THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. M/S.RAYALA CORPORATION PVT

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TCA/351/2016HC 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 a low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary threshold for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The Court noted that the tax effect in this particular case was less than the stipulated threshold. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed 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. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai (Revenue) filed an appeal before the High Court of Judicature at Madras against an order dated 16.10.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'B' Bench. The appeal concerned the assessment year 2011-12 and challenged the ITAT's decision regarding the classification of income from letting out properties and the disallowance of expenses under Section 14A. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law. Subsequently, the Revenue sought to withdraw the appeal, citing a low tax effect in light of CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for pursuing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold.

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, the Tribunal was right in holding that income from letting out properties was business income and not income from house property? 2. Whether the finding of the Tribunal is proper especially when the High Court in the assessee's own case for earlier years has decided the issue in favour of the Department by holding that income from letting out of property was assessable as income from house property? 3. Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in law in restricting the disallowance of expenses made under Section 14A to the extent of exempt income especially when the Assessing Officer had specifically invoked the provisions of Rule 8D? Contentions: Assessee: Not recorded in the judgment. Revenue: The Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, referencing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which raised the monetary limit for High Court appeals to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was below this limit.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 14A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.351 of 2016 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.351 of 2016 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai ...Appellant Vs M/s.Rayalla Corporation Pvt. Ltd., Chennai-41. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 16.10.2015 made in ITA.No.908/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2011-12. For Appellant: Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC and Mrs.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent: Mr.R.Venkatanarayanan for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyer Padmanabhan Judgment was delivered by

T.S.Sivagnanam,J

We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar and Mrs.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Mr.R. Venkatanarayanan, learned counsel appearing for the respondent – assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.351 of 2016 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 16.10.2015 made in ITA. No.908/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2011-12. 3. The appeal was admitted on 18.7.2016 on the following substantial questions of law : “i. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that income from letting out properties was business income and not income from house property ? ii. Whether the finding of the Tribunal is proper especially when the High Court in the assessee's own case for earlier years has decided the issue in favour of the Department by holding that income from letting out of property was assessable as income from house property ? and iii. Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in law in restricting the disallowance of expenses made under Section 14A to the extent of exempt income especially when the Assessing Officer had specifically invoked the provisions of Rule 8D?” 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.351 of 2016 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.) 30.8.2019 Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order ½ Index : Yes (or) No Internet: Yes (or) No To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench. RS 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.351 of 2016 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J RS TCA.No.351 of 2016 30.8.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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