ALMECH ENTERPRISES,MUMBAI vs. ACIT, CC-2(2), MUMBAI

PDF · subscribers
ITA 2110/MUM/2023Status: DisposedITAT Mumbai27 October 2023AY 2018-194 pages

In favour of the assessee: the assessee's appeal was allowed. From the AI summary of this appeal.

AI SummaryAllowed

What did the Tribunal hold?

The Tribunal held that a mere shortfall in cash found during a survey compared to the books does not automatically warrant an addition under Section 69C. Following precedent, the Tribunal found that Section 69C was not attracted in this case.

What were the facts?

During a survey, the assessee's cash in hand was found to be Rs. 11,800, significantly less than the Rs. 18,00,312 shown in its books. The assessee failed to reconcile this shortfall or provide details to the AO.

What were the issues?

Whether a discrepancy between actual cash found and cash shown in books can lead to an addition under Section 69C without further evidence. Whether the onus is on the assessee to explain such a shortfall for the addition to be valid.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 69C,Section 143(3)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Cases cited in this judgment(1)Show list

Detected automatically from the text. Citations are also linked where they appear in the judgment. The count shows how many other judgments on BharatTax rely on the same authority.

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, “A” BENCH, MUMBAI

Before: SHRI N. K. CHOUDHRY, JM & SHRI GAGAN GOYAL, JM

For Appellant: Dr. K. Shivaram Ld. Senior Advocate, Adv. Revenue/
Hearing: 26.09.2023Pronounced: 27.09.2023

Appellant) : Respondent) Appellant/Assessee by : Dr. K. Shivaram Ld. Senior Advocate & Sh. Shashi Bekal, Ld. Adv. Revenue/Respondent by : Sh. Raghuveer Madanappa, Ld. DR Date of Hearing : 26.09.2023 Date of Pronouncement : 27.09.2023 O R D E R

Per N. K. Choudhry, JM:

1.

The Assessee/Appellant herein has preferred this appeal against the order dated 02.05.2023 impugned herein passed by Ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-48, Mumbai {in short ‘Ld. Commissioner’} u/s 143(3) of the Income Tax Act 1961 (in short ‘the Act’).

2.

In the instant case, as per revenue case, during the course of survey proceedings in the premises of the Assessee, actual cash of Rs. 11,800/- was found as against the cash in hand of Rs. 18,00,312/- which was shown in the books of account and therefore, there was a short fall to the tune of Rs. 17,88,512/-. Consequently the Assessee was show-

Almech Enterprises caused, as to why such short fall should not be treated as unexplained expenditure within the meaning of the provisions of section 69C of the Act. The Assessee not only failed to reconcile the difference but also failed to provide the requisite details asked for by the AO and therefore, the sum of Rs. 17,88,512/- was treated as unexplained expenditure and consequently added to the total income of Assessee under section 69C of the Act.

3.

The Assessee being aggrieved challenged the said addition before the Ld. Commissioner and filed its written submissions challenging the legality of the addition. The Ld. Commissioner upheld the addition of Rs. 17,88,512/- under section 69C of the Act by observing that no evidences were furnished by the Assessee during the assessment order and the appellate proceedings. The onus was on the Assessee to furnish the details/documentary evidences expenses, which the Assessee failed to do so, hence, the addition of Rs. 17,88,512/- under section 69C of the Act is upheld .

4.

The question emerge, as to whether on the basis of difference/shortfall between the actual cash found during the course of survey proceedings and the cash shown in the books of account, the addition u/s 69C of the Act is warranted, as made in this case. Dr. K. Shivaram Ld. Senior Advocate emphasized that Hon’ble Allahabad High Court of in the case of CIT vs. Kesarwani Sheetalaya, Allahabad (2019) 110 taxmann.com 415 (All.) also dealt the identical issue, wherein cash in hand in the books of account was found to be more than the actual cash found during the course of search. The Hon’ble High Court affirmed the decision of the Tribunal in holding that would not suffice to make addition under any of the provision under section 69 or section 69A

Almech Enterprises of the Act. The Hon’ble Co-ordinate Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Sarang & Associates vs. DCIT (ITA No. 1227 to 1229/Mum/2012 decided on 21.03.2018, also dealt with the identical issue and did not approve the making of addition under section 69C of the Act. The Ld. DR Sh. Raghuveer Madanappa, did not refute the said factual aspect. Hence, respectfully following the judgments referred to above, and considering the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case as the provisions of 69C of the Act are not attracted in this case, in our considered view, the addition is not warranted. Resultantly the same is deleted.

5.

In the result, appeal filed by the Assessee stands allowed. Orders pronounced in the open court on 27-09-2023. Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- (GAGAN GOYAL) (N. K. CHOUDHRY) Accountant Member Judicial Member SK, Sr.PS. Copy of the Order forwarded to : 1. The Appellant 2. The Respondent 3. DR, ITAT, Mumbai 4. Guard File 5. CIT BY ORDER, (Dy./Asstt.Registrar) ITAT, Mumbai

Sr. No. Details Date Initial Designation 1 26.09.23 Sr.PS/PS Draft dictated on (dictation sheets are attached with main file 2 Draft dictated on PC Sr.PS/PS 3 Draft Placed before author 27.09.23 Sr.PS/PS 4 JM/AM Draft proposed & placed before the Second Member 5 JM/AM Draft discussed/approved by Second Member 6 Approved Draft comes to the Sr.PS/PS Sr.PS/PS 7 Order pronouncement on Sr.PS/PS 8 File sent to the Bench Clerk Sr.PS/PS 9 Date on which the file goes to the Head clerk 10 Date on which file goes to the AR 11 Date of Dispatch of order

More judgments on Section 69C

All 8,217 judgments and leading authorities on Section 69C →

Recent GST High Court judgments

Search GST case law →