Failure to comply with section 143(2) by the competent Assessing Officer invalidates the assessment. The decision underscores strict adherence to jurisdictional requirements under the Act.
The tribunal examined whether a Singapore entity could claim DTAA exemption on capital gains from sale of Indian shares. It held that treaty benefits were unavailable as the entity lacked commercial substance and functioned as a shell or conduit.
The Tribunal ruled that nominal differences between declared consideration and stamp duty valuation do not trigger tax. Tolerance limits must be applied to avoid unjust enrichment of revenue.
The decision reiterates that reassessment cannot be initiated on borrowed satisfaction or presumptions. Independent application of mind by the Assessing Officer is mandatory for a valid reopening.
The Tribunal held that search-based reassessments issued beyond six assessment years are barred by limitation. Revenue appeals were dismissed as the statutory time limits could not be extended.
Construction, fit-out, and IT installation costs capitalised in fixed assets were held genuine. The Tribunal emphasized substance of records over suspicion based on third-party allegations.
The Tribunal held that no TDS demand can survive where tax was duly deposited and PAN became operative within the CBDT-prescribed timeline. Deductors are entitled to relief under the beneficial 2024 CBDT circular.
The Tribunal held that reassessment initiated solely on the basis of an audit objection, without any independent application of mind, is invalid. Such reopening lacks the mandatory reason to believe and cannot sustain in law.
Sales already offered to tax cannot be added again under section 68. With stock movement evidenced and books not rejected, treating recorded turnover as unexplained cash credit was held unsustainable.
The Tribunal held that estimating profit at 20% of turnover in a milk trading business was arbitrary and unsupported by industry realities. It restricted the gross profit rate to 5%, recognising wastage, spoilage, and thin margins typical to the trade.
