D.N.Baruah, J- The following question has been referred under section 256 (1) of the Income Tax Act at the instance of the department. “Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was justified in upholding the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) in directing the assessing officer to allow carry forward of loss to the assessee although the assessee failed to file return within the time prescribed under section 139 (3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961?” 2. To answer the reference it is necessary to narrate short facts of the case. The assessing officer mentioned in the assessment order that the total loss was computed at Rs.2,23,087/-. He mentioned that the loss computed was not allowed to be carried forward as the assessee did not file the return within the time prescribed under section 139 (1). The assessee took up the matter before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), who following the decision of Calcutta High Court in Presidency Medical Centre Pvt. Ltd., 108ITR 838 allowed the claim of the assessee. The Revenue took up the matter before the Tribunal which after considering all aspects and considering various decisions including the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Brij Mohan vs. Commissioner of Income Tax, New Delhi, reported in 120 ITR 1 where it was held that a return filed within the extended period was a good return in the sense that the ITO was bound to take it into consideration, affirmed the order passed by the CIT( Appeals). Hence the present reference. 3. We have Mr. DK Talukdar, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Revenue and Mr. RK Jain appearing on behalf of the assessee. 4. The question that falls for consideration is whether under the facts and circumstances of the present case it can be said that the return was filed within time. 5. Under section 139 (1) of the Income tax Act, every person, if his total income or the total income of any other person in respect of which he is assessable under the Act during the previous year exceeded the maximum amount which is not chargeable to income-tax, shall furnish a return of his income or the income of such other person during the previous year in the prescribed form. Under sub­section (4) (a) of section 139, if any person who fails to furnish a return with in the time allowed to him under sub-section (r) or sub-section (2) may, before the assessment is made, furnish the return for any previous year at any time before the end of the period specified in clause (b), and the provisions of sub-section (8) shall apply in every such case. The period referred to in clause (a) (iii) shall be -where the return relates to a previous year relevant to any other assessment year, two years from the end of such assessment year. 6. Admittedly the assessment year was 1983. The return was filed on 6.7.83 i.e. within two years from the end of the assessment year. In view of the decision of the Apex Court in Commissioner of Income-tax, Punjab vs. Kulu Valley Transport Co (P) Ltd, reported in 77 ITR 518, the return filed by the assessee must be deemed to be filed within time prescribed so as to attract the provisions of section 72 of the Act. Therefore, the reference is answered in affirmative and against the department. A copy of this judgment under the signature of the Registrar and seal of the High Court shall be transmitted to the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal. 7. In the facts and circumstances of the case there will be no direction as to costs.