In a recent and significant development, the Madras High Court granted interim relief to a taxpayer by staying income-tax recovery proceedings for 90 days. The order came in a case where the income-tax department had treated a refunded property-advance amount as unexplained income and raised a tax demand of ₹2.36 crore.

This case highlights an important issue faced by many property buyers and investors—what happens if a real estate deal falls through and the advance payment is refunded? Can such amount be taxed as unexplained income? The court’s intervention provides valuable reassurance to genuine taxpayers.

Background: How the Dispute Arose

The petitioner, Faiz Wahab, had paid an advance for purchasing a property in a real estate project by M/s Omkar Ventures Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai. However, the transaction did not go through. Later, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) directed that the advance be refunded to him.

The refund was credited back to the petitioner, but during the assessment proceedings, the Assessing Officer (AO) treated this refunded amount as unexplained income, invoking reopening powers under Section 147 read with Section 144 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Along with reassessment, penalty proceedings under Section 271AAC(1) and 272(1)(d) were also initiated.

Taxpayer’s Argument

The petitioner approached the High Court stating:

  • He was a genuine investor, not someone generating undisclosed income.

  • The property transaction failed due to reasons beyond his control.

  • RERA had issued a clear order directing refund of the advance on 30 May 2023.

  • The refunded amount had legitimate documentation and cannot be taxed as unexplained income.

  • Immediate recovery by the Income-tax Department would adversely affect him before his appeal is heard.

The petitioner therefore requested protection from recovery, so he can file and pursue the statutory tax appeal on merits.

Revenue’s Position

The Revenue opposed the writ petition and argued:

  • The taxpayer had already filed an appeal under Section 246A on 16 September 2024.

  • Since a statutory remedy already exists, the petitioner should pursue the appeal rather than seek relief from the High Court.

Court’s Findings and Decision

Justice C. Saravanan of the Madras High Court observed:

  • Although an alternate remedy exists, interim protection is justified to ensure the taxpayer can pursue the appeal effectively.

  • The refunded property advance, backed by RERA order, deserves to be examined by the appellate authority before enforcement of recovery.

Accordingly, the Court decided:

Key Relief Granted

  • 90-days stay on recovery proceedings

  • Taxpayer must file and pursue appeal within these 90 days

  • Taxpayer must file a stay application under Section 220(6) for stay of demand

  • If the taxpayer does not file the stay application in time, the Income-tax Department is free to continue recovery

With these directions, the writ petition was disposed of.

Why This Order Matters

This case is significant for several reasons:

1. Relief for genuine property buyers

Real-estate buyers who get their advance refunded due to cancelled projects now have judicial support in defending such receipts as genuine transactions.

2. Reaffirming fair treatment in tax assessment

Courts continue to emphasise that tax officers must consider genuine documentary evidence before treating amounts as unexplained income.

3. Protection during appeal process

A taxpayer cannot be forced into recovery when the matter is awaiting adjudication before appellate authorities.

4. Importance of documentation

The RERA order in this case played a key role. It shows how essential proper paperwork is for tax defence.

What Taxpayers Should Learn From This Case

Lesson Why It Matters
Keep all documents for property transactions Helps prove genuine nature of payment/refund
Appeal within time and file stay request Prevents coercive recovery
Refunds are not automatically taxable Tax authorities must consider real facts
RERA orders carry legal weight Useful evidence in financial and tax disputes

Practical Steps for Taxpayers in Similar Situations

If your property deal gets cancelled and you receive a refund:

  1. Maintain all agreements and receipts

  2. Keep bank transaction proofs

  3. Preserve communications with builder

  4. Maintain RERA complaint and refund order (if applicable)

  5. Respond to income-tax notices promptly

  6. File appeal and stay request on time if assessed wrongly

These simple steps can save time, stress, and penalty exposure.

Conclusion

The Madras High Court’s decision offers relief and clarity to taxpayers who genuinely invested in property and later received a refund. It recognizes that not every returned amount is income, especially when backed by regulatory orders and financial trail.

By granting interim protection for 90 days, the Court has ensured the taxpayer has a fair chance to present his case before the appellate authorities.

This judgment is a strong reminder to taxpayers to maintain proper documentation and protect their rights through the appeal process.

FAQs

Q1: Can a refunded advance be taxed as unexplained income?
Not if the taxpayer proves the genuineness of the transaction and refund with proper documents.

Q2: Do I need to file a stay application during appeal?
Yes. Filing a stay application under Section 220(6) prevents immediate recovery.

Q3: Does filing an appeal automatically stop recovery?
No. You must file a stay request; otherwise, the department can proceed.

Q4: Is a RERA refund order helpful in tax disputes?
Yes. Regulatory orders strengthen your case and prove transaction authenticity.