designation 1 Draft dictated on (dictation sheets are attached with main file 26.09.23 Sr.PS/PS 2 Draft dictated on PC Sr.PS/PS 3 Draft Placed before author 27.09.23 Sr.PS/PS 4 Draft proposed & placed before the Second Member JM/AM 5 Draft discussed/approved by Second Member JM/AM 6 Approved Draft comes to the Sr.PS/PS Sr.PS/PS 7 Order pronouncement on Sr.PS/PS 8 File sent to the Bench Clerk Sr.PS/PS 9 Date on which the file goes to the Head clerk 10 Date on which file goes to the AR 11 Date of Dispatch of order