Commissioner of Income Tax vs. M/S IP RINGS LTD
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court did not decide the substantial questions of law on merits. Instead, the appeal was dismissed as withdrawn by the Revenue. This decision was based on the submission by the Revenue's counsel that the tax effect in the appeal was less than the monetary limit stipulated in CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which directs that appeals shall not be filed or pursued if the tax effect does not exceed Rs. 1,00,00,000. The Court explicitly stated that the substantial questions of law were kept open for determination in an appropriate case. 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 the order dated September 17, 2013, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal pertains to assessment year 2002-03 and concerns the classification of royalty payments. The High Court admitted the appeal on specific substantial questions of law. During the proceedings, the Revenue brought to the court's notice CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which mandates that appeals shall not be filed or pursued if the tax effect does not exceed Rs. 1,00,00,000. The Revenue submitted that the tax effect in this particular appeal was below this threshold.
What were the issues?
The Tribunal had to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Tribunal was correct in holding that 75% of the royalty payments are revenue in nature. 2. Whether the Tribunal was right in not considering Explanation 3(b) to Section 32(1) of the Income Tax Act, which, if applied, would render technical know-how an intangible asset eligible for depreciation at 25%, making royalty payments for it a capital expenditure. 3. Whether the Tribunal was right in ignoring that the benefit acquired under the Technical Assistance Agreement was of an enduring nature, thus classifying the expenses as capital expenditure rather than revenue expenditure. The Assessee's contentions are not recorded in the judgment. The Revenue argued that the royalty payments were capital in nature because they were for technical know-how, which is an intangible asset eligible for depreciation under Section 32(1) of the Income Tax Act, and that the benefit was of an enduring nature.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Tax Case Appeal No. 133 of 2015 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 27.09.2022 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.VAIDYANATHAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN Tax Case Appeal No.133 of 2015 Commissioner of Income Tax Chennai.
.. Appellant Versus M/s.IP Rings Ltd., Arjay Apex Centre 24, College Road, Chennai- 600 006. PAN:AAAC10908C
.. Respondent Tax Case Appeal filed under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 17.09.2013 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras “C” Bench, in I.T.A.No.690/Mds/2013.
For Appellant : Mr.S.Rajesh Junior standing Counsel for Mr.T.Ravikumar For Respondent : Mr.R.Venkatanarayanan for M/s.Subharaya Iyer Padmanabhan *** 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Tax Case Appeal No. 133 of 2015 J U D G M E N T S.VAIDYANATHAN, J and C.SARAVANAN, J This tax case appeal has been filed by the Appellant / Revenue, calling in question the correctness of the order dated 17.09.2013 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, 'C' Bench, Chennai, in I.T.A.No.690/Mds/2013, relating to the assessment year 2002-03. 2.By order dated 24.03.2015, this court admitted the aforesaid tax case appeal on the following substantial question of law: “1.Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that 75% of the royalty payments are to be treated as revenue in nature?” 2.Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal is right in not considering the fact that as per Explanation 3(b) to Section 32 (1) of the Income Tax Act, inserted w.e.f.01.04.1999, the technical know how acquired by the assessee was an intangible asset eligible for depreciation at 25% and therefore the royalty paid for such intangible asset was a capital expenditure? 3. Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal is right in ignoring the fact that the benefit acquired by the assessee under the Technical Assistance Agreement between the assessee and NPR was a benefit of enduring nature and therefore the expenses incurred towards the same was only a capital expenditure and not revenue expenditure?" 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Tax Case Appeal No. 133 of 2015 3. When the matter was taken up for consideration, the learned counsel for the appellant / Revenue brought to the notice of this court the Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.08.2019 issued by the Central Board Direct Taxes, wherein, it is stipulated that appeals shall not be filed/pursued by the Department before the High Court in cases where the tax effect does not exceed Rs.1,00,00,000/- (Rupees One Crore). It is also submitted that the tax effect in this appeal is less than the threshold limit. 3. In the light of the aforesaid submissions made by the learned counsel for the appellant / Revenue, the present appeal, wherein, the tax effect is said to be less than the monetary limit imposed, is dismissed as withdrawn, keeping open the substantial question of law for determination in an appropriate cases. No costs. [S.V.N, J.] [C.S.N, J.] 27.09.2022
Internet : Yes
Index : Yes / No arr 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Tax Case Appeal No. 133 of 2015 S. VAIDYANATHAN, J. AND C.SARAVANAN, J. arr To 1. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras “C” Bench, Chennai. 2.The Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-I, Coimbatore. TCA No. 133 of 2015 27.09.2022 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
More judgments on Section 32(1)
- Dish Infra Services Pvt Ltd, Noida vs PCIT-1, DelhiITA 2448/DEL/2025[2020-21]Status: Disposed16 Sept 2026AY 2020-21
- M/S. Marlabs Innovations Private Limited… vs Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax…ITTPA 1809/BANG/2024[2020-21]Status: Disposed11 Sept 2026AY 2020-21
- Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai vs Magick Woods Exports Private Limited…ITA 3377/CHNY/2025[2018-19]Status: Disposed13 Aug 2026AY 2018-19
- Mrpl Education Trust, Mangaluru vs The Commissioner of Income Tax(Exemptions)…ITA 2060/BANG/2025[2018-2019]Status: Disposed30 Jul 2026AY 2018-2019
- Teksystems Global Services Private Limited… vs DCIT, Circle - 2(1), HyderabadITA 1145/HYD/2026[2017-18]Status: Disposed24 Jun 2026AY 2017-18
Recent GST High Court judgments
Search GST case law →- Vinishma Technologies Private Limited vs. State Of KarnatakaKarnataka · 17 Oct 2026
- J.M.Swamy vs. Government Of INDIAKarnataka · 17 Oct 2026
- S. Nithyananda vs. State Of KarnatakaKarnataka · 17 Oct 2026
- Acc LTD. vs. Secy.Industries Deptt.Orissa · 16 Oct 2026
- Kumaran Transports (Tuticorin) Private Limited vs. The Assistant Commissioner Madras · 16 Oct 2026