DR. SUNIL KESHAVRAO SONAWANE,NASHIK vs. ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX, CIRCLE - 2, NASHIK

Since the identical facts and issues are involved in both the appeals, we proceed to dispose of the same by way of this common order.

Briefly, the facts of the case are that the appellant is an individual engaged in profession of doctor in D.N.B. Cardiology. A survey operations u/s 133A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (‘the Act’ for short) were conducted in 2 & 2424/PUN/2017 the business premises of the appellant on 11.03.2011. During the course of survey operations, the Assessing Officer found that the actual professional receipts were reflected in the returns of income filed for the assessment years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11. Accordingly, a notice u/s 148 of the Act was issued on 26.09.2011. In response to the notice u/s 148, the appellant filed the returns of income showing the gross receipts exceeding turnover prescribed for filing the tax audit report u/s 44AB of the Act. Accordingly, the Assessing Officer initiated the penalty proceedings u/s 271B of the Act and imposed the penalty of Rs.22,550/- and Rs.25,040/- for the assessment years 2008-09 and 2009-10 vide penalty order dated 25.09.2013 rejecting the contention of the appellant that since the assessments were made consequent to the returns of income filed in response to notice u/s 148 of the Act since tax audit report was filed allowing with the same, no penalty should be imposed.

Being aggrieved by the above action of the Assessing Officer, an appeal was preferred before the ld. CIT(A), who vide his impugned order confirmed the action of the Assessing Officer.

Being aggrieved by the order of the ld. CIT(A), the appellant is before us in the present appeals.

We heard the ld. CIT-DR and perused the material on record. Admittedly, in the original returns of income filed, the appellant had not disclosed the actual gross receipts and the actual gross receipts were reflected in the revised returns of income filed by the appellant and the tax audited report was filed along with the revised returns of income. The occasion to get the books of account audited would arise only once the actual turnover was reflected in the books of account regularly maintained. The