Case Law Details
Origins Build-Tech Pvt Ltd Vs ACIT (ITAT Ahmedabad)
Issue- The learned CIT(A)-8 is unjustified & erred in law by confirming the imposing of late filing levy by ACIT [CPC-TDS) of Rs.30800/- u/s 234E determined to be payable by processing TDS statement u/s 200A, without issuing show cause notice. The late fee u/s 234E is penal in nature which cannot be levied without passing of speaking order just by processing TDS statement.”
Held- In view of our discussions, in our considered view, the adjustment in respect of levy of fees under section 234E was indeed beyond the scope of permissible adjustments contemplated under section 200A. This intimation is an appealable order under section 246A(a), and, therefore, the CIT(A) ought to have examined legality of the adjustment made under this intimation in the light of the scope of the section 200A. Learned CIT(A) has not done so. He has justified the levy of fees on the basis of the provisions of Section 234E. That is not the issue here. The issue is whether such a levy could be effected in the course of intimation under section 200A. The answer is clearly in negative. No other provision enabling a demand in respect of this levy has been pointed out to us and it is thus an admitted position that in the absence of the enabling provision under section 200A, no such levy could be effected. As intimation under section 200A, raising a demand or directing a refund to the tax deductor, can only be passed within one year from the end of the financial year within which the related TDS statement is filed, and as the related TDS statement was filed on 19th February 2014, such a levy could only have been made at best within 31st March 2015. That time has already elapsed and the defect is thus not curable even at this stage. In view of these discussions, as also bearing in mind entirety of the case, the impugned levy of fees under section 234 E is unsustainable in law. We, therefore, uphold the grievance of the assessee and delete the impugned levy of fee under section 234E of the Act. The assessee gets the relief accordingly.
FULL TEXT OF THE ITAT JUDGMENT
1. By way of this appeal, the assessee-appellant has challenged correctness of the order dated 01.01.2108 passed by the by the CIT(A)-8, Ahmedabad, in the matter of levy of late filing fees under section 234E, in the course of processing under section 200A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, for the assessment year 2015-16.
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