THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. BEST & CROMPTON ENGG LTD
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was not on merits but on the grounds of low tax effect, as per Circular No. 17/2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes, 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 this threshold. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed by the Revenue were left open. 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, allowing for a decision on merits. No costs were awarded.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, represented by the Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated February 28, 2017, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'A' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2011-12 and challenged the ITAT's deletion of an addition of Rs. 67,22,678 made by the Assessing Officer (AO). The addition was on account of delayed payment of employee's contribution to Provident Fund and ESI. The respondent assessee, M/s. Best & Crompton Engg Ltd., did not appear or was not ready to proceed with the hearing.
What were the issues?
The Tribunal was asked to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Tribunal was correct in deleting the addition of Rs. 67,22,678 made by the AO on account of delayed payment of employee's contribution to Provident Fund and ESI, considering that Section 36(1)(va) read with Section 2(24)(x) prohibits such allowance? 2. Whether the Tribunal's finding deleting the additions made under Section 36(1)(va) was erroneous, given that allowance is granted only if employee's contribution to Provident Fund and ESI are credited within the specified due dates under the respective Acts, which was allegedly not the case? 3. Whether relief should be granted to the assessee by virtue of the amended provision of Section 43B, even in cases of belated contributions for employee's contribution to Provident Fund and ESI, especially when the section contemplates payment before the due date prescribed in the respective Act, which was allegedly not met? The Revenue contended that the ITAT's deletion of the addition was incorrect based on the provisions of Sections 36(1)(va) and 2(24)(x) and the requirement of timely payment under the respective Acts. The Revenue also questioned the applicability of amended Section 43B in cases of belated contributions. The judgment does not record any specific arguments from the assessee.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.31 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.31 of 2018 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Best & Crompton Engg Ltd., No.28, Sidco Industrial Estate, Ambattur, Chennai - 600 056. PAN: AAACB2753N ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 28.02.2017 made in ITA.No.647/MDS/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2011-12. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC and Ms.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent : Not ready Notice JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/revenue. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.31 of 2018 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 28.02.2017 made in ITA.No.647/MDS/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2011-12. 3.This appeal has been filed by raising the following substantial questions of law : "1.Whether the Tribunal was right in deleting the addition of Rs.6722678/- made by A.O. on account of delayed payment to Employee's Contribution to Provident Fund and ESI are allowable, especially when Section 36(!)(va) rad with Section 2(24)(x) prohibit such allowance being granted to the assessee? 2.Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad by deleting the additions made under Section 36(1)(va) which is allowable only if the employee's contribution to provident fund and ESI are credited into the specified account within the specified due dates as prescribed under the respective Acts which is not the case on hand? 3.Whether relief is to be granted to the Assessee by virtue of amended provision of Section 43B even in cases where there has been a belated contributions made in respect of Provident Fund and ESI in respect of Employee's contribution especially when the Section contemplates the payment to be made before the due date as prescribed in the respective Act which is not the case on hand?" 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 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.31 of 2018 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 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.Best & Crompton Engg Ltd., No.28, Sidco Industrial Estate, Ambattur, Chennai - 600 056. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.31 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.31 of 2018 28.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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