26AS cannot form the mere basis for additions of income by AO
26AS cannot form the mere basis for additions of income by AO During the course of assessment proceeding, the AO observed that assessee failed to reconcile interest income to the extent of Rs.67,939/- with its books of accounts and therefore added back the said amount as undisclosed interest income of the appellant as shown in the Form 26AS. On Appeal ITAT held that based on 26AS alone no additions can be made. This can at best be a starting point for necessary verification but it cannot, on standalone basis, justify the impugned addition. I therefore consider it appropriate to remit the matter to the file of the AO strictly for the limited purpose of verifying the information. In case, he can find any independent evidence for the relevant AY 2012-13 that the appellant had actually received the impugnedinterest income, then only he can bring the same to tax. It is made clear that the onus will be on the AO to bring on record independent evidence after making enquiries from the ...