Union Budget 2024-25 (Full) + FINANCE (No.2) Bill, 2024

The existing provisions of section 251 of the Act specify the powers of the Joint Commissioner (Appeals) or the Commissioner (Appeals). Further, sub-section (1) of the said section provides that Commissioner (Appeals) shall have, inter-alia, the following powers in disposing of an appeal:

(a) He may confirm, reduce, enhance or annul the assessment, in the case of an appeal against an order of assessment.

(b) He may confirm, cancel, or vary to enhance or reduce, the penalty order, in the case of an appeal against an order imposing a penalty.

2. Further, sub-section (4) of section 250 of the Act prescribes that Commissioner (Appeals) may seek the report from the Assessing Officer after making further inquiry, before disposing any appeal.

3. It has been found that in the best judgement cases, taxpayers remain non-responsive to the letters or notices issued by the Faceless Assessing Officer. However, they directly file the appeal to Commissioner (Appeals) against the relevant assessment order.

4. Considering the huge pendency of appeals and disputed tax demands at the Commissioner (Appeals) stage, it is proposed that the cases where assessment order was passed as best judgement case under section 144 of the Act, Commissioner (Appeals) shall be empowered to set aside the assessment and refer the case back to the Assessing Officer for making a fresh assessment. Further, it is proposed to make consequential amendment in section 153(3) of the Act in order to provide the time limit for disposal of cases which are set aside by the Commissioner (Appeals).

5. This amendment will take effect from the 1st day of October, 2024. It will be applicable to appellate orders passed by the Commissioner (Appeals) on or after 01.10.2024.

[Clause 77]

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Union Budget 2024-25 (Full) + FINANCE (No.2) Bill, 2024