COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S. RAJA AGENCIES

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TCA/428/2017HC Madras24 March 2021Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice M.DURAISWAMY4 pages
AI SummaryWithdrawn

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court heard the learned Standing Counsel for the appellant/Revenue. The Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to the low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs. 1 crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold. In light of these submissions, the High Court dismissed the Tax Case Appeal as withdrawn on account of the low tax effect. The substantial question of law framed at the time of admission was expressly left open. Liberty was granted to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit fixed in the Circular, for hearing and decision on merits. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Circle, Madurai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras, dated August 1, 2016. The appeal pertained to Assessment Year 2012-13 and concerned the respondent assessee, M/s. Raja Agencies. The appeal was admitted on July 11, 2017, based on a substantial question of law. The Revenue's counsel informed the High Court that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs. 1 crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the container freight station constitutes an “Inland Port” and is entitled to deduction under Section 80IA(4) of the Income Tax Act, 1961? (Question of law). Assessee's contentions: Not recorded. Revenue's contentions: The Revenue did not argue the merits of the substantial question of law. Instead, it submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to the low tax effect, referencing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which raised the monetary threshold for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 crore. The learned Standing Counsel stated that the tax effect in this case was less than the prescribed limit.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 80IA(4)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.428 of 2017 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATE: 24.03.2021 CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.DURAISWAMY AND THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVI T.C.A.No.428 of 2017 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Circle, Madurai. ... Appellant Vs. M/s.Raja Agencies, No.1, Bye pass Road, Madathur, Tuticorin. ... Respondent Appeal preferred under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras, "A" Bench, dated 01.08.2016 in I.TA.No.215/Mds/2016 Assessment Year 2012-13. For Appellant : Ms.V.Pushpa, Standing Counsel For Respondent : no appearance Page 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.428 of 2017 JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by M.DURAISWAMY, J.) We have heard Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel for the appellant/Revenue. 2.The appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short, the Act) is directed against the order dated 01.08.2016 made in I.TA.No.215/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, "A" Bench (for brevity, the Tribunal) for the Assessment Year 2012-13. 3.The appeal was admitted on 11.07.2017 on the following substantial question of law: “Whether the container freight station constitutes an “Inland Port” and entitled to deduction under Section 80IA(4) of the Income Tax Act, 1961?” 4.The learned Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that the Page 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.428 of 2017 above appeal is not pursued by the Revenue on account of the Low Tax Effect in terms of Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.08.2019 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. It is further submitted that the tax effect in these cases are less than the threshold limit. 5.In the light of the said submissions, the above Tax Case Appeal is dismissed as withdrawn on account of the Low Tax Effect. The substantial question of law framed is left open. In the event the tax effect in this case 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.

Index : Yes/No [M.D., J.] [T.V.T.S., J.] Internet : Yes 24.03.2021 va M.DURAISWAMY, J. and T.V.THAMILSELVI, J. Page 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.428 of 2017 va To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, "A" Bench T.C.A.No.428 of 2017 24.03.2021 Page 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/

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