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2019 (7) TMI 358 - AT - Income Tax


Issues:
Confirmation of penalty under section 271(1)(c) of the Act based on TPO's findings.

Analysis:
The assessee appealed against the penalty levied by the Assessing Officer under section 271(1)(c) of the Act for the addition amounting to ?2,06,24,199 based on the findings of the Transfer Pricing Officer (TPO). The grounds raised by the assessee included challenging the confirmation of penalty by the CIT(A) and disputing the accuracy of the TPO's adjustments. The assessee argued that the TPO wrongly selected comparables, including government companies, which affected the margin calculation. The assessee contended that after excluding these comparables, the margin would align with the one assessed by the assessee, indicating no concealment of income or inaccurate particulars.

The TPO's selection of comparables was challenged by the assessee, highlighting discrepancies in the companies chosen and the impact on the margin calculation. The assessee cited legal precedents to support their argument that government companies are not suitable comparables for private entities. By excluding certain comparables, the margin calculated by the assessee closely matched the adjusted margin, indicating no deliberate concealment or furnishing of inaccurate particulars. The assessee emphasized acting in good faith and with due diligence in conducting the transfer pricing study, supported by legal precedents where penalties were not levied under similar circumstances.

The Tribunal observed that the TPO's selection of comparables, including government companies, led to discrepancies in the margin calculation. After excluding these comparables, the margin aligned with the assessee's assessment, indicating no intentional concealment or furnishing of inaccurate particulars. Considering the assessee's good faith and due diligence, supported by legal precedents, the Tribunal concluded that no penalty was justifiable. Consequently, the Tribunal set aside the CIT(A)'s decision and deleted the penalty, allowing the assessee's appeal.

In conclusion, the Tribunal found in favor of the assessee, setting aside the penalty imposed under section 271(1)(c) of the Act based on the TPO's findings. The decision was influenced by discrepancies in the TPO's selection of comparables, the alignment of margins after excluding certain companies, the assessee's good faith and due diligence, and legal precedents supporting the non-leviability of penalties in similar cases.

 

 

 

 

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