What did the Tribunal hold?

The Tribunal held that the CIT(A)'s order did not comply with Section 250(6) of the Act as it failed to decide the appeal on merits. The Tribunal found it reasonable to remit the issue back to the Assessing Officer for a fresh decision.

The assessee's appeal was dismissed ex-parte by the CIT(A) due to non-appearance, with the assessee claiming non-receipt of notices. The assessee argued that the CIT(A) should have decided the appeal on merits even in their absence.

What were the issues?

Whether the CIT(A) erred in dismissing the appeal ex-parte without deciding on merits, and if the requirements of Section 250(6) were met.

Venkateshwarlu Jagathraksha… vs ITO | ITAT Hyderabad 2024

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, HYDERABAD BENCHES “SMC”, HYDERABAD

Before: SHRI K. NARASIMHA CHARY

Hearing: 04/07/2024

आदेश / ORDER Aggrieved by the order dated 16/04/2024 passed by the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)- National Faceless Appeal Centre (NFAC), Delhi (“Ld. CIT(A)”), in the case of Shri Venkateshwarlu Jagathraksha, (“the assessee”) for the assessment year 2017-18, assessee preferred this appeal. 2. At the outset Ld. AR submits that the learned CIT(A) recorded that so many notices were issued and because of the nonappearance of the assessee he proceed ex parte and dismissed the appeal in limine. It is the submission that the assessee never received any such notices and she is not conversant with the emails or portals. His main plank of argument is that even in the absence of the assessee since the assessment order is available before the learned CIT(A), learned CIT(A) could have proceeded to advert to the merits of the case and disposed of by referring to the various aspects of merits. He therefore, submits that the provisions under section 250 (6) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short “the Act”) are not complied with.

Though the learned DR vehemently relied on the orders of the Revenue authorities, the fact remains that the learned CIT(A) did not refer to the facts nor did he dispose of the appeal on merits. Even in the absence of the assessee, it is always open for the learned CIT(A) to deal with the matter on merits, instead of dismissing the same.

As could be seen from the record, I find that the learned CIT(A) disposed-of the appeal ex-parte, observing that various notices have been issued to the assessee, but the assessee failed to comply with any of such notices nor did the assessee produce any documents, explanation and evidence to substantiate the grounds raised

6. Requirement of law under section 250 (6) of the Act is that the order of the Commissioner (Appeals) disposing of the appeal shall be in writing and shall state the points for determination, the decision thereon and the reason for the decision. Even in the absence of the assessee, it is always open for the learned CIT(A) to deal with the matter on merits instead of dismissing the same in limine.

7. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, I am of the considered opinion that the impugned order does not comply with the requirement of Section 250(6) of the Act and cannot be sustained. learned AR submitted that since the learned Assessing Officer also finalized the assessment exparte, affording an opportunity to the assessee to prosecute his case before the learned Assessing Officer, by submitting the documents/evidences, the highest that would happen is that a cause could be decided on merits. I consider this request reasonable and it would be in

VENKATESHWARLU JAGATHRAKSHA,MAHABUBNAGAR vs. ITO., WARD-1, MAHABUBNAGAR

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