1989 (1) TMI 160 - AT - Income Tax

ITAT ruling: Seized gold not to be included as income under IT Act

NEMCHAND JAIN & BROS. Versus INCOME TAX OFFICER.

The ITAT DELHI-A allowed the appeal in a case involving reassessment proceedings challenging the addition made under section 69 of the IT Act. The dispute ... - Issues:1. Reassessment proceedings challenging the addition made under section 69 of the IT Act.2. Dispute regarding the ownership and taxation of seized gold.3. Interpretation of sections 69, 69A, and 69B in relation to undisclosed investments and assets.Analysis:The appeal before the ITAT DELHI-A involved the reassessment proceedings for the assessment year 1977-78, challenging the addition made under section 69 of the IT Act. The primary issue was whether the seized gold weighing 235.7 grams, which was outside the stock of gold ornaments maintained by the assessee, should be considered undisclosed income. The original assessment was completed on a total income of Rs. 86,760, but the reassessment added the value of the seized gold at Rs. 20,662, along with a redemption fine and penalty. The CIT(A) upheld the addition, stating that the onus was on the assessee to prove that the gold did not belong to them, which was not satisfactorily discharged.Regarding the ownership and taxation of the seized gold, the assessee argued that according to sections 69, 69A, and 69B of the IT Act, the gold should be considered taxable only for the financial year 1975-76 when it was seized, not for the assessment year 1977-78. The assessee contended that since the gold was not recorded in their business books, it should not be included in the total income for the relevant assessment year. The Departmental Representative, however, argued that the gold seizure fell within the calendar year 1976, making it relevant for the assessment year 1977-78.In the interpretation of sections 69, 69A, and 69B, the ITAT concluded that the case fell under section 69A, as the assessee was found in possession of the bullion that was not recorded in their books of account. The ITAT determined that the value of the bullion should be deemed as the assessee's income for the financial year 1975-76, as per section 69A. Therefore, the inclusion of the gold value in the assessment year 1977-78 was deemed incorrect, and the amount was directed to be excluded from the total income of the assessee. The ITAT allowed the appeal on this ground, highlighting the incorrect taxation year for the seized gold based on the provisions of the IT Act.