Section 275(1)(c) Limitation Runs From AO’s Initiation, Not JCIT/Addl. CIT Notice

PCIT Vs Thapar Homes Pvt. Ltd. (Delhi High Court) Limitation period under Section 275(1)(c) starts from the AO’s initiation of proceedings in the assessment order, not from the JCIT/Addl. CIT notice. Assessee, Thapar Homes Pvt. Ltd., was subjected to scrutiny for AY 2009-10. AO completed assessment u/s 143(3) on 31.12.2010, recording that penalty proceedings u/s 271E would be initiated separately for violation of Sec 269T. Subsequently, AO made a reference to the Addl CIT on 07.06.2011 & Addl CIT passed penalty order on 30.12.2011, imposing penalty of ₹3.44 crore, equivalent to the am...