COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. UMIYA TIMBER PVT LTD,
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the Tax Case Appeals filed by the Revenue on the ground of low tax effect. The Court referred to Circular No. 17/2019 dated 08.08.2019, which stipulates a monetary limit of Rs. 1 crore for filing appeals before the High Court. As the tax effect in these cases was less than Rs. 1 crore, the appeals were dismissed. However, the Court explicitly stated that the substantial questions of law framed are left open. Liberty was granted to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeals if the tax effect is found to be above the prescribed limit, for hearing and decision on merits. No costs were imposed. The connected miscellaneous petitions were closed.
What were the facts?
The Revenue filed these Tax Case Appeals against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) dated 12.07.2017, which had dismissed the Revenue's appeals against the order of the CIT(A)-2, Madurai. The appeals pertain to assessment years 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16. The assessee is M/s. Umiya Timber Pvt. Ltd. The core dispute revolves around the belated filing of Form No. 27C by the assessee. The Revenue contended that the ITAT erred in its decision, particularly concerning the acceptance of belatedly filed Form 27C and its failure to consider a Supreme Court SLP in a similar matter.
What were the issues?
1. Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the ITAT was right in holding that the belated filing of Form No. 27C by the assessee after the due date as specified in sub-rule (3) of Rule 37C of Income Tax Rules, 1962 was in accordance with law and hence the object sought to be achieved by filing Form 27C substantially achieved? (Question of law) 2. Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the ITAT was justified in not considering the SLP filed by the revenue which was admitted by the Apex Court in the case of Siyaram Metal Udyog Pvt. Ltd., on the issue of submission of Form 27C? (Question of law) Assessee's arguments: Not recorded. Revenue's arguments: The tax effect in these cases is less than Rs. 1 crore, which is below the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court as per Circular No. 17/2019 dated 08.08.2019 issued by the CBDT. Therefore, the appeals should be dismissed.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
Section 260A,Section 37C
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
T.C.A.Nos.1033, 1034 & 1044 of 2019 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 18.12.2019 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.KIRUBAKARAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN T.C.A.Nos.1033, 1034 & 1044 of 2019 and C.M.P.Nos.27061, 27064 & 27079 of 2019 Commissioner of Income Tax, TDS Ward, Tirunelveli. ... Appellant (in all the appeals) Vs M/s.Umiya Timber Pvt. Ltd., 1/952, Piranoor Border, Thenkasi Road, Shenkottah, Tirunelveli Dist. 627 809 PAN: AAACU4351M ... Respondent (in all the appeals) PRAYER : Appeals under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras “B” Bench, dated 12.07.2017 passed in ITA.Nos.982 to 984/Mds/2017. For Appellant :Mr.Karthik Ranganathan (in all the appeals) Senior standing counsel 1/6 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.1033, 1034 & 1044 of 2019 C O M M O N J U D G M E N T (Judgment of the Court was delivered by N.KIRUBAKARAN, J) These Tax Case Appeals have been preferred by the Revenue against the order dated 12.07.2017 passed in ITA.Nos.982 to 984/Mds/2017 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment years, 2013-14, 2014-15 & 2015- 16. 2.The impugned order was filed by the Revenue aggrieved by the order of the CIT(A)-2, Madurai, dated 31.01.2017 in ITA Nos.038, 039 & 049/2016-17, where the Tribunal rejected the plea of the Revenue and dismissed the Appeals. 3.These Appeals are admitted on the following substantial questions of law : “(i)Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the ITAT was right in holding that the belated filing of Form No.27C by the assessee after the due date as specified in sub rule (3) of Rule 37C of Income Tax Rules, 1962 was in accordance with law and hence the object sought to be achieved by filing Form 27C substantially achieved? 2/6 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.1033, 1034 & 1044 of 2019 (ii)Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the ITAT was justified in not considering the SLP filed by the revenue was admitted by the Apex Court in the case of Siyaram Metal Udyog Pvt. Ltd., on the issue of submission of Form 27C [2017] 78 taxmann.com 157 (SC)? " 4.Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant would submit that the tax effect in these cases are less than Rs.1 crore and is covered by Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.08.2019 issued by the Director, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Delhi. As per the said circular, the monetary limit to file an appeal before the High Court is fixed at Rs.1 crore. In these cases, tax effect is less than Rs.1 crore and therefore, these cases have to be dismissed. 5.This Court perused the circular dated 08.08.2019 and Paragraph No.2 of the said Circular, which prescribes monetary limit for filing appeal is usefully extracted as follows: 2.As a step towards further management of litigation, it has been decided by the Board that monetary limits for filing of appeals in income-tax cases be enhanced 3/6 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.1033, 1034 & 1044 of 2019 further through amendment in Para 3 of the Circular mentioned above and accordingly, the table for monetary limits specified in Para 3 of the Circular shall read as follows: S.No. Appeals / SLPs in Income- tax matters Monetary Limit (Rs.) 1. Before Appeallate Tribunal 50,00,000 2. Before High Court 1,00,00,000 3. Before Supreme Court 2,00,00,000 6.In view of the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant and also in view of the Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.08.2019 issued by the Director, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Delhi, these Tax Case Appeals are dismissed on account of tax effect. However, the substantial question of law framed is left open. In the event the tax effect is above the limit fixed in the said circular, liberty is granted to the Revenue to make a mention to this Court to restore the appeals to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. (NKKJ) (PVJ) 18.12.2019 sai 4/6 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.1033, 1034 & 1044 of 2019 To 1.The Commissioner of Income Tax, TDS Ward, Tirunelveli. 2.Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai. 5/6 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.1033, 1034 & 1044 of 2019 N.KIRUBAKARAN, J. and P.VELMURUGAN
, J.
sai T.C.A.Nos.1033, 1034 & 1044 of 2019 Dated : 18.12.2019 6/6 http://www.judis.nic.in
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