COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S.SOLAMALAI AUTOMOBILES

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TCA/147/2016HC Madras30 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. The dismissal was based on the submission made by the Revenue's counsel that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, as per Circular No. 17/2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. This circular increased the monetary limit for filing or pursuing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The Court noted that the tax effect in this particular case was below this threshold. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed for the appeal were left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the fixed threshold limit, allowing for a decision on merits. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, represented by the Commissioner of Income Tax, Circle 1(1), Madurai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 04.09.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'D' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2010-11. The core of the dispute involved the ITAT's decision to delete a penalty imposed under Section 271E of the Act. The assessee is M/s. Solaimalai Automobiles Pvt. Ltd., Madurai. The appeal was admitted on substantial questions of law concerning the deletion of the penalty and the ITAT's reasoning that payments to a sister concern's running current account were neither loans nor advances, thus not attracting Section 271E.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in deleting the penalty under Section 271E of the Income Tax Act, 1961? 2. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that when the assessee draws funds and makes payments to the running current account maintained with its sister concern M/s. Solaimalai Enterprises, the repayment is neither a loan nor advance and hence, the provisions of Section 271E could not be attracted when the assessee has not shown any business expediency for repaying the borrowed amount in cash? Assessee's contentions: Not recorded in the judgment. Revenue's contentions: The Revenue argued that the ITAT erred in deleting the penalty under Section 271E. The Revenue's primary contention, as reflected in the substantial questions of law, was that the payments made by the assessee to its sister concern's current account should be considered as loans or advances, thereby attracting the provisions of Section 271E, especially in the absence of demonstrated business expediency for cash repayment.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 271E

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.147 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.147 of 2016 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Circle 1(1), Madurai ...Appellant Vs M/s.Solaimalai Automobiles Pvt. Ltd., Madurai. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 04.9.2015 made in ITA.No.2751/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'D' Bench for the assessment year 2010-11. For Appellant: Mr.M.Swaminathan, SSC assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa, SC For Respondent: Mr.J.Nareshkumar 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 and Mr.J.Nareshkumar, learned counsel appearing for the respondent – assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.147 of 2016 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 04.9.2015 made in ITA.No. 2751/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'D' Bench for the assessment year 2010-11. 3. The appeal was admitted on 23.2.2016 on the following substantial questions of law : “(i) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in deleting the penalty under Section 271E ? and (ii) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that when the assessee draws funds and makes payments to the running current account maintained with its sister concern M/s.Solaimalai Enterprises, the repayment is neither a loan nor advance and hence, the provisions of Section 271E could not be attracted when the assessee has not shown any business expediency for repaying the borrowed amount in cash ?" 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 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.147 of 2016 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. No costs. (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 'D' Bench. RS 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.147 of 2016 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J RS TCA.No.147 of 2016 30.8.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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