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2019 (2) TMI 1429 - AT - Income Tax


Issues Involved:
1. Invocation of section 263 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 by the Principal Commissioner of Income-tax (PCIT).
2. Examination of the deduction claimed under section 80IA of the Income-tax Act, 1961.
3. Determination of whether the assessment order was erroneous and prejudicial to the interest of the Revenue.

Issue-wise Detailed Analysis:

1. Invocation of Section 263 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 by the PCIT:
The assessee challenged the correctness of the order dated 31.03.2017 by the Principal Commissioner of Income-tax (PCIT), New Delhi, invoking section 263 of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The PCIT held that the assessment order dated 05.12.2014 was erroneous and prejudicial to the interest of the Revenue. The PCIT's primary contention was that the Assessing Officer (AO) failed to properly examine the facts and admissibility of the deduction claimed under section 80IA during the assessment proceedings.

2. Examination of the Deduction Claimed Under Section 80IA:
The assessee electronically filed the return on 30.11.2012, claiming a deduction under section 80IA. The case was selected for scrutiny, and the assessment order was framed under section 143(3) on 05.12.2014. The PCIT issued a show cause notice for proceedings under section 263, stating that the AO failed to discuss the nature of the business activities and allowed the deduction without proper examination. The assessee submitted detailed replies to the notices issued by the AO, providing comprehensive information about the business, including the Concessionaire Agreement with Delhi International Airport Private Limited (DIAL) and the responsibilities undertaken by the company.

3. Determination of Whether the Assessment Order was Erroneous and Prejudicial to the Interest of the Revenue:
The Tribunal examined whether the assessment order was erroneous and prejudicial to the interest of the Revenue. It referenced several judicial decisions, including the Hon'ble Supreme Court's decision in Malabar Industrial Co. Ltd. and the Hon'ble Bombay High Court's decision in Gabriel India Ltd., which emphasized that an order is erroneous if it is not in accordance with law or passed without proper inquiry. The Tribunal noted that the AO issued multiple notices and received detailed replies from the assessee, indicating that the AO made adequate inquiries before framing the assessment order. The Tribunal concluded that the AO's order was not erroneous as it was based on proper inquiries and compliance by the assessee.

The Tribunal also referenced the Hon'ble High Court of Gujarat's decision in CIT vs. Nirma Chemical Works Ltd., which stated that an assessment order does not need to incorporate detailed reasons for upholding a claim if the AO is satisfied with the explanations provided. The Tribunal found that the AO's satisfaction with the assessee's claim under section 80IA was evident from the records.

Conclusion:
The Tribunal set aside the order of the PCIT, restoring the assessment order dated 05.12.2014 framed under section 143(3). It held that the AO made sufficient inquiries and that the assessment order was neither erroneous nor prejudicial to the interest of the Revenue. The Tribunal emphasized that the powers under section 263 can only be exercised when the assessment order is both erroneous and prejudicial to the Revenue, which was not the case here. The appeal of the assessee was allowed.

 

 

 

 

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