2024 (7) TMI 340 - AT - Income Tax

Addition u/s 69A - Unexplained income - cash deposits made in Specified Bank Notes during the demonetization period - assessee is a cooperative credit society engaged in the business of providing loans and advances to its members and also in trading activities in fertilizers and allied products - HELD THAT - The assessee has duly explained the source of deposits, which has also been accepted by the AO. The only contention of the AO is that the assessee has violated the notification of the Central Government dated 08.11.2016 and accepted the Specified Bank Notes in lieu of sales made. For that, it is for the competent authority who may take action against the assessee as may be provided/applicable in relevant law. However, for the purpose of either section 68 or 69 of the Act, the said deposits cannot be treated as unexplained income of the assessee. Our above view is fortified by the decision of the Coordinate Bangalore Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Sri BhageerathaPattinaSahakara Sangha Niyamitha 2022 (2) TMI 1243 - ITAT BANGALORE Thus the addition made/confirmed by the lower authorities in the case of the assessee on this issue is not sustained and the same is accordingly ordered to be deleted. Appeal of the assessee stands allowed.

Summary

Issues:
Confirmation of addition by CIT(A) of cash deposits made during demonetization period as unexplained income under section 69A of the Income Tax Act.

Analysis:
The appeal was filed by the assessee against the order of the National Faceless Appeal Centre confirming the addition of Rs. 91,87,680 as unexplained income by treating cash deposits made during demonetization as per section 69A of the Act. The Assessing Officer noted that the cooperative credit society had deposited Rs. 2,20,97,000 during demonetization, out of which Rs. 91,87,680 was from cash sales made in Specified Bank Notes. The Assessing Officer added this amount to the income of the assessee. The CIT(A) upheld this addition.

The assessee contended that no cash sales were made during demonetization, and the deposited amount was collected from agents before demonetization and deposited in the bank account. The assessee argued that no violation of RBI circular occurred and that the provisions of section 69A were not applicable. The Tribunal noted that there was no evidence of cash sales during demonetization and that the deposits were made from collected amounts within the first three days of the period. The Tribunal held that the deposits could not be considered unaccounted income under section 69A, even if Specified Bank Notes were involved. The Tribunal referred to a similar case from the Bangalore Tribunal to support its decision.

The Tribunal emphasized that while the violation of RBI circular could attract action by the competent authority, it did not make the deposits unexplained income under the Income Tax Act. The Tribunal ordered the deletion of the addition made by the lower authorities, stating that the deposits were not sustainable as unexplained income under section 69A. Consequently, the appeal of the assessee was allowed, and the addition was deleted.