COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. SIMPSON &CO LTD

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TCA/241/2017HC Madras29 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 on account of low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The substantial question of law framed at the time of admission was left open. 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 fixed in the circular, allowing it to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were imposed. The specific merits of the substantial question of law were not adjudicated upon.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 23.09.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) 'C' Bench, Chennai. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2011-12 and concerns M/s. Simpson & Co. Ltd. The High Court admitted the appeal on 06.06.2017, framing a substantial question of law regarding the claim of additional depreciation on new plant and machinery. The Revenue later submitted that it did not wish to pursue the appeal due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the benefit of additional depreciation in respect of new plant and machinery could only be claimed in the year in which the plant and machinery was acquired, or whether it could be carried over to any subsequent financial year prior to the amendment by the Finance Act, 2016, effective from 10.04.2016? (Question of law) Assessee's contention: Not recorded in the judgment. Revenue's contention: The Revenue submitted that it did not wish to pursue the appeal due to low tax effect, referencing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below the threshold limit stipulated in the circular for pursuing appeals before the High Court.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.241 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.241 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 23.09.2016, made in I.T.A.No.1488/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'C' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2011-12. 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 ****** JUDGMENT 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.241 of 2017 (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 23.09.2016, made in I.T.A.No.1488/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'C' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2011-12. 2.The appeal has been admitted on 06.06.2017, on the following substantial question of law:- “Whether the benefit of additional depreciation in respect of new plant and machinery could only be claimed in respect of the year in which the plant and machinery was acquired or whether the same could be carried over to any subsequent financial year, prior to the enhancement of the Finance Act, 2016 with effect from 10.04.2016?” 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. 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 T.C.A.No.241 of 2017 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 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.) (V.B.S., J.) 29.08.2019 Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-Speaking Order abr To 1.M/s.Simpson & Co. Ltd., 861/862, Anna Salai, Chennai-600 002. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'C' Bench, Chennai. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.241 of 2017 T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. (abr) T.C.A.No.241 of 2017 29.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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