SPS EDUCATIONAL AND WELFARE SOCIETY,GHAZIABAD vs. DCIT, CPC, BANGLORE

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ITA 2677/DEL/2019Status: DisposedITAT Delhi31 August 2022AY 2015-165 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 the CIT(A) was too harsh in dismissing the appeal on limitation without considering the merits. The Tribunal condoned the delay and directed the CIT(A) to decide the appeal on merits.

What were the facts?

The assessee, an educational society, filed its return claiming exemption under Section 10(23C)(iiiad). Due to software errors and subsequent invalidation of the return, the assessee filed a rectification application which was rejected. The appeal before the CIT(A) was dismissed due to alleged delay in filing.

What were the issues?

Whether the CIT(A) erred in dismissing the appeal solely on the grounds of limitation without adjudicating the merits of the case, and whether the delay in filing the appeal should be condoned.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 154,Section 143(1)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, DELHI BENCH “G”: NEW DELHI

Before: SHRI ANIL CHATURVEDI & SHRI ANUBHAV SHARMA

For Appellant: Shri Akhilesh Kumar, Adv
For Respondent: Shri Abhishek Kumar, Sr. DR
Hearing: 04/08/2022Pronounced: 31/08/2022

O R D E R PER ANUBHAV SHARMA, J. M.:

1. 1. The present appeal has been preferred by the Assessee against the order dated 20.01.2019 of Ld. CIT(A), Ghaziabad (hereinafter referred as Ld. First Appellate Authority) arising out of an appeal before it against the assessment order dated 30.08.2017 passed u/s 154 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred as ‘the Act’) by the AO, ld. DCIT-CPC, Ghaziabad (hereinafter referred as the Ld. AO).

2. Brief facts of the care are that the assessee is a society running an educational Institution under the name and style of Indraprastha Public School. The case of assessee is that the Income tax return for A.Y. 2015- 2016 was filed on 25.03.2016. In Part A -GEN (Personal Information) of ITR-7 it was clearly mentioned that this society is exempt u/s 10(23C)(iiiad). Further in Para B of other details it is al so mentioned that it is eligible for exemption u/s 10(23C((iiiad) as its aggregate annual receipts is below Rs. 1 crore (i.e. Rs. 8553876/-). Further in reply to a question in Part C of other details of ITR-7 It is cl early mentioned that the society is not registered u/s 12A. Due to certain inbuilt default in the software used for filing of return (MDA Software), the amount of Rs. 8553876/- was automatically shown in column no 7 which was neither filled in by the assessee nor intended to do so. It is stated that this column pertains to society registered u/s 12A/12AA. After filing return on 25.03.2016, CPC issued notice s u/s 139(9) which was finally replied on 06.12.2016. The above return was treated as invalid return on 10.03.2017. So the assessee has again filed its original ITR for A.Y. 2015- 2016 on 30.03.2017. Meanwhile CPC processed the above invalid return suo moto on 27.03.2017 which in fact came to the knowledge of the assessee only after 30.03.2017. The Ld. CPC has not taken any action against the return filed on 30.03.2017 hence assessee opted to file application u/s 154 on 26.08.2017 against the order passed u/s 143(1) for an invalidated return. In fact the society has gross receipts of Rs. 8553876/- against which Rs. 8227530/- was used for educational purpose leaving behind a surplus of Rs. 326346/- only which is exempt u/s 10(23C)(iiiad). But the CPC has processed the return u/s 143(l)(a) of the Income tax Act 1961 by treating the whole receipts of Rs. 8553876/- as income of the assessee and levied a huge demand of tax of Rs. 3268230/- which is erroneous and is liable to be deleted. Through the rectification application filed u/s 154 of the Income Tax Act 1961 on dated 26.08.2017, a fresh xml file duly correcting the mistakes apparent from the records was filed wherein it is clearly mentioned that the income of the trust is exempt u/s 10(23C)(iiiad) of the Income Tax Act 1961 being an educational institution solely for educational purpose gross receipts of which does not exceed Rs. 1 crore but that application was summarily rejected by the CPC Bangalore and order of rejection was received by the assessee on 16.02.2018. Page | 2

3.

However, the ld CIT(A) dismissed the appeal of the Assessee with the following order held as under:- “2.1 Admittedly the appellant received the order u/s 154 dt. 2.,03.2017. Thus there is unjustifiable delay of more than 1 year in filing the appeal, it is also noted that appellant preferred application u/s 253(5) which is not maintainable before undersigned. Thus there is unjustifiable delay in filing the appeal. Condonation of delay is not a matter of right since appellant has failed to show reasons of delay on last day of limitation and thereafter for each day, it is felt that appellant has not acted with reasonable diligence in prosecuting the appeal Reliance in this regard is placed on decision in the case of Rankak & Ors, Vs Rewa Coalfields Ltd. AIR 1962 SC 361, JCIT vs Tractors & Farm Equipments Ltd. (ITAT, Chennai-TM) 1Q41TD149, Madhu Dadha vsACIT(Mad) 317 m 458. Considering above facts and circumstances this appeal preferred by the appellant is treated as non-est being defective.”

4.

The Assessee is in appeal before us raising following grounds of appeal:- “1. Because, Ld. CIT (Appeals) grossly erred in law and on the facts and circumstances of the case in dismissing the appeal by wrongly alleging the same as non-maintainable.

2. Because, order of Ld. CIT (Appeals) is inherently wrong in presuming the delay of four months or delay of one year in filing the appeal which is filed well within the period of limitation of 30 days, hence order is against all the cannons of law.

3. Therefore, it is very respectfully prayed that this court may kindly be pleased to set aside the order under question with the direction deemed fit to CIT(A) to hear matter on merits.”

5. Heard and perused the record. The Ld. Counsel for the Assessee relied upon the judgments/ orders of the Hon’ble Allahabad High Court in the case of Subhash Malik Vs. CIT, Meerut (2010) 325 ITR 243, M/s. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd Vs. DCIT, Bangalore in to contend that the ld. CIT(A) has been harsh to apply the stringent provision without taking into consideration the merit of the ground. Ld DR however submitted that there is no error in findings of Ld CIT(A).

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