3. Assessing Authorities and their jurisdiction

ASSESSING AUTHORITIES, AUDITORS, APPELLATE AUTHORITIES, THEIR APPOINTMENT AND JURISDICTION

(1) The Assistant Commissioner or the Commercial Taxes Officer shall be the assessing authority for the part or whole of the State as may be determined by the Commissioner and the area so determined shall be called his “Circle”.

(2) The Assistant Commercial Taxes Officer, subject to the pecuniary jurisdiction assigned to him by the Commissioner, shall be the assessing authority for the part or whole area of the Circle, as may be determined by the Commissioner and the area so determined shall be called his “Ward”.

(3) The jurisdiction of an assessing authority shall be determined with reference to the “principal place of business” of the dealer as declared by him under sub-section (1) of section 13.

(4) In case of a non-resident dealer, the officer authorized by the Commissioner shall be his assessing authority.

(5) The officer posted in the Anti-Evasion circle or ward or in the Flying Squad of the Commercial Taxes Department shall exercise jurisdiction over such dealers, in such areas and with respect to such matters, as may be determined by the Commissioner.

(6) Where any officer or assessing authority has any doubt or dispute regarding jurisdiction over any dealer or person, the Commissioner shall decide which assessing authority or officer shall have jurisdiction over such dealer or person.

(7) Where a dealer or person has any dispute regarding jurisdiction of an assessing authority or officer, the same shall be raised in writing before the Commissioner, within thirty days from the date of receipt of any summons or notice issued by such authority or officer, and the decision of the Commissioner shall be final.