COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S MADRAS CEMENTS LIMITED
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 low tax effect, in terms of 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 appeal was dismissed on this procedural ground. The substantial questions of law framed were expressly left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Circle-I, Virudhunagar, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 07.04.2017 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'D' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 1997-98 and concerned the assessee, M/s. Madras Cements Limited. The substantial questions of law admitted for consideration related to the eligibility of 100% depreciation on a fly ash handling system, the classification of expenditure on Vallalar causeway as revenue expenditure, and whether the replacement of a rotor constituted capital expenditure. The appeal was admitted on 21.06.2019.
What were the issues?
The Tribunal had to decide three substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the assessee is entitled to 100% depreciation on Fly ash handling system when the same was only a storage system and it was also categorized as Plant and Machinery, turning on the provisions related to depreciation. 2. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the cost of construction incurred for Vallalar causeway as revenue expenditure when the above said expenditure was made to obtain enduring benefit for the assessee company, turning on the distinction between capital and revenue expenditure. 3. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the replacement of Rotor represents revenue expenditure, without noting the Rotor itself constitutes an independent machine with independent function and replacement of the same will amounts to capital expenditure, turning on the distinction between capital and revenue expenditure. The Revenue argued that the fly ash handling system was merely a storage system and categorized as Plant and Machinery, implying it might not qualify for 100% depreciation. The Revenue also contended that the Vallalar causeway expenditure was for an enduring benefit, suggesting it should be capital expenditure. Furthermore, the Revenue argued that the replacement of the rotor, being an independent machine, should be treated as capital expenditure. The judgment does not record 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
TCA.No.426 of 2018 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 No.426 of 2018 Commissioner of Income Tax, Circle-I, Virudhunagar. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Madras Cements Limited, C/o.Jagadisan & Co. Chartered Accountants, No.245, TTK Road, Residency Apartments, Alwarpet, Chennai - 600 018. PAN: AABCM8375L ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 07.04.2017 made in ITA.No.1111/MDS/2001 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'D' Bench for the assessment year 1997-98. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, SSC and Ms.V.Pushpa, SC For Respondent : Mr.P.J.Rishikesh JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/revenue and Mr.P.J.Rishikesh, learned counsel appearing for the respondent/assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.426 of 2018 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 07.04.2017 made in ITA.No.1111/MDS/2001 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'D' Bench for the assessment year 1997-98. 3.The appeal was admitted on 21.06.2019 on the following substantial questions of law : “Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the assessee is entitled to 100% depreciation on Fly ash handling system when the same was only a storage system and it was also categorized as Plan and Machinery? 2. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the cost of construction incurred for Vallalar causeway as revenue expenditure when the above said expenditure was made to obtain enduring benefit for the asessee company? 3. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the replacement of Rotor represents revenue expenditure, without noting the Rotor itself constitutes an independent machine with independent function and replacement of the same will amounts to capital expenditure?” 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 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.426 of 2018 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.) 28.08.2019 cse [1/2] Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.M/s.Madras Cements Limited, C/o.Jagadisan & Co. Chartered Accountants, No.245, TTK Road, Residency Apartments, Alwarpet, Chennai - 600 018. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'D' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.426 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.426 of 2018 28.08.2019 [1/2] 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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