THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. M/S.CHENNAI CITY CENTRE
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the Tax Case Appeals filed by the Revenue as withdrawn. The dismissal was based on the Revenue's submission that the appeals were not being pursued due to a low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No.17/2019. The Court noted that the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court had been increased to Rs.1 crore by this circular, and the tax effect in the present cases was below this limit. Consequently, the appeals were disposed of without a decision on the merits of the substantial question of law. The substantial question of law framed was expressly left open. Liberty was granted to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeals if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed two Tax Case Appeals (T.C.A.Nos.336 and 337 of 2017) before the High Court of Judicature at Madras. These appeals challenged the orders of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Madras, dated 23.09.2016, pertaining to Assessment Years 2010-11 and 2011-12. The respondent assessee is M/s. Chennai City Centre Holdings Pvt Ltd. The appeals were admitted on a substantial question of law concerning depreciation on civil works for setting up a windmill. The Revenue sought to withdraw these appeals due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019.
What were the issues?
1. Whether an assessee could avail 80% depreciation applicable to plant and machinery for civil works made for the purpose of setting up of a wind mill, or whether such civil works would qualify for depreciation of 10% applicable in respect of buildings and other civil constructions? (Question of law) Assessee's Contention: Not recorded in the judgment. Revenue's Contention: The Revenue argued that the appeals were not being pursued due to the low tax effect, referencing CBDT Circular No.17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 crore. The tax effect in these cases was stated to be below this threshold.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
T.C.A.Nos.336 and 337 of 2017 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 23.07.2021 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.DURAISWAMY AND THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE R. HEMALATHA T.C.A.Nos.336 and 337 of 2017 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ... Appellant in all appeals Vs. M/s.Chennai City Centre Holdings Pvt Ltd., No.10-11, Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai – 600 004. ... Respondent in all appeals Tax Case Appeals in T.C.A.Nos.336 and 337 of 2017 preferred under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras, “A” Bench, dated 23.09.2016 in I.T.A.Nos.1000/Mds/2016 and 1001/Mds/2016, respectively for the Assessment Years 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively. Page 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.Nos.336 and 337 of 2017 For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravi Kumar Senior Standing Counsel in all appeals For Respondent : Ms.Sri Niranjani Srinivasan for M/s.G.Baskar in all appeals C O M M O N J U D G M E N T (Judgment was delivered by M.DURAISWAMY, J.) We have heard Mr.T.Ravi Kumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant/Revenue and Ms.Sri Niranjani Srinivasan, learned counsel for the respondent/assessee. 2.The above appeals, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short, the Act), are directed against the order dated 23.09.2016 made in I.T.A.Nos.1000/Mds/2016 and 1001/Mds/2016, on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras, “A” Bench (for brevity, the Tribunal) for the Assessment Years 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively. Page 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.Nos.336 and 337 of 2017 3.The above appeals were admitted on the following substantial question of law: “Whether an assessee could avail 80% depreciation applicable to plant and machinery for civil works made for the purpose of setting up of a wind mill or whether such civil works would qualify for depreciation of 10% applicable in respect of buildings and other civil constructions?” 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that the above appeals are 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 these cases is less than the threshold limit. 5.In the light of the said submissions, the above Tax Case Appeals are dismissed as withdrawn on account of the Low Tax Effect. The substantial question of law framed is left open. In the event the tax effect Page 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.Nos.336 and 337 of 2017 in these cases 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 above appeals to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. [M.D., J.] [R.H., J.] 23.07.2021
Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes
mkn
To 1.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras, “A” Bench. 2.The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. Page 4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.Nos.336 and 337 of 2017 M.DURAISWAMY, J. and R. HEMALATHA, J. mkn T.C.A.Nos.336 and 337 of 2017 23.07.2021 Page 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
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