PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. M/S.FINANCIAL SOFTWARE SYSTE

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TCA/258/2017HC Madras29 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the Tax Case 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, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. This circular increased the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore, and the tax effect in this case was stated to be below this limit. Consequently, the substantial question of law framed by the court, concerning the exclusion of foreign currency travel and internet expenses from total turnover for Section 10B deduction, was 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. No costs were imposed.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Principal Commissioner of Income Tax 2, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 30.09.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) 'A' Bench, Chennai. The appeal pertains to assessment year 2006-07 and concerns M/s. Financial Software Systems India Pvt Ltd. The ITAT's order was challenged by the Revenue. The High Court admitted the appeal on a substantial question of law. Subsequently, the Revenue sought to withdraw 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 travel expenses and internet charges incurred in foreign currency are to be excluded from the total turnover while computing deduction under Section 10B of the Income Tax Act, 1961? (Question of law) Assessee's Contentions: The judgment does not record any specific contentions made by the assessee (M/s. Financial Software Systems India Pvt Ltd.) before the High Court regarding the substantial question of law. The appeal was dismissed on procedural grounds before arguments on merits could be advanced. Revenue's Contentions: The Revenue, through its learned Senior Standing Counsel, submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect. This was based on Circular No. 17/2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), which stipulated an increased monetary limit of Rs. 1 Crore for filing or pursuing appeals before the High Court. The Revenue stated that the tax effect in this particular case was below this threshold.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 10B

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.258 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.258 of 2017 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax 2, No.121, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chennai-600 034. .. Appellant -vs- M/s.Financial Software Systems India Pvt Ltd., Sarada Apartments, 42, 3rd Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Chennai-600 020. PAN: AAA CF 2351 C .. Respondent Appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 30.09.2016, made in I.T.A.No.2037/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2006-07. For Appellant : Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, Senior Standing Counsel : assisted by Mr.S.Rajesh, Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.N.V.Balaji ****** 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.258 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 30.09.2016, made in I.T.A.No.2037/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2006-07. 2.The appeal has been admitted on 07.06.2017, on the following substantial question of law:- “Whether the travel expenses and internet charges incurred in foreign currency are to be excluded from the total turnover while computing deduction under Section 10B of the Income Tax Act, 1961?” 3.Heard Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Mr.S.Rajesh, learned Standing Counsel for the appellant – and Mr.N.V.Balaji, learned counsel 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 effect in terms of Circular No.17/2019, dated 08.08.2019 issued by the 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.258 of 2017 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.Financial Software Systems India Pvt Ltd., Sarada Apartments, 42, 3rd Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Chennai-600 020. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.258 of 2017 T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. (abr) T.C.A.No.258 of 2017 29.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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