ITAT Waives Rs 8.9 Lakh Penalty on NRI Who Missed ITR Deadline During US Relocation

An Indian individual who relocated to the United States for work missed the income tax return filing deadline, prompting tax authorities to impose a penalty of Rs 8.9 lakh. The taxpayer argued before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal that the lapse was unintentional and caused by the disruption of settling into a new country and job. He maintained there was no deliberate attempt to evade taxes. The ITAT examined the circumstances and weighed in on whether the penalty was justified given the reasons behind the delay.