THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. M/S HOFCONS INFOTECH &
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue on account of low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted that the Revenue's counsel submitted that the appeal was not being pursued because the tax effect was below the increased monetary limit for High Court appeals. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission were left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. No costs were awarded.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated August 18, 2014, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'B' Bench. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2003-04. The ITAT's order had decided issues concerning the applicability of Section 9(1)(vii)(b) and the deletion of disallowance under Section 40(a)(i) related to payments made as service charges in foreign currency to non-residents. The appeal was admitted by the High Court on March 23, 2015, on two substantial questions of law.
What were the issues?
1. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the assessee's case fell under the exclusion provided under Section 9(1)(vii)(b) of the Income Tax Act, especially when the assessee had not obtained any certificate under Section 195(2) of the Act for claiming exemption from TDS, nor had moved any obligation in that regard before the TDS authorities? (Question of law) 2. Whether, in the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in deleting the disallowance made under Section 40(a)(i) of the Income Tax Act on account of non-deduction of tax on payments made as service charges in foreign currency to non-residents? (Question of mixed law and fact) Assessee's Contentions: The judgment does not record specific contentions made by the assessee. The assessee was represented by Mr. R. Venkataraman. Revenue's Contentions: The Revenue, represented by Mr. Karthik Ranganathan, Senior Standing Counsel, did not pursue the appeal due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be less than this threshold.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
Section 260A,Section 9(1)(vii)(b),Section 195(2),Section 40(a)(i)
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.101 of 2015 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 27.08.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.101 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Hoficons Infotech and Industrial Services Pvt. Ltd., 6th Floor, Gee Gee Universal, Door No.2 (Old No.16), 1B/1&2 (Old No.8), Mc.Nichols Road, Chetpet, Chennai - 600 031. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 18.08.2014 made in ITA.No.846/MDS/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2003-04. For Appellant : Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, SSC assisted by Mr.S.Rajesh, SC For Respondent : Mr.R.Venkataraman for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar Padmanabhan JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel, assisted by Mr.S.Rajesh, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.101 of 2015 appellant/revenue and Mr.R.Venkataraman, learned counsel for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar Padmanabhan, learned counsel appearing for the respondent/assessee. 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 18.08.2014 made in ITA.No.846/MDS/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2003-04. 3.The appeal was admitted on 23.03.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “1) Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the assessee's case fell under the exclusion provided u/s.9(1)(vii)(b) of the Income Tax Act especially when the assessee had not obtained any certificate u/s.195(2) of the Act for claiming exemption from the purview of TDS nor had moved any obligation in that regard before the TDS authorities? 2)Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case the Tribunal was right in deleting the disallowance made under Section 40(a)(i) of the Income Tax Act on account of non deduction of tax on payments made as service charges in foreign currency to non residents? 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that the above appeal is not pursued by the Revenue on account of the low tax effect in terms of Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.8.2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. By the said Circular, the monetary limit for filing or 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.101 of 2015 pursuing an appeal before the High Court has been increased to Rs.1 Crore. It is further submitted that the tax effect in this case is less than the threshold limit. 5.In the light of the said submissions, the above tax case appeal is dismissed on account of the low tax effect. The substantial questions of law framed are left open. In the event the tax effect is above the threshold limit fixed in the said circular, liberty is granted to the Revenue to make a mention to this Court to restore the appeal to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. (T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.) 27.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.M/s.Hoficons Infotech and Industrial Services Pvt. Ltd., 6th Floor, Gee Gee Universal, Door No.2 (Old No.16), 1B/1&2 (Old No.8), Mc.Nichols Road, Chetpet, Chennai - 600 031. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.101 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.101 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
More judgments on Section 9(1)(vii)(b)
- Sasken Technologies Limited, Bangalore vs ACIT, Circle-6(1)(1), BangaloreITA 2058/BANG/2025[2020-21]Status: Disposed29 Jun 2026AY 2020-21
- Sasken Technologies Limited, Bangalore vs ACIT, Circle-6(1)(1), BangaloreITA 2057/BANG/2025[2017-18]Status: Disposed29 Jun 2026AY 2017-18
- Income Tax Officer, Minto Road vs Hcl Technologies Ltd., Nehru PlaceITITA 59/DEL/2025[2020-21]Status: Disposed23 Mar 2026AY 2020-21
- Income Tax Officer, Minto Road vs Hcl Technologies Limited, Nehru PlaceITITA 58/DEL/2025[2019-20]Status: Disposed23 Mar 2026AY 2019-20
- General Reinsurance Ag, Mumbai vs Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax…ITA 887/MUM/2023[2020-21]Status: Disposed30 Jan 2026AY 2020-21
Recent GST High Court judgments
Search GST case law →- M/S. Ut Corp vs. Union Of INDIARajasthan · 26 Oct 2026
- Sunrise Engineering vs. The State Of Andhra PradeshAndhra Pradesh · 26 Oct 2026
- M/S Kalra Traders vs. Union Of INDIAUttarakhand · 26 Oct 2026
- Ms Isoft vs. The Commissioner State TaxUttarakhand · 26 Oct 2026
- M/S Sita Enterprises vs. Office Of The CommissionerUttarakhand · 26 Oct 2026