THJE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME vs. V.R. ANBUVELRAJAN

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TCA/219/2015HC 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 the ground of low tax effect, citing Circular No.17/2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. The Court noted that 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, allowing the appeal to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded.

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 25.04.2014 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'B' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2009-10 and challenged the ITAT's deletion of a penalty levied under Section 271(1)(c) of the Act. The Revenue's appeal was admitted on substantial questions of law concerning the validity of the ITAT's finding and whether the surrendered income was voluntary or due to inquiry, constituting concealment or furnishing inaccurate particulars.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in deleting the penalty levied under Section 271(1)(c)? 2. Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad especially when the surrender of income was not voluntary but due to the enquiry conducted by the AO and would amount to concealment or furnishing of inaccurate particulars of income since exorbitant claim of land development expenses without adequate supporting evidence was claimed? Assessee's Contentions: Not recorded. Revenue's Contentions: The Revenue argued that the ITAT's deletion of the penalty was incorrect. They contended that the assessee's surrender of income was not voluntary but a consequence of the Assessing Officer's (AO) inquiry. The Revenue further argued that the claim of exorbitant land development expenses without adequate supporting evidence constituted concealment or furnishing of inaccurate particulars of income, making the ITAT's finding unsustainable.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 271(1)(c)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.219 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.219 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs Shri V.R.Anbuvelrajan ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 25.04.2014 made in ITA.No.138/MDS/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2009-10. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, SSC and Ms.V.Pushpa, SC For Respondent : Mr.R.Sivaraman JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.V.Pushpa, learned 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.219 of 2015 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 25.04.2014 made in ITA.No.138/MDS/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2009-10. 3.The appeal was admitted on 21.07.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “1) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in deleting the penalty levied under Section 271(1)(c)? 2) Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad especially when the surrender of income was not voluntarily but due to the enquiry conducted by the AO and would amount to concealment or furnishing of inaccurate particulars of income since exorbitant claim of land development expenses without adequate supporting evidence was claimed?" 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.219 of 2015 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.) 27.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.219 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.219 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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