Reassessment u/s.147 — When the assessee has made full and true disclosure of all the facts to the AO, the assessment cannot be reopened on the same ground of failure to disclose all the material facts. Further, once the assessee has disclosed all the mat

28. (2009) 120 ITD 374 (Delhi)

Moonbeam Finvest Lease Ltd. v. ITO, Ward-5(4), New Delhi

A.Y. : 1998-99. Dated : 31-1-2008

Reassessment u/s.147 — When the assessee has made full and true disclosure of all the facts to the AO, the assessment cannot be reopened on the same ground of failure to disclose all the material facts. Further, once the assessee has disclosed all the material facts, the proviso to S. 147 cannot be applied and hence reopening is invalid beyond 4 years from the relevant assessment year.

Facts :

The assessee’s return for A.Y. 1998-99 was processed u/s.143(1)(a). In the course of assessment proceedings, the details of ‘Lease Equalisation Account’ charges were asked for by the AO The assessee submitted his reply and assessment was completed u/s.143(3). On 7-3-2005 the AO reopened the assessment by issuing notice u/s.148 on the ground of failure on the part of the assessee to disclose fully and truly all the material facts. The assessee challenged the reopening of the assessment on the ground of mere change of opinion as well as on the ground that it was barred by limitation as notice was issued after 4 years from the end of relevant A.Y. The CIT(A) confirmed the action of AO. On appeal to Tribunal, it held that the duty of the assessee was to make full and true disclosure of all material facts and the AO had to decide what inference can be drawn therefrom. If assessee had disclosed all the material facts, reopening could not be justified as it would amount to mere change of opinion on the part of the AO. Since, in the instant case the AO was satisfied with the explanation of the assessee at the time of original assessment, it was not allowed to him to reopen the assessment on the same ground. Further, as there was no failure on the part of the assessee to disclose all the facts, proviso to S. 147 could not be applied and notice u/s.148 could not be validly issued beyond 4 years from the end of relevant assessment year.