THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME vs. M/S CHETTINAD HOUSING CONS

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TCA/500/2017HC Madras29 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the submission made by the learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant (Revenue) that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019 dated August 8, 2019. This circular increased the monetary limit for filing or pursuing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The Revenue stated that the tax effect in this case was below this threshold. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, represented by the Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against an order dated January 25, 2017, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), 'A' Bench, Chennai. The appeal pertains to assessment year 2012-13 and challenges the ITAT's decision to grant relief to the assessee, M/s. Chettinad Housing Constructions. The core of the dispute revolves around the eligibility of deduction under Section 80IB(10) for a housing project that was allegedly not fully completed. The amount in dispute is not explicitly stated but is implied to be below the threshold for appeal.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal was asked to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in granting relief to the Assessee under Section 80IB(10) when a portion of the approved project remains to be completed, and therefore, the deduction is not available as it is not a completed project? 2. Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad, especially when Section 80IB deductions are available only on completed projects, which is not the case on hand since a portion of the approved project remains to be completed? The Revenue argued that the deduction under Section 80IB(10) should not be available because the project was not fully completed. The Assessee's arguments are not recorded in the judgment. The Revenue relied on the principle that Section 80IB deductions are available only on completed projects.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 80IB(10)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.500 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.500 of 2017 The Commissioner of Income tax, Chennai. .. Appellant -vs- M/s.Chettinad Housing Constructions, No.8/2, Kennedy 2nd Street, Mylapore, Chennai-600 004. PAN: AAFFC2827A .. Respondent Appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 25.01.2017, made in I.T.A.No.2202/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2012-13. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravi Kumar Senior Standing Counsel & : Ms.R.Hemalatha Senior Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.M.P.Senthil Kumar, For Mr.G.Baskar ****** JUDGMENT 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.500 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 25.01.2017, made in I.T.A.No.2202/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2012-13. 2.The appeal has been filed raising the following substantial questions of law:- “(i) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in granting relief to the Assessee u/s.80IB (10) when a portion of the approved project remains to be completed and therefore the deduction is not available as it is not a completed project? and (ii) Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad especially when Section 80IB deduction are available only on completed projects which is not the case on hand since a portion of the approved project remains to be completed?” 3.Heard Mr.T.Ravi Kumar and Ms.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant – and Mr.M.P.Senthil Kumar, learned counsel for Mr.G.Baskar, learned counsel for the respondent. 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.500 of 2017 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 To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai. T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.500 of 2017 V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. (abr) T.C.A.No.500 of 2017 29.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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