COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. JOHN BAPTIST LASRADO

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TCA/158/2018HC Madras28 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 by the Revenue's counsel that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. This circular increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore, and the tax effect in this case was below this threshold. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. No decision was made on the merits of the substantial questions of law.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, represented by the Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal before the High Court of Judicature at Madras against an order dated July 29, 2016, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2008-09 and concerns the assessee, Shri John Baptist Lasrado. The core of the dispute revolves around the assessee's claim for deduction under Section 54F of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Revenue's appeal challenges the ITAT's direction to the Assessing Officer to consider this claim. The procedural history indicates that the appeal was filed under Section 260A of the Act.

What were the issues?

The High Court was to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the ITAT's order is erroneous in law and perverse on facts. 2. Whether the ITAT was correct in directing the Assessing Officer to consider the assessee's claim for deduction under Section 54F, despite the admitted fact that the assessee owned more than one residential house other than the new asset on the date of transfer, thereby violating the mandatory condition in proviso (a)(i) to Section 54F. 3. Whether the ITAT was correct in directing the Assessing Officer to consider the assessee's claim for deduction under Section 54F, without appreciating that the construction was completed beyond three years from the date of transfer of assets. The Revenue argued that the ITAT erred in directing consideration of the Section 54F deduction, citing violations of proviso (a)(i) to Section 54F and the construction completion timeline. The judgment does not record specific arguments from the assessee on these points.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 54F

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.158 of 2018 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 28.08.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.158 of 2018 Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs Shri.John Baptist Lasrado PAN: AADPJ7078G ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 29.07.2016 made in ITA.No.1045/MDS/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2008-09. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC and Ms.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent : Mr.R.Sivaraman JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/revenue and Mr.R.Sivaraman, learned counsel appearing for the respondent/assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.158 of 2018 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 29.07.2016 made in ITA.No.1045/MDS/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2008-09. 3.This appeal has been filed by raising the following substantial questions of law : “1.Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal is erroneous in law and perverse on facts? 2.Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, Tribunal is right in directing the assessing officer to consider the assessee claim for deduction u/s.54F without appreciating the admitted fact that the assessee was owning more than one residential house other than the new asset on the date of transfer and thereby violating the mandatory condition in the proviso (a)(i) to the Section 54F of the Act? 3.Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in directing the assessing officer to consider the assessee's claim for deduction u/s.54F without appreciating the fact that the construction was completed beyond 3 years from the date of transfer of assets?" 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.158 of 2018 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.) 28.08.2019 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.158 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.158 of 2018 28.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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