Delay condoned due to PAN Change

The Bangalore Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) condoned substantial delays in filing appeals before the Commissioner (Appeals) after accepting the assessee’s explanation that it had migrated to a new PAN and was filing returns under the new PAN. 

The Tribunal observed that, in such circumstances, the assessee’s failure to notice proceedings initiated under the old PAN constituted a reasonable and sufficient cause for the delay. Accordingly, the Tribunal restored the appeals to the Commissioner (Appeals) for fresh adjudication on merits.