IT reassessment action against Oxfam stayed

One-liner: The Delhi HC has stayed the income tax reassessment proceedings against NGO Oxfam India.

Response sought: The court issued a notice to Income Tax Dept and sought its response to a petition filed by the NGO, challenging the notices and order issued against it.

Notice issued to Oxfam: According to records, a survey was conducted on the NGO on Sept 7, 2022, which led to the initiation of the reassessment proceedings for the year 2016-17 and a notice was issued to Oxfam on March 29 this year.

Matter listed on Nov 22: "A counter affidavit will be filed within the next six weeks. Rejoinder thereto, if any, will be filed at least five days before the next date of hearing. List the matter on Nov 22, 2023," a bench said.

• "In the meantime, there shall be a stay on the continuation of the reassessment proceeding, till further directions of the court," it said

Violation of FCRA: A notice was issued to the NGO on March 29 under the provisions of the IT Act which triggered the reassessment proceedings against the petitioner for allegedly engaging in litigation activities that were violative of Section 8(1) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).

Received foreign money: Also, it had allegedly received suspicious contributions from foreign nationals and it failed to recognise as revenue ₹15.09Cr received as advances against future projects.

Barred by limitation: The counsel for the NGO contended that the authorities did not share the survey report with the petitioner and the proceedings initiated against it were barred by limitation.

Misconceived: The petitioner said the charge levelled against it that it has received contributions from foreign nationals which were suspicious is misconceived as the details and names of contributors were provided.