Facts
The Revenue appealed against the NFAC order for AY 2015-16, which treated an assessment order passed u/s 143(3) r.w.s. 263 as infructuous. This assessment order was based on an earlier PCIT order u/s 263 that was subsequently quashed and set aside by the ITAT.
Held
The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s decision, ruling that once the foundational order passed u/s 263 is quashed by the ITAT, the subsequent assessment order passed u/s 143(3) r.w.s. 263, which was based on it, automatically becomes infructuous. Consequently, the Revenue's appeal was dismissed.
Key Issues
Whether an assessment order passed u/s 143(3) read with Section 263 becomes infructuous when the underlying Section 263 order, upon which it was based, is quashed by the ITAT.
Sections Cited
143(3), 263
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ‘E‘ BENCH
आदेश / O R D E R PER AMIT SHUKLA (J.M): The aforesaid appeal has been filed by the Revenue against order dated 29/11/2023 passed by NFAC, Delhi for the quantum of assessment passed u/s.143(3) r.w.s. 263 for the A.Y.2015-16. 2. In the grounds of appeal, Revenue has raised following grounds:-
Tata Housing Development Company Limited “1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Ld. CIT(A) was justified in holding the order dated 27.06.2019 passed u/s.143(3) r.w.s.263 of the IT Act as infructuous, following the Hon'ble ITAT decision to quash order u/s.263 of the IT Act and thereby allowing the appeal of the assessee, without appreciating the fact that the Assessing Officer has not made any specific /not called for any details regarding "notional flats lying unsold in the assessee's closing stock" and the issue remained unexplained? 2. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Ld. CIT(A) was justified in holding the order dated 27.06.2019 passed u/s.143(3) r.w.s.263 of the IT Act as infructuous, following the Hon'ble ITAT decision to quash order u/s.263 of the IT Act and thereby allowing the appeal of the assessee, without appreciating the fact that in light of explanation 2 to the Section 263 of the IT Act, any order passed without making inquiries or verification which should have been made is deemed to be erroneous and prejudicial to the interest of the revenue? 3. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Ld. CIT(A) was justified in holding the order dated 27.06.2019 passed u/s.143(3) r.w.s.263 of the IT Act as infructuous, ignoring the ratio of Hon'ble Delhi High Court's decision in the case of Ansal Housing & Finance leasing Co. Ltd (354 ITR 180) which is applicable to the facts to this case? 4. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Ld. CIT(A) was justified in holding the order dated 27.06.2019 passed w/s.143(3) r.w.s.263 of the IT Act as infructuous, which is passed on the basis of order u/s.263 of the Act which is a valid order and is the lawful application of the provisions of the stated section in view of the factual matrix of the case?”
Thus, from the bare perusal of the grounds it is seen that the Revenue is challenging the ITAT order quashing the order u/s 263. The assessment order has been passed giving effect to the order passed u/s. 263 by the ld. PCIT. In this case, order Tata Housing Development Company Limited u/s.263 was passed revising the earlier assessment order passed u/s. 143(3) completed on 29/12/2017 vide order dated 30/03/2019. The aforesaid order of the ld. PCIT was subject matter of challenge before the Tribunal and the Tribunal has quashed and set aside the order of the ld. PCIT. Once the order u/s 263 has been quashed, then assessment order passed in pursuance of 263 order has become infructuous. This precisely has been held by the ld. CIT(A) that once the Tribunal has allowed the appeal of the assessee and quashed the order u/s.263 which is basis of present assessment proceedings and therefore, the impugned order u/s.143(3) r.w.s. 263 has become infructuous. Accordingly, the appeal of the Revenue is dismissed.
In the result, appeal of the Revenue is dismissed.
Order pronounced on 27th May, 2024.