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Facts
The assessee filed five appeals against separate orders of the Ld.CIT(A) for assessment years 2014-15 to 2017-18, which were significantly delayed. The CIT(A) had dismissed these appeals due to the assessee's inability to substantiate claims or non-compliance during proceedings. The assessee filed condonation applications, stating sufficient reasons for the delays.
Held
The Tribunal condoned the delays in filing the appeals. All issues were restored to the Assessing Officer (AO) for readjudication, granting the assessee another opportunity to be heard. This restoration is contingent upon the assessee paying specified costs to the ITAT Bar Association within 60 days, failing which the CIT(A)'s orders would be confirmed.
Key Issues
Condonation of delay in filing appeals, assessee's non-compliance in providing documents, and restoration of issues to the Assessing Officer for fresh adjudication.
Sections Cited
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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, CUTTACK BENCH CUTTACK
Before: SHRI GEORGE MATHAN & SHRI RAJESH KUMAR
O R D E R Per Bench : These are five appeals filed by the assessee against the separate orders of Ld.CIT(A), National Faceless Appeal Centre(NFAC), Delhi dated 31.05.2023, 20.05.2025, 24.09.2020 & 27.09.2023 for the assessment years 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018 & 2014-2015. 2. At the outset, ld.AR we find that appeals of the assesee in for A.Y.2015-2016 is delayed by 737 days. for A.Y.2016-2017 is delayed by 06 days. ITA No.431/CTK/2025 for A.Y.2017-2018 is delayed by 249 days.
A.Y.2014-2015 is delayed by 639 days & for A.Y.2017-2018 is delayed by 639 days. In this regard, the assesee has filed condonation application in each of the above files supported by affidavits stating sufficient reasons for delay in filing the above appeals. Ld. CIT-DR/Sr. DR did not raise any serious objection in condoning the above delay in the respective appeals. Considering the prayer of the assesee and the fact that the reasons stated in the affidavit for delay in filing the above appeals are not found to be false, therefore, the delay in filing the respective appeals of the assesee is condoned and all the appeals are admitted for hearing.
Ld. AR submitted that the ld. CIT(A) has dismissed the appeals of the assesse without providing sufficient opportunity of being heard to the assesee. It was also the submissions of the ld. AR that the assesee could not provide the details during the course of assessment proceedings. It was submitted that the issues in all the appeals may be restored to the file of ld. AO so that the assessee could be able to produce all the relevant facts in support of his claim before the ld. AO 4. Ld CIT-DR/Sr DR submitted that proper opportunities were allowed and the assessee could not produce the documents as required by both the authorities below. If the matter is restored to the file of ld. AO, a cost may be imposed on the assessee for his non-compliant before both the authorities below.
We have considered the rival submissions. On perusal of the impugned order shows that the assesse was unable to substantiate its claim before the ld. CIT(A) by submitting relevant documents. A further perusal of the assessment order, it is found that the assessee has already shown his inability to produce the documents as required by the ld. AO during the course of assessment proceedings. A perusal of the order of the ld. CIT(A) for A.Y.2015-2016, the ld. CIT(A) has dismissed the appeal of the assesee on account of delay. However, looking to the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the submission of the ld. AR, we condone the delay in filing the appeal before ld. CIT(A). Further looking to the non-compliance made by the assesee before either of the authorities below for all the years under consideration, so as to give one more opportunity to the assessee, in the interest of justice, the issues in all these appeals are restored to the file of the ld.AO for readjudication afresh after granting the assessee adequate opportunity of being heard, subject to a payment of costs of Rs.5,000/-(Rupees Five Thousand only) in 430, 431, 454/CTK/2025 and Rs.25,000/-(Rupees Twentyfive Thousand only) in ITA No.455/CTK/2025, payable by the assesee to the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Bar Association, Sector-1, CDA, Cuttack-753014, Odisha, within sixty days from the date of this order and receipt of the same would be produced before the ld. AO at the first hearing. In the event of non-payment of the above costs within the above period, the order of the ld. CIT(A) would be confirmed. The assessee is also directed to cooperate with the ld. AO in the readjudication proceedings, positively.