Reopening Assessment Needs "Reason to Believe," Not Just "Reason to Suspect," u/s 147. Evidence Required.

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

....Reopening of assessment u/s 147 - Eligibility of reason to believe - “Reason to believe” or ‘Reasons to suspect” - According to us, when the AO receives information of such nature from investigation wing it certainly raises suspicion. Then the AO cannot and should not straight away issue notice u/s 148 of the Act and assume jurisdiction to reopen the assessment. Why because, there is subtle difference between ‘reason to suspect’ and ‘reason to believe’. Information adverse may trigger “reason to suspect” then the AO to make reasonable enquiry and collect material, which would make him believe that there is in fact an escapement of income - AT....