THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. M/S. WAYNE BURT PETROCHEMICA

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TCA/236/2020HC Madras26 August 2020Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM5 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was not on merits but on the ground of low tax effect, as per Circular No. 17/2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. The Court noted that the monetary limit for filing or pursuing an appeal before the High Court had been increased to Rs. 1 Crore by the said circular, and 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. 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 03.09.2018 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Madras 'C' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2013-14 and concerned the assessee, M/s. Wayne Burt Petrochemicals (P) Ltd. The dispute involved the classification of certain assets, specifically design and assembly drawings of hydraulics cylinders, Bill of materials, and other components stored on a CD, for the purpose of depreciation. The ITAT had allowed depreciation at 60% on these assets, treating them as computer software.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in allowing depreciation at 60% in respect of design and assembly drawings of hydraulics cylinders, Bill of materials, and other components in CD as computer software, and allowing higher depreciation at 60% when the asset was not a software program readily available for purchase but developed design as per specific requirements, making it an intangible asset eligible for depreciation at 25% only? (Turned on Section 32 of the Income Tax Act, 1961). 2. Whether the reasoning and finding of the Tribunal is proper, especially when the consideration of US$11,00,000 paid for a license agreement with AE Bailey International Corporation USA in respect of the impugned assets shown is an intangible asset not covered under the heading 'computer software' eligible for 60% depreciation? (Turned on Section 32 of the Income Tax Act, 1961). Revenue's Contention: The Revenue argued that the assets were not computer software eligible for 60% depreciation but were developed designs, making them intangible assets eligible for only 25% depreciation. They also questioned the Tribunal's reasoning regarding the license agreement. Assessee's Contention: The judgment records no specific contentions from the assessee.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 32

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.236 of 2020 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 26.08.2020 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA Tax Case Appeal No.236 of 2020 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai ...Appellant Vs M/s.Wayne Burt Petrochemicals (P) Ltd, (formerly known as Bailey Hydro Power Pvt Ltd) SIPCOT Industrial Park, Irrungattukottai Sriperumbudhur Taluk, Chennai 602 105 PAN AABCB 1804F ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 03.09.2018 made in ITA.No.1207/chny/2018 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'C' Bench, Chennai. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravikumar 1/5 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.236 of 2020 Judgment was delivered by

T.S.Sivagnanam,J

We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue. 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 03.09.2018 made in ITA.No. 1025/chny/2018 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'C' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2013-14. 3. The appeal is admitted on the following substantial questions of law: “1.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case the Tribunal was right in allowing depreciation at 60% in respect of design and assembly drawings of hydraulics cylinders, Bill of materials and other components in CD as computer software and allowing higher depreciation at 60% especially when the assets 2/5 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.236 of 2020 was not a software program with design, pre embedded readily available for purchase in market but is developed design as per the requirements specified for a standard specification, in a specific readable software which is in the nature of intangible asset, eligible for depreciation at 25% only? 2. Whether the reasoning and finding of the Tribunal is proper especially when the consideration of 11,00,000/- US dollars has been paid for license agreement with AE Bailey International Corporation USA in respect of the impugned assets shown is a intangible assets which is not covered under the heading computer software eligible for 60% depreciation? 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 3/5 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.236 of 2020 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 question of law framed is 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.) (P.S.N., J.)

26.08.2020 Internet: Yes /No Index : Yes/No To The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai 4/5 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.236 of 2020 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA,J sk TCA.No.236 of 2020 26.08.2020 5/5 http://www.judis.nic.in

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