PENS SAHYOG FOUNDATION,THANE vs. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX . (EXEMPTION), PUNE
What did the Tribunal hold?
The Tribunal found that the CIT's decision was based on inadequate documentation and representation. Therefore, the case was remanded back to the CIT for fresh adjudication after providing the assessee with a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
What were the facts?
The assessee's application for registration under Section 12AA was rejected by the CIT (Exemptions) for non-compliance and lack of details. The assessee appealed this decision, citing lack of adequate opportunity and bonafide reasons for non-compliance.
What were the issues?
Whether the CIT erred in rejecting the registration without providing an adequate opportunity to the assessee and whether the non-compliance was due to bonafide reasons.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, “B” BENCH, PUNE
Before: SHRI D. KARUNAKARA RAO, AM & SHRI LALIET KUMAR, JM
ORDER
PER D. KARUNAKARA RAO, AM:
This appeal filed by the assessee is against the order of the CIT (Exemptions), Pune passed u/s 12AA(1)(b)(ii) of the Act dated 24.05.2019 for the assessment year 2019-20.
The grounds raised
by the assessee are as under :- “1.0 On facts and circumstances of the case and in law, Ld. CIT (Exemption) erred in passing the order u/s 12AA exparte without providing an adequate opportunity of being heard and on ignoring the fact that the non- compliance had occurred under the bonafide reasons and compelling circumstances beyond control of the appellant; 2.0 On facts and circumstances of the case and in law, Ld. CIT (Exemption) erred in rejecting the registration u/s 12A of the Act; 3.0 A prayer is made to set-aside the order back to the file of Ld. CIT(Exem) with a direction to decide the application seeking for registration u/s 12A of the Act. The appellant craves leave to add, amend, alter and/or withdraw any of the grounds of appeal at the time of hearing.”
3. Despite service of notice by the ITAT, there was none to represent the assessee. Therefore, this appeal is being decided on the basis of material available on record and after hearing the ld. DR for the Revenue.
4. Before us, ld. DR for the Revenue explaining the facts of the case and submitted that the assessee wants one more round of proceedings before the CIT (Exemptions) and brought our attention to ground no.1 relating to the grant of adequate opportunity to the assessee.
5. On perusal of the order u/s 12AA of the Act, we find the CIT (Exemptions) rejected the registration for want of details and due to non- cooperation of the assessee as per the discussion given in para 4 and 5 of the order of CIT (Exemptions). For the sake of completeness, the said para 4 and 5 are extracted hereunder :- On ITBA portal, it is seen that the applicant company has not “4. uploaded/submitted any details till date which were called for vide notice dated 24.01.2019. Even, on perusal of the submission uploaded alongwith 10A application, it is seen that the applicant has not submitted details of the charitable activities carried out since alongwith proof, details of bank account, declaration u/s 13(1)(c) and 11(5) of the IT Act, No objection certificate for applicant premise and details of donation received during the year as laid down according to the provisions of section 12AA(1)(a) of the IT Act. Therefore, the genuineness of the charitable nature of activities is not established.
5. In view of the above, the applicant company has not furnished requisite details on the ITBA portal or complied the notice issued dated 24.01.2019 to process the application for granting registration u/s 12AA of the Act. Therefore, I am not satisfied about the charitable nature of objects as well as the genuineness of activities of the company/ institution and therefore, the request for grant of registration u/s 12AA of the Income-tax Act, 1961 cannot be accepted.”
More judgments on Section 12AA
- Yashaswi Academy for Skills, Pune vs PCIT (Central), PuneITA 2448/PUN/2026[NA]Status: Disposed13 Oct 2026
- Yashaswi Academy for Skills, Pune vs PCIT (Central), PuneITA 2447/PUN/2026[NA]Status: Disposed13 Oct 2026
- Sri Jawahar Education Trust, Chamarajanagar vs The Income Tax Officer Ward 1…ITA 1735/BANG/2026[2016-17]Status: Disposed5 Oct 2026AY 2016-17
- Punjab Urban Planning and Development… vs Income Tax Officer, Ward 6(1), MohaliITA 636/CHANDI/2024[2021-22]Status: Disposed1 Oct 2026AY 2021-22
- Punjab Urban Planning and Development… vs Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Circle…ITA 635/CHANDI/2024[2017-18]Status: Disposed1 Oct 2026AY 2017-18
Recent GST High Court judgments
Search GST case law →- M/S. V J Petro Products vs. The Deputy Assistant Commissioner (St) - IiiAndhra Pradesh · 27 Oct 2026
- M/S Asian Aura vs. Government Of Nct Of Delhi And Ors.Delhi · 27 Oct 2026
- Shining Steel Through Its Proprietor Kartik Gupta vs. Union Of INDIA & Ors.Delhi · 27 Oct 2026
- M/S Redamancy World Through Its Proprietor Sanjay Kumar Goel vs. Central Board Of Indirect Taxes And Customs & Ors.Delhi · 27 Oct 2026
- M/S Arj Exim INDIA vs. Additional Commissioner Of CGST, Appeals-Ii, New Delhi And OrsDelhi · 27 Oct 2026