ACIT, Circle- 32(1), New Delhi V. American Chamber of Commerce in India, New Delhi

ITA 673/DEL/2018

• Counselvise Citation: [2019] 117 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 5183 (ITAT-DELHI)
• Duration Of Justice: 1 year(s) 3 month(s) 27 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 27-05-2019
• Appeal Filed By: Department
• Order Result: Dismissed
• Bench Allotted: A
• Assessment Year: 2009-2010
• Appeal Filed On: 30-01-2018
• Result in Favour of: Assessee
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Department Lawyers: S N PANDEY
• Assessee Lawyers: A NKIT SAHNI
• Keywords: Bonafide belief; Initiation of penalty proceedings; Bonafide mistake; Set aside
• Section: 11

Judgement Text

IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL DELHI BENCHES: A , NEW DELHI BEFORE SMT. BEENA A PILLAI, JUDICIAL MEMBER AND SHRI PRASHANT MAHARISHI, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER ITA NO. 6 73 /DEL/201 8 AY: 20 09 - 10 ACIT, CIRCLE 32(1) NEW DELHI VS . AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN INDIA 4/2, 4 TH FLOOR PHD HOUSE SIRI INSTITUTIONAL AREA AUGUST KRANTI MARG NEW DELHI 110 016 PAN: AAATA7862N ( APPELLANT ) (RESPONDENT) DEPARTMENT BY : SH. SN PANDEY, SR.D.R. ASSESSEE BY : SH. ANKIT SAHNI, ADV. & MS . SUMISHA MURGAI, CA DATE OF HEARING : 16 /0 5 /2019 DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT : 27 /0 5 /2019 ORDER PER BEENA A PILLAI, JUDICIAL MEMBER P RESENT APPEAL HAS BEEN FILED BY REVENUE AGAINST ORDER DATED 13/11/17 PASSED BY LD. CIT (A) - 11, NEW DELHI ON FOLLOWING GROUNDS OF APPEAL: 1. ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE AND IN LAW, THE LD.CIT(A) HAS ERRED I N DELETING THE PENALTY OF RS.25,91,473/ - IMPOSED BY AO DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE SATISFACTION FOR INITIATION OF ITA 673/DEL/2018 AY:2009 - 10 AMERICAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE IN INDIA 2 PAGE 2 PENALTY WAS RECORDED IN THE ORDER SHEET AND THE ASSESSEE WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF INITIATION OF SUCH PENALTY PROCEEDINGS BY ISSUING NOTICE U/S 274 DATED 31.03.2016. 2. ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE AND IN LAW, THE LD.CIT(A) HAS ERRED IN HOLDING THAT THIS IS NOT A C ASE OF INACCURATE PARTICULARS OF INCOME DESPITE FACT THAT AO HAS DETECTED INACCURATE PARTICULARS OF INCOME DURING COURSE OF ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS. THE ASSESSEE HAD NOT SUO - MOTO DISCLOSED APPLICATION OF SECTION 2(15) OF THE INCOME TAX ACT WITH A VIEW OF E VADE TAX ON INCOME TO TUNE OF RS.76,24,221/ - . 3. THE APPELLANT CRAVES LEAVE TO ADD/ALTER ANY/ALL GROUNDS OF APPEAL BEFORE OR AT THE TIME OF HEARING OF THE APPEAL. 2. BRIEF FACTS OF THE CASE ARE AS UNDER: A SSESSEE FILED ITS RETURN OF INCOME DECLARING LOSS OF RS.43,06, 801/ - ON 30/09/09 AND ASSESSMENT WAS COMPLETED ON 05/12/11 COMPUTING ASSESSED INCOME AT RS.33,07,420/ - . DURING ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS LD. AO OBSERVED THAT ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY ASSESSEE IN MAIN AIMS AND OBJECTS GIVEN IN M EMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION ARE FOUND NOT TO BE CHARITABLE AS PER AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2 (15) OF THE INCOME TAX ACT, 1961 (THE ACT) . ACCORDINGLY LD. AO MADE ADDITION OF RS76,24,1 2 1/ - ON ACCOUNT OF INCOME ACCUMULATED UNDER SECTION 11 (2) OF THE A CT. 2.1. AGAINST ADDITION MADE BY LD.AO, ASSESSEE PREFERRED APPEAL BEFORE LD.CIT (A) WHO UPHELD ORDER OF LD.AO. 2.2. AGGRIEVED BY ORDER OF LD.CIT (A), ASSESSEE FILED APPEAL BEFORE THIS T RIBUNAL, AND THIS TRIBUNAL VIDE ORDER DATED 28/01/15 REMITTED MATTER TO LD.AO FOR ADJUDICATION OF ISSUE ON MERITS. LD.AO, ITA 673/DEL/2018 AY:2009 - 10 AMERICAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE IN INDIA 3 PAGE 3 ACCORDINGLY ON 31/03/2016, MADE ADDITION OF RS.76,24,121/ - , AS MADE IN ORIGINAL ASSESSMENT ORDER. 2.3. SUBSEQUENTLY PENALTY PROCEEDI NGS WERE INITIATED UNDER SECTION (1) (C) OF THE A CT AND NOTICE UNDER SECTION 274 READ WITH 271 (1) (C) WAS ISSUED TO ASSESSEE. LD. AO PASSED PENALTY ORDER ON 30/09/16 BY LEVYING 100% PENALTY ON TAX SOUGHT TO BE EVADED FOR FILING OF INACCURATE PARTICULARS . 2.4. AGGRIEVED BY ORDER OF LD. AO, ASSESSEE PREFERRED APPEAL BEFORE LD. CIT (A) WHO OBSERVED AS UNDER: 4.2. I HAVE GONE THROUGH THE FACTS OF THE CASE ALONG WITH THE SUBMISSION MADE BY THE AR. THE MAIN CONTENTIONS OF THE AR ARE AS UNDER: I. THE AO HA S NOT RECORDED HIS SATISFACTION IN THE ASSESSMENT ORDER (ORIGINAL AS WELL AS THE NEW ASSESSMENT ORDER) AND THEREFORE, THE PENALTY PROCEEDINGS ARE VOID AB INITIO; II. THE APPELLANT HAS NOT FURNISHED ANY INACCURATE PARTICULARS OF INCOME AS THE PARTICULARS OF ACCUMULATED BALANCE AS ON 31.03.2008 WAS DULY REFLECTED IN THE RETURN OF INCOME AND THE CHARITABLE STATUS OF THE APPELLANT HAS UNDER GONE A CHANGE AS A RESULT OF AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2(15) OF THE ACT WHICH WAS BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE APPELLANT; III. TH E AR HAS DISTINGUISHED THE CASE LAWS RELIED UPON BY THE AO AND HAS STATED THAT THE APPELLANT HAD MADE THE CLAIM UNDER THE BONAFIDE BELIEF THAT THE CLAIM WAS CORRECT; IV. THE AR HAS FURTHER CONTENDED THAT THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN THE ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTS OF THE APPELLANT; V. THE AR HAS ALSO RELIED UPON THE JUDGMENT OF THE HON BLE SUPREME COURT IN THE CASE OF RELIANCE PETRO PRODUCTS PVT. LTD. AS PER WHICH MERELY SUBMITTING A CLAIM WHICH IS INCORRECT IN LAW WOULD NOT AMOUNT TO GIVING INACCURATE PARTICULAR OF INCOME BY THE ASSESSEE; ITA 673/DEL/2018 AY:2009 - 10 AMERICAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE IN INDIA 4 PAGE 4 THE AR HAS ALSO CONTENDED THAT THE ISSUE OF TAXABIL ITY OF ACCUMULATED BALANCE AS A RESULT OF AMENDMENT TO THE ACT IS A DEBATABLE ISSUE AND THEREFORE, NO PENALTY IS WARRANTED U/S 271( 1 )(C) OF THE ACT. 4.2.1 ON PERUSAL OF THE DOCUMENTS AND THE ASSESSMENT ORDERS (ORIGINAL AND NEW), IT IS OBSERVED THAT THE AO HAS N OT RECORDED HIS SATISFACTION IN ANY OF THE ORDERS FOR INITIATION OF PENALTY PROCEEDINGS. IN THE REMAND REPORT, THE AO HAS STATED THAT THE SATISFACTION WAS RECORDED BY THE AO ON THE ORDER SHEET ON 31.03.2016 AT THE TIME OF ISSUE OF NEW ASSESSMENT ORDER WHIC H WAS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE ITAT ORDER. HOWEVER, THE AR OF THE APPELLANT WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FACT ABOUT THE INITIATION OF PENALTY PROCEEDINGS AND RECORDING OF SATISFACTION DURING THE COURSE OF ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS. THE AR HAS RIGHTLY CLAIMED THAT THE SATISFACTION NEEDS TO BE RECORDED IN THE ASSESSMENT ORDER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 271(1B) OF THE ACT. IN THIS CASE, NO SUCH SATISFACTION HAS BEEN RECORDED IN THE ASSESSMENT ORDER. 4.2.2 MOREOVER, NO MATERIAL HAS BEEN PLACED ON RECORD BY THE AO TO SHOW THAT THE APPELLANT HAD FILED INACCURATE PARTICULARS OF INCOME. THE PARTICULARS OF ACCUMULATED BALANCE AS ON 31.03.2008 WAS DULY REFLECTED IN THE RETURN OF INCOME AND IT IS SEEN THAT THE CHARITABLE STATUS OF THE APPELLANT HAS UNDER GONE A CH ANGE AS A RESULT OF AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2(15) OF THE ACT WHICH WAS BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE APPELLANT. IN MY VIEW, IT CANNOT BE SAID THAT THE APPELLANT HAS FURNISHED INACCURATE PARTICULARS OF INCOME. IT IS A CASE OF MAKING A CLAIM WHICH IS NOT IN ACCORDA NCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT. AS A RESULT OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT, THE INCORRECT CLAIM OF THE APPELLANT CAN BE TREATED AS A BONAFIDE MISTAKE AS CLAIMED BY THE APPELLANT. IN THE CASE OF PRICE WATERHOUSE COOPERS PVT.LTD VS C.I.T & ANR, HON BLE SUPREME COURT HAS HELD THAT - 20. WE ARE OF THE OPINION, GIVEN THE PECULIAR FACTS OF THIS CASE, THAT THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTY ON THE ASSESSEE IS NOT JUSTIFIED. WE ARE SATISFIED THAT THE ASSESSEE HAD COMMITTED AN INADVERTENT AND BONA ITA 673/DEL/2018 AY:2009 - 10 AMERICAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE IN INDIA 5 PAGE 5 FIDE ERROR AND HAD NOT INTENDED TO OR ATTEMPTED, TO EITHER CONCEAL ITS INCOME OR FURNISH INACCURATE PARTICULARS. 21. UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE APPEAL IS ALLOWED AND THE ORDER PASSED BY THE CALCUTTA HIGH COURT IS SET ASIDE. NO COSTS. 4.2.3. IN ADDITION, I T IS ALSO FELT THAT THE CASE OF THE APPELLANT IS S QUARELY COVERED BY THE JUDGMENT OF SUPREME COURT IN THE CASE OF RELIANCE PETRO PRODUCTS PVT. LTD. AS PER WHICH MERELY SUBMITTING A CLAIM WHICH IS INCORRECT IN LAW WOULD NOT AMOUNT TO GIVING INACCURATE PARTI CULARS OF INCOME BY THE ASSESSEE. IN VIEW OF THIS, IT IS HELD THAT THE CASE IS NOT FIT FOR LEVY OF PENALTY U/S 271(L)(C) AND THEREFORE, THE PENALTY LEVIED IS HEREBY DELETED. 3 . AGGRIEVED BY ORDER OF LD. CIT (A) REVENUE IS IN APPEAL BEFORE US NOW. 3.1 . LD. SR. DR PLACED RELIANCE UPON ORDER OF LD. AO. 3.2 . ON THE CONTRARY LD. AR PLACED RELIANCE UPON OBSERVATIONS OF LD.CIT(A). HE SUBMITTED THAT IN ORIGINAL ASSESSMENT ORDER DATED 31/03/16 AS WELL AS ASSESSMENT ORDER PASSED SUBSEQUENT TO REMAND BY THIS TRIBUNAL, LD.AO HAS FAILED TO INITIATE PENALTY PROCEEDINGS WHILE PASSING ASS ESSMENT ORDER. 3.3 . HE PLACED RELIANCE UPON PAGE 151 - 152 OF PAPER BOOK , WHEREIN REMAND REPORT WAS CALLED FOR BY LD. CIT (A). LD. AO VIDE REPORT DATED 24/08/17 SUBMITTED THAT INITIATION OF PENALTY UNDER SECTION 271 (1) (C) OF THE A CT AFTER RECORDING SAT ISFACTION WAS CARRIED OUT IN ORDER SHEET ENTRY DATED 31/03/16. 4. WE HAVE PERUSED A SSESSMENT ORDER ORIGINALLY PASSED AND THE ORDER SUBSEQUENT TO REMAND BY THIS T RIBUNAL , AND IT IS OBSERVED THAT PENALTY UNDER SECTION 271 (1) (C) OF THE A CT, HAS NOT BE EN INITIATED WHILE PASSING ASSESSMENT ORDER S . THE SAME HAS ALSO BEEN ITA 673/DEL/2018 AY:2009 - 10 AMERICAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE IN INDIA 6 PAGE 6 OBSERVED BY LD. CIT (A) IN THE IMPUGNED ORDER. LD.CIT (A) HAS ALSO ANALYSED AUDITED ACCOUNTS OF ASSESSEE WHICH REFLECTED ACCUMULATED BALANCE AS ON 31/03/08 IN THE RETURN OF INCOME OF A SSESSEE. IT HAS BEEN OBSERVED THAT CHARITABLE STATUS OF ASSESSEE UNDERWENT A CHANGE PURSUANT TO AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2(15) OF THE ACT. BECAUSE OF THIS CHANGE IN STATUS, CLAIM OF ASSESSEE WAS INADMISSIBLE. WE ARE THEREFORE OF CONSIDERABLE OPINION, IN PRESENT FACTS, IT CANNOT BE HELD THAT INACCURATE PARTICULARS HAS BEEN FILED BY ASSESSEE LEADING TO CONCEALMENT AS ARGUED BY LD.CIT(A). 4.1 . W E THEREFORE DO NOT FIND ANY INFIRMITY IN THE VIEW TAKEN BY LD. CIT (A) AND THE SAME IS UPHELD. 4.2. ACCORDINGL Y GROUND RAISED BY REVENUE STANDS DISMISSED. 5. IN THE RESULT APPEAL FILED BY REVENUE STANDS DISMISSED. ORDER PRONOUNCED IN OPEN COURT ON 27 TH MAY, 2019. SD/ - SD/ - (PRASHANT MAHARISHI) (BEENA A PILLAI) ACCOUNTANT MEMBER JUDICIAL MEMBER DT. 27 TH MAY, 2019 * GMV ITA 673/DEL/2018 AY:2009 - 10 AMERICAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE IN INDIA 7 PAGE 7 COPY FORWARDED TO: - 1. ASSESSEE 2. RESPONDENT 3. CIT 4. CIT(A) 5. DR, ITAT - TRUE COPY - BY ORDER, ASSISTANT REGISTRAR ITAT DELHI BENCHES ITA 673/DEL/2018 AY:2009 - 10 AMERICAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE IN INDIA 8 PAGE 8 DATE DRAFT DICTATED ON 20.5.19 DRAFT PLACED BEFORE AUTHOR 21.5.19 27.5.19 DRAFT PROPOSED & PLACED BEFORE THE SECOND MEMBER DRAFT DISCUSSED/APPROVED BY SECOND MEMBER. APPROVED DRAFT COMES TO THE SR.PS/PS KEPT FOR PRONOUNCEMENT ON & ORDER UPLOADED ON : 27.5.19 FILE SENT TO THE BENCH CLERK DATE ON WHICH FILE GOES TO THE AR DATE ON WHICH FILE GOES TO THE HEAD CLERK. DATE OF DISPATCH OF ORDER.