COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S. SIMPSON & CO.LTD.,
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the Revenue's submission that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, falling below the threshold limit stipulated in CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed for the appeal were left undecided. 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.
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 22.12.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) 'C' Bench, Chennai. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2012-13 and concerns M/s. Simpson & Co. Ltd. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law. Subsequently, the Revenue sought to withdraw the appeal, citing a low tax effect in accordance with CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold.
What were the issues?
The Tribunal had to decide three substantial questions of law: 1. Whether investments made in sister concerns/subsidiary companies are liable to be disallowed under Section 14A of the Income Tax Act and Rule 8D of the Income Tax Rules? 2. Whether the provisions of Section 14A of the Income Tax Act are applicable to investment in shares of sister concerns yielding dividend income exempt from income tax? 3. Whether the benefit of depreciation in any financial year can be carried over to any later year? The Revenue argued that investments in sister concerns/subsidiary companies should be disallowed under Section 14A and Rule 8D, and that Section 14A applies to investments yielding exempt dividend income. The Revenue also raised the issue of depreciation carry-over. The judgment does not record specific arguments from the assessee, M/s. Simpson & Co. Ltd., on these issues.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
T.C.A.No.233 of 2017 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 29.08.2019 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.233 of 2017 Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. .. Appellant -vs- M/s.Simpson & Co. Ltd., 861/862, Anna Salai, Chennai-600 002. PAN: AAACS4909F .. Respondent Appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 22.12.2016, made in I.T.A.No.2329/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'C' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2012-13. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravikumar Senior Standing Counsel & : Ms.R.Hemalatha Senior Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.R.Venkatanarayana, For M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar, Padmanabhan & Ramamani ****** 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.233 of 2017 JUDGMENT (Delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam, J.) This appeal filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 22.12.2016, made in I.T.A.No.2329/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'C' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2012-13. 2.The appeal has been admitted on 01.06.2017, on the following substantial questions of law:- “(i) Whether investments made in sister concerns/subsidiary companies are liable to be disallowed under Section 14A of the Income Tax Act and Rule 8D of the Income Tax Rules? (ii) Whether the provisions of Section 14A of the Income Tax Act are applicable to investment in shares of sister concerns yielding dividend income exempt from income tax? and (iii) Whether the benefit of depreciation in any financial year can be carried over to any later year?” 3.Heard Mr.T.Ravikumar and Ms.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant – and Mr.R.Venkatanarayana, learned counsel, for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar Padmanabhan & Ramamani, for the respondent. 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.233 of 2017 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 08.08.2019 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.) 29.08.2019 Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-Speaking Order abr 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.233 of 2017 T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. (abr) To 1.M/s.Simpson & Co. Ltd., 861/862, Anna Salai, Chennai-600 002. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'C' Bench, Chennai. T.C.A.No.233 of 2017 29.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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