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Facts
The assessee's registration under Section 12A(1)(ac)(i) was revoked, and its application for registration under Section 80G(5)(iii) was rejected by the CIT(E). The revocation was based on the premise that the registration granted by CPC was irregular as the assessee did not have regular registration u/s 12AA prior to 01-04-2021. The assessee argued that it was incorporated on 16-11-2020 and due to an inadvertent error, selected the wrong clause (i) instead of (vi) of Section 12A(1)(ac) when applying for registration.
Held
The Tribunal found that the selection of the wrong clause was merely an inadvertent error and a selection mistake, which should not lead to the revocation of registration unless actual deviation was noted. It set aside the impugned orders, directing the CIT(E) to grant a fresh opportunity of hearing to the assessee for necessary corrections in the registration and to reconsider the Section 80G(5) application.
Key Issues
Whether the revocation of registration and rejection of application due to an inadvertent selection of the wrong clause in the application form, without granting an opportunity of hearing, is legally sustainable.
Sections Cited
12A(1)(ac)(i), 80G(5)(iii), 12AA, 12A(1)(ac)
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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, “B” BENCH, CHANDIGARH
Before: HON’BLE SHRI RAJPAL YADAV & HON’BLE SHRI MANOJ KUMAR AGGARWAL, AM
M/s Vision Humanity CIT (Exemptions) C/o Sh. Tejmohan Singh (Advocate) Sector-17 बनाम/ Vs. #527, Sector – 10-D Chandigarh - 160017 Chandigarh – 160009 "थायीलेखासं./जीआइआरसं./PAN/GIR No. AADTV-3777-G (अपीलाथ"/Appellant) : (""थ" / Respondent) अपीलाथ"कीओरसे/ Appellant by : Sh. Tejmohan Singh (Advocate) – Ld. AR ""थ"कीओरसे/Respondent by : Sh. Bharat Bhushan Garg (CIT) – Ld. DR (Virtual) सुनवाईकीतारीख/Date of Hearing : 27.01.2026 घोषणाकीतारीख /Date of Pronouncement : 28.01.2026 आदेश / O R D E R Manoj Kumar Aggarwal (Accountant Member) 1. Aggrieved by revocation of registration as granted by CPC u/s 12A(1)(ac)(i) and consequential rejection of application seeking registration u/s 80G(5)(iii) vide impugned orders dated 25-11-2024 of Ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemption), Chandigarh, [CIT(E)], the assessee is in further appeal before us. Upon perusal of para 4 of order passed by Ld. CIT(E) revoking registration u/s 12A(1)(ac)(i), it could be seen that the whole basis of revocation is the fact that the 1 assessee was not having regular registration u/s 12AA prior to 01-04- 2021. The assessee applied for registration which was granted by CPC w.e.f. 21-11-2021 for AYs 2022-23 to 2026-27. Thus, the registration as granted by CPC u/s 12A(1)(ac)(i) was held to be irregular and accordingly, suo-moto cancelled by Ld. CIT(E). Consequently, the application filed by the assessee seeking registration u/s 80G(5) was also rejected vide separate order. Aggrieved, the assessee is in further appeal before us.
The Ld. AR stated that the assessee was incorporated only on 16-11-2020 and this fact was duly mentioned in Form No.10A as filed to CPC. Due to inadvertent error, the application was filed under clause (i) of Sec. 12A(1)(ac) instead of clause (vi). The same was merely an inadvertent error and therefore, the registration ought not to have been revoked. The Ld. AR also stated that no opportunity was granted to the assessee to explain its case properly. The Ld. CIT-DR opposed any interference in the impugned orders.
It would, prima-facie, appear that the assessee was incorporated only on 16-11-2020 and this fact was duly mentioned in Form No.10A as filed by the assessee before CPC. However, due to inadvertent error, the assessee picked up wrong clause while seeking registration from CPC. The same was merely a selection error which, in our considered opinion, would not lead to revocation of registration as granted by CPC unless any deviation was noted. Therefore, we set aside the impugned orders and direct Ld. CIT(E) to grant opportunity of hearing to the assessee and also allow the assessee to seek 2 necessary correction in registration as granted by the CPC. The assessee is directed to plead and prove its case forthwith. The registration application u/s 80G(5) is consequential in nature and the same may be re-considered accordingly.