Parinee Developers Pvt Ltd vs. ACIT (ITAT Mumbai)

The assessee contented that the penalty notice issued u/s 274 of the Act is ambiguous to the extent for which the penalties are initiated. The said notice does not specify where the present penalty is being levied for concealment of income or for furnishing of inaccurate particulars of income. CIT (A) did not strike of the irrelevant limb mentioned in the notice u/s 274 of the Act. CIT (A) is not clear as to the relevant limb of the provisions of section 271(1)(c) of the Act for which penalty should be levied. Further, in the quantum order u/s 250 of the Act, the CIT (A) initiated penalty for assessee’s failure in furnishing inaccurate particulars in respect of estimated cost of future expenditure resulted in suppression of income. In the penalty order of the CIT (A), penalty was levied for “concealment of particulars of income‟ in respect of the change in estimated cost. By all these variations, the CIT (A) is not clear as to whether the penalties are levied for “concealment of income” or “furnishing of inaccurate particulars of income”. Further, Ld Counsel for the assessee brought our attention to various decisions of the Tribunal to support his argument that the penalty should not be levied when the CIT (A) is not clear in reasons for levying the penalty. Ld Counsel for the assessee also mentioned that the CIT (A) cannot initiate penalty for one reason and levy for other reasons. In this regard, Ld Counsel for the assessee relied on the judgment of the Hon’ble Karnataka High Court in the case of Manjunatha Cotton & Ginning Factory (92 DTR 111) (Kar. HC) and the coordinate Bench decision in the case of Shri Samson Perinchery (ITA Nos. 4625 to 4630/M/2013), dated 11.10.2013, wherein one of us (AM) is a party to the said order of the Tribunal (supra). He also relied on the following decisions viz (i) M/s. Ittina Properties Pvt Ltd (ITA No.36/Bang/2014), dated 21.11.2014 (Bang); (ii) Dharini Developers (ITA No.1848 to 1851/M/2012), dated 7.1.2015 (Mum) and others. All these general arguments relevant for all the 4 segments of the penalties discussed above. Per contra, no contrary judgments are brought to our notice by the Ld DR. HELD by the Tribunal:

The concealment penalty was levied by the CIT (A) in this case on the issues which are not free from debate. In our opinion, the assessee would have got relief in most of issues relating to additions based on the estimations, change of method of accounting, preponement of taxable income to AY 2009-2010 etc. Taxation of interest receipt with or without netting is under the head “profit and gains from business or profession” or “income from other sources” is also a debatable issue. Therefore, the concealment penalty in the case is not sustainable on such addition / issues. Further, the decision in the case of Manjunatha Cotton & Ginning Factory (supra) helps the assessee considering the lack of clarity in the mind of the CIT (A), at the time when notice u/s 274 was issued. Further also, it is demonstrated beyond doubt that there are no adverse tax implications to the Revenue if the profits are finally taxed in AY 2012-2013, the year of completion. Therefore, we are of the opinion that this is not a fit case for levy of penalty u/s 271(1)(c) of the Act. Accordingly, all Grounds raised by the assessee are allowed.