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2015 (8) TMI 803 - AT - Income TaxPenalty u/s 271FA - failure to file AIR within time - assessee argued that the assessee has never been served notice for filing the annual information return - Held that:- On perusal of section 285BA of the Act, which was introduced by the Finance (No.2) Act, 2004 w.e.f.1.4.2005, it is not the case that this section has been introduced for the first time by Finance (No.2) Act, 2004. Prior to its substitution, section 285BA was inserted by the Finance Act, 2003 w.e.f. 1.4.2004, where any assessee who enters into any financial transaction, as may be prescribed, with any other person, shall furnish, within the prescribed time, an annual information return in such form and manner, as may be prescribed in respect of such financial transaction entered into by him during any previous year. Rule 114A to 114E prescribes such return to be furnished in Form No.61A and shall be verified in the manner indicated therein. At item No.6 of the said Rule, return shall be furnished on or before 31st August, immediately following the financial year in which the transaction is registered or recorded Penalty order dated 22.12.2010 has been served on the assessee is not in dispute against which the assessee filed appeal on 31.01.2011 before the ld. CIT(A), Bathinda. The Ld. CIT(A)’s order dated 14.12.2012 has also been served upon the assessee on 09.01.2013 at the same address has also not been disputed by the ld. counsel for the assessee. Therefore, the arguments made by the Ld. counsel for the assessee that one notice dated 20.11.2006 having mentioned wrong District is part of the paper book cannot prove that the notice dated 20.11.2006 and other six notices as mentioned hereinabove have not been issued and served on the assessee. Therefore, the argument of the ld. counsel for the assesse is rejected that no notice u/s 285BA(5) has been issued/served upon the assessee even in remand proceedings when all notices were confronted. Therefore, the reliance placed by the ld. counsel for the assessee on the decisions of various courts of law on service of notice cannot be made applicable in the present case and cannot help the assessee. As regards the reasonable cause we may refer that ignorance of law is not an excuse, as per our findings hereinabove and also as per decision of the Hon’ble Gujrat High Court in the case of Pattan Nagrik Sahakari Bank Ltd. (2011 (3) TMI 719 - Gujarat High Court).It is settled law that ignorance of law is of no excuse, as decided by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of MotiLal Padampat Sugar Mills Co. Ltd. vs. State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors reported in (1978 (12) TMI 45 - SUPREME Court ). - Decided against assessee.
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