PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. M/S.CAI INDUSTRIES P LTD

PDF · subscribers
TCA/185/2018HC 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 on the ground of low tax effect, citing Circular No. 17/2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes, which raised the monetary threshold for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The Court noted that the tax effect in this particular case was below this limit. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed by the Revenue were left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, allowing it to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded. The specific findings of the ITAT on the deemed dividend issue, the interpretation of the circular, and the commercial nexus were not adjudicated upon by the High Court.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Principal Commissioner of Income Tax I, Coimbatore, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 21.09.2017 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'A' Bench. The appeal pertained to Assessment Year 2013-14 and concerned M/s. CAI Industries P. Ltd. The dispute involved whether a loan received by the assessee from a company in which it held more than 10% shares was a deemed dividend under Section 2(22)(e) of the Act. The Revenue's appeal was filed challenging the ITAT's decision on this matter.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal had to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether a loan received from a company where the assessee company holds more than 10% of shares is a deemed dividend under Section 2(22)(e) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 2. Whether the ITAT correctly interpreted Circular No. 19/2017 by not appreciating its illustrations of trade advances/commercial transactions not covered under Section 2(22)(e), and whether the assessee's case fell within those illustrations. 3. Whether the ITAT was correct in concluding that the interdependence of both companies for meeting business commitments did not result in a commercial nexus between them. Contentions: Assessee: The judgment does not record specific contentions made by the assessee regarding the merits of the case. Revenue: The Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, as per Circular No. 17/2019 of the CBDT, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be 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.185 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.185 of 2018 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax I, No.63, Race Course Road, Coimbatore. ...Appellant Vs M/s.CAI Industries P. Ltd., 1547-A, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu, Coimbatore - 641 004. PAN: AABCC2146F ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 21.09.2017 made in ITA.No.356/MDS/2017 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2013-14. For Appellant : Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, SSC assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani For Respondent : Mr.A.S.Sriraman for Mr.S.Sridhar JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel, assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, learned counsel appearing for the 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.185 of 2018 appellant/revenue and Mr.A.S.Sriraman, learned counsel for Mr.S.Sridhar, learned counsel appearing for the respondent/assessee. 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 21.09.2017 made in ITA.No.356/MDS/2017 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2013-14. 3.The appeal has been filed by raising the following substantial questions of law : “1.Whether the loan received from the company where the assessee company has more than 10% of share is not a deemed dividend u/s.2(22)(e) of the Income Tax Act, 1961? 2.Whether ITAT was right in not appreciating the contents in para 2.1 of the Board's circular No.19/2017 which states

some

illustration/examples

trade advances/commercial transactions held to be not covered u/s.2(2@)(e) of the Act, the assessee's case does not fall under anyone of the situations cited in the said circular? 3.Whether, the ITAT was right in concluding that the interdependence of both the companies for meeting several business commitments does not result in commercial nexus between the two?" 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 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.185 of 2018 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. No costs. (T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.) 28.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.M/s.CAI Industries P. Ltd., 1547-A, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu, Coimbatore - 641 004. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.185 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.185 of 2018 28.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

More judgments on Section 2(22)(e)

All 1,757 judgments and leading authorities on Section 2(22)(e) →

Recent GST High Court judgments

Search GST case law →