THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME vs. M/S.DEWA PROPERTIES LTD

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TCA/241/2015HC 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. The dismissal was based on the submission by the Revenue that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The circular increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore, and the tax effect in this case was below that limit. The Court explicitly stated that the substantial questions of law framed were left open. Liberty was granted to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit fixed in the circular, to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai (appellant/revenue) filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 22.04.2014 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'A' Bench. The appeal concerned assessment year 2006-07 and was directed against the ITAT's order in ITA.No.491/MDS/2013. The appeal was admitted by the High Court on 22.07.2015, based on substantial questions of law framed by the court. The respondent is M/s. Dewa Properties Ltd. The dispute pertains to a disallowance made under Section 14A read with Rule 8D of the Income Tax Rules.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in restricting the disallowance made under Section 14A read with Rule 8D, when Section 14A(2) provides that the disallowance may be determined in accordance with such rule as may be prescribed? (Question of law) 2. Is not the finding of the Tribunal wrong, especially when the Assessing Officer could make disallowance under Section 14A in accordance with the method prescribed under Rule 8D? (Question of law) Assessee's contentions: Not recorded. Revenue's contentions: The Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to a 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. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 14A,Section 14A(2),Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.241 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.241 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Dewa Properties Ltd., No.770A, II Floor Dewa Tower-I, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 22.04.2014 made in ITA.No.491/MDS/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2006-07. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC and Ms.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent : Mr.R.Sivaraman JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.241 of 2015 appellant/revenue and Mr.R.Sivaraman, 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 22.04.2014 made in ITA.No.491/MDS/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2006-07. 3.The appeal was admitted on 22.07.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “i) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in restricting the disallowance made under Section 14A read with Rule 8D when Section 14A(2) provides that the disallowance may be determined in accordance with such rule as may be prescribed? ii) Is not the finding of the Tribunal wrong especially when the Assessing Officer could make disallowance under Section 14A in accordance with the method prescribed under Rule 8D?" 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 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.241 of 2015 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.Dewa Properties Ltd., No.770A, II Floor Dewa Tower-I, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.241 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.241 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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