COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. SHRI K. SRINIVASAU (HUF)

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TCA/144/2015HC Madras27 August 2019Bench: 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 on account of low tax effect, as submitted by the Revenue's counsel. The Court noted that the monetary limit for filing or pursuing an appeal before the High Court had been increased to Rs. 1 Crore by CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, and the tax effect in this case was less than the threshold. The substantial questions of law framed were left open. Liberty was granted to the Revenue to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. No costs were awarded. The specific findings of the ITAT on the classification of gains were not adjudicated upon by the High Court.

What were the facts?

The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai (Revenue) filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 16.06.2014 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal pertained to the assessment year 2006-07 and concerned the classification of profits from the sale of shares as either long-term capital gains or business income. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law. Subsequently, the Revenue sought to withdraw the appeal, citing the low tax effect in light of CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for pursuing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and circumstances, the Tribunal was correct in treating shares held for a longer period as investments resulting in long-term capital gains and shares held for a shorter duration as income from business? (Question of law) 2. Whether the Tribunal's finding that shares held for 30 days are short-term and those held for more than 30 days are long-term investments is perverse and cannot be a yardstick to determine taxability under the head 'business'? (Question of mixed law and fact, turning on the interpretation of capital gains and business income provisions) 3. Whether the profit on sale of shares constitutes long-term capital gains or business income? (Question of law) Assessee's Contentions: The judgment does not record any specific contentions made by the assessee. The assessee was represented by counsel. Revenue's Contentions: The Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, referencing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which raised the monetary threshold for High Court appeals to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was below this limit.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.144 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.144 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs Shri K.Srinivasan ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 16.06.2014 made in ITA.No.102/Mds/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2006-07. For Appellant: Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC assisted by Ms.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent: Mr.R.Kumar JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J) We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.R.Hemalatha, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Mr.R.Kumar, learned counsel appearing for the respondent - assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.144 of 2015 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, is directed against the order dated 16.06.2014 made in ITA.No.102/Mds/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2006-07. 3.The appeal was admitted on 15.04.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “i.Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that share held by the assessee for a longer period is to be treated as investment resulting in long term capital gains and shares held for shorter duration was to be considered as income from business? ii.Is not the finding of the Tribunal perverse especially when it had held the shares held for a period of 30 days were to be treated as short term and for a period of more than 30 days were to be treated as long term investment and the same cannot be the yardstick to determine the taxability of income under the head business? and iii.Whether the computation of income on profit on sale shares constitute long term capital gains or business income?" 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 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.144 of 2015 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 The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.144 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.144 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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