THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. DIAMOND ENGINEERING (CHENNAI)
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, as per 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 seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. 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 07.10.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2011-12 and challenged the ITAT's deletion of a disallowance made under Section 36(1)(va) of the Act. The disallowance was related to the delayed payment of employee's contribution to Employees' State Insurance (ESI) and Provident Fund (PF). The assessee is M/s. Diamond Engineering (Chennai) P Ltd.
What were the issues?
1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in deleting the disallowance made under Section 36(1)(va) of the Income-tax Act, despite the delay in payment of the employee's contribution to ESI and PF? This is a question of law. 2. Whether the reasoning and finding of the Tribunal are proper, especially when Section 36(1)(va) of the Income-tax Act clearly mandates that the sum is to be credited by the assessee to the employee's account on or before the due date under the respective Acts? This is a question of mixed law and fact. Assessee's contentions: Not recorded in the judgment. Revenue's contentions: The Revenue argued that the Tribunal erred in deleting the disallowance under Section 36(1)(va) as the payment of employee's contribution to ESI and PF was delayed, and Section 36(1)(va) requires timely credit to the employee's account.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
T.C.A.No.449 of 2017 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 29.08.2019 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.449 of 2017 The Commissioner of Income-tax, Chennai. .. Appellant -vs- M/s.Diamond Engineering (Chennai) P Ltd., 501, Vandalur Kelambakkam Main Road, Mambakkam, Chennai-600 127. PAN: AAACD3949E .. Respondent Appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 07.10.2016, made in I.T.A.No.865/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2011-12. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravikumar Senior Standing Counsel & : Ms.R.Hemalatha Senior Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.A.S.Sriraman For Mr.S.Sridhar ****** JUDGMENT 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.449 of 2017 (Delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam, J.) This appeal filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 07.10.2016, made in I.T.A.No.865/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2011-12. 2.The appeal has been filed raising the following substantial questions of law:- “(i) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in deleting the disallowance made u/s.36(1)(va) of the I.T. Act is to be allowed in spite of the fact that there had been a delay in payment of Employee's contribution to EST and PF? and (ii) Whether the reasoning and finding of the Tribunal is proper especially when Section 36(1)(va) of the Income- tax Act clearly holds that the sum is to be credited by the Assessee to Employee's account on or before the due date under the respective Acts?” 3.Heard Mr.T.Ravikumar and Ms.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant- and Mr.A.S.Sriraman, learned counsel for Mr.S.Sridhar, learned Counsel for the respondent. 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.449 of 2017 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 08.08.2019 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 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.) 29.08.2019 Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-Speaking Order abr T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.449 of 2017 V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. (abr) To 1.M/s.Diamond Engineering (Chennai) P Ltd., 501, Vandalur Kelambakkam Main Road, Mambakkam, Chennai-600 127. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai. T.C.A.No.449 of 2017 29.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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