COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S.WINTEK TECHNOLOGY (I)

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TCA/10/2017HC Madras26 February 2021Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice M.DURAISWAMY5 pages
AI SummaryWithdrawn

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court did not decide the substantial questions of law framed for consideration. This was due to subsequent developments, specifically the enactment of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020. The learned counsel for the respondent/assessee submitted that the assessee had availed the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme and had been issued Form-3 on December 16, 2020. Recording this submission, the High Court concluded that nothing further survived for adjudication in the appeal. Therefore, the Tax Case Appeal was disposed of on this basis, without delving into the merits of the ITAT's order or the substantial questions of law. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'D' Bench, dated April 22, 2016. This order pertained to assessment year 2010-11. The ITAT had quashed the final assessment order passed under Section 143(3) read with Section 144, holding it to be barred by limitation. The ITAT also made observations regarding the Dispute Resolution Panel's directions and jurisdiction. The High Court was to consider substantial questions of law framed by the Revenue. However, the proceedings were impacted by the enactment of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020.

What were the issues?

The High Court was to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Tribunal was correct in quashing the final assessment order under Section 143(3) read with Section 144 on the grounds that it was barred by limitation. 2. Whether the Tribunal was correct in holding that the time limit for assessment starts from the date of receipt of the Dispute Resolution Panel's (DRP) direction by the Assessing Officer, even when the DRP directed the Transfer Pricing Officer (TPO) to calculate a downward adjustment. 3. Whether the Tribunal was correct in holding that the DRP lacks jurisdiction to direct further calculation or verification by the TPO, despite Section 144C(7) empowering the DRP to direct such inquiries. Assessee's Contentions: The assessee's counsel submitted that the assessee had opted for the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme and had been issued Form-3 on December 16, 2020. Revenue's Contentions: The judgment does not record specific contentions from the Revenue regarding the substantial questions of law, other than their appeal against the ITAT's order.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 143(3),Section 144,Section 144C(7)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Tax Case Appeal No.10 of 2017 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 26.02.2021 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M. DURAISWAMY AND THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE T.V. THAMILSELVI Tax Case Appeal No.10 of 2017 Commissioner of Income Tax, Corporate Circle-3, Chennai. ... Appellant Vs.

M/s.Wintek Technology (India) Private Limited, Nokia Telecom SES, Industrial Park, P-5, Phase III, Bangalore National Highway, Sriperambudur, Kancheepuram – 602 105.

... Respondent

Tax Case Appeal filed under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai "D" Bench, dated 22.04.2016 passed in I.T.A.No.1017/Mds/2015. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan Senior Standing Counsel and Ms.V.Pushpa Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.R.Venkata Narayanan for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar Page 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ Tax Case Appeal No.10 of 2017 J U D G M E N T (Delivered by M.DURAISWAMY, J.) This appeal filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 ('the Act' for brevity), is directed against the order dated 22.04.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai "D" Bench, ('the Tribunal' for brevity) in I.T.A.No.1017/Mds/2015 for the assessment year 2010-11. The Revenue has raised the following Substantial Questions of Law for consideration in the above appeal. "1.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal was right in quashing the final assessment order u/s. 143(3) read with Section 144 holding that the order is barred by limitation? 2.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal was right in holding that the time limit will start from the date of receipt of Dispute Resolution Panel direction by the Assessing Officer even though the Dispute Resolution Panel has only directed the Transfer Pricing Officer to calculate the downward adjustment as per the Direction ? Page 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ Tax Case Appeal No.10 of 2017 3. Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal was right in holding that the Dispute Resolution Panel has no jurisdiction to direct the Transfer Pricing Officer to make further calculation or verification especially when the Act in Section 144C (7) empowers the Dispute Resolution Panel to make any further enquiry to be made by the Income Tax Authority ?” 2. We have heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel and Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel for the appellant/Revenue and Mr.R.Venkata Narayanan for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar, learned counsel for the respondent/assessee. 3. It may not be necessary for this Court to decide the Substantial Questions of Law framed for consideration on account of certain subsequent developments. The Government of India enacted the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020 (Act 3 of 2020) to provide for resolution of disputed tax and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Act of the Parliament received the assent of the President on 17th March 2020 and published in the Gazette of India on 17th March 2020. Page 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ Tax Case Appeal No.10 of 2017 4.Learned counsel for the respondent/assessee submitted that the assessee had availed the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme and that the respondent/assessee had already been issued with Form–3 on 16.12.2020.

5.Since the respondent/assessee had been issued with Form-3, nothing survives for adjudication in the above appeal. Recording the submission made by the learned counsel for the respondent/assessee, the Tax Case Appeal stands disposed of. No costs. [M.D., J.] [T.V.T.S., J.] Index : Yes/No 26.02.2021 Internet : Yes

mkn To 1. Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai "D" Bench 2.The Commissioner of Income Tax, Corporate Circle-3, Chennai. M. DURAISWAMY, J. Page 4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ Tax Case Appeal No.10 of 2017 and T.V. THAMILSELVI, J. mkn Tax Case Appeal No.10 of 2017

26.02.2021 Page 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/

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