The assessment reopening u/s 147 read with Section 148 was found ...

Income Tax Reassessment Invalid Due to Lack of Independent Judgment and Improper Section 69 Addition.

October 10, 2024

Case Laws     Income Tax     AT

The assessment reopening u/s 147 read with Section 148 was found to be unsustainable due to the lack of independent application of mind by the Commissioner of Income Tax (CIT) in granting approval. The CIT's approval was given in a slipshod manner without recording their own satisfaction, rendering the subsequent notice u/s 148 and assessment proceedings invalid. The addition made u/s 69 was also found to be improper as the Assessing Officer (AO) failed to invoke or apply any specific provision of law while making the addition. The AO did not specify the head under which the addition was made, whether business income, capital gains, or u/ss 48, 56, 68, or 69. Making an addition without invoking the relevant provision of the Act is against the law and liable to be deleted. The reasons for the addition cannot be supplemented by the assessment order or affidavit, and the assessee must be notified of the exact contravention or provision under which the assessment or additions are sought. Consequently, the addition sustained by the lower authorities deserves to be deleted, and the appeal allowed on merits.

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