THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. B.L.RAMSISARIA,259/7,PANCHKULA

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ITA/201/2002HC Punjab & HaryanaPHHC01052003200231 March 20162 pages
AI SummaryWithdrawn

What did the High Court hold?

The Revenue, through its counsel, submitted that in view of CBDT Circular No. 21/2015 dated 10.12.2015 and Circular No. 279/Misc/M-142/2007-ITJ (Part) dated 8.3.2016, it did not wish to press the present appeal as the tax effect involved was less than ₹20 lacs. The Revenue prayed for liberty to file an application for revival of the appeal if something survived therein. The High Court dismissed the appeal as not pressed with the liberty as prayed for. It was clarified that the withdrawal of the appeal by the Revenue would not be taken as an affirmation of the Tribunal's order on merits, and the legal issue was left open to be adjudicated in an appropriate case. No finding was given on the merits of the substantial questions of law.

What were the facts?

This case involves an appeal filed by the Commissioner of Income Tax, Panchkula (the Revenue) against an order dated 7.5.2002 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chandigarh Bench. The appeal pertains to assessment year 1993-94 and concerns the taxability of compensation received by the assessee, Sh. B.L. Ramsisaria. The Revenue challenged the ITAT's decision regarding the nature of the compensation and its tax treatment. The appeal was filed under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal had to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the ITAT was correct in holding that the compensation was paid for loss of services, despite the assessee having voluntarily resigned. 2. Whether the ITAT erred in treating the compensation as a capital receipt, when it should have been considered a revenue receipt taxable as 'profit in lieu of salary' under Section 17(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 3. Whether the ITAT was right in concluding that the issue was debatable and thus outside the scope of Section 143(1)(a), given that the employer had deducted tax at source, implying it was in lieu of salary and thus a prima-facie disallowable item. The Revenue argued that the compensation was taxable as profit in lieu of salary. The assessee's contentions are not explicitly recorded in the provided text.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 17(3),Section 143(1)(a)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

ITA No. 201 of 2002 (O&M) -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH ITA No. 201 of 2002 (O&M) Date of Decision: 31.03.2016 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Panchkula .......Appellant Versus Sh. B.L. Ramsisaria ......Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH BINDAL HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARINDER SINGH SIDHU Present: Mr. Yogesh Putney, Advocate for the appellant. RAJESH BINDAL,J. This appeal has been filed under Section 260 A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short 'the Act'), against the order dated 7.5.2002 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chandigarh Bench (A), in ITA No.92/Chandi/97, for the assessment year 1993- 94, raising the following substantial questions of law: (i) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the ITAT was right in law in holding that amount of compensation was paid for loss of services, when the assessee has himself resigned voluntarily? (ii) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Hon'ble ITAT have erred in law in treating the compensation as capital receipt; whereas the same was a revenue receipt and was taxable as “profit in lieu of salary” u/s 17(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961? (iii) Whether on the facts and in circumstances of the case, the Hon'ble ITAT was right in holding that REEMA SAINI 2016.04.04 13:52 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document High Court, Chandigarh

ITA No. 201 of 2002 (O&M) -2- the issue being debatable one falls outside the scope of section 143(1)(a); when the assessee's employer at the time of issuing Form No.16 has deducted tax at source and thus, it being in lieu of salary, is a prima-facie disallowable item and was rightly added to the taxable income u/s 143(1)(a)? Learned counsel for the appellant-revenue submitted that in view of circular No.21/2015 dated 10.12.2015 read with circular No.279/Misc/M-142/2007-ITJ (Part) dated 8.3.2016, issued by Central Board of Direct Taxes, he does not wish to press the present appeal, as the tax effect involved is less than ` 20 lacs. However, he prays that liberty be granted to the revenue to file an application for revival of the appeal in case something survives therein. Dismissed as not pressed with liberty as prayed for. It is however, clarified that withdrawal of the appeal by the revenue shall not be taken as affirmation of order of the Tribunal on merits. The legal issue as claimed by the revenue is left open to be adjudicated in an appropriate case. (RAJESH BINDAL)

JUDGE (HARINDER SINGH SIDHU) 31.03.2016 JUDGE reema REEMA SAINI 2016.04.04 13:52 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document High Court, Chandigarh

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