S.RANI vs. THE INCOME TAX OFFICER

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TCA/365/2020HC Madras11 November 2021Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice R. MAHADEVAN5 pages
AI SummaryWithdrawn

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court noted that during the pendency of the appeal, the assessee had availed the benefit of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020. The assessee had filed the requisite Forms 1 and 2, which were accepted, and Form 3 was issued by the Income Tax Department on 21.04.2021. The learned standing counsel for the Revenue conceded to this development. In light of the assessee having opted for and received acceptance under the Vivad Se Vishwas Act, the High Court deemed it unnecessary to decide the substantial questions of law that arose in the tax case appeal. The appeal was disposed of recording the submissions, with a direction to the department to process the application under the Act and communicate the decision to the assessee. No costs were awarded. The specific findings on the substantial questions of law were not rendered.

What were the facts?

The assessee, Rani, filed a Tax Case Appeal before the High Court of Judicature at Madras challenging an order dated 22.02.2018 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai ('the Tribunal') in I.T.A.No.1530/Mds/2017 for the Assessment Year 2013-14. The appeal was admitted on substantial questions of law concerning the denial of exemption under Section 54F of the Income Tax Act, 1961, in respect of an investment in a property yielding rental income from shops. The core dispute revolved around whether the property was commercial or residential, and whether it qualified for the exemption. During the pendency of the appeal, the assessee filed declarations under the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020, which were accepted, and Form 3 was issued.

What were the issues?

The High Court was to decide three substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Tribunal was correct in denying exemption under Section 54F for investment in a property generating rental income from shops, assessed under the head “Income from House Property” u/s.22. 2. Whether the Tribunal erred in holding the property as commercial based on property tax assessment and electricity connection, instead of relying on the Income Tax Act assessment. 3. Whether, in the absence of a definition for “residential property,” the Tribunal should have allowed the exemption under Section 54F, considering the Board's circular dated 28.06.1973. The assessee contended that the property was eligible for exemption under Section 54F. The revenue's position, as reflected in the Tribunal's order, was that the property was commercial and thus not eligible for the exemption. The judgment does not explicitly detail the revenue's arguments beyond what is implied by the Tribunal's decision.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 54F,Section 22,Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Tax Case Appeal No.365 of 2020 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 11.11.2021 CORAM : THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R. MAHADEVAN AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ Tax Case Appeal No.365 of 2020 Rani

... Appellant Vs.

The Income Tax Officer, Non-Corporate Ward 12(2), Chennai.

... Respondent

Tax Case Appeal filed under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, "C" Bench Chennai, dated 22.02.2018 passed in I.T.A.No.1530/Mds/2017. For Appellant : Mr. N. Quadir Hoseyn For Respondent : Mrs. V. Pushpa,

Standing Counsel

Page 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Tax Case Appeal No.365 of 2020 J U D G M E N T (Judgment was delivered by R. MAHADEVAN, J.) This Tax Case Appeal has been filed by the appellant / assessee challenging the order dated 22.02.2018 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Bench 'C', Chennai ('the Tribunal', for brevity) in I.T.A.No.1530/Mds/2017 for the Assessment Year 2013-14. 2.The above appeal was admitted on 15.10.2020 on the following substantial questions of law: “1.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case the Tribunal was right in denying exemption under Section 54F in respect of investment in a property yielding rental income from shops assessed under the head “Income from House Property” u/s.22? 2.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case the Tribunal was right in holding, relying on property tax assessment and electricity connection under the head “Commercial” that the subject property was commercial instead of relying on assessment under the Income Tax Act? Page 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Tax Case Appeal No.365 of 2020 3.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, in the absence of definition as to the term “residential property”, the tribunal ought to have upheld the appellant entitlement for exemption under section 54F in view of Board's circular dated 28.06.1973.” 3.When the matter was taken up for consideration, the learned counsel appearing for the appellant / assessee submitted that during the pendency of this tax case appeal, the assessee has filed the requisite Forms 1 and 2 under Section 4 (1) of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020, which were accepted and Form 3 was issued to the assessee on 21.04.2021 by the Income Tax Department. The learned counsel has also filed a memo dated 11.11.2021 to that effect. 4.The aforesaid submission made by the learned counsel for the appellant / assessee has also been fairly conceded by the learned standing counsel appearing for the respondent / Revenue. 5.This court heard the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, as per which, the assessee has already availed the benefit Page 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Tax Case Appeal No.365 of 2020 conferred under the beneficial legislation viz., the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020, enacted for resolution of disputed tax and for matter connected therewith or incidental thereto, which came into force with effect from 17.03.2020; and the declarations submitted by the assessee were also accepted and Form 3 was also issued to them by the Income Tax Department. In view of such development, it is unnecessary for this court to decide the substantial questions of law arisen in this tax case appeal.

6.Therefore, recording the submissions so made by the learned counsel on either side, this appeal stands disposed of, directing the department to process the application in accordance with the Act and communicate the decision to the assessee at the earliest. No costs. (R.M.D., J.) (M.S.Q., J.) 11.11.2021 msr

Internet : Yes

Index : Yes / No To 1.Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai "C" Bench 2.The Income Tax Officer, Non-Corporate Ward 12(2), Chennai. Page 4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Tax Case Appeal No.365 of 2020 R. MAHADEVAN, J. and MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J. msr Tax Case Appeal No.365 of 2020

11.11.2021 Page 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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