2016 (3) TMI 506 - AT - Income Tax

Validity of assessment u/s 153A(1)(b) - Held that - In the present case, it is an admitted fact that the search u/s 132 of the Act took place on 31.07.2008 and as per provisions contained in Section 153A(1)(b) of the Act, the assessment was to be framed for the six assessment years i.e. the assessment year 2004-05 to assessment year 2009-10. However, the AO framed the assessment for the assessment year 2003-04 also which was outside, the purview of the provisions contained in the aforesaid referred to Section 153A(1)(b) of the Act. Therefore, the assessment order passed for the assessment year 2003-04 is held invalid. Since we have held the assessment itself as invalid, therefore, we do not see any merit in the appeal of the department. Moreover, the tax effect involved in the departmental appeal is less than ₹ 10,00,000/-, therefore, the department ought not to have filed the appeal as per the Circular No. 21 of 2015 dated 10.12.2015 issued by the CBDT. - Decided against revenue

Summary

Issues:
1. Disallowance of donation and bonus
2. Additional grounds challenging assessment order under section 153A

Analysis:

Issue 1: Disallowance of donation and bonus
The assessee appealed against the disallowance of a donation and bonus in the assessment order. The grounds raised by the assessee included challenging the confirmation of disallowance without considering documentary evidence and the timing of bonus payment. The assessee also sought allowance of the bonus in the next assessment year if disallowed in the relevant year. Additionally, the assessee raised objections on the basis of the Special Bench decision in the case of All cargo Global Logistics Ltd. The Tribunal admitted the additional grounds raised by the assessee, citing legal issues that did not require fresh investigation. The Tribunal referred to various case laws to support the admission of additional grounds as per the Supreme Court's ruling in National Thermal Power Co. Ltd. vs. CIT.

Issue 2: Additional grounds challenging assessment order under section 153A
The assessee contended that the assessment for the year 2003-04 was invalid as it was outside the scope of provisions under Section 153A(1)(b) of the Income Tax Act, which required assessments for the six years preceding the search year. The Tribunal agreed with the assessee's argument, noting that the assessment for the year 2003-04 was indeed invalid. As a result, the appeal of the department was dismissed, considering the tax effect involved and the CBDT Circular No. 21 of 2015. The Tribunal allowed the assessee's appeal on the legal issue, leading to the dismissal of the department's appeal.

In conclusion, the Tribunal ruled in favor of the assessee, allowing the appeal on the legal issue related to the assessment order under section 153A and dismissing the department's appeal due to the invalidity of the assessment for the year 2003-04.