THE COMMISSIONER vs. M/S DATA SOFTWARE

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TCA/456/2016HC Madras10 August 2021Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM5 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeal on the ground of low tax effect, as the tax effect was below the threshold limit prescribed by CBDT Circular No. 17/2019 dated 08.08.2019. The Court stated that the Revenue could not prosecute the appeal under these circumstances. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were left open and not decided on merits. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. No costs were awarded. The specific findings and reasoning of the Tribunal on each of the substantial questions of law were not addressed by the High Court due to the dismissal on procedural grounds.

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 17.07.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ('the Tribunal') 'B' Bench, Chennai. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2009-10 and challenges the Tribunal's decision concerning the assessee, M/s. Data Software Research Company P. Ltd. The appeal was admitted on 26.07.2016, raising substantial questions of law. The High Court, upon perusing the impugned order, noted that the tax effect was below the threshold limit prescribed by CBDT Circular No. 17/2019 dated 08.08.2019. Consequently, the Revenue was deemed unable to prosecute the appeal.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal had to decide four substantial questions of law: 1. Whether brought forward losses of the domestic division must be set off against the profit of the EOU (STPI Unit) when computing deduction under Section 10B of the Income Tax Act to arrive at the net business loss. 2. Whether the Tribunal's finding that any expenditure deducted from export turnover should also be deducted from total turnover while calculating eligible deduction under Section 10A is proper, given it contradicts the statutory wording. 3. Whether the Tribunal's finding is proper, considering Explanation (2)(iii) to Section 10B specifically excludes freight, telecommunication charges, etc., from the computation of export turnover for deduction purposes. 4. Whether the Tribunal was right in directing the Assessing Officer (AO) to disallow only 2% of dividend income instead of the 10% disallowed by the AO without a rational basis. The Revenue argued that brought forward losses should be set off against EOU profits for Section 10B deduction. The Revenue also contended that the Tribunal's interpretation of Section 10A regarding turnover computation was contrary to the statute and that Explanation (2)(iii) to Section 10B mandates exclusion of specific expenses from export turnover. The Revenue further questioned the Tribunal's direction to disallow only 2% of dividend income. The judgment does not record specific arguments from the assessee on these points.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 10B,Section 10A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.456 of 2016 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 10.08.2021 CORAM The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mr.Justice SATHI KUMAR SUKUMARA KURUP T.C.A.No.456 of 2016 The Commissioner of Income tax, Chennai. .. Appellant

-vs- M/s.Data Software Research Company P. Ltd. Kasturi Towers, No.6, Smith Road, Chennai-600 002. PAN: AAACD1271H .. Respondent Appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 17.07.2015 made in I.T.A.No.1838/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2009-10. For Appellant : Ms.R.Hemalatha, Senior Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.R.Venkatanarayanan For M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar, Padmanabhan & Ramamani Page 1 of 5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.456 of 2016 JUDGMENT (Delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam, J.) This appeal, by the appellant/Revenue, filed under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 17.07.2015, made in I.T.A.No.1838/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai (for brevity “the Tribunal”) for the assessment year 2009-10. 2.The appeal was admitted on 26.07.2016, on the following substantial questions of law:- “1. Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that the brought forward losses of the domestic division need not be set off against the profit of the EOU (STPI Unit) while computing deduction under Section 10 B of the Income Tax Act in order to arrive at the net business loss? 2. Whether the finding of the Tribunal is proper by holding that any expenditure deducted from the export turnover should also be deducted from the total turnover Page 2 of 5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.456 of 2016 while arriving at the eligible deduction made under Section 10 A which is contrary to the wording in the statute? 3. Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad especially when as per Explanation (2) (iii) to Section 10 B has defined the word Export Turnover by which freight telecommunication charges etc., are to be specifically excluded while computing deduction? and 4. Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in directing the AO to disallow only 2% of the dividend income instead of 10% made by the AO without any rational basis?” 3.Perused the impugned order dated 17.07.2015, passed by the Tribunal and we find that the tax effect is below the threshold limit prescribed in the circular issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes in Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.08.2019. Therefore, the Revenue cannot prosecute this appeal and accordingly, this appeal is dismissed on the ground of low tax effect and the substantial questions of law framed are left Page 3 of 5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.456 of 2016 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.) (S.S.K., J.) 10.08.2021 abr To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai. Page 4 of 5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.456 of 2016 T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and Sathi Kumar Sukumara Kurup, J. (abr) T.C.A.No.456 of 2016 10.08.2021

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