COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S RAJASEKAR TEXTILES

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TCA/235/2016HC Madras30 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 Revenue's submission that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The Court noted that the tax effect in this case was below the 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 costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, represented by the Commissioner of Income Tax, Virudhunagar Circle, filed an appeal before the High Court of Madras against an order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal pertains to assessment year 2009-10 and challenges the ITAT's deletion of an addition made under Section 2(22)(e) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The dispute involves a transaction between a lender company and the assessee firm, M/s. Rajasekar Textiles. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and in law, the ITAT was correct in deleting the addition made under Section 2(22)(e) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, considering that the provision applies not only to payments by a private company to its shareholders but also to payments by lenders to a borrowing firm where shareholders of the lending company and partners of the borrowing firm are common? Assessee's contention: The ITAT was correct in deleting the addition. Revenue's contention: The ITAT was incorrect in deleting the addition, as the transaction falls under the ambit of deemed dividend under Section 2(22)(e). 2. Whether, on the facts and in law, the ITAT was correct and justified in holding that the transactions between the lender company and the assessee firm were in the course of business and the amounts received were towards commercial transactions, even though not supported by an invoice from the borrowing firm? Assessee's contention: The ITAT was correct in holding the transactions as commercial. Revenue's contention: The ITAT was not justified in holding the transactions as commercial, as they lacked invoice support.

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.235 of 2016 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 30.8.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.235 of 2016 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Virudhunagar Circle, Virudhunagar ...Appellant Vs M/s.Rajasekar Textiles, Chatrapatti. 626102. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 30.9.2015 made in ITA.No.1624/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2009-10. For Appellant: Mr.M.Swaminathan, SSC assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa, SC For Respondent: Mr.A.S.Sriraman Judgment was delivered by

T.S.Sivagnanam,J

We have heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Mr.A.S.Sriraman, learned counsel appearing for the 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.235 of 2016 respondent – assessee. 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 30.9.2015 made in ITA.No. 1624/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2009-10. 3. The appeal was admitted on 28.3.2016 on the following substantial questions of law : “i. Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was correct in deleting the addition made under Section 2(22)(e) of the Income Tax Act, which clearly provides that not only the payment by a private company by way of advance to shareholders, but also payment by lenders to borrowing firm in which shareholders having substantial shareholding in lending company and the partners of borrowing firm are common will attract deemed dividend under Section 2(22)(e) ? and ii. Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was correct and justified in holding that the transaction between the lender company and the assessee firm are in the course of business 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.235 of 2016 transactions and amount received by the assessee firm are only towards commercial transaction, which is not supported by invoice of borrowing firm?” 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 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.) 30.8.2019 Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No Internet: Yes (or) No 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.235 of 2016 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J RS To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. TCA.No.235 of 2016 30.8.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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