In the course of survey on 25-7-2013 at business premises of the assessee it was noticed that the assessee had collected the tax and retained with it . Proceedings under S. 201(1A) were initiated and the assessee was declared an assessee in default under S. 201 of the Act . The assessee remitted the amount with interest. Thereafter penalty proceedings were initiated by notice under S. 221 . In the penalty proceedings, the assessee admitted that it was an assessee in default. Penalty was levied and confirmed by the CIT(A). The Tribunal reduced the penalty. On further appeal the assessee submitted that the assessee had failed to remit the amount deducted to the account of the Central Government due to financial crisis. Dismissing the appeal the Court held that a clear finding had been recorded by the Tribunal that the financial stringency pleaded by the assessee was not proved. Even otherwise, financial stringency would not justify the failure to remit tax deducted at source to the Government, inasmuch as, it would amount to utilisation of money payable to the appropriate Government. The Tribunal had directed the AO to restrict the levy of penalty to a sum of Rs. 20,55,573 in substitution to Rs. 77,95,155 levied by the AO. This finding would not call for interference particularly when the assessee had been declared as an assessee in default under S. 201(1) and the order had not been challenged by the assessee.( AY.2013-14)
KBR Infratech Ltd. v. ACIT (2020) 425 ITR 268/ 185 DTR 209/312 CTR 385 /269 Taxman 605 (Karn)(HC)
S. 221 : Collection and recovery – Penalty – Tax in default – Failure to deposit tax deducted – Survey- Financial stringency not relevant — Levy of penalty justified [ S.201(1) 201(IA) ]