THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME vs. M/S. CRESCENT MARINE

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TCA/1021/2015HC Madras16 June 2020Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the submission made by the Revenue's counsel regarding the low tax effect, which fell below the threshold limit stipulated in CBDT Circular No.17/2019. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed for the appeal were left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, allowing it to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded. The Tribunal's findings on the reassessment order and the validity of reopening the assessment were not adjudicated upon by the High Court.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, represented by the Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed a Tax Case Appeal before the High Court of Judicature at Madras against an order dated 25.5.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench. The appeal pertained to the assessment year 2003-04 and challenged the Tribunal's decision regarding a reassessment order. The Revenue's appeal was admitted on 02.11.2015, based on substantial questions of law concerning the validity of the reassessment order and whether the income had escaped assessment. The amount in dispute is not explicitly stated but is implied to be below the threshold for appeal.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that the reassessment order passed is null and void? (Question of law/mixed fact and law, concerning the validity of a reassessment order). 2. Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad, especially when the income had escaped assessment and the Assessing Officer has validly reopened the assessment? (Question of law/mixed fact and law, concerning the validity of reopening assessment when income escaped assessment). Assessee's arguments: Not recorded. Revenue's arguments: The Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to the low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.1021 of 2015 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 16.6.2020 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA Tax Case Appeal No.1021 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai ...Appellant Vs M/s.Crescent Marine Ventures Ltd., Chennai-19. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 25.5.2015 made in ITA.No.1110/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2003-04. For Appellant: Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC & Mrs.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent: Mr.A.S.Sriraman Judgment was delivered by

T.S.Sivagnanam,J

We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar and Mrs.R.Hemalatha learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Mr.A.S.Sriraman, learned counsel appearing for the respondent. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.1021 of 2015 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short, the Act) is directed against the order dated 25.5.2015 made in ITA.No.1110/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench (for brevity, the Tribunal) for the assessment year 2003-04. 3. The appeal has been admitted on 02.11.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “i. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that the reassessment order passed is null and void ? and ii. Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad, especially when the income had escaped assessment and the Assessing Officer has validly reopened the assessment ?” 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 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. 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.1021 of 2015 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. 16.6.2020 To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench. RS 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.1021 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA,J RS TCA.No.1021 of 2015 16.6.2020 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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