COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, vs. M/S. BEST CHOICE,
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue as withdrawn. The dismissal was based on the Revenue's submission that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, falling below the threshold limit stipulated in CBDT Circular No.17/2019. The Court noted that the monetary limit for filing or pursuing appeals before the High Court had been increased to Rs.1 crore by this circular. Consequently, the substantial question of law framed in the appeal was 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 imposed.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Central Circle IV, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras, “B” Bench, dated 05.08.2016. The appeal pertained to Assessment Year 2009-10 and concerned expenditure incurred by the assessee, M/s.Best Choice, on repair and renovation of leasehold land, including interior decoration, flooring, painting, and temporary partitions. The Revenue's appeal was filed challenging the Tribunal's decision on the applicability of Explanation 1 to Section 32 of the Act.
What were the issues?
1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Hon'ble Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that Explanation 1 to Section 32 will not apply for the repair and renovation expenditure incurred by the assessee on the leasehold land towards interior decoration, flooring, painting and temporary partition, etc.? Assessee's Contention: The judgment does not record any specific contentions made by the assessee. The appeal was dismissed based on the Revenue's submission. Revenue's Contention: The Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to the Low Tax Effect, as per Circular No.17/2019 issued by the CBDT, which increased the monetary limit for appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
T.C.A.No.497 of 2017 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 30.03.2021 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.DURAISWAMY AND THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVI T.C.A.No.497 of 2017 Commissioner of Income Tax, Central Circle IV, Chennai. ... Appellant Vs. M/s.Best Choice, No.176F, Trivandrum Road, Tirunelveli 627 003. ... Respondent Appeal preferred under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras, “B” Bench, dated 05.08.2016 in I.TA.No.1879/Mds/2014, Assessment Year 2009-10. For Appellant : Mrs.V.Pushpa Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.R.Venkata Narayanan for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar Page 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.497 of 2017 JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by M.DURAISWAMY, J.) We have heard Mrs.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel for the appellant/Revenue and Mr.R.Venkata Narayanan for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar, learned counsel for the respondent/assessee. 2.The appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short, the Act) is directed against the order dated 05.08.2016 made in I.TA.No.1879/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, “B” Bench (for brevity, the Tribunal) for the Assessment Year 2009-10. 3.The Revenue has raised the following substantial question of law in the above appeal : “Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Hon'ble Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that explanation 1 to section 32 will not apply for the repair and renovation expenditure incurred by the assessee on the leasehold land towards interior decoration, flooring, painting and temporary partition, etc.?” 4.The learned Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that the Page 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.497 of 2017 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 as withdrawn on account of the Low Tax Effect. The substantial question of law framed is left open. In the event the tax effect in this case 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. [M.D., J.] [T.V.T.S., J.] Index : Yes/No 30.03.2021 Internet : Yes (2/5) mkn
To Page 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.497 of 2017 1.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, “B” Bench 2.The Commissioner of Income Tax, Central Circle IV, Chennai. Page 4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.497 of 2017 M.DURAISWAMY, J. and T.V.THAMILSELVI, J. mkn T.C.A.No.497 of 2017 30.03.2021 (2/5) Page 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
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