Section 269SS : Accepting Loans and Deposits

³⁵[Mode of taking or accepting certain loans and deposits.

³⁶269SS. No person shall, after the 30th day of June, 1984, take or accept from any other person (hereafter in this section referred to as the depositor), any loan or deposit otherwise than by an account payee cheque or account payee bank draft if,—

(a)  the amount of such loan or deposit or the aggregate amount of such loan and deposit ; or

(b)  on the date of taking or accepting such loan or deposit, any loan or deposit taken or accepted earlier by such person from the depositor is remaining unpaid (whether repayment has fallen due or not), the amount or the aggregate amount remaining unpaid ; or

(c)  the amount or the aggregate amount referred to in clause (a) together with the amount or the aggregate amount referred to in clause (b),

is ³⁷[twenty] thousand rupees or more :

Provided that the provisions of this section shall not apply to any loan or deposit taken or accepted from, or any loan or deposit taken or accepted by,—

(a)  Government ;

(b)  any banking company, post office savings bank or co-operative bank ;

(c)  any corporation established by a Central, State or Provincial Act ;

(d)  any Government company³⁸ as defined in section 617 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) ;

(e)  such other institution, association or body or class of institutions, associations or bodies which the Central Government may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, notify³⁹ in this behalf in the Official Gazette :

⁴⁰[Provided further that the provisions of this section shall not apply to any loan or deposit where the person from whom the loan or deposit is taken or accepted and the person by whom the loan or deposit is taken or accepted are both having agricultural income and neither of them has any income chargeable to tax under this Act.]

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,—

⁴¹[(i) "banking company" means a company to which the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949), applies and includes any bank or banking institution referred to in section 51 of that Act ;]

(ii) "co-operative bank" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Part V of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949) ;

(iii) "loan or deposit" means loan or deposit of money.]

35. Inserted by the Finance Act, 1984, w.e.f. 1-4-1984.

36. See also Circular No. 522, dated 18-8-1988. 

37. Substituted for "ten" by the Direct Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 1987, w.e.f. 1-4-1989.

38. For definition of "Government company see definition

39. For notification specifying institution, see Taxmann's Master Guide to Income-tax Act.

40. Inserted by the Direct Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 1987, w.e.f. 1-4-1989.

41. Substituted by the Finance Act, 1985, w.e.f. 1-4-1986. See also Appendix for meaning of 'banking company'.

Q What is the definition of the words Loans or Deposit?

As per the explanation in section 269SS loan or deposit mean loan or deposit of money.

Q. From whom loans and deposit can be accepted?

Though there is no such restriction under the IT Act, 1961 but restrictions have been imposed by the RBI for different persons. For companies also restrictions have been imposed under the Companies Act.

Q  Who are exempted from section 269SS?

The following persons are exempted:

Government

Any Banking Company, Post office Savings Bank or Co-operative Bank,

Any Corporation established by a Central, State or Provincial Act,

And Government Company, as defined u/s 617 of Companies Act, 1956.

Other notified institutions, and

In a case, where the depositor and the acceptor, both are having agricultural income, and neither have any taxable income

Q. How much loan or deposit of money can be accepted in cash?

Loan or deposit upto Rs 20,000/- can be accepted from one person as per provisions of section 269SS of the Income Tax Act, 1961. But care should be taken that the amount being taken now together with the earlier accumulated balance (including interest) should also not exceed Rs.20,000/ -.

Q. What if loan is taken violating the above conditions of section 269SS of the Income Tax Act,1961 ?

Penalty equal to amount of loan or deposit accepted in cash may be imposed under section 271D of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Q. Where the assessee receives deposit of Rs.20,000/- or more as an agent, will the provisions of section 269SS apply?

If a person receives any deposit of Rs.20,000/- as an agent or servant and not on his own behalf, the provision of Sec 269SS does not apply (ACIT v Sahara India[2006] 100 ITD 93(Luck.)).

Q What if an assessee takes Rs 15,000/- each in cash from two persons and there is no earlier balance of these persons?

There is no violation of section 269SS of the Income Tax Act,1961 in such a case .

Q What if an assessee takes loan in cash from one person of Rs.15,000/- by cheque and Rs.15,000/- in cash? 

If the asseesse takes the cash loan first and cheque say next day , then as on date of accepting the loan in cash it does not exceed Rs.20,000/- there is no violation of section 269SS of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Q. Can an assessee accept loan or deposit of money exceeding the limits laid down in section 269SS of the Income Tax Act, 1961 by book transfer entry or by bearer cheque or self cheque or any other mode other than account payee cheques?

No, the only mode prescribed in section 269SS of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is Account Payee Cheque or Account Payee Bank Draft.

Q If an assessee gives loan to a person exceeding Rs.20,000/- in cash or otherwise than account payee cheque, is the assessee violating the provisions of section 269SS of the Income Tax Act ,1961.?

No, the provisions of section 269SS is applicable to person accepting the loan or deposit of money. It does not affect the person giving the loan.

Q Where the assessee does not comply with the provisions 269SS can he be excused from penalty under section 271D?

Section 273B says if the assessee proves that there was reasonable cause for failure to comply with provisions of section 269SS , no penalty under section 271D is imposable.

 Dy. CIT v. Akhilesh Kumar Yadav [2012] 26 taxmann.com 264 (Agra - Trib.)

Q. When a cause can be said to reasonable cause?

According to Kalakrithi v. ITO [2002] 253 ITR 754 (Mad.) reasonable cause is:

The words “reasonable cause” in section 273B must necessarily have a relation to the failure on the part of the assessee to comply with the requirement of the law which he had failed to comply with. In case of delay in compliance, the cause shown must be for the whole of the period of the delay and not merely for a part thereof. If the cause shown is such as to explain the delay as a whole and constitutes a good reason for the non-compliance, no penalty would be leviable. However, in cases where the cause shown is such as to explain a part of the delay, or the cause shown is only to mitigate the gravity of the non-compliance, such a cause cannot be extrapolated and treated as being a good cause for the whole of the period of the delay in its entirety. All or nothing, the proposition canvassed by the petitioner would be detrimental to assessees themselves if the choice placed before the Commissioner in all cases were to be that he should set aside all penalties the moment he finds that there is a cause, though not fully satisfactory, but which may be accepted in part which may justify a grant of a partial relief. If the commissioner were to be compelled to grant relief in whole even where the cause shown is not such as to explain in full the delay or the gravity of the non-compliance, the Commissioner would be compelled to reject and deny all relief. A construction which would preserve the exercise of the power in favour of the assessee in circumstances which warrant it is to be preferred to a construction which would result in the likelihood of denial of relief

According to Azadi Bachao Andolan v. Union of India [2001] 252 ITR 471 (Delhi) reasonable cause is:

Reasonable cause as applied to human action, is that which would constrain a person of average intelligence and ordinary prudence. The expression ‘reasonable’ is not susceptible of a clear and precise definition; for an attempt to give a specific meaning to the word ‘reasonable’ is trying to count what is not number and measure what is not space. It can be described as rational according to the dictates of reason and is not excessive or immoderate. The word ‘reasonable’ has in law the prima facie meaning of reasonable with regard to those circumstances of which the actor, called on to act reasonably, knows or ought to know. Reasonable cause can be reasonably said to be a cause which prevents a man of ordinary prudence and average intelligence, acting under normal circumstances, without negligence or inaction or want of bona fides

Woodward Governor India (P.) Ltd v. CIT [2001] 118 Taxman 433 (Delhi) - "Reasonable cause" as applied to human action is that which would constrain a person of average intelligence and ordinary prudence. It can be described as probable cause. It means an honest belief founded upon reasonable grounds, of the existence of a state of circumstances, which assuming them to be true, would reasonably lead any ordinarily prudent and cautious man, placed in the position of the person concerned, to come to the conclusion that the same was the right thing to do. The cause shown has to be considered and only if it is found to be frivolous, without substance or foundation, the prescribed consequences follow.

 CWT v. Jagdish Prasad Choudhary (Sri) [1995] 211 ITR 472 (Pat.) - The words "reasonable cause" have not been defined under the Act but they could receive the same interpretation which is given to the expression "sufficient cause". Therefore, in the context of a penalty provision, the words "reasonable cause" would mean a cause which is beyond the control of the assessee. "Reasonable cause" means cause which prevents a reasonable man of ordinary prudence acting under normal circumstances, without negligence or inaction or want of bona fides from furnishing the return in time.

As per legal definitions - Even under the legal definitions (as given in Advanced Law Lexicon by P. Ramanatha Aiyar, 2005 edition) a "reasonable cause" means a cause that would constrain a person of average intelligence and ordinary prudence.

The underlying principle - The underlying principle is that cause and circumstances must: (i) constrain or (ii) prevent the person (iii) or make him choiceless in compliance with requirement of law and the borrower being a person of average intelligence and ordinary prudence believed the existence of such circumstances. Constraint, prevention or choicelessness would further mean that those circumstances were beyond his control or management because of which he was unable to comply with the law. But where an assessee furnishes only a statement and does not show how he was constrained or prevented it could not be said that a reasonable cause existed. The burden to prove the existence of a reasonable cause is on the person who claims the existence of such circumstances.

Q. The assessee had accepted Loan exceeding Rs.20,000/- in cash and the Assessing Officer has initiated penalty proceedings .What is the remedy available with the assessee?

The assessee will have to move to the Assessing Officer with a prayer for dropping of Penalty proceedings. Depending on facts of the case the assessee will have to prove that there was reasonable cause for failure to comply with provisions of section 269SS. The assessee will need to furnish evidences in support of his contentions also. If the Assessing Officer is satisfied with the submission, he may drop the penalty proceedings.

Some of the circumstances under which judiciary has treated the cause as reasonable cause and cancelled the penalty imposed are as follows. The assessee will have to go through the full facts of the case to find out if facts of his case are similar, to rely upon the judgment as covered. If the facts are somewhat similar, the judgment may be relied upon for its persuasive effect.

1 Bonafide belief that the transaction would not violate section 269SS. And the transactions are proved to be genuine

Ratttan Singh Maan Singh v. CIT (1995) 127 Taxation 89 (Asr-Trib)

Harpal Singh Jaswant Singh V. ITO (1995) 126 Taxation 12 (Asr-Trib)

CIT Vs. Avet Chemicals (P) Ltd (2007) 288 ITR 310 (P&H)

ITO vs. Shri Babulal Singhvi (2000) 15 DTC 324 (Jodhpur Trib)

Choudhury Co Bhujiyawala v.ITO (2004) 89 TTJ (Jodhpur Trib) 357

CIT vs Saini Medical Store (2005) 276 ITR 79 (P & H )

2 Cash loan from agriculturists who were illiterate and were not having bank accounts.

ITO vs. Ganesh Wooden industries (2003) 174 Taxation 76 (Ahd-Trb)

3 Sale proceeds of agriculturists kept by Kaccha Arahtiya on bonafide belief that circular no 556 dt 25-2-1990 permits it .

ITO vs. Bharadiya Trading Company (2003) 85 ITD 42 (Pune-Trib)

4 Cash Loan taken on account of extreme exigencies and compulsions of the business. Genuiness of transacions not in doubt.

Mrs Rupali R. Desai v. Addl CIT (2004) 88 ITD 76 (Mum-Trib)

5 Cash deposits accepted under compelling circumstances .

ITO vs Akik Tiles (P) Ld (2005) 96 TTJ (Ahd-Trib) 670

6 No bank account of the depositor and ignorance of law and no advise from counsel

ITO vs. Prbhulal Sahu (2006) 99 TTJ 177 (Jd_trib)

7 Mere genuineness of transaction is not reasonable cause

Thenamal Chajjer v. Joint CIT (2005) 96 ITD 210 (Chennai Trib)

Kans Raj & Sons V ITO (2005) 92 TTJ (Asr Trib) 931

Q. What is the remedy if the penalty is imposed by the Assessing Officer?

The assessee will have to file an appeal before CIT(A) against the order of penalty by the Assessing Officer. The appeal is to filed within 30 days of the receipt of the order.

Q. Whether reasonable cause is to be stated before AO or it is to be proved?

Mere statement about reasonable cause is not sufficient. You must prove the facts stated before AO while pleading existence of reasonable cause. Existence of reasonable cause is to be proved.

.1 Penalty is inevitable if reasonable cause not established

ACIT vs Jabalpur Hospital & Research Centre (p) Ltd (2006) 103 TTJ (jab Trib) 536

.2 Necessity for the purpose of businseness not proved and loan not recorded in books.Penalty leviable.

Thennamal Chajjer Vs. JCIT (2005) 96 ITD 210 (chen –trib)

Q. Where peak balance of deposits is added as income, whether penalty for accepting deposits in cash can be levied?

In Rajesh Paradasani v ITO ( ITA No. 125/Ind/2004) it was held that in such case penalty u/s 271D can not be imposed.

Q. Whether Share application money attracts provisions of section 269SS?

In Balotia Engineering Works (P) Ltd v CIT (2005) 6 (I) ITCL 418 (Jhar HC) it was held that section 269SS is applicable to Share Application money also.

Q. Whether acknowledgment of debt by passing journal entry violates section 269SS?

In Sunflower Builder (P) Ltd vs CIT (1997) 61 ITD 227 (Pune Trib) it was held that acknowledgment of debt by contra entry does not violate section 269SS , because there is no loan or deposit of money.

Q. In a case where the amount of deposit is treated as income by AO, whether penalty u/s 271D can be levied?

When the AO is saying that it is income, with the same breath he can not say that is loan . So no penalty u/s 271D can be levied in such cases.

Diwan Enterprises Vs CIT (2000) 246ITR 571(Del) , ACIT vs. M.L.Vijay (2000) 16 DTC 542 (Jb-Trib) , ITO vs Sunil M Kashliwal (2003) 80 TTJ (Pune Trib) (TM)

Q. Whether partner can contribute to the firm otherwise than by cheque?

The amount deposited by partner to the firm as Capital Contribution is not Loan or deposit of money. As such section 269SS is not applicable.

Q Whether accepting deposits by transfer voucher of bank violates section 269SS?

In ACIT vs Jag Vijay Auto Finance (P) Ltd (2000) 68 TTJ (jb Tib) 44 it was held that deposits by transfer voucher of bank is not violation of section 269SS .

Question : Whether the Income-tax Authority can ask from the loan acceptor the source of funds of loan giver?

Answer , No Section 68 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 - Cash credits - Assessment year 2006-07 - Assessee received unsecured loans from three parties through account payee cheques - Assessee proved identity, genuineness of transactions and also creditworthiness of creditors by producing their respective bank accounts - Assessing Officer did not examine creditors and made addition on assumption that they would not have saved any money to advance loans - Whether it was not a fit case to make addition under section 68 - Held, yes [In favour of assessee]

Vishnu Jaiswal v. Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals)- IN THE ITAT LUCKNOW BENCH (THIRD MEMBER)  [2012] 23 taxmann.com 374 (Luck.) (TM)

The source from where the loan giver got the moneys to give the loan could not be asked from the acceptor of loan. Similar view has been taken inDwarikadhish Sugar Industries v. ITO [2012] 137 ITD 200/23 taxmann.com 98 (Luck.) (TM)