THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. R. MALLIKA
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the submission by the Revenue that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, as per 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 particular case was below the stipulated threshold. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission 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 threshold limit fixed in the circular, allowing it to be heard and decided on merits. 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 July 22, 2014, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'A' Bench. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2007-08 and challenges the ITAT's decision concerning deductions claimed by the assessee, Smt. R. Mallika. The High Court admitted the appeal on three substantial questions of law. However, during the hearing, the Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to a 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?
The High Court was to decide three substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Tribunal was justified in granting deduction under Section 54B(1) when the assessee did not follow the prescribed procedure under Section 54B(2) by depositing into the capital gains account scheme within the time stipulated under Section 139(1)? 2. Whether the Tribunal's finding allowing 30% of land development and consequent indexation was bad, as the alleged expenditure was incurred prior to the acquisition of land and thus not allowable? 3. Whether the Tribunal was justified in allowing 30% of land development and consequent indexation, especially when the sale deed dated February 13, 2007, indicated no compound wall existed, rendering the Tribunal's finding improper? Contentions: Assessee: No specific contentions are recorded for the assessee in the provided judgment. Revenue: The Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which raised the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was below this limit.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.48 of 2015 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 27.08.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.48 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs Smt.R.Mallika ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 22.07.2014 made in ITA.No.2046/MDS/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2007-08. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, SSC and Ms.V.Pushpa, SC For Respondent : Mr.A.S.Sriraman for Mr.S.Sridhar JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/revenue 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.48 of 2015 and Mr.A.S.Sriraman, learned counsel for Mr.S.Sridhar, learned counsel appearing for the respondent/assessee. 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 22.07.2014 made in ITA.No.2046/MDS/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2007-08. 3.The appeal was admitted on 03.03.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “1.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was justified in granting deduction under Section 54B(1) even though the assessee has not followed the prescribed procedure contemplated under Section 54B(2) viz., deposit into the capital gain account scheme within the time stipulated under Section 139(1)? 2.Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad, by allowing the 30% of land development and consequent indexation when the alleged expenditure of land filling which had been incurred was prior to the acquisition of land and therefore not allowable as an expenditure? 3.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was justified in allowing the 30% of the land development and consequent indexation especially when the schedule in the sale deed dated 13.02.2007 clearly shows that no compound wall was in existence and therefore the finding of the Tribunal was not proper?" 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.48 of 2015 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. (T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.) 27.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.48 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.48 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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