Case Law Details
Sushil Industries Vs PCIT (ITAT Pune)
Introduction: The case of Sushil Industries Vs PCIT presented before ITAT Pune pivots on a crucial issue regarding the non-consideration of the sale of scrap by the Assessing Officer (AO). The AO’s oversight led the ld. Pr.CIT to exercise revisionary powers under section 263 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, terming the initial assessment as erroneous and prejudicial to the interests of the Revenue.
Analysis: Sushil Industries, in its line of business, deals with manufacturing plastic injection moulded and MS press parts for appliances. Upon revising their return, they declared a total income of Nil, a stance that was approved upon assessment. However, the bone of contention arose when the ld. Pr.CIT observed a discrepancy concerning the sale of scrap amounting to Rs.88,06,894/-, which was apparently overlooked by the AO. Despite the evident tax collection source on this amount, the AO’s failure to investigate or verify its inclusion in the total sales emerged as a stark oversight. The order’s lack of discussion on this vital matter revealed a lack of due diligence on the AO’s part, aligning with the notion that the assessment order was indeed erroneous.
Conclusion: The ruling by ITAT Pune underscores the significance of attention to detail, especially when substantial amounts are in play. By concurring with the ld. Pr.CIT’s stance, ITAT Pune effectively spotlighted the non-application of mind by the AO, thus deeming the assessment order as prejudicial to the interest of the Revenue.
FULL TEXT OF THE ORDER OF ITAT PUNE
This appeal by the assessee is directed against the order dt. 29-03-2023 passed by the ld. Pr.CIT, Pune-4 u/s.263 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter also called ‘the Act’) in relation to the assessment year 2018-19.
2. Succinctly, the facts of the case are that the assessee has been engaged in the business of manufacturing of plastic injection moulded parts and MS press parts of refrigerators and washing machines. A return was filed, which was subsequently revised, declaring total income at Nil. The assessment was completed on 03-02-2021 also determining the total income at Nil. The ld. Pr.CIT, while exercising his revisionary powers, observed that the AO failed to consider the issues germane to the assessment. He took note of certain issues in his order. One of such issues is about sale of scrap amounting to Rs.88,06,894/-. In this regard, the ld. Pr.CIT observed that Audit report Column No.34(a) clearly mentioned that the assessee had earned profit from alcoholic liquor, forest produce, scrap etc. at Rs.88,06,894/- (Net), on which Tax Collected at Source (TCS) at 1% amounted to Rs.88,069/-. He noticed that the AO had not examined as to whether such sale of scrap amounting to Rs.88.06 lakh was offered for taxation, since no break-up of sale was examined or called for. In addition, he also dealt with certain other issues, which the AO failed to examine. Aggrieved thereby, the assessee has come up in appeal before the Tribunal.
3. Having heard the rival submissions and perused the relevant material on record, it is seen from the Audit report in Form No.3CD, a copy placed at page 15 of the paper book, that the Auditor reported collection of tax at source amounting to Rs.88,069/- on the corresponding income of Rs.88,06,894/-, in column 34(a). Page 5 of the paper book is a copy of Profit and loss account of the assessee for the year under consideration. Apart from `Other income’, only one item has been shown as “Sales (net)” amounting to Rs.17,89,65,058/-. The ld. AR contended that the amount of Rs.88.06 lakh was a part and parcel of the amount of `Sales’. On a specific query as to whether the AO enquired into this aspect, the answer was given in negative. This shows that though there was collection of tax at source by the assessee, there was a corresponding receipt from sale of scrap at Rs.88.06 lakh, which ought to have been included in the total sales of the assessee. There is no specific mention of this amount on the face of Profit and loss account. The AO did not enquire into this aspect of the matter and simply passed a five-lined assessment order observing that the case was selected for Complete scrutiny assessment on the issue of “Non furnishing of quantitative details”. Thereafter, he records that “On above issue, no addition is made” and eventually notes that “the assessment of income is done as per computation sheet and the sum payable is determined as per the demand notice”. Neither, there is any discussion about the scrap sale in the assessment order nor any such issue was taken up by the AO during the course of scrutiny assessment proceedings. This shows that an important aspect of the matter about the inclusion of scrap sale in the total sales, remained to be examined by the AO, which is a clear-cut case of non-application of mind. This action of the AO, in our considered opinion, rendered the assessment order erroneous and prejudicial to the interest of the Revenue. Explanation 2(a) to section 263 inserted by the Finance Act, 2015 w.e.f. 01-06-2015 also provides that where an order is passed by the AO `without making inquiries or verification, which should have been made’ shall be deemed as an erroneous order insofar as it is prejudicial to the interest of the Revenue. In view of the foregoing discussion, we are satisfied that the ld. Pr.CIT was right in holding the assessment order to be erroneous and prejudicial to the interest of the Revenue justifying revision.
4. In view of the fact that the assessment order is lacking in terms of section 263 on this first issue, being, the non-consideration of sale of scrap in the total revenue, there is no need to examine other issues that have been taken note of the ld. Pr.CIT in the revisionary order. To put it simply, if an assessment order is erroneous and prejudicial to the interest of the Revenue on at least one of the issues considered by the ld. Pr.CIT, the revision u/s.263 of the Act has to be countenanced.
5. In the result, the appeal is dismissed.
Order pronounced in the Open Court on 01st August, 2023.
