Prakash Pandurang Patil v. ITO (2025) 481 ITR 325/ 177 taxmann.com 552 (Bom)(HC) Editorial : ITO v. Prakash Pandurang Patil (2025) 481 ITR 332 / 306 Taxman 341 (SC) SLP of revenue was dismissed on account of delay as well as on merits.

S. 148A : Reassessment-Conducting inquiry, providing opportunity before issue of notice-Faceless regime-Jurisdiction of JAO-Notice after three years-Sanction of Specified Authority-Approval to be obtained from Principal Chief Commissioner-Approval from Principal Commissioner-Sanction is invalid-Order and consequent notice is invalid S. 148. [S. 147, 148A(b) 148A(d) 151(i), 151(ii) 151A, Art. 226]

 

The Bombay High Court had quashed the reassessment notice dated 05.04.2022 issued for AY 2018-19 on the ground that the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) lacked jurisdiction to issue notice u/s 148 once the faceless regime under section 151A (Notification dated 29.03.2022) had come into force. Only the Faceless Assessing Officer (FAO) could issue such notice through automated allocation. Relying on Hexaware Technologies Ltd v.ACIT(2024)  464 ITR 430 Bom)(HC)  the Court held that there is no concurrent jurisdiction between JAO and FAO, and any contrary view would render the faceless scheme redundant. Additionally, since the reassessment was initiated beyond 3 years, sanction had to be obtained from higher authority u/s 151(ii), as held in Siemens Financial Services Pvt. Ltd v. Dy.CIT (2023) 154 taxmann.com 159/ 457 ITR 647   (Bom HC)   and Vodafone Idea Ltd v. Dy.CIT  (2024)468 ITR 346   (Bom HC). Since the sanction was wrongly granted by PCIT under s.151(i), the approval itself was invalid. The Bombay High Court therefore declared the notice and order u/s 148A(d) as void and without jurisdiction..(AY. 2018-19)

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*