LALITKUNJ SOBHASARIA FOUNDATION,KOLKATA vs. CIT(EXEMPTION),, KOLKATA

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ITA 1885/KOL/2025Status: DisposedITAT Kolkata24 June 20267 pages
AI SummaryRemanded

What did the Tribunal hold?

The Tribunal held that the timelines prescribed for filing applications under Section 80G(5) are directory and not mandatory. Therefore, the delay in filing the application should not be a ground for rejection.

What were the facts?

The assessee was granted provisional approval under Section 80G(5)(iv) but filed its application for regular approval under Section 80G(5)(iii) belatedly. The CIT(Exemption) rejected the application solely on the ground of the delayed filing of Form 10AB.

What were the issues?

Whether the delay in filing Form 10AB for approval under Section 80G(5)(iii) can be condoned and the application considered on merits.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 80G(5)(iv),Section 80G(5)(iii)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, “B” BENCH, KOLKATA

IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL “B” BENCH, KOLKATA Before Shri Rajesh Kumar, Accountant Member and Shri Pradip Kumar Choubey, Judicial Member ITA No.1885/Kol/2025

Lalitkunj Sobhasaria Foundation………………….………………………….Appellant 1, Ho-Chi-Minh Sarani, 8th Floor, Kolkata- 700071 [PAN No. AACTL0666K] Vs. CIT(Exemption)……………..………………..…………….………... Respondent 108, Middleton Road, 6th Floor, West Bengal- 700071. Appearances by: Miraj D. Shah, AR, appeared on behalf of the Appellant. Sanjit Kumar Das, CIT DR, appeared on behalf of the Respondent. Date of concluding the hearing : June 11, 2026 Date of pronouncing the order : June 24 ,2026 ORDER Per Pradip Kumar Choubey, Judicial Member: The present appeal has been preferred by the assessee against the order dated 23.06.2025 of CIT(Exemption), Kolkata of the Income Tax Act (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Act’).

2.

The brief facts of the case of the assessee that the assessee was granted provisional approval u/s 80G(5)(iv) of the Act in form no 10AC for a period from assessment year 2022-23 to assessment year 2024-25. Subsequently, an application for approval of the trust u/s 80G(5)(iii) was filed. A notice was issued

ITA No.1885/Kol/2025 to the assessee with a request to furnish detail on the activities carried out by the assessee as well as certain details/documents. In response to the said notice, the assessee furnished certain details, the CIT(E) found that assessee had already commenced its activities since February 2021 and extended due date for filing application in form 10AB was 30.06.2024 however assessee did not file the form 10AB within the stipulated time limit. As a result, application of the assessee has been rejected.

Aggrieved by the said order, assessee preferred appeal before us.

3.

The ld. AR challenges the very impugned order of Ld. CIT(E) by submitting that the CIT(E) erred in law by rejecting the application as non-maintainable solely on the ground that the form 10AB has been field belatedly ignoring the settled law that that direction passed by the CBDT is purely a directory in nature and it is not mandatory. The prayer of the assessee is that appeal of the assessee be remitted back to the file of the CIT(E) after condoning the delay and direction has to give to pass an order on merit. The Ld. AR filed following citation.

ITA No.1885/Kol/2025 (i) Mother Leela Trust Versus Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemption), Chennai

(ii) Gram Bartori Vikas Shikshan Samiti AT/PO Bartori Versus The Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemption) Bhopal (M.P)

Contrary to that, the ld. DR supports the impugned order.

4.

Upon hearing the submissions of the counsel of the respective parties and on perusal of the impugned order, we find that the sole issue for the rejection of the application for granting approval u/s 80G by the CIT(E) is the form 10AB filed beyond the time line prescribed by the revenue authorities. It is a fact that assessee has obtained provisional approval u/s 80G(iv) of the At in form No 10AC and he filed an application for approval of the trust u/s 80G(5)(iii) of the Act in form no. 10AB.

We have gone through the citation placed by the assessee and find that in case of Mother Leela Trust ITAT Chennal Bench has held thus:-

Rejection of application for grant of exemption u/s 80G- application of the assessee was rejected for having been filed late i.e beyond the timeline, including extended timeline, prescribed by 3

ITA No.1885/Kol/2025 the Revenue authorities case of the appellant that the delay cannot come in the way of its eligibility for grant of exemption u/s 80G whether the delay caused by the assessee in filing of its application u/s 80G for grant of registration can be condoned and registration be granted? HELD THAT:- As noted that CBDT through its instructions has accorded powers to the CIT(E) for condoning the delay in matters concerning 12A registrations. We have noted that while doing so, CBDT had primarily examined the issue of "continuing hardship" to the taxpayers in filing timely applications and thus being deprived of registration on such technical deficiencies. Registrations under section 12A and 80G are closely inter-linked and or rather supplementing their independent objectives. The present issue is also one of genuine hardships and therefore there cannot be a distinction within the same provision without bringing any exception. The provisions of 80G are for the benefit of donors who are donating amounts of money to Charitable Trusts, engaged in selfless public service, for claiming exemption in the Returns of Income.

The uniform view taken by this tribunal on the issue is that, considering the amendment by the Finance Bill 2024, the applications u/s 80G(5) after the due date can be considered

ITA No.1885/Kol/2025 within the meanings of the section 80G(5)(iv). As noted that the decision of the Coordinate bench of this tribunal in the case of CIT- 1982 Charitable Trust [2024 (3) TMI 1201ITAT CHENNAI] which has gone to conclude that the timelines u/s 80G(5) are directory in nature and that therefore any rejection of delayed applications by CIT(E) would be merely a case of reliance on pure technicalities.

We direct the CIT(E) to treat the delayed application filed by the assessee as having been filed under clause-(iv) of the first proviso to section 80G and decide in accordance with law. Appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.

The same view has been taken by the ITAT Bench Raipur in Gram Bartori Vikas Shikshan Samiti.

5.

Keeping in view the facts of the case as well as considering the order passed by the Tribunal, we direct the CIT(E) to treat the delay application filed by the assessee as have been filed under clause 4 of the first proviso to Section 80G and decide in accordance with law. The appeal of the assessee is remitted back to the file of the CIT(E) for fresh consideration.

The appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purpose.

ITA No.1885/Kol/2025 Kolkata, the 24th June, 2026.

Sd/- Sd/- [Rajesh Kumar] [Pradip Kumar Choubey] Accountant Member Judicial Member

Dated:. 24 .06. 2026. DC, PS

Copy of the order forwarded to: 1. Appellant - 2. Respondent - 3. CIT(A)- 4. CIT- 5. CIT(DR)

//True copy// By order Assistant Registrar, Kolkata Benches

ITA No.1885/Kol/2025

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