2025 (4) TMI 665 - AT - Income Tax

Tax Penalties Struck Down: Expense Disallowance Alone Not Proof of Deliberate Concealment Under Section 271(1)(c)

Solapur Siddheshwar Sahakari Bank Ltd. Versus ACIT, Circle-1, Solapur

The Tribunal examined penalties under Section 271(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act and found them unjustified. The court deleted penalties totaling Rs. ... Penalty u/s 271(1)(c) - default to concealment of particulars - non-deduction of TDS on interest payment disallowance u/s 40(a)(ia), disallowance for claiming deduction u/s 36(1)(viia) and disallowance of expenses on estimate basis - HELD THAT:- One addition regarding estimated disallowance of expenses it was directed by CIT(A)/NFAC that the penalty cannot be imposed on the basis of estimated addition. Second addition of disallowance u/s 40(a)(ia) has already been deleted by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Tribunal in quantum case of the assessee for the same assessment year. Accordingly, we find that the basis of imposition of penalty does not survive. Now, according to DR penalty needs to be imposed on the basis of NPA disallowance u/s 36(1)(viia), in this regard Ld. AR relied on the judgment passed in the case of Reliance Petroproducts Pvt. Ltd. [2010 (3) TMI 80 - SUPREME COURT] wherein it has been held that for disallowance of expenses, penalty cannot be imposed. Accordingly, we find force in the arguments of assessee that merely a claim of expenses and thereafter disallowance of same does not warrant penalty u/s 271(1)(c) of the Act in the light of above judgment (supra). Accordingly, we set-aside the order passed by Ld. CIT(A)/NFAC and direct the Assessing Officer to delete the penalty imposed u/s 271(1)(c). Thus, the grounds of appeal raised by the assessee are allowed. ISSUES PRESENTED and CONSIDEREDThe core legal questions considered in this judgment include:Whether the penalty imposed under Section 271(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act for the alleged concealment of particulars was justified.Whether the deletion of certain additions by a Co-ordinate Bench impacts the imposition of the penalty.Whether the disallowance of expenses justifies the imposition of a penalty under Section 271(1)(c).ISSUE-WISE DETAILED ANALYSIS1. Justification of Penalty under Section 271(1)(c)Relevant Legal Framework and Precedents: Section 271(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act deals with penalties for concealment of income or furnishing inaccurate particulars of income. The precedent set by the Supreme Court in CIT vs. Reliance Petroproducts Pvt. Ltd. establishes that mere disallowance of a claim does not automatically lead to a penalty.Court's Interpretation and Reasoning: The Tribunal considered whether the penalty was justified based on the additions made by the Assessing Officer. It emphasized that penalties cannot be imposed merely based on disallowance unless there is evidence of deliberate concealment or furnishing of inaccurate particulars.Key Evidence and Findings: The Tribunal noted that one of the additions, amounting to Rs. 5,31,481/-, was deleted by a Co-ordinate Bench, and another addition of Rs. 1,86,946/- was based on estimated disallowance, which was not a valid ground for penalty.Application of Law to Facts: Applying the precedent from Reliance Petroproducts Pvt. Ltd., the Tribunal found that the imposition of the penalty was not justified, as the disallowance of expenses alone does not constitute concealment or furnishing of inaccurate particulars.Treatment of Competing Arguments: The Tribunal considered the Revenue's argument that penalty should still apply to the disallowance under Section 36(1)(viia) for NPA provisions. However, it found the assessee's reliance on the Supreme Court judgment compelling.Conclusions: The Tribunal concluded that the penalty under Section 271(1)(c) was not justified and directed its deletion.2. Impact of Deletion of Additions by Co-ordinate BenchRelevant Legal Framework and Precedents: The deletion of additions by a higher authority impacts the basis on which penalties are imposed.Court's Interpretation and Reasoning: The Tribunal acknowledged that the deletion of the Rs. 5,31,481/- addition by a Co-ordinate Bench undermined the basis for the penalty related to that amount.Key Evidence and Findings: The Tribunal noted the prior deletion of the addition by the Co-ordinate Bench, which rendered the penalty for that amount unsustainable.Application of Law to Facts: The Tribunal applied the principle that once the basis for a penalty is removed, the penalty cannot stand.Treatment of Competing Arguments: The Tribunal did not find any compelling argument from the Revenue to justify the penalty once the addition was deleted.Conclusions: The Tribunal directed the deletion of the penalty related to the Rs. 5,31,481/- addition.3. Disallowance of Expenses and Penalty ImpositionRelevant Legal Framework and Precedents: The precedent from Reliance Petroproducts Pvt. Ltd. establishes that penalties cannot be imposed solely on the basis of disallowance of expenses.Court's Interpretation and Reasoning: The Tribunal interpreted that the disallowance of expenses, in itself, does not amount to concealment or furnishing inaccurate particulars.Key Evidence and Findings: The Tribunal found that the Rs. 1,86,946/- disallowance was based on estimates and not on concrete evidence of concealment.Application of Law to Facts: The Tribunal applied the Supreme Court's precedent to conclude that penalties for disallowance of expenses were not warranted.Treatment of Competing Arguments: The Tribunal considered the Revenue's position but found the assessee's reliance on the Supreme Court judgment more persuasive.Conclusions: The Tribunal concluded that penalties based on disallowance of expenses were unjustified and directed their deletion.SIGNIFICANT HOLDINGSPreserve Verbatim Quotes of Crucial Legal Reasoning: 'Merely a claim of expenses and thereafter disallowance of same does not warrant penalty u/s 271(1)(c) of the Act in the light of above judgment (supra).'Core Principles Established: The Tribunal reinforced the principle that penalties under Section 271(1)(c) require more than mere disallowance of claims; there must be evidence of deliberate concealment or furnishing of inaccurate particulars.Final Determinations on Each Issue: The Tribunal directed the deletion of the penalty imposed under Section 271(1)(c) amounting to Rs. 5,51,606/-, allowing the appeal of the assessee in full.