COMMISSIONER OF WEALTH TAX, vs. M/S.TAMIL NADU REAL ESTATE

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TCA/308/2017HC Madras29 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The Revenue sought to withdraw the appeal on the grounds of low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.08.2019, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. The Revenue submitted that the tax effect in this case was below this threshold. Consequently, the High Court dismissed the appeal on account of low tax effect. The substantial questions of law 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. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Wealth Tax, Company Circle III, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 30.11.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), 'A' Bench, Chennai. The appeal pertains to assessment year 2006-07 and concerns M/s. Tamilnadu Real Estate Private Limited. The ITAT's order was challenged regarding the eligibility of vacant land at Nungambakkam for Wealth Tax and the reliance on a photocopy of a tax receipt to prove the existence of a building. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law on 11.08.2017.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right and justified in holding that vacant land at Nungambakkam is not eligible for Wealth Tax, though it is a taxable asset as per Section 2(ea)(v) of the Wealth Tax Act? (Question of law turning on Section 2(ea)(v) of the Wealth Tax Act). 2. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal erred in solely relying on a photocopy of a tax receipt to prove the existence of a building when the assessee's letter filed before the Assessing Officer and the valuation report proved otherwise, thus rendering the impugned order unsustainable? (Question of mixed law and fact). Assessee's contentions: Not recorded in the judgment. Revenue's contentions: The Revenue argued that the vacant land at Nungambakkam is a taxable asset under Section 2(ea)(v) of the Wealth Tax Act and that the Tribunal erred in relying solely on a photocopy of a tax receipt to establish the existence of a building, contrary to other evidence.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 2(ea)(v)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.308 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.308 of 2017 Commissioner of Wealth Tax, Company Circle III, Chennai. .. Appellant -vs- M/s.Tamilnadu Real Estate Private Limited, C/o.M/s.S.Venkataram & Co. Chartered Accountants, 218, TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai-600 018. PAN: AABCT 5912 E .. Respondent Appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 30.11.2016, made in W.T.A.No.23/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2006-07. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa Standing Counsel For Respondent : Ms.J.Sree Vidhya ****** 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.308 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 30.11.2016, made in W.T.A.No.23/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 11.08.2017, on the following substantial questions of law:- “(i) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, in law, Tribunal was right and justified in holding that vacant land at Nungambakkam is not eligible to Wealth Tax Act though it is a taxable asset as per Sec.2(ea)(v) of the said Act? and (ii) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, in law, Tribunal erred in solely relying on a photocopy of a tax receipt to prove the existence of building when the letter of assessee filed before Assessing Officer as well as valuation report prove otherwise and thus the impugned order of the Income tax Appellate Tribunal is unsustainable?” 3.Heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.308 of 2017 by Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel for the appellant – and Ms.J.Sree Vidhya, 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 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 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.) 29.08.2019 abr T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.308 of 2017 V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. (abr) T.C.A.No.308 of 2017 29.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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