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June 2023

Reassessment – Notice after four years – Sanction of prescribed authority – Limitation – Extension of time limit under provisions of Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Act, 2020 applicable only in situations arising out of amendment by Finance Act, 2021 – Sanction not obtained from appropriate authority – Notices quashed:

By K. B.Bhujle | Ritu Punjabi
Advocates
Reading Time 2 mins
17 Ambika Iron and Steel Pvt. Ltd. vs. Principal CIT [2023] 452 ITR 285 (Ori) Date of order: 24th January, 2022 Sections. 147, 148 and 151 of ITA 1961 Reassessment – Notice after four years – Sanction of prescribed authority – Limitation – Extension of time limit under provisions of Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Act, 2020 applicable only in situations arising out of amendment by Finance Act, 2021 – Sanction not obtained from appropriate authority – Notices quashed: Several notices under section 148 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 for re-opening of assessment issued prior to 1st April, 2021, that is prior to amendment by the Finance Act 2021, were issued beyond the period of four years and were time barred in terms of the first proviso to section 147 of the Act. Further, the sanction for issuing such notices was obtained from the Joint Commissioner whereas the appropriate authority to record satisfaction was the Chief Commissioner of Income-tax/Commissioner of Income-tax. The assesses filed writ petitions challenging the validity of such notices. The Department contended that in view of the notifications issued by the Central Government in terms of provisions of the Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Act, 2020, the said limits stood extended. The Orissa High Court all