On writ the Court held that the payment on account of “referral to doctors” was allowed under section 37(1) of the Act, by the Assessing Officer at the time of passing regular assessment order under section 143(3) of the Act, and the successor Assessing Officer had recorded that those materials upon which he had formed his opinion after the expiry of four years from the end of the relevant assessment year were available at the time of regular assessment. Since the condition precedent for invoking section 147 of the Act, for reopening of assessments after expiry of four years from the end of the relevant assessment years had not been fulfilled and the reopening of assessment was on a mere change of opinion, the notices dated July 27, 2018 under section 148 of the Act relating to the assessment years 2011-12 and 2012-13 were bad and not sustainable in law and all subsequent proceedings on the basis of these notices under section 148 of the Act, were quashed.(AY.2011-12, 2012-13)
Peerless Hospitex Hospital and Research Center Ltd. v. PCIT (2022) 447 ITR 60 / 326 CTR 249 / 213 DTR 81 / 287 Taxman 711 (Cal.)(HC)
S. 147 : Reassessment-After the expiry of four years-No failure to disclose material facts-Expenditure prohibited by law-Amounts paid by Hospitals as referrals to Doctors-Not deductible-Interpretation of taxing statutes-Interpretation taking into account intention of legislature-Reassessment notice was quashed-Notice not valid. [S. 148, Art. 226]