CA NeWs Beta*: ITAT takes ultra strict view on CA Firm's s. 271(1)(c) penalty

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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

ITAT takes ultra strict view on CA Firm's s. 271(1)(c) penalty

ACIT vs. M/s. Khanna & Annadhanam (ITAT Delhi)

Despite disclosure, legal opinion, favourable CIT(A) order & High Court appeal on merits, s. 271(1)(c) penalty leviable if issue not “debatable” in Tribunal’s view

The assessee, a firm of Chartered Accountants, was one of the “associate members” of Deloitte Haskins & Sells pursuant to which it was entitled to practice in that name. Deloitte desired to merge all the associate members into one firm. As this was not acceptable to the assessee, it withdrew from the membership and received consideration of Rs. 1.15 crores from Deloitte. The said amount was credited to the partners’ capital accounts & claimed to be a non-taxable capital receipt by the assessee. The AO rejected the claim though the CIT (A) accepted it on the ground that it had “great force“. The Tribunal reversed the CIT (A). The AO levied s. 271(1)(c) penalty which the CIT(A) deleted. On appeal by the department to the Tribunal, the assessee argued that penalty was not leviable because (i) there was a disclosure of the facts in the computation & the balance sheet, (ii) the opinion of 3 tax experts had been taken, (iii) the issue was debatable & (iv) the assessee’s appeal on the merits had been admitted by the High Court. HELD allowing the appeal:

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