SMT. ASHABA RAJENDRASINH ZALA,JAMNAGAR vs. THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS),, JAMNAGAR

Denial of benefit of exemption/deduction to the tune of Rs. 1,45,000/- under Section 54(1)(ii) is the subject matter before us. The assessee purchased a plot of land at Rajnagar, Jamnagar on 09.02.1998 whereupon a residential house was constructed with an area of 273.75 sq. mtrs. at a cost of Rs. 10,25,750/-. Subsequently, the assessee sold

The Ld. CIT(A) passed the following orders in appeal. The relevant portion whereof is as follows:- “13.2 Again the appellant's AR during the course of appellate proceeding vide his letter dated 23/08/2017 has requested to make reference to the department valuation officer for valuation of the property and accordingly as per direction of the undersigned reference was made by the AO to the departmental valuation officer, valuation cell, Rajkot for valuation of the said property. Subsequently the AO has sent his remand report dated 05/06/2018 along with copy of valuation report dated 24/04/2018 of the Asst. Valuation Officer, valuation cell, Rajkot. On perusal of valuation report of departmental valuation officer, it is seen that the fair market value of the property has been estimated by him at Rs. 11,65,000/- as on 1999-2000 after considering the evidences produced by the appellant to him and also having taken in to accounts all the relevant materials gathered by him. It may be mentioned that the copy of remand report dated 05/06/2018 along with copy of valuation report of the departmental valuation officer were provided to the appellant and she was requested to file her reply. In response the AR of the appellant i.e. Shri Bhavin Shah, CA attended the appellate proceedings and stated that he is in agreement with the remand report with the AO, The AR has not raised any objection in respect of valuation of Rs. ll,65,000/- of the property as valued by the departmental valuation officer. In view of this, the value (i.e. cost of acquisition) of the property is considered at Rs. 11,65,000/- for the purpose of computing the capital gain on the basis of report of departmental valuation officer. Thus the ground of appeal no. 2 of the appellant is allowed. However, the AO is directed to consider the jantri value of Rs. 21,81,400/- as sale value of the property in view of stamp duty valuation. Again since he appellant himself has considered value of the property of Rs. 11,05,750/- which is less than the value of the property of Rs. 11,65,000/- as made by the DVO as per his valuation report and therefore the AO is directed to consider the cost of acquisition of property at 11,05,750/- and accordingly compute the capital gain.”

However, the benefit of basic exemption of Rs. 1,45,000/- has not been extended to the assessee. The Ld. CIT(A) while rejecting the claim of the assessee observed that the assessee was mandatorily required to file the return of income for the year under

On the other hand, the assessee’s contention is this that the amendment of this proviso of Section 139(1) is applicable w.e.f. assessment 2020-21 which is not applied in the case of the applicant. In this regard, he has drawn our attention to Page 132 of the Paper Book upon considering the same we find merit and substance in the case made out by the assessee. It appears that the 6th Proviso of Section 139(1) after amendment is applicable for A.Y. 2020-21. The assessee’s case is not coming unde the purview of such proviso. Hence, we hold that the assessee is entitled to such claim under Section 54 of the Act. We, therefore, allow the appeal by directing the Ld. AO to pass orders in accordance with law.

In the result, the appeal preferred by the assessee is allowed. This Order pronounced in Open Court on 30/09/2021