S. 271(1)(c): Fact that assessee has huge carry forward losses and depreciation and filed a nil return suggests that there is no motive or incentive to make a bogus claim in the return

Toscana Lasts Limited vs. ITO (ITAT Delhi)

Quantum additions and penalty proceedings are two separate and distinct proceedings. Penalty cannot be levied for every disallowance made in the assessment order. The assessee has submitted the agreement, debit note for these expenses, ledger account of APR Limited to whom the payments were made. Further, the confirmation from APR Limited was also filed in penalty proceedings. The revenue authorities have not brought anything on record which could prove the non-genuineness of these documents. The facts with regard to these claims were clearly mentioned and disclosed in the return of income. The expenses payable to APR Limited were shown separately by the assessee in the profit and loss account and the same has been also discussed by the auditor in the audit report. Thus, assessee has made a claim which was transparent and bona fide. Assessee has not concealed anything in this regard. Therefore, it cannot be a case of concealment of facts. As far as the filing of inaccurate particulars of income is concerned, the assessee was having huge carry forward losses and depreciation and the return was filed at nil income. In our considered view, there cannot be a motive or incentive for the assessee to make any bogus claim in the return of income. These facts show that whatever claim made by the assessee was under good faith and with the advice of the auditors and the employees. The assessee has furnished an explanation which has not been found false.