Federation Of India Micro And Small And Medium Enterprises vs CIT Exemption - New Delhi-, Delhi

These two appeals by the assessee are directed against the order of the Ld. Commissioner of Income Tax(Exemption), New Delhi [hereinafter referred to as ‘ld. CIT(E)] both dated 25.03.2026 passed under section 12AB(1)(b)(ii) and 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The word ‘Act’ herein this order would mean Income Tax Act, 1961.

The appeal of the assessee vide ITA No.4445/Del/2026 is regarding the rejection of its request filed under section 80G(5)(ii) of the Act. The appeal of the assessee vide ITA No.4444/Del/2026 is regarding the rejection of its request filed under section 12A(1)(ac)(ii) of the Act. As both the appeals are of the same assessee concerning common issues of rejection of its application under section 12A and 80G, they were heard together and for the purposes of convenience, adjudicated by this common order.

At the outset, ld. Counsel for the assessee submitted that its right to natural justice has been violated in as much as due opportunity of being heard has not been given before rejecting its request for grant of registration u/s 12A and 80G of the Act. The ld. Counsel accordingly requested that it be provided one last chance to defend its case and, the matter be considered for remission back to the ld. CIT(E). The ld. Counsel assured that full compliance shall be made to the statutory notices issued by the Revenue authorities.

The ld. DR placed reliance upon the orders of the lower authorities. The ld. DR however could not controvert the fact that the matter included non-grant of adequate opportunity of being heard to the assessee.

We have heard rival submissions and perused the material available on record. We have noted that the Ld. CIT(E) has rejected applications of the assessee without due consideration of facts on records alluding towards a non-application of mind. The ld. Counsel vehemently argued that the ld. CIT(E) has crossed his brief while rejecting the application for grant of registration. It was argued that at this stage, the ld. CIT(E) was required to have satisfied with the object clause of the appellant trust. We have noted that the ld. CIT(E) has dismissed assessee’s application for grant of registration under section 12A and u/s 80G, inter alia, on account of non-compliance of the assessee to submit details. Reasonable opportunity of being heard is right of every tax payer. Be that as it may be in the interest of justice, we deem it appropriate to set-aside the impugned orders of the ld. CIT(E) and remit the matter of grant of registration u/s 12A as well as u/s 80G back to ld. CIT(E) for adjudication de novo in accordance with law. Due opportunity of being heard shall be given to the assessee. The assessee shall comply with all the statutory notices and any non-compliance shall be adversely viewed. Accordingly, the appeals of the assessee vide ITA No.4444/Del/2026 and vide ITA No. 4445/Del/2026 are allowed for statistical purposes.

Finally, both the appeals of the assessee are allowed for statistical purposes.