04/01/2026
📌 ITAT Ahmedabad – Important Relief for Small Traders (Section 44AD)
A significant and practical ruling for small businesses and presumptive taxpayers 👇
Case: Babubhai Ramanbhai Patel vs ITO, Ward-3, Gandhinagar
ITA No.: 1593/Ahd/2024 | AY 2012-13 | ITAT Ahmedabad (SMC Bench)
Key takeaways from the ruling:
• 💡 Cash deposits cannot be treated as unexplained u/s 69 when they represent business turnover and follow a normal business banking pattern.
• 💡 Benefit of Section 44AD cannot be denied merely because the original return of income was not filed.
• 💡 Maintenance of books of account is NOT a pre-condition for availing Section 44AD.
• 💡 Production of VAT returns or purchase invoices is NOT mandatory for small traders under presumptive taxation.
• 💡 Treating turnover as unexplained income results in double taxation, which is impermissible.
Result:
Addition of ₹20.23 lakh deleted. Appeal allowed.
Why this matters:
This decision reinforces that substance prevails over procedure, offering much-needed protection to small traders opting for presumptive taxation under Section 44AD.
