ITAT admonishes SBI for the delay in filing an appeal

ITAT admonishes SBI for the delay in filing an appeal

The revenue department stated that it was aware of the rules and regulations

The Bengaluru Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has refused to condone the delay in filing the appeal by the State Bank of India (SBI). It maintained that merely because the branch manager had changed, was not a valid excuse.

The appellant, SBI, contended that there was sufficient cause for the delay in filing an appeal within the stipulated time, which was informed to the concerned authorities. It further said that the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) was received by an officer, who was later transferred. Since it was the duty of the next officer in charge, it led to the delay in filing an appeal within the due date.

In contra, the department contended that the assessee failed to provide complete details in the appeal and the reason explained by it in the condonation petition was too general. SBI, a leading bank, was aware of the rules and regulations.

The department reasoned that the appeal filed by the assessee was also beyond the due date as prescribed in the provision even after excluding the Covid-19 period.

The Coram, while dismissing the assessees' appeals held that the assessee would not get the benefit under the Income Tax Act.