I have taken loans from various Parties by Cheque in Preceding Financial Year (2005-06). During the succeding year (2006-07) there were instances of Repayment by Cash exceeding Rs. 20,000/- & some Repayment BELOW Rs. 20,000/- also.
The ITO Claims that under 269 SS since there was an "Opening Balance" in the name of those Parties to whom Repayment was done by Cash (Whether Over or Below Rs. 20,000/-), Penalty is leviable on the "ENTIRE" Amount i.e. on the Opening Balance as well as on the Deposits accepted during the Year, whether by Cash or Cheque.
Is the ITO Right in doing so? Especially because ALL Opening Balances were Originally Accepted by Cheque & not cash. Also, Repayment was also by Cheque, for Example :
1. A had Loaned me Rs. 40,000/- by Cheque & Rs. 10,000/- by Cash in 2005-06. In 2006-07, I repaid him Rs. 40,000/- by Cheque & Rs. 10,000/- by Cash. The ITO says Penalty under 269 SS is Leviable on the ENTIRE Rs. 50,000/- which was the Opening Balance for 2006-07.
2. B had Loaned me Rs. 5,00,000/- by Cheque in 2005-06. In 2006-07, he gave me Rs. 12,000/- by Cash which i repaid by Cash within that year itself. The ITO says Penalty is leviable on the Entire Rs. 5,00,000/- Opening Balance irrespective of the Fact that the Opening Balance Rs. 5,00,000/- was still the Closing Balance in 2006-07 (No Repayment either by Cash or Cheque other than the Rs. 12,000/- as mentioned above.
KINDLY ADVISE