THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. M/S LANCO TANJORE POWER CO
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court noted the submission by the Revenue's counsel regarding the low tax effect in the present appeal, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. This circular increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The Revenue stated that the tax effect in this particular case falls below this threshold. Consequently, the High Court dismissed the appeal on the grounds of low tax effect. The substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission were expressly left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect is found to be above the fixed threshold limit, allowing for a decision on merits. No costs were awarded.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 21.08.2013 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal pertains to assessment year 2008-09 and challenges the ITAT's decision regarding adjustments to book profit under Section 115JB. The assessee is M/s. Lanco Tanjore Power Co. Ltd. The appeal was admitted on substantial questions of law. However, during the hearing, the Revenue sought to withdraw the appeal due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore.
What were the issues?
1. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that no adjustment under Section 115JB is to be made while making additions of alleged expenditure incurred to earn exempted income while computing book profit? 2. Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad by holding that no addition to book profit is to be made under Section 115JB towards disallowance under Section 14A, especially according to explanation (1)(f) to the 2nd Proviso to Section 115JB(2), which defines book profit to mean profit as shown in the Profit and Loss Account, increased by the amount of expenditure relatable to any income to which Section 10 applies? Assessee's contentions: Not recorded. Revenue's contentions: The Revenue submitted that the appeal is not being pursued due to low tax effect, referencing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which raised the monetary threshold for High Court appeals to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case is below this limit.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.233 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.233 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Lanco Tanjore Power Co. Ltd., (formerly Aban Power Company Ltd) No.25, G.N.Chetty Road, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 21.08.2013 made in ITA.No.312/MDS/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2008-09. For Appellant : Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, SSC assisted by Mr.S.Rajesh, SC For Respondent : Mr.R.Venkatanarayanan for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar Padmanabhan JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel, assisted by Mr.S.Rajesh, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.233 of 2015 appellant/revenue and Mr.R.Venkatanarayanan, learned counsel for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar Padmanabhan, 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 21.08.2013 made in ITA.No.312/MDS/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2008-09. 3.The appeal was admitted on 16.06.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “1.Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that no adjustment under Sec. 115JB is to be made while making additions of alleged expenditure incurred to earn exempted income while computing book profit? 2.Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad by holding that no addition to book profit is to be made u/s.115JB towards disallowance u/s.14A especially according to explanation (1)(f) to 2nd Proviso to Sec.115JB(2), book profit has been defined to mean not profit as shown in the Profit and Loss Account for the relevant previous year prepared under sub- section (2) as increased by the amount of expenditure relatable to any income to which Sec.10 applies?" 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.233 of 2015 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.) 27.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.M/s.Lanco Tanjore Power Co. Ltd., (formerly Aban Power Company Ltd) No.25, G.N.Chetty Road, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.233 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.233 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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