Condonation of a 30-day delay in furnishing Form No. 10B for...

Condonation of a 30-day delay in furnishing Form No. 10B for charitable-exemption purposes may be granted under section 119(2)(b) where refusal would cause genuine hardship. Genuine hardship must be construed liberally, with substantial justice preferred over technical non-compliance, absent deliberate delay, culpable negligence or mala fides. A bona fide misunderstanding of an advanced filing due date during the COVID-19 period, coupled with filing before the extended return due date, supported condonation. A pending condonation application did not require the charitable institution to await its disposal. Form No. 10B was treated as timely filed, and the return was to be processed accordingly.