COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. GLOBAL POLYBAGS INDUSTRIES P

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TCA/145/2016HC Madras30 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court, in light of the submission by the Revenue that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect as per CBDT Circular No.17/2019, dismissed the appeal. The Court noted that the monetary limit for filing or pursuing an appeal before the High Court had been increased to Rs.1 Crore and that the tax effect in this case was less than this threshold. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed on account of low tax effect. 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, to be heard and decided on merits.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, represented by the Commissioner of Income Tax, Corporate Circle-I, Madurai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 28.8.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'A' Bench. The appeal concerned the assessment year 2009-10 and challenged the ITAT's deletion of additions made under Section 2(22)(e) of the Income Tax Act. The respondent assessee is Global Polybags Industries (P) Ltd., Virudhunagar. The respondent was served but did not appear before the High Court. The appeal was admitted on substantial questions of law.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in deleting the additions made under Section 2(22)(e) of the Income Tax Act, when the shareholders of the lending company had a substantial interest in the borrowing company (assessee company)? 2. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was correct and justified in ignoring the provisions of Section 2(22)(e) of the Income Tax Act, which clearly provide that not only a payment by a private company by way of advance to a shareholder, but also a payment made by a lender to a private company (borrowing company), in which shareholders are members and have a substantial interest, is to be treated as deemed dividend under Section 2(22)(e)? Assessee's arguments: Not recorded as the respondent did not appear. Revenue's arguments: The Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was below this threshold.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 2(22)(e)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.145 of 2016 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 30.8.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.145 of 2016 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Corporate Circle-I, Madurai ...Appellant Vs Global Polybags Industries (P) Ltd., Virudhunagar-1. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 28.8.2015 made in ITA.No.1596/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2009-10. For Appellant: Mr.M.Swaminathan, SSC assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa, SC Respondent: Served and no appearance Judgment was delivered by

T.S.Sivagnanam,J

We have heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.145 of 2016 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 28.8.2015 made in ITA.No. 1596/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2009-10. 3. The appeal was admitted on 23.2.2016 on the following substantial questions of law : “(i) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in deleting the additions made under Section 2(22)(e) of the Income Tax Act, when the shareholders of the lending company has substantial interest in the borrowing company (assessee company)? and (ii) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was correct and justified and ignoring the provisions of Section 2(22)(e) of the Income Tax Act, which clearly provide that not only the payment by a private company by way of advance to a shareholder, but also payment made by lender to a private company (borrowing company), in which, shareholders are members, had substantial interest, is to be treated as deemed dividend under Section 2(22)(e)?” 4. The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.145 of 2016 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. 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.

(T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.) 30.8.2019 Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No Internet: Yes (or) No To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench. RS 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.145 of 2016 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J RS TCA.No.145 of 2016 30.8.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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