PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. M/S. KFJ GOLD & DIAMOND

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TCA/454/2016HC Madras21 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 on the grounds of low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted the submission by the Revenue's counsel that the tax effect was below the threshold limit of Rs. 1 Crore for pursuing appeals before the High Court. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were 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 prescribed limit, 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 upon.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Principal Commissioner of Income Tax-4, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 30.9.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2009-10 and concerned the assessee, M/s. KFJ Gold & Diamond Pvt. Ltd., Chennai. The appeal was admitted on August 2, 2016, based on three substantial questions of law. However, 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.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal had to decide three substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Tribunal was correct in law in holding that losses from commodity trading should be allowed to be set off against the assessee's regular business income. 2. Whether the Tribunal was correct in holding that commodity transactions on MCX stock exchange during the financial year 2008-09 were eligible for treatment as non-speculative under Section 43(5)(d), considering MCX was notified as a recognized stock exchange only from May 22, 2009. 3. Whether the Tribunal was correct in not following the Apex Court's decision in Reliance Jute Industries Ltd. [120 ITR 921 (SC)] regarding the commencement of amended provisions from the first day of the assessment year. The Revenue contended that the commodity transactions were speculative and that the amended provisions of Section 43(5)(d) were not applicable retrospectively. The assessee's arguments are not recorded in the judgment.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 43(5)(d)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.454 of 2016 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 21.8.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.454 of 2016 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax-4, Chennai ...Appellant Vs M/s.KFJ Gold & Diamond Pvt. Ltd., Chennai-40. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 30.9.2015 made in ITA.No.2017/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2009-10. For Appellant: Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, SSC For Respondent: Ms.E.Malini for M/s.Pass Associates Judgment was delivered by

T.S.Sivagnanam,J

We have heard Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Ms.E.Malini, learned counsel appearing for the respondent – assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.454 of 2016 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 30.9.2015 made in ITA.No. 2017/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2009-10. 3. The appeal was admitted on 02.8.2016 on the following substantial questions of law : “i. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal is correct in law in holding that the losses from commodity trading is to be allowed to set off against the regular business income of the assessee ? ii. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal is correct in holding that the transaction on commodities carried on by the assessee on MCX stock exchange during the financial year 2008-09 would be eligible for being treated as non speculation within the meaning of Section 43(5)(d), when MCX stock exchange is notified as a recognized stock only with effect from the date of publication of Notification No.46/2009 dated 22.5.2009 issued by the CBDT in the official gazette ? And iii. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal is correct in not following the Apex Court's decision in the case of Reliance Jute Industries Ltd. [reported in 120 ITR 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.454 of 2016 921 (SC)] wherein it was held that the amended provisions of sections come into force from the first day of the assessment year?” 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 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. 21.8.2019 Internet: Yes To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. RS 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.454 of 2016 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J RS TCA.No.454 of 2016 21.8.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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