PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. SHRI R. SIVALINGAM
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 a low tax effect, in line with CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. This circular increased the monetary limit for filing or pursuing 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 for the appeal 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, to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, represented by the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, filed an appeal before the High Court against an order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). The ITAT's order, dated December 20, 2016, pertained to Income Tax Appeal No. 347/Mds/2016 for the assessment year 2012-13. The appeal was admitted by the High Court on August 16, 2017, based on substantial questions of law. The assessee is Shri R. Sivalingam. The dispute involves additions made under Section 68 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, concerning cash credits found during a survey.
What were the issues?
1. Whether the learned Appellate Tribunal was right in law in deleting the addition made under Section 68 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, when the assessment was based on a diary impounded during a survey under Section 133A and statements recorded from the assessee, which were neither retracted nor disputed. Assessee's arguments: Not recorded. Revenue's arguments: The Tribunal erred in deleting the addition under Section 68 as the assessment was based on evidence gathered during a survey and recorded statements. The assessee did not retract or dispute these entries. 2. Whether the learned Tribunal was right in law in declining to interfere with the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) wherein the addition was restricted to 8% of the cash credits, without appreciating that cash credits are to be charged to tax under Section 68 in the absence of any explanation from the assessee regarding their nature and source. Assessee's arguments: Not recorded. Revenue's arguments: The Tribunal wrongly upheld the CIT(A)'s decision to restrict the addition to 8% of cash credits, as Section 68 mandates taxation of unexplained cash credits in the absence of satisfactory explanation from the assessee.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
T.C.A.No.457 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.457 of 2017 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax 2, No.63, Race Course Road, Coimbatore. .. Appellant -vs- Shri.R.Sivalingam, 61/1B, Pavithra Apartment, Kumalan Kuttai, Collectorate Post, Erode-638 011. PAN: APA PS 0181 H .. Respondent Appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 20.12.2016, made in I.T.A.No.347/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2012-13. For Appellant : Mr.T.R.Senthil Kumar, Senior Standing Counsel : assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, Standing Counsel ****** JUDGMENT 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.457 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 20.12.2016, made in I.T.A.No.347/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2012-13. 2.The appeal has been admitted on 16.08.2017, on the following substantial questions of law:- “(i) Whether the learned Appellate Tribunal was right in law in deleting the addition made under Section 68 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, when the assessment was made based on the diary impounded during the course of survey action under Section 133A of the Act and also on the basis of the statements recorded from the assessee, which was neither retracted nor raised any dispute on the entries made therein? and (ii) Whether the learned Tribunal was right in law in declining to interfere with the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) wherein the addition was restricted to 8% of the cash credits found, without appreciating the fact that cash credits are to be charged to tax as income under Section 68 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, in the absence of any explanation as to the nature and sources of the cash credits by the assessee?” 3.Heard Mr.T.R.Senthil Kumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.457 of 2017 by Ms.K.G.Usharani, learned Standing Counsel for the appellant. 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.457 of 2017 V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. (abr) To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai. T.C.A.No.457 of 2017 29.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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