ITAT affirms restriction on disallowance for non-genuine purchases in trading business for A.Y. 2011-12.

The ITAT upheld the Ld.CIT(A)'s decision to restrict the disallowance to 12.5% of non-genuine purchases made by the assessee engaged in trading industrial tools for A.Y. 2011-12. The revenue's appeal was dismissed, affirming the Ld.CIT(A)'s order based on insufficient evidence provided by the appellant to prove the genuineness of purchases, as well as suspicious circumstances surrounding the transactions. The decision aligned with the precedent set by the Hon'ble Gujarat High Court in a similar case, resulting in the rejection of the revenue's appeals.

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Issues:
Appeal by revenue against orders of Ld.CIT(A) restricting disallowance to 12.5% of purchases as non-genuine.

Analysis:
The assessee, engaged in trading industrial tools, filed returns for A.Ys 2009-10, 2010-11, and 2011-12. Assessing Officer reopened assessments based on information about accommodation entries. Assessee failed to prove genuineness of purchases, leading to disallowance of entire purchases as non-genuine. Ld.CIT(A) restricted disallowance to 12.5% of non-genuine purchases. The Assessing Officer's decision was based on lack of proof of material purchase and unserved notices to parties. The Ld.CIT(A) considered submissions, referencing the decision of the Hon'ble Gujarat High Court, and restricted disallowance to 12.5% of non-genuine purchases for A.Y. 2011-12.

The Ld.CIT(A) found the appellant's submissions insufficient to prove the genuineness of purchases. The lack of production of parties, delivery challans, or transportation details weakened the appellant's case. The documentary evidence presented was deemed orchestrated, not conclusively proving genuineness. The court held that payment by cheque alone does not establish authenticity when circumstances are suspect. The onward sales were not doubted, indicating purchases from undisclosed parties at lower rates to suppress profits. Following the Gujarat High Court's decision in CIT vs. Simit P. Sheth, the addition was restricted to 12.5% of the bogus purchases for A.Y. 2011-12.

The ITAT upheld Ld.CIT(A)'s decision, finding no faults in restricting the disallowance to 12.5% of purchases. The revenue's grounds were dismissed, and the appeals were consequently rejected. The order was pronounced on 23.10.2020 in accordance with ITAT Rules.

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