The fact of the case is given below:
Tax deducted during May 2007 (Fin. Yr 2007-08) is submitted and accepted by bank on 7th June 2007. However, the bank has cleared the cheque on 8th June 2007. In the etds return for the relevant qtr., the challan date is written is 8th June 2007. Amount of TDS is 340000/-.
Now the Dept. has issued a notice to pay the interest for the late paymentof TDS. The assesse has paid the interest without any contest.
Now the dept. has asked the assesse to appear for the penalty ie the Department wants to impose penalty equal to TDS amount ie Rs 340000/-.
Can penalty be imposed given that the assesse has already paid the tax and that it is the fault on the bank side for delay in crediting the TDS to the Central govt. a/c ?