SHRI KUMMATHI RAMESWARA REDDY vs. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOM

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TCA/421/2020HC Madras15 March 2021Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryWithdrawn

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court disposed of the tax case appeal by granting the assessee liberty to restore the appeal in the event the ultimate decision taken on the declaration filed under the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme is not in favour of the assessee. If such a prayer is made, the Registry is directed to entertain the petition for restoration without insisting on a condonation of delay application. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed for consideration were left undecided. The Court did not delve into the merits of whether SARs are taxable under 'salaries', a capital receipt, or a capital asset with no cost of acquisition. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The assessee, Shri Kummathi Rameswara Reddy, filed an appeal before the High Court of Madras under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, challenging an order dated 01.03.2019 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'D' Bench. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2014-15. The substantial questions of law admitted for consideration by the High Court relate to the taxability of stock appreciation rights (SARs) received by the assessee. The procedural history indicates that the appeal was admitted on 07.12.2020. Subsequently, the assessee filed a declaration under the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme, and Form No.3 was issued on 18.12.2020.

What were the issues?

The High Court was to decide three substantial questions of law concerning the taxability of stock appreciation rights (SARs) received by the assessee for the assessment year 2014-15. 1. Whether, under the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that the stock appreciation rights received by the appellant is taxable under the head 'salaries'? (Question of law) 2. Whether, under the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in rejecting the alternate submission of the appellant that the SAR received by the appellant is a capital receipt and therefore not taxable? (Question of law) 3. Whether, under the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal is right in rejecting the alternate submission of the appellant that the SAR received by the appellant is a capital asset and the gain could not be taxed since there is no cost of acquisition? (Question of law) The assessee contended that the SARs should be treated as a capital receipt and, alternatively, as a capital asset with no cost of acquisition, making any gain non-taxable. The judgment does not explicitly record the revenue's arguments on these issues.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.421 of 2020 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 15.03.2021 CORAM : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Ms.Justice R.N.MANJULA Tax Case Appeal No.421 of 2020 Shri Kummathi Rameswara Reddy, Flat 6 Viswaretha Apartments, Old No.28, New No.16, 7th Cross Street, Shastri Nagar, Adyar, Chennai - 20. ...Appellant Vs Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Non Corporate Circle 17, 121, Mahathma Gandhi Salai, Chennai. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 01.03.2019 made in ITA.No.1263/Chny/2018 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'D' Bench, for the assessment year 2014-15. For Appellant: Mr.N.V.Balaji For Respondent: Mr.T.Ravikumar Senior Standing Counsel 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.421 of 2020 JUDGMENT (Delivered by

T.S.Sivagnanam,J

) This appeal has been filed by the assessee under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 ('the Act' for brevity) challenging the order dated 01.03.2019 made in ITA.No.1263/Chny/2018 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'D' Bench ('the Tribunal' for brevity) for the assessment year 2014-15. 2. The appeal was admitted on 07.12.2020 on the following substantial questions of law: "1. Whether, under the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that the stock appreciation rights received by the appellant is taxable under the head 'salaries'? 2. Whether, under the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in rejecting the alternate submission of the appellant that the SAR received by the appellant is a capital receipt and therefore not taxable? and 3. Whether, under the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal is right in rejecting the alternate submission of the appellant that the SAR 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.421 of 2020 received by the appellant is a capital asset and the gain could not be taxed since there is no cost of acquisition?" 3. We have heard Mr.N.V.Balaji, learned counsel for the appellant- assessee and Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the respondent-Revenue. 4. The learned counsel for the appellant-assessee submits that the assessee already filed the declaration/undertaking under the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme and Form No.3 was issued on 18.12.2020. 5. In the light of the subsequent event, the assessee is given liberty to restore this appeal in the event the ultimate decision taken on the declaration filed by the assessee under Section 4 of the said Act is not in favour of the assessee. If such a prayer is made, the Registry shall entertain the prayer without insisting upon any application to be filed for condonation of delay in restoration of the appeal and on such request made by the assessee by filing a miscellaneous petition for restoration, the Registry shall place such petition before the appropriate Division Bench for orders. 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.421 of 2020 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND R.N.MANJULA,J hvk 6. The tax case appeal stands disposed of with the aforementioned liberty. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed are left open. No costs. (T.S.S.,J.) (R.N.M.,J.) 15.03.2021 Index: Yes/No Internet:Yes/No Speaking Judgment/Non speaking Judgment hvk To 1. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'D' Bench, Chennai. 2. The Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Non Corporate Circle 17, 121, Mahathma Gandhi Salai, Chennai. TCA.No.421 of 2020 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/

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