Decoding the Mandatory Timelines: A Thorough Examination of the Income Tax Assessment Order Nullification

Mandatory timelines under Section 144C require assessments to be completed within the prescribed month after DRP direction, else invalid.

Once the DRP framed directions, the Assessing Officer was obliged to complete the assessment in conformity with those directions within one month from the end of the month in which the DRP's direction was served; service by uploading the DRP directive on the ITBA portal constitutes valid service for computing that period. The procedure does not envisage further involvement of the Transfer Pricing Officer once the DRP's direction is issued and an order under the transfer pricing provision has been remitted to the AO.