COMMISSIONER vs. SERVION

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TCA/486/2018HC Madras23 July 2020Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM5 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court found that a fact-finding exercise had been conducted in an earlier round for the same issue, specifically in T.C.A.Nos.241 and 647 of 2008 dated 04.06.2019. The Court was of the firm view that both substantial questions of law raised in the present appeal were squarely covered by the decision in the earlier appeals. Consequently, the questions of law were answered against the revenue. The appeal filed by the revenue was dismissed. No specific directions were given regarding the amount in dispute or any specific relief, as the appeal itself was dismissed based on the precedent.

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 23.11.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal pertains to assessment year 2009-10 and challenges the ITAT's decision regarding the assessee, M/s. Servion Global Solutions Ltd. The ITAT had allowed the assessee's claim for exemption under Section 10A and also directed the exclusion of telecommunication and foreign currency expenses from total turnover for calculating eligible profit under Section 10A. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that the assessee is entitled to exemption under Section 10A, despite a clear violation of Section 10A(2)(ii), and without appreciating that the STPI unit was not a new unit but formed by splitting up and reconstruction of an existing business, with common products, customers, and employees to the pre-existing unit, for which exemption under Section 10A is claimed? 2. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that telecommunication expenses and foreign currency expenses should be excluded from the total turnover for arriving at eligible profit under Section 10A, when these expenses cannot be treated as part of total turnover and the section does not provide for such exclusion, and whether the Tribunal's order is perverse and against accounting principles? Assessee's Contention: Both substantial questions of law raised by the revenue have been decided against the revenue in the assessee's own case in T.C.A.Nos.241 and 647 of 2008 dated 04.06.2019. Revenue's Contention: The Assessing Officer had independently decided the issue for the assessment year under consideration, 2009-10.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 10A,Section 10A(2)(ii)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.486 of 2018 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 23.07.2020 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.486 of 2018 Commissioner of Income Tax Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Servion Global Solutions Ltd., Plot No.4/600 & 4/197, 7th Street, Dr.VSI Estate, Phase II, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai – 600 034. PAN: AAACI0947F ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 23.11.2016 in ITA No.2010/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2009-10. For Appellant : Mr.J.Narayanasamy Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.S.P.Chidambaram 1/5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.486 of 2018 Judgment was delivered by T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J We have elaborately heard Mr.J.Narayanasamy, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/revenue and Mr.S.P.Chidambaram, learned counsel appearing for the respondent. 2.This appeal, filed by the revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (“the Act” for brevity), is directed against the order dated 23.11.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench (for brevity, the Tribunal) in ITA No.2010/Mds/2016 for the assessment year 2009-10. 3.This appeal was admitted on 05.12.2019 on the following substantial questions of law: “1.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case the Tribunal was right in holding that the assessee is entitled for exemption under Section 10A when there is a clear violation of Section 10A(2)(ii) and without appreciating that STPI unit was not a new unit and it was formed by splitting up and reconstruction of the already existing business and the products, customers and employees were common to the pre existing unit and the unit for 2/5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.486 of 2018 which the assessee claims exemption under Section 10A? 2.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case the Tribunal was right in holding that the telecommunication expenses and foreign currency expenses were to be excluded from the total turnover for the purpose of arriving at eligible profit under Section 10A when the said expenses cannot be treated as a part of the total turnover and the section does not provide for such exclusion and whether the Tribunal order is perverse and against the accounting principle?” 4.The submission of the learned counsel appearing for the respondent/assessee is that both the Substantial Questions of law raised by the revenue have been decided against the revenue in the assessee's own case in T.C.A.Nos.241 and 647 of 2008 dated 04.06.2019. 5.Mr.J.Narayanasamy, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/revenue strenuously contended that the Assessing Officer has independently decided the issue for the assessment year under consideration, namely, 2009-10. 3/5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.486 of 2018 6.We have examined the facts of the case and also the judgment in T.C.A.Nos.241 and 647 of 2008 dated 04.06.2019 and we find that a fact finding exercise was done in the earlier round for the same issue. Therefore, we are of the firm view that both the Substantial Questions of law raised in this appeal are squarely covered by the decision in T.C.A.Nos.241 and 647 of 2008 dated 04.06.2019 and accordingly, needs to be answered against the revenue. 7.In the result, the tax case appeal fails and is dismissed. No costs. (T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.) 23.07.2020 Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No Internet : Yes (or) No To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'C' Bench. cse 4/5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.486 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J cse TCA.No.486 of 2018 23.07.2020 5/5 http://www.judis.nic.in

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