Continuation of registration survives delayed Form No. 12 filing where sufficient cause and genuine compliance readiness are shown.

Late filing of Form No. 12 and the return did not defeat continuation of registration where the papers were prepared in time, the delay arose from a partner's forgetfulness in delivering them, and the firm was otherwise genuine. The text treats this as sufficient cause for the procedural lapse and states that denial of continuation under section 184(7) was not justified, so registration was directed to continue for the assessment year 1978-79.

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Issues: Whether the assessee was entitled to continuation of registration under section 184(7) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 despite late filing of Form No. 12 and the return of income.

Analysis: The declaration in Form No. 12 and the return had been prepared in time, but were not filed within the prescribed date because a partner forgot to deliver the papers to the Income-tax Officer. The lapse was treated as an act of forgetfulness rather than want of intention to comply. Since the firm had the papers ready in time and was otherwise genuine, the delay was held to be supported by sufficient cause.

Conclusion: The denial of continuation of registration was not justified and the benefit of registration was directed to be continued for the assessment year 1978-79.

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