The High Court examined the validity of reopening assessments ...

Property renovation costs undervalued? Tax reassessment invalid without proper justification.

Case Laws     Income Tax

September 11, 2024

The High Court examined the validity of reopening assessments based on the report of the District Valuation Officer (DVO). It distinguished between "reason to believe" and "mere suspicion" as grounds for reopening. The court held that the proximity of reasons to the belief of income escaping assessment is determinative. Absence of reasons would render it a mere suspicion, which is insufficient for reopening. The Assessing Officer solely relied on the DVO's valuation estimate of renovation/reconstruction costs, despite the assessee declaring the property's cost under "Fixed Assets and Capital WIP." The reasons did not reflect the AO's application of mind to ascertain whether the assessee had already declared the property's value correctly. Following the Supreme Court's ruling in Dhariya Construction Company, the court decided in favor of the assessee, holding the reopening notices unsustainable due to lack of valid reasons.

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