PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF IN vs. M/S.ANU PLOT AND HOUSING PVT

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TCA/45/2020HC Madras23 March 2021Bench: 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 on the grounds of low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted the submission by the Revenue's counsel that the tax effect was below the enhanced monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission were left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to file a petition for restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit fixed in the circular, allowing it to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded. The specific findings on the substantial questions of law were not adjudicated due to the dismissal on procedural grounds.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, represented by the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, Central 2, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 08.03.2019 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Madras 'B' Bench. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2014-15. The dispute involves a sum of Rs. 2,64,55,000/-. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law. During the hearing, the Revenue's counsel submitted 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, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the ITAT's conclusion that the CIT(A) rightly directed the Assessing Officer to delete the liability of Rs. 2,64,55,000/- was correct, despite the assessee not proving the identity, genuineness, and creditworthiness of persons who purportedly provided land advances, even during appellate proceedings? (Question of law and fact, relating to Section 68 of the Income Tax Act, 1961). 2. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the ITAT, as the highest fact-finding authority, was correct in law in confirming the CIT(A)'s order without adjudicating grounds 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 raised by the Department? (Question of law, relating to procedural fairness and the scope of ITAT's powers). Assessee's contentions: Not recorded in the judgment. Revenue's contentions: The appeal is not being pursued due to low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, because the tax effect is less than the Rs. 1 Crore threshold for High Court appeals. The Revenue relied on CBDT Circular No. 17/2019.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 68

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.45 of 2020 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 23.03.2021 CORAM : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Ms.Justice R.N.MANJULA Tax Case Appeal No.45 of 2020 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, Central 2, No.108, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chennai - 34. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Anu Plot & Housing Pvt. Ltd., No.1379, "Golden Villa", 1st Block, 6th Street, 18th Main Road, Vallalar Kudiyeruppu, Anna Nagar West, Chennai - 40. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 08.03.2019 made in ITA.No.1651/Chny/2018 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'B' Bench, for the assessment year 2014-15. For Appellant: Mr.T.R.Senthil Kumar Senior Standing Counsel For Respondent: Mr.R.Murali 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.45 of 2020 JUDGMENT (Delivered by

T.S.Sivagnanam,J

) This appeal, filed by the Revenue, is directed against the order dated 08.03.2019 made in ITA.No.1651/Chny/2018 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'B' Bench (for brevity, the Tribunal) for the assessment year 2014-15. 2. The appeal was admitted on 30.01.2020 on the following substantial questions of law: "1. Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the ITAT's conclusion that the CIT(A) has rightly directed the Assessing Officer to delete the liability of Rs.2,64,55,000/- was correct inspite of the fact that the assessee has not proved the identity, genuineness and creditworthiness of the persons purported to have given land advances, even during the appellate proceedings? 2. Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the ITAT being the 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.45 of 2020 highest fact finding authority, was correct in law, in confirming the learned CIT(A)'s order, without adjudicating the grounds 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 raised by the Department?" 3. We have heard Mr.T.R.Senthil Kumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant-Revenue and Mr.R.Murali, learned counsel for the respondent. 4. The learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing 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. 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.45 of 2020 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND R.N.MANJULA,J hvk 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 file a petition before this Court to restore the appeal to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. (T.S.S.,J.) (R.N.M.,J.) 23.03.2021 Index: Yes/No Internet:Yes/No hvk To 1. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'B' Bench. 2. Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, Central 2, No.108, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chennai - 600 034. TCA.No.45 of 2020 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/

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