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Facts
The assessee, Puri Rotary Charitable Trust, appealed against the order of the CIT (Exemption), Hyderabad, which rejected their application for registration under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The assessee had been granted registration under Section 12AB.
Held
The Tribunal observed that the denial of registration was due to non-compliance with notices and improper representation by the assessee. In the interest of justice, the Tribunal decided to set aside the order and remand the matter back to the CIT (Exemption) for a fresh decision.
Key Issues
Whether the denial of 80G registration by the CIT (Exemption) was justified, and if the assessee should be given another opportunity to present their case.
Sections Cited
80G, 12AB, Income Tax Act, 1961
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, CUTTACK BENCH AT KOLKATA
Before: SHRI DUVVURU RL REDDY(KZ) & SHRI RAKESH MISHRA
PER RAKESH MISHRA, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER:
This appeal filed by the assessee is against the order of the Ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemption)-Hyderabad [hereinafter referred to as the ‘Ld. CIT (Exemption)’] passed in respect of registration u/s 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’) for AY 2025-26 dated 11.12.2024. I.T.A. No.: 118/CTK/2025 Assessment Year: 2025-26 Puri Rotary Charitable Trust.
The assessee is in appeal before the Tribunal raising the following grounds of appeal:
“1. That the Ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemptions) erred in law and on facts in rejecting the application for registration under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961 without providing a speaking order, despite the appellant fulfilling all statutory requirements and submitting requisite documents.
That the Ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemptions) failed to appreciate that the activities of the trust are genuine and being carried out in accordance with the objectives stated in its bye-laws.
That the Ld. Commissioner (Exemption) has granted 12AB registration but failed to appreciate the Guinness of the activities and denied the 80G registration.
That the Learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemptions) incorrectly held that the appellant is not entitled to registration under Section 80G without providing cogent reasons or considering the documentary evidence and explanations provided during the proceedings.
That the rejection of the appellant’s application under Section 80G is arbitrary and unjustified as the trust/institution has been duly complying with all legal requirements and has not violated any conditions necessary for obtaining registration under Section 80G.
That the Learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemptions) has overlooked the documents submitted by the Appellant Viz. Cash book, Vouchers, Bank statement. Audited Balance Sheet, Activities Report, Registration certificate and Affidavit etc.
That the appeal be allowed on the above ground (s) or such other grounds if any will be urged at the time of hearing of the appeal.”
Rival submissions were heard and the record and the submissions made have been examined. During the course of appeal, it was submitted by the Ld. AR that the registration was denied on account of non-compliance by the assessee although the assessee had submitted the audit report and other required documents. Therefore, in the interest of justice, it was requested that the assessee may be granted another opportunity to file its submission in response to the notice I.T.A. No.: 118/CTK/2025 Assessment Year: 2025-26 Puri Rotary Charitable Trust. issued by the Ld. CIT (Exemption) for justifying the genuineness of the activities and claim of exemption. It was also submitted that while the assessee was granted approval under section 12 AB but the Ld. CIT(E) failed to appreciate the genuineness of the activities on 11/12/2024 and denied the registration under section 80G of the Act. The Ld. DR relied upon the order of the Ld. CIT(E) and requested that the same may be upheld.
We have considered the submissions made and observe that the registration was denied on account of non-compliance to the notice issued and also because proper representation was not made. Therefore, in the interest of justice, it was considered imperative to grant another opportunity to the assessee to make proper submission before the Ld. CIT(E). Hence, the order of the Ld. CIT (Exemption) is set aside and the matter is remanded to him for deciding the application afresh after granting an opportunity of being heard to the assessee and allowing the assessee to make proper submission in respect of the queries raised and in accordance with law.
In the result, the appeal filed by the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes. Order pronounced in the open Court on 17th April, 2025. [Duvvuru RL Reddy] [Rakesh Mishra] Vice President (KZ) Accountant Member Dated: 17.04.2025 Bidhan (P.S.) I.T.A. No.: 118/CTK/2025 Assessment Year: 2025-26 Puri Rotary Charitable Trust. Copy of the order forwarded to:
Puri Rotary Charitable Trust, Rotary Community Center, Ramaballav Road, Puri, Odisha, 752001. 2. CIT (Exemption), Hyderabad.
CIT(A)-
CIT-
CIT(DR), Cuttack Bench, Cuttack.
Guard File. //// By order