COMMISSIONER OF INCOEM TAX vs. S.JEYACHANDRAN
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeals filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the Revenue's submission that the appeals were not being pursued due to a low tax effect, falling below the threshold limit stipulated in CBDT Circular No.17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeals if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, allowing them to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded.
What were the facts?
The Revenue filed two appeals (TCA.Nos.388 and 389 of 2018) before the Madras High Court against a common order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench, dated 28.03.2014. The appeals pertained to the assessment year 2006-07 and challenged the ITAT's deletion of penalty. The appeals were admitted on 24.07.2018, raising substantial questions of law concerning the applicability of Explanation 5A to Section 271(1)(c), a Supreme Court judgment in MAK Data Pvt Ltd, and the nature of a Rs.2 crore surrender. However, the Revenue subsequently sought to withdraw these appeals due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for appeals to Rs.1 Crore.
What were the issues?
The Tribunal had to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the ITAT was correct in deleting the penalty, ignoring that the case was squarely covered by Explanation 5A to Section 271(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 2. Whether the ITAT was justified in deleting the penalty, ignoring the Supreme Court judgment in the case of MAK Data Pvt Ltd reported in (38 Taxman.com 448). 3. Whether the ITAT's finding that the Rs.2 crores surrendered under Section 132(4) was perverse, considering it was admitted separately through a letter and not under Section 132(4) of the Income Tax Act. The Revenue contended that the penalty deletion was incorrect, citing the applicability of Explanation 5A to Section 271(1)(c) and the Supreme Court's decision in MAK Data Pvt Ltd. The Revenue also argued that the ITAT's finding regarding the surrender was perverse. The judgment records no specific arguments from the assessee on these points.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Heard together (2 matters)
Read from the judgment's own cause title. This page is filed under one of them.
TCA.Nos.388 and 389 of 2015 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 Nos.388 and 389 of 2018 Commissioner of Income Tax, Central IV, 108, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs Shri S.Jeyachandran ...Respondent APPEALS under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the common order dated 28.03.2014 made in ITA.No.2246/Mds/2013 and C.O.No.24/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2006-07. For Appellant : Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, SSC assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, SC For Respondent : Mr.G.Baskar COMMON JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J) We have heard Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Mr.G.Baskar, learned counsel appearing for the respondent - assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.388 and 389 of 2015 2.These appeals, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, are directed against the common order dated 28.03.2014 made in ITA.No.2246/Mds/2013 and C.O.No.24/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2006-07. 3.The appeals were admitted on 24.07.2018 on the following substantial questions of law : "1.Whether the Appellate Tribunal is correct in deleting penalty ignoring facts that this case is squarely covered by explanation 5A to Section 271(1)[c] of the IT Act? 2.Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the ITAT is justified in deleting the penalty ignoring the judgment of the Apex Court in the case of MAK DATA Pvt Ltd reported in (38 Taxman.com 448)? 3.Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case the finding of ITAT that the Rs.2 crores surrendered u/s. 132(4) is perverse in so far as it was admitted separately through a letter and not u/s. 132(4) of the IT Act?" 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 08.8.2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. By the said Circular, the monetary limit for filing or 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.388 and 389 of 2015 pursuing an appeal before the High Court has been increased to Rs.1 Crore. It is further submitted that the tax effect in the respective cases is less than the threshold limit. 5. In the light of the said submissions, the above tax case appeals are dismissed on account of the low tax effect. The substantial questions of law framed are left open. In the event the tax effect in the respective 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 appeals 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 The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.388 and 389 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.Nos.388 and 389 of 2018 28.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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