Assessing Officer Cannot Reopen Tax Assessment Solely on Opinion Change Without New Material, Rules High Court.

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....The High Court held that the Assessing Officer cannot reopen the assessment u/s 147 merely based on a change of opinion. The assessee had fully and truly disclosed all material facts during the original assessment proceedings. The reasons recorded by the Assessing Officer for reopening the assessment did not reveal any fresh tangible material, indicating that the belief was formed based on a mere verification of records, resulting in a change of opinion. The Court emphasized the conceptual difference between the power to review and the power to reassess, stating that while the Assessing Officer lacks the power to review, reassessment must be based on fulfilling certain preconditions. Removing the concept of "change of opinion" would allow t.........