COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. DURAI ARUN KUMAR

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TCA/286/2019HC Madras30 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 Revenue's submission that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, in accordance with CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The Court noted that the tax effect in this case was below the threshold limit. Consequently, the substantial questions of law raised by the Revenue were left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, allowing the appeal to be heard and decided on merits. No decision was made on the merits of the substantial questions of law.

What were the facts?

The Commissioner of Income Tax, Non Corporate Circle 13(1), Chennai (the Revenue) filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 04.01.2019 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal pertained to the assessment year 2013-14 and concerned Mr. Durai Arun Kumar (the assessee). The Revenue's appeal challenged the ITAT's findings regarding the allotment date of 85,000 shares, the reliance on an internal company document over statutory filings, and the sanctity of such internal documents compared to statutory filings. The amount in dispute is not explicitly stated but is implied to be below the threshold for appeal.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal had to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the ITAT was correct in holding that 85,000 shares were allotted on 22.08.2011 when the share certificates were issued only on 09.08.2012? 2. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the ITAT erred in ignoring documentary evidence in the form of balance sheets filed before statutory authorities (ROC, IT Department) and relying on an internal document of a private limited company where the assessee holds 50% shares? 3. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the ITAT was right in holding that an internal document of a private limited company, where the assessee is the controlling person, is more sacrosanct than statutory documents filed contemporaneously? The Revenue argued that the ITAT erred in its findings concerning the share allotment date and the evidentiary value of documents. The Revenue contended that statutory filings should be given precedence over internal company documents. The judgment does not record specific arguments from the assessee's side.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.286 of 2019 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 30.8.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.286 of 2019 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Non Corporate Circle 13(1), Chennai ...Appellant Vs Mr.Durai Arun Kumar, Chennai-26. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 04.1.2019 made in ITA.No.1033/Chny/2018 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2013-14. For Appellant: Mr.M.Swaminathan, SSC assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa, SC Judgment was delivered by

T.S.Sivagnanam,J

We have heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.286 of 2019 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 04.1.2019 made in ITA.No. 1033/Chny/2018 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2013-14. 3. The Revenue has filed this appeal by raising the following substantial questions of law : “i. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was correct and justified in holding that the 85,000 shares were allotted on 22.8.2011 when the share certificates were issued only on 09.8.2012 ? ii. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal erred in ignoring the documentary evidence in the form of balance sheet filed before statutory authorities like ROC, IT Department etc., and to rely on an internal document of a private limited company of which the assessee holds 50% shares? And iii. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right and justified in holding that an internal document of a private limited company of which the assessee is the controlling person is more sacrosanct than statutory documents filed contemporaneously?” 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.286 of 2019 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 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 raised 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.

30.8.2019 Internet: Yes To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. RS 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.286 of 2019 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J RS TCA.No.286 of 2019 30.8.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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