TMI Blog2022 (2) TMI 925X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... nder the Income Tax Act, 1961 by the Finance Act, 2021 - HELD THAT:- As decided in SUDESH TANEJA WIFE OF SHRI CP TANEJA case [ 2022 (1) TMI 1212 - RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT] Under no circumstances the extended period available in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 149 which we may recall now stands at 10 years instead of 6 years previously available with the revenue, can be pressed in service for reopening assessments for the past period. This flows from the plain meaning of the first proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 149. In plain terms a notice which had become time barred prior to 01.04.2021 as per the then prevailing provisions, would not be revived by virtue of the application of Section 149(1)(b) effective from 01.04.2021. All t ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... r the Income Tax Act, 1961 by the Finance Act, 2021. He pointed out that in a recent Division Bench judgment of this Court in a similar circumstances has quashed the reassessment notice. In case of Sudesh Taneja Vs. ITO decided on 27.01.2022 this Court had made following observations:- 36. It can thus be seen that original provisions upon their substitution stood repealed for all purposes and had no existence after introduction of the substituting provisions. We may refer to Section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 which provides inter-alia that where the State Act or Central Act or regulation repeals any enactment then unless a different intention appears repeal shall not revive anything not in force or existing at the time at which ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ndication all notices which were issued after 01.04.2021 had to be in accordance with such provisions. To reiterate, we find no indication whatsoever in the scheme of statutory provisions suggesting that the past provisions would continue to apply even after the substitution for the assessment periods prior to substitution. In fact there are strong indications to the contrary. We may recall, that time limits for issuing notice under Section 148 of the Act have been modified under substituted Section 149. Clause (a) of sub-section (1) of Section 149 reduces such period to three years instead of originally prevailing four years under normal circumstances. Clause (b) extends the upper limit of six years previously prevailing to ten years in ca ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... oth angles, namely, no indication of surviving the past provisions after the substitution and in fact an active indication to the contrary, inescapable conclusion that we must arrive at is that for any action of issuance of notice under Section 148 after 01.04.2021 the newly introduced provisions under the Finance Act, 2021 would apply. Mere extension of time limits for issuing notice under section 148 would not change this position that obtains in law. Under no circumstances the extended period available in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 149 which we may recall now stands at 10 years instead of 6 years previously available with the revenue, can be pressed in service for reopening assessments for the past period. This flows from t ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... pril, 2021 the time limit of 30th day of April 2021 was further extended up till 30th day of June, 2021. By effect of such notification, the individual identity of Section 148, which was prevailing prior to amendment and insertion of section 148A was insulated and saved uptill 30.06.2021. With respect, we are unable to persuade ourselves to accept this analysis of the situation. In our understanding by virtue of notifications dated 31.03.2021 and 01.04.2021 issued by CBDT substitution of reassessment provisions framed under the Finance Act, 2021 were not deferred nor could they have been deferred. The date of such amendments coming into effect remained 01.04.2021. 42. In the result we find that the notices impugned in the respect ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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