Section 15. Appeals to the Commissioner (Appeals)

(1) Any person,—

(a) objecting to the amount of tax on undisclosed foreign income and asset for which he is assessed by the Assessing Officer; or

(b) denying his liability to be assessed under this Act; or

(c) objecting to any penalty imposed by the Assessing Officer; or

(d) objecting to an order of rectification having the effect of enhancing the assessment or reducing the refund; or

(e) objecting to an order refusing to allow the claim made by the assessee for a rectification under section 12, may appeal to the Commissioner (Appeals).

(2) Every appeal shall be filed in such form and verified in such manner and be accompanied by a fee as may be prescribed.

(3) An appeal shall be presented within a period of thirty days from—

(a) the date of service of the notice of demand relating to the assessment or penalty, or

(b) the date on which the intimation of the order sought to be appealed against is served in any other case.

(4) The Commissioner (Appeals) may admit an appeal after the expiration of the period referred to in sub-section (3)—

(a) if he is satisfied that the appellant had sufficient cause for not presenting it within that period; and

(b) the delay in preferring the appeal does not exceed a period of one year.

(5) The Commissioner (Appeals) shall hear and determine the appeal and, subject to the provisions of this Act, pass such orders as he thinks fit and such orders may include an order enhancing the assessment or penalty:

Provided that an order enhancing the assessment or penalty shall not be made unless the assessee has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.