Draft Assessment Order Regime: Navigating the Multi-tiered Assessment Process and Distinct Nature of Section 144C Assessments

Deciphering Legal Judgments: A Comprehensive Analysis of Judgment of High Court on the issue of "Section 144C: The Mandatory Draft Assessment Order Regime"

Reported as:

2024 (9) TMI 157 - DELHI HIGH COURT

INTRODUCTION

This article examines a crucial legal issue concerning the interpretation and application of Section 144C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which governs the assessment process for eligible assessees engaged in international transactions. The core legal question presented is whether the requirement to frame a draft assessment order u/s 144C is mandatory or merely a procedural formality. The context and background surrounding this provision, including its enactment and the subsequent judicial pronouncements, are discussed.

ARGUMENTS PRESENTED

The primary contentions of the parties are outlined, along with the legal basis for each position and the evidence relied upon.

The petitioners argued that the failure to frame a draft assessment order u/s 144C is a violation of a mandatory legal requirement, rendering the final assessment order null and void. They relied on various judicial precedents, such as JCB India Ltd., Nokia India, and C-Sam, which have consistently upheld the mandatory nature of the draft assessment order requirement.

The respondents, on the other hand, contended that Sections 144B and 144C are pari materia (similar in nature), and the decision in Sarabjit Singh Versus Commissioner Of Income-Tax - 1998 (7) TMI 82 - DELHI High Court, which held that the failure to follow the procedure u/s 144B was a mere procedural irregularity, should be extended to Section 144C as well. They further argued that the court could exercise its extraordinary powers u/s 153(6) to remand the matter to the Assessing Officer (AO) for drawing proceedings afresh, notwithstanding the expiration of the statutory time frame.

COURT DISCUSSIONS AND FINDINGS

The court engaged in a detailed analysis of each legal issue, evaluating the precedents, evidence, and reasoning presented by both parties.

Regarding the contention that Sections 144B and 144C are pari materia, the court found this argument to be fundamentally misconceived and untenable. The court highlighted the distinct nature of Section 144C, which erects a special mechanism of assessment for eligible assessees, involving a multi-tiered process with the Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) playing a crucial role. The court distinguished the limited review power of the Deputy Commissioner u/s 144B from the independent inquiry and enhanced powers conferred upon the DRP u/s 144C and the accompanying rules.

The court further emphasized that the decision in Sarabjit Singh, which dealt with Section 144B, failed to cast doubt on the precedents interpreting Section 144C. The court recognized Section 144C as a self-contained code for assessment, creating a right for the assessee to challenge the draft order at multiple levels, thereby rendering the framing of a draft order a mandatory legal imperative, not merely a procedural irregularity.

Regarding the respondents' submission to remand the matter to the AO u/s 153(6), the court found this argument unpersuasive. The court clarified that Section 153(6) does not lift or extend the period of limitation prescribed by sub-sections (3) and (4) of Section 153, which had already expired in the present cases. Additionally, the court held that a direction to remand the matter would not constitute a "finding" or "direction" as contemplated u/s 153(6), as interpreted by the Supreme Court in Income-Tax Officer, A-Ward, Sitapur Versus Murlidhar Bhagwan Das - 1964 (1) TMI 5 - Supreme Court.

ANALYSIS AND DECISION

Based on its analysis, the court concluded that the failure to frame a draft assessment order u/s 144C is a violation of a mandatory legal requirement, rendering the final assessment orders null and void. The court upheld the view taken by the Tribunal, which had recognized the mandatory nature of the draft assessment order requirement.

Consequently, the court allowed the writ petitions and quashed the impugned final orders of assessment, along with all consequential notices issued pursuant to those orders. The petitioners were entitled to all consequential reliefs.

The court's decision reinforced the distinct nature of the Section 144C assessment regime and the legal principles surrounding the mandatory requirement of framing a draft assessment order, ensuring procedural fairness and adherence to the statutory framework.

DOCTRINAL ANALYSIS

The court's decision in this case further solidified the legal principles surrounding the interpretation and application of Section 144C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The court's analysis highlighted the evolution of the doctrine governing the assessment process for eligible assessees engaged in international transactions.

The court emphasized the unique and self-contained nature of the Section 144C assessment regime, distinguishing it from the earlier provisions like Section 144B. The court recognized the multi-tiered process involved in Section 144C assessments, with the Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) playing a crucial role in reviewing and guiding the assessment process.

By upholding the mandatory requirement of framing a draft assessment order u/s 144C, the court reinforced the principles of procedural fairness and adherence to statutory requirements. The court's decision underscored the importance of preserving the assessee's right to challenge the draft order at multiple levels, as envisioned by the statutory framework.

Furthermore, the court's clarification on the scope and applicability of Section 153(6) in the context of Section 144C assessments provided guidance on the limitations and boundaries of the court's power to remand matters for fresh assessment, particularly when statutory time frames have expired.

Overall, this decision contributes to the evolving jurisprudence surrounding transfer pricing regulations, international taxation, and the assessment procedures for eligible assessees engaged in cross-border transactions. It provides clarity and reinforces the principles of due process, statutory compliance, and fairness in the assessment of international transactions.

Full Text:

2024 (9) TMI 157 - DELHI HIGH COURT