No disallowance of loss claimed in return filed u/s 153A after the due date prescribed under sec. 139(1)

Where assessee did not file its return under section 139(1) as he was statutorily required to file its return under section 153A, loss claimed by assessee could not be disallowed on ground that return was filed after due date prescribed under Section 139(1).

Facts:

a)A search and seizure operation was carried out by the department on assessee. Pursuant to the search, notice under Section 153A was served.

b)Assessee had not filed any return of income under Section 139(1) for the reason that assessment proceedings had abated in view of the second proviso to section 153A(1).

c)The assessee had claimed loss in the return filed under Section 153A but such claim was disallowed by Assessing Officer ('AO') by observing that business loss was not allowed to be carried forward since the return was filed by assessee after the due date prescribed under Section 139(1).

d)On appeal, the CIT (A) upheld the order of the AO and the aggrieved assessee filed the instant appeal before Tribunal.

Tribunal held in favour of assessee as under:

1)Section 153A provides that where a search is initiated under section 132, AO shall issue notice to assessee requiring him to furnish the return of income in respect of six assessment years.

2)It is specifically prescribed that the provisions of Section 153A, so far as may be, apply accordingly as if such return was a return required to be furnished under section 139.

3)The second proviso to section 153A(1)(b) provides that if on the date of search or requisition under section 132 or 132A any assessment or re-assessment proceedings relating to that particular assessment year falling within the six assessment years is pending, then the pending proceedings for the regular assessment shall stand abated and fresh assessment can be done only under section 153A.

4) The legislature has particularly used the words 'shall abate' and specifically it is also mentioned that return has to be filed under section 153A(1)(a) and such return is to be treated as the return of income required to be furnished under section 139.

5)In such circumstances, assessee was not supposed to file its return of income under section 139(1) because he was statutorily required to file return of its income in response to notice under section 153A.

6)Therefore, loss claimed by assessee could not be disallowed on ground that return was filed after due date prescribed under sec. 139(1).- MAITHANISPAT LTD. V. DEPUTY CIT - (2015) 55 taxmann.com 444 (Kolkata - Trib.)