THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. ARUN EXCELLO HOMES PVT LTD

PDF · subscribers
TCA/437/2018HC Madras28 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

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 line with 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. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed for the appeal were left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect was found to be above the fixed threshold. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 06.12.2017 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'B' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2013-14 and challenged the ITAT's deletion of disallowance made under Section 40(a)(i) of the Act. The disallowance related to payments made to a non-resident company, which the Revenue contended were in the nature of interest and required Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) under Section 195. The amount in dispute is not explicitly stated but is implied to be below the threshold for appeal.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal had to decide two substantial questions of law: 1. Whether payments made to a non-resident company exceeding the investment amount constituted interest receipts requiring TDS under Section 195, and failure to deduct TDS warranted disallowance under Section 40(a)(i). 2. Whether the Tribunal was correct in deleting the disallowance under Section 40(a)(i) for payments to the non-resident, without considering that these payments were interest disguised as a discount on Optionally Convertible Debentures, thus liable for TDS under Section 195. The Revenue argued that the payments were interest and TDS was mandatory. The assessee's arguments are not recorded in the judgment. The Tribunal's decision on these issues is the subject of the appeal.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 40(a)(i),Section 195

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.437 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.437 of 2018 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Arun Excello Homes Pvt. Ltd., 18, Bhattanad Towers, West Cott Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014. PAN: AAGCA6559H ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 06.12.2017 made in ITA.No.937/MDS/2017 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2013-14. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC and Ms.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent : Mr.R.Sivaraman JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/revenue and Mr.R.Sivaraman, learned counsel appearing for the respondent/assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.437 of 2018 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 06.12.2017 made in ITA.No.937/MDS/2017 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2013-14. 3.The appeal was admitted on 10.08.2018 on the following substantial questions of law : “1.Whether the payments made to non-resident company over and above the investments made partakes the character of interest receipt requiring Tax deduction under Section 195 of the I.T. Act and failure to deduct TDS would attract disallowance u/s.40(a)(i) of the I.T. Act? 2.Whether the Tribunal was right in deleting the disallowance made u/s.40(a)(i) on the payments made to the non-resident company without deduction of tax at source, without appreciating the fact that the payment made to non-resident company is nothing but interest payment paid under the guise of discount on Optionally Convertible Debentures which are liable for Tax deduction under Section 195 of the I.T. Act?" 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. It 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.437 of 2018 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 Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.M/s.Arun Excello Homes Pvt. Ltd., 18, Bhattanad Towers, West Cott Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.437 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.437 of 2018 28.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

More judgments on Section 40(a)(i)

All 2,009 judgments and leading authorities on Section 40(a)(i) →

Recent GST High Court judgments

Search GST case law →