SUNDARAM CLAYTON LTD., vs. THE ADDITIONAL COMMISSIONER
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court allowed the appeal, modifying the order of the ITAT. The Court held that the remand should not have been restricted by the ITAT. The observations and restrictions placed by the ITAT in paragraph 11 of its order were vacated. The matter was remitted back to the Assessing Officer for a fresh consideration in accordance with law, with an opportunity for the assessee to present all supporting materials and decisions. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission were left open. The operative direction was to set aside the restrictive part of the ITAT's order and remand the case to the AO for de novo consideration.
What were the facts?
The assessee, M/s. Sundaram Clayton Ltd., filed an appeal before the High Court of Judicature at Madras against an order dated 13.04.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2009-10. The ITAT had remanded the matter to the Assessing Officer (AO) for fresh consideration. However, the assessee was aggrieved by the restrictions placed by the ITAT on the scope of this remand. The ITAT's order had directed the AO to consider derivative transactions equivalent to the total export turnover and to ignore losses from premature cancellation of export contracts before their maturity date. The assessee contended that this restriction was improper.
What were the issues?
1. Whether loss on account of cancellation of an export contract is an allowable business loss? (Question of law) 2. If so, whether the loss is to be restricted to the total export turnover in terms of that export contract? (Question of mixed law and fact) Assessee's Contentions: The assessee argued that the ITAT erred in restricting the scope of the remand. They contended that the ITAT should not have directed the AO to consider derivative transactions equivalent to the total export turnover or to ignore losses from premature cancellation of export contracts. The assessee relied on the decisions in CIT vs. Badridas Gauridu (P) Ltd., CIT vs. Vishindas Holaram, CIT vs. Friends & Friends, CIT vs. Panchammal Steels, CIT vs. Woodward Governor India (P) Ltd., and CIT vs. Celebrity Fashion Ltd. Revenue's Contentions: The judgment does not record any specific contentions made by the revenue regarding the issues or the scope of remand.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.258 of 2018 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 15.02.2021 CORAM : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Ms.Justice R.N.MANJULA Tax Case Appeal No.258 of 2018 M/s.Sundaram Clayton Ltd., No.29, Haddows Road, Chennai - 600 006. ...Appellant Vs The Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Company Range-VI, Chennai - 34. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 13.04.2016 made in ITA.No.1431/Mds/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, 'B' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2009-10. For Appellant: Mr.R.Vijayaraghavan for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar Padmanabhan For Respondent: Mr.J.Narayanasamy Senior Standing Counsel 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.258 of 2018 JUDGMENT (Delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J) This appeal, filed by the assessee, is directed against the order dated 13.04.2016 made in ITA.No.1431/Mds/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, 'B' Bench, Chennai ('the Tribunal' for brevity) for the assessment year 2009-10. 2. The appeal was admitted on 03.04.2018 on the following substantial question of law: "Whether loss on account of cancellation of an export contract is an allowable business loss and if so, whether the loss is to be restricted to the total export turnover in terms of that export contract?" 3. We have heard Mr.R.Vijayaraghavan, appearing for Mr.Subbaraya Aiyar Padmanabhan, learned counsel for the appellant and Mr.J.Narayanasamy, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the respondent-Revenue. 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.258 of 2018 4. The assessee is not largely aggrieved by the remand of the matter to the Tribunal, but expressed serious reservation and grievances against that part of the order passed by the Tribunal restricting the scope of remand. 5. The learned counsel for the appellant submitted that the Tribunal ought not to have restricted the remand by observing that the Assessing Officer should consider the derivative transaction equivalent to the total export turnover and also to ignore the loss on account of premature cancellation/termination before the due date of maturity of the transaction undertaken by the assessee. In support of this contention, the learned counsel placed reliance on the following decisions:- a) CIT Vs Badridas Gauridu (P) Ltd. - 261 ITR 256 (Bom) b) CIT Vs Vishindas Holaram - 229 Taxman 30 (Bom) c) CIT Vs Friends & Friends - 217 Taxman 267 (Guj) d) CIT Vs Panchammal Steels - 215 Taxman 140 (Guj) e) CIT Vs Woodward Governor India (P) Ltd - 312 ITR 254 (SC) f) CIT Vs Celebrity Fashion Ltd. - TCA.26 of 2018 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.258 of 2018 6. In the light of the above decisions, we are of the considered view that the remand should not be restricted and to that extent, the order passed by the Tribunal has to be set aside and it should be modified and the remand should be by way of an open remand. 7. Accordingly, the Tax Case Appeal is allowed and the order passed by the Tribunal, more particularly in paragraph 11, is modified and the observations and restrictions placed by the Tribunal stand vacated and the matter is remitted back to the Assessing Officer for a fresh consideration in accordance with law. The authorized representative of the assessee shall be afforded an opportunity to place all materials and decisions which they seek to rely upon. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed are left open. No costs. (T.S.S.,J.) (R.N.M.,J.) 15.02.2021 Index: Yes/No Internet:Yes/No Speaking Judgment/Non-speaking Judgment hvk 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.258 of 2018 To 1. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, 'B' Bench, Chennai. 2. The Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Company Range-VI, Chennai - 34. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.258 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND R.N.MANJULA,J hvk TCA.No.258 of 2018 15.02.2021 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
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