PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. M/S. ORCHID HEALTHCARE PVT.L

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TCA/265/2018HC Madras28 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's counsel that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, falling below the threshold limit of Rs. 1 Crore stipulated in CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted that the substantial questions of law framed in the appeal 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, for a decision on merits. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, represented by the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 06.09.2017 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'A' Bench. The appeal pertains to assessment year 2012-13 and challenges the ITAT's decision regarding disallowance under Section 14A read with Rule 8D. The assessee is M/s. Orchid Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. The Revenue's counsel informed the High Court 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 appeals to the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the ITAT was justified in holding that the disallowance under Section 14A read with Rule 8D of the Income Tax Rules must be restricted to the extent of exempted income earned by the assessee, disregarding that Rule 8D does not impose such a restriction? (Question of law) 2. Whether the ITAT was correct in relying on the judgment of the Madras High Court in the case of Redington (India) Ltd. to conclude that the disallowance under Section 14A read with Rule 8D should be restricted to the exempted income, when the High Court had not expressed such an opinion in the relied-upon judgment? (Question of mixed law and fact) Assessee's arguments: Not recorded. Revenue's arguments: The Revenue argued that the ITAT's decision was incorrect on both substantial questions of law. However, the Revenue subsequently stated that it was not pursuing the appeal due to a low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 14A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.265 of 2018 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 28.08.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.265 of 2018 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax Central I, No.108, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Orchid Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., No.1, 6th Floor, Crown Court, 34, Cathedral Road, Chennai - 600 034. PAN: AAACO0399K ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 06.09.2017 made in ITA.No.1156/MDS/2017 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2012-13. For Appellant : Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, SSC assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani For Respondent : Mr.R.Sivaraman JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel, assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, learned counsel appearing for the 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.265 of 2018 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 06.09.2017 made in ITA.No.1156/MDS/2017 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2012-13. 3.The appeal has been filed by raising the following substantial questions of law : “1.Whether the ITAT is justified in holding that the disallowance u/s.14A read with Rule 8D of Income Tax Rules, has to be restricted only to the extent of exempted income earned by the assessee, by ignoring the fact that no such restriction was laid in Rule 8D? 2.Whether ITAT is correct in placing reliance on the judgment of the Hon'ble Madras High Court in the case of Redington (India) Ltd., in favour of its conclusion that the disallowance u/s.14A read with Rule 8D of Income Tax Rules, has to be restricted only to the extent of exempted income earned by the assessee, whereas the Hon'ble High Court has not expressed any such opinion in the relied upon judgment?" 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.265 of 2018 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.) 28.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.M/s.Orchid Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., No.1, 6th Floor, Crown Court, 34, Cathedral Road, Chennai - 600 034. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.265 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.265 of 2018 28.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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