COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S.UMIYA TIMBER DEPOT
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the Tax Case Appeals on the ground of low tax effect, citing Circular No. 17/2019 dated 08.08.2019 issued by the CBDT. The circular specifies a monetary limit of Rs. 1 crore for filing appeals before the High Court. Since the tax effect in these appeals 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 make a mention to the Court to restore the appeals for hearing and decision on merits if the tax effect is found to be above the limit fixed in the circular. The Court did not decide the merits of the substantial questions of law. No costs were imposed, and the connected miscellaneous petitions were closed.
What were the facts?
The Revenue filed these three Tax Case Appeals against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'B' Bench, dated 12.07.2017. The ITAT had dismissed the appeals filed by the Revenue against the order of the CIT(A)-2, Madurai, dated 31.01.2017. The appeals before the High Court pertain to assessment years 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16. The dispute revolves around the belated filing of Form No. 27C by the assessee, M/s. Umiya Timber Depot, and whether the object of filing the form was substantially achieved despite the delay. The Revenue also questioned the ITAT's justification for not considering a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the Revenue in the case of Siyaram Metal Udyog Pvt. Ltd. on a similar issue.
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 was substantially achieved? (Question of law and fact, concerning Rule 37C of Income Tax Rules, 1962). 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 and fact). Assessee's contentions: Not recorded in the judgment. Revenue's contentions: The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant (Revenue) submitted that the tax effect in these cases is less than Rs. 1 crore and is covered by Circular No. 17/2019 dated 08.08.2019 issued by the CBDT. As per this circular, the monetary limit for filing an appeal before the High Court is Rs. 1 crore. Therefore, these appeals should be dismissed.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
T.C.A.Nos.1041, 1042 & 1046 of 2019 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 17.12.2019 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.KIRUBAKARAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN T.C.A.Nos.1041, 1042 & 1046 of 2019 and C.M.P.Nos.27075 & 27076 of 2019 Commissioner of Income Tax, TDS Ward, Tirunelveli. ... Appellant (in all the appeals) Vs M/s.Umiya Timber Depot, 1/952, Piranoor Border, Thenkasi Road, Shenkottah, Tirunelveli Dist. 627 809 PAN: AAOFS3892 G ... 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.976, 977 & 978/Mds/2017. For Appellant :Mr.Karthik Ranganathan (in all the appeals) Senior standing counsel 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 1/6 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.1041, 1042 & 1046 of 2019 against the order dated 12.07.2017 passed in ITA.Nos.976, 977 & 978/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.040 to 042/2016-17, 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 : “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? (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 2/6 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.1041, 1042 & 1046 of 2019 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 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: 3/6 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.1041, 1042 & 1046 of 2019 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) 17.12.2019 sai 4/6 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.1041, 1042 & 1046 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.1041, 1042 & 1046 of 2019 N.KIRUBAKARAN, J. and P.VELMURUGAN
, J.
sai T.C.A.Nos.1041, 1042 & 1046 of 2019 Dated : 17.12.2019 6/6 http://www.judis.nic.in
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