Decoding the Mandatory Timelines: A Thorough Examination of the Income Tax Assessment Order Nullification

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Deciphering Legal Judgments: A Comprehensive Analysis of Case Law

Reported as:

2024 (3) TMI 62 - DELHI HIGH COURT

Introduction

This article delves into a recent judgment by the Hon'ble High Court, which quashed an income tax assessment order and consequential penalty proceedings. The court's decision hinged on the failure of the tax authorities to comply with the mandatory timelines prescribed u/s 144C(13) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (the Act). The judgment not only provides clarity on the interpretation of the statutory provisions but also reinforces the legal principles governing the assessment procedure and the role of the Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP).

Arguments Presented

The primary challenge advanced by the writ petitioner was that the impugned assessment order, dated August 24, 2022, was contrary to the provisions of Section 144C(13) of the Act. The petitioner contended that once the DRP framed its direction on June 20, 2022, in accordance with Section 144C(5) of the Act, the Assessing Officer (AO) was mandated to complete the assessment in conformity with those directions within one month from the end of the month in which such direction was received.

The petitioner argued that the DRP's direction was uploaded on the Income Tax Business Application (ITBA) portal on June 24, 2022, and the period of one month as contemplated in Section 144C(13) should be computed from June 30, 2022. Consequently, the assessment order could have been framed only up to July 31, 2022.

The respondents, on the other hand, contended that the period of one month should be computed from July 25, 2022, when the Transfer Pricing Officer (TPO) passed an order giving effect to the DRP's directions. They argued that the assessment order dated August 24, 2022, was within the prescribed period.

Discussions and Findings of the Court

Interpretation of Section 144C

The court examined the provisions of Section 144C of the Act and observed that once the DRP framed a direction u/s 144C(5), the AO was mandatorily required to frame an assessment order in terms thereof, without providing any further opportunity of hearing to the assessee. This principle was affirmed by the Bombay High Court in the cases of Vodafone Idea Limited Versus Central Processing Centre, Bengaluru, Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax, Circle-5 (2) (2) , Mumbai [now Circle-5 (2) (1) ] Mumbai, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income tax, Union of India - 2023 (11) TMI 449 - BOMBAY HIGH COURT and Shell India Markets Private Limited Versus Additional/Joint/Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax/Income Tax Officer, National Faceless Assessment Centre, New Delhi, Deputy Commissioner of Income-tax, Circle 3 (4) , Mumbai, Union of India - 2022 (2) TMI 1149 - BOMBAY HIGH COURT

Role of the Transfer Pricing Officer (TPO)

The court noted that the procedure of assessment u/s 144C did not envisage or contemplate the involvement of the TPO once the DRP had framed its direction. The role of the TPO came to an end once an order u/s 92CA(4) of the Act was framed and remitted to the AO. Therefore, there was no occasion for the TPO to resume proceedings after the DRP's direction on June 20, 2022.

Faceless Assessment Scheme and Service of Orders

The court highlighted the provisions of the E-Assessment Scheme, 2019, which mandated that all orders, notices, and decisions be uploaded on the ITBA portal as part of the faceless assessment regime. The uploading of the DRP's directive on the ITBA portal on June 24, 2022, constituted valid and sufficient service, and the period of limitation prescribed in Section 144C(13) should be computed from that date.

Analysis and Decision by the Court

Based on the above discussions and findings, the court concluded that the order of assessment could have been framed lastly by July 31, 2022. The failure of the respondents to comply with the mandatory timelines incorporated in Section 144C(13) rendered the impugned order of assessment and consequential penalty proceedings liable to be set aside.

Consequently, the court allowed the writ petition, quashed the impugned assessment order dated August 24, 2022, and the penalty show cause notice of the same date. The court further directed that, due to the failure of the respondents to implement the DRP's directives, the return as submitted by the petitioner would be deemed to have been accepted, and the tax liability would be worked out accordingly.

Legal Principles and Doctrines

The judgment reinforced the following legal principles and doctrines:

Mandatory Timelines: The court upheld the interpretation that the timelines prescribed u/s 144C(13) of the Act for completing the assessment after receiving the DRP's directions are mandatory in nature.
Binding Nature of DRP Directions: The court reiterated that the directions issued by the DRP u/s 144C(5) are binding on the AO, and the AO must frame the assessment order in conformity with those directions without providing any further opportunity of hearing to the assessee.
Faceless Assessment Regime: The judgment highlighted the significance of the E-Assessment Scheme, 2019, and the requirement of uploading all orders, notices, and decisions on the ITBA portal as part of the faceless assessment regime.
Statutory Interpretation: The court applied the principles of statutory interpretation, emphasizing the importance of assigning words their natural, original, and precise meaning when the language of the statute is clear and unambiguous.

Comprehensive Summary

The judgment provided clarity on the interpretation of Section 144C(13) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and reinforced the mandatory nature of the timelines prescribed for completing the assessment after receiving the DRP's directions. The court emphasized that the AO is bound by the DRP's directions and must frame the assessment order in conformity with those directions, without providing any further opportunity of hearing to the assessee.

The judgment also highlighted the significance of the E-Assessment Scheme, 2019, and the requirement of uploading all orders, notices, and decisions on the ITBA portal as part of the faceless assessment regime. The court held that the uploading of the DRP's directive on the ITBA portal constituted valid and sufficient service, and the period of limitation should be computed from that date.

Furthermore, the court affirmed that the procedure of assessment u/s 144C did not envisage the involvement of the TPO once the DRP had framed its direction. The role of the TPO came to an end once an order u/s 92CA(4) was framed and remitted to the AO.

In conclusion, the court quashed the impugned assessment order and consequential penalty proceedings due to the failure of the tax authorities to comply with the mandatory timelines prescribed u/s 144C(13) of the Act. The judgment reinforced the legal principles governing the assessment procedure and the binding nature of the DRP's directions, while also emphasizing the importance of adhering to statutory timelines and the faceless assessment regime.

Full Text:

2024 (3) TMI 62 - DELHI HIGH COURT