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June 2023

Order imposing penalty under section 270A passed in the name of deceased is void.

By Jagdish Punjabi, Chartered Accountant
Devendra Jain, Advocate
Reading Time 3 mins
10 Late Shri Atmaram Tukaram Karad through Legal Heir Shri Sagar Atmaram Karad v. ITO  ITA Nos.: 942 and 943/PUN/2022 (Pune-Trib.) A.Ys.: 2017-18 and 2018-19 Date of order: 7th February, 2023 Section: 270A Order imposing penalty under section 270A passed in the name of deceased is void. FACTS
The assessee, a salaried individual, filed his returns of income for A.Ys. 2017-18 and 2018-19. Subsequently, a notice under section 148 was issued for each of these two years alleging that the assessee has misreported his income. Reassessments were completed and proceedings for imposition of penalty under section 270A were initiated. The assessee was represented by way of a legal representative, who filed written submissions, which fact stood recorded at para 5 of the penalty order. Eventually, the AO imposed penalty under section 270A. Aggrieved, the assessee preferred an appeal to CIT(A) who confirmed the action of the AO. Aggrieved, the assessee preferred an appeal to the Tribunal. HELD
The Tribunal noted that a penalty was initiated for both the years with reference to the income declared by the assessee in the returns filed pursuant to notices under section 148. This is a case in which the assessee passed away before the initiatio