https://www.taxtmi.com/highlights?id=84983 Assessee made repayments of loans/deposits through modes other than account payee cheques/drafts, violating Section 269T. Penalty u/s 271E was imposed. ITAT bifurcated transactions into those with related parties and Customer Sales Agents (CSAs). For CSA transactions, outstanding dues were adjusted against security deposits through journal entries, breaching Section 269SS. However, ITAT held this constituted 'reasonable cause' u/s 273B, not attracting penalty u/s 271E, relying on Ajitnath Hi-Tech Builders (P.) Ltd. [2018 (2) TMI 603 - Bombay HC]. Consequently, ITAT set aside CIT(A)'s order and directed AO to delete penalty levied u/s 271E, deciding in favor of assessee. en-us Sat, 18 Jan 2025 08:47:31 +0530 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 08:47:31 +0530 TaxTMI RSS Generator https://www.taxtmi.com/highlights?id=84983 Assessee made repayments of loans/deposits through modes other than account payee cheques/drafts, violating Section 269T. Penalty u/s 271E was imposed. ITAT bifurcated transactions into those with related parties and Customer Sales Agents (CSAs). For CSA transactions, outstanding dues were adjusted against security deposits through journal entries, breaching Section 269SS. However, ITAT held this constituted 'reasonable cause' u/s 273B, not attracting penalty u/s 271E, relying on Ajitnath Hi-Tech Builders (P.) Ltd. [2018 (2) TMI 603 - Bombay HC]. Consequently, ITAT set aside CIT(A)'s order and directed AO to delete penalty levied u/s 271E, deciding in favor of assessee. Highlights Income Tax Sat, 18 Jan 2025 08:47:31 +0530 https://www.taxtmi.com/highlights?id=84983