SMS CONCAST AG,NEW DELHI vs. ACIT, CIRCLE-3(1)(2), (INTERNATIONAL TEXATION), NEW DELHI
What did the Tribunal hold?
The Tribunal upheld the order of the CIT(A) and dismissed the Revenue's appeal. The sole issue was the deletion of the addition of Rs.1,41,36,737/- made under Section 68 of the Act by the AO. The AO had made the addition for alleged unexplained cash deposits during the demonetization period. The assessee's stand was that these deposits were from cash sales and recovery from debtors. The CIT(A), after examining the audited books of account, VAT & Excise returns, and other documents furnished by the assessee, concluded that the assessee's submissions were duly supported by evidence. The Tribunal noted that the AO had not pointed out any defects in the books of account or rejected them. The assessee had discharged its onus in proving the source of cash deposits. The Tribunal found no reason to interfere with the CIT(A)'s findings, as the Revenue's representative failed to controvert them. Therefore, the appeal of the Revenue was dismissed as devoid of merit.
What were the facts?
The Revenue has appealed against the order of the CIT(A) dated 08.06.2023 for Assessment Year 2017-18. The appeal was filed with a delay of 323 days, which the Tribunal condoned. The core issue pertains to an addition of Rs.1,41,36,733/- made by the Assessing Officer (AO) under Section 68 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, for alleged unexplained cash credits. The AO had made this addition after observing cash deposits of Rs.1,50,36,500/- in the assessee's bank account and finding the assessee's explanation inadequate. The CIT(A) had deleted this addition, accepting the assessee's contention that the deposits were out of cash sales and recovery from debtors.
What were the issues?
1. Whether the CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition of Rs.1,41,36,733/- made under Section 68 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, as unexplained cash credits. Assessee's contentions: The assessee, engaged in manufacturing and sale of textile chemicals, argued that the AO made the addition without proper examination of books or calling for further documents. The assessee contended that its cash sales and recovery from debtors, supported by VAT and Excise returns and audited books of account, explained the cash deposits. The assessee also pointed out that cash deposits were regular, not just during demonetization, and that revenue increased while cash deposits decreased in a preceding period. Revenue's contentions: The Revenue argued that the assessee failed to substantiate the source of cash deposits. It submitted that the CIT(A) erred in accepting the assessee's reasoning that deposits were from cash sales, especially when cash sales for the year were NIL. The Revenue also contended that the closing cash balance provided by the assessee did not reconcile with the opening balance, less deposits and plus withdrawals.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, DELHI BENCH “A”, DELHI
Before: SHRI VIKAS AWASTHY & SHRI S RIFAUR RAHMAN
ORDER
PER VIKAS AWASTHY, JM:
This appeal by the Revenue is directed against the order of Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), National Faceless Appeal Centre, Delhi [in short ‘the CIT(A)] dated 08.06.2023, for the Assessment Year 2017-18.
The appeal of Revenue is time barred by 323 days. The Revenue has filed application seeking condonation of delay in filing of appeal. After perusing application for condonation of delay, we are satisfied that delay in filing of present appeal is un- (A.Y. 2017-18) intentional and was for the reasons stated in the application which appear to be bonafide. Hence, delay of 323 days in filing of appeal is condoned and appeal is admitted for hearing on merits.
The revenue in appeal has raised as many as six grounds. All the grounds of appeal
are in respect of single addition of Rs.1,41,36,733/- made u/s. 68 of the Income Tax Act,1961(hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’), deleted by the CIT(A).
4. Shri Ashish Tripathi, representing the department submitted that during the period relevant to assessment year under appeal, there were cash deposits to the tune of Rs.1,50,36,500/- in bank account of the assessee. The assessee failed to substantiate source of cash deposits. Hence, the Assessing Officer (AO) vide assessment order dated 30.12.2019 passed u/s. 143(3) of the Act made addition of Rs.1,41,36,733/- as unexplained cash credits u/s. 68 of the Act. In First Appellate proceedings, the CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition of Rs.1,41,36,733/- by accepting assessee’s reasoning that is the cash deposits were out of cash sales, whereas, cash sales during the year were NIL. The ld. DR further submitted that the CIT(A) has erred in not considering the fact that the closing cash balance in the chart provided by the assessee was not matching with the opening cash balance less cash deposited in the bank plus cash withdrawals from the bank. The ld. DR vehemently supporting assessment order prayed for reversing findings of the CIT(A) and upholding addition u/s. 68 of the Act.
5. Per contra, Shri C M Jain appearing on behalf of the assessee vehemently defended the impugned order. The ld. AR of the assessee submits that the assessee company is engaged in manufacturing and sale of various textile chemicals. The AO without examining the books of assessee and without calling of any further document made addition of cash deposits u/s. 68 of the Act. The entire sales of the assessee are (A.Y. 2017-18) corroborated with VAT and Excise returns and Audits books of account. The assessee was able to demonstrate before the CIT(A) with same set of documents that the cash deposits during the period relevant to assessment year under appeal were out of cash sales/recovery from debtors and cash balances. Thus, source of cash deposits in the bank during demonetization period was duly explained. It was not only during demonetization period that the cash was deposited in the bank, the assesee was regularly depositing cash even before the period of demonetization. The assessee was able to demonstrate from the documents on record that during April 2016 to October 2016, the revenue of the assessee increased by 8% as compared to preceding assessment year, whereas, cash deposits decreased by 5%. The ld. AR thus, prayed for upholding the impugned order and dismissing appeal of the Revenue.
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