Facts
The assessee filed an appeal against an ex-parte appellate order that dismissed their appeal for failing to file written submissions. The assessee claimed the lower authorities erred in disallowing a deduction under Section 80P(2) by incorrectly applying Section 80P(4).
Held
The Tribunal noted that the assessee was given an opportunity but failed to submit written submissions, leading to an ex-parte dismissal. However, to ensure natural justice, the Tribunal set aside the lower authorities' orders.
Key Issues
Whether the disallowance of deduction under Section 80P(2) by invoking Section 80P(4) was correct, and whether the assessee was denied sufficient opportunity to present their case.
Sections Cited
143(3), 80P(2), 80P(4)
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, AHMEDABAD “SMC” BENCH
Before: DR. BRR Kumar & Shri T. R. Senthil Kumar
Assessment Year 2015-16 Limbasi Seva Sahakari Income Tax Officer Mandali Limited Ward-3, Nadiad Station Road Limbasi Vs TA Matar, Kheda, Gujarat-387520 PAN: AAAAT8858Q (Appellant) (Respondent) Assessee Represented: None Revenue Represented: Shri Rohit Aasudani, Sr. D.R. Date of hearing : 11-11-2025 Date of pronouncement : 13-11-2025 आदेश/ORDER PER : T.R. SENTHIL KUMAR, JUDICIAL MEMBER:-
This appeal is filed by the Assessee as against the exparte appellate order dated 02.06.2025 passed by the Addl. Commissioner of Income Tax/JCIT (Appeals)-13, Mumbai arising out of the assessment order passed under section 143(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’) relating to the Assessment Year 2015-16.
A.Y. 2015-16 Page No 2 Limbasi Seva Sahakari Mandli Ltd. vs. ITO
The Grounds of Appeal raised by the Assessee are as follows: (1) The NFAC has dismissed the appeal without considering the request of the Assessee for adjournment as CA was out of India and not provided sufficient opportunity to submit required documents to substantiate the facts of the case. (2)The NFAC did not consider the appeal in merit. The NFAC has erred in law and or on facts in holding that the deduction u/s 80P(2) of Rs. 31,15,639 is not allowable as per the provisions of Section 80P(4) of the Act. The Assessment Order itself contains the facts of the case that the Assessee is a registered Co-operative society not having any banking licence and eligible for deduction u/s 80P(2) of the Act and provisions of section 80P(4) is not applicable to the Assessee. However, the Lower Authorities have ignored the fact and even disregard the CBDT circular in the matter and applied the provisions of section 80P(4) to disallow deduction claimed of Rs. 31,15,639 u/s 80P(2) of the Act, which is wholly illegal, unlawful and against the principal of natural justice. (3)The NFAC order state that case has decided on the merits while adjudicating the same. However, all the ground has been dismissed ex- party without considering the facts and mechanically relied on the Order of the ITO without applying brain in the case. (4)The Assessee craves the leave of this court to add, delete or alter any ground of appeal where it is required for just and equitable ground.
3. On perusal of record, it is seen from the appellate order, the assessee was given opportunity between 19-03-2020 to 23-05- 2025. However the assessee failed to file written submission before the Ld. Addl.CIT(A) thereby the appeal was dismissed exparte. Ld. Counsel submitted that the assessee is willing to produce all relevant details and materials before Ld. Addl.CIT(A) to pass order on merits provided one more opportunity of hearing is given to the assessee.
Recording the same and in the interest of Principle of Natural Justice, we set-aside the orders passed by the lower authorities and restore the matter back to the file of Jurisdictional Assessing A.Y. 2015-16 Page No 3 Limbasi Seva Sahakari Mandli Ltd. vs. ITO Officer for de novo adjudication. The assessee shall submit all relevant documents explanations before the JAO and comply with the notices without seeking any unnecessary adjournments.
In the result, the appeal filed by the Assessee is allowed for statistical purpose.
Order pronounced in the open court on 13-11-2025 Sd/- Sd/- (DR. BRR KUMAR) (T.R. SENTHIL KUMAR) VICE PRESIDENT JUDICIAL MEMBER Ahmedabad : Dated 13/11/2025 आदेश क� ��त�ल�प अ�े�षत / Copy of Order Forwarded to:- 1. Assessee 2. Revenue 3. Concerned CIT 4. CIT (A) 5. DR, ITAT, Ahmedabad 6. Guard file. By order/आदेश से,
उप/सहायक पंजीकार आयकर अपील�य अ�धकरण, अहमदाबाद