PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. M/S. KARMEN INTERNATIONAL
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal on the grounds of low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019 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 the threshold limit. 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 decision was made on the merits of the substantial questions of law.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, represented by the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax-4, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 28.10.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'B' Bench. The appeal pertained to the assessment year 2010-11 and concerned a disallowance under Section 14A of the Income Tax Act. The ITAT had passed an order in MP.No.106/Mds/2015 in ITA.No.57/Mds/2015. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law.
What were the issues?
The Tribunal had to decide two substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Appellate Tribunal was right in directing the Assessing Officer to restrict the disallowance under Section 14A only up to the exempt income earned by the assessee, ignoring the computation provided under Section 14A read with Rule 8D of the Income Tax Rules? 2. Whether the Appellate Tribunal was right in law in holding that the quantum of exempt income is relevant for the disallowance computed as per Section 14A read with Rule 8D? The Revenue argued that the ITAT erred in restricting the disallowance to the exempt income and ignoring the statutory computation. The Revenue contended that the quantum of exempt income is indeed relevant for the disallowance calculation under Section 14A read with Rule 8D. The judgment does not record 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.408 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.408 of 2016 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax-4, Chennai-34 ...Appellant Vs M/s.Karmen International Pvt. Ltd., Chennai-602107. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 28.10.2015 made in MP.No.106/Mds/2015 in ITA.No.57/Mds/ 2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2010-11. For Appellant: Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, SSC assisted by Mr.S.Rajesh, SC For Respondent: Mr.A.S.Sriraman Judgment was delivered by
T.S.Sivagnanam,J
We have heard Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Mr.S.Rajesh, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Mr.A.S.Sriraman, learned counsel appearing for the respondent – assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.408 of 2016 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 28.10.2015 made in MP.No. 106/Mds/2015 in ITA.No.57/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2010-11. 3. The appeal was admitted on 20.6.2016 on the following substantial questions of law : “i. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in directing the Assessing Officer to restrict the disallowance under Section 14A only upto the exempt income earned by the assessee ignoring the computation provided under Section 14A read with Rule 8D of the Income Tax Rules ? ii. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in law in holding that the quantum of exempt income is relevant for the disallowance computed as per Section 14A read with 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 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. 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.408 of 2016 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. 30.8.2019 Internet: Yes To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench. RS 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.408 of 2016 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J RS TCA.No.408 of 2016 30.8.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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