Kerala High Court Quashes Proceedings U/S 148 Of Income Tax Act Initiated Against Cancelled PAN Number

The Kerala High Court quashed Income Tax proceedings under Section 148 against co-operative society initiated on cancelled PAN. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. observed that the transactions pertain to the relevant assessment year were carried out based on the PAN card that was then in existence, which was later cancelled. By the time the proceedings of assessment were initiated by issuing a notice under Section 148, the assessee was issued with a new PAN card, wherein, the status of the...

Occupancy Certificate Not Final For Plinth Area Determination: Kerala High Court Upholds Luxury Tax U/S 5A Of Kerala Building Tax Act

The Kerala High Court stated that occupancy certificate not final for plinth area determination under Section 6 of the Kerala Building Tax Act. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. was addressing the issue where challenge raised by the assessee was against the assessment of building tax and luxury tax, by mainly placing reliance upon Occupancy Certificate. Section 5A Of Kerala Building Tax Act imposes luxury tax on residential buildings that exceed a certain plinth area threshold. Section ...

Proceedings U/S 148A Of Income Tax Act Unsustainable If Escaped Income Is Below ₹50 Lakhs & Notice Is Issued After 3 Years: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court held that proceedings under Section 148A of Income Tax Act not sustainable if escaped income is below Rs. 50 lakhs and notice issued after 3-years. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. stated that “when the order of the assessing authority is found to be without jurisdiction and hit by the period of limitation, it is not necessary to relegate the party concerned to undergo the rigor of the statutory proceedings”. Section 148A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 empowers...

S. 245A Income Tax Act | Kerala High Court Allows Settlement Application Filed Beyond Cutoff Date, Citing SC's COVID Limitation Order

The Kerala High Court has allowed the settlement application under Section 245A of the Income Tax Act filed beyond cutoff date, while citing Supreme Court's COVID limitation order. Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and P.M. Manoj referred to the order of Supreme Court in MA. Nos.665 of 2021 [In Re Cognizance For Extension Of Limitation] and stated that the assessee had filed the application for settlement on 17.03.2022, which is well within the time granted by the Supreme Court...

Service Of Notice On Adult Member Of Noticee Is Valid U/S 153 Of Customs Act, 1962: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court stated that service of notice on the adult member of noticee is valid under Section 153 Of Customs Act, 1962. Section 153 of the Customs Act, 1962, outlines the modes of service for notices, orders, summons, and other communications under the Act and its rules. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. stated that “the contentions that the assessee was denied a proper opportunity to contest the matter cannot be accepted. The notice was served upon the assessee through the...

Customs Cannot Rely On S.122A To Deny Personal Hearing Mandatory U/S 28(8) Of Customs Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court stated that customs cannot rely on Sec. 122A to deny personal hearing mandatory under Section 28(8) of the Customs Act. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. after analysing Section 28(8) of the Customs Act observed that it is evident that, as far as personal hearing is concerned, it is made mandatory as per the provision. Since this is a special provision deals with the issue on hand, the reliance placed by the department upon Section 122A, which is a general provision,...

No Right To Reinstatement Of Customs Broker License After Breach Of Trust With Customs Department: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court stated that no right to reinstatement of customs broker license after breach of trust with customs department. Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and P.M. Manoj stated that “…..the relationship between the Customs Department and the Customs Broker appointed in terms of the Regulations is essentially one of trust. Once that trust is broken, and the Customs Broker ceases to inspire the confidence of the Customs Department in relation to his functioning, he loses the...

Luxury Tax U/S 5A Of Kerala Building Tax Act Is Constitutionally Valid, However, Demand Beyond 3 Years Is Unsustainable: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court stated that luxury tax under Section 5A Of Kerala Building Tax Act is constitutionally valid post 101st Amendment to the Constitution but a demand that extends to more than three years prior to the date of the demand notice cannot be legally sustained. Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and P.M. Manoj opined that “Entry 49 of List II of the 7th Schedule to the Constitution deals with 'taxes on lands and buildings' and so long as the charge under Section 5A of the...

S.130 CSGT Act | Absence Of Express Reference To Conveyance In Confiscation Order Does Not Exclude It From Confiscation: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court stated that absence of an express reference to the conveyance in the confiscation order does not exclude it from confiscation. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. stated that merely because of the reason that, while ordering the confiscation in the order, the conveyance was not specifically included, it cannot be assumed that, the conveyance of the assessee was exonerated from the confiscation proceedings. Section 130 of CGST Act provides that any conveyance carrying ...

Assessment Proceedings Against Deceased Person Invalid Without Notice To Legal Heirs U/S 93 Of CGST Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court stated that assessment proceedings against deceased person invalid without notice to legal heirs under Section 93 CGST Act. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. addressed the issue where the wife of the deceased, challenged the GST DRC-07 summary order issued in the name of her deceased husband. The wife/petitioner has challenged the orders on the ground that, as the proceedings of assessment were commenced and completed against a dead person. Section 93 of the CGST...

Goods Confiscated U/S 130 Of GST Act Can Be Released During Pendency Of Appeal If Not Auctioned: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has stated that goods confiscated under Section 130 GST Act can be released during pendency of appeal if not yet auctioned. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. was addressing the case where the grievance of the assessee/petitioner is against confiscation order passed by the Enforcement Officer/2nd respondent, under Section 130 of the GST Act. The assessee/petitioner dispatched certain scrap materials through a conveyance. During transit, the said vehicle was intercepted...

Assessment Based On DVO's Valuation Cannot Be Revised U/S 263 Of Income Tax Act In Absence Of Concrete Material: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court held that assessment based on DVO's (Department Valuation Officer) valuation cannot be revised under Section 263 of Income Tax Act in absence of concrete material. Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and P.M. Manoj observed that “as on the date of invoking his power under Section 263 of the IT Act, the Commissioner could not have had a 'reason to believe' that the assessment was erroneous and prejudicial to the interest of the Revenue since the material to inform...